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Wholeness for our Clergy, Congregations, and Communities |
| East Central District Newsletter | June 2010 |
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As of just last week, the 20 New Pastoral Appointments in the East Central District have been confirmed with Pastors and Staff Parish Relations Committees. It's been a busy spring!
I will complete my fourth year as your District Superintendent in July and look forward to returning as your Superintendent for another 2-4 years. (The Book of Discipline allows for a Superintendent to serve a maximum of 6-8 years).
I thought it might be helpful to recap all that we have accomplished together in the East Central District since 2006.
~ District Vision Statement: "Wholeness for our Clergy, Congregations, and Communities".
~ Annual District Leadership Training - Increased Participation from 125 in 2007 to 350 in 2010.
~ Two Clergy Retreats focusing on Self Care in Ministry with leadership from Dr. Tapiwa Mucherera and Robbi Walker in 2008 and Dr. James A. Harnish and Francis Jennings in 2010.
~ New Church Development - 12 new churches started over the last four years.
~ Congregational Excellence - 33 Churches involved in some type of Transformational Process: Clergy or Staff Coaching, Checking Vital Signs Study, Natural Church Development, Refocus Training, Peace-maker Intervention, and New Realities Training scheduled for June.
~ Instituted Community Charge Conferences in 2009 with sharing of testimonies in ministry and mission.
~ Convened 7 "Listening Groups" in Spring of 2010 with Clergy around the District to gain feedback and assess needs.
~ 2009-2010 - District Leadership Team working on long range planning through focus groups concentrating on Church Finances and Stewardship, Culture of the Church, the Mission of the Church.
With 83 Congregations, 99 Appointed Pastors, 31 Extension Pastors, and 56 Retired Pastors (186 Clergy), the East Central District provides a multitude of exciting ministry and mission opportunities to oversee and Superintend.
I am looking forward to a Renewal Leave this summer from July 7 - September 7 to include helping to lead a two week Mission Trip with Zoe Ministries to Mutare, Rwanda with 14 laity and clergy from our District. The remaining six weeks will be consumed with resting, reading, writing, and reflection. I will have several District Superintendents "on call" throughout the summer should any circumstances arise that need oversight or administrative direction.
Please call the District Office and speak to Janet Kelley should you need assistance during my leave.
See you in September! ( I love that song)...and
 I Love Being Your District Superintendent! Wayne
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. |
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NOTE TIME CHANGE! Clergy Required to Attend!
EC Clergy Community Meeting
Thursday, October 14th :: 8:30a - 3:00p + lunch
University Carillon UMC, Oviedo
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REMEMBER TO REPORT! |
For complete information, click the icon above. The purpose of the MVS is to help congregations stay focused on the five practices of fruitful congregations and to track an indication of their effectiveness for each of these practices.
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The Conference will be moving the main computer servers to their new building starting on June 14th.
The East Central District Office will not have access to email on June 14-15 and will have sporadic access until June 21 while the computers are down.
Anyone using a @flumc.org will experience difficulties during this time. |
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2010 Annual Conference on June 10-12, 2010
"Transforming the World by Eradicating Extreme Poverty"
At the Lakeland Convention Center  Special Offering will be divided 80% to the Methodist Church in Haiti and 20% Florida Impact for the Partnership to end Childhood Hunger [Details Here]
Pre-Conference Workshops will be
Wednesday, June 9 from 2:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. A brochure with workshop details is available [here].
Hospitality Volunteers are needed at Annual Conference. Complete details are available on the Florida Conference website under the Annual Conference link.
Tour New Archives/Heritage Center on Wed. & Fri.
You are invited to an Open House at the new Florida United Methodist Heritage Center in the McKay Archives at Florida Southern College on Wednesday, June 9, 6-8 p.m. or Friday, June 11, 12-1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the Barnett Plaza adjacent to the archives building.
