Message from District Superintendent
Since joining our district just a few weeks ago, the new superintendent has already visited 24 churches where he met with the clergy, toured the churches and learned about the unique ministries that each church has to offer in the North East District. As we move forward into late summer and early fall, Jay will continue to visit all of the churches in the district and is looking forward to those visits.
Please click here to read Rev. Jay Therrell's message to the district for August.
District Office Phone System Update
We recently made an update to our phone system and when you call our office you will hear a message from an attendant that will ask you to select the person you would like to speak with in our office. We have already noticed a decrease in calls from telemarketers. AMEN!
District Directory
The district directory is available for download on our main district webpage. Please note that we are no longer providing clergy cell phones and home addresses. We ask that you be mindful of the number of emails that you send to the clergy and churches in an effort that their inbox does not become overloaded with solicitations. The district is happy to communicate information to our clergy and churches through the newsletter. Please feel free to send any communication you would like shared to flumc-ne@flumc.org.
Upcoming District/Conference Meetings & Events
Please click on the links below for more information about these meetings/events.
August 23, 2016 - District Youth Workers Meeting
September 15, 2016 - Fall District Clergy Meeting (more details with a registration link will be sent to all clergy serving a local church at their flumc.org email address)
September 16-17, 2016 - Resonate - District Youth Worship Band Training
September 18, 2016 - District Youth Rally
September 20, 2016 - Town Hall Meeting with Bishop Carter (please note a change of start time from 5:30 to 6 p.m.)
October 25-26, 2016 - Clergy Gathering - 2016
November 4-6, 2016 - District Youth Retreat
November 5, 2016 - Fresh Expressions Vision Day (more details to come)
November 6, 2016 - District Superintendent Installation Service, 3 p.m. @ Mandarin UMC
November 10 & 15, 2016 - Retiree Luncheon with the DS
December 16, 2016 - District Office Holiday Open House, 10-12 & 2-4 (more details to come)
Benefits Update: Freedom to Choose – 2017 Health Initiative
The Florida Annual Conference approved the Freedom to Choose- 2017 Health Initiative effective January 1, 2017. This new benefit criteria applies to all full-time clergy, including deacons, appointed to a local church, mission, District or Conference staff.
Over the next few months you will begin receiving more information to help you navigate through this transition. Please take a few moments to read about the upcoming changes to health benefits. We will be including an update each month and also will speak more about these changes at the District Clergy Meeting on September 15, 2016.
Local Events/Gatherings
September 9-10, 2016 - Rock the Universe @ Universal Orlando - Youth Event
September 17, 2016 - The Hart Felt Ministries Annual Charity Gala
We are on Facebook!
Come and check out our District Facebook Page! Be sure to Like us so you can stay current on all of the happenings in the District.
Reminder: Discipleship/Small Group Study Materials Available
The District Office has a large number of resource materials available to anyone in our district. Click here to review the list and reserve your copy of the resource materials available. You can then make arrangements to pick up the items in the district office.
We will make these materials available through the end of September. Clergy - we are happy to bring any materials you would like to have in your church to the clergy meetings on September 15 so you don't have to make a special trip to the district office. Be sure to reserve the materials you want today.
Welcome New Fresh Expressions Coordinator
Please join us in welcoming the new Fresh Expressions Coordinator for The Florida Annual Conference, Matthew Harrell. Matt comes to us from First UMC, Stockbridge, GA, where he was the Director of Student and Recreation Ministries for five years.
Matt will be supporting Rev. Audrey Warren and Rev. Kevin Griffin, co-conveners of the Fresh Expressions Steering Committee and will be engaged in the following ways:
- Provide operational support for the Fresh Expressions movement by supporting the Fresh Expressions Steering Committee
- Be a resource hub and connector of Fresh Expressions
- Plan and implement Vision Days and Pioneer Retreats
- Empower & resource Pioneers for Fresh Expressions Florida
- Engage local churches
- Guide lay and clergy leaders within the Fresh Expressions movement through the School of Missional Wisdom
- Empower Fresh Expression leaders to facilitate regional groups of support, coaching and collaboration
Matt can be reached at mharrell@flumc.org. For more information about Fresh Expressions, go to www.flumc.org/freshexpressions.
Charge Conference
We are currently finalizing all of the details for charge conference season and will send out a separate email to everyone soon!
Fall NE Emmaus Walks & Chrysalis Flights
Emmaus Walks & Chrysalis Flights are a ministry of the Upper R
oom providing opportunities for spiritual formation and renewal enhancing one's walk with Christ and strengthening one's servant ministry in the local church. Registration details will be available soon, but save the following dates on your calendar:
- Men's Walk #77 - September 29 - October 2, 2016
- Women's Walk #77 - October 6 - 9, 2016
- Girls Chrysalis Flight #32 - November 4-6, 2016
- Boys Chrysalis Flight #32 - November 11-13, 2016
For more information, please visit www.floridacrownemmaus.com.
Bishop's Reflection on the Western Jurisdiction Election
A few weeks ago Karen Oliveto was elected as a bishop by the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. Read Bishop Carter's reflection on that election on the Conference website.
August 2016
August 11-12, 2016 - Global Leadership Summit
August 14, 2016 - Festival of Wisdom & Grace Conference
August 23, 2016 - District Youth Workers Meeting
September 2016
September 15, 2016 - District Clergy Meeting, 9-2 @ Orange Park UMC
September 16-17, 2016 - Resonate - District Youth Worship Band Training
September 18, 2016 - District Youth Rally
September 20, 2016 - Town Hall Meeting with Bishop Carter 6 p.m.@ Trinity UMC, Gainesville (please note the change of the start time from 5:30 to 6 p.m.)
September 23-24, 2016 - District Lay Servant Ministry Training @ Howe Memorial UMC
November 2016
November 4-6, 2016 - District Youth Retreat
November 4-6, 2016 - Clergy Mates Retreat @ Life Enrichment Center, Lake Griffin
November 5, 2016 - Fresh Expression Vision Day
November 6, 2016 - New District Superintendent Installation Service, 3 p.m. @ Mandarin UMC. More details to come!
December 2016
December 16, 2016 - District Office Holiday Open House, 10-12 & 2-4
2017
January 28, 2017 - District Leadership Training Event, more details to come
February 4, 2017 - District Leadership Training Event, more details to come
June 7-9, 2017 - Annual Conference 2017, Buena Vista Palace Hotel, Orlando