Message from the District Office
In mid-June I was planning to fly to New York and visit my dad. I have only seen my dad once in the past three years. I was so looking forward to it and then the COVID pandemic completely upended those travel plans.
You see my dad is old school. While not that old (he will be only 70 this year), he lives just outside of the Adirondacks in upper New York in a small, modest cabin; doesn't have a cell phone; and, has a big, clunky computer without a camera or a microphone. He pretty much lives on the fringe of technology.
Way back in April, we sent my dad an older i-Pad that we weren't using anymore. The i-Pad was complete with instructions on how to turn it on, which apps to use, etc. Because of this gift of technology, I was finally able to see him again. .
There has been a common theme over the past few months of being "Zoomed" out by all of the video calls and meetings. We are all stressed out and "Zoomed" out to a point where we think, "I just cannot do one more virtual meeting." Let me say that while I understand how challenging this time has been, I have cherished the moments where I get to see people's faces. It has been a true blessing.
I spent my birthday in April on video calls all afternoon. It was a great way to celebrate my quarantine birthday. Each Wednesday I host a video call for the church admin in the North East District. We have 7-10 folks on the call sharing the highs and lows of their ministry during this time. Until we started these weekly calls, I didn't realize how much I missed their faces.
So the next time you feel just a twinge of stress on a video call, just be thankful for the opportunity to "see their face." It is a blessing. Find that Joy!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Pam Mullay
Senior Assistant
NE District Office
In Person Worship Optional After June 15th
The Florida Conference Re-Launch Task Force along with Bishop Carter and the Cabinet met this week and decided to allow churches to consider resuming in-person worship after June 15th on a limited basis according to the following guidelines. Before proceeding, we ask that you be sure to have read carefully and completely our FLUMC guidelines, the CDC guidelines, the article “Why reopening church is different”, the FAQ document, and the Governor’s Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
Florida United Methodist Children's Home - Virtual Career Fair
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The UM Children's Home is hiring new heroes to work directly with children and youth in several programs. Click HERE for the Virtual Career Fair flyer. The Career Fair will be held on Friday, June 5 from 1-3 p.m. For a complete listing of career opportunities and to RSVP, please visit our career opportunities pages at https://www.fumch.org/about-fumch/employment and https://www.cofsfl.org/careers.
Minimum requirements: Applicants must be 21 years or older, have a high school diploma, GED or higher, and be able to pass an extensive background screening. Some positions require applicants to be bilingual in English and Spanish and have a year of experience working with children. Positions at Circle of Friends Services are contract based. See specific requirements for each position at the career opportunities links above. Above all, our applicants need to have a passion to be a positive role model in the lives of children and youth.
UPDATE TO MISSIONAL VITAL SIGNS REPORTING
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While churches are not meeting in person due to COVID-19, The Florida Conference will use a Modified MVS reporting model. Click HERE for instructions and to report March, April, & May MVS.
If you have data not entered for February or before, please complete the Monthly Data Gathering Chart for each of those months and email it to Pam, flumc-ne@flumc.org.
ARCHIVES & HISTORY
Do you have a passion and interest in history? If so, the Conference Commission on Archives and History is looking for YOU! This Commission meets twice yearly (in January and then in June at Annual Conference).
Click here to read about the expectations. If you are interested in serving or learning more, please contact the current Chair, Anita Campbell at anita.campbell2468@att.net or ConMin@flumc.org.
The history of the United Methodist Church is precious and the need to maintain it is great. Won’t you consider serving?
SHARE YOUR MINISTRY
If you have short videos showing your ministry in action, youth activities, feeding the hungry, children’s ministry, etc., you can share them with the conference in our Now Playing feature on the home page at https://www.flumc.org. Videos should be 4 minutes or less. You can share your video with us here: https://www.flumc.org/submitvideo.
You can also share your photos on our Photos from around the conference page https://www.flumc.org/photos.
Use the form here to submit your photos https://www.flumc.org/submit-your-photo.
CLERGYWOMEN LUNCHEON
Don’t forget to register to attend this year’s virtual clergywomen’s lunch, June 4 from 11:30-1:00. We are hoping for 200 attendees! We will have speakers, giveaways, breakout sessions, humor, and even red shoes! Don’t forget to invite seminary students and candidates for ministry.
FFCRA Notice Requirement
Employers are required to provide a notice of Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave available under FFRCA as soon as possible. The Department of Labor has provided the following information related to the notice:
- The notice must be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. In response to the question related to teleworking employees, an employer may satisfy the requirement by emailing or direct mailing the notice to employees or posting the notice on an employee information internal or external website.
- Employers are not required to post the notice in multiple languages.
- The notice does not have to be provided to recently laid-off individuals or new job applicants, but the notice must be communicated to new hires either by email, direct mail, or by posting the notice at the premises or on an employee information internal or external website.
- Employers must post the notice even if their state provides greater protections, as the employer must comply with both federal and state law.
- If employees report to a main office and then go off to work in another location, the notice must be displayed in a conspicuous place where employees can see it. If that is at the main office, then it does not need to be displayed at other worksite locations. However, if employees report directly to work in separate buildings, the employer must post the notice in each building, even if the buildings are located in the same general vicinity.
- Notices must be displayed and cannot be part of a binder with other notices.
- Employers can post the notice in a lunchroom if all employees regularly visit the lunchroom. In that case, it does not need to be posted in separate break rooms on each floor.
Director of Youth Ministries @ Memorial UMC, Fernandina Beach
If you have a job you would like to post, please submit that on our Classifieds page and them email Pam with the information so she can include it in our emails/newsletters.