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| News from the Gulf Central District
January 2009 |
Greetings!
 Is it just me, or has there been a paradigm shift in the church in the last ten years, from a pastoral/relational emphasis to a vision/leadership emphasis? Mind you, I am all for vision and leadership. But it seems to me, lately, vision/leadership is "trumping" pastoral/relational rather than balancing it. More and more, I hear clergy expressing frustration that their churches want them to be more pastoral when their true spiritual gifts are visionary leadership and apostolic (whatever that means).
And, it is not just the clergy. Laity seem more into "getting it right", "making it work", demanding the clergy, staff, and other laity have the right vision (usually meaning "their vision"). Don't get me wrong. I believe clergy and church leaders worth their salt will challenge and lead. But let's not forget that as the church we are about relationships and all that entails... respect, kindness, understanding, humility, etc.
At one of my former churches, some of us were accused of lacking vision. It was not that we lacked vision, we just had a different vision than our accusers. All of us had some lessons to learn about approaching "the vision thing" with some open mindedness and humility. We all probably needed to be reminded that the Holy Spirit's visionary inspiration is not the monopoly of "our side".
Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32). As we begin the new year, may we seek to lead with God's vision. But, may our leadership style and our Spirit-filled vision include Paul's vision of the church to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving... in other words, pastoral/relational. And, may we all be blessed with a little more understanding, humility, and grace.
John R. Powers
District Superintendent
Gulf Central District of the United Methodist Church |
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| Ministry from the Kitchen on January 10 |
As a part of a Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, the Florida Conference if focusing on feeding ministries for children (as well as adults) and partnering with appropriate agencies and other churches to be as effective in their efforts as possible.
[Click here] for information on a "Ministry from the Kitchen" event January 20, 2009 at First UMC Winter Park. Please tell anyone whom you know has a feeding ministry at their church or may be interested in developing such a ministry. To register, email hleab@flumc.org | |
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Church & Pastor Profiles due January 23
Church and pastor profiles should be reviewed and updated annually by all churches and all clergy in the Florida Conference. Church Profiles are reviewed and updated by SPR Committees. Pastor Profiles are personally reviewed and updated by the pastor.
Profiles will be available on-line after noon on Monday, December 1st and should be completed no later than Jan. 23. Though you may not anticipate a move, it is important that both the pastor and church profile be current and up to date by the appointment-making session of the Cabinet. These should be an honest reflection of the pastoral ministry and the profile of the church. [click here] |
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January Birthdays
1 - Paul Wright
10 - Timothy Haas
12 - Valerie Reynolds
13 - Iris Whittaker
15 - Joyce Bonsteel
16 - Lloyd Knox
18 - Brandy Reeb
26 - Mary Ringland
28 - Robyn Miller
31 - John Vandervort |
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January Anniversaries
3 - Frank & Valerie Reynolds
4 - Tim & Debbie Machtel
11 - Fred & Kay Ball
18 - Michael & Katie Pestel
20 - John & Marie Hay
23 - Herb & Judy Angel
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| 2009 District Training events February 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 |
| Children's Home Local Church Representative Training on January 12, 13 & 15 |
 Training Sessions for the Gulf Central District Local Church Representatives for the Florida United Methodist Children's Home located in Enterprise, Florida are scheduled for January 12 at First UMC of Spring Hill, on January 13 at Heritage UMC in Clearwater, and January 15 at Trinity UMC in Bradenton. Each of these trainings will begin at 6:30PM. We would like for the Representatives from all of the churches in the district to attend as we introduce some new ways to resource each other for ministry.
For more information contact Bess Bussey, Coordinator of Local Church Representatives and Volunteer Services at 386-668-4774 ext. 2223. |
| Apportionment deadline January 16 |
Local churches are reminded that the last day for receiving 2008 apportionment money is Friday, January 16, 2009. Please mark your calendars accordingly and be aware that January 16 is the date when the Conference must have received your apportionments and not the day that you send it in. After January 16, any money received for apportionments will be put toward your 2009 apportionment.
