News from The Gulf Central District

We have increased our District support of the greatly expanding outreach of United Methodist Cooperative Ministries of the Suncoast. We have increased our contribution by 5% to $56,000 and we are being asked by their Board of Directors to increase our 2011 contribution to $69,380. UMCM has expanded it's ministry in the past year from Pinellas County into Manatee and Pasco Counties. Note that some districts partially fund their outreach ministries through a separate apportionment, not through a budget line in the District Work Fund. See the UMCM website, http://umcm.info, for more information about this wonderful District Ministry.
We hired Steve Potter in January to direct our Congregational Excellence work. He is doing an outstanding job as a church conflict mediator, transformational ministry coach, and coordinator of our Refocus, Natural Church Development, and New Realities programs. He will also be helping with a new church start we are planning, which will be announced to the District as soon as details are worked out. Steve's ministry has already had a major positive impact on church's in the district.
We provided $36,800 in grants to churches participating in "Celebrate Jesus". Much important evangelistic outreach was provided through the "Celebrate Jesus" week. Fifteen churches participated.

As you see, we have had extra and increased expenditures which have empowered significant ministry of God's Kingdom. I just thought you should know that the District Work Fund is more than just an apportionment. It represents important transformational ministry.

Shalom,
John

Building A Peacemaking Church Seminar

Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Anona UMC, 13233 Indian Rocks Rd. Largo FL 33774

The Gulf Central District and the Florida Conference Center for Congregational Excellence will offer a seminar on how to deal with church conflict while establishing a Culture of Peace in the local church. Paul Cornwell of Peacemaker Ministries, a Billings, Montana based Christian organization dedicated to helping churches develop biblically based conflict resolution and community building skills, will lead the seminar. Cornwell is a Christian Conciliator and an active conflict coach and mediator. He will be assisted by Jeff Stiggins and Phil Maynard of the Florida Conference Center for Congregational Excellence, both certified trainers for Peacemaker Ministries. Together, they will deliver a fast paced multi-media, and interactive training event. They will conclude by unpacking the Peacemaking Church tool box and showing the way to become a Peacemaking Church.

For those who took part in the three-part peacemaking series taught by Jim Van Yperen in 2007, this seminar will provide the practical application process needed to implement the biblical peacemaking principals learned in those seminars (it is not necessary to have attended the Van Yperen training to attend this seminar). Each person will leave the seminar knowing how to take the next steps for their congregation to begin building a Culture of Peace.

Cost is $10.00 which covers lunch. [Register online] and then by sending name, email address, and $10.00 by November 8 to Gulf Central District, 1498 Rosery Rd. E., Largo, Florida 33770.

Website for Ministries with Young People

New site contains a ton of helpful information. Please visit and bookmark the new website: www.flumc-mwyp.org.

Are you entering a Florida College?

We want to hear from High School grads who start College in the Fall 2010 semester

Send your contact information (name, address, email and phone number) to flumc-gc@flumc.org if you are a high school graduate going to college in the fall. We want to let the campus minister or chaplain at the college or university you are attending know that you are coming!

[Click Here] for a list of the campus ministers/chaplains at our key Florida schools that have campus ministry. Have a great summer and we'll see you in the Fall!

Clergy Day Apart 2010: November 15

Bishop Timothy Whitaker and the Clergy Excellence Team invite all active clergy to come and join us in a day focused on connecting with God and one another. The day will include worship, breakout sessions, Q&A with the Bishop, lunch and unstructured free time. Check-in and refreshments will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the event will be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with lunch available at the Life Enrichment Center or off-site. Please contact Rev. Emily Oliver with questions at emily.oliver@flumc.org. Register online now! [Click Here]

From the Church Mouse:

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." ~George Washington Carver

Gulf Central District Training Event for Lay Servants

September 11 and 18, 2010 (must attend both Saturdays for certification)
Christ UMC, 467 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

New Basic Course: This course in Lay Speaking provides the framework for all leadership in mission and ministry. This course will equip leaders to better lead not only in your church, but also in the local community.

Advanced Courses: "Delivering an Effective Sermon" will address the foundations necessary for preparing an engaging sermon. The class will incorporate the many types of sermons and how to communicate beyond the written sermon. It will include presentation and practice in preparing and giving a sermon. "Leading In Evangelism" (new course): Come find ways to get your congregation motivated to spreading the Gospel beyond the church walls.

[Click Here] for the brochure and to register.

Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits Freezes Health Insurance Premiums Again for 2011

Friday August 27, 2010

The Health Insurance Subcommittee of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) recommended there be no increase to health insurance premiums in 2011. This is the second consecutive year there will be NO PREMIUM INCREASE for actively working clergy, local churches, laity at local churches and Conference staff. The blended rate that local churches pay for their pastor to be enrolled in the health insurance program remains at $839 per month. Clergy contributions also remain
unchanged at $96 per month for a single person and $236 per month for two or more covered individuals. The benefit plan also remains unchanged with deductibles and co-pays remaining the same into 2011. Retirees over age 65 and eligible for Medicare will also have NO INCREASE in their premiums in 2011. This is the third consecutive year that retirees have not had a premium increase.

The CBOPHB made the decision to self-fund the health insurance program in 2008 and since that time premiums have stabilized. This is very good news given several external sources that track trends in health care are reporting that most employers will see premium increases of approximately 7 to 11 percent for 2011. In addition, many employers report having to increase member cost-sharing by raising deductibles and co-payments to keep the premium increase to less than 10 percent. [Read More....].

New Florida Conference Staff Member Takes Young People's Ministries To Next Level

By J.A. Buchholz | Aug. 18, 2010

Dave Sippel has seen ministry with young people from a variety of angles. He was an active Florida Conference youth member and director at several churches and served as a representative on several conference boards and ministries for youth and young adults. Now, he's bringing what he has learned through 17 years of experience in the ministry to his new job as conference director of Ministries with Young People. To read more [Click Here].

1-day Event for Youth Workers

Monday, September 20, 2010 from 9am to 5pm

Warren W. Willis Camp in Fruitland Park, FL

What is Rooted?? It's a one-day event designed to help new youth workers get connected and start off in a positive direction. Who should come? Brand new youth workers and those who have made a recent move to a new church. [Click Here] for flyer.

Cost: $20.00. The camp has available lodging if you need to come up on Sunday night or stay over on Monday night. Registration fee with one night of lodging included is $35.00.

Please register for this event online at: http://www.flumc2.org/registrations/register/20
Registration fees should be mailed to: Rooted/Heidi Leab, 450 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland, FL 33815-1522

Questions?? Call Dave Sippel: Conference Director of Ministries with Young People: (800) 282-8011 ext. 142, email: dsippel@flumc.org.

Welcome Gretchen Hastings - New Managing Director of

Connectional Relations

Gretchen Hastings will join the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Managing Director of Connectional Relations. Ms. Hastings will assume her new responsibilities by August 30. In this role, she will provide strategic direction and leadership for the Conference connectional relations ministry, according to Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller, the Director of Connectional Ministries. "This is part of an ongoing effort to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of the Conference staff," she said. To read more [Click Here].

Volunteer as an English Tutor for Adults - Free Training

Friday, Sept. 10, 6:30-9 p.m. & Saturday. Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774

Families Learning Together, an outreach program sponsored by United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, has volunteer opportunities for English tutors of adults in Pinellas County. Tutors do not need to speak or learn a foreign language! Tutors just need to be 16 years of age or older and willing to volunteer approximately two hours per week at one of nine UMCM Pinellas County ESOL sites.

Bulletin Insert available [Click Here]. To register or for details, call UMCM 727-442-6881, ext. 5, or email kitty.umcm@verizon.net.

2010 Christian Vocalist Contest - JESUS IS MY IDOL

Auditions: September 11, starting at 9:00am
Final Competition: September 25, at 7:00pm
Pasadena Community Church, 227 70th Street South, St Petersburg, FL 33707

Pasadena Community Church is proud to host this fun and friendly competition!
1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes will be awarded based on the audience's vote on September 25. Local Christian vocalists/groups are welcome to compete. Ten finalists will be selected from auditions being held 9/11/10. Audition times are limited, first come, first served starting at 9:00am. $20.00 donation to audition. For questions or an audition form call 381-2499 x 214 or come by the church office.

Proceeds from Jesus is My Idol go to: Modern Worship Arts and the Angel Outreach Committee. Admission on 9/25 is $5.00 or 5 canned goods.

Member of a small church? Need to be re-charged?

Then this is the place for you!

2010 Small Church Retreat September 24-25
Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park

Presenting Leaders for the Retreat:

Rev. Geraldine McClellan, Rev. Harold D. Lewis, Sr., Psalmist Joy M. Banks

Join leaders and other members of small churches as we gather to worship with, encourage and fellowship with one another. [Click Here] for brochure and registration.

For scholarship information contact: Sherri Lingle at slingle@flumc.org

or 1-800-282-8011 x132

Maggie Minute

I have enjoyed working with Sharon Powers and Grant Corrigan presenting the revised Child and Youth Protection Policy - the last event is coming up on September 11th at Mariner in Spring Hill. If you haven't attended one of the other events this will be the last opportunity in the Gulf Central District for 2010. [Click Here] to register.

