News & Views

September 27, 2017

Helping schools part of Newberry culture for decades

For Newberry UMC, helping schools is part of the town's culture. We continue our school-church partnership series with a program that has thrived for decades.

September 26, 2017

First regional meeting addresses recovery, Way Forward

In the first of three scheduled regional meetings featuring Bishop Ken Carter, topics addressed included the need to reach out to those trying to recover from Hurricane Irma and challenges faced by the Commission on a Way Forward.

September 26, 2017

Workshop postponed for 'Our Kids Training Plus'

The first in a planned series of training workshops for school-church partners, "Our Kids Training Plus," has been postponed until further notice. The event, originally scheduled for Oct. 7, is being rescheduled due to Hurricane Irma recovery efforts.

September 22, 2017

Bishop Carter's regional gatherings will be livestreamed

For those unable to attend the regional gatherings, the Florida Conference is livestreaming the events.

September 21, 2017

Florida needs volunteers now!

Volunteers will be needed for team coordination, logistics, call center, work teams and in their local communities connecting to survivors.

September 21, 2017

The Brilliance: 'Does Your Heart Break'

In 2015, The Brilliance performed "Does Your Heart Break" from their album "Brother" live for Relevant Magazine.

September 20, 2017

LEC, Warren Willis house power crews during Irma

It began the Thursday before Hurricane Irma made landfall. Power trucks from as far away as North Carolina rolled into the Life Enrichment Center and Warren Willis Camp as they opened their doors with hospitality. The facility housed up to 800 linemen in the days after the storm hit.

September 19, 2017

Claim form online; Irma information and resources available

New this year, the Florida Conference churches can report Irma damages using an online claim form.

September 19, 2017

Foster Family Event fills backpacks, raises awareness

Eight churches in Brevard County, including three United Methodist congregations, recently participated in the annual Foster Family Event at New Covenant Fellowship Church. Along with filling backpacks for children starting a new school year, this year's gathering helped raise awareness to the needs of foster families.

September 14, 2017

Desperation Band: 'Take Me to the River'

Desperation Band was first formed in 2001, when New Life Church pastor David Perkins suggested that Jon Egan, Jared Anderson and Glenn Packiam play together with their bands at the first Desperation Conference. Held annually in June and July, Desperation Conferences draw thousands of college and high school students.

September 13, 2017

Cleaning up after Irma: steeples, trees, flooding

Editor's Note: Donate here to the Florida Conference Hurricane Irma Fund to help churches and the ...

September 12, 2017

Young clergy reflect on changing church landscape

Five young clergy from the Florida Conference, all under age 35, reflect on ministering to congregants in the 21st century; the changing landscape and future of the Church.

September 07, 2017

Hillsong Young and Free: 'When the Fight Calls'

Young & Free is a collective of young people who come together to make music for youth and young adults everywhere. With hearts to bring truth to this generation, they sing passionately of their belief grounded in the love, grace and freedom found in having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their dream is that through the message that they bring, people everywhere would discover the very reason that they were created.

September 05, 2017

Hurricane Irma information and resources

Dear Church: Based on the forecasts from the National Weather Service and all relevant hurricane ...

September 01, 2017

UMCOR on Harvey: prayer, donations, relief kits needed first; volunteers later

UMCOR is currently working with disaster coordinators and early response teams in Louisiana and Texas to provide relief to the many people whose lives have been impacted by hurricane/tropical storm Harvey. They will continue to update this page and UMCOR social media as they receive new information.

August 31, 2017

'Rivers of Babylon' by Playing for Change

This video is Rocky Dawuni, Mermans Mosengo and Jason Tamba performing “Rivers of Babylon” live in the desert at Joshua Tree.

August 31, 2017

Four generations of Native Americans come together

Several generations gathered for stories, song and fellowship at the Native American Summer Conference held July 28-30 in North Carolina. The event was part of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Association for Native American Ministries.

August 30, 2017

Sides recipes for Labor Day barbeques and picnics

After such a hot summer, you deserve to top off the season with a great Labor Day break. Whether you...

August 29, 2017

'Feed my sheep' with 16 gallons of soup, sandwiches

At the Kitchen of Clay County near Jacksonville, volunteers from three church denominations feed the hungry Saturday lunch with 12 to 16 gallons of homemade soup, sandwiches and cakes. It's a ministry that began in 2009.

August 28, 2017

2018 apportionments are available

Apportionments for 2018 are now available on the conference website. Please contact your district first if you have any questions regarding your apportionments.

August 25, 2017

Registration open for 'Our Kids Training Plus'

Organizers are encouraging Florida Conference church pastors, staff and laity to register now for the first school-church partner training session. "Our Kids Training Plus" will be held Oct. 7, 2017 at St. Luke's UMC in Orlando.

August 24, 2017

'Glorious Day' by Passion

"We believe God is calling out a generation of college students committed to the glory of His name in all things. God longs to bring awakening to every campus, mobilizing the students of today to finish the task of global evangelization in this generation. God is calling us out for this purpose, in this moment, for His renown." -Passion

August 24, 2017

Holy grounds connect neighbors through gardens

Churches are connecting with their neighbors with the help of mushroom compost, collard greens, tomatoes and a lot of green thumbs. Whatever the season, community gardens are becoming a hot trend across the Florida Conference.

