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"Is the community different because we're here?"
At Temple Terrace United Methodist Church, the answer is yes. The church is different, too.
"I try to say yes when it comes to meeting needs in the community"
Temple Terrace UMC asked God to send people to them. God responded in an unexpected way, but now the Church is trying to show the love of Christ in action.
Worship and Ideas: Encouragement for Back To School
Dear Florida Conference Sisters and Brothers: In this time leading up to a new school year there is heightened anxiety about a return to class. Normally this time of year is a joyful one ...
This school has its village
Trinity UMC in Bradenton has partnered with W.D. Sugg Middle School. The result has been a dramatic rise improvement at the once-struggling school.
Small church is committed big time to literacy
Trinity UMC’s biggest commitment is helping kids learn to read, focusing on the second graders—those about to enter the crucial third-grade year when reading competence becomes critical for further advancement.
Good Samaritan works to close gaps in school needs
Good Samaritan members have organized teacher appreciation luncheons and served as classroom helpers. They have been mentors and reading buddies to the children. They grilled hot dogs at Conley Elementary’s “Back to School Bash.’’
Mosaic jumps right in to help neighborhood school
Look no further than John 1 3:17 to get inspired for the type of project Mosaic Palm Bay has undertaken: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
FUMC Gainesville school-church partnership is hands-on
Metcalf Elementary School is small with about 200 students, 98 percent qualified for free and reduced-price lunches. Many students come from single-parent homes, which limits parental volunteerism at the school.
Suntree is ‘a gift of the highest’ to elementary school
When a majority of the school’s students needed new backpacks, Suntree UMC collected 400 backpacks filled with all the official supplies required at every grade level.
‘We believe the church exists to give itself away’
Hundreds of church members run or volunteer in dozens of missions ranging from a girls’ orphanage in Haiti to an infant rescue station in Kenya to a group of men who teach boys in local high schools how to tie a necktie.
'Sky is the limit’ for school-church partnerships
More than 100 people representing 34 churches participated in school-church training on Sept. 29 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando.
Church dedicated to fighting childhood hunger
Were it not for the sacks that go home with students on weekends, many at Bellaire Elementary School in Clearwater would not have much, if anything, to eat until they return to school on Monday morning.
New churches intentional about serving their demographics
Launching new churches takes a lot of time, work, organization and more than a little innovation. But for Dan Jackson, director of the Vital Church Initiative for the Florida Conference, it’s about going where people are to share the love of Christ.
Elementary students are learning yoga
A partnership between Horizon Tampa Bay and B.T. Washington Elementary has engaged young students in an unexpected activity. Photos from yoga sessions led by Ms. Brundidge were recently shared to the school's social media account.
School-church partnership training set for Sept. 29
What’s different about this training is that organizers are asking churches to register and bring teams, not just send one or two individuals. The teams are asked to do some prep work before the event.
School-church partnership produces anti-bullying program
The program is based on the concept of Ubuntu, which, like the practices of restorative justice, focuses on healing and reconciliation of broken relationships between individuals, communities and nations.
Faith-based partnership can save lives, too
For the past two years, Christ UMC in Neptune Beach has provided a middle school with supplies, volunteers and will soon add a food and clothing pantry. Rev. Bridget Thornton knew the faith-based partnership could change lives. Now, she knows it can save lives, too.
Manatee school finds an angel in Oneco UMC
“The school is right across the street, and I just felt led by the Holy Spirit that we should be doing more for these kids.”
Micanopy UMC adopts school in new ministry
Apart from Sunday, Tuesday is the most joy-filled day of the week for Pastor D. J. Muszynski of Micanopy United Methodist Church.
Churches bridge the summer hunger gap for children
About 21 percent of Florida children are considered “food insecure,” meaning they do not have regular access to healthy food, according to the federal government. To combat that during the school year, these children receive free breakfast and lunch at school. In the summer, feeding programs provide nourishment.
FUMC Tavares school partnership is jammin’
The church just completed its third year of Jesus and Me, the JAM program, with about 70 students from Tavares Elementary School. Parents get in on the fun and fellowship, as well, through what the church calls FX Family nights.
Boca Raton pastors tutor kids 'hungry for one-on-one time'
In addition to tutoring, Pastors Rachel DeLaune and Tom Tift help out with school book fairs, read in classrooms during literacy week, help students figure out their gift budgets for holiday shopping and bake cakes with them for Mother’s Day.
Largo church goes beyond sanctuary, fosters connections
Reaching out to schools in an impoverished neighborhood, Anona UMC in Largo was named Business Partner of the Year in Pinellas County for a reason. They not only started a community coalition to help school children in need, they've changed lives for the better.
NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dungy reflects on All Pro Dad
For Tony Dungy, the former NFL player and coach who won two Super Bowls, wins are more about time spent with family. Today, the All Pro Dad program that he helped originate is a vital part of some Florida Conference churches and the lives of fathers and their children.
Harvest UMC making the grade in Manatee County
A call to action can mean many things. For volunteers at Harvest UMC in Lakewood Ranch, it was an opportunity to change the lives of young students at a local elementary school. From books to nutrition to college scholarships, this school-church partnership in Manatee County is having a positive impact.
'Small steps' changing lives in Fruitland Park
For two decades, volunteers from Community UMC in Fruitland Park have been taking "small steps" to make a difference at the school next door. Many lives--both the children and volunteers--have changed for the better.
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.
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.
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.
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.
First, Port St. Lucie, battles summer reading slump
In the first of a monthly series about School-Church Partnerships, read about volunteers at FUMC in Port St. Lucie who recently collected 1,005 books for children at an area elementary school.
Churches and schools partnering to work with at-risk kids
Temple Terrace UMC, following its mission as an instrument of hope in the community, is working with students at Kimbell Elementary in Tampa - a school reported to have challenges extending beyond the classroom.
Beyond the gift of education
Volunteer tutoring lifts the spirit and self-esteem of disadvantaged children.