Spirit-Led Risk-Takers

 

“Then I said, ‘Look, I have come.
    As is written about me in the Scriptures:

 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
    for your instructions are written on my heart.’”

- Psalm 40:7-8 (NLT)

“During the pandemic, many leaders were concerned
primarily with avoiding risk ... we are now entering a time
 in the life of the American church that cries out for creative risk taking
that puts aside personal preferences for the sake of the gospel”

- Bill Wilson, Lewis Center for Church Leadership

For the past 12 weeks, Michelle and I have been meeting for coffee pretty regularly planning our Saturday morning “coffee at the beach” women’s group of book club friends and neighbors.”  Our hope is to connect with women who God has placed in our lives and invite them to be a part of a “fresh expression of church” themed around the commonality of our lives – mothers of young adult children.  We have about 20 people on our list and already, as we have floated the idea, people are interested.  God is on the move!

For me, this has been a desire that began in the fall of 2019.  Our District hosted Michael Moynagh, author of Being Church Doing Life:  Creating Gospel Communities Where Life Happens, and I was inspired to begin a fresh expression of church.  Then COVID hit ... we all know that derailed everything ... but now it is time to begin again.  So, Michelle and I are launching our group on Saturday, June 19. Please pray for us!

And lest you think that I am super spiritual or super courageous, I have had to fight the “what ifs” that continually cross my mind.  What if ... my girlfriends think this is over spiritual, not worth their time, too churchy, just plain dumb, or                       (fill in the blank!)  I can rationalize so many reasons NOT to put myself out there and begin this group.  Thankfully, I asked Michelle to join me in this endeavor and she has been awesome and a source of encouragement.

As we continue to move into a post-pandemic era, at least here in the US, we are beginning to count the very real costs especially for the local church.  Worship attendance is creeping back slowly, volunteers are not quick to commit, and financial giving is down ... real struggles with which to deal.  We know that reaching out beyond our walls of the local church facility is even more important than ever.  And now is the time to take risks ... choosing to let go of fears and the struggle to not fall back into “we’ve always done it this way” thinking and leading. We have an opportunity ... let’s go for it!

If you would like more information on Fresh Expressions of Church, do not hesitate to email me at ds-ac@flumc.org.  And for further reading about creative risk-taking, check out this article https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/now-is-the-time-for-risk-taking-leadership/

May God bless you and thank you for your faithfulness!

Grace and peace ~
Dionne

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Click HERE for the AC2021 webpage. Information and Updates are posted here. 

Click HERE for the AC2021 Voting Items
Click HERE for AC2021 Workbook
Click HERE for 2021 Virtual Expo

District Pre-Conference Orientations, June 6 Join Rev. Dionne C. Hammond to discuss the Bishop's Initiatives, Resolutions, conference budget and small group discussions.
Click here to register on Zoom for Atlantic Central District! 

Guests of the annual conference are invited to join the Annual Conference 2021 sessions via livestream.

All clergy and lay members to annual conference received emails on May 6 and May 24 asking them to register for the Zoom webinar. If you did not receive the email, please email the District Office at flumc-ac@flumc.org to have the e-mails forwarded to you. 

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If the Annual Clergy Assessment has not been submitted for your church, or if you have questions about the forms or how to submit, please contact our office as soon as possible. 

Click here for instructions and forms.  

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Bishop Ken Carter and the appointive cabinet of The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, in consultation with the clergy and authorized lay leaders of the local churches, announce full-time appointment changes, to take effect July 1, 2021. This act of ministry is in fulfillment of paragraphs 425-229 of the 2016 Book of Discipline. 

Let us lift these clergy, their families and the local churches in prayer, in the hope that we will more fully participate in our mission - "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

Atlantic Central District

Full-Time Appointments

• Asbury - Vero Beach  l  Mike Moxley
• Community - Daytona Beach  l  Sheryl Marks-Williams
• Community - Ft. Pierce  l  Andrea Byer-Thomas
• Coronado Community - New Smyrna Beach  l  Lis Degrenia
• First - Melbourne, Associate  l  Rick Jones
• First - Port St. John  l  Chris Tabone
• Georgianna - Merritt Island, Associate  l  Ryan Beavers 
• Glades Missional Network - Canal Point / Community - Belle Glade / First - Pahokee  l  David Charlton, Senior Pastor
• Glades Missional Network - Canal Point / Community - Belle Glade / First - Pahokee  l  Fenel Conserve, Associate Pastor
• Indian River City - Titusville  l  Stuart Bodin
• Roseland  l  Jerry Milner
• Sebastian  l  Don Pratt
• Tomoka - Ormond Beach  l  John Gill

Part-Time Appointments

• Christ - Palm Bay  l  Daniel Baker
• Riverview - Ormond Beach  l  Bob Hunter

Retired/Retiring in the AC District

• Bill Corristan
• Diane Gutierrez
• Joe Moxley
• Ira Steven Nolan
• Ken Zimmerman
• Tim Smiley

Clergy leaving the AC District

• Linda Tice
• Sean Peters

We are grateful for the following interim pastors who have stepped in to continue ministry in the local church for a short period of time:

• Jerry Milner
• John Pope

For a complete list, please visit the Florida Conference website by clicking here. 

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Thanks to all who participated in the webinar for clergy on church finances. If you would like to view again or were not able to participate, please contact our office for the recording, accompanying documents, and references from the authors.  

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The Conference is in the process of moving data from EZRA to Brick River. Currently, churches have read only access to EZRA Church Dashboard. If you find updates are needed, please send the information to the AC District Office. 

After July 5, churches will have access to the new church dashboard in Brick River. 

Training Sessions for Brick River will be provided for those who currently have access to the local church EZRA Church Dashboard:

• Tuesday, July 6 at 10:30 AM
• Tuesday, July 6 at 12:30 PM
• Wednesday, July 7 at 10:30 AM
• Wednesday, July 7 at 12:30 PM

If you are interested in attending one of the trainings, please check with your local church Administrative Assistant or Senior Pastor. They will be provided with the Zoom link to join the meeting and will let us know who will be participating. 

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Has God called you into ministry? Explore your call by clicking here to begin the process. 

The Office of Clergy Excellence will be offering a second session of Licensing School this fall. Click here for more information. 

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See what summer fun your United Methodist Connections FCU has planned for you. Car Sales, RV Loans and Refinancing, Home Equity Loans, Discounts on Theme Parks and World Travel, and a NO FEE Credit Card Balance Transfer with a  2.99%APR personal Visa and MORE see you on the site www.UMCFCU.com.

Get FREE FINANCIAL COUNSELING & much more with GreenPath Financial Services.

For more information, please contact:

Letra Davis, Member Service Representative, Florida Business Development, Marketing
United Methodist Connectional FCU
450 Martin L King, Jr. Ave  l  Lakeland, FL  33815
863-687-9725 or letrad@unitedmethodistcu.com

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Atlantic Central District
Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
PO Box 1898  l  Melbourne, FL  32902
772-299-0255
www.flumc.org/atlanticcentral

Rev. Dionne C. Hammond - District Superintendent
Paula McDonald - Senior Administrative Assistant  l  flumc-ac@flumc.org
Marilyn Waldis - Administrative Assistant  l  flumc-ac4@flumc.org
Bruce Kitson - Church Health Advocate  l  bkitson@flumc.org

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