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October
Birthdays |
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2 - BJ Foster
5 - Bishop Whitaker
6 - Toni Schmidt
14 - Rich Hager
14 - Pat Partney
16 - Katie Pestel
17 - Mary Beth Smith
21 - Craig Moore
22 - Chris McNeill
25 - John Beasley Jr.
26 - Martha Campbell
26 - David Gill
28 - Gabe Wright
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October Anniversaries |
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14 - David & Robyn Miller |
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| Gulf Central District Newsletter |
Greetings!
 There is a Swedish proverb which states, "Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow is half-sorrow". Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I will be also." Christianity is no solitary religion. For we Christians, faith is always lived out in community.
There is a tradition in Alcoholics Anonymous that God's will is often expressed through "group conscience". The solitary alcoholic, seeking God's will apart from a fellowship of recovering folk is likely to receive grandiose or morbid guidance that, in truth, is "self-will run riot" rather than God's will. I think this is a good tradition for Christians (actually Alcoholics Anonymous borrowed most of its steps and traditions from us). Solitary prayer is important. But when our prayers lead to disconnection from the community of faith, grandiosity, morbidity, or other forms of misdirection can occur. Christians, even in solitary moments, pray for each other and the world. Our lives are shared lives, in humility and love, sharing joy and sorrow, work and fun.
Because we are human, sometimes the shared life becomes difficult. Where two or more are gathered long enough there is inevitably hurt and misunderstanding. But where two or more gather in Jesus' name, there is also the presence of grace- a grace that can bring about "double joy and half-sorrow".
Grace and Peace,
John |
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Maggie Minute
I had a wonderful experience training with the Church Administrative Staff at three different locations in September. It was great - thanks to the Host Churches of Trinity in Bradenton, St Paul in Largo, and First in Hudson. The trainings for February are taking shape-more information next month on how to register.
Charge/Church Conferences are taking shape as is the Clergy Retreat. | |
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Health Insurance Updates
Adoption Agreements for local churches to participate in 2010 Conference benefit programs are due October 15, 2009. Obtain forms and see FAQ's on website: http://www.flumc.org/hr
Open Enrollment begins October 26 and ends November 18
 The Open Enrollment webcast will be broadcast at 10:00am on Oct. 27th. Benefit eligible Clergy & laity (employed at local church's) should receive (via regular mail) the Open Enrollment Benefits Update booklet in mid-October. This publication contains details about the benefits offered for 2010 and specific instructions for enrollment. Health insurance premiums for clergy and laity remain the same as 2009 - no increase for 2010.
The current dental plans, CompBenefits DHMO & Indemnity plans, will be terminated on December 31, 2009. The New FLUMC dental plan, administered by WEB-TPA employer Services, becomes effective January 1, 2010. All members currently enrolled in dental insurance will be automatically enrolled in the new FLUMC dental plan. Dental plan design and rates are changing for 2010. See dental information on Conference website for complete details including 2010 premium rates.
All benefit elections must be made online through ADP EmployeeAccess, the Conference's online benefit administration system. Go to the Conference's home page and click on the link for Open Enrollment: http://www.flumc.org/hr. |
 New Tool to Help Clergy Get Feedback
The Lewis Center has worked with hundreds of clergy, and we know that clergy want to improve. But often they do not feel they have the necessary information or tools. Many understand that the challenges of the church and the world have changed since they finished seminary, but they do not always get the most helpful feedback in order to improve. You may have heard the wise slogan adapted from a cereal commercial, "Feedback is the breakfast of leaders." The Lewis Center for Church Leadership is announcing the release of a tool to help clergy get just the feedback they need for such growth. The Lewis Pastoral Leadership InventoryTM (LPLI) is designed especially for clergy. There are many very good leadership inventories, but most are based on business executive leadership practices. Many clergy have said that while they can learn from them, in the end, the surveys are based on something other than their tasks as pastors. [Read More] |
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Crosstrainers Retreat Registration Opens  November 13-15, 2009
Crosstrainers is a classic fall retreat at the Warren Willis Camp. The retreat features worship, games, activities, and time to hang out with friends from around the state of Florida. Crosstrainers is an amazing getaway for youth groups: an energy-packed weekend that is designed to encourage their walk with Christ as they become energized about living their faith everyday, not just on Sundays. Churches are encouraged to bring youth groups of all sizes and compete in the Crosstrainer games, share stories, and retreat from the busy fall semester of school, football, and day-to-day life.
