News from The East Central District

NCD=20 Coach Training

On May 26, = 2009 at=20 the District Office a new opportunity for = training=20 to be a Natural Church Development (NCD) = Coach=20 will be offered.

This = training will=20 meet for two hours, once a month for six = months at=20 a cost (for training materials only) of=20 $200. Call Kim Shockley for more = information=20 and a preparation interview! = 407-896-2230 x=20 101 or email at
kshockley@flumc.org.=20

3D"EC

In=20 This Issue

NCD = Coach=20 Training

2009=20 Apportionments

Kudos = &=20 Congrats

Leading=20 Ideas

CT: = Salty=20 Service

Intentional=20 Discipleship

Annual=20 Conference

Pre-Conference=20 Orientations

AC=20 Offering

Conference=20 Events

Constitutional=20 Amendments

Radical=20 Hospitality Volunteers =

Mentor=20 Training

ECD = Clergy Team=20 Meeting

Rethink=20 Church

Celebrate=20 Jesus

Passionate=20 Leadership Conf.

Illuminating=20 Images

Accounting &=20 Tax Training

Group = Purchase=20 Survey

Safety=20 Posters =

Join=20 Our List 3D"Join

<= /TR>

Newsletter May 2009=20 =

Dear=20 Michelle,

Praying in the=20 Dark

It was = three=20 in the morning when I awoke with what felt = like an=20 ice pick being stabbed into my right eye! = The pain=20 was so intense that I was reduced to = groans and=20 sighing. Every time I opened my eye, = I was=20 blinded by the light in the room and the = pain=20 intensified. Stealing the title from = Steve=20 Harper's new book, I was "Talking = (Praying) in the=20 Dark!"

The week in California = had=20 been carefully planned with a "Traveling = Trifecta"=20 agenda. It included a two day = celebration in=20 Sacramento (Napa Valley) for an early 30th = Wedding=20 Anniversary, watching our daughter race = with the=20 UCF Women's Rowing Team at the Lake Natoma = Regatta=20 in Rancho Cordova California, and = attending an=20 Association of Governing Boards Training = on=20 Trusteeship in San Diego. (I tend to over = plan=20 things!)

We made it to NAPA = Valley on=20 the first day and had a great time on the = Wine=20 Train, touring the Vineyards from Napa to = St.=20 Helena. The second day an early morning = trip to=20 the emergency room diagnosed a scratched = cornea=20 and prescribed a day to relax on Friday = rather=20 than driving to Lake Tahoe for more = sightseeing.=20 The eye healed quickly and except for = possibly=20 having to give up contacts (my wife = Ramona's=20 suggestion...and probably a good one), I = will be=20 fine.

In the day and = a half of=20 "blindness" I had to come to grips with a = few=20 things. In the wee hours of the morning = after the=20 injury, I thought I was going blind. The = Doctor=20 assured I was not! But I must tell you = that all=20 kinds of things go through your mind in a = personal=20 crisis. For a short period of time I felt=20 helpless. I remember wondering if I would = ever see=20 again. I wanted my eye healed = immediately...but I=20 think there was a greater lesson for=20 me.

In retrospect, I can imagine what = Saul=20 felt like on the Road to = Damascus...Blinded by the=20 Light of God. I was amazed at how = impossible it=20 was to get away from the light! I believe = God used=20 this unexpected trauma to remind me of his = presence in healing and comforting the = soul. The=20 truth is, instead of filling up another = day on=20 Friday of what would have been 5 hours in = the car=20 to see Lake Tahoe; I rested and = slept...which is=20 what I probably needed to do all along. We = spent=20 time with our daughter, watched her = practice in=20 the afternoon, and slowed down a bit.=20

I have to be honest and say = that my=20 prayers, though answered, were not = answered like I=20 thought they should be. My eye was healed, = just=20 not immediately and on my schedule. = Steve=20 Harper writes in his book, Talking in the = Dark,=20 "Knowing that God is Love is not enough. = We need=20 presence, and that is precisely what God=20 offers."

It was a = great week=20 away. I learned a few things, but most=20 importantly, I was reminded in a painful = and=20 comforting way that "The light shines in = the=20 darkness, and the darkness did not = overcome=20 it."(John 1:5) =

I'm=20 seeing things a little clearer today, and = grateful=20 for the "Light in the Darkness...even when = it's=20 painful."

