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| The Gulf Central District |
Dear Michelle,
Our collective heart breaks for the people of Haiti. The tragedy of last month's earthquake brought compassionate response from millions of people of many faiths and nations. Most would agree that God's presence is in this loving outreach to a desperate nation. There are those, like Pat Robertson, who see God's presence in these events as being a punishing presence. This view, certainly a minority view in the Christian community, sees God exercising unilateral control (cause) to such events. In this case, at least according to Robertson, "the reason" for the tragedy is Haiti's supposed pact with the Devil.
While most of us are appalled by Robertson's statement, many Christians wonder if there is a divine purpose behind such disasters. One response to this question is that God exercises relational power and not unilateral control, and that God's will is in everything, but everything is not God's will. I tend to agree. I also tend to believe that weather patterns, shifts in geological plates, and chance cause much of the suffering in the world. Human choice and sin cause plenty more. Rather than trying to find "cause" or "purpose" in tragedies, I prefer Paul's approach. Paul, who writes during a time when the dominant world view held that there were principalities and angelic powers not of God that caused many events that brought about suffering (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), writes, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
 May the people of Haiti never be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus and may you and I be instruments of that connecting love.
Shalom,
John
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| CELEBRATIONS |
Birthdays
1 - Sharon Powers
2 - Barbara McCrea
Joyce Douglas
10 - Patti Wise
12 - Cindy McLoud
15 - Tracy Hunter
Martha Beasley
17 - Kayla Engelhardt
20 - Susan Schrier Clouse
23 - Sharon Stephenson
25 - Suzan Melvin
28 - Scott Baker
Anniversaries
14 - Joe & Claire Teague
16 - Mason & Megan Dorsey
21 - Bob & Linda Green
22 - Todd & Cristina Stube
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| Gulf Central District Training Events for 2010 |
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February 8, 9 and 11, 2010
 February 8 - First UMC, Bradenton, 6:30 - 8:30PM
February 9 - Heritage UMC, Clearwater, 6:30 - 8:30PM
February 11 - First UMC, Spring Hill, 6:30 - 8:30PM
Congregational Transformation - Team Planning for Passionate Worship
February 8 & 11 Jeff Stiggins
Disaster Training - Equipped to Minister: Marilyn Swanson & Pam Garrison
Faith Community Nursing - Building a Health Ministry: Grant Corrigan, RN FCN
Finance: Mickey Wilson & Craig Smelser
Lay Leader: Walter Dry, Helen Morrill & Sharon Luther
Missions: Pam Qualls United Methodist Cooperative Ministries
Staff Parish Relations: Wendy McCoy (Feb. 8 & 9 only)
Staff Parish Relations Committee: John Powers & Arch Johnston
United Methodist Children's Home: Stephen Hartsfield
Connecting with Young Adults in Today's World: Emily Oliver (February 9 at Heritage ONLY!)
United Methodist Men: Chet Klinger
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Calendar of Reports Due
 Year End Statistics are due February 19.
And the next big thing will be the March 31 reports that are due in the District office. Please note there has been a new one added - Disaster Recovery Quick Resource Survey.
Child/Youth Protection Policy adoption - Review & renew annually. Mail a signed copy of the Annual Review/Endorsement Renewal to the district office by March 31st. (Should the policy undergo major revisions, mail a complete copy to the district office).
Fiscal Responsibility and Management Policy adoption - Review & renew annually. Mail a signed copy of this policy to the district office by March 31st.
Sexual harassment Policy adoption - Review & renew annually. Mail a signed copy of the Annual Review/ Endorsement Renewal to the district office by March 31st. (Should the policy undergo major revisions, mail a complete and signed copy to the district office).
Annual Report to the District Housing Committee / Parsonage. Checklist - Review & renew annually. Mail a signed copy of the Annual Parsonage Review to the district office by March 31st.
Disaster Recovery Quick Resource Survey - New Survey in 2010, details announced in February.
From the Church Mouse:
"[God] works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, he works on us through each other. [People] are mirrors, or "carriers" of Christ to other [people]. Usually it is those who know him that bring him to others. That is why the church, the whole body of Christians showing him to one another, is so important." -- C.S. Lewis Let's remember to be mirrors or 'carriers' as we go through our day. |
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Bishop Whitaker to Preach in the GC District
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Sunday, February 14, 2010
Pasadena Community UMC, 9 AM (contemporary) and 11 AM (traditional) services
 The theme for their Mission Sunday is Love -The Heartbeat of Mission. A special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, the Fund of the Warm Heart, will be received. A "Celebration of Love: 1925-2010", Mission Expo that morning in Hamilton Auditorium, will feature, exhibits, refreshments, and CD presentation of Pasadena's 85 years in global mission. Visitors welcome! |
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February 5-7, 2010
Warren W. Willis United Methodist Camp, Fruitland Park
It's going to be a great weekend of fun, fellowship, and worship together!
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 February 5-7, 2010 at the Warren Willis Camp in Fruitland Park. The cost is $85 per person; $350 max for family of five or more. This is the 10th year we've been doing this retreat and there is no way to describe the significance and meaning it has had on our kids!
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, it continues to be great fun! If you have been coming, we want you to come back because it's just not the same without you! For questions contact Andy Sistrunk for more information asistrunk@VanDyke.org. Registration and complete details [HERE]. |
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| Resurrection Women - A Spiritual Growth Retreat |
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Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Prepared for you by Gulf Central District Mission Team
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
Registration and Lunch - $22 per person (Box lunches by Panera Bread Co.) Registration only (BYO lunch) - $12 per person [Click Here] for the flyer.
Registration Deadline: February 24, 2010 |
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Couple's Spiritual Retreat Offered |
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March 12-14 & March 19-21, 2010 
Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park
An opportunity for couples to spend time with each other and with the Lord waits at the 2010 Couples Spiritual Retreats, March 12-14 and March 19-21. Sponsored by the Florida Conference United Methodist Men, each weekend retreat centers on the theme, "In Jesus' Name."
Held in Fruitland Park at the beautiful Life Enrichment Center, the retreats feature praise time, plenary sessions and breakout sessions, offering time to take your discipleship deeper. Topics include: "A Jewish Love Story," with Ed Diaz looking at the wedding customs of Jesus' day and how they are interwoven into the picture of Jesus' second coming; John Riley asking the question, "Are there many doors to the hallway of heaven, or just one?"; "Was Jesus at your wedding?" with the Rev. Harold Lewis; digging deep into Jesus' prayer life by looking at the Gospel of Luke, with the Rev. Charley Reeb; and the Rev. Debbie Nelson exploring the powerful "dance of the Trinity" in our everyday lives.
Registrations must be submitted by February 15. Costs vary depending on length of stay, where you stay, and how many meals you need while on-site. A full-color brochure that you can print and share with your church is [found here]. Additional information and registrations forms may be downloaded at www.ummflconf.org. |
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| Summer Mission Intern applications now accepted |
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Deadline for applications is April 9, 2010
Summer Mission Interns serve in a variety of outreach ministry settings throughout Florida, with a focus being on community day camps and United Methodist district outreach agencies. A $2,000 stipend is awarded to each intern for their 10 weeks of service which runs generally from June 7 through Aug. 13 (this varies with the placement). Internship applications are accepted from students and young adults, ages 19 through 28.
In the summer of 2009, the second year of this program, 12 Summer Mission Interns participated at placements with Christians Reaching Out to Society (C.R.O.S. Ministries), the East Central District outreach ministries in Orlando, Sons of Thunder Day Camp in Titusville, and the NE District outreach ministries in Jacksonville.
The application is available online [Click Here]. Download and print the application then mail it to David Berkey, 1140 McDonald Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801; or fax to 863-688-7233. For more information, e-mail dberkey@flumc.org, or call 800-282-8011, Ext. 140. |
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| Workshops in March Aim at Increasing Salty Service |
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
St. Paul United Methodist Church, Largo
 A series of five workshops, spread throughout the Florida Conference, will help congregational leaders learn practical strategies for joining Jesus in mission to the least, the last and the lost. The Salty Service events are the fourth in a series of events focusing on the five discipling practices of effective congregations known as "The Methodist Way." Paul Chilcote will be the keynote speaker for each of the five events. Chilcote is professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. Participants will have the opportunity to choose two breakouts. Some of the topics for these sessions include helping church leaders find what community needs exist; being in ministry with the poor; prison ministry; adopting a neighborhood school; ending childhood hunger; mission trips with a difference; disaster response; and earth care. Each event will start with registration at 9 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. Cost to attend each event is $45 and includes snacks and lunch. Online registration is available through the Florida Conference Website [click here]. For more information, contact Vicky Valdez at the Florida Conference at victoria.valdez@flumc.org. |
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| Africa
University - Campaign for Support |
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March 20-21, 2010
 More than a dozen Africa University graduates, faculty, board members, and volunteers will bring a campaign urging United Methodists to support the Zimbabwe-based university to the North Central, North East, and East Central Florida districts in mid-March. University representatives are already confirmed to speak at 17 United Methodist churches in the three districts during the weekend of March 20-21, 2010.
"Africa University is a vital part of our mission to Africa," said Florida Bishop Timothy Whitaker. "It is graduating men and women who are becoming key leaders throughout Africa. When other universities closed during Zimbabwe's recent economic and political crises, it remained open." United Methodist-related Africa University is based in central Zimbabwe. Its 1,190 students come from 28 African countries with its main campus located in Old Mutare. The university currently offers bachelors and masters degree programs in six faculties - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Management and Administration, and Theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers postgraduate diploma and masters Programs.
For more information on the many ways to support the mission and ministry of Africa University, please contact Elaine Jenkins, Director of Planned Giving, at 615-340-7428 or email her at ejenkins@gbhem.org. |
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District
Calendar
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Feb 8: District Training Event, First UMC, Bradenton
Feb 9: District Training Event, Heritage UMC, Clearwater
Feb 11: District Training Event, First UMC, Spring Hill
Feb 15: President's Day - District Office Closed
Feb 19: Year End Statistic due by 4p online
Feb 26-28: Tapestry III Event,LEC
Feb 26-28: Confirmation Retreat
Mar 11: Salty Service Workshop, St. Paul's UMC, Largo, 9a
Mar 12-14: Couple's Retreat, LEC
Mar 16: Big Reveal, Anona UMC, Largo, 6p
Mar 19-21: Couple's Retreat, LEC, Leesburg
Mar 19-21: Confirmation Retreat, WW Youth Camp, Leesburg
Mar 31: Fiscal responsibility and Management Policy - due in the district office
Sexual Harassment Policy Adoption
Child and Youth Protection Policy Adoption
Parsonage Report
Disaster Recovery Quick Resource Survey
Apr 2: Good Friday Conference and District offices closed
Apr 11-13: Children Advocacy Days, Tallahassee Capitol
May 2: Announcement Day
May 10: Clergy Meeting, St. Paul UMC, Largo
May 23: Annual Conference Training Event, East Lake UMC, 3-5p
May 31: Memorial Day - District Office closed
Jun 10-12: Annual Conference, Lakeland
Jun 29: Moving Day
Jul 17-24: Celebrate Jesus events |
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