August 22, 2017

Mobile showers ministry aims to restore dignity

Methodist churches located in urban areas, such as downtown Miami, have recently embraced a new kind of street ministry: mobile showers for the homeless. Pulled with a truck, it's a trend quickly taking hold across South Florida.

August 17, 2017

'Death Was Arrested' by Aaron Shust

Aaron Shust performs “Death Was Arrested” in Nashville as a part of his live album, "Love Made A Way."

August 16, 2017

Council of Bishops president denounces Charlottesville violence

"Let there be no excuses or political justification for the evil that was on full display in Charlottesville last Saturday. Nor, let us forget that many such displays of white supremacy, racism and hatred go un-reported or under-reported in many places. White supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies are abhorrent and entirely inconsistent with the Christian faith."

August 16, 2017

Stirring in soul: Retired teacher reaches out in Volusia County

Retired teacher Mica Roughton's life changed the moment she reached out to help children and families living in poverty. She's now the volunteer coordinator of a ministry called Food Brings Hope, a program at FUMC of Ormond Beach giving families in a local elementary school physical and spiritual nourishment.

August 14, 2017

Celebrating history: 'Well done, good and faithful servants'

Four conference churches--Mount Pleasant (Gainesville), St. Catherine, Bronson and First, Bartow--celebrate 150-year anniversaries in 2017.

August 14, 2017

Peterson: Christian life looks a lot like being a good neighbor

A conversation with the author of "The Message," Eugene Peterson, about really following God.

August 11, 2017

Generous orthodoxy: a theological resource for a Way Forward

What great things God could accomplish if we rediscovered an orthodoxy in service of the healing (and not dividing) of our bodies, that is, our churches?

August 11, 2017

Legislator: 'I believe God placed me here to help' fight trafficking

"I believe God placed me here to help," says State Representative Ross Spano, R-Riverview. He is working to toughen laws against human traffickers in Florida. This is the final story in a three-part series on human trafficking.

August 10, 2017

'I Got Saved' by Selah

Selah is a contemporary Christian vocal trio consisting of Todd Smith, Allan Hall, and Amy Perry. They have won seven Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and sold more than 4 million album and single units combined.

August 08, 2017

Trafficking: It's 'right here in our backyard'

Deltona artist Jennifer Houdeshell reveals the seamy side of trafficking in Florida that tourists rarely see. She uses her art to raise awareness of the crime: "I wanted to put a face to human trafficking."

August 07, 2017

Cinema Conversations reel to faith, Christian fellowship

Cinema Conversations is a Fresh Expressions ministry in Leesburg stimulating friendship and talk about the spiritual meaning behind Hollywood films. The group's members discuss films that include "The Circle" and "Wonder Woman."

August 04, 2017

Back-to-School Blessing

With each new school year comes the excitement and anticipation of a new beginning, a new journey, a new chapter. This video meditation features an empowering blessing, written by the Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton, for individuals or groups to use to lift up those involved in all walks of education. You can share or download this video to use in Sunday school classes, before or during worship or in your home.

August 03, 2017

Grassroots faith-based efforts combat human trafficking

An ordained elder and missionary with The United Methodist Church and members of Sun City Center UMC are working to fight a transnational crime. Florida ranks third in the nation for calls received by the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

August 03, 2017

Playing for Change: 'Down by the Riverside'

Playing For Change is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music. The idea for this project came from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.

July 31, 2017

Science Mike brings religion, science together

Science Mike, aka Mike McHargue, of Good Samaritan UMC in Tallahassee, has become a major phenomenon on the internet. Taking questions on science, faith and life, his iTunes "Top 20" podcast receives 6,500 downloads a day.

July 27, 2017

Andrew Marcus: 'Glory To His Name'

Andrew Mark Marcus is a Canadian worship musician. He has released five studio albums, "Salvation and Glory" (2007), "Emptiness Speaks Volumes" (2009), "Our Conversation Behind the Veil" (2011), "When Winter Falls Summer Springs" (2013) and "Constant" (2016).

July 27, 2017

Commission on a Way Forward issues status report

The Commission on a Way Forward has released a status report to the Council of Bishops and the entire United Methodist Church (UMC), updating the church and the leaders on the faithful work of the Commission after four meetings.

July 26, 2017

Summer BreakSpot sites feeding body and soul

Florida Conference churches and schools have stepped up throughout the summer to meet the needs of hungry children. Many have become hosting sites for the Florida Department of Agriculture's Summer BreakSpot program.

July 24, 2017

Becoming fishers of young men

Many United Methodist Men units in the United States struggle to reach younger men. The group’s recent National Gathering at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis featured advice for how these groups can become fishers of millennials.

July 20, 2017

'Change the World' by Derek Minor

Derek Johnson, Jr., better known by his stage name Derek Minor and former stage name PRo, (born December 16, 1984) is an American Christian hip hop artist, record producer, entrepreneur, actor, and screenwriter.

July 19, 2017

'Feet to the faith' impacts hearts, minds, social justice

From climate change to violent crimes, poverty and social injustice, most of us would agree the world needs positive change. Can our churches make positive differences in their communities? For the 11 million helped by Florida Conference community ministries since 2009, the answer would be yes!

July 17, 2017

News & Views

Image courtesy of www.ChristianBibleReference.org. Copyright © by Cliff Leitch.

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