Remember the=20 National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2009. =
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgRClmdPfAOkRYNdbjVUqmlNZnuX6P8-ZLYvZV6ue54-xuFcaUGcryCCqu= HssyC84MpG9nLNi20jUCriojnwQcHP5eCfgouhQSvs8m3ctVa4_RJmfnU77x1D
&nb= sp;
I=20 Love Being Your District=20 Superintendent,

Wayne

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

P.S. Find the word "prize" embedded = in the=20 text of the EC News and be the first to = respond=20 with the location to ds-ec@flumc.org = The=20 "prize" this month will be a $25 gift = certificate=20 to your favorite=20 = restaurant.

2009=20 APPORTIONMENTS
It is very = important=20 to include an Apportionment Giving Report = when=20 sending in a payment. This lets the = Conference=20 know where you want the money applied. = This will=20 help save you and the Conference headaches = at the=20 end of the year! The form is located = at:
[click=20 here]=20 =

Kudos=20 & Congratulations!!Top 10%=20 of Churches - FL Conference

The = following=20 churches in the EC District were in the Top Ten = Percent of=20 churches in Professions of Faith and/or Worship = Attendance in=20 the Florida Conference in at least one of three = different=20 categories: Largest Total Membership, Largest Numeric=20 Increase, and Largest Percentage Increase over the = past year.=20 On Monday, the Office of Congregational Transformation = mailed=20 out letters of congratulations to each of the = congregations=20 listed below, mentioning the ways in which they were = included=20 in the top 10%.

First Clermont (Doug = Kokx);=20 Community of Faith, Davenport (Scott Smith); Sanlando, = Longwood (Barry Lane); Grace, Orlando (Walker Walker); = Coronado Community, New Smyrna Beach (Bob Brown); = Community,=20 Debary (Will Furlong); First, DeLand (Owen Stricklin); = Asbury,=20 Maitland (Scott Harris); First, Orlando (Gary = Spencer);=20 University Carillon, Oviedo (Joe MacLaren); = First, Oviedo=20 (Jim Lake); Palm Coast (Scott Farman); Pine Castle = (Jim=20 George); First, Port Orange (Tom Nelson); First, = Sanford (Jim=20 Bradshaw); Trinity, Seville (Nelson Bonilla); Pine = Ridge=20 Fellowship, Deltona (David Moenning); Lakeside = Fellowship,=20 Sanford (Cameron Lashbrook); Aloma, Winter Park (Wayne = Williams), First, Winter Park (Bob Bushong); St. = Luke's,=20 Orlando (Bill Barnes), Tuskawilla, = Casselberry (Dwayne=20 Craig), Stewart Memorial, Daytona Beach (Walter=20 Monroe)

Congratulations on = your=20 Kingdom Work!

We will include = Salty Service=20 in our reporting next year!

*****************************************************************= **
Congratulations=20 to HopeSpring Church, a ministry of St. Luke's = UMC=20 Orlando. They moved into their new Facility in the = newly=20 remodeled Winn Dixie Building at the Shoppes of Lake = Butler.=20 Jenn Stiles Williams and Leah Bergstrom are the campus = pastors, and Lynette Fields is helping with Ministry=20 Development.

Congratulations to Ebenezer = and=20 Kirkman Road Churches for their newly merged = congregation now=20 meeting at the Kirkman Rd. Campus. They held their = first=20 worship service together as a new congregation on = April 19.=20 A new name for both congregations is coming = soon! Their=20 pastor and shepherd through this merger is Dr. Walker = Walker,=20 who also pastors Grace, Orlando.

Do = you have a=20 ministry, mission, or accomplishment that we can = recognize in the EC News? Send it to ds-ec@flumc.org so we can brag on=20 you!

Giving=20 Up to Our Potential By Ann A. Michel =

The oft-repeated claim that churchgoers are = the most=20 generous of Americans was always a reassurance to me = as I=20 labored in the vineyard of stewardship ministry-and a = source=20 of pride, as well. Unfortunately, however, it turns = out this=20 claim is not entirely true. There are other religious = givers=20 who are far more charitable than Christians. And even = though=20 Christians are more generous than non-religious = Americans,=20 that is not much to brag about. The vast majority of=20 Christians are not giving up to their potential or in=20 proportion to what their faith teaches. =

