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East Central District =

October 2007=20 = Newsletter

Dear Michelle, =

One of the things = I've learned=20 this year as your District Superintendent is that = whenever we=20 are intentional about leading change, conflict almost = always=20 follows the change! Another truth I've discovered is = that=20 everyone struggles with change...from toddlers to=20 grandparents.=20

When my son Matthew was three, and I one day = "changed" the=20 way I cut his grilled cheese sandwich (from a vertical = cut to=20 a horizontal one), we almost had World War III break = out in=20 our kitchen! But the reality is that change is a part = of life.=20 The cells in our bodies are changing all the time. = From the=20 moment we are born, to the moment we die, we change = with each=20 passing second. Change is nothing new, but = sometimes it's=20 hard to accept and adapt to the change that is taking = place.=20

Since turning 50, I continually find that I must = put forth=20 more effort to keep up with my aging body and the = change that=20 occurs when my metabolism slows down and my aches and = pains=20 are on the increase! I find I am in constant conflict = with=20 what I want to do and what my body allows me to = do. I am=20 reminded of Brother Paul when he said, "That which I = want to=20 do, I cannot do; but the very thing I hate is what I = end up=20 doing." - Romans 7:15

When it comes to Conflict in the Church, change is = often=20 the culprit.

In his book, The Peace Maker, Ken Sande gives = us a=20 helpful checklist on how to address conflict. He = states:=20 Whenever you are involved in a conflict, apply these = four=20 basic principles of Peacemaking by asking the = following=20 questions:

Glorify God: How can I please and honor = the Lord=20 in this situation?=20
Get the log out of your eye: How can I = show=20 Jesus' work in me by taking responsibility for my=20 contribution to this conflict?=20
Gently restore: How can I lovingly serve = others=20 by helping them take responsibility for their = contribution=20 to this conflict?=20
Go and be reconciled: How can I = demonstrate the=20 forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable = solution to=20 this conflict?

My experience in ministry over the last 25 years is = that=20 Conflict Happens! How we respond to = and=20 address the conflict is the key. My prayer for us as = we lead=20 our congregations through Transformation, = Regeneration, and=20 Renewal is that God will grant us his Wisdom and the = Power of=20 the Holy Spirit to create vital congregations = committed to=20 sharing the love of Christ in the world!

I Love Being Your District Superintendent,

Wayne

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God = did not=20 give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, = of love=20 and of=20 = self-discipline.

In This = Issue

Disaster=20 Recovery Training

Health=20 Plan Adoption Agreements

District=20 Support

Items=20 Needed

Emmaus in=20 Spanish

Laity=20 Sunday

October=20 Events

Creative=20 Worship Seminar

Minister=20 Mates Retreat

Orlando=20 Food Outreach

Methodist=20 Way Conference

Jobs=20 Available

Quick = Links

East Central=20 District

The Florida=20 Conference

The United = Methodist=20 = Church

______________________

Join our = Mailing=20 List!=20

______________________

Disaster Recovery=20 Training

Early=20 Response Team training will be held at Warren W. = Willis Camp=20 on October 26th and 27th. ERT's are self-contained = teams who=20 enter a disaster zone at the invitation of local = emergency=20 management officials. ERT's offer a Christian presence = and are=20 trained to provide various types of physical, = emotional and=20 spiritual assistance to disaster survivors.=20

Training focuses on types, phases and levels = of a=20 disaster. Attendees receive a disaster response = manual,=20 T-shirt and certification credentials identifying them = as=20 Early Responders for the Florida Conference. Contact = the=20 Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry for more = information

1-800-282-8011x 148.

Click here for the=20 = website

Health Plan Adoption = Agreements Needed=20 by October 10

In preparation for open enrollment for lay and = clergy=20 health benefits throughout the Florida Conference, = so-called=20 "adoption agreements" must be signed and returned to = the=20 conference by every local church (salary paying unit) = before=20 October 10th. This date is before the season of open=20 enrollment, which begins October 29.

