February 22, 2020
#ECDCalledtoServe2020
This FREE district wide learning event is designed to inspire and equip laity and clergy. You will connect with other UMC's throughout the East Central District and The Florida Conference.
Are you clergy? Are you on a committee at your church? Do you go to church, but haven't really gotten connected yet? Do you simply want to grow in your faith and not be on a committee?
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Schedule for the Day
7:45am Registration & Refreshments in the Gymnasium
8:30am Worship Music in Sanctuary
8:45am Welcome from Dr. Bob Bushong
8:50am Keynote: Rev. Annette Stiles Pendergrass (45 minutes)
9:35am Worship Music
9:50am Dismiss to class
9:55am Session I (60 minutes)
11:00am Break - Snacks available in Gymnasium (15 minutes)
11:20am Session II (60 minutes)
12:20pm Dismiss from Session II
Free child care for children 0-5 years of age is available by advanced reservation only. Please contact Jeanette Dickson at 407-365-3255 at First UMC, Oviedo to make a reservation for your child/children. Childcare reservation deadline is February 17. We will not be able to accommodate drop ins.
NOTE: Courses offered Session I or Session II will cover the same material. Register for one.
Click HERE for a printout of the workshops.
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Kim and Melanie Lee
Co-District Lay Leaders
Moving toward full inclusion: What does it take to be a truly welcoming church? All United Methodist churches welcome all, but that doesn't mean everyone feels welcome in those churches. Some groups of people may feel more welcome than others. This talk will explore seeing your church facilities and community through the eyes of those on the edge of society. Participants will discuss how their churches could align their intentions with their actions.
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Denise Gilman
First UMC, DeLand
Our workshop will help you, your group, or your church to follow God's direction in developing ministries that grow and expand beyond your wildest dreams based on God's love and salvation. We have been successful for over 15 years impacting over 3700 people through trial and error by keeping our eye on Him and His love for all. And we want to share our format with you. Join us in sharing God's love and salvation as God directs.
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| Rev. Dawn Carter Pastor, CR |
Tommy Moore Director, CR |
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Less than 1/3 of the people who attend Celebrate Recovery struggle with substance abuse; the rest come for anger, marriage struggles, adult children of an alcoholic, overeating, grief/loss/divorce, depression/stress/anxiety, you name it! CR even has support for veterans who are struggling to return back to civilian life. Many come because someone in the family is struggling. If a family member is struggling, it is most likely affecting others in the family. CR provides a safe community of support for all issues and provides freedom through Jesus Christ!
In this workshop, learn how bringing Celebrate Recovery to your church can help the overall health of your church as well as your congregation & community. Plus, we will give you tools to help get you started in your next steps to bring Celebrate Recovery to your church.
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LaNita Battles
Director, Ministry Protection
The Florida Conference has made changes to the policy that has been in place since 2009. This session will review the Conference's comprehensive strategy for providing a safe, nurturing environment for our children and youth. The changes to the policy will be covered in this session. All churches must update their church policy to reflect these changes and submit a signed adoption agreement by April 30 stating that those working with children and youth have been CYPP trained.
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Latinos/as are the fastest growing demographic group in all the United States, and particularly here in Florida. Many of our UM churches have noticed the growth of Latino/a population around them, but often times they wouldn't know how to connect and be relevant to them. Join us in exploring ways to address this challenge in a way that makes Kingdom impact.
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| Rev. Chris Akers | Rev. Rusty Belcher | Rev. Aldo Martin |
| Executive Pastor University Carillon UMC Oviedo |
Senior Pastor First UMC Winter Garden |
District Methodists United in Prayer |
Come learn about the Cuba/Florida Initiative called "Methodist United in Prayer". Hear the stories of revival in Cuba similar to those found in the book of Acts and see how you can experience this revival personally.
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| Rev. Chris Akers | Rev. Rusty Belcher | Rev. Aldo Martin |
| Executive Pastor University Carillon UMC Oviedo |
Senior Pastor First UMC Winter Garden |
District Methodists United in Prayer |
Come share best practices with folks that have Sister Churches in Cuba and learn how to strengthen your connection with our brothers and sisters in Cuba.
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Bob McLeary, M.M., M.Ed.
