On Sunday night, March 21, 2010, Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a speech prior to the vote of the House of Representatives on the bill about insurance reform and health care.  In her speech, the Speaker praised a few organizations for their advocacy, including "The United Methodist Church."
 
The staff of the General Board of Church and Society has been active for a long time advocating for universal health care as a moral priority for the United States.  The board advocates on behalf of The United Methodist Church according to the statements in the Social Principles and the Book of Resolutions which are adopted by the General Conference.  Paragraph 162.V of the Social Principles in Book of Discipline is titled "Right to Health Care," and it states, "We believe that it is a governmental responsibility to provide all citizens with health care."  Moreover, in the Book of Resolutions 2008, Resolution No. 3201 on page 346 is titled "Health Care for All in the United States," and it contains a long discussion of the issues and "advocacy steps" which the staff of the General Board of Church and Society is obligated to follow.  This resolution was first adopted by the General Conference in 2000.
 
The staff of the General Board of Church and Society works with members of both major political parties and other religious organizations to advocate for the principles expressed in the Social Principles and the Book of Resolutions.  The board has long advocated for the principle of universal health care, and, because of its work, The United Methodist Church has been recognized by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States for its vision of a country in which there is health care for all.

Tim W. Whitaker
Florida Area Resident Bishop
The United Methodist Church

 

Without help from Native American Ministries Sunday, Ray deZafra never would have found his way to the Third Sunday Native American Fellowship. For the first time in his life, the Potawatomi Indian feels that he belongs, not just to a tribe, but also to a community of Christians. The offering on this Special Sunday educates Native American seminarians, plants Native American churches and cultivates Native American outreach to seekers like Ray.
 
Call (888) 346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church! Find more at www.umcgiving.org/specialsundays.

 

Witnesses to the World! is the theme, building on the risen Christ's charge to the apostles that they are "witnesses to these things." (Luke 24.48). The three days are open to all who are ecumenically minded. Heading the program are Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as preacher at the opening prayer service, Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory as keynoter, and Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton as bible study leader.

 

Chilton will explore the development of the Eucharist in the New Testament as the gathering point of the church's unity. Wednesday of the event is devoted to strategizing about local and regional ecumenism. The General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns is an official sponsor of the event. Rev. Betty Gamble, GCCUIC Associate General Secretary, coordinates a new, United Methodist ecumenical network (UMEIT; see below). The Workshop is the only ecumenical training event officially recognized by the church bodies involved in the ecumenical movement. United Methodists have historically played a major role in the NWCU. For information and to register, go to www.nwcu.org.
 
United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training (UMEIT-pronounced "You Might") is a network of United Methodists comprised of Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns members and chairs, but open to anyone who has an interest in ecumenism and/or interreligious concerns

 

 

• how to develop a theology of money
• fundamentals of finance, financial planning, investments, risk management, real estate
• church finance
• stewardship and cultural challenges facing clergy and the church
• dealing with financial stress

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training
May 14 - 15, 2010 at Riverside Retreat in LaBelle, Florida
 
UMVIM Leader training prepares volunteers to lead Volunteer in Mission teams to projects in the United States and around the world. You will learn the "ins and outs" of organizing a mission trip from recruiting the team, to picking the location, getting support, staying safe, planning the work and much, much more.  You'll also enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship with other mission-minded folks in a beautiful camp setting.

 

Participants stay in dorm-style lodges with bunk beds.  Cost is $55 per person and includes lodging, three meals (dinner, breakfast and lunch) and all training materials.  Trainers include Sue Macchiarella, Florida Conference Chair for UMVIM, as well as trainers from the Southeastern Jurisdiction of UMVIM.

 

This training will also include a tour of ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization located on a demonstration farm in North Fort Myers. ECHO has been assisting a global network of missionaries and development workers since 1981 and is currently serving agricultural workers in 180 countries. For more information, please visit their Web site: www.echonet.org.

 

Please note: Due to space constraints, this training will be limited to 40 people. Register online at: www.flumc.org/UMVIM.

 

 

 

8:00 a.m. check-in; 8:30 a.m. shotgun; Cost is $85/player

 

 

2011 Mission: June 18-25: Lakeland Area Mission

Call our office or check our website for more information: www.cjmission.org.