Open enrollment will start October 29, 2007. This = will be=20 an opportunity for participants to make changes, = renew, add or=20 drop benefits of their coverage. A web cast is planned = for=20 October 29 at 10 a.m. to present details of all = changes for=20 2008 and to address participants' questions and = concerns. More=20 information on the web cast will be available soon on = http://mail.flumc.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=3Dhttp://= rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=3Dtyj5ffcab.0.hlzup7bab.ovscv9bab.1%26ts=3DS0289%26p=3Dh= ttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.flumc.org%252F.

Please fax the adoption agreement to Human = Resources by=20 Oct. 10th, to 863-688-5189. For eligibility = guidelines, please=20 go the Florida Conference Webpage, then under the=20 Administration tab go to the Human Resources page = where you=20 can scroll down to get more information on the = Adoption=20 Agreement. If you have any questions regarding the = adoption=20 agreement, please contact the HR & Benefits = department at=20 Benefits@flumc.org

District Support for=20 You

Our district staff is dedicated to supporting = you in=20 any way we can as you are in ministry with your=20 congregation.

Would you like to know where your church excels and = needs=20 to improve? The Natural Church Development = survey is a=20 standardized survey that will objectively measure your = church's strengths. We can help you administer = the=20 survey, then calculate and assist you in analyzing the = results, providing you with a picture of what your=20 congregation does well and where it could improve. A = great=20 resource to have as you prepare for your next planning = retreat.

Natural Church Development/ReFocus: We can = show=20 you some effective models for congregational = transformation,=20 provide you with references and testimonies from = churches and=20 pastors who have used these models, and hook you up = with the=20 tools you need to become a stronger, healthier=20 congregation.

One-on-One Ministry Coaching: One-on-One = Ministry=20 Coaching is an ongoing personal relationship with a = coach=20 dedicated to helping you succeed. Together, you and = your coach=20 will create a plan to manage your ministry with laser = focus=20 and purpose. And as you grow, you will help others on = your=20 leadership team to grow along with you.

Resources and Tools: What might you need = to do=20 your ministry better? Let's talk about it. = We will=20 do our best to hook you up with the people, tools, = training,=20 curriculum, ideas, support, and anything else you = might=20 need.

For more information, call the district office=20 (407-896-2230 or 866-804-2230) and talk with Linda = Mobley=20 (extension 104) or Kim Shockley (extension 101) or = e-mail us=20 at LindaM59@msn.com or kshockley@flumc.org.

Items = Needed

One LCD projector in useable condition for one of = our=20 Haitian missions. Contact the Office of New Church = Development=20 - 863-688-5563 x146.

Berean Haitian in Orlando is looking for a used 12=20 Passenger Van. Contact Pastor Thomas Toussant=20 = at 407-488-6610

Walk to Emmaus in=20 Spanish 3D"Walk

=20

     Men's Walk - October=20 4-7
     Women's Walk - October = 18-21
     Contact Jose = Carrion,=20 First Hispanic Mission

407-847-3700; jacarrion@cfl.rr.com

Laity Sunday -- October=20 21st

3D"Laity A ticking clock, a = pitcher and towel,=20 a few coins in hand, and a gift waiting to be = opened. =20 These images reflect God's call to faithful = stewardship of our=20 time, talent and treasure. They are appropriate = symbols for=20 Laity Sunday, which this year centers on the theme, = "One in=20 Spirit, All in Ministry; In the Spirit of = Stewardship."

Celebrate the laity in your own church by observing = this=20 day on October 21 (or a Sunday that works for your = worship=20 schedule this fall). Laity Sunday recognizes the = servant hood=20 of all believers. It offers a moment especially for = lay people=20 of all ages to pause and to consider again their own = unique=20 calling to ministry, based on the priesthood of all=20 believers. Throughout the Florida Conference of = The=20 United Methodist Church Laity Sunday will be = celebrated as lay=20 people plan and participate in worship services. =

GBOD makes it easy to find resources. Here = are some=20 links to help that process:

Commentary on Laity Sunday

Worship helps: suggestions for = scripture=20 readings, hymns, prayers and responsive readings.

