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A word from the District Superintendent
Because Jesus Lives!!!
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Today is Easter Monday 2018. This year during Holy Week I felt led to “come along side” of our Pastors in prayer, with words of encouragement and support by attending Holy Week services throughout the District. This week I actually prayed for each Pastor by name and asked God to continue to bless them and their families and empower them for the work God has entrusted to their care. I hope my prayers blessed the Pastors. I admit it sure was a blessing to me and for me to intentionally pray for them. After preaching a sunrise service with six of our St. Pete churches, I was able to spend Easter Sunday afternoon with my own family in Ocala and visit a beautiful 91 year old church member who nurtured me in my faith as a youth.
During this visit Mrs. Nancy shared with me how she’s been doing and feeling and what it’s like to be 91 years old. She laughed as she reflected on her hands that don’t grasp like they used to and her limited eyesight. She showed me the two canes that assist her in walking and the chair in which she spends the majority of her time now. I was touched deeply by the way her words flowed from her heart with gratitude and contentment. She explained that she’s not afraid to die, and still lives each day with joy. As I was leaving I asked if we could pray and before we prayed I asked if we could sing “Because He Lives”. Mrs. Nancy was a stellar soprano in the Chancel Choir years ago and this was one of her favorite songs. As we sang together these words “… because I know, who holds the future… and life is worth the living just because Jesus Lives”. We both cried and hugged and I left and thought what an amazing Resurrection Sunday experience. In closing I share this scripture and ask you to remember to “ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
April 19 - Gulf Central District Clergy Meeting 04-19-18
Lay Servant Training
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The Lay Servant Training for the Gulf Central District
will be held at Oak Grove UMC 2707 W Waters Ave Tampa 33614
The Basic classes will be April 20 & 21 (must attend both days)
The Advance classes will be April 27 & 28
Please Click here for the brochure to sign up and listing the various classes.
The Thirteenth Annual Native American Gathering
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April 20-22 - LEC, Fruitland Park
The mission of CONAM is....
To communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Native American people in a culturally relevant way; disciple Native people in a culturally affirming way; encourage Christ-centered worship in a culturally redemptive way; and facilitate a Native presence in the wider church in a culturally appropriate way.
Click HERE for details and to register.
2018 Annual Conference
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June 7 - 9 - Florida Southern College
Remembering Who We Are
Click HERE for the AC2018 webpage. Information will be updated as information is available. The housing information is there now. Tweet with #flumc18 to join the conversation!
Youth are encouraged to participate and experience Annual Conference. Housing will be on the Florida Southern Campus, and $150 will cover dorm housing (double occupancy) and 8 meals. Click HERE for the AC2018 youth page and to register. Orientation will be at 1:30pm on Wednesday, June 6 with housing check in immediately before orientation at 12:30pm at Reynolds Hall. All youth must check into housing before orientation. Note: This does not make them a Voting Member at Annual Conference.
Annual Conference is free and open to anyone who would like to go. However, only Lay Members to Annual Conference 2018 will have a vote.
Warren W. Willis Camp Retreats & Summer Camp
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Confirmation Retreat: October 5 - 7
Connect: October 19 - 21; November 9 - 11
Created By God: April 20 - 22
Summer Camp: June & July
Plan Your Own Church Retreat: Who doesn't love WWW? Why not plan your own retreat?
Life Enrichment Center
Want to help create meaningful experiences for your church's families this year? Want to encourage your parents to be more active in their kids' spiritual lives? Be sure they know about LECFamily programs!
Dad and Me Weekend - April 13 - 15
Grandparents and Me - June 25 - 28
Family Camp - June 29 - July 1 & July 20 - 22
Mom and Me Weekend - September 14 - 16
Questions? Email Asa Quinn asa.quinn@warrenwllscamp.org
Baptism at Enterprise Campus
At the beginning of the new year, one of the young men living here at the Children's Home decided that, as he approached his eighteenth birthday, he wanted to begin his independent life as a baptized Christian. After a time of prayer, consultation, and coordination, he was baptized during a special service at the Enterprise Campus.