The Florida Conference Treasurer's office knows that, often, at the end of the year, time is short. There are two special, one-time options to consider when sending your funds if you are running short on time.
1) Overnight your check, using the following address:
Florida Annual Conference of The United MethodistChurch
Attn: Apportionments
1140 E. McDonald Street
Lakeland, FL33801
2) Wire-transfer the money, using the following information:
ABA Number: 062000019
Account Number: 0060077417
Bank Name: Regions Bank
Account Name: The Board of Trustees United Methodist
Please note that if you send a wire transfer, the Florida Conference will still need a copy of your Apportionment Giving Report. Please fax that report to 863-686-7363, or e-mail a copy to Ivette Valentin.
In an effort to apply 2008 apportionments accordingly, we ask that you refrain from sending 2009 apportionment until after January 16, 2009.
Regular apportionment remittances, as always, may be sent to: Regions Bank, PO Box 850001, Orlando, FL32885-0207. |
| Gulf Central District Training Events for Lay Speakers |
Registrations are currently being taken for the Lay Speaking Ministries Basic or Certified courses:
 January 17th & 24th, 2009 (Must attend both Saturdays for certification)
First UMC of Spring Hill, 9344 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34608
Make check payable to: Gulf Central District
Registration deadline: January 10, 2009 Mail to: Sue Eidschun,
700 Tallahassee Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
February 21 & 28, 2009 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Both dates)
Faith United Methodist Church, 7215 1st Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34209
Cost is $35.00, which will include books, study materials, luncheon and breaks on both days. Please mail the completed application and check (made payable to Faith United Methodist Church- Lay Speaking Course) to: Linda T. Poutre, CLS, 3708 29th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205
Registration deadline: January 21, 2009. Note: Applications may be duplicated. A separate application is required for each candidate. A student must be there on both days to complete either the Basic or the Certified Courses.
March 7 & 14, 2009 (Must attend both Saturdays for certification)
Skycrest, 2045 Drew Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Make check payable to: Gulf Central District
Registration Deadline: February 23, 2009
Mail to: Sue Eidschun, 700 Tallahassee Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
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| Clergy Kids Retreat January 23-25 |
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 January 23-25, at the Warren Willis Camp in Leesburg. The cost is $80 per person; $230 max for family. (Some scholarships are available upon request.) This is the 9th year we've been doing this and there is no way to describe the significance and meaning it has had on our kids! There are very few things they would choose over this; and right now we cannot even think of one thing!
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, we still play nine-square, that great band of young musicians still come up from Miami, and everyone has fun! If you have been coming, we want you to come back because it's just not the same without you! For questions? Call Rhonda Kleckner at 352-316-5582 or Sally Campbell-Evans at 850-766-0018.
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| Asbury Seminary hosts Kingdom Encounter on February 2 - 4 |
 Asbury Theological Seminary will host "Kingdom Encounter: Reaching the World" from Feb. 2-4, 2009, on its Orlando, Florida Campus. The keynote speakers are Danny Wuerffel, 1996 Heisman trophy winner and executive director of Desire Street Ministries, and Tyron Inbody, professor emeritus of theology at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
The 2009 Kingdom Conference features plenary and break-out sessions with both keynote speakers and ministry leaders in and around Orlando who are reaching the world for Christ. Attendees will also experience vibrant worship and interactive small-group seminars together. Seminary credit and continuing education units will be available. For a complete schedule and conference registration information, visit their [website] or call 1.800.2ASBURY. |
| Men's Weekend Retreat on February 20 - 22 |
Join us at Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, 1551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor, FL
Pastor Philip Short of First UMC of Stuart will be one of our motivational speakers. Mark Deen, Director of Worship & Arts will provide fantastic worship each day. Also, the 7 STEPS OF EFFECTIVE FATHER'S SEMINAR - a dynamic instruction, presented by Peyton Montague, who trained at the NATIONAL CENTER FOR FATHERING. [More] |
| "SCREAM" Event on February 20 - 22 |
This event includes workshops led by outstanding Conference leadership, worship led by Bryant Manning from our summer camp team and J.D. Walt of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, and an afternoon at Islands of Adventure. Young adults will learn how to be more effective leaders, how to serve the Church and the world, how to listen for God's call, and will build community with other young adults from around the Annual Conference. Scream will be held in Orlando, February 20-22. The cost is only $25!
To register, visit www.screamumc.org. Please help us spread the word and encourage your young leaders to register early and attend. Space is limited! |
| e-Learning Module Expanded |
The Florida Conference continues to expand its long-distance, e-Learning opportunities with the introduction this week of "Come Let Us Worship," a training module for worship teams and leaders.
The new online module, available free at [website], is the eighth component designed to help local churches strengthen their mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Other modules include trainings for staff parish committees, trustees committees, finance committees, lay leader and lay member positions, plus a Bible study on "Where is the fruit?"
According to the Rev. Carol Sue Hutchinson, developer of the e-Learning opportunities, "Come Let Us Worship" is a great start for a local church to take seriously one of the five pieces of Living the Methodist Way: Passionate Worship. The module gives the basic responsibilities of a worship team and worship chairperson, as well as information and resources. For more information, contact chutchinson@flumc.org. |
| New Membership Vows and Ritual are now available |
 The new baptismal and professing membership vows of The United Methodist Church adopted by delegates to the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, will take effect January 1, 2009.
The new membership vows and ritual are now available on the GBOD Worship Website [click here]
The resource includes the following information:
- an explanation of the changes made by the 2008 General Conference;
- a reminder, due to changes made at the 2004 General Conference, to please discontinue use of the vows of Baptismal Covenant III, and;
- replacement texts for those portions of the Baptismal Covenant in The United Methodist Hymnal that were updated by 2008 General Conference action.
GBOD's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is
located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.gbod.org for more information or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017. |
| PEACE WITH JUSTICE Grant Program 2009 deadline February 15 |
 Check out this grant opportunity from The General Board of Church and Society! The Conference usually receives more in grants each year from the Peace with Justice Grants than they contribute! It is a source of funds from our connectional system through the General Board of Church and Society for programs in the local church, district, or Conference.
The deadline is February 15th. Click here for their [Application Form].
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| District
Calendar
of
Events |
Jan 10: Kitchen Ministry at First UMC, Winter Park
Jan 12: UM Children's Home Local Church Representative Training, First UMC Spring Hill
Jan 13: UM Children's Home Local Church Representative Training, Heritage UMC, Clearwater
Jan 14-15: Cabinet Jan 15: UM Children's Home Local Church Representative Training, Trinity UMC, Bradenton
Jan 16: Apportionments Deadline
Jan 17 & 24: Lay Speaker Training at First UMC of Spring Hill
Jan 19: Dr. Martin Luther King Day offices closed
Jan 23: Church & Pastor Profiles Due
Jan 23-25: Clergy Kids Retreat
Feb 2-4: Asbury Seminary Kingdom Encounter
Feb 5: Clergy meeting
Feb 6-7: Real Ideas Conference at Van Dyke UMC, Lutz
Feb 9: District training event at First Bradenton
Feb 10: District training event at Heritage, Clearwater
Feb 12: District training event First Spring Hill
Feb 15: Peace with Justice Grant deadline
Feb 16: Presidents Day offices closed
Feb 20-22: SCREAM Event
Feb 20-22: Men's Weekend Retreat
Feb 21 & 28: Lay Speaker Training at First UMC of Bradenton
Feb 25: Ash Wednesday
Feb 27-Mar 1: Florida Annual Secretary Seminar at LEC, Leesburg
Mar 7 & 14: Lay Speaker Training at Skycrest of Clearwater
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| Happy New Year!!! | |
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