Passing the=20 Plate (Oxford University Press, 2008), the most recent = work by=20 sociologists Christian Smith and Michael Emerson and=20 researcher Patricia Snell, reveals some unfortunate = truths=20 about the giving patterns of American Christians. = Twenty=20 percent give nothing to church or other charities. The = vast=20 majority give very little. Congregations manage to = stay afloat=20 only because of the generosity of a very small = percentage who=20 account for about sixty percent of total giving-and = because=20 churches spend the lion's share of what is given on = their=20 internal needs. Moreover, more affluent church members = generally give a lesser percentage of income than = those of=20 more modest means. The book attempts to provide a = sociological=20 explanation for why American Christians are so stingy, = despite=20 massive gains in real per capita income over the past = century=20 [Read=20 More]

Twelve=20 Specific Things Church Leaders Can Do Now to Increase = Giving=20
By Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

Immediately make sure your personal giving is = what it=20 should be.
Immediately say "thank you" and find ways to do = so=20 regularly all year.
Tell people regularly what was accomplished = through=20 their giving.
Immediately do something concrete to assist = those in=20 economic distress.
Ask lay professionals to conduct workshops on = budgeting=20 and personal finances.

Immediately make = sure your=20 personal giving is what it should be.

[Read=20 More....]

The=20 Right Question
Leaders do not need = answers.=20
Leaders must have the right questions.
Taking a = moment=20 to ask this question before meetings, conversations, = visits,=20 and events can guide what you do and say.
What do = we hope=20 to accomplish?

What=20 is Salty Service?Congregational=20 Transformation in the EC District by Kim=20 Shockley =20

What is Salty Service? As = defined by our=20 Office of Congregational Transformation, "Salty = Service" is=20 defined in terms of any of four elements:Hands-on = mercy=20 ministry alleviating the suffering of others;Justice = ministry=20 addressing systems that cause suffering;=20

Earth-care as a steward of God's = creation;Relationship=20 building to ease the emotional or spiritual needs of=20 others

Many of you know that the Annual=20 Conference is beginning to measure the fruitfulness of = ministry in new ways. One of those measurements = is Salty=20 Service - the number of folks in our congregation who = have=20 participated in actions of mercy, justice, earth-care = or=20 relationship building each week.
For more = information [click=20 here].

For me, salty service is that = part of=20 the 5 Practices of the United Methodist Way that help = us=20 determine whether we really believe what we say we = believe and=20 are able to act accordingly. In the months to = come you=20 will be asked to determine whether you have = participated in=20 Salty Service, perhaps by placing a Salty Service = ticket in=20 your offering plate [click = for=20 ticket]. Allow me to paint a picture of what = this=20 looks like....[MORE]

Registration now open for = Intentional=20 Discipling workshops

Continuing to spotlight disciple-making = practices=20 of fruitful congregations=20

As part of our continuing = spotlight=20 on the five disciple-making practices of fruitful=20 congregations, the Florida Conference will be focusing = on=20 "Intentional Discipleship" by offering two series of = two,=20 one-day workshops. These workshops will help local = church=20 leaders go deeper in their understanding of fulfilling = the=20 Great Commission of Matthew 28: "Go and make disciples = . . .=20 and teach them to obey all that I have commanded = you."

The first series "The = Simple=20 Church Workshop" will be held:
May 15 at Grace = United=20 Methodist Church, Gainesville
May 16 at First Boca = Raton=20 (East Campus)

To register, [click=20 here]

The Simple Church will look at what it means to = be a=20 "simple church," strategically focused on making = disciples.=20 "Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making=20 Disciples" is the name of book written by Thom Rainer = and Eric=20 Geiger that calls for congregational leaders to return = to the=20 simple Gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. In our frantic = and=20 complex culture where congregations are no longer the = center=20 of community life, no bells or whistles are required, = so to=20 speak. Based on case studies of 400 American churches, = Rainer=20 and Geiger show that the process for making disciples = has=20 often become too complex or even lost among all the = religious=20 activities that pack many congregations' busy = calendars.=20 During the workshop, led by Geiger, participants = will=20 hear how "simple churches" who focus on their = intentional=20 discipling process are thriving, while many = congregations with=20 hectic calendars are not. Geiger will help = congregational=20 leaders begin to look at their own church calendars in = light=20 of Christ' s call for us to "make disciples of Jesus = Christ=20 for the transformation of the world."