Cokesbury Conference Resource Consultant
Join other Children’s Leaders in this highly interactive, hands-on workshop and showcase, getting to the nuts and bolts of preparing you and your volunteers, and engaging your students with the Word of God, helping them to become strong, grace-filled disciples. Info for all sizes of ministry, discover time-saving strategies and budget-stretching tips while learning to plan, coordinate, and best practices for using social media in positive ways. Plus, be one of the first leaders to view VBS programs for 2020, including the brand new One Room VBS programs! Thanks for investing in our children!
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Elisabeth Gadd
Chief Development Officer, Florida United Methodist Children's Home
Calling all LCRs and church leaders! Are you new in your LCR role? Looking to add a little spice to your acumen? This session is for you! It is an engaging session in which you will hear about all the resources the Children’s Home has to equip you in spreading the message about their mission and current programming. We will make sure you leave with the LCR Handbook and packet as your “go to guide.” You will be provided with detailed information about the Children’s Home so you will feel empowered to serve as an effective liaison. You will learn about moving stories to convey the message. You will also have the opportunity to share your own success stories of engagement at individual churches to help others. This session is about creating and augmenting the longstanding partnership between the Children’s Home and the local United Methodist Churches.
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Rev. Caitlin White
Director of Stetson Wesley Foundation; Cultivator Fresh Expressions FL
Ever heard of the priesthood of all believers? How about the democratization of church planting?! Fresh Expressions of Church opens up a world of possibilities for leadership, because its missional message is very simple: listen to the needs around you, find simple ways to love and serve people, build community with them, share the gospel when appropriate, invite them to form a Christian community where they are, and equip them to repeat the process. This laity-driven movement needs people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life - including you! We'll introduce you to all the basics and give you resources to get started today.
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Rev. Wilma Reyes
Senior Pastor, First UMC, St Cloud
Un Fresh Expression es una tipo de iglesia para nuestra cultura cambiante, establecida primordialmente para el beneficio de aquellas personas que aún no son miembros de una iglesia. Este taller está diseñado para quienes desean tener una mejor comprensión de los Fresh Expressions, apreciar su vínculo con la iglesia tradicional, y aprender los pasos a tomar para comenzar una en su comunidad. Descubra lo que puede hacer para propagar este movimiento, ya sea usted un pionero(a), seguidor(a), o la persona que permite estas oportunidades.
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Rev. Caitlin White
Director of Stetson Wesley Foundation; Cultivator Fresh Expressions FL
Has your congregation already launched a Fresh Expression of Church? Do you have a team that's ready to reach new people in new places by doing church a little differently? Bring them to this practical session as we brainstorm, problem solve, and share stories together! Come learn about some new resources to help your team grow more deeply in faith while further developing your vision for your project and your impact in your context. We'll make sure you walk away with plenty of tools for putting your ideas into practice.
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Rev. Dr. Wade Arnold
Assistant Pastor for Discipleship, Stewardship, and Pastoral Care
Discipleship is the core mission of the church. Equipping and organizing every believer to make disciples who follow Jesus, are transformed by Jesus, and who join Jesus' mission is central. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the theology and practice of making disciples.
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Rev. Bobby Brooks
Pastor, The Vessel Orlando
Young Adults – every church wants them but let’s be honest: crossing the gulf between wanting them and reaching them sometimes feels insurmountable. We’d love to see more young people in our churches, but many churches find themselves unable to make that leap from desire to reality. Perhaps what we need to do is take a few steps back and rethink not only the ways we’re trying to reach them, but why we’re trying to reach them and what we’re inviting them into. In this breakout session, the Vessel Orlando team led by Pastor Bobby Brooks will share some successes and failures they’ve experienced in connecting with young adults as well as some practical next steps your church might consider in their ministry to and with younger generations.
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Pam Garrison
Disaster Response Coordinator
Where are we and what’s next? The Florida Conference has responded to 5 hurricanes in our conference in the last 3 years while also supporting other conferences across the nation impacted by disaster. The number and intensity of storms is increasing. What have we done to recover from these storms? What are we doing to prepare for the next ones?
Come and learn what United Methodists have been doing in Florida and around the nation to recover from disaster. Come and learn what you can do to prepare yourself, your family, your home and your church for the next ones.
