News from The Gulf Central District

1: Todd Stube
      Giovanni Palacios
2: Nan Hubbell
7: Dan Campbell
9: Martha Peavey
      Doug Zipperer
16: Marie Hay
19: Gary Clark
21: Lawrence Barriner
27: Mary Ekers
      David Miller
      John Powers
29: Eric McCrea
      Tim Machtel

June Anniversries

June 9:
Howard & Nancy Grimmenga

June 10:

Gabe & Paul Wright
Herb & Judy Angel

June 13:
Chuck & Kayla Engelhardt

June 15:
David & Susan Gill

June 23:
Scott & Mary Frost

June 27:
Glenn & Gaye Bosley-Mitchell
Danny & Amber Bennett

June 28:
Catherine & Steve Price

Greetings!

As you may know, the Florida Annual Conference theme this year is "Transforming the World through Eradicating Extreme Poverty". This is an important and timely theme; plus, it is central to the Biblical message and to the Wesleyan call to "social holiness". In Matthew 25, after two "preparing for the coming of Christ" parables, with messages of "be prepared", "stay awake", "use well what you are blessed with", Jesus concludes with the parable of the Last Judgment with it's theme of "why were you waiting for me to come at the end of the age? I came every day in the person of the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger (refuge), the naked, and the prisoner...i.e. those at the bottom of society, especially the poor."

Also, Jesus set the stage for his ministry in his first sermon, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to free the oppressed, and to proclaim the Lord's year of favor" (the Lord's year of favor is the year of Jubilee in which God calls on Israel to forgive debts, free slaves, and redistribute wealth every 50 years- see Leviticus 25- The theme is also found in the Lord's Prayer and several of Jesus' parables). These and many other Gospel passages are reminiscent of the Old Testament theme of God requiring justice and mercy for the poor, along with humility in our walk with God. John Wesley and others understood the centrality of humility, justice, and mercy in the life of holiness, and so should we.

The theme of eradicating poverty is timely as well as Biblical. We are all aware of extreme poverty in places like Haiti and sub-Saharan Africa. But, with unemployment hovering around 13% in the five counties of the Gulf Central District, extreme poverty is found in pockets of our own communities. Homelessness is on the rise, we are told, among families with no apparent addiction or mental health issues. Our United Methodist Joining Hands Ministry in Holiday, Florida packs their week long summer camp for homeless children (by the way, this summer they are expanding to a summer long program for at risk and homeless children -- my son, Steven, will be working with this program). We are also seeing a rise in slavery arrests and convictions in our state, both in sex trade and with farm workers (historically the most exploited and abused of Florida workers).

Let me suggest a few ways to observe this timely and Biblically central theme of eradicating extreme poverty. First, be generous. Contribute to the Annual Conference offering that will go to Haiti relief (80%) and to the effort to end childhood hunger in Florida (20%), led by Florida Impact, the inter-faith lobby that represents the United Methodist Church in legislative issues related to eradicating poverty.
Second, support the Ministries of mercy for the poor in your church and in the district. These include the Pinellas and the Manatee Counties Habitat for Humanity builds; United Methodist Cooperative Ministries of the Sun Coast (our district's urban outreach ministry); and Joining Hands United Methodist Homeless Ministry of Holiday, Florida. There are, of course, many other mercy ministries, including many local church outreach programs.

And third, do justice. Mercy is not enough. The Bible is clear about that. Check out the Florida Impact website for State legislative efforts. Check out Bread for the World for national and international efforts. Justice for Our Neighbors is a United Methodist program based in Clearwater working with refugees and immigrants that is always looking for volunteers. One of my favorite faith community efforts to do justice is the inter-faith support of the Coalition of Immokalee Farm workers. Largely due to the religious community's efforts, several corporations that purchase Florida tomatoes (e.g. Whole Foods, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Burger King, and Subway) have signed an agreement to pay a penny extra per pound and to require that the growers who they purchase from comply with a vendor/CIW code of conduct. Publix Corporation of Florida is currently being urged to sign the agreement. Check the CIW website to see how you can help.