The second series, "Deepening Your = Effectiveness," will be held:
Sept. 11, = 9:00 am -=20 3:00 pm @ First United Methodist Church in = Port=20 Orange
Sept. 12, 9:00 am - 3:00 = pm @ First=20 United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda

To register, [click=20 here]

"Deepening Your Effectiveness: = Restructuring=20 the Local Church for Life Transformation" is the title = of a=20 book written by Dan Glover and Claudia Lavy, who will = lead=20 these workshops. Their premise is that becoming a = Christian=20 disciple is supposed to be life-altering; a process of = maturation and transformation. The church, they say, = is to=20 intentionally support that development - both = individually and=20 corporately. Sometimes, though, pitfalls and barriers = in life=20 and even within the church itself can damage committed = but=20 unequipped followers. Proposing a "deep-sea change" = from the=20 typical church plan, Glover and Lavy offer experienced = coaching in how to systematize disciple-making in a=20 congregation. Visit their Web site at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&e=3D= 001hxMl_QztdgSUpZguHUSJruY6ht9r7wry48BgblkUAAu-A9s46uAh-jIKJ-KGlE1CMpBtO-= UCTbll6EUEBLMivL2yPKDoSm7WDOsqVZ_fYBYjmc6poBg_NQ8j4K1vZIky0Hmz2SEWFdc=3D<= /A>

Cost of each one-day workshop will = be $45 per=20 person, including lunch and snacks. For more = information,=20 contact Vicky Tica in the Office of Congregational=20 Transformation at vtica@flumc.org.

Annual=20 Conference Special Information and = Reminders

The 2009 Florida Annual Conference Event will = focus on=20 "Transforming the World by Cherishing the Creation." = With the=20 event now only weeks away, here are a few = reminders-and=20 invitations-to review before you arrive at = Bethune-Cookman=20 University. Please share these items as appropriate = with your=20 fellow church leaders, in your church's bulletin, or = your=20 church's newsletter.
[Read=20 = More]

AC2009=20 EC District Pre-Conference = Orientations

Tues., May 12 @=20 Broadway UMC, Orlando

Thurs.,=20 May 14 @ Tomoka UMC, Ormond = Beach

Plan to attend one of the 2009 Annual = Conference=20 Pre- Conference Orientations in the East Central=20 District:

Orlando: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at = 6:45=20 p.m.
Broadway UMC, 406 E Amelia St, Orlando, FL=20 32803

Ormond Beach: Thursday, May 14th at = 6:45=20 p.m.
Tomoka UMC, 1000 Old Tomoka Road, Ormond = Beach,=20 FL 32174

Please bring your workbook with = you to=20 the orientation! Clergy and Church Lay Member = workbooks=20 were mailed to the church. District Lay Member = workbooks=20 were mailed to their home. If you did not = receive your=20 workbook, please contact Janet Kelley at jkelley@flumc.org or=20 = 407-896-2230.

2009 Annual Conference = Offering -=20 East Angola, Africa Wayne = Wiatt=20 joins Bishop Whitaker in encouraging the $1 per member = goal=20 for the 2009 Annual Conference = Offering=20

All=20 Lay and Clergy members to Annual Conference should = have=20 received a letter from Bishop Whitaker in mid-April = outlining=20 the goal for every United Methodist Congregation. = Please take=20 a moment this week to plan with your ministry team how = your=20 Church can reach the Bishop's Goal of $1 per member = for=20 Angola.

The Annual Conference offering is = focused=20 toward the initiatives that are a part of our=20 partnership with the United Methodist Church in East=20 Angola. These monies will strengthen the church = in East=20 Angola by developing leadership for the future, = providing=20 funding for education at the School of Theology and = the=20 Colegio. It will also be used to enable Armando = and Icel=20 Rodriguez as missioners to Angola for the 2009-2012 = year,=20 along with providing grants to churches to assist them = in=20 traveling to East Angola to build relationships with = partner=20 churches. If every church contributes $1 for = each member=20 of the congregation, the results would be = transformative for=20 the people in Angola.

As you come up with = creative=20 ideas for the offering, please share them with Wayne = at ds-ec@flumc.org so that we can = focus=20 together on a variety of ways to reach our EC District = Goal of=20 $45,609 for Angola. (45,609 is the Number of Members = in all of=20 our EC District Congregations - reported on the 2008 = year end=20 statistical report).

Thank you in advance for = your=20 outstanding leadership toward this goal.
=

Annual=20 Conference East Central District Breakfast - June=20 12
First UMC of Ormond Beach at = 7:00=20 am

Join us and Connect at the East Central = District=20 Breakfast Friday, June 12th 7:00-8:30 am During = Annual=20 Conference 2009.