Charles Wesley Tercentennial = materials,=20 aiding in this year's celebration of the = three-hundredth=20 anniversary of hymn writer Charles Wesley's birth.

GBOD Stewardship = website

Downloadable bulletin inserts and=20 posters

Janet Kelley, Lay Leader of the East Central = District=20 invites you to contact her for more information = jkelley@flumc.org =20

October = Events

Real Ideas Workshop, October 5-6, at Van = Dyke UMC,=20 Tampa. This workshop offers practical ideas for all = areas of=20 ministry in your local church: worship; small = groups;=20 health care; children, youth and adult ministries; = newcomers;=20 building community; and many more. For = information/=20 registration go to http://mail.flumc.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=3Dhttp://= rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=3Dtyj5ffcab.0.7yki4bcab.ovscv9bab.1%26ts=3DS0289%26p=3Dh= ttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vandyke.org%252F or=20 call 813-968-3983, ext. 145.

"Celebrating the Smaller Membership Church", = October=20 5-7, Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, NC. Bishop = James E.=20 Swanson, Holston Conference, Keynote Speaker. = Workshops on=20 Music, Planning, Christian Education.

Leadership Nexus Creativity Workshop, = October 9-11,=20 A few half-price scholarships available. This = means the=20 price will be $116.00 per person which will include = your=20 meals, materials and all of the presentations by the = teachers.=20 This is a great opportunity to learn about creativity = and the=20 work of God's spirit from committed Christian staff = persons at=20 Disney and Universal. To be held at First UMC = Kissimmee. For=20 more information contact: bpierson@leadershipnexus.net

Greater Orlando Christian Film=20 Festival, October 18-25, Regal Park Cinemas, = Winter=20 Park Village 20; http://mail.flumc.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=3Dhttp://= rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=3Dtyj5ffcab.0.qtq5idcab.ovscv9bab.1%26ts=3DS0289%26p=3Dh= ttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.greaterorlandochristianfilmfestival.com%252F

UMM Leesburg Retreats: October 12-14 (Scott = Smith=20 and Ed Diaz, speakers); October 19-21 (Denny Heiberg = and John=20 Riley, speakers); and October 26-28 (Riley Short and = Philip=20 Short, speakers). These weekends fill up fast so = register early. For more information and = registration,=20 call Don Heishman at 877-815-3692.

UMM Quarterly Meeting: October 25, = Florida=20 United Methodist Children's Home. Spouse's Welcome. = Campus=20 Tours by tram beginning at 4:00 PM, and then the = dinner and=20 regular meeting will begin promptly at 6:25=20 PM

Creative Worship & = Design Matters=20 SeminarNovember=20 2-3, Hyde Park, Tampa, This two-day seminar features = Len=20 Wilson and Jason Moore of Midnight Oil = Productions. It=20 combines the most cutting-edge thinking for creative = worship=20 and media design, including everything from overview = and=20 foundational principles to the nitty-gritty of = how-to. =20 For information and registration go to [website] =

Minister Mates=20 RetreatNovember=20 1-3, Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg, Florida=20

The theme for this retreat is Circle of Friends. = Ramona=20 Wiatt cordially invites all spouses in the East = Central=20 District to attend. Scholarships are available by = calling the=20 District Office. See brochure for more = information.=20 [Click Here]

The Greater Orlando Food=20 Outreach

3DCornicopia=20

Thanksgiving Mission Opportunity in = November

If you would like to be a host Church for Food = Collection, contact Candace Owen, 407-849-0079 ext. = 313
candace.grace.owen@gmail.com

First UMC Deltona, 1045 East Normandy = Blvd.
Deltona,=20 FL; Nancy Siebert 386-574-1391=20
First UMC Winter Park, 125 N. Interlachen = Ave.
Winter=20 Park, = FL

First Conference on "The = Methodist=20 Way"

3D"The

Hundreds of people learned about the five = practices of=20 The Methodist Way at the 2007 Florida Conference = Event. Coming=20 next spring will be the first of five, two-day = conferences to=20 take you deeper in understanding about each of the = five=20 elements and how each is related to the other.