The speaker this year will be the Rev. Kirk Dana, youth minister at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. The band will feature Warren and Patrick Willis and other artists from the band WSU.
Cost for Crosstrainers is $100 per person. As an incentive to bring your whole youth group, the camp offers one free registration for every 15 paid registrations. Registration is available online at www.warrenwilliscamp.org. Click on the "attend" tab to find the retreat you wish to attend. For more information about this retreat or other retreats offered at Warrren W. Willis, contact Joel Pancoast at joel.pancoast@warrenwilliscamp.org, or call 352-787-4345. |
 Summer Camp 2010
In an effort to allow churches and individuals to begin registering for Warren W. Willis United Methodist Camp earlier, camp staff has moved the opening date of summer camp registration to December 1st. In order to register and have your space at camp reserved, register online or fill out a paper application. Both options will be available at the camp's [Website] or a paper application may be obtained at your local church. A deposit of $75 for online registrations, and $100 for paper registrations, must be paid in order to hold your spot. For more information, call the Warren Willis Camp office at 1-866-UMCAMPS (opt. 3). |
 Confirmation Retreats Spring 2010
Registration for our Spring Retreats will begin in December 2009. Our Confirmation Retreats are amazing opportunities for confirmation classes to:
- Receive sound teaching on the Confirmation Vows they will be asked on Confirmation Sunday.
- Have fun playing games, worshiping, and being at camp with confirmands from around the state.
- Bond as a class on our Challenge Course's Low Initiatives.
- Dive into their curriculum during church small group time.
Camp will take care of your housing, meals, challenge course facilitation, meeting spaces, worship service, and a special activity on Saturday Night. We will also provide 3 or 4 church group times for your group to meet to cover the curriculum you are using. This church group time is yours to program as you need it. Review confirmation lessons, cover new material, or just get to know each other better. For more information call the camp at 1-866-UMCAMPS or visit the website at www.warrenwilliscamp.org. |
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In preparation for hurricane season, Disaster Recovery is launching a new program called Project 6-4-1. For your church to be a part of Project 6-4-1, all you have to do is prepare 6 Cleaning Buckets and store them for (4) 1 year. The Florida United Methodist Conference is committed to making a difference when disaster strikes and here is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved.
If you want to be a part of Project 6-4-1, please fill out [this form] and email or fax it back to: Disaster Recovery at 863-688-7233, Email: DisasterRecovery@flumc.org. If you have questions on how your church can participate, just give us a call at 1-800-282-8011 Ext. 149. |
 Journaling through Active Imagination
Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Presenter: Melinda Trotti
First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803
Have you ever thought that you would like to journal but always end up staring at a blank sheet of paper? Are you someone who loves to journal and would like to develop new techniques to broaden your journaling practice? This day long workshop will introduce participants to ways of journaling that use guided imagery, entering into Biblical stories, dialog with people, places and events, and dream remembrances to stir the soul and connect to internal creativity and healing abilities.
Melinda Trotti is Director of Justice and Outreach Ministries for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was Interim Director of the Life Enrichment Center in Florida and Epworth Camp and Retreat Center in New York and has studied journaling through the Progoff Intensive Journaling Workshop and has completed the spiritual director's training through the Haden Institute. Her passions are for the work of justice while seeking God-connection through journaling, silence, and experiencing God's created world. Cost: $25.00. [Click Here] to register for this event or contact Heidi Leab at hleab@flumc.org by phone at 1-800-282-8011 ext. 192 or 863-688-5563 ext. 192. Please register for this event on or before Friday, October 16, 2009. |
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Special Sunday Offerings Need to Rise to Meet Demand
Story courtesy of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
 The combination of the recession and an online application process dramatically increased the demand for United Methodist loans and scholarships this year - making contributions to the Student Day, World Communion Sunday, and Native American Ministries Sunday offerings even more important.