Lay and Clergy Members = to Annual=20 Conference will have the opportunity to Welcome New = Clergy to=20 the East Central District and Say Farewell to Pastors = who are=20 Moving in June.

Breakfast will include: = Fresh=20 Fruit, Egg Souffl=E9, Sausage, Grits, Assorted = Pastries and=20 Coffee Cake, Juice, and Coffee. Don't miss=20 it!!!!

Registration = Deadline=20 is Friday, June 5, 2009 [Click = Here to=20 Register]

Constitutional=20 Amendments

Delegates to United = Methodist=20 annual conference sessions in 2009 will vote on 32 = amendments=20 to the denomination's constitution. Twenty-three of = the=20 changes, if passed, could lead to a new global = structure for=20 the church.

Lay and Clergy Members attending = the 2009=20 Annual Conference are encouraged to visit the Florida=20 Conference website and review the amendments. = New=20 information and commentary has recently been = posted to=20 the website. In an effort to provide some = context for=20 the Constitutional Amendments, there are some = editorial and=20 opinion articles from a variety of perspectives. The = views=20 represented in the stories are not meant to be an = endorsement=20 by the Florida = Conference.

AC=20 2009 Radical Hospitality Volunteer=20 Opportunities
For Local Church Laity =

Volunteers are needed in the = following=20 areas:

Hospitality = Volunteers in=20 areas of: Greeters, Registration, Guest = Services/Hospitality,=20 Process Visitor Nametags, Gathering Place = Hospitality.=20 (Please be aware most of the above = volunteer=20 positions require standing for the shift=20 time.)

Bus = Drivers/Transportation=20 will serve in providing transportation to and from BCU = campus=20 building and parking locations.

[Click = Here] for=20 more information and to=20 = register.

Mentor Training in the = East Central=20 District
Wed., = June 10 @=20 10a - 2p at Stewart Memorial UMC in Daytona = Beach
Tues.,=20 October 13, 10a - 2p at Peace UMC in = Orlando=20

This is a reminder that there are two = more=20 opportunities this year to attend a candidacy mentor = training=20 event. If you last attended one of these events in=20 2007, you need to attend one this year in order = to=20 recertify.

You may register for these = events=20 by emailing Carole Rooks at carole@anona.com or carole.rooks@flumc.org

Your=20 commitment to the candidates for ministry and the gift = of your=20 time and presence in this process is greatly=20 appreciated. We thank you for attending one of = the=20 upcoming training sessions in the East Central=20 District.

East=20 Central District Clergy Team Meeting Sept. 24 - 9am to = 1pm
Save = the=20 Date!=20

The focus of our time together will be on = Community=20 Outreach Mission. We will meet at the = "Destiny=20 Foundation of Central Florida" located at 150 W. = Michigan St.=20 Orlando, FL 32806.

Please mark your = calendar and=20 plan to attend. If you have a conflict, send = your=20 regrets to Wayne at ds-ec@flumc.org and plan to attend = a make-up=20 meeting to be scheduled at a later date. To = register=20 your participation and lunch reservation [click=20 here] (New Clergy orientation will follow = from 1:00 -=20 3:00).

The Destiny Foundation of Central = Florida=20 provides the resources and tools that help local = families in=20 need fight hunger, overcome personal crisis, and = prevent=20 homelessness. They do this by offering food and = clothing=20 assistance, social work that is personalized and = caring, and=20 medical treatment at a campus that provides = hope.

Their=20 belief is that circumstances do not define people, and = through=20 compassionate actions we can preserve dignity and = empower=20 people to break the cycle of poverty.

To learn = more=20 about the Destiny Foundation, visit their website at = http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgTHVcpUf3gwTQ5SPkOoCvWa5b8n9DKLMSQzEM68r_szx-rA6lyBQUX3m1= uKgNYBB1bkm217sxn3Oz1-p9ms7i9qy420v9rMP2D9Gda7nEERvg=3D=3D
<= /DIV>

Rethink Church - What if = Church was=20 a Verb? Florida Churches = encouraged
to=20 "Rethink Church"

As the next = step of=20 the "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors" welcoming = and=20 advertising campaign, Rethink Church seeks to redefine = the=20 church experience beyond the church doors and invite = people to=20 become engaged in the world. The campaign aims to = spark a=20 global conversation around the rhetorical question, = "What if=20 church were a verb?"