The service followed a United Methodist baptismal liturgy, along with worship songs picked by the young man to reflect his relationship with God. Our Chapel was full of supporters for the baptism, ranging from staff, Board of Trustee members, and other youth here at the Children's Home. One of the Board members, Rev. Bob Laidlaw, surprised the young man with some water that was taken from the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized. The baptism was conducted by Rev. Madeline Luzinski and Rev. Ryan Frack
Children in foster care have often had some difficulty reconciling a God who loves them with the abuse and trauma they have experienced in their own lives. Unfortunately, some of the children in our care have also experienced spiritual trauma, thus leading to a negative perception of God. Through the work of the Spiritual Life department, the children learn about a God who is bigger than what they have gone through. Baptism at the Children’s Home is a special honor, as most children are only with us for a temporary amount of time. Among their newfound community, they have found a spiritual home here, and baptism allows them the opportunity to proclaim their faith amongst others who will pray for and encourage them.
Apply Now for UMC FCU Scholarships for College Bound Students
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The Florida United Methodist Connectional FCU is once again offering scholarships to 17-35 year-old college-bound students in our connection. Four winning applicants, one from each of our four conferences - Florida, North Georgia, South Georgia and Alabama-West Florida - will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. CLICK HERE for complete rules, an application, and full essay submission criteria. Deadline for submission is April 30, 2018.
If you have any questions regarding the scholarship program, contact us at 1-800-282-9368 (Georgia) or 1-866-687-2136 (Florida).
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The trust also provides a $250 award recognizing an outstanding Christian educator. This teacher award is granted through a nominations process, and the funds are awarded to the teacher for use at his or her discretion.
Nominations and grant applications are due April 30. A committee will review the submissions and choose the recipients.
Those who wish to nominate a teacher or apply for a program grant may complete a nomination form or application online at https://www.fumf.org/ministry-grants/lockmiller-childrens-grants/ under “Christian Education Awards.” A PDF of the nomination form and program application are also posted there.
Alice Lockmiller was a lifelong United Methodist and philanthropist whose charitable giving has funded many United Methodist ministries. Among her giving priorities, she wished to support ministries that focus on nurturing parents and their children and increase the participation of children in the life of the church. Lockmiller valued the role Christian education played in her own life and hoped to recognize those who impart Christian values to future generations of United Methodists. The foundation administers the trust she established to achieve those goals.
Below are several articles about the Christian education awards and the impact recognized programs and teachers have had on the spiritual development of students (please note the award amounts have changed since the publication dates of these articles).
- Churches receive annual award for focus on students
- Veteran teacher leaves mark on generations of students
- Annual Christian education awards affirm teachers, ministries
- Kids choose church on Wednesdays
Additional information is available by contacting Tita Parham, the foundation’s director of communications and public relations, at tparham@fumf.org or 863-904-2970, ext. 7106.
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Hurricane Irma was big, really big.... Together with God, and YOU, we are bigger!
Scholarships available for School of Congregational Development Conference August 15-18 in San Diego
To apply for a scholarships, go to www.scdumc.org Click on SCHOLARSHIPS
Global Ministries Small Church Scholarship, Racial Ethnic Scholarship, Racial Ethnic Seminarian Scholarship
For more information:
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/school-of-congregational-development
A suite of micro‑training courses is now available online. Each learning experience is designed to deliver effective content in less than 20 minutes! These free, quick "bursts of knowledge" will equip you with communication practices that you can start applying in your church right away, such as Facebook Outreach and Sharing Your Church Through Pictures.
DCOM Deadlines:
Thursday, November 8, 2018 - DCOM will meet with candidates seeking renewal of their certification as a candidate for ordained ministry. Paperwork deadline for this meeting is on or before October 8, 2018.
Thursday, December 13, 2018 - DCOM will meet with candidates seeking certification of their candidacy for ordained ministry. Paperwork deadline for this meeting is on or before November 13, 2018.
All paperwork must be completed and/or uploaded onto UMCARES
To contact the Gulf Central District Registrar please email eflynn@flumc.org
2018 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE