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| East Central District Newsletter
February 2009 |
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| Important
Upcoming
Dates for
your Calendar |
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February 13
Year-End
Statistical
Reports Due
February 21
Ordained Ministry SCREAM Event, Islands of Adventure
Spiritual Formation Gathering First UMC, Winter Park
February 26-27
Clergy Retreat, Daytona Beach February 28
Called Session of the Annual Conference
*Hitchhiker's Guide to Evangelism Workshop postponed
until Fall |
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P.S. Be the first to find the word "VALENTINE" in this edition of the EC News and receive a 50% Discount on the Clergy Retreat or a Valentine Gift for your loved one! E-mail me at ds-ec@flumc.org with your discovery.
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Dear Michelle, 
I have had several long-time friends, who from time to time, have dealt with issues of stress and anxiety. When I do not hear from them for lengthy periods of time, I will drop them a line or call to see how they are doing. Often, their silence is evidenced by the reality that they are overwhelmed, stressed-out, and generally not in a "good place."
I touched base with one of my silent friends several weeks ago to find out that he had taken a leave of absence from work and was attempting to do the "right things" to find wholeness again in his life. The good news is this...he recognized the unhealthy pattern in his life, and made some necessary changes to correct them.
I know that when I get overwhelmed and start "burning the candle at both ends," the first thing to go is my PEACE. I am gently nudged to return to John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you..." At the beginning of a new year of ministry, our Clergy have the opportunity to attend a 24 Hour Clergy Retreat focused on Clergy Self-Care.
Our leadership for the 24 Hour Day will be Dr. Tapiwa Mucherera and Reverend Robbi Walker. Topics will include Personal Wholeness & Holiness, and Nurturing Our Spiritual Formation through Meditation and Prayer. The 24 Hours will offer opportunities for new friendships, teaching, worship, renewal, reflection, entertainment, and recreation. You can do as much or as little as you like! This Day is for YOU!
 
If you need financial assistance to attend the retreat, please give me a call. For detailed information [Click Here]; and To register for the Retreat, [Print Form]. Looking forward to finding my way toward wholeness with you on February 26-27. 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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Kudos & Congratulations
Orlando Cooperative Parish [Ebenezer, Kirkman Rd. and Grace Churches] first Sunday Morning joint worship service on January 25 with 148 in attendance and 30 in the Choir! Dr. W. Walker, Pastor
First Winter Park for the Dedication of the Mattias Family Life Center with Bishop Whitaker presiding. Dr. Bob Bushong, Pastor
First Clermont for the Consecration of their new Wesley Family Life Center with 1700 in Attendance! Rev. Doug Kokx, Pastor
Rev. Gary and Kim Shockley (District Congregational Transformation Coordinator) on the release of their new book, Imagining Church: Seeing Hope in a World of Change, Alban Institute and Gary's new Appointment to Path One Initiative at the General Board of Discipleship as a New Church Strategist
250 in Attendance at the District Leadership Training on January 27. Planning Coordinator, Janet Kelley, District Lay Leader
First New Smyrna Beach who was awarded a $3,000 Grant by the AC-70 Committee from the Foundation for Evangelism to promote a Sunday afternoon Children/Parent Worship Service. Rev. Don Bremer, Pastor
Reverend's Tom Nelson and David Moenning, and Kim Shockley who are newly certified coaches for Pastors and Lay Leadership in our Local Churches.
Do you have a ministry, mission, or accomplishment that we can recognize in the EC News? Send it to ds-ec@flumc.org so we can brag on you!
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 SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 28
Special Session of Annual Conference
Bishop Tim Whitaker of the Florida Conference has called a special session of the Annual Conference, to be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Branscomb Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Registration for the conference will be open from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The session will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. A lunch break will be held if necessary.
The purpose of the special session will be to vote on resolutions which pertain to the sale of the current Conference Center, located at 1140 East McDonald Street in Lakeland, and the purchase of a new building.
All clergy and lay members of the 2008 Florida Conference are invited and expected to attend. Clergy who had voting rights for the regular 2008 Florida Annual Conference (¶602a;b;c;d of the 2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline) will have voting rights at this special session.
