Bishop Tom Berlin: "I want to be in ministry with you"

Florida's new Bishop brings a servant's heart and said he will start by listening instead of talking.

From Great Obstacles, Come Great Opportunities

Before our nine-person team even left the United States, obstacles started stacking up against us. We were in our final stages of planning for a 16-day mission trip to Quessua, Angola when I heard ...

Two jurisdictions tackle racism in bishop elections

Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin of the Florida Conference challenged the Southeastern Jurisdiction to "be the church we say we want to be" when it comes to race.

Bishop Kenneth Carter moves from the Florida Conference

Newly confirmed Bishop Tom Berlin assumes the post of Resident Bishop of the Florida United Methodist Church.

New bishops consecrated on final day of SEJ

Hundreds from around the region gathered Friday, Nov. 4, for the final session of the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church, which handled a few remaining items of...

SEJ passes three resolutions in evening session

A day filled with activity and some controversy ends with delegates passing three resolutions.

United Methodists to Meet in Charlotte for Worldwide Conference

The Commission on the General Conference announced that the 2024 United Methodist General Conference will be held April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dr. Robin Dease elected SEJ’s third bishop, says, "You are my family"

After a lengthy back-and-forth, SEJ delegates chose the third and final bishop of the convention.

SEJ delegates select Dr. Connie Shelton as a bishop

SEJ convention delegates have chosen two bishops, with one more to be named before the gathering concludes.

SEJ Thursday morning brings strong message but no election

The morning session of Day 2 at SEJ also included a service of remembrance

SEJ elects first bishop of session

We have an election.”   With those words from Bishop David Graves, the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference welcomed its first episcopal election of the 2022 session, announcing Tom Berlin as the ...

SEJ kicks off with opening worship, morning business, first ballot

Delegates, reserves, bishops, volunteers and members of the media filled the seats of Stuart Auditorium early Wednesday, Nov. 2, for the first day of the 2022 session of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference starts Nov. 2

Conference delegates at Lake Junaluska, N.C. will choose at least three new United Methodist Church bishops.

"We are bound together, we are brothers and sisters in Christ"

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. put the "united" in United Methodists when Florida was in need. And the Florida Conference says "thank you."

A Pastoral Update from Bishop Ken Carter

October 24, 2022 Dear Florida Conference Clergy and Laity:   We are faithfully responding to a lawsuit brought by some of our churches who are taking us to court in order to depart from the ...

Preparing for the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference

This short letter is meant to help prepare you for the upcoming 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional (SEJ) Conference that will take place November 2-4 at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina.

Sharon Austin: A passion for service and a heart for the oppressed

The Rev. Dr. Austin is the Florida Annual Conference’s Episcopal nominee for the 2022 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

UMs Connected Conversations

UMs Connected "Conversations" features Bishop Ken Carter

Even in the midst of a disaster, Florida United Methodists still focus on serving

Florida United Methodist congregations mobilized to provide relief and supplies after Hurricane Ian struck.

"I knew at that point I had to do this myself.”

When two elderly ladies from Naples, including a United Methodist, were threatened by Hurricane Ian, Dan Mulkern was in the right place with the right tools to save them. A God thing? Absolutely.

Florida Conference asks the question: How can we help you?

After Hurricane Ian hit with such force, the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church sprung into action.

Putting the needs of others first is highest calling for Disaster Response

A suddenly active hurricane season means the Florida Conference Disaster Response Team must be ready to provide help where needed.

Kedging our way toward a hopeful future

While the seemingly endless debate about schism rages on among the Methodist family, taking up headline space about the denomination, a movement of the Holy Spirit has been quietly spreading. New followers of Jesus, and those who describe being previously harmed by the church, are finding a spiritual home in Methodist “fresh expressions of church.” These are forms of church for our changing culture, established primarily for those not connected to a church.

Threat to withhold apportionments violates John Wesley's "Do No Harm" rule

The threat by churches in the Wesley Covenant Association to withhold apportionments to the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church could endanger outreach programs like the Warren Willis Camp

Florida Conference helped many small churches bridge the technology gap

Many small and rural churches throughout the Florida Conference benefitted from an offering at Annual Conference to establish a technology grant.

A Letter from Bishop Carter on the recent Judicial Council ruling

The Judicial Council of the UMC recently ruled that Paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline is the process to follow for churches wishing to disaffiliate due to their beliefs over LGBTQ issues.