I am looking forward to meeting with the Church Administrative Support staff in the next few weeks (the registration links are below). Charge Conference season is upon us once again. The forms are online like they have for the past several years - you will notice a dramatic reduction in the number of forms. Some of these will be collected at other times as Charge Conference time really didn't make sense but we will discuss this at the training events.

Local Church Administrative Staff Training

Pick from 3 possible dates and locations - all will be 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

First UMC of Hudson - September 28 [Click to register]

Trinity UMC of Bradenton - September 30 [Click to register]

St. Paul UMC of Largo - October 7 [Click to register]

Who should attend: All Local Church Administrative Staff Church Secretaries, Administrative Assistants, Business Managers, and Financial Managers. Our time together will combine fellowship and relationship building with other Administrative Staff throughout the GC District and training in specific tasks of Administrative Ministry.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us.

A brand new Bible study series

by Rev. Dr. Harold Lewis, director of the Florida Conference's Black Congregational Excellence ministry

A brand new Bible study series from the Rev. Dr. Harold Lewis, director of the Florida Conference's Black Congregational Excellence ministry, is now available through the Florida Conference online store at [Click Here].

The eight-week study, titled "8 Essential Lessons for Living a Fruitful Life," includes video segments featuring a brief message from Lewis and written curriculum designed to appeal to a broad audience, including church leaders, small groups and Sunday school classes.

The study's theme is everyday essentials for living a fruitful life in the 21st century. Topics include living by grace, getting connected with others, building on a solid foundation, decision-making, investing in life and worship.

More information about the study and a second series in production is available in the e-Review article "Lewis develops Bible studies, builds relationships in first year" [Click Here to read article].

Oakhurst UMC offers Divorce Care & Grief Recovery Groups beginning September 13 in Seminole

Divorce Care Seminars For Adults and Youth - Mondays at 7:00 PM

There aren't many people around who understand the pain your separation or divorce has caused to you, your family, your friends. That is the reason for this short term (13 weeks), weekly support group and seminar conducted by people who do understand. You will be part of a small support group of people who are also experiencing separation or divorce. The seminar features 13 dynamic video seminars featuring 32 renowned experts on divorce and recovery. At the same time as adults meet there will be a meeting for youth and older children led by Oakhurst Youth Director Tony Barner. The discussions for adults will be led by Jan Sutermaster who is a divorce and has many years experience as a teacher and director of Christian education The seminars will held on Monday nights from 7-8 p.m. at Oakhurst Church beginning on September 13. Enrollment limited to 15 per class so register early. Email officemgr@aokhurstumc.com or call 391-4769 to register or for more information.

"Griefshare" Grief Recovery Support Group Seminar - Wednesdays at 10:30 AM

If you have lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you've probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. That is the reason for this short term (13 weeks), weekly support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. You will be part of a small support group of people who also experienced recent loss. The seminar features 13 dynamic video seminars featuring 40 renowned experts on grief recovery. The discussions will be led by Linda Butler who is a widow and who knows from person experience the help this seminar is. The seminars will held on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. at Oakhurst Church beginning on September 13. Enrollment limited to 15 per class so register early. Call 391-4769 or email officemgr@aokhurstumc.com to register or for more information.

Frank-ly Speaking

by Frank Reynolds, First Pinellas Park UMC

I grew up with two older sisters and a younger brother. We were all about 18 months apart, so I remember occasions where one or more of my siblings enjoyed an activity, place, or experience that I did not. Seeing their excitement and hearing their stories afterward, could leave me feeling a bit envious and sad that I had missed out. I might have missed it because I just wasn't interested, because I wasn't ready, or because I had something else to do. But afterward, I wished I had been there.

Surely you have been hearing of our excitement in the experiences of our recent Celebrate Jesus Mission Week. Fifteen of our sister churches participated while the others either were not interested, were not ready, or had something else to do. If your church wasn't involved or if it was and you chose not to participate, you might be feeling a little like you missed out on this experience of God working through us. Well, the good news is that it is not over! That was just the beginning! You can still be a part of it! In fact, though we have already experienced some pretty amazing results during and since that week, there is much more; we won't stop at the conclusion of our Block Parties. That would be like planting one kernel of corn and expecting one plant to produce a harvest for that year (or for many years)! The preparation and implementation of a Celebrate Jesus Mission Week provides training (for today's culture) in how we may "Go and make disciples...." so we can then "teach them to obey everything" Jesus has commanded us.

But you have probably heard how much planning, preparing, and spending was involved in getting ready for each of these Mission Weeks. You might be thinking, "It is not practical to spend so much man hours and cash, several times a year". However, your church is already involved in many great activities throughout the year, which are of greater value than a Block Party. What great activities are you going to do: this fall; for Advent & Christmas; to celebrate Easter; and when school is out next summer? These are the things that we should be promoting in our neighborhoods, with hand delivered invitations backed with smiles and an offer to pray with them. If your neighbor visited you, two, three, maybe five times in a year and invited you to as many parties and offered each time to pray with you, would you think that they might actually care about you? Would you be more likely to accept that the God who they follow could really be a God of love and relationship for you? And if you had accepted the offer for prayer and they later followed up with a call or other visits to ask about progress on your request, what difference might that make to you?

I trust that there is someone in each of your 15 sister churches, who will continue this practice of going to our neighbors at home and nearby businesses, to invite them into life with God's people in Christ Jesus. If you missed out on this summer's training, call around to go with some of us and get the experience to take back to your congregation, for your neighborhood. Practice the lifestyle!

Our Mission: "Go and make disciples... baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

2010 United Methodist Men's Retreat

Ministering in Jesus' Name - Equipping Men For Ministry UMC

OCT 8-10 :: OCT 15-17 :: OCT 22-24 at the Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park

Join other Florida Conference United Methodist Men! Register NOW for one of three exciting weekend retreats in October to insure the weekend you want.

Weekends are filled with fun, fellowship, excellent speakers and spiritual growth and life enrichment. Plus, Great Food, Music, Canoeing, Sports, opportunities for Men's Ministry and more.

For more information and to register, [Click Here].

Fall and Spring Confirmation Retreats

at the Warren Willis United Methodist Camp

October 1-3, 2010 :: February 15-17 :: March 18-20 :: April 1-3, 2011

The Warren Willis United Methodist Camp in Fruitland Park has four Confirmation Retreats for you to choose from during the 2010/2011 school year. These weekends offer a great retreat experience for confirmation classes from local United Methodist churches throughout the Florida Conference.

The Fall Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for October 1-3, 2010. In the spring you will have three confirmation retreats to choose from. The spring retreats are scheduled on the following weekends: Retreat #1 - February 25-27, 2011; Retreat #2 - March 18-20, 2011; and Retreat #3 - April 1-3, 2011. Church groups are invited to come for the entire weekend, or leave on Saturday night to be back in their home church on Sunday morning.

Pricing, promotional video, registration information, and a sample schedule of the retreat are available online at www.warrenwilliscamp.org. Click on the attend tab to find the retreat you wish to attend. If you have any questions about this retreat or other retreats offered at the Warren Willis Camp, please contact Joel Pancoast at joel.pancoast@warrenwilliscamp.org or call him at the camp office at 352-787-4345.

John Michael Talbot

October 7, 2010 Asbury Seminary Florida Dunnam Campus 1:00 PM

Asbury Seminary is pleased to announce that on Thursday, October 7, at 1 p.m. on the Florida Dunnam campus, the 2010 Evans Lecture speaker will be singer, songwriter and author John Michael Talbot. His presentation will weave speaking and singing into a tapestry of living faith. Referring to his presentation, he said, "I will make an ecumenical challenge to renewed life in Christ, personally
and liturgically. We need deeper meditation and more lively worship." Alumni and friends of the Seminary are invited to participate in this special event.

It's astounding to know how some people discover their true calling. It was the early seventies, eighteen-year-old John Michael Talbot was performing across the U.S. with the rock group Mason Proffit, sharing the stage with some of the biggest acts of the day,including The Byrds, Pink Floyd and The Grateful Dead. "Suddenly," he recalls, "the rock star life seemed empty and sad. It wasn't at all what I wanted my life to stand for. I asked God what I was supposed to do," he explains, "and God said, 'Play your music and I will open and shut the doors.'"

Two important items of information from Ministry Protection!

New Insurance Database: Please note that effective 7/1/10 the Florida Conference will be replacing the existing CONNECT property and casualty database with a new insurance database, RISK CONSOLE. This new data platform will contain similar church related information as CONNECT, but will eventually allow for increased functionality and capabilities for local churches. Please note that we anticipate that the database may experience some downtime in early July as RISK CONSOLE becomes fully operational. We appreciate your assistance and patience during the transition period. Further information will be distributed and instructional webinars will be scheduled shortly.

2010 Hurricane Season: As we all know, we are well into hurricane season. While we pray that Florida will again be spared of any significant storms, we should all continue to prepare for the worst. Ministry Protection has been taking ongoing steps to help ensure that hurricane damage sustained by Conference churches will be addressed promptly. Among those steps taken include retaining the services of an insurance adjusting company that specializes in large loss, catastrophic claims to assist Conference churches in the claims process. While the Conference has been making preparations for the storm season, we encourage local churches to do the same. A variety of important information can be found on the Ministry Protection website related to pre-storm preparation, deductible information, insurance summaries and other valuable resources. We encourage local church leaders, including trustees, to review this information

Please do not hesitate to contact the office or visit the Ministry Protection website [Click Here] for more information and resources.

Hurricane Preparedness - Are you prepared?

Will you be ready if the next Charley comes calling?

If your community is hit by a hurricane and your church is destroyed... Who will you call? Where will you meet to worship on Sunday? How will you check on members of your congregation and who will do it? Are the church records secure - membership? Baptisms and confirmations? Financial?

What's your plan? [Click Here] for helpful information to prepare!

WESLEY film now available on DVD

The award-winning feature film WESLEY, based on the private journals of John Wesley, is now available on home DVD from Vision Video!

Brief Description: John Wesley is well known as the spiritual father of Methodism. His heartfelt struggles, his passion for authentic faith expressing itself through meaningful kingdom work, and his message of saving grace resonate with audiences of all ages.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE DVD ONLINE!

Lake Junaluska Multicultural Conference
December 2-4, 2010 ~ Lake Junaluska, NC

"Embracing the Multi-Ethnic Body of Christ:
Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bridges"

This event is designed to address the challenges The United Methodist Church faces as we seek to be a racially inclusive church that values all people as the children of God as expressed in Scripture and by our theological understanding as Christians. Leave with a new passion, commitment and power to create a church and world where we will embrace all of God's children and create the "Beloved Community."

Our Leaders: This amazing event includes The Rev. Eric Law, Bishop Gregory Palmer, Bishop Will Willimon, Ms. Kristina Gonzales, Dr. Anne Marshall, Dr. Tim Tyson, Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye, and Bishop William Morris.

Register Now:
Early Program Registration Fee Deadline : $129 by October 16, 2010
Registration after October 16, 2010: $149
(Please note, Program Registration Fee does NOT include housing and meals. They must be paid for separately. For Lodging Reservations and rates call: 1-800-222-4930)

For brochure, schedule, and registration information, go to: http://www.lakejunaluska.com/multicultural;
or contact Pam Naplen at (828) 454-6656 pnaplen@lakejunaluska.com

Youth Leader Training, Fellowship & Spiritual Growth
January 24 - 26, 2011 :: Warren W. Willis UM Camp in Fruitland Park

Keynote Speaker: Hank Hilliard from the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville

Worship Leader: Patrick Willis, Former member of the Summer Camp Praise Team

Workshops, networking, fellowship, and fun for Adult leaders of youth. (Paid, volunteer, full-time or part-time.) How Much? $30.00 (meals, lodging, and program fees). Register at http://www.flumc2.org/registrations/register/27 or send payment to:Gathering/Heidi Leab, 450 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland, FL 33815-1522.

For more information, contact:Dave Sippel - Director of Ministries with Young People
Direct Line: (863)393-1442 or email: dsippel@flumc.org. See our flyer [Click Here].

District

Calendar

Sep 6: District & Conference offices closed for Labor Day
Sep 9: Clergy Meeting, St. Paul UMC, Largo, 10a-2p, all clergy must attend!

Sep 11: Child Protection Policy Training, Mariner UMC, Spring Hill, 9a-12n. Last training event for 2010 [Register]

Sep 15-16: Cabinet meeting

Sep 28: Church Admin Staff Training, First UMC, Hudson, 10a-2p [Register]

Sep 30: Church Admin Staff Training, Trinity UMC Bradenton, 10a-2p [Register]

Oct 7: Church Admin Staff Training, St. Paul UMC, Largo, 10a-2p [Register]
Oct 16:
Health Insurance Adoption Agreement

Oct 23: UMW District Annual Meeting, Pasadena Community UMC
Oct 31: Clergy Assessment Process "Understanding our Ministry Together."
Oct 31: Continuing Education

Nov 11: Conference and District offices closed for Veterans Day

Nov 13: Peace Making Seminar [Register]

Nov 15: Clergy Day Apart, Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, 9a-4p

Nov 25-26: Conference and District offices closed for Thanksgiving

Dec 6: Retired Clergy Lunch

Dec 24-31: Conference and District offices closed for Christmas

Mark your Calendar - Leadership Training Events
February 7 - First UMC, Spring Hill
February 8 - Heritage UMC, Clearwater
February 10 - First UMC, Bradenton
More information and registration information will come out soon.