Meal Opportunities at The Lakeland Center - The Connection Café
For your dining pleasure: LUNCH: 11:30 - 1:30 ::: HOT DINNER BUFFET: 4:30 - 6:30 Complete order form and mail or fax to: Ovations Food Services, 701 W Lime Street, Lakeland, FL 33815 Fax: 863-834-8108 *Reservations by phone, mail, or fax must be received By Monday, June 7th, 2010 *Payment due at time of reservation. [Click Here] for Connection Café flyer with meal options and more information. [Click Here] to pre-order your meals in the Connection Café.
East Central District Breakfast for EC Lay and Clergy members to Annual Conference is Friday, June 11th from 7:00 am - 8:30 am at Trinity UMC, 715 Cornelia Ave, Lakeland, FL 33815.
Conference Groups and Seminaries offer a variety of focused Group Meal Opportunities at Annual Conference to help keep the Connection Strong. [Click Here] to review the list and make reservations to attend those that interest you.
Ministers' Mates Afternoon Tea: Social gathering of all Clergy Mates
Friday, June 11 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ::: Sikes Hall Lobby, Lakeland Center [Click Here] for invitation - English [Click Here] for invitation - Spanish For information contact: flumcmates@gmail.com No RSVP, simply join us! |
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Response to Haiti Earthquake: June 13th from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Haitian Mission
First United Methodist Church of Winter Park is joining with the other East Central District United Methodist Churches for an event at Emmanual Haitian Mission (701 W. Concord Street, Orlando) on Sunday, June 13, from 2:00-5:00. The event will include worship, music, crafts and food, as well as fund-raising and mission team opportunities. |
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Kudos and Congratulations!
Trinity UMC in Deland has had its greatest increase in Professions of Faith with 9; its highest percentage increase in Professions of Faith at 113%; the Trinity Learning Center was selected "Best Day Care Facility of 2010" by readers of the West Volusia Edition of Daytona News-Journal (second year in a row); the Music Makers Program was awarded $1,000 from the Alice W. Lockmiller Endowment for Children, and; the Suzanna Circle was awarded $675 from the Alice W. Lockmiller Endowment for Children for their backpack ministry.
Venetian Bay UMC celebrates the privelege of being God's servants at Creekside Middle School, where they are delighted to worship and serve. The church received a certificate given by the Volusia County School Superintendent and Principal of the school for "Volusia (Business) Partner of the Year".
Montverde UMC Saturday Serve Update: What a great Saturday we had! Praise be to God! 17 volunteers participated in one way or another and God was definitely moving, preparing our way. Lots of food was delivered, bottled water was distributed, we met and prayed with lots of wonderful people, most of whom don't attend church anywhere. Contact was made with approximately 30 households in just over 2 hours. Far more happened than I can tell you in this update, but the most interesting thing was how receptive people where when they found out we were Methodist. First of all, they were surprised to see Methodist out in the community, second they were further surprised that we wanted to clean their windows or wash their car or give them food or whatever, third, for the most part, they wanted to talk and they craved prayer! The seeds we planted today will be harvested in God's time. After we gathered back at the church and shared what had happened, it was truly joyous to hear the stories and share our experiences. Those who served ended up being as blessed as those who received the service. Everyone who participated unanimously agreed that they would do this again at our next Saturday Serve! Not only do we have an exciting church, it's becoming really salty as well! |
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Florida Conference moves to new location June 14!
The new home of the Florida Conference, Florida United Methodist Foundation and Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union will be 450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33815-1522.
- The MAIN COMPUTER SERVER will be moved and reinstalled on Monday, June 14.
- IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who accesses the Florida Conference database internally, remotely and via CITRIX: We will loose connectivity, access and the ability to communicate TO AND FROM the conference database on JUNE14. That includes EMAIL (including Clergy E-mail) and access to ALL DATA. We expect communications to be interrupted and perhaps unavailable TO AND FROM the staff and NEW Conference Center until Monday, June 21. Please plan accordingly.
- PHONE SERVICE (LANDLINE) will be changed-over to the new building on Tuesday, JUNE 15.
