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Dear Michelle,
The theme of this year's World Day of Prayer on March 5 is "Let everything that has breath praise God", taking its cue from Psalm 150. The origins of World Day of Prayer date back to the 19th century when Christian women from North America engaged in mission outreach to women and children around the world. There was much resistance by all-male mission boards as alternative mission boards, made up largely of women, were established. Seeing the need to "cover" their mission and women's rights work in prayer, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Anglican women's groups established dedicated prayer weeks that later became a united day of prayer for world missions. After World War I the emphasis of World Day of Prayer became world peace. Today, Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants from 170 nations participate in the World Day of Prayer, focusing on intercessory prayer for peace, justice, and mercy in God's creation. Money raised by church women's organizations on World Day of Prayer go to grants that fund mission outreach projects in places like Cameroon (2010), Papua New Guinea (2009), and Guyana (2008).
 On March 5, I plan to reflect on Psalm 150, one of Charles Wesley's favorite Psalms, and join with other breathing members of creation in praising God. And, I plan to pray for peace, justice and mercy for the creation God so loves. Have a blessed and meaningful World Day of Prayer.
Shalom,
John
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March Birthdays
1 - Linda Green
5 - Bruce Ebert
6 - Pam Rosenburg
7 - Marcia Rentz
9 - Jack Stephenson
10 - Bill McLoud
10 - Suzanne Zipperer
11 - Nancy Mayeux
12 - Mary Frost
13 - Frank Reynolds
13 - Katia McNeill
16 - Joe Teague
21 - Laura Ice
23 - Charles Rentz
March 18
Lisa & Ed Degrenia
Stephen & Christine Hoffman
Bishop Timothy & Melba Whitaker
March 26
Tom & Jane McCloskey
March 27
James & Ann Mitchell |
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| From the Church Mouse . . . A Lenten Reflection |
Give up complaining -- focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism -- become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments -- think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry -- trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement -- be full of hope.
Give up bitterness -- turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred -- return good for evil.
Give up negativism -- be positive.
Give up anger -- be more patient.
Give up pettiness -- become mature.
Give up gloom -- enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy -- pray for trust.
Give up gossiping -- control your tongue.
Give up sin -- turn to virtue.
Give up giving up -- hang in there! |
| The Jazz of Preaching . . .
How to Preach with Great Freedom and Joy!
A Lake Junaluska signature preaching event for the church.
August 1 - 4 [Sunday evening through Wednesday evening]
The Lake Junaluska Ministers Conference/Ministry Summit 2010 Leadership: Kirk Byron Jones, Heather Murray Elkins, Tom Long, Melodie Galloway and the Lake Junaluska Singers plus a Jazz "Sampler" of musicians from across the Southeast. Information and Registration at: www.lakejunaluska.com/summit or call 828-454-6656, 828-454-6710. |
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| Pinellas Multi-Site "Big Reveal" March 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Anona UMC |
The United Methodist Church is losing 70,000 in worship attendance every year. At that rate, no one will be attending our churches in 44 years. Many churches are doing all they can do to survive. But we are not called to simply survive, we are called do everything possible "To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World!"
Several UMC's in the Pinellas County area have been meeting and working together to develop a process that will get us from the survival mode we are in now to being effective Disciple-Making and Area Transforming churches. We invite you to not only come and hear our plan, but to receive free tools to take back to your congregation and begin to discover the transformative process with your church.
To take full advantage of this event, it would be helpful to bring at least 3 or 4 key leaders of your church to come and hear the plan. There is no cost for this event. There are no reservations needed. Refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there. |
RECOVER THE PASSION!
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In 1765 there were a handful of Methodists in the United States. In 1776 3 percent of church members were Methodists, and by 1850 that number had risen to 34 per cent. The Journal of Southern Religious Reviews has described this as "probably the most breathtaking institutional triumph of the Early Republic." Have you ever wondered how Methodism became such a powerful influence in the early days of the United States? Could our finest hour become a lesson for today?
On March 20, 2010, from 9- 3, Dr. John Wigger, author of two 2 books focusing on the lives of the early Methodists in this country, will be the featured speaker at RECOVER THE PASSION! Dr. Wigger is a member of the faculty of The University of Missouri. With Ph. D and M.A. degrees in American History from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Wigger's focused study of early Methodism in this country has included 2 books: Taking Heaven by Storm: Methodism and the Rise of Popular Christianity in America, 1998; and the recently published American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists, 2009.
RECOVER THE PASSION! is an opportunity to learn about Methodism in the early days of our country, exploring the influence of Methodism on the wider culture to better understand the dynamics of Methodist growth in the United States. Hear how the organizational genius, culturally adapted theology and passionate spirituality of Francis Asbury combined with indispensable and zealous lay men and women to ensure that Methodist preaching, teaching and sacraments reached the remotest communities of a young and expanding nation, while linking them to a national religious community.
Early Methodism was able to provide a spiritual center which addressed bewilderment, uncertainty and social disorientation in a time of huge migration of population. There are lessons to be learned from this experience. Just as Francis Asbury was able to translate John Wesley's theology to a new and dynamic culture, and Methodists were unleashed to spread the Gospel, we today must understand where we came from, and then apply this to modern times. The zeal and enthusiasm of those early Methodists can be recovered today as we seek the means to revitalize United Methodism.