The first conference, "Passionate Worship: Divine=20 Inbreaking," will be held at Trinity United Methodist = Church=20 in Gainesville, April 11-12, 2008, and repeated = at=20 Church of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, April = 14-15.=20

Both locations will feature four presentations = based on the=20 different movements of worship plus 21 breakout groups = featuring topics such as basic worship planning, = worship as=20 spiritual formation, worship in the emerging culture, = care and=20 feeding of a praise team, and connecting worship to = the=20 outside community. There will also be opportunities = for you to=20 meet with other worship leaders and pastors to have a = time to=20 network and share resources.

We are encouraging pastors, worship leaders, = worship teams=20 and anyone else who is involved in making worship = happen at=20 their local church to attend this conference. = Registration is=20 online: Passionate Worship registration. =

If you have questions, please contact the Office of = Connectional Ministries at 800-282-8011, Ext. 183. For = more=20 information on The Methodist Way, visit Connectional=20 Ministries.

2007-08 District Event = Calendar

Oct. 5-7: FUSION - A Great Day of Service http://mail.flumc.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=3Dhttp://= rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=3Dtyj5ffcab.0.m6hw7dcab.ovscv9bab.1%26ts=3DS0289%26p=3Dh= ttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.orlandofusion.org%252F=20

Oct. 8: Columbus Day - District and Conference = Offices=20 closed

Oct. 12-14: UMM Leesburg Retreat (speakers Scott = Smith=20 and Ed Diaz)

Oct. 14: Laity Sunday

Oct 18-25: Greater Orlando Christian Film = Festival @=20 Regal Cinemas in the Winter Park Village 20. Showing = "The=20 Devil Came on Horseback"

Oct. 19-21: UMM Leesburg Retreat (speakers Denny = Heiberg=20 and John Riley)

Oct. 20: United Methodist Women's District Annual = Meeting @=20 Asbury UMC, Maitland 9:30am-2:30pm

Oct. 20: ~CANCELLED~ Conference Table - Young = Adults=20 changed to February 16, 2008.

Oct. 23-25, LEC, Prayer & Wholeness Retreat, = leaders=20 Trudy Rankin & Robbi Walker

Oct. 25: EC District United Methodist Men's = meeting @ the=20 Florida United Methodist Children's Home (Spouse's are = encouraged to attend this event). Meeting begins = at 6:25=20 pm. (Tram tours of the Children's home will begin at=20 4pm.

Oct. 26-27: Disaster Recovery early response = training for=20 2007 @ Warren Willis Camp. For information and = registration [click here]

Oct. 26-28: UMM Leesburg Retreat (speakers Riley = Short=20 and Philip Short)

Oct. 31: Clergy Assessment process Due to the = District=20 office

Oct. 31: Continuing Education forms due to = District=20 Office

Nov. 1-3: Minister's Mates Retreat @ Life = Enrichment Center=20 in Leesburg

Nov. 9-13: Global Convocation of Bishops and = Cabinets

Nov. 10: UMW Conference Annual Meeting @ = Florida=20 Southern College

Nov. 26: SPRC Training from 6:30pm to 8:30pm = @ Peace=20 UMC in Orlando

Nov. 27: SPRC Training from 6:30pm to 8:30pm = @ First=20 UMC in DeLand

Nov. 30: Retired Clergy Luncheon @ District=20 Parsonage, 11am-1pm

Dec. 1: Conference Table - Older Adults

Dec. 5-7: Cabinet Retreat

Dec. 14: District Staff Christmas = Party

Dec. 13-15: SEJ Diversity Event =

2008 &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

Jan. 21-25: Large Church Initiative @ St Luke's = UMC

Feb 4-6: Restore the Joy @ Asbury = Seminary

Feb. 16: Conference Table: "Young Adults = Reframing=20 the Questions," 10am to 4pm at Harvest United = Methodist=20 Church in Bradenton.

Feb. 29-March 1: "Deep Shift" with Brien McLaren = Event @=20 First Baptist, St Petersburg

Apr. 11-12: The Methodist Way Passionate = Worship=20 Event, Trinity UMC, Gainesville.