- The POST OFFICE BOX will not be available after July 1. All mail will be forwarded to the new address.
The NEW ADDRESS is 450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33815-1522. |
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Participate in the East Central District Supply Challenge Fill the truck headed for Sager Brown Depot ::: Saturday, August 28 from 10 AM - 2 PM
Bring either: donations to purchase supplies (checks made out to UMCOR); completed kits; or, loose supplies for filling any of these UMCOR kits! Preferably - bring pre-assembled kits: [see flyer]
Cleaning Bucket (Value: $55)
Health Kit (Value: $12)
School Kit (Value: $11)
Birthing Kit (Value: $8)
Layette Kit (Value: $35)
Sewing Kit (Value: $18)
We hope all churches in the East Central District will participate. All participating churches should send a representative with the collected supplies to the: East Central District Office located at Trinity UMC, 2113 E. South Street, Orlando, FL 32803 (in downtown Orlando) during the hours of 10AM to 2PM to deliver supplies collected.
For additional information about UMCOR go to their [website]. |
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 This is Hurricane Preparedness Week Will you be ready if the next Charley comes calling?
Are you prepared?
If your community is hit by a hurricane and your church is destroyed... Who will you call? Where will you meet to worship on Sunday? How will you check on members of your congregation and who will do it?
Are the church records secure - membership? Baptisms and confirmations? Financial?
What's your plan? [Click Here] for helpful information to prepare!
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Willow Creek's Leadership Summit for UMC only!
August 5 & 6, 2010 at St. Luke's UMC in Orlando
We have an exciting partnership between St. Luke's UMC and Willow Creek Association! They will be a premier host site for the Leadership Summit on August 5 & 6, 2010, but only for United Methodist churches which gives us an opportunity to come together as UM churches in the area and have some networking opportunities during meals and breaks, a chance to dialogue about the speakers from our tradition, and also just a moment to fellowship and get to know one another.
There is special pricing that comes with this offer - $155 through June 22 and then $165 starting June 23. We will send out more info about special possibilities for under resourced churches and other information, but we wanted to get the news out to you as soon as possible so you can begin to communicate about this unique opportunity. Registration must be through St. Luke's webpage at www.st.lukes.org. The registration link will not go live until end of next week. Go to [Click Here] for details about the Leadership Summit, but you must register via St. Luke's website to obtain the special rates using the special registration code: TGLSBUS. |
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 Justice For Our Neighbors
Clinic Has New Home - Aloma UMC, Orlando
JFON will be moving its Orlando area immigration clinic to Aloma UMC. A training for new volunteers will be held on Sunday, June 6th from 3:00 - 5:30 pm and the first clinic will be held on June 8. Aloma UMC is starting a new multi-cultural Alpha class and has a conversational English program, so this is a great partnership for the ministries.
Volunteers roles needed include help with hospitality, child care, intake interviews and translation. JFON is also seeking an office volunteer to assist with recording all the cases in the data base and other assistance to the attorney.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marilyn Beecher 407-896-2230 x105 mbeecher@flumc.org. |
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SAVE THE DATE!
Local Church Administrative Staff Appreciation & Training East Central District ::: Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Winter Park
Who should attend: All Local Church Administrative Staff Church Secretaries, Administrative Assistants, Business Managers, Financial Managers. Our time together will combine fellowship and relationship building with other Administrative Staff throughout the EC District and training in specific tasks of Administrative Ministry.
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us. More details and registration information coming soon. |
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| Is God Calling YOU to Mission This Summer?
Celebrate Jesus Mission in St. Petersburg July 17-24, 2010
 If you have not been on mission in a while, we encourage you to revisit this possibility. As we move from year to year, God seems to lead us in areas in which we as an organization and we as a church need to "s t r e t c h". It was diversity of faith communities in the DeLand Mission in 2007, diversity of nationalities and races in the Southeast in 2008, a revisit of the Northeast communities and a breakthrough in the Southwest in 2009.