More than 9,000 students applied for United Methodist scholarships this year, although only 2,877 completed all the required recommendations and documentation by the May 15 deadline, according to Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
GBHEM awarded 3,365 students about $4.6 million in scholarships in 2008. Awards totals are not complete for 2009 yet. So far this year, the Board has provided another $1.6 million in loans to 333 students.
Last year, $554,252 was given to the United Methodist Student Day offering, which helps fund the loans and scholarships. Churches are encouraged to observe Student Day on Nov. 29 or any other day that this is convenient for the church.
World Communion Sunday is observed on Oct. 4. In 2008, $1,028,865 was given to the World Communion Sunday offering. Half of the offering provides scholarships for international and U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority graduate students. Thirty-five percent of the receipts support ethnic scholarships for undergraduate students, and 15 percent funds Ethnic In-Service Training Program scholarships for racial- and ethnic-minority persons seeking second careers in church-related vocations.
Native American Ministries Sunday, which will fall on April 18, 2010, nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians. Churches can celebrate this Special Sunday and take an offering on any day they choose.
In addition, individuals can now contribute online with a credit card at any time at www.umcgiving.org/umstudentday; www.umcgiving.org/nativeamerican; and www.umcgiving.org/worldcommunion. Ninety percent of Student Day collections go to the Board's scholarship programs, while 10 percent is for student loans. Each United Methodist-related college gets money from the offering for scholarships, and each participating annual conference gets 10 percent of Student Day receipts to award to their own merit scholars.
How to Support UM Loans and ScholarshipsDonate online at www.umcgiving.org, where you can also order free promotional resources, video presentations, and worship resources for Special Sundays with offerings. Or call United Methodist Communications at 888-346-3862 to order resources. To learn more, visit www.gbhem.org/loansandscholarships. |
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Ministers' Mates Retreat
November 5-7, 2009 at the Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park
All Ministers' Mates are invited to come and enjoy a special time away in November to have fun, connect with other Mates, and to celebrate your own journey of faith. The cost for the retreat and rooming at the LEC is $140 and must be mailed by September 30. Please download the brochure and the registration form [click here]. We'd also like to connect with you throughout the year on FACEBOOK, look for our group: Florida Conference UM Ministers' Mates. If you have any questions, please email Darlene Waller, Retreat Chair, at kraftylady1951@yahoo.com or call (386) 717-3586. |
 Celebrate the Life Enrichment Center's 30th Anniversary
When: November 15, 2009
Where: The Life Enrichment Center near Leesburg FL
What: A day of celebration, remembering, and dreaming about the ministry of the Life Enrichment Center at this historic time.
Details:
2:00 PM - Tours, activities, presentations and more
5:00 PM - Dinner and a Look to the Future
6:30 PM - Worship Service, 30th anniversary video and memories.
