Mindful Breathing Through the Storms

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power
so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.
May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.
He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people,
who live in the light.”  Colossians 1:11 NLT
 
“If they are leaders, they must be able to communicate hope
and keep making decisions that will move the organization toward its goals”

 - Tod Bolsinger, Tempered Resilience, 72.

As of late, I have been paying more and more attention to my breathing.  I have known for a long time that deep, cleansing breaths – called “mindful breathing” - is one way naturally to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and decrease pain.  When I feel anxiety starting to consume me – I am trying to remember to breath as a first response.  Especially in a difficult situation, mindful breathing is helping me choose to “show up” the way I desire - as a non-anxious presence.  I think about the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, entering my body and breathing out the apprehension or fears that are in front of me.  Try it! 
 
As the Apostle Paul was sitting in a Roman prison, chained to a guard, facing his own very charged situation, he had the presence of mind and heart to write a letter to the church in Colosse about the problems they were experiencing.  Some of the leaders were mixing Christian worship with pagan practices and teachings.  The local church was teetering ... they lost their anchor of faith in Jesus and were vulnerable, drifting off course into danger.  Paul was calling them back to Christ.  His prayer is for strength, endurance, patience, joy, and thankfulness. 
 
What is so powerful is that Paul was able to look beyond his present circumstances and pray these things for his sisters and brothers in Colosse.  He was a leader through and through ... as Bolsinger writes, “communicate(s) hope and keeps making decisions that will move the organization toward its goals.”  Paul prayed for them and reminded the church to depend on God.  He was a self-differentiated ... separating himself enough to give hope and encourage the people.  I want to be that kind of leader.  I suspect that Paul did a lot of mindful breathing!
 
Friends, our world is complex, and crises are all around us – personally, in our churches, communities, state, country, and world.  We all watch the news ... no need for me to list them.  The question for us, amidst the charged situations, how do we show up?  My prayer is that you will be strengthened by God, have the endurance needed, muster up patience, see the joy and find thankfulness in each situation you step through as we begin September.  There will be uncharted waters, perhaps even storms, or hurricanes, but best of all, God is with us!
 
Grace and peace ~
Dionne

Register Now

Lay Servant Ministry Course are being offered this Fall. For more information about these courses and to register, please visit our website at:

https://www.flumc.org/aclayservantministry

Contact:

Kathy Megerle, AC District Lay Servant Ministry Director
772-708-0026
kathrynmegerle.lsm.acd@gmail.com

Edgewater United Methodist Church

   -  September 17 and 18, 2021
   -  Basic Lay Servant Training Course
   -  Advanced Course: Biblical Interpretation: A Roadmap
   -  Cost: $25.00 - Lunch Provided on Saturday

First - Port St. Lucie

   -  September 24 and 25, 2021
   -  Basic Lay Servant Training Course
   -  Advanced Course:  Lay Servants as Christian Transformation Leaders
   -  Cost: $25.00 - Lunch Provided on Saturday

United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches

   -  November 5 and 6, 2021
   -  Basic Lay Servant Ministry Course
   -  Advanced Course: Leading Public Prayer
   -  Cost: $25.00 - Lunch Provided on Saturday

Online Courses are available by visiting BeAdisciple.com

• Prayer and Support for Haiti after 7.2 Earthquake

         https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/prayer-support-for-haiti-after-7-2-magnitude-earthquake-15362979

• Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts 

  We are supporting the recovery efforts in Louisiana by asking people to make a contribution to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Advance #901670 or donations can be given directly to the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church by texting 'relief' to (800) 500-5858.

  Local authorities are asking people to stay off the roads as rescue and recovery efforts are continuing and first responders need access to those areas. For that reason, even those in the Louisiana Conference have been unable to respond to those hard-hit areas.

  It is likely that there will be great need in the near future, and the recovery efforts will last years, so once those needs are communicated to us, we will be sharing that with our churches.

  Please contact Trish Warren, Disaster Response Coordinator if you have questions at pwarren@flumc.org or (863) 688-5563 ext 148.

For Youth, Children, & Family Ministry Leaders
September 27-28 - HYBRID! Warren Willis Camp 

Rooted is designed to connect leaders to each other, to innovative and inspiring training, to resources, and most importantly, to God. ​

Rooted is the "can't miss" event for anyone involved in Children, Youth, and Family ministry. Whether you are brand new to ministry, a long-time veteran, on the church payroll, or volunteering your time, you will find valuable time in the worship, classes and community at Rooted. 

Rooted is proudly hosted by the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Warren Willis United Methodist Camp and Conference Center, and the Youth Ministry Institute.

Rooted will be a hybrid event. Attendees will be housed at the Warren Willis Conference Center. Our in-person attendees will share in site specific programming options, with COVID safe protocols in place. Those attending the event on-line will be given access to our Zoom rooms for workshops and worship experiences. 

Rooted Training Information and Registration

This year's Annual Charge Conferences will be held by Clergy Peer Learning Groups. Please check with your local church for the date, time, and location. 

Charge Conference instructions and forms are available on the FLUMC website at: https://www.flumc.org/chargeconferenceinstructions

If you have any questions, please contact the District Office. 

From Bishop Carter, Chancellor Mark Hanley and Treasurer Craig Smelser

Dear Churches:

Last October, the Cabinet and I informed you that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 18, 2020. The BSA is seeking to resolve all victim sexual abuse claims asserted by scouts and former scouts against the BSA and its local councils and to continue forward with its mission.

To give United Methodists a presence in the process, to make sure our interests were adequately protected, an “Ad Hoc Committee” comprised of several Conference Chancellors and other denominational leaders was organized. The Committee retained outside bankruptcy counsel to represent the interests of our chartered organizations in the bankruptcy proceedings. 

The Committee believes our interests are not adequately protected under the current Plan of Reorganization. This may change, but until future developments become more certain, the Committee’s advice is to limit exposure to future claims and continue its work within the confines of the bankruptcy proceedings.  CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE PUBLICATION and link to the Facilities Use Agreement 

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