Benefits Open Enrollment begins Monday :: Join webcast - Nov. 6

The period of open enrollment for actively working participants-clergy and laity-in the Florida Conference health care plan begins Monday, Nov. 3, and ends Friday, Nov. 14. Clergy are especially encouraged to share this information with any lay participants in the health care plan. Actively working participants need to take the time to read the details on the health insurance plan, dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and the optional life insurance plan participants may purchase for themselves and their family members for 2009.

A webcast is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, at 10 AM to offer information and opportunities for questions and answers about the health care plan. Visit the Conference website and click on the "open enrollment web cast" button. The benefits office is standing by to answer any questions during open enrollment. Contact the office at 800-282-8011, or e-mail benefits@flumc.org.

Open enrollment information and forms will be available at www.flumc.org beginning Monday, Nov. 3, by clicking on the "open enrollment" button.

A Day of Hope - November 8 at First UMC of Winter Park

Save the Date!  East Central District Local Church Leadership Training

 

An opportunity for all Local Church Laity . . . 

especially newly elected leaders and committee members for 2009.

 

Training Sessions will target specific Church Leadership Roles. Participants will have the opportunity to attend two sessions from the following topics and leaders (complete list of session offerings still being developed):
            ♦ Church Communication Ministry, Doug Bevis - Conference Website Administrator
            ♦ Disaster  Recovery Ministry, Marilyn Swanson - Conference Director
            ♦ DCTT District Congregational Transformation Team, Kim Shockley
            ♦ Finance, Mickey Wilson & Craig Smelser - Conference Treasurer & Controller
            ♦ JFON - Justice for our Neighbors, Marilyn Beecher and Mayuris Pimentel
            ♦ Lay Leaders & Lay Members to Annual Conference, Janet Kelley & Clare Chance
            ♦ Lay Speaking Ministry, Lynn Campbell
            ♦ Missions, Marilyn Beecher & team
            ♦ SPRC, Wendy McCoy - Human Resources training related to church staff
            ♦ Trustees, Mark Thomas - Ministry Protection

No cost to participants. Refreshments will include continental breakfast snacks in the morning and at break. Advanced registration will be required. Registration details will be online by December 1, 2008 at www.ecdistrictumc.org

Congregational Transformation in the EC District

I have two very important things to bring to your attention this month!  First, I need to say a few words about the Vital Signs reporting that we have been doing for several years.  Second, I would like to mention our Child/Youth Protection Policies and some work that is being done to update our safety concerns for children and youth!

 

Mostly the pastors and financial persons for each congregation will be impacted by the news about reporting on the Five Practices of the Methodist Way for the Annual Conference.  You heard about this from Jeff Stiggins when you went to the clergy convocation in October.  Our district has been doing this type of reporting for several years, and many of you participate faithfully!  For those faithful, this will be an easy transition.  For others, it may take a few minutes of effort each month to comply!  You will be asked to report your Average Monthly Worship attendance, Professions of Faith, Total Income, People in Discipling Groups, and Those Persons Doing Salty Service.  These figures will be available back to you in the form of graphs that you can use to evaluate your congregation's ministry.  They will also help us at the District level know what processes of Congregation Transformation we can offer to your congregation.  The most important thing I want you to know now is that I am working with our District Congregational Transformation Team to make sure that you will not have to duplicate these efforts.  I do NOT want our pastors and ministry teams spending more time filling out forms.  Stay tuned for more on this as we work together to achieve the same outcome!

For those of you that have worked with the Child/Youth Protection Policies for your congregation I want you to know that updated training will be coming to us this Spring.  I am in the process of recruiting a few folks from the East Central District who can attend these training sessions with me.  The hope is that we will then have several authorized folks who can provide better training for our local congregations.  If you are interested in attending the advance training and helping to teach it within our District, please let me know.  The closest trainings will be at Plant City on April 18th and Ocala on May 9th.  Call me @ 407-896-2230 x 101 or email kshockley@flumc.org.

Day Camp Training

All day camp ministry leaders in the Florida Conference are invited to the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park Nov. 21-22 to worship, celebrate, network and plan for the future of day camping in the Florida Conference.
 