Cost: Accepting donations to cover the cost of the day
Overnight accommodations are available. Pastors (due to the Pastor's Day Apart" scheduled the next day) can stay for $20 a person plus meals. This special rate is also being extended to anyone who need lodging the night before or after. To make a reservation to attend, please contact LEC at 352-787-0313 or by e-mail at lecretreats@gmail.com. |
 Register online for Clergy Day Apart
Bishop Tim Whitaker is inviting all clergy in the Florida Conference to come for a day of spiritual renewal, worship and conversations with colleagues on Monday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park. There will be no business or voting; clergy are simply invited to come and connect with God and others before heading into a busy Advent season. Music will be led by the worship band from Van Dyke United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Sue-Haupert Johnson and Bishop Whitaker will both be preaching. The day will also include a time of candid dialogue with the bishop, as well as elective opportunities to participate in various spiritual disciplines, such as guided prayer, journaling, Bible study, and spiritual direction. [Click here] to register. If you have questions, or need help with registration, contact the Office of Connectional Ministries at 800-282-8011, or 863-688-5563, ext. 192. |
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Tapestry III Event: Maturing Spiritually February 26-28, 2010 at LEC, Fruitland Park
Clergy and laity involved in ministry by, with, and for adults beyond the age of 50 should plan to attend Tapestry III: Maturing Spiritually, to be held February 26-28, 2010, at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg. Hosted by the Beyond 50 Ministries Task Team, Tapestry III offers early bird registration until November 15th. Conference content will educate and motivate Christ-followers with workshops that will include:
- Someone I Love Is Aging - And So Am I
- Autumn Saints
- Living Fully, Dying Well
- Holistic Faith: Body, Mind & Spirit
- Retired & Re-fired: Service Projects
- Nothing Off Limits: Money and Christian Maturity
A brochure for the conference can be accessed [HERE]. For further information, please contact Gulf Coast Central Representative: Marian Palmer by email mdpalmer@tampabay.rr.com or phone 813-814-0894. |
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PAUMCS 28th Annual Conference in Orlando 2010 April 15-18, 2010 at the Wyndham Resort, Orlando, Florida
The Florida Chapter of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) is excitedly looking forward to hosting the organization's 28th Annual Conference in Orlando in 2010. Each year, this conference provides hundreds of United Methodist Church administrative professionals with the opportunity to increase their knowledge in various areas of office skills and church polity. In addition to the continuing education aspect of these conferences, the participants are reinvigorated spiritually, inspirationally, and motivationally. [Brochure available]
It will be an exciting time for Florida to host this fantastic annual event, and we would like to welcome all of you to join us. If you would like to be a part of our host team, please contact me as soon as you can. We would love to have you. For more information contact:
Debbie Stouffer, Site Chair, Certified Church Secretary 2006
St. John's United Methodist Church, 6611 Proctor Rd., Sarasota, FL 34241
941-925-2661 Website: www.stjohns-sarasota.com. |
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Making your Church Kid and Family Friendly By Ann A. Michel
The start of the school year is a great time to roll out the welcome mat for families and children. The following tips come from the Lewis Center's 50 Ways to Build Strength: Caring for Children.
- Make your space child friendly. Nursery and classrooms should be clean, safe, sanitary, and visually appealing to children and their parents.
- Host seminars on parenting. Have a Sunday morning class focused on family concerns.
- Give gifts to expectant moms and new babies.
[Read More . . .] |
| Disrict
Calendar |
Oct 14-15: Cabinet
Oct 15: Insurance Adoption Agreements Due
Oct 17: Spiritual Formation Gathering, First UMC, Lakeland, 9:30a
Oct 26: Insurance Open Enrollment Begins
Nov 5-7: Ministers' Mates Retreat, LEC Nov 11-12: Cabinet Nov 12-13: Clergy Retreat, TradeWinds, St. Petersburg Beach
Nov 13-15: Crosstrainers Retreat, Warren Willis Camp
Nov 15: LEC 30th Anniversary Celebration Nov 16: Clergy Day Apart, Leesburg Nov 25-27: Thanksgiving Break - Office closed
Dec 1: Summer Camp Registration opens Dec 7: Retired Clergy Christmas Luncheon Dec 8-11: Cabinet
Gulf Central District Training events for 2010
Finance, Trustees, Lay Leader, Staff Parish Relations, Methodist Way, Faith Community Nursing, Disaster Training, Missions, and the UM Children's Home
February 8 - First UMC, Bradenton, 6:30 - 8:30PM
February 9 - Heritage UMC, Clearwater, 6:30 - 8:30PM
February 11 - First UMC, Spring Hill, 6:30 - 8:30PM |
A word from the Church mouse:
"Procrastination . . . hardening of the oughteries" |
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