According to the 2008 Book of Discipline, "The lay member or alternate, whoever was last seated in the annual conference, shall be seated in a special session of the annual conference when convened, provided that no local charge shall be deprived of its lay member due to death, serious illness or cessation of membership. Under such circumstances, another lay member may be elected by the charge conference." (¶602.5)
Further Clarification & Instruction on Lay members:
Whoever was elected to attend the 2008 AC is qualified to attend the Special Session.
- If the lay member who attended in 2008 can't attend, the 2008 elected alternate can take their place at the Special Session.
- If the alternate attended in 2008, but can't attend the Special Session, then the 2008 (primary) lay member can take their place.
- Either 2008 elected lay member, primary or alternate, can be sent to the Special Session.
- If NEITHER is available, a replacement would need to be elected by Charge Conference. This could be a 3-minute meeting after worship, where the pastor presides (with DS authorization and proper notification).
- A letter of verification would be helpful for either the 2008 alternate lay member or the specially-elected lay member. We are asking that churches sending an alternate lay member send their lay member with verification on church letterhead stationery. This will keep down confusion and insure that the person the church sends will be seated.
Please share this information with others who might need to be present in February. For more information regarding the Special Session of the AC from Bishop Whitaker visit his BLOG [Click Here].
More information will be posted online at www.flumc.org as it becomes available and will also be e-mailed to clergy and lay members of the Conference. |
 Congregational Transformation
by Kim Shockley
One of the joys of my job has been receiving stories from congregations as they are willing to share the exciting news of God's activity. Each month when I ask church staff to send me their Vital Signs I also ask for these stories. December provided me with a wonderful picture of what God has been up to in the East Central District! In the midst of Christmas Concerts and Christmas Eve services, there were special moments of God's presence through the lives of our children.
First UMC of Clermont told me about the ministry of a group of children: "Isabella, who is 5 years old, was very excited to have been asked to hand out invitations to her Christmas musical. She took the task very seriously and asked me if I would get more cards for her because her list of friends was so many. The next day I picked up more cards totaling 15. That afternoon she took five cards to take outside and give to her neighborhood friends. A little later I noticed all of the cards missing from the counter. I asked Isabella where they went and she told me that she took them and then she and her friends went door to door handing out the rest of the cards. [READ MORE . . .]
Pine Castle UMC shared this story: "We had our first Christmas in our new Sanctuary this year. Our music and drama departments gave our congregation the gift of a handwritten Christmas Musical. At the end of the program there was an altar call. A young boy, 10 years old ran to the altar to receive Jesus in his heart. Pastor Jim George sat on the steps with him [READ MORE . . .]
My hope is that you have mist in your eyes now too! Praise God for the gifts of his presence!
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Beginning in February, every congregation in the Florida Conference is asked to report Missional Vital Signs indicating how they are living into the five practices of the United Methodist Way of discipling. The purpose of the Missional Vital Signs is to help church leaders increase their congregation's fruitfulness and faithfulness. By focusing attention on the five core practices involved in cultivating mature followers of Jesus Christ (the Methodist Way), Missional Vital Signs help leaders remain true to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Every church received an e-mail, (sent to the official local church e-mail address), in January asking them to select a Missional Vital Signs Reporter for their congregation. If you have not yet responded to the e-mail requesting the name and e-mail of your Missional Vital Signs Reporter, please do so today. (For assistance or clarification, contact Kim Shockley at kshockley@flumc.org or Janet Kelley at jkelley@flumc.org or call the EC District Office 407-896-2230). The East Central District has already been collecting the first three vital signs for the past four years. We will stop our current data collection and transition to the new Conference wide system in February for reporting the January 2009 data. This should be an easy transition, but does require that you respond to the Conference e-mail your church received with the name and e-mail of your Missional Vital Signs Reporter [KEEP READING MORE . . .] |
Year-end Statistical Report Deadline is February 13