In the "pop-Christian", or should we say the "sub-Christian neo-Gnostic" culture rampant in many of our churches, we hear statements like, "we need to emphasize holiness and spirituality and not social concerns" and "the church should stick to spiritual matters", as if holiness and spirituality had nothing to do with justice and mercy. We hear "end-time", "second coming" speculation that not only denies Jesus' admonition that only the Father knows the time or period (it is not for you to know!), but also fails to consider that Jesus returns everyday, according to Matthew 25. Let us not fail to remember that to do justice, offer mercy, and share generously with the poor is to welcome Christ the King. And not a day goes by when we are not given the opportunity.

Shalom,
John

Congratulations to Dr. Charley Reeb!

Congratulations to Charley Reeb, lead pastor of Pasadena Community UMC, who received his D. Min. in Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary. His dissertation was entitled, "The Preaching of J. Wallace Hamilton for Today's Preacher". He has also been honored as one of the preachers for Day 1, a national radio program formally known as The Protestant Hour.

Maggie Minute

Have you perused the Conference web page lately? There is a wealth of information there. Check out the Ministry protection web site by going to the Ministry protection Icon on the left side of the Conference webpage [click here].

You may not be aware that the Cokesbury store in Clearwater closed in April in an effort to assist you in keeping the connection with Cokesbury we will have periodic Cokesbury "deals" on the district newsletter, however, for your day to day needs you can go to the Cokesbury web page as www.cokesbury.com. If you need personal assistance you can contact our Cokesbury Sales Representative Lionel at 727-216-6208 or toll free 1-877-865-5669 or by email ltrujillo@cokesbury.com.

The District office will be closed on June 9-12 we will be at annual Conference - Your church office will be able to get in touch with us.

Grand Opening/Dedication Ceremony/Tours of New Conference Center on Saturday, June 12th at 2:00 pm for the new Conference office.

The week of June 14 - 21, the Conference office will be actually moving to the new building therefore communications with them will be extremely difficult. This will also limit the email to the District office as well as the pastors @flumc.org addresses. In the event of an emergency please contact your church office - they will be able to get in touch with us.

2010 Annual Conference on June 10-12, 2010

"Transforming the World by Eradicating Extreme Poverty"
At the Lakeland Convention Center

Special Offering will be divided 80% to the Methodist Church in Haiti and 20% Florida Impact for the Partnership to end Childhood Hunger [Details Here]

Pre-Conference Workshops will be Wednesday, June 9 from 2:00p.m.- 8:30p.m.

A brochure with workshop details is available [here].

Hospitality Volunteers are needed at Annual Conference. Complete details are available on the Florida Conference website under the Annual Conference link.

Tour New Archives/Heritage Center on Wed. & Fri.
You are invited to an Open House at the new Florida United Methodist Heritage Center in the McKay Archives at Florida Southern College on Wednesday, June 9, 6-8 p.m. or Friday, June 11, 12-1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the Barnett Plaza adjacent to the archives building.

eal Opportunities at The Lakeland Center - The Connection Caf�
For your dining pleasure: LUNCH: 11:30 - 1:30 ::: HOT DINNER BUFFET: 4:30 - 6:30
Complete order form and mail or fax to: Ovations Food Services, 701 W Lime Street, Lakeland, FL 33815 or Fax: 863-834-8108
*Reservations by phone, mail, or fax must be received By Monday, June 7th, 2010
*Payment due at time of reservation.
[Click Here] for Connection Caf� flyer with meal options and more information.

Conference Groups and Seminaries offer a variety of focused Group Meal Opportunities at Annual Conference to help keep the Connection Strong. [Click Here] to review the list and make reservations to attend those that interest you.

Ministers' Mates Afternoon Tea: Social gathering of all Clergy Mates
Friday, June 11 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ::: Sikes Hall Lobby, Lakeland Center
For information contact: flumcmates@gmail.com No RSVP, simply join us!

Florida Conference moves to new location June 14!

The new home of the Florida Conference, Florida United Methodist Foundation and Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union will be 450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33815-1522.

The MAIN COMPUTER SERVER will be moved and reinstalled on Monday, June 14.

IMPORTANT NOTE to everyone who accesses the Florida Conference database internally, remotely and via CITRIX: We will loose connectivity, access and the ability to communicate TO AND FROM the conference database on JUNE 14. That includes EMAIL (including Clergy E-mail) and access to ALL DATA. We expect communications to be interrupted and perhaps unavailable TO AND FROM the staff and NEW Conference Center until Monday, June 21. Please plan accordingly.