Rethink Church messages = will=20 appear on television, radio, magazines and billboards. = Digital=20 media will be a high priority. The theme will appear = across a=20 range of online and other new media outlets, including = YouTube, iTunes and cell phone text messages. =

The=20 advertisements will urge audiences to visit a new Web = site=20 that seeks to reframe church as a verb. That Web site = is http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgTp9b9xKRrqLBRyVAx0AJh6fWxwit7mq3Yrl_-bp-sGohcO7XpQkDDUG0= NEJ8p3plPi7qyBOIZMQmfE9P-KKb5WHxWIFowMzPQ0aXYG1_NmDA=3D=3D=20 . It will provide visitors with the opportunity to = explore=20 church as a 365-day active experience, revealing the = paths=20 that lead to and from Sunday worship - all paths that = lead=20 seekers into spiritual interaction and faith = discovery. It=20 will demonstrate how United Methodists are engaged in = the=20 world around us, and invite seekers to participate in = the=20 United Methodist mission of making disciples of Jesus = Christ=20 for the transformation of the world.

Your = congregation=20 can become involved, too. Churches in the Florida = Conference=20 can participate in "Rethink Church" free, by utilizing = pre-printed door hangers that echo the theme. To = order=20 door hangers, send an e-mail to Caryl Kelley in the = Florida=20 Conference communications office, at ckelley@flumc.org. Orders will be = filled on=20 a first-come, first served basis, and must be placed = in=20 increments of 100 with a maximum order of 500. There = is no=20 charge for shipping and handling. Each door hanger has = space=20 on the back where churches may affix their own printed = sticker=20 with local church information and worship times.

Celebrate=20 Jesus Mission - We Need More Team Members! =
We=20 have two missions this summer - we'd love for you to = join=20 us! (Please forward this email to your friends = &=20 family who may be interested!)

JUNE = 20-27: =20 Southwest Florida Mission (Fort Myers area) - = application=20 deadline extended to May 10

JULY 25-AUGUST = 1: =20 Northeast Florida Mission (Jacksonville, Orange Park, = St.=20 Augustine) - application deadline is May 20.

A = flyer=20 with more information is available [click=20 here].
Please check out our website, = too! =20 http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgTF-hnzcOIFuxaJw1CEmbbm80AEYDnmWJlrnsGMw76zAi0n0CyMF_i298= oXTigDs6vvEfprZgIEiXIsgG-FmgBQRtAlVcziAzs=3D=20

2009=20 Golf Tournament - Wed., June 10 in Daytona=20 Beach

Location: Pelican Bay = Country Club=20 (North Course)
Time: 8:00 am check-in; 8:30 am = shotgun=20 start
Cost: $85 each, includes a t-shirt and=20 lunch
(Payment can be made through PayPal or by = mailing a=20 check to the address below.)
Register on-line at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgTF-hnzcOIFuxaJw1CEmbbm80AEYDnmWJlrnsGMw76zAi0n0CyMF_i298= oXTigDs6vvEfprZgIEiXIsgG-FmgBQRtAlVcziAzs=3D=20 or complete the attached Registration and=20 mail to our office.

Foursomes will be = kept=20 together as a team. Less than foursomes will be = placed=20 on teams of four by districts or as needed at the = discretion=20 of the tournament director.   All = assignments are=20 final. Open Division is for all participants who = are not=20 United Methodist clergy or laity or those playing on a = team=20 with members from various UM = districts.

FOR=20 SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR=20 OFFICE:
Celebrate Jesus, Inc. celebrate.jesus@cjmission.org    = =20
Phone: 407-893-7305   FAX: =20 407-893-7307    http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgRhj1sXJDNSXOSJicvUlhen-0Um9zjkOOXyAv9yYvNIp9rXWWYHop1VMo= QatE5Pmbw_DVciTeUdy4HinJoEE0ICCrMEvVCO2D0=3D

Passionate Leadership = Conference -=20 Save the Date! January 24-25,=20 2010 at First UMC of Winter Park=20

Bishop Will Willimon, Rev. Jorge Acevedo, Rev. = Debbie=20 McLeod, and a videotaped interview that Kirbyjon = Caldwell has=20 agreed to do are the beginning line-up of a Passionate = Leadership Conference designed to both inspire and = challenge=20 Florida Conference Clergy at First UMC, Winter Park = this=20 fall.

All East Central District Clergy are = encouraged=20 to mark their calendars now and plan to attend. The = Passionate=20 Leadership Conference will begin late Sunday afternoon = and=20 concludes by noon or early afternoon on Monday. = Complete=20 details coming soon!