Year-end local church statistics (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3) close on Feb. 13. This report is to be completed online annually. Go to the Florida Conference Website www.flumc.org and click the Year End Statistical Report Box at the right to login to access and complete your church statistics report. Remember, the year end statistical figures are used to compute your apportionments. It is very important to complete this report accurately. If you have questions or need assistance please contact Janet Kelley at jkelley@flumc.org today. |
 Summer Camp Program needs workers
The Warren Willis United Methodist Summer Camp Program is in need of individuals to serve in ministry in various areas this summer. All applications and further information are available at www.umsummercamp.org, on the drop-down menu from the "Warren Willis Summer Camps" tab at the top of the page. Team Pastor, Summer Camp Nurses, and Leadership Team Members are needed. If selected, each team member will serve from May 28 through Aug. 9. Each team member receives room and board and a minimum of $1,675 for the summer. |
2009 Property & Casualty, Auto and Workers Comp. Statements are Online
The Florida Conference again experienced a very successful property and casualty insurance program renewal. We have finalized the overall program insurance costs, which have resulted in a premium reduction for 2009 of over $1.6 million dollars (a 10 percent reduction). This, coupled with the substantial reduction last year brings the two-year overall premium reduction to 30 percent, or approximately $5.5 million dollars. [Read the e-Review article here]
The 2009 property, casualty, and workers compensation statements are now online and can be accessed [HERE]. Choose "PC/Workers Comp" from the drop-down menu and enter your church's GCFA number. The 2009 invoice is located at the bottom of your statement. A two percent discount will be applied to the 2009 premiums if paid in full by Feb. 15. |
"SCREAM" Event in Orlando February 20-22
 This event includes workshops led by outstanding Conference leadership, powerful worship led by Bryant Manning from our summer camp team and J.D. Walt of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, and an afternoon at Islands of Adventure. Young adults will learn how to be more effective leaders, how to serve the Church and the world, how to listen for God's call, and will build community with other young adults from around the Annual Conference. The cost is only $25! To register, visit www.screamumc.org. Please help us spread the word and encourage your young leaders to register early and attend. Space is limited! |
Evangelism Grant for Small Churches (250 or less)
Applications due February 23, 2009 awards presented in March
The Florida AC-70 Committee that has funded grants of up to $3,200.00 for small membership churches has just finished disbursing $21,475.00 to eight churches. Eight out of nine districts in our Conference were represented by the churches that were selected.
We are encouraging more small membership churches to apply immediately for the one time grants for an evangelism outreach ministry through their congregations. The application form is available [HERE].
Applications should include goals, strategies, target group, budget, timeline and the amount of financing the church is providing for the specified initiative. Direct questions to Dave Brazelton at 904-268-5549 or dbrazelton@mumc.net. |
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First UMC of Winter Park offers Foundation Grants
Applications for First United Methodist Church of Winter Park Foundation Grants are now available and are being accepted for consideration. Completed forms should be returned to Director of Operations Murray Wilton by February 28.
The purpose of the grants is to help church members support outreach ministries. Outside groups may also apply as long as there is a member of the church or staff as their representative.
Strongest consideration will be given to those proposals which most closely coincide with the church's mission. Requests for funding for personal needs will not be accepted.
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Be a place where low-income families come for help
Train with DCF & WIC to become an ACCESS site
On February 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Luke's UMC in Orlando, the Florida Conference is working with the Department of Children and Family Services and the Women's Infants and Children program (WIC) to host training for churches and other non-profit organizations to become ACCESS sites. ACCESS sites will be places that low-income families can come to receive applications and information about how to receive information about ACCESS (food stamps, Medicaid, TANF, Florida Kid Care, etc.), WIC education, and Earned Income Tax Credit education.
ACCESS sites could simply provide the information or they could actually set up computer stations with trained volunteers and help people who may not have computer accessibility actually go through the process. United Methodists will not be the only ones invited to this training but we want to be very intentional about using this opportunity to reach the goal above.
