Last year, four Summer Mission Interns participated in the pilot project, dividing their time between Christians Reaching Out to Society (C.R.O.S. Ministries), a conference outreach ministry; the Grandparents and Me Camp and an outreach day camp sponsored by Carver Heights Ministries, a ministry for disadvantaged children and their families that is supported by the conference and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, at the Life Enrichment Center; and two two-week overnight camps at the conference's Riverside Retreat In LaBelle.

The application is available online at http://www.flumc.org/mission_intern_app.pdf. Applicants can download and print the application, and mail it to David Berkey, 1140 E. McDonald Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801; or fax it to 863-688-7233. For more information, e-mail dberkey@flumc.org, or call 800-282-8011, Ext. 140. 

Marriage Encounter United Methodist is once again presenting two Weekends in the Tampa Bay Area; April 24-26 and September 18-20, at the Holiday Inn Select on Ulmerton Road just off I-275. 

 

We need your help in getting the word to your congregation.  There is no advertising budget so we count on you to get the word to couples who deserve a weekend alone together.  Please let them know there is a resource to develop better communication and strengthen their marriage, by mentioning Marriage Encounter in you bulletin, newsletter and from the pulpit.
 
Marriage Encounter has been presenting Weekends since 1980 and if you are unfamiliar with the program we will be happy to send you more information.  Addition information is available at www.encounter.org or contact Jim & Carol Reese, 727-799-0927, eseercm@aol.com.

As part of our continuing spotlight on the five disciple-making practices of fruitful congregations, the Florida Conference will be focusing on "Intentional Discipleship" by offering two series of two, one-day workshops: May 15 and 16, and Sept. 11 and 12.  These workshops will help local church leaders go deeper in their understanding of fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28: "Go and make disciples . . . and teach them to obey all that I have commanded you."

Methodist Men's Ministry




 

Grab a hammer and get ready to build!  The Gulf Central District is pleased to announce that we are going to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and build a home for a local family in need.  We know that building a home together is a great way to put our faith in action and will be an inspirational act of kindness and service. We would like to sponsor a family to build a house as a Habitat "Champion" sponsor.

We are at the beginning of the planning stage with Habitat Pinellas and we hope to involve all 24 congregations in Pinellas County.  If you would like to participate in this Habitat mission, please select an advocate for your congregation and pass their name and email to flumc-gc@flumc.org. 

 

We will organize a first planning meeting - with the goal to build a house in 2009!

 

 

The remaining nine amendments are related to church and conference membership; annual and jurisdictional conference composition, including boundaries; inclusiveness of the church; representation of newly created conferences at general, jurisdictional and central conferences; the judicial council; episcopal elections; fiduciary responsibility; and clergy participation in the election of delegates to general, jurisdictional and central conferences. [MORE. . .]

The current issue of "Salt and Light," the electronic newsletter from the Florida Conference's office of Mission and Justice Ministries,is now online and available for reading.
 
"Salt and Light " is a resource for you and your local church that offers news and opportunities to be involved in mission and justice ministries across the Florida Conference and the world.

Sacred Conversations on Earth's Future  
The earth is nearing a climate tipping point in the next few years. Warming of the atmosphere, changing rainfall patterns, millions more people going hungry, increased deaths from respiratory illness are already results of our fossil fuel dependence. We are at a critical moment in history, faced with two distinct futures.  If we continue on our current path, we face catastrophic consequences for generations to come.  If we choose a new path, we can create a sustainable and more just future for all of the planet's inhabitants.
 
GOAL: Create Committed Congregational Action on Clean Energy to pass forward a more Just, Sustainable World.
 
ACTION: FUSE has created "Sacred Conversations on Earth's Future".
This is a resource to engage congregations in earnest conversations about the kind of earth we are called by God to pass forward to our children, grandchildren, and all of God's creatures. By discussing sacred texts, actively listening to scientific information, and centering in prayer participants face their fears and identify their hopes about climate change. They engage in discussions: [MORE. . .]