The Florida Conference is dedicated to bringing you news stories about United Methodists here and beyond. Whether the news is about the global church or the church on the corner, look for it here. You’ll also find thought-provoking commentaries and opportunities for education and fellowship. Have a story to share? Email webadmin@flumc.org or click here to use our convenient “Submit a story” form.
Bishop Ken Carter's era remembered for his compassion and vision
As Bishop Carter prepares to leave Florida for the Western Carolina Conference, he is recalled as a voice of calm leadership in times of trouble.
Bishops call for new ways of embodying unity through mission, relationships
The bishops of The United Methodist Church will seek to strengthen annual conferences in 2019 through the ministries of sending and missional strategy, Bishop Kenneth Carter, president of the Council of Bishops, has said.
Over 100 attend GC 2019 listening session
Over 100 people recently attended a special day of listening regarding the General Conference 2019 special session.
The General Conference delegation slates 'listening session' Oct. 20
The day will be an opportunity for the delegates to listen to you. There will be time spent around tables with delegates listening to each person who wants to share. There will also be an opportunity for those who would like to address the entire delegation to sign up for a five-minute time to speak.
Way Forward report released in all four official languages of General Conference
The Commission on a Way Forward’s final report has been translated in all four official languages of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Way Forward session innovative, highly participatory
The Way Forward session Friday afternoon was highly participatory and innovative.
Seven Comments about the Council of Bishops’ recommendations on a Way Forward
The Council of Bishops recommends the One Church Plan as our best way forward. This vote was by a significant majority. The One Church Plan allows for contextualization of language about human sexuality in support of our mission with all people.
United Methodist Bishops recommend a Way Forward
United Methodist bishops, meeting in Chicago, engaged in a prayerful process to discern a way forward. At the conclusion of the discernment process, the Council of Bishops strongly approved the following motion and rationale.
Bishop Carter gives Commission on a Way Forward update
I hope we will see this time as a gift from God. God has given us the gift of an extraordinary movement of thirteen million people across the world, under the cross and flame, who seek a more faithful way to follow Jesus and a stronger connection as his body on this earth. I see this faithfulness and connection in Florida.
Conversation template to discuss perspectives on human sexuality offered
To facilitate discussions about preparing for the Way Forward and understanding the differing perspectives regarding human sexuality, a diverse Florida Conference team of clergy and laity has created a structured, conversational experience called “Point of View” (POV).
Commission moderators: mission as key to Way Forward
In a statement from Bishops David Yemba, Sandra Steiner Ball and Ken Carter, moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward are urging United Methodists to engage in reflections on where they see mission.
A Way Forward: general directions from the most recent meetings of the