As is stated in the goal, our hope is to have at least one UMC in each of our 9 districts that is serving as an ACCESS site at some level. Please consider, if your church or outreach ministries might want to be involved in providing this valuable resource to the community and persons who might be able to attend this training. Let the District Office know if you have someone interested in attending. Thank you for your support of this very important calling we have for the Florida United Methodist Church to be a part of alleviating unnecessary suffering and sharing hope with our children. |
Scholarships for Students with March Deadlines
 Sinclair Scholarship Application Deadline is March 6
The scholarship is awarded annually to two or more students who will be college freshmen in the fall. To qualify, a candidate must be a full and active member of The United Methodist Church, maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and be planning to attend a Florida or United Methodist college or university. Academic achievement and church and community service are key criteria. Eligibility guidelines and application forms may be obtained online at [website] or by calling the Foundation toll free at (866)363-9673, extension 103. Georgia Harkness Scholarship grants a $5,000 award - Apply by March 1This funding can be applied to tuition, fees, and room and board for the basic seminary degree leading to elder's ordination. Applications and required documents must be submitted by March 1, 2009. The award is not available for undergraduate, D. Min., or Ph.D. work. More information about scholarships can be found at our [website]. |
15 Passenger Vans needed in the Bahamas
The Methodist Church in the Bahamas will be happy to receive your used 15 passenger vans. If you are able to donate or sell at a reasonable price, please contact Gene Zimmerman at eagzimme@yahoo.com or call (407) 423-2776. Gene expresses his appreciation for the four churches that have made their vans available. |
Peacemaking Network hosts "Meet & Greet" March 12
Central Florida Peacemaking Network (CFPN) is a voluntary association of representatives from local Christian churches who are dedicated to helping build a Bible-based "culture of peace" in Central Florida. These representatives are members of local church Peacemaking Teams registered with Peacemaker Ministries, individuals training to become Certified Christian Conciliators, or others who are interested in peacemaking.
CFPN will host a meet/greet for local church Peacemaking Teams on Thursday, March 12th from 7:00-8:30PM in the community room at the Lake Mary Panera Bread, 1210 International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746.
The primary focus of this event is to encourage and support teams in the local area that have registered with Peacemaker Ministries and assist them in their next steps. Teams are encouraged to share their progress, problems, and praises! Seating is limited. Contact Toni Ripley at aripley2@cfl.rr.com or call 407-671-5825 to place your reservation. |
A Weekend of Learning: Lay Leadership Training
Friday, March 20, 2009 from 5 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
First UMC of DeLand, 115 E. Howry Ave., DeLand, FL 32724
Registration forms available online [Click Here] (advanced registration required). Cost of Course Materials and Meals is $45.00 Course #1 - Advanced Lay Speaking: Lay Speakers Create Disciple Making Faith Communities (Rev. Owen & Mrs. Barbara Stricklin)
Course #2 - Advanced Lay Speaking: Dimensions of Prayer (Mr. Michael Briggs)
Course #3 - Basic Lay Speaking (Ms. Lynn Campbell)
For more information, contact Lynn Campbell, East Central District Lay Speaking Director at tumcoffice@cfl.rr.com or (407) 699-8155. |
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The Life Enrichment Center has numerous program opportunities available for you and your church in 2009. For registration information on the programs below and printable brochures, visit [their website]. For further information on these and developing programs at the LEC, call 866-UMCAMPS, then select option #2, or call 352-787-0313. Photography as a medium for Spiritual Growth -- March 8-10
During this program we will use the camera to express ourselves in prayer and to lead us on a journey of spiritual growth. Searching for Birds, Butterflies, and Other Critters -- March 8-13
This small group bird watching week will venture into the area's distinctive ecosystem with birding every day. A Scrapbooking Get Away -- March 27-29Three day events to experience wonderful forms of creative expression. |
2009 Couple's Retreats: "Walking with Jesus"
Now is the time for you to register for the 2009 Couple's Retreat of your choice, March 13-15 or March 20-22. The theme is "Walking with Jesus" and it is sure to be a wonderful experience with exciting leaders at both retreats. For more information and to print out registration go to: www.ummflconf.org. |
 Florida Conference expands e-Learning
"Come Let Us Worship," a training module for worship teams and leaders
The Florida Conference continues to expand its long-distance, e-Learning opportunities with the introduction this week of "Come Let Us Worship," a training module for worship teams and leaders.