This year's mission takes us back to the St. Petersburg area where Celebrate Jesus had one of its first missions in 2000. This year we have joining us a total of five (5) Hispanic communities that did not exist in 2000. Our missions represent our communities. Consider coming on mission again this summer and have your journey lightened as you again are yoked with Christ for the week, serving where only God leads. We have missed you! Applications are available at www.cjmission.org. |
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Congregational Excellence in the District
by Janet Earls
How are we meeting the multi-generational needs of our churches? Does your church have a diverse age span? This article can take so many different paths but we will stay focused on the topic of choice, Generational Welcoming. So let's explore what is going on presently in our churches.
Many churches are in crisis - The financial realities are that many need to cut church staff, reduce the number of services, the remaining employed staff has to accept pay cuts with more work responsibilities just to stay employed. The smaller churches are dying off as the congregation ages without new influx of younger families. There are volumes written about all the reasons for this situation. The reasons vary from social, political, economical, conservative vs. liberal, old way vs. new way, technological, and also competition for our time. Some have never had exposure to some kind of church while a whole generation is reeling with emotions due to some conflict within their church. Our primary competition for people not attending church is not people leaving to go to another church. Our main competition is NOTHING. Nothing means people staying home and not doing anything. They are not furthering their spiritual growth or building a church community. They are disillusioned with the economy and see the church as one more responsibility that they cannot manage either emotionally or financially.
Let's begin with a few shocking statistics from The Barna Group, a market research firm that studies religious beliefs and American culture.
- Less than sixteen percent under the age of 35 attend church.
- Only a third of Gen X claim to be committed to Christ
- Eight out of 10 Gen X said that their faith is important, and 75 percent said that they prayed to God in the last week
- In one 2008 survey, just 53 percent of young adults said they were certain that God exists, compared to 71 percent of the oldest group.
- The largest share of parents (50%) reported that having children did not influence their connection to a church.
We should try to understand those reasons and not judge those reasons or the people. Instead, identify what the different generation's value and [Continue reading]. |
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Come to "Grandparents & Me" Camps this summer
Session 1: July 5-8, 2010 || Session 2: August 2-5, 2010
Grandparents & Me Camp |
The Life Enrichment Center is sponsoring two "Grandparents and Me" camps during the summer of 2010. These popular camps are fun times and a great opportunity to spend quality time with your grandchildren. The program is designed for children ages 5-11 and their grandparent(s). You will stay in our motel type rooms, and have three days of fun and learning about our faith. To learn more, and to register, go to www.LECretreats.org and click on the "Summer Camps" icon, or call 352-787-0313. |
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Disaster Preparedness from DRC: Jeff Campbell
 I'd like us to take a few minutes and contemplate the phenomena we classify as "disasters". Dictionary.com defines disaster as "a calamitous event, esp. one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship, as a flood, airplane crash, or business failure". So a disaster is not the event itself but its effects on the lives of people. A prototype aircraft experiences mechanical failure and the pilot ejects and the plane crashes in the desert. This is no disaster. The same aircraft comes down in a populated area. Now we have a different story. Loss of life and property categorizes it as a disaster. Seasonal rains cause a river to overflow its banks, bringing much needed topsoil and nutrients to the adjacent lands, which is very beneficial to the environment. The same event now occurs along a path where a community has sprung up and thrived. Businesses are flooded, buildings are inundated, and lives may be lost. Once again the same forces of nature have resulted in a devastating situation. [Continue Reading] |