PHONE SERVICE (LANDLINE) will be changed-over to the new building on Tuesday, JUNE 15.

The POST OFFICE BOX will not be available after July 1. All mail will be forwarded to the new address.

The NEW ADDRESS is 450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33815-1522.

Child and Youth Protection Training on June 26

First training event on the revised Child and Youth Protection policy

We encourage all pastors, Staff Parish Relations Committee Members, Youth and Children directors and worker, and any other interested parties to attend. The training event will be at St. Paul's UMC in Largo from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

It is critically important for leaders in the church to be trained in this policy and take the information back to the rest of their congregation. Please pre-register by going to the Conference Webpage [Click Here].

Joining Hands Community Mission, Inc.

Fundraiser at the ballpark with post game fireworks!

Saturday June 19, 2010 at Bright House Field, Hwy 19 & Drew St., Clearwater

A great FATHER'S DAY family event! Clearwater Threshers vs.Tampa Yankees
Game time 6:3 Joining Hands Community Mission

0 p.m. / Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets $16 per person (Kids 4 and Under are Free!). Proceeds from each ticket sale assist a family in need.

Enjoy an evening of fun in the Hot Corner Caf�!
All you can eat from 5:00-8:00 p.m. - hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, peanuts, popcorn, chips, ice cream sandwiches, soft drinks and bottled water. For tickets and information, go to: www.threshersbaseball.com Click on "Compassion + Action" Logo.

Health Hints from our District Parish Nurse

Grant Corrigan, RN, FCN

"I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you."

--3 John 1:2 NIV

Men: taking care of your health is not selfish or weak. Give your family the gift of good health. Take a look at your health habits, think about the Center for Disease Control's recommendations, and find areas that you can change for the better. To avoid debilitating disease and to live longer, don't use tobacco, be physically active, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, manage your stress, take safety precautions a t home and work, take medication as needed, and participate in health screenings / annual Dr. appointments.

Your family will thank you.

The LEC Needs Volunteers

The United Methodist Life Enrichment Retreat Center in Leesburg is looking for some outstanding volunteers to help with our ministry of Christian hospitality to retreat groups. We need folks who are friendly, and enjoy serving others. Our need is for front desk and dining room hospitality. At the front desk, you will answer phones, greet people arriving to the center, help us prepare for groups by doing signs, organizing room keys, etc. Dining room hosts welcome folks into the dining room, help those who need help going through the meal line, help guests with their trays to return them to the dish room, and wipe down tables at the end of the meal. All these positions are vital to helping our retreat guests feel welcome. Most of this service will be on weekends, but a number of weekday options are also possible. If you come from a distance, and can stay for a weekend, we will provide a room and meals.

Please consider this opportunity and give us a call at 352-787-0313 and ask for Jess or email jschload@flumc.org. Thank you.

Come to "Grandparents & Me" Camps this summer

Session 1: July 5-8, 2010 || Session 2: August 2-5, 2010

The Life Enrichment Center is sponsoring two "Grandparents and Me" camps during the summer of 2010. These popular camps are fun times and a great opportunity to spend quality time with your grandchildren. The program is designed for children ages 5-11 and their grandparent(s). You will stay in our motel type rooms, and have three days of fun and learning about our faith. To learn more, and to register, go to www.LECretreats.org and click on the "Summer Camps" icon, or call 352-787-0313.

Florida United Methodist Children's Home Honors

Mission Work Group of the Year

This honor was given to First UMC of Spring Hill by the Florida United Methodist Children's Home. Every year since 2004, First UMC Spring Hill has sent a mission work team to the Children's Home. This group always comes ready to work and is enthusiastic and dedicated to the tasks given them. They participate in the life of the campus and carry the love and spirit of Jesus Christ I all the work they do at the Children's Home. Reverend Bill McLoud serves as their pastor. Congratulations First UMC, Spring Hill.

Another honoree of the Children's Home was Pastor of the Year Reverend David Baldridge - As of July 1 David Will be serving at Palm Harbor in the Gulf Central District. Congratulation David!

Two churches in the Gulf Central District were also recognized as being in the Top 20 Giving Churches: Anona UMC in Largo and Trinity UMC in Bradenton. Thank you for being the bedrock of support for the Florida United Methodist Children's home.