The new online module, available free at [click here], is the eighth component designed to help local churches strengthen their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
According to the Florida Conference Valentine, Rev. Carol Sue Hutchinson, developer of the e-Learning opportunities, "Come Let Us Worship" is a great start for a local church to take seriously one of the five pieces of Living the Methodist Way: Passionate Worship. "Although 'Come Let Us Worship' talks about Passionate Worship, it really isn't aimed at that particular area," Hutchinson said. "However, any church that takes this module seriously will be well on their way." For more information, contact chutchinson@flumc.org. |
 Florida Conference Advocacy Days
Children's Week - March 29-31
You are invited to an exciting opportunity to come together with other United Methodists in Florida who are advocating for children and families in poverty. A resolution was passed at Annual Conference 2008 addressing the participation and celebration by local churches in Children's Week advocacy. Children's Week has for years raised awareness of the needs of children in Florida to state legislators and others in Tallahassee, and this year the Conference is working to increase the number of participants and the effectiveness of the training for advocacy.
Your presence is vital! We encourage you to attend and to bring along a delegation from your church. For more information, please contact Melinda Trotti, Director of Justice and Spiritual Formation Ministries, at mtrotti@flumc.org or Nancy Dougherty, Florida Conference Advocacy Days Coordinator at nancycumc@verizon.net. |
Celebrate Jesus Mission
2009 GOLF TOURNAMENT - Wednesday, June 10
If you are attending the Florida Annual Conference, at Bethune Cookman University head to Daytona a day early and join us!  WHERE: Pelican Bay Country Club, Daytona Beach
TIME: 8:00 am check-in; 8:30 am shotgun start
COST: $85 each, includes a t-shirt and lunch
FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE:
Celebrate Jesus, Inc.
PO Box 3386, Orlando, FL 32802-3386, USA
A registered 501(c)3 Organization
2009 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Cost: $150 per person,$50 for each additional family member.
March 21-28: Venetian Bay Mission, New Smyrna Beach (East Central District) -
Application Deadline: February 1
June 20-27: Southwest Florida Mission - Application Deadline: April 20
July 25-August 1: Northeast Florida Mission - Application Deadline: May 20 | |
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| District
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Jan 31: Society of St. Andrew (SOSA) Citrus Drive in the Greater Orlando Area
Feb 2: Year-End Statistical Report Training, East Central District Office 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Feb 6-7: Real Ideas Conference at Van Dyke Church in Lutz Feb 13: Year End Statistical Deadline Feb 16: President's Day - District Office Closed Feb 20-22: "SCREAM Get Ready for the Ride" for young adults to help discern a calling to full-time Christian ministry. Feb 21: Society of St. Andrew (SOSA) Citrus Drive in DeLand Feb 21: Radical Hospitality Conference Training Event. Trinity UMC, Tallahassee 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Feb 26 & 27: East Central District Clergy Care Retreat at the El Caribe in Daytona Beach. Advanced Registration needed. Go to www.ecdistrictumc.org or call 407-896-2230. Feb. 27: ACCESS Training at St. Lukes UMC, 9am-3pm Feb 28: Called Session of the Annual Conference - Lakeland, Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, Registration 9-10:30 a.m. Annual Conference Session begins at 10:30 am.
Mar 2-3: District Office Closed for Admin. Staff Training Mar 4: dCOM Training in Lakeland, 10am-2pm Mar 5: Latino Pastor's Dinner with Bishop Whitaker; District Parsonage, 6:30 pm Mar 12: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30 an - 3:30 pm Mar 12: Peacemaking Teams meet and greet meeting at Lake Mary Panera Bread, 7-8:30 pm Mar 20-21: Lay Leadership Training-Lay Speaking Weekend at First UMC of DeLand. Fri. Mar. 20 from 5pm-8:30pm and Sat. Mar. 21st 8:30am-4:30pm. Registration form available online at www.ecdistrictumc.org Mar 29-31: Children's Advocacy Days in Tallahassee Mar 31: Child/Youth Protection Policy adoption Due Mar 31: Fiscal Responsibility and Management Policy Due Mar 31: Sexual harassment Policy adoption Due Mar 31: Annual Report to the District Housing Committee Due May 29-30: Disaster Recovery Volunteer Celebration, Ormond Beach Friday & Saturday Designed for volunteers who have served in recent Disasters. Look for information on Florida Conference website www.flumc.org
June 10: Celebrate Jesus Golf Tournament, Daytona Beach
June 10: Pre-Annual Conference Events, Bethune Cookman University, Daytona Beach
June 11-13: Florida Annual Conference, Bethune Cookman University, Daytona Beach
June 12: East Central District Breakfast at Annual Conference, 7:00 a.m. Location TBA |
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