Apr. 14-15: The Methodist Way Passionate Worship = Event,=20 Church of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach

June 17: Conference Table - In Defense of=20 Creation

Jobs = AvailableGrace United Methodist = Church is=20 looking for a part time Music Director. This = person=20 should have a strong calling to the servant ministry = of Jesus=20 Christ and is continually learning to live a life = compatible=20 with His teaching. The candidate is required to = know and=20 play both traditional and contemporary style music and = be able=20 to play piano and keyboard. Duties include playing at = worship=20 services on Sunday morning and plan and attend choir = rehearsal=20 one day during week. Please contact the church office = at=20 407-295-6723 if you are interested.=20

Opportunities at St. Luke's United = Methodist=20 Church

St. Luke's is a dynamic, energetic congregation = in=20 Orlando, FL with a membership of over 5000. The church = has=20 recently re-aligned their Ministry areas to their = Mission=20 Statement, resulting in some new exciting employment=20 opportunities:

Director of Marketing and = Communications:=20 writes materials for and directs the layout of = informational=20 materials such as newsletters, worship guide, Sunday=20 Supplement, Children's Bulletin, special event = programs, press=20 releases, pamphlets and posters. The Director = will work=20 with the Manager of IT Services to assist with design = of web=20 page. He/She will provide staff support for the=20 development and implementation of new ministries. =

Director of Events and Office Management:=20 Coordinate and schedule room with ancillary support = for all=20 events. Responsible for scheduling, training and = assuring the=20 Receptionist area is staffed. Work with = Administrative=20 Assistants to develop collaboration and cross = training.=20 Responsible for maintenance, contracts repair, etc., = of=20 general office equipment. This includes but is not = limited to=20 mail machines, copier machines, soda machines, coffee=20 machines, cell phones, etc.

Director of Emerging Arts: provides = counsel and=20 expertise in the Artistic trends in worship. The = director will=20 be responsible for identifying, motivating and = utilizing the=20 talents and resources found within the congregation in = the=20 area of Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Video Production = and Visual=20 media support for the screens in all worship=20 experiences.

Associate Director of Children's Ministry: = provide=20 a safe, caring and loving Christian environment and = provide=20 opportunities and experiences designed to promote the=20 spiritual development among the children from birth to = 5th=20 grade and their families. Responsibilities include = hands on=20 interaction in programs such as Child care, Nursery, = Small=20 Group Studies for elementary children, Sunday School=20 programming and camps; developing program curriculum = for=20 Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Kingdom Camp, = Midweek=20 and seasonal activities and supervising staff and=20 volunteers.

Part-Time Sound Tech: set up, program, and = run=20 sound console/audio equipment, multimedia equipment=20 (PowerPoint, media shout, projectors, dvd/vcr) for=20 Contemporary or Traditional Worship Services. This = position=20 requires the ability to observe and perform cues and = excellent=20 working knowledge of equipment listed above.

Children's Ministry and the Child Development = Center=20 are looking for Child Care Givers = Part-time.

Part-time and Full-time Internships = are=20 available starting in May and September. Please = contact=20 Lynette Fields for application at LFields@st.lukes.org

Need more information? Go to http://mail.flumc.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=3Dhttp://= rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=3Dtyj5ffcab.0.f9dkhfcab.ovscv9bab.1%26ts=3DS0289%26p=3Dh= ttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.st.lukes.org%252F=20 and look under "About" then "Job Openings" =

For consideration send resume to:
Tweed = Swenson,=20 SPHR, Director of Human Resources
Web: tswenson@st.lukes.org
Fax: = (407)=20 876-8315
Mail: St. Luke's United Methodist Church, =

4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL =20 = 32819-3128

EC = WEBSITE AND=20 UPDATES:
We want to feature your local church = ministry=20 and mission highlights on our Website. If you have a = special=20 Mission or Ministry event that you might share with = the rest=20 of the East Central District, please Contact our = Webmaster,=20 Michelle Colan at mcolan@flumc.org=20 and = share=20 with her your article and pictures!

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