The following churches met or exceeded their goal of giving $12 per member in 2009:
Anona, Largo; Trinity, Bradenton; First, Brooksville; First, Clearwater; Curlew, Palm Harbor; Ellenton; Emmanuel, Bradenton; Friendship, Clearwater; Hudson, First; Manatee, Bradenton; Mariner, Spring Hill; New Hope, Istachatta; Parrish; Pasadena Community; Riviera, Rogers Community; St. James, St Petersburg; Christ, St Petersburg; First, St Petersburg; Shady Hills; Spring Lake; Terra Ceia.

The address for the children's home has changed:

51 Children's Way,

Enterprise, FL 32725

UM Cooperative Ministries

Fundraiser at the ballpark with post game fireworks!
Saturday July 10, 2010 at Bright House Field, Hwy 19 & Drew St., Clearwater

Clearwater Threshers vs.Daytona Cubs [See Flyer] Game time 6:30 p.m. / Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets $16 per person (Kids 4 and Under are Free!) $5 from each ticket will be donated to UMCM.

Enjoy an evening of fun in the Hot Corner Caf�! All you can eat from 5:00-8:00 p.m. - hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, peanuts, popcorn, chips, ice cream sandwiches, soft drinks and bottled water. For tickets and information, go to: www.threshersbaseball.com.

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE MID-WEEK CELEBRATION OF THE GULF CENTRAL FLORIDA MISSION

Wednesday, July 21 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Pasadena Community Church, 227 - 70th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

During the week of July 17-24, hundreds of local church members will be joined by over 100 visiting missionaries to share the love of Jesus with our communities in a variety of ways. Please join us in celebrating what God is doing as we share in uplifting praise and worship, listen to powerful testimonies, and continue praying for our neighbors and for one another.

Robin Mark & Band in Concert

Thursday, July 22 at 7:00 pm at Christ Umc, Bradenton
Sunday, July 25 at 6:30 pm at St. Paul UMC, Largo

Join us for a wonderful evening of Praise & Worship on Thursday July 22 Christ Bradenton and Sunday, July 25th at St Paul Largo, with a world renowned Christian artist and his band from Belfast, Ireland!

Robin Mark is an acclaimed worship leader and songwriter based in Belfast, Ireland. Known for his unique blend of Celtic-style instrumentation and modern Christian worship music, Robin is a previous winner of the Gospel Music Association's "International Award". He is a prolific songwriter who has penned standards such as "Days of Elijah", "Lion of Judah", "The Wonder of Your Cross" and "Jesus, All for Jesus". His CDs include Revival in Belfast, Come Heal This Land, East of the River and Year of Grace, his latest project and first-ever album recorded in the U.S.

Internationally, Robin has ministered at concerts, conferences and festivals around the world. He is also the worship leader at one of the largest annual men's conferences in Europe, The Mandate, ministering to well over 8,000 men who gather from around the United Kingdom. Of his ministry, Robin says , "I remember being told by a pastor to 'hold everything loosely'. Everything that I have ever had or will ever achieve is simply God's grace and pleasure. Any talent that I might muster has been given to me by the Lord, as the Bible says, 'in accordance with my ability'. The worth or value of my ministry pales into total insignificance when set against what Christ did for me. All I have ever done is, at its core, an offering of worship in response to Him. Were it all to end or change tomorrow then, so long as I have tried to do whatever He asked me to with all my heart and soul, that's all that matters. I have been very blessed."

Join us on Thursday, July 22 at 7 pm or Sunday, July 25th, at 6:30 p.m. for a rare opportunity to share an evening of Praise & Worship with an unforgettable artist - one who's sold out to God and shares that joy through his incredible music ministry.

Tickets are available for a $12.00 donation in the church office. Get your tickets now!

St. Paul UMC, Largo                   Christ UMC, Bradenton
Sunday July 25th                       Thursday July 22nd
1199 Highland Avenue                 5512 26th Street W
Largo, FL 33770                        Bradenton 34207
(727)584-8165                          (941) 755-2722

The Global Leadership Summit - August 5-6, 2010

Van Dyke United Methodist Church, Tampa

The Global Leadership Summit will be broadcast via satellite from Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago to Van Dyke UMC of Tampa. State-of-the-art technology allows leaders to train together through one event in many locations.

The Global Leadership Summit exists to transform Christian leaders around the world with an annual injection of vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of the local church. It is designed for your entire leadership team-staff and volunteers, key influencers and innovators within the community, emerging leaders and students with leadership gifts. We encourage churches to bring large teams to experience the learning together.