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School of Congregational Development
Creating Missional Disciple-growing Faith Communities of Jesus Christ
Thursday, July 29, 2010 to Monday, August 2, 2010
Renaissance Hotel and Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN
 Hosted by: the Tennessee Conference, McKendree UMC, and Brentwood UMC
Sponsored by: The General Board of Global Ministries, The General Board of Discipleship, and Path 1
In the 1980s the General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Global Ministries created a training experience for new church start pastors. In the last ten years, SCD has blossomed to include training for Bishops, District Superintendents, Conference Staff, pastors, and church teams from existing congregations who desire to learn how to create and develop disciple-growing congregations. Co-developed by GBGM, GBOD, and Path 1 with collaboration with the National Plans and the Congregational Development Network, this year's event will be in the exciting city of downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
Participants at SCD choose from a wide variety of learning experiences that equip them in a multitude of areas related to congregational development in new and existing churches. For more details and to download their brochure [Click Here]. |
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2010 Ministry Discernment & Formation Retreat
Thursday, September 9, 2010 3:00 PM - Saturday, September 11, 2010 4:00 PM Central Time
Scarritt-Bennett Conference & Retreat Center, 1008 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
You are invited to a Ministry Discernment and Formation Retreat as you explore the possibility that God may be calling you to a full-time professional ministry on behalf of The United Methodist Church. The event is sponsored jointly by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and is for persons of all ages who are discerning a call or are in the early stages of candidacy for ordained deacon, elder, or local pastor, including the ministry of chaplain or pastoral counselor, or for the lay office of deaconess or home missioner. The registration fee of $100.00 includes event materials, meals and snacks. Housing is covered by the sponsoring agencies. Room reservations will be made for you in your name at the Retreat Center. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. You are encouraged to seek financial assistance from your church, employer, or conference board. A limited number of scholarships are available. Go to the "View Event Summary" link below and click on the Scholarship Forms Tab at the top of the page to apply. RSVP Friday, July 30, 2010View Event Summary & Register |
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Grants Available for Rural Churches
Renfro Trust Grants due September 1, 2010
On behalf of the Renfro Trust, we are pleased to offer rural churches the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000. The Renfro Trust Fund provides grants to be used for establishing and supporting United Methodist churches in rural areas within the Southeastern Jurisdiction. The Guidelines and Application are available on the Lake Junaluska website at www.sejumc.org/renfro-trust/.
Applications to be considered for 2010 grants must be completed with all required signatures and received by Lake Junaluska Office of Development and the Foundation by September 1, 2010. |
Edgewater United Methodist Church is looking for a part-time Youth Director from our area.
Please contact Edgewater United Methodist Church at 204 Hubbell St., Edgewater, FL 32132
or call 386-428-6552. Ask for Sue. |
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New Appointments in the EC District
We know you will want to congratulate our Clergy on their new appointments!
First, Apopka Jim Mitchell (First, Ft. Myers)
Stewart Memorial, Daytona Beach: Silas M'Mworia (Bartley Temple, Gainesville)
Community, DeBary Lisa Degrenia (Allendale, St. Petersburg)
Trinity, DeLand Brian Carr (Perrine-Peters, Miami)
Pine Ridge Fellowship, Deltona Benjamin Stilwell-Hernandez (Memphis Conference)
Forest Hills (PT) Steven VanAmberg (Chrisitan Missionary Alliance)
Shingle Creek, Kissimmee (PT) Daniel Martinez (Certified Candidate)