As a result of a similar gathering held last year, the conference launched a mission intern program, a spring day camp leaders' training day, a full summer day camping curriculum to all who requested it, increased connection among day camping leaders and between day camping leaders and United Methodist volunteer groups, and offered day camp staff training. Information on liability and insurance issues related to day camping will also be provided.
 
The cost of the event is covered through grant money given by the Florida Conference Leadership Connection to support the development of day camp and summer feeding programs throughout the conference.
 
If you are able to attend, please contact Jeannie Jacques at jjacques@flumc.org. You will be booked in a room with another person of the same gender unless you ask to stay with someone who is coming to the event with you.

Central Florida Wesley Foundation at UCF

Hello!  Hello!  Oh!  Hey there fellow East Central District people. Let me introduce myself.  My name is Andy Lowry.  I am the new CFL Wesley Foundation Director at UCF.  University of Central Florida has reached 50K students this year.  Now, I know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself, "Is that all?"  (Sarcasm implied)  That is a 5 with 4 zeros after it.  UCF is the sixth largest university in the nation and we are very close to overtaking the #5 spot.  UCF knows what it means to change and adapt to the culture around them.

 

The main reason for my article is to let you know we are here.  We are alive and well.  And, we are ready to serve UCF students, the district, and the ever changing culture around us.  Our heart is to converse with college students, connect college students with Jesus Christ, and commission them to change their world.  You can remember the challenges that you faced in college . . . the temptations, the questions, and the freedoms.  That is why we exist!  To be a place where students can find community and engage in mission that will help shape their future.

 

So take a moment and check us out at www.cflwesley.org This will give you update information about us, where we meet, and what God is doing in our midst.  We cannot over emphasize our desire to serve.  We would love the opportunity to come to your church or organization to talk about UCF, the Wesley Foundation, but especially to share the good news of Christ.  Plus, this gives us an opportunity to connect with graduating seniors who are interested in UCF and to be a part of the next chapter in their journey. 

 

College is a "make it or break it" time for the church for a student, we are passionate about being present to help.

Evangelism Grants Available to Small/Medium-sized Churches

United Methodist Student Day - Nov. 30

Amanda Shafer of Miami is in her first year at High Point (N.C.) University, but she already has her life mapped out. Focusing on nonprofit human relations and Spanish, Shafer is involved in Amnesty International Club, Campus Crusade for Christ, Chapel Choir and Spanish Club, and volunteers with an organization that places immigrants in her community. With such a busy schedule, this young woman who has "attended the Florida Annual Conference every year" of her life is grateful for generous gifts made possible through offerings received on United Methodist Student Day. Your gifts on United Methodist Student Day, Nov. 30, prepare students to unite faith with knowledge. 

 

Each year, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awards scholarships and loans to students attending United Methodist and other accredited colleges and universities through the United Methodist Student Day offering. In addition, a portion of the United Methodist Student Day offering is returned to each Annual Conferences for merit scholarship awards to students of its choosing.

 

Shafer is one such recipient and she is very thankful for the support. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to discover him or herself and become the best person they can be. I wish I could thank every donor personally!" For many students, financial assistance is critical to attaining higher education. Each year the number of applicants continues to rise, furthering the need for more financial assistance. Imagine being able to provide assistance for everyone. That is the goal of United Methodist Student Day.

 

What would Shafer tell someone who wasn't sure about giving to an offering that provides scholarships and loans? "Pray-and look back on your college days and remember how formational they were: the dreams you dreamed, the decisions you made about who you wanted to be, the love you gave and the people you met who helped form you into who you are today," she said.

 

Every year, the news is the same: "tuition costs are increasing." For many United Methodist students, the continuous increase places an enormous financial burden that many cannot assume. However, through the United Methodist Student Day offering, you can help prepare students to unite faith with knowledge. Please give generously.

 

Information and support materials about United Methodist Student Day can be found by just clicking on the United Methodist Student Day link above. For further information about this Special Sunday or on scholarships offered by the UMC please contact Kelly Moore at kmoore@flumc.org or call 800-282-8011, Ext 142.
 

