Do It Again ...

“Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
- Lamentations 3:23 NLT

Seven months ago, Craig and I brought home Winnie, our eight-week-old English Setter puppy.  Part of our commitment to each other when deciding to get Winnie was taking her training seriously.  We quickly learned Winnie’s love for treats – no matter what they are.  Now almost eight months old, she knows that when she comes, sits, stays, fetches, and “walks nice” she again will receive a treat. Our hope is that one day she will do all those things without treats but for now, it’s okay.  The power of training, trusting, and remembering ... she has faith that we will come through over and over again.

This past Sunday, I was in worship and the song “Do It Again” was part of the worship set.  I needed to hear this song and remember that our God is faithful.  God is faithful in the anxiety of a pandemic, in a crazy year of politics, in a season of denominational stress, in my family, in my call and in all the world ... God is faithful.  Here are the phrases that spoke to my soul:

“I've seen you move; You move the mountains
And I believe I'll see you do it again.
You made a way where there was no way.
And I believe I'll see you do it again”
(Elevation Worship)

And as I’ve meditated on these words, I’ve experienced God’s peace.  My part is believing.  I know the challenges still are present, but I know God is working out a plan of goodness and hope.  Today I left my physical therapy appointment, and a woman came up to my car door in the parking lot sharing with me that she felt the Holy Spirit directing her to bless me.  I didn’t know her and had never seen her.  She asked me if she could say a blessing over me.  I answered “Yes!” and it was a powerful moment.  I thanked her for listening to the Holy Spirit!  God confirmed the peace that the Holy Spirit is giving me in my life right now.  God will do it again!

We know there are lots of things we cannot control but there are some we can!  One of them is creating healthy systems and processes to introduce people to Jesus through our local churches.  I’m inviting YOU to gather a couple others from your church and join us for “Pathway to Life in Christ”, a virtual District Leadership Training Event, on Saturday, March 13 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon.  Here is a video to watch and registration link:

Pathway to Life Video and Registration

My hope is that every Atlantic Central District church will have a team present for this time of growth and planning.  See you there!

Thank you for your faithfulness.  May God bless you as we journey through Lent remembering that God will make a way +

Grace and peace ~

Dionne

You are invited to join your church for the "Pathway to Life: Creating a Clear Discipleship Process" Event and Workshop on Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. For details and to register, visit our website at https://www.flumc.org/ac-events-and-trainings.

Teams will meet at their church, or join your church virtually, and join the larger group on Zoom for this event and workshop led by Christin Nevins, Spiritual Leadership, Inc. 

To read more about the following three commitments written by Bishop Ken Carter, and Alice Williams, Lay Leader Florida Conference, click here. 

1. Establishing Vital and Sustainable Local Churches
2. Dismantling Racism
3. Increased Support for the Well-being and Resilience of our Clergy

The AC District Office is currently accepting nominations for District at-Large Lay Members to Annual Conference. Please contact your local church pastor about the nominations process. Names must be submitted by Friday, March 5, 2021. 

Click here for information about AC2021. 

E-mails will be sent to Clergy, Local Church Lay Members to Annual Conference, and District at-Large Lay Members to Annual Conference on Monday, March 15, 2021. 

Join the Gulf Central District virtually for "Embrace the Journey: Becoming the Beloved Community" on Saturday, March 20 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon. This is an opportunity to explore how we are challenged by race, how we behave because of it, and ways we can be faithful in becoming the Beloved Community. 

Visit the details and registration page at https://www.flumc.org/gcd-innovation-2021.

This event will include:

• Powerful keynote by Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle, "Race in a Time When We Can't Turn Back"
• Testimonials from our United Methodist white, black, and brown brothers and sisters on how racism continues to affect their lives
• Current approaches some of our churches are using as they move to becoming the beloved community

Below is a list of reports due for March and May 2021 and team responsible for submitting to the District Office. These can be submitted anytime on or before the date listed below. For a full list and detailed links, please click here. 

• March 31 - Fiscal Responsibility and Management Policies - Finance Team
• March 31 - Employee Conduct Policy Adoption and Clergy/Employee forms - SPRC
• March 31 - Annual Report to the District Housing Committee / Parsonage Checklist - Board of Trustees
• March 31 - Fund Balance Report for the Year End 2020 - Treasurer/Finance Secretary
• March 31 - Child and Youth Protection Policy Review and Renew - Annually - SPRC
• May 31 - Annual Assessment of Ministerial Effectiveness & Goal Setting - SPRC and Clergy
  • This year, the Office of Clergy Excellence has updated the process. We ask all churches to use the new forms. They can be found at the link above or scroll down and click on "Calendar of Reports Due."

Atlantic Central District
Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acdistrictumc
Visit our Webpages: https://www.flumc.org/atlanticcentral

PO Box 1898  l  Melbourne, FL  32902
772-299-0255

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