Glory Sightings

“Arise, Jerusalem!  Let your light shine for all to see.
For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
All nations will come to your light;
mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”  Isaiah 60:1-3 (NLT)

This past week, I spent two nights with my covenant group ... six clergywomen from our annual conference who partner with me to reflect on God’s work in our lives.  We meet for two retreats a year as well as other times of connection.  Our friendship has been a source of grace for me over the years.  While we were together this time, we spent about an hour sharing where we are experiencing something in our ministry that is bringing us joy.  From mentoring tweens, connecting with new people who found the church, to leading in a Fresh Expression of Church, we did our own version of “glory sightings” ... these overflow moments when God’s glory enraptures us, and we see God amid our life and work.  Where are you experiencing God’s glory? 

Over the last six weeks, I had the privilege to lead groups of churches in their annual charge conference.  My goal of our time together was to encourage each other while taking care of the ordering the life of the local church.  We began with worship and then hearing Zeniye Zdorow, our District Lay Leader’s story of Jesus changing her life.  If you haven’t seen her video, I invite you to watch it – her story will touch your heart: 

At another point of our time together, I invited each church to share one way they were experiencing God’s glory.  We heard great stories of God at work even amid a year of challenges.  The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that there will be darkness and challenges us to allow God’s light to radiate from us.  God has invited us into this partnership – we need to do our part. Zeniye encouraged us to “be the church,” “walk with people,” and “share Jesus.”  Her life was changed because of faithful Christ followers who were daring enough to share the Light of Christ is the dark places of this world.

As we move quickly to Thanksgiving, perhaps around your dinner table you can ask those with whom you are sharing dinner, to tell their “glory sighting.”  Gratitude, generosity, love, grace, peace and so much more are ways God reveals His glory to us.  Like Zeniye’s story, your story will encourage others.  Thanks be to God!  Have a beautiful Thanksgiving, and may God bless you +

Grace and peace ~
Dionne

All clergy and church leadership are invited to join the Atlantic Central District for

THRIVE! Leadership Day
Saturday, January 22, 2022
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Guest Speaker: Matthew Hartsfield, Bay Hope - Lutz, FL
Suntree United Methodist Church - Melbourne

This will be a day of learning and leading. There will be breakout sessions that will guide you in leading your church in various areas. Our December newsletter will have details about these breakout sessions. Our hope is that each church will send a group of people to this event to learn alongside their clergy. Registration will be required for each individual that will be participating.

Mark your calendar for the following trainings on Zoom. These trainings will be led by Conference employees. The sessions for each team will be the same. Your team only needs to register for one of the sessions. These are one hour sessions.

• Finance Teams
  • Tuesday, February 8, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 12, 2022
    • 9:00 AM
• SPRC Teams / Human Resources
  • Tuesday, February 15, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 19, 2022
    • 9:00 AM
• Board of Trustees
  • Tuesday, February 22, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, February 26, 2022
    • 9:00 AM
• Child and Youth Protection Policy Training - Train the trainer event. This is for all who are responsible for implementing and training. 
  • Tuesday, March 1, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 5, 2022
    • 9:00 AM
• Florida United Methodist Children's Home Local Church Representative
  • Tuesday, March 8, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 12, 2022
    • 9:00 AM
• Lay Leader and Lay Member to Annual Conference
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2022
    • 2:00 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 19, 2022
    • 9:00 AM

Details of these trainings will be available in December. Please share these training dates and times with your church leaders. 

Additional resources are available at Cokesbury, https://www.cokesbury.com/guidelines-for-leading-your-congregation?pagenumber=1#

Join Bishop Ken Carter, Guest Speaker, on a 13-day "Lands of the Bible Cruise" aboard the Celebrity Apex. The cruise departs from New York, NY on September 22, 2022 with fares starting at $4,698*. Journey to places such as Rome, Galilee, Jerusalem, Ephesus, Bethlehem, Athens, and much more! 

For details, visit the Educational Opportunity Tours website at http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/pf22092222a/#.YZLJlmDMLze.

 

 2021 Annual Charge Conference Reminders

Thanks go to all of the AC District Churches who hosted this year's Annual Charge Conferences. We appreciate your generous hospitality! 

If you have not already updated your church dashboard with your 2022 Church Leadership, please to do no later than Friday, November 19. This year, only the chairs of the teams/committees need to be added or updated. Also add all key staff positions. Remember to click "I am Done" to let us know that you have updated your leadership. If you have any questions about updating leadership in your church dashboard, please contact the AC District Office.

On Saturday, October 23, 2021, the East Central District hosted the "Awakening Hope: Church Beyond the Color Line" event. If you missed it or want to listen again, here is the link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/kjgQWVPslLE

The Conference and District Offices will be closed on the following days:

November 25-26  l  Thanksgiving

December 24 and 27  l  Christmas

December 31  l  New Year's Day Observed

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
Marilyn Waldis - Administrative Assistant
Bruce Kitson - Church Health Advocate