Mission Trip: Managua, Nicaragua

Please help us spread the word on this great mission trip opportunity.

January 1-8, 2011
� Team will be divided into three sub-groups: a medical team, a building team, and a

team whose emphasis will be determined by the skills and interests of its members.
� The main community we will be serving lives in the Managua City dump. For more

information on this community visit: www.forwardedge.org
� Ages 14 and older, Spanish is not required.
� While persons with many different kinds of skills are needed and welcome, we are

especially in need of persons with medical training (doctors, pharmacists, nurses,

EMT, paramedic, etc.)

$695 covers 7 days of food, lodging, transportation in Nicaragua, project materials, on-site facilitator, interpreters, security, and complete logistical coordination. This is a great first mission trip; wonderful food and accommodations.

Additional costs for airfare and passport usually bring the total cost to around $1200. The team is fundraising aggressively to offset expenses.

June 10, 2010                   Deadline to commit to the trip
September 10, 2010           Application and liability release form due
October 10, 2010               $347.50 due, if not covered by fundraising
November 10, 2010            $347.50 due, if not covered by fundraising
December 10, 2010            Trip/Travel insurance secured

Coordinated by Bob and Kathleen Grainger of Allendale UMC and Forward Edge International. For more information or to register, contact them at (727) 527-6694 or rgrainger@tampabay.rr.com.

Gulf Oil Spill Response

Passionate Appeal from Linda Townshend

I am sure everyone knows about the huge oil spill that is currently in the Gulf of Mexico. Although there will be a massive cleanup effort, it will be too late for many of God's innocent creatures. They are innocent and know nothing of the danger that lurks within the oil slicked waters.

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary has sent out an SOS for help. If you could find it in your heart to help these creatures, they would appreciate donations in many ways. The Sanctuary will also dispatch donations north of here to the panhandle. (Please note information below if you would like to serve as a rescue volunteer.)

There will be great losses with sea birds, turtles and fish. If we can help save a few, then we will have helped in our own small way. Be blessed! Linda Townshend <><

Info on the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary :: http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/
The sanctuary is the largest wild bird hospital in the U.S. based on the admission of over 8,000 injured birds each year. It is set up to immediately triage and stabilize fluids to oiled, malnourished, or injured birds. The birds would then need to be transported to a hazardous materials cleaning site. The Sanctuary has received thousand's of emails and calls from around the world from concerned groups and individuals.

The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary and Avian Hospital's trained staff is on stand-by to assist with the Gulf Oil Spill Crisis, with over 300 volunteers on call if needed. It is asking for more volunteers to be on emergency call and donations to the avian hospital at 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, Florida. Volunteers would need to receive hazardous materials training.

The Sanctuary staff and volunteers were a significant workforce in the disastrous Tampa Bay 1993 oil spill and has experienced avian care staff on standby to assist Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. To report oiled wildlife affected by the Gulf oil spill please call the Wildlife reporting hotline at 1-866-557-1401.

District Calendar

Jun 9: Celebrate Jesus Golf Classic, Lakeland
Jun 9: Pre-Conference Classes - Lakeland
Jun 10-12: Annual Conference, Lakeland

Jun 12: Dedication of new Conference building
Jun 14-21: Move of Conference to new building - communications will be down
Jun 26: Child & Youth Protection Policy Training
Jun 29: Moving Day

Jul 5: Conference and District offices closed
Jul 17-24: Celebrate Jesus Mission Event

Jul 22: Robin Mark at Christ UMC, Bradenton, 7p
Jul 25: Robin Mark at St. Paul UMC, Largo 6:30p

Aug 5-23: DS John Powers on Vacation
Aug 16-31: Annual Ministry Protection Property, Casualty Renewal Survey
Aug 16-31: Annual Workers Compensation Salary Survey
Aug 23: Annual Charge Conference forms available online

Sep 9: Clergy Meeting, St Paul UMC, Largo, 10a-2p, All Clergy expected to be in attendance
Sep 15-16: Cabinet meeting

Oct 16: Health Insurance Adoption Agreement
Oct 31: Clergy Assessment Process "Understanding our Ministry Together"
Oct 31: Continuing Education

From the Church mouse:
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds.
A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing!