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Gulf Central District Newsletter
February 2009 |
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District Superintendent Gulf Central District of the United Methodist Church 1498 Rosery Rd. E., Largo, Fl. 33770-1656 Phone: 727-585-1207 email: DS-GC@FLUMC.ORG |
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Greetings!
One thing I will miss this February is the singing of African American spirituals by the First United Methodist Church of Oviedo choir during Black History Month (February). It was a tradition of First Church, Oviedo during my ten years there and although most of the choir members are white, they sang spirituals very well.
It was not just the sounds I enjoyed. I loved the theology expressed in the spirituals. Union Theological Seminary professor, James Cone, in his book The Spirituals and the Blues points out that the spirituals express much of the historical theology of African American people. Unlike much Eurocentric theology, the spirituals understood the different nuances of meaning in biblical/theological themes. For example, heaven is at the same time other worldly and of this world. "Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home" is as much about the underground railroad coming to take slaves home to freedom as it is about angels taking us to heaven when we die.
I once attended a lecture by Dr. Cone at FSU in the early 70s. He had already written The Spirituals and the Blues and had just published A Black Theology of Liberation. During the question and answer session one of the FSU religion professors asked him when he planned to leave behind this esoteric preoccupation with Black theology and come into the theological mainstream. There was an uncomfortable silence as Dr. Cone glared at him and then finally asked, "Whose mainstream, white man?" A few years later, while at Candler School of Theology, I was invited to a luncheon with Dr. Cone. At the luncheon, Dr. Cone, who had recently written God of the Oppressed, was asked by one of his former students (and at that time a professor at Candler) why he had moved away from his earlier position, that oppression in America had to be viewed through the lens of the Black experience. Dr. Cone replied that to make that demand would be demagoguery, and that while theology needed to be contextual, i.e. grounded in the culture and experience of a particular people, African Americans needed to make connections with others, especially other oppressed people, and learn from their experience and insight.
Back to the theology in the spirituals- one of my favorite biblical/theological themes is also one of the central themes in the spirituals- Jubilee. Jubilee, as described in Leviticus, is the fiftieth year, after seven Sabbaths of years, in which slaves and indentured servants are set free, debts are forgiven, land is restored to those who have lost it over the previous 50 years, and the land is left fallow (God would provide a bountiful harvest the previous year to see Israel through). The Jubilee seemed to be a way to provide relative egalitarian social relations in Israel. The theme is mentioned in the prophets and seems to be a recurring theme in the gospels (e.g. "the acceptable year of the Lord" in Luke 4:19, "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" in the Lord's Prayer, and parables such as The Unforgiving Servant). The theme of Jubilee has been used over the years to refer to the coming of God's Reign and it has been used to interpret historic social events.
African Americans have spoken of events such as the freeing of the slaves and the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Jubilees. I dare say the election of President Obama is being interpreted by many in light of the Jubilee...a new day, a day of hope.
For all of us, regardless of race, political party affiliation, or theological perspective, I hope this will be a month in which we can sing with our African American brothers and sisters- and understand the varying nuances of our songs, "In that great getting-up morning, fare you well, fare you well. There's a better day a coming, fare you well, fare you well." "Jubilee, Jubilee! Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord! Jubilee, Jubilee! Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord!" John |
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February
1 - Sharon Powers
2 - Barbara McCrea
Joyce Douglas
8 - Fred Bonsteel
10 - Patti Wise
12 - Cindy McLoud
15 - Tracy Hunter
17 - Kayla Engelhardt
20 - Kaye Ball
Susan Schrier Clouse
23 - Sharon Stephenson
25 - Suzan Melvin
27 - Kelly Greenawald
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Anniversaries
February
14 - Joe & Claire Teague
16 - Mason & Megan Dorsey
21 - Bob & Linda Green
22 - Todd & Cristina Stube | |
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2009 Conference Holiday Schedule
FEB 16: Presidents Day
APR 10: Good Friday
MAY 25: Memorial Day
JUL 3: Independence Day
SEP 7: Labor Day
NOV 11: Veterans Day
NOV 26-27: Thanksgiving
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2009 District Training Events Feb. 9, 10 & 12
All interested are welcome to come!
Feb 9:
First UMC of Bradenton
Feb 10:
Heritage UMC, Clearwater
Feb 12:
First UMC of Spring Hill
Workshops available from 6:30 - 8:30 PM:
Congregational Transformation
Disaster Training
Missions
Staff Parish
Trustees
Finance
Lay Leader
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 SAVE THE DATE: February 28
Special Session of Annual Conference
Bishop Tim Whitaker of the Florida Conference has called a special session of the Annual Conference, to be held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Branscomb Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Registration for the conference will be open from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The session will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. A lunch break will be held if necessary.
The purpose of the special session will be to vote on resolutions which pertain to the sale of the current Conference Center, located at 1140 East McDonald Street in Lakeland, and the purchase of a new building.