Casa de Alfarero (Shingle Creek, PT) Daniel Martinez (Certified Candidate)
Orange City Drew Dancey (Emory Graduate, Prov. Elder)
College Park, Orlando (PT) Daniel Ivey (Asbury Graduate, Certified Candidate)
Peace, Orlando LeeAnn Inman (Associate St. Luke's, Orlando)
Pine Castle, Orlando Scott George (Interim)
New Hope (West Orange New Church Start) Matt White
Riverview, Ormond Beach Joseph Kim (Good Shepherd/Lakewood Park, Lakeland)
First, Sanford Jimmy Jones (Assoc. Beach, Jacksonville Beach)
Aloma, Winter Park Jim Govatos (Indian River City, Titusville)
Extension Ministries
Laura Berg Provisional Deacon serving her first appointment at Vitas Hospice of Volusia/Flagler
Lauren Dancey Provisional Elder serving her first appt. as Chaplain of the FLUM Children's Home
Ryan Frack Certified Candidate serving his first appt. as Assoc. Chaplain & Director of Youth
Services of the FLUM Children's Home
Denny McCullough Director of Ministry Support FLUMCH
Walter Monroe Chaplain, Bethune Cookman University
William Payne Associate Professor, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ohio
Gary Shockley Path One Initiative, General Board of Discipleship
EC Clergy Appointed to Other Districts, Going On Leave, Retiring or Retiring Again
Ivan Corbin Grace, Merritt Island - Atlantic Central
Alan Gaylord Wesley, Gainesville - North Central
John Campbell Leaving Interim position at Trinity, DeLand
Will Furlong Personal Leave
Jim George Leaving Interim position at Pine Castle, Orlando
Nick Godun Incapacity Leave
David Moenning First, Jacksonville - North East
Drew Parsons Personal Leave
David Rambo Leaving Interim Position at College Park
Jim Thomas East Naples - South West
Ken Vickery Retiring
Wayne Williams First, Port St. Lucie - Atlantic Central
Terry Wines First, Chiefland - North West
The above appointments are effective July 1, 2010. |
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Jun 9: 2nd Annual Celebrate Jesus Golf Classic, Lakeland, 8a
Jun 9: Pre-Conference Training Events, Lakeland, 2-8:30p
Jun 10-12: Florida Annual Conference, Lakeland, FL
Jun 11: District Breakfast at Annual Conference for all Laity & Clergy + spouses, 7-8:30a
Jun 13: ReBuild Haiti Gathering, Emmanuel Haitian UMC, 2-5p
Jun 29: Moving Day for Pastors
Jul 7-Sep 7: DS Wayne Wiatt on Renewal Leave
Jul 19: EC New Church Development, District Office, 5:30p Jul 22: UMM District Quarterly Dinner Meeting, Edgewater UMC, 6:30p, Contact Steve Mauldin at (386) 738-3884 or steveandteeter@bellsouth.net, or Edgewater Church office 386-428-6552
Aug 5-6: Willow Creek Leadership Summit - UM Churches Only, St. Luke's UMC, Orlando Aug 11: EC Welcome Party for Clergy. Time and Location TBA
Aug 21: Child & Youth Protection Training, Tomoka UMC, Ormond Beach, 9a-12p
Aug 26: EC Local Church Admin. Asst., Sec., Bus. Admin. Training, First UMC, Winter Pk, 8:30a-2p
Aug 28: ECD UMCOR Supply Challenge - Truck to Sager Brown, District Office Parking Lot, 10a-2p
Aug 30-31: Florida Conference New Minister's Orientation, Leesburg
Sep 7: DS Wayne Wiatt returns from Renewal Leave
Sep 7: New Pastor Orientation for clergy moving July 1, EC District Office, 10a-12p + lunch Sep 16: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p Sep 17-18: Lay Servant Ministry: A Weekend of Learning. Tuskawilla UMC, Casselberry
Oct 14: EC Clergy Community Meeting, University Carillon, Oviedo, 8:30a-3p Oct 18: EC New Church Development, District Office, 5:30p Oct 19: EC Clergy Make-up Mtg. for clergy who missed 10/14, District Office, 5-8:30p Oct 21: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p Oct 21: EC UMM District Quarterly Dinner Meeting, 6:30p, Location TBA. Wives Night Out & Election of Officers for the new year.
Nov 15: EC New Church Development, District Office, 5:30p
Nov 18: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p
Dec 4: Christmas Open House for Clergy Families at the Wiatt's Home. 11a-2p
Dec 7: SPRC Training, 6:30-8:30p, Location TBA
Dec 9: SPRC Training, 6:30-8:30p, Location TBA
Dec 16: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p
Dec 20: EC New Church Development, District Office, 5:30p
2011
Jan 29: EC District Leadership Training Event, Community UMC, Casselberry, 8:30-12:45a | SAVE THE DATE! January 29th, 2011
2011 East Central District Lay and Clergy Leadership Annual Training Event
8:30 - 12:45 am at Community UMC, Casselberry
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