Leave inspired by all God has done and continues to do through the people called Methodist. Leave equipped with information and tools, understanding that preparation is the key to a healthy response and a resilient recovery. Because it’s not if…it’s when.
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Rev. Bob Brown
Director of Travel Ministry for Educational Opportunities
For anyone who wants their church to follow in the footsteps of Moses, Jesus and Paul. Learn how you and your church can gain first-hand experience of the lands and cultures of the Bible through travel ministry. Read both the Bible and today's headlines with deeper insight. Bob has led more than 40 study tours from his own church and can help you with yours.
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Kim and Melanie Lee
Co-District Lay Leaders
The Lay Leaders of our churches have a vital role in bringing together the laity and pastor in vision, coordination of ministry, cooperation and leadership. This session will cover topics related to the role and responsibilities of this position as defined by the Discipline. We will also use this time together to share ideas for addressing common concerns and issues faced by Lay Leaders in our local churches. Both new and seasoned Lay Leaders are encouraged to attend this important training.
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| Martha Smith East Central Director CEF |
Brenda Whitwam Central Florida Director CEF |
In recent years, an after-school club introducing elementary students to evangelical Christianity through prayer, song and Bible study has seen significant growth here in Florida. The purpose of Child Evangelism Fellowship® is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. If you’re interested in reaching children with the good news about Jesus Christ outside of the church walls, join us and learn about a whole new mission opportunity in your local public school.
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LaNita Battles
Director, Ministry Protection
Trustees: As servant leaders and the "Keepers of God's House" trustees are charged with a wide variety of responsibilities in managing church property. Join us for an interactive discussion about the top issues and responsibilities faced as you fulfill your call of leadership and provide support to the vision and mission of your church: Managing Local Church Property.
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Rev. Patina Ripkey
Pastor of Missional Engagement and Contemporary Worship, First UMC Oviedo
Many of us desire to have a thriving missions program. In this workshop we will learn how to design a successful missional engagement program at the local church level. Practical ideas will be shared and lessons learned. We will cover topics such as:
1. Mission verses Missions
2. Identification of leaders
3. Engaging people in missions and keeping them coming back for more
4. Minimum processes for a successful missional engagement program
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Rev. Dan Wunderlich
Senior Pastor, Lakeside UMC
The world of social media is changing quickly, and it can be hard to keep up. What works on a platform like Facebook is drastically different from 3 years ago. And what if you are looking to expand beyond Facebook - or even leave it behind! - where should you go? This session will cover the overall strategy of reaching your community and discipling your congregation through social media, making it accessible to those who are new to social media and those looking to take what they're doing to the next level.
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Tony Prestipino
Treasurer, Florida Conference of the UMC
This class will cover tax related regulations including issues such as W2, 941, 1099, Payroll and other accounting and finance issues relevant to those first-timers or for those wanting a refresher course.
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Tony Prestipino
Treasurer, Florida Conference of the UMC
This class will cover the following topics: Accounting Best Practices, Controls, Auditing Requirements, Apportionment Calculations and a time for Questions and Answers.
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Dr. Bob Bushong
East Central District Superintendent
Are you new to the Staff Parish Relations Committee? Have you been on it, but have questions? Dr. Bob will lead this workshop which will give you effective tools to help you in this very important committee.
This workshop is for all members of SPRC.
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Brian Lawson
Director of Student Development for YMI
Every generation is different with unique habits, values, and shared experiences. In this session, we will explore the current generation, Generation Z, and how our youth ministries can engage with them.
Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary.
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Brian Lawson
Director of Student Development for YMI
Successful youth ministries have several elements in common. In this session, we will spend time exploring these essential foundations.
Brian holds a Master of Ministry with a focus in organizational culture, team-based leadership, change, conflict, and peacemaking from Warner University. In addition to his degrees from Warner, he studied Christian Education at Asbury Theological Seminary.
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"It is my hope that in the midst of polarizing differences this book will encourage us to explore ways to recognize, honor, and nurture the good in one another." Rev. Melynne Rust is a Deacon in Full Connection in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Melynne will have books available for sale in the gym. Stop by to meet her.
The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
450 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 688-5563 or toll free (800) 282-8011