"There was a desire ... for people to increase their understanding of the Bible"

The congregation at Hyde Park UMC in Tampa took a collective journey to read and study the Bible in one year. The result was transformative.

Zoe Empowers - Kenya Mission Trip

This past June, a group of 18 from the Florida conference went to Kenya to visit ZOE Empowers including members from Gator Wesley, First UMC of Lakeland, Good Samaritan (Tallahassee), First UMC of Homosassa, Beach Fort Myers, and Cypress Lakes UMC. All these churches have created a partnership with ZOE Empowers.

As the UMC looks for a way forward, it's all about a mission beyond the walls

Churches can't expect to open their doors and find newcomers waiting to enter. The mission field is in the neighborhoods, and that's where congregations need to be.

Adventurers Leadership Academy teaches Fresh Expressions in an immersive way

Clergy and lay members from across the Conference recently earned a certificate in Fresh Expressions and Adventurers Ministry through immersive, experiential learning.

In disaster response, a solar generator can bring light to the darkness

Teams from the Florida and North Carolina Conferences will combine forces to build a solar-powered generator for use when disaster strikes

UMC portion of Boy Scouts' bankruptcy ruling approved

The United Methodist settlement includes a $30 million contribution to the $2.6 billion survivor settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Disaffiliation lawsuits

Dear Clergy and Laity of the Florida Conference: Last week we made you aware of a lawsuit that has been filed against The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. We have compiled some ...

106 Florida churches sue to exit denomination

The lawsuit asks the court to rule the trust clause “invalid on its face” or enable the congregations to revoke the trust so the churches can withdraw with their buildings.

At First UMC Orlando, doves send a message of love and hope

Rev. Dr. Vance Rains imagined what origami doves in his sanctuary would look like. The Holy Spirit took it from there.

Florida Conference Response to Disaffiliation Lawsuits

Dear Clergy and Laity of the Florida Conference: Today, we became aware that a lawsuit has been filed against The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, demanding the immediate separation...

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune "epitomizes the values we hold dear"

Florida Methodist, educator, and civil rights icon formally took her place at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. To her right, appropriately sitting, is a statue of Rosa Parks.

The Weaponization of “Orthodoxy”

The ripples from Mary McLeod Bethune's extraordinary life continue today

She was born the 15th child of former slaves but during her remarkable life, she created what is now Bethune-Cookman University and fought impossible odds to educate thousands of mostly Black students. On July 13, that legacy will be celebrated at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol as she takes her place among the nation's most influential individuals in history.

FLUMC Receives Tremendous Support from the Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant Program

The FLUMC Disaster Recovery Ministry received $25K grant from Lowe's to aid in recovery from tornadoes that damaged southwest Florida in January.

IOP Goes to Washington

The Institute of Preaching hosts a three-day pilgrimage at the nation's capital.

UMsConnected looks to expand community beyond church walls

It’s more about the future than lamenting the current disaffiliations of multiple churches. It’s an attempt to be proactive about the future church rather than reactive.

Annual Conference approves resolution on gun violence

The measure calls on members to offer personal and corporate prayer on the causes of gun violence, research its root causes, and to contact their political leaders.

The Beloved Community's message: God's love extends to everyone

Christians need to be together through the Body of Christ.  To do this, we must be intentional about connecting and being with others. This means building relationships with those that are different from us.

Conference approves disaffiliation of 14 churches

More churches are expected to also leave the Conference and Bishop Kenneth Carter called for people on both sides of that issue to respect those who may disagree with them.

Conference offers apology and support for rejected ministry candidates

After 16 provisional ministry candidates were rejected at the Annual Conference over the LGBTQ+ issue, Bishop Kenneth Carter said he would have approved and commissioned them.

The future of the United Methodist Church: Inclusive, Respectful, Hopeful

The three-day Annual Conference focused on the question of what the Florida United Methodist Church will look like going forward. Even in uncertainty, many great things are happening.

FLUMC New Partnership with Amplify Media

Our partnership with Amplify gives you and your church a special discounted rate.

A Prayer for Peace in the Wake of the Recent U.S. Shootings

Almighty God, our prayers rise like incense. When we cry out to you, the Psalms teach us, you answer. The massacres of the innocent, in Buffalo, in Laguna Woods, in Uvalde are known to you. Our ...

Faith and vision led to "transformational" Bethune-Cookman University

From humble beginnings in 1904, the school Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded with five students has grown into the dynamic Bethune-Cookman University of today.