All clergy and lay members of the 2008 Florida Conference are invited and expected to attend. Clergy who had voting rights for the regular 2008 Florida Annual Conference (¶602a;b;c;d of the 2008 United Methodist Book of Discipline) will have voting rights at this special session.
According to the 2008 Book of Discipline, "The lay member or alternate, whoever was last seated in the annual conference, shall be seated in a special session of the annual conference when convened, provided that no local charge shall be deprived of its lay member due to death, serious illness or cessation of membership. Under such circumstances, another lay member may be elected by the charge conference." (¶602.5)
Further Clarification & Instruction on Lay members:
Whoever was elected to attend the 2008 AC is qualified to attend the Special Session.
- If the lay member who attended in 2008 can't attend, the 2008 elected alternate can take their place at the Special Session.
- If the alternate attended in 2008, but can't attend the Special Session, then the 2008 (primary) lay member can take their place.
- Either 2008 elected lay member, primary or alternate, can be sent to the Special Session.
- If NEITHER is available, a replacement would need to be elected by Charge Conference. This could be a 3-minute meeting after worship, where the pastor presides (with DS authorization and proper notification).
- A letter of verification would be helpful for either the 2008 alternate lay member or the specially-elected lay member. We are asking that churches sending an alternate lay member send their lay member with verification on church letterhead stationery. This will keep down confusion and insure that the person the church sends will be seated.
Please share this information with others who might need to be present in February.
For more information regarding the Special Session of the AC from Bishop Whitaker visit his BLOG [Click Here].
More information will be posted online at www.flumc.org as it becomes available and will also be e-mailed to clergy and lay members of the Conference. |
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Maggie's Moment
The Gulf Central District ended 2008 with 76.94% of total apportionments paid:
67 Churches Apportioned
40 churches increased in percentage paid and /or paid 100% in 2008;
Of these 40 churches 31 paid 100%.
Thank you Pastors and SPR Committees -- we were 100% complete by the deadline on the Pastor's profiles and only 7 churches failed to complete their Church profiles by the deadline.
The next thing is Year End Statistics . . . we already have 8 churches complete with that task and all but 8 have started this process. The forms are completed online and must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. FYI -- I won't be in the office on the 13th so please don't leave this to the last day to do. Just in case you have problems. |
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 Missional Vital Signs
Living the United Methodist Way
Every congregation is now asked to report Missional Vital Signs indicating how they are living into the five practices of the United Methodist Way of discipling. Congregational Leaders will select a Missional Vital Sign Reporter for their congregation. This person will receive an email once a month with a link to a form on which they can report data for each of the five practices for each week during the previous month. Data is collected weekly and reported monthly.
Beginning in February, Missional Vital Sign Reporters are asked to report the previous month's information on weekly worship attendance, the total number of persons received into membership on profession of faith and reaffirmation of faith weekly, and the weekly offering total for giving to budget, capital and missional concerns. These are three things that every congregation already tracks weekly. The only change is the monthly reporting. Then by July 1, congregations are asked to begin reporting data for Intentional Discipling and Salty Service.
For complete information, go to the MVS website by clicking on the MVS logo on either the Conference ( www.flumc.org) or Congregational Transformation websites ( www.congregationaltransformation.com). The purpose of the MVS is to help congregations stay focused on the five practices of fruitful congregations and to track an indication of their effectiveness for each of these practices. |
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Evangelism Grants Available to Small Churches
Last day to apply is February 23
The Florida AC-70 Committee that has funded grants of up to $3,200.00 for small membership churches has just finished disbursing $21,475.00 to eight churches. Eight out of nine districts in our Conference were represented by the churches that were selected.
We are encouraging more small membership churches to apply immediately for the one time grants for an evangelism outreach ministry through their congregations.
Applications should include goals, strategies, target group, budget, timeline and the amount of financing the church is providing for the specified initiative. The deadline is February 23, 2009. Grants will be awarded in March.
Questions can be directed to Dave Brazelton at 904-268-5549 or dbrazelton@mumc.net.
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Become A Volunteer English Language Tutor
Make a Difference in Someone's Life
 Free Tutor Training No Previous Teaching Experience Needed
Saturday, February 21 & 28, 2009
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Pinellas Park Library
7770 52nd St. North, Pinellas Park
Information and registration:
Call Pam Qualls, Volunteer Coordinator
727-442-6881 Ext. 5
Sponsored by United Methodist Cooperative Ministries
Visit umcm.info for more information, registration forms and further volunteer opportunities. [Click here for flyer] |
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Grants As A Source of Funding for Your Congregation
by Joy Skjegstad
Pastors and ministry leaders are always asking me whether grants are available to fund the work of their congregations, and this question is arising more during these difficult economic times. Congregations that are having a difficult time meeting budget with gifts from inside the congregation are increasingly looking to outside sources for help.
So, is there grant funding out there for your church? I always answer: "It depends." Whether you can secure grants for your congregation will depend on a number of factors, including: [Read the rest . . .]
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 "Meet the Composer"
A Weekend of Music Enrichment - February 6-8
St. Paul UMC, Largo, FL
You are invited to participate in a weekend of music enrichment featuring the talent of composer, Allen Pote. All music will be provided at the church and may be purchased thru Head's House of Music to take back to your church.
The weekend will culminate with a concert at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary of St. Paul United Methodist Church that will be conducted by Allen. Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to unite with other choirs and to work with one of the great Methodist composers of our day.
Cost will be $10.00 per participant plus the cost of music. If you have further questions please contact: David McKee, Pastor of Music, 727-584-8165.
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The Gospel of John - A Live Performance
Presented at First UMC of St. Petersburg on February 7
 It took nearly five months for actor Brad Sherrill to memorize all 20,000 words of The Gospel of John. He had plans to perform it just once at his home church in Atlanta, but has since presented John's gospel over 400 times in professional theaters and churches across the U.S. and Canada. On Sat., Feb. 7, 2009, Sherrill will bring his celebrated touring performance to First United Methodist Church, 212 Third St. N.in St. Petersburg.
The Gospel of John is a one-man "live" performance of the fourth gospel in its entirety. Since its premiere in 2000, The Gospel of John's 400 performances have included a six-week off-Broadway run at New York City's historic Lamb's Theatre (2003) and theater runs in Washington D.C., Toronto and Atlanta (from 2001-2005.) It has also been performed at Yale School of Divinity (2002), the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD (2004) and American and Catholic Universities in Washington D.C. (2005). In 2007, The Gospel of John will made its Chicago theater debut at Provision Theater Co. during the month of February.
With perhaps a dozen very simple props used in a variety of ways, Sherrill transforms the gospel into a captivating drama, presenting the entire story of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An estimated 80,000 people across the country have now experienced a rare opportunity to see an hear an entire gospel presented live in this dramatic fashion. Response to The Gospel of John has been overwhelmingly positive from clergy, lay members and the press.
The performance at First United Methodist Church begins at 7:00 PM. Admission is free. A free will offering will be taken with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Call the church office, 727-894-4661, for more information. Or visit the church web site at www.fumcsp.com. Performance website: www.gospelofjohn.com |
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 Mark Hayes is Coming to Largo!
Anona UMC - February 20-22
We want to invite you and your church to attend a weekend with composer and artist, Mark Hayes. Listed below are some of the specifics of the event.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20: DINNER, MUSIC, AND FELLOWSHIP at 6:00 PM
Open to music directors, pianists, organists, school music directors, and worship leaders. Enjoy a nice catered dinner at the church and come hear Mark share about his life and ministry, and enjoy some of his wonderful music! Cost is $15 per person. Seating is limited.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22: MARK HAYES CONCERT at 3:00 PM
Come and Hear Mark present some fantastic music on piano along with our Anona workshop choir and band. Open to all to attend. No tickets needed, but a love offering will be taken.
Call Jeremy Herrington at Anona UMC for more information: (727) 595-2581 ext 236 or e-mail jeremyh@anona.com |
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Florida Conference Advacacy Days
Children's Week - March 29-31
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. 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.
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. |
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Celebrate Jesus Mission
2009 GOLF TOURNAMENT - Wednesday, June 10
If you are attending the Florida Annual Conference, at Bethune Cookman University head to Daytona a day early and join us! WHERE: Pelican Bay Country Club, Daytona Beach
TIME: 8:00 am check-in; 8:30 am shotgun start
COST: $85 each, includes a t-shirt and lunch
FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE
Celebrate Jesus, Inc.
PO Box 3386, Orlando, FL 32802-3386, USA
A registered 501(c)3 Organization
2009 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
March 21-28: Venetian Bay Mission, New Smyrna Beach (East Central District) -
Application Deadline: February 1
June 20-27: Southwest Florida Mission - Application Deadline: April 20
July 25-August 1: Northeast Florida Mission - Application Deadline: May 20
Three types of teams:
1. Youth, 13-18 year olds
2. All-Age, 16 years and up
3. Family, 5 years and up
Cost: $150 per person,$50 for each additional family member. |
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Calendar
of
Events |
February 5: - Clergy meeting Postponed to May 7
February 9: First UMC, Bradenton; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Leadership Training event; classes covered will be: Disaster Team, Finance, Lay Leader Missions, Pastor-Parish Relations, Trustees.
February 10: Heritage UMC, Clearwater; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Leadership Training event; classes covered will be: Disaster Team, Finance, Lay Leader Missions, Pastor-Parish Relations, Trustees.
February 12: First UMC, Spring Hill; 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Leadership Training event; classes covered will be: Disaster Team, Finance, Lay Leader Missions, Pastor-Parish Relations, Trustees.
February 16: The Conference and District offices will be closed in observance of President's Day.
February 28: Special Session of the Annual Conference at Branscomb Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Registration for the conference will be open from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The session will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.
March 1 & 2: Steve Harper from Asbury Seminary Leading a Sunday-Monday Lent preparation preaching/teaching event. For more information please contact Anona UMC at 727-595-2581. |
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