You are invited to be a part of this informative and challenging opportunity, RECOVER THE PASSION! Join us on March 20, 2010 from 9:00 A.M.- 3:00 P.M. at The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, Florida. The cost is $25. Lunch is included. Registration is limited, so return your check promptly. To RECOVER THE PASSION!, The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, Fl. 33573. |
Spiritual Formation Event
March 26-27, 2010 at Trinity UMC, Gainesville
INVITATION TO A JOURNEY -- "The process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others" is the definition Dr. Robert Mulholland gives for spiritual formation. How we develop a spiritually vital life that amkes a difference for us and others; the journey and the spiritual road map are some of the subjects to be explored.
Guest Speaker, Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. He is a nationally known biblical scholar, author of several books on Scripture and spiritual formation, including his latest book, The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering your True Self (InterVaristy Press, 2006). Dr. Mulholland is currently a consulting editor for The Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. He and his wife, Lynn, have two children.
REGISTRATION COST: $20 per person and $30 per couple. Payment will be collected at the event. Please pray and plan now for your participation. For more information contact: www.trinitygnv.org |
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 Advocacy at Children's Week: Show Up 2 Speak Out!
April 11-13, 2010 at Trinity UMC, Tallahassee
In April, the 15th Annual Children's Week Celebration will be held in Tallahassee in partnership with FLUMC Coalition for Advocacy and Ministry with Children (The Children's Coalition), Florida Conference Global Mission and Justice Committee, and Conference United Methodist Women. Florida Advocacy Days (FAD) presents opportunities to be a social witness for those who are unable to speak for themselves and includes providing a vocal presence with local, state, and federal decision-makers.
FAD offers a time for a network of Methodist citizens to boldy work together in shaping public policy. It is a forum to empower local church members to take their Christian concrns for the "least of these" to their legislators' offices and engage these goverment officials around specific issues that can reduce the suffering of impoverished children and their families. In addition, FAD provides detailed information and advocacy training regarding legislative issues, such as hunger, health care, and housing.
REGISTRATION COST: $70 (includes 4 meals and Advocacy Materials). Please pray and plan now for your participation. For more information contact:
Tammy Fisher, Project Coordinator; Phone (800) 282-8011, Ext. 182; or email tfisher@flumc.org
Melinda Trotti, Director of Justice and Outreach Ministries, email mtrotti@flumc.org |
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| Calendar of Reports Due March 31 |
Child/Youth Protection Policy - Review & renew annually. Mail a signed copy to the district office by March 31st. Please note this is a new revised policy please review and adopt the new policy and send a copy to the district office.
Fiscal Responsibility & 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 available via the Church Login on the Conference website. (You will need your Church's user name and password to access Disaster Survey. Contact the District Office if you do not know it.) |
| Resources Available at North Central District Office |
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Many of you are aware that for a number of years, the North Central District office has been the host for The Resource Ark, a wide range of church ministry resources that could be borrowed for use in individual local churches. However, in recent years, this resource has been seldom used. So with the approval of the Conference, the North Central District is going to allow these resources to find a permanent home in your local church. We want these resources available where they will do the most good.
So, on March 5, 12 and 19, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will be an Open House in the District Office for those who are interested in picking up educational Resources such as: Christian books, videos, documentaries, Children and Youth Curriculum, music notes, bible study guides, etc.
All of these items them can be picked up in our office without any charge; however, if you would like, you can give a donation that will be used for UMCOR Haiti Relief. There will also be a few bookcases that will be available for purchase for small fee.
If you are looking for some ministry resources for your church, please come and visit us at our location: 509 NE First Street, Gainesville FL 32601. |
| Warren Willis Summer Camp tweaks schedule: offers additional week |
Do in part to the public school calendars in Florida this year, a minor shift in the summer camping schedule at Warren Willis Camp was needed. Thus, the first week of camp will now begin on June 14, and the last week of camp will begin August 9. That means an additional week of summer camp is being offered this summer. Week 10, August 9 to 14, is now open and available for registration.
All weeks of camp begin on a Monday and end on Saturday morning. If you have already registered for weeks 2 through 9 of summer camp you WILL NOT be affected by this change; no further action is needed on your part.
The list of camp weeks is now:
Week 2: June 14-19
Week 3: June 21- 26
Week 4: June 28- July 3
Week 5: July 5-10
Week 6: July 12- 17
Week 7: July 19- 24
Week 8: July 26- July 31
Week 9: August 2-7
Week 10: August 9-14
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| District
Calendar
of
Events |
Mar 12-14: Couples retreat - Leesburg
Mar 16: Big Reveal - 6 PM at Anona
Mar 19-21: Couples Retreat - Leesburg
Mar 31: Fiscal responsibility and Management Policy - due in the district office
Sexual Harassment Policy Adoption
Child and Youth Protection Policy - This is a new Revised Policy
Parsonage Report
Disaster Recovery Quick Resource Survey
Apr 2: Good Friday Conference and District offices closed
Apr 11-13: Children Advocacy Days - Tallahassee
May 2: Announcement Day
May 10: Clergy Meeting - St Paul UMC - Largo
May 23: Annual Conference Training event - East Lake UMC 3-5 pm
May 31: Memorial Day - Conference and District offices closed
Jun 10-12: Annual Conference - Lakeland
Jun 29: Moving Day
Jul 5: Conference and District offices closed
Jul 17-24: Celebrate Jesus events
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