Clergy Kids Retreat 2009 Save the date . . . January 23-25, 2009

(This will be Number 9.  How many have you attended?)

 

The annual Clergy Kids Retreat will be here before you know it.  So mark your calendars, because we are planning a fabulous weekend.  The dates are January 23-25, at the Warren Willis Camp in Leesburg.  The cost is $80 per person; $230 max for family.  (Some scholarships are available upon request.)  This is the 9th year we've been doing this and there is no way to describe the significance and meaning it has had on our kids!  There are very few things they would choose over this; and right now we cannot even think of one thing!

 

If you have never been, it's a great way to meet other members of that "very special group" known as Clergy Kids or Preacher's Kids. If you have missed a few years, don't worry, we still play nine-square, that great band of young musicians still come up from Miami, and everyone has fun! If you have been coming, we want you to come back because it's just not the same without you!  For questions?  Call Rhonda Kleckner at 352-316-5582 or Sally Campbell-Evans at 850-766-0018.

Clergy Care Retreat - Feb. 26-27, 2009

10:00 AM Thursday - 11:30 AM Friday
El Caribe Hotel Daytona Beach, Florida
 
GUEST LEADER:  
Dr. Tapiwa Mucherera, Assistant Provost and Professor,

Asbury Seminary, Orlando Campus 

SCREAM: Get Ready for the Ride - Feb 20-22

Asbury Seminary hosts Kingdom Encounter - Feb 2-4

Asbury Theological Seminary will host Kingdom Encounter: Reaching the World from Feb. 2-4, 2009, on its Orlando, Fla., campus. The keynote speakers are Danny Wuerffel, 1996 Heisman trophy winner and executive director of Desire Street Ministries, and Tyron Inbody, professor emeritus of theology at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

 

 

35th Annual Secretaries Seminar - Feb. 27 - Mar. 1

 

Florida Conference Advocacy Days - March 29-31, 2009

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. Come be a part of the Florida Conference Advocacy Days (FAD) at Children's Week in Tallahassee March 29 through 31, 2009. As you may know, 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.

We ask you join other pastors and church members from our district, Bishop Whitaker, Bishop McKinley Young of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and others in Tallahassee as we pray for, speak out for, and learn hands-on ministry to meet the needs of children in our communities. We will gather on Sunday for the "Hanging of the Hands" in the rotunda of the State Capital. Tuesday will be training in advocacy and on specific bills before our legislators with a luncheon address by Senator Peadon, United Methodist and state senator. Monday evening is a Children's Week partner dinner and Tuesday morning will begin with a Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Whitaker followed by visits to legislators' offices followed by an afternoon of training in hands-on ministry in local churches.
 
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                            [bulletin insert]

Tropical Storm Fay Update

 

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Recovery from 'forgotten' storm continues
Oct. 13, 2008 {0927} / An e-Review Feature by Sarah Alsgaard
 
Although Tropical Storm Fay is almost a memory in the wake of more recent storms, it's very much a reality for many Florida residents who are struggling to recover from the damage it caused. And recovery workers say that struggle could last at least a year. Full story: [click here]

New website for Kitchen Ministry and more to come!

Michael Stasiak and the kitchen staff of First UMC of Lakeland has a top shelf kitchen ministry. Recently, Michael ran a Kitchen Operations Seminar which resulted in a committment to establish a web page for the purpose of sharing ideas, recipes, equipment needs, pictures, etc. . . "so [we] as a group can work together, not as strangers, but as team members focusing on specific goals." The goal is to "fine tune" it as they progress. Input is critical for this website to showcase what kitchens across the state are doing, so please send your pictures, emails, suggestions, recipes, and ideas.

They will also be developing a program called "Kitchen Assistant", geared for churches who need assistance with their current Kitchen Ministry. This program will be tailored to the specific needs of your kitchen, which may include everything from kitchen analysis and program development thru menu design and implementation. The goal is to "fill in the gaps" so your Kitchen Ministry is everything you want it to be.

For more information visit the [website] or contact Michael Stasiak of FUMC Lakeland at methodistkitchens@msn.com or mstasiak@msn.com also by phone at (863) 701-0591.