Illuminating Images = =20 The = Wellspring=20 Studio, LLC
Jan Richardson, an = extension=20 minister in our district who serves as director of The = Wellspring Studio, LLC, has just launched a website at = janrichardsonimages.com. This = new site=20 makes Jan's distinctive artwork available for churches = and=20 other organizations to download for use in worship, = education,=20 and other settings. Through May 31, you can get a = special=20 "sneak preview" price on an annual subscription.=20

Accounting,=20 Audit and Tax Issues Training Offered - May=20 16
Free = from=20 Conference Financial Services Office =

The Florida Conference office of Financial = Services is=20 offering a free training event for people wanting to = learn=20 more about accounting, auditing, internal controls and = tax=20 issues relating to local United Methodist churches. = The=20 training will be held at the Florida Conference = Center, 1140=20 McDonald Street in Lakeland, on Saturday, May 16, from = 9 a.m.=20 to noon, with on-site check-in starting at 8:30=20 a.m.

The training is designed for local church=20 treasurers and financial secretaries and will be lead = by=20 Mickey Wilson, Florida Conference treasurer, and Ron = Beyer,=20 Florida Conference internal auditor. Participants will = receive=20 instructions and insights into the auditing of United=20 Methodist churches and related entities. The training = covers:=20 reviewing internal controls, reviewing financial = statements=20 and related transactions, special controls for unusual = programs and asset recognition issues for United = Methodist=20 churches as required by the Book of Discipline and the = Florida=20 Annual Conference.

Major topics to be covered = include:=20 GAAP and the Book of Discipline; the audit process; = interim=20 financial reporting; internal controls and fraud: = budgeting;=20 clergy payroll and taxes; and tax issues of employees = vs.=20 independent contracts in the church.

To = register,=20 contact Kitt Elliott at 800-282-8011, Ext. 196.=20

Florida Conference = Exploring=20 Opportunities for Group Purchasing = Survey = seeks=20 information on local church spending =
The=20 Procurement Study Committee authorized at our Last = Annual=20 Conference is exploring opportunities for group = purchasing in=20 the Florida Conference. The committee is asking for = your help.=20 Please ask your bookkeeper, treasurer, business = manager or=20 knowledgeable leader to respond to a survey at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=3D1102565738210&s=3D1&= e=3D001hxMl_QztdgRVWtScazH9zPSwtGa7jKQvU0wdNWdykLFv2j1lyWkk3ykAeaZpzh1JFk= JboMkvRYrBSOnjgw_32aFEnfmiZCdsWJRB7YmNChE1F3ui9LntKw=3D=3D.=20 Please ask your appropriate staff person or church = leader to=20 respond to our survey by May 1 so that the committee = may bring=20 a report to the conference in June.

The survey = asks=20 about local church spending in several areas where = there is a=20 stewardship opportunity for collective purchasing. = Responding=20 in no way obligates your church; it just lets the = committee=20 get an idea about common areas of significant=20 expenditures.

As you pass this to the = appropriate=20 person in your church, please ask them to fill out the = parts=20 that apply to your situation, and not to agonize over = the=20 areas that don't fit. "Best guess" answers are fine. = For=20 instance, if they know how much was spent with Sysco = (or=20 Costco or other vendors) last year, a rough breakdown = between=20 food, paper goods and so on would be more helpful than = no=20 answer at all. Again, this offers the committee an = idea of the=20 aggregate sums of our spending, which will help in=20 conversations with potential vendors or buying=20 services.

If you or they have suggestions about = what=20 would be helpful, please let the Director of = Connectional=20 Ministries for the Florida Conference, the Rev. Beth=20 Fogle-Miller, know by sending her an e-mail at beth.fogle-miller@flumc.org. For = instance,=20 would you rather have help with big-ticket items like = buses,=20 office furniture or musical equipment, or with = consumables=20 such as janitorial supplies, paper goods or office = supplies?=20 With computer equipment or van rentals? Are there = strategies=20 or services you are currently using that serve you = well? Would=20 those be good to share with other churches for their=20 consideration?

The potential savings to our = churches in=20 these difficult economic times makes all stewardship = efforts=20 more compelling.

Thank you for your attention = to this=20 important project. Please remind the person filling = out the=20 form to respond before May 1. =

Required National Safety=20 Posters
From=20 time to time your church office is contacted by = companies=20 interested in providing (with a fee) the required = posters for=20 the Federal and State Government in the = workplace. You=20 can go to the website [click = here] to=20 print out the needed postersPRIZE (free). They = are the=20 following: Federal Minimum Wage, Job Safety and = Health,=20 FLSA, USERRA, and the FL Minimum Wage.

For the = Worker's=20 Compensation poster, contact our third party = administrator for=20 FLUMC at 877-590-6693. =

District
Calendar

of = Events

May 3: Announcement Sunday, = Pastoral=20 Appointments effective July 1 to be announced in = worship

May 12: EC Annual Conference=20 Pre-Conference Forum, 6:45p, Orlando
May=20 14: EC Annual Conference Pre-Conference = Forum,=20 6:45p, Ormond Bch

May 15: Congregational = Transformation=20 Event:Simple Church, Grace UMC at Fort Clarke,=20 Gainesville, 9a-3p
May 18: JFON = (Justice For Our=20 Neighbors) Immigration Clinic. Pine Hills = UMC. By=20 advanced appointment only, call 407-896-2230 = Ext. 151=20 English, Ext. 152 Spanish, Ext. 153 CreoleMay 25: = Memorial Day=20 - District Office closed
May 26: NCD Coach = Training;=20 New class meets two hours, once a month = (6mo.)
May 25: Memorial = Day -=20 District Office closed
May 28: EC = dCOM,=20 Asbury UMC, Maitland, = 9:30a-3:30p

Jun 10: Celebrate Jesus = Golf=20 Tournament, Daytona Beach
Jun 10:=20 Pre-Annual Conference Events, Bethune Cookman Univ.,=20 Daytona
Jun = 10:=20 Candidate Mentor Training, 10a-2p, Stewart Memorial = UMC,=20 Daytona
Jun 11-13: Florida Annual=20 Conference, Bethune Cookman Univ., Daytona
Jun 11: = Clergywomen's Lunch,=20 11:30a-1p, Bethune Cookman Univ.
Jun 11: Annual = Conference Lay=20 Speaking Dinner, 5-6:30p, First UMC Ormond
Jun 12: EC District = Breakfast, 7:00a, First UMC, Ormond Beach=20

Jun 12: Ministers' Spouse Tea = &=20 Tunes at Annual Conference, 3p-4:30p
Jun 15: JFON = (Justice For Our=20 Neighbors) Immigration Clinic. Pine Hills = UMC. By=20 advanced appointment only, call 407-896-2230 = Ext. 151=20 English, Ext. 152 Spanish, Ext. 153 Creole

Aug = 12: =20 East Central District Staff Retreat - Office=20 closed

Sep 11: = Congregational=20 Transformation Event: Deepening Your Effectiveness, = First UMC,=20 Port Orange, 9a-3p
Sep 12: = Safe=20 Sanctuaries: Train the Trainers, Contact kshockley@flumc.org =
Sep=20 17: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, 9:30 am - = 3:30=20 pm

Sep 24: EC District Clergy = Meeting,=20 Destiny House, Winter Park, 9a-1p with New Pastor = Orientation=20 after Lunch, 1-3p

Oct=20 13: Candidate Mentor Training, 10a-2p, = Stewart=20 Memorial UMC, Daytona
Oct 16-17: = EC Lay=20 Speaking Weekend, Pine Hills UMC, Courses = TBA
Oct=20 22: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC, Maitland, = 9:30a-3:30p

Nov = 15: Lay=20 Leadership Conference with Greg Jones, First UMC, = Winter=20 Park
Nov 19: EC dCOM, Asbury UMC,=20 Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p

Dec 17: EC dCOM, = Asbury UMC,=20 Maitland, 9:30a-3:30p

2010 Save the Date!
Jan=20 24-25: Passionate Leadership Conference = for=20 Florida Conference Clergy, First UMC, Winter=20 Park

Forward email

=20
This email was sent to mcolan@flumc.org by ds-ec@flumc.org.

Update Profile/Email = Address | Instant=20 removal with SafeUnsubscribe=99 | Privacy = Policy.
Email Marketing by=20
The East Central = District | (407)=20 896-2230 OFFICE | (407) 896-7491 FAX | 2125 E. South Street | = Orlando | FL=20 | 32803

Forward email
=20 This email was sent to mcolan@flumc.org by ds-ec@flumc.org. Update Profile/Email = Address \| Instant=20 removal with SafeUnsubscribe=99 \| Privacy = Policy.	Email Marketing by=20