David & Trish Landers - Trish's mother, Pauline Revel, passed away after a long battle with cancer in her hometown of Rehoboth Beach, DE.  She did so quietly with family close by her side and they rejoice in her final healing.  Cards can be sent to their home:
            Rev. David & Mrs. Trish Landers
            2861 Quail Hollow Rd.
            Clearwater, FL  33761
 

Please also keep Rev. Dwight McQueen, Rev Fred Bonsteel and Claire Short in prayer as they go through health concerns. Also, remember their families.

Sunday, March 8th join First UMC Clearwater for their 150 year Anniversary.  The day will start with Breakfast from 9:00 - 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for child under 10 years old.  The Family maximum is $15. For this special occasion, they will only have a service at 10:30 AM with Bishop Timothy Whitaker speaking.

This is such a busy time of year in the churches and the district office too.  The Church and Pastor Profiles are now complete - and by the time you read this the Year End Statistics will be done and examined by John and myself and sent off to the Conference Office.  We've also had 3 very successful training sessions from Bradenton to Clearwater and then, Spring Hill.
 
I will be out of the office for a few days the first of March - up in Leesburg with the other District Office AA's.
 
The next big thing I'll be looking for are the March 31 reports
    
Child/Youth Protection 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 copy to the District Office).
      
Fiscal Responsibility and 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.
    
You can access these by going to the Conference Web page www.flumc.org and click on the calendar tab at the top and then on Calendar of Reports Due 2009, then scroll down to March 31 and you will find the links to the 4 reports.

---------------------------------------------

Another important item is the Missional Vital Signs Reporter - at this time there are 29 churches that have not indicated that they have filled this position.  It is one of the required positions for every church.  Since this position will be getting information via email the person must have a working email address.
 
As always if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me either by email flumc-gc@flumc.org or at the District Office 727-585-1207.

 

 

--Charles Fillmore

 

 

The Gulf Central District "Day on Campus" at the Children's Home is March 21. Gates open at 8:00 AM. The Program begins at 10:30 AM in the Gymnasium and at 12:00 Noon is the Picnic Lunch under the Big Top. Reservations are appreciated by March 6, call the Children's Home at 386-668-5088.

It is a new link at the bottom left of the Conference Website homepage.  We encourage church leaders to check it out so as to be familiarized with new forms, resources, and policies regarding the church's financial responsibilities.

 

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.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR needed for United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast Inc. (UMCM) a dynamic urban-outreach ministry of the Florida Annual Conference serving five counties on the Gulf Coast with administrative offices in Clearwater, Florida.  Successful candidate must be a Christian, have a working knowledge of the United Methodist Church, advanced experience in non-profit human service management, fund raising, financial management, program and staff development and supervision. Strong speaking and writing skills.  Proven background in missions and social outreach.  Committed to cultural and social diversity.  Must be willing to relocate.  Position open July 2009.

 
Send cover letter and resume to Search Committee, c/o United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, 1625 Union Street, Clearwater, Florida 33755.   For more information on our agency visit their website at www.umcm.info.  Applications will close March 15, 2009.   EOE

The Florida Conference on Native American Ministries (CONAM) will host its fourth annual Native American Gathering, April 3-5, at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park. Native American heritage is not required to attend; the only requirement is a desire to worship the Creator and His Son and learn of Native American culture while enjoying a weekend of Christian fellowship.

The theme of the 2009 gathering is "Restoring the Heart of the Native American." Honored guests during the event will be Jonathan Maracle (Mohawk) and his band, Broken Walls (learn more about their ministry at www.brokenwalls.com). This yearly gathering features Native American speakers, Native style worship and music, and an opportunity to strengthen Native American ministry in Florida.

Everyone is welcome but you must register your attendance by contacting Vickie Swartz at allnationsnativeministries@verizon.net, or calling 941-954-0664. Deadline for registration is Monday, March 16.

Conference on Enhancing Resources in Challenging Times
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership will offer a workshop on Funding Your Congregation's Vision on Saturday, March 21, 2009. The workshop will be held at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, Burke, Virginia. Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., will be the keynote speaker at this event intended for lay and clergy leaders. Building on the Lewis Center's past work in funding ministry, this year's event will explore a number of new subject areas, including enhancing resources for ministry in challenging times and ways of monitoring and expanding giving. The cost for the half-day workshop (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) is $30 per person. [Click here] for program details or to register.

 

MP3 Helps Puts Focus on Reaching New Disciples
The Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church has developed a logo depicting MP3 (no, not audio downloads) to capture their focus on reaching more people, more young people, and more diverse people. MP3 has become a shorthand way of reminding conference leaders of these priorities. This emphasis emerged out of group discussions held by the bishop and conference leaders across the conference in 2008.

 
Stewardship Issues for Church Leaders in 2009
A free reprint of "10 Stewardship Issues Every Church Leader Should Consider in 2009" by Brad Leeper, originally published in the magazine Church Supplies & Services, can be downloaded from the Lewis Center's website. [Click here]

 

Free Webinar on Clergy Tax Issues
A free webinar, The 20 Most Common Tax Mistakes Made by Ministers, presented by Richard Hammar, LL.M., CPA, is available at www.yourchurchresources.com. Click on "Free Samples" and look for the title. Clergy and church treasurers will find helpful information on how to handle Social Security taxes, special gifts, expenses, and other matters related to the compensation of ministers. Also, a tax packet for United Methodist clergy is available at http://www.gcfa.org/ls_CTP.html.

2008 Readers' Survey Results
Many thanks go to subscribers of Leading Ideas and the Lewis Center Update who participated in the recent readers' survey. Thirty percent of those responding were new subscribers within the last year. As in 2007, the most popular topics were congregational revitalization, change, planning and visioning, best practices, and spirituality and leadership. Other suggested topics included evangelism, missions, and clergy health and wellbeing. Many respondents praised Leading Ideas for its concise format, practical focus, and relevance to the church, as well as its diverse perspectives and unique voice among many online church resources. [Click here] to view a summary of survey findings

Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
First United Methodist Church of Gulfport
2728 53rd St. South, Gulfport, FL33707

Sponsored by the Disaster Recovery Ministry of the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, this training provides an introduction to the unique and important role the faith community plays in disaster mitigation, preparation and response. You and your church will hear practical ideas on how to effectively respond to disaster in your community in cooperation with other churches, emergency management officials and the Disaster Recovery Ministry of the conference. You will understand the importance of communication and collaboration in meeting the needs of disaster survivors and the importance of being the church in the midst of crisis.

There is no cost for this training; however, registration is required for planning purposes. Lunch is provided. For more information call Disaster Recovery (800) 282-8011 Ext. 149. To register, visit www.flumc.org/DisasterRecovery and follow the links.

 

 

Opportunity for Youth and Young Adult Representatives

This is an opportunity for Youth and Young Adults to participate in the Church Annual Conference, which will be held at BethuneCookmanUniversity in Daytona Beach on June 11-13, 2009.  The conference will have special events planned for them again this year.  If you have Youth (high school age) and Young Adult (18-30) leaders you would like to nominate, please send an e-mail with their contact information (Phone, e-mail, and address) to the district office at flumc-gc@flumc.org. If you have already sent their names, please let Maggie at the District Office know who they are and what age they are so that they will not miss the events planned for them.  Some slots as delegate-at-large will be dedicated toward this effort. Please help us in our effort to transform the "Business as Usual" conference into a conferencing moment truly representative of the diversity of the church membership.

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: PelicanBay Country Club, Daytona Beach
TIME: 8:00 am check-in; 8:30 am shotgun start
COST: $85 each, includes a t-shirt and lunch
REGISTER ON-LINE AFTER FEBRUARY 1
 
FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE
Celebrate Jesus, Inc.
PO Box 3386, Orlando, FL32802-3386, USA
A registered 501(c)3 Organization
Tel : (407) 893-7305 Fax : (407) 893-7307 celebrate.jesus@CJMission.org  
http://www.CJMission.org  
 
2009 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS ONLINE. $150 per person,$50 each additional family member

June 20-27:Southwest FloridaMission - Application Deadline: April 20
 
July 25-August 1:Northeast FloridaMission - Application Deadline: May 20 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-A free online course is available on The United Methodist Church's four key areas of ministry. The self-directed course, "Four Areas of Focus," is offered by United Methodist Communications from now to Dec. 31. The four areas address developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world; creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations; engaging in ministry with the poor; and combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally.

To register, go to Online Learning Center and select "Four Areas of Focus" from the United Methodist Basics category. If you are a returning online learner, enter your user name and password on the left side of the log-in page. If you are a new online learner, complete the brief registration form on the right side of the log-in page, and click "register."

2009 Property & Casualty, Auto and Workers Comp. Statements are Online
 
The Florida Conference again experienced a very successful property and casualty insurance program renewal. We have finalized the overall program insurance costs, which have resulted in a premium reduction for 2009 of over $1.6 million dollars (a 10 percent reduction). This, coupled with the substantial reduction last year brings the two-year overall premium reduction to 30 percent, or approximately $5.5 million dollars. [Read the e-Review article here]
 
The 2009 property, casualty, and workers compensation statements are now online and can be accessed [HERE]. Choose "PC/Workers Comp" from the drop-down menu and enter your church's GCFA number. The 2009 invoice is located at the bottom of your statement.

 

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. They are available on the GBOD Worship Website [click here]. For more information call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780 Ext. 7017.

 
The Warren Willis United Methodist Summer Camp Program is in need of individuals to serve in ministry in various areas this summer. All applications and further information are available at www.umsummercamp.org, on the drop-down menu from the "Warren Willis Summer Camps" tab at the top of the page. Team Pastor, Summer Camp Nurses, and Leadership Team Members are needed. If selected, each team member will serve from May 28 through Aug. 9.  Each team member receives room and board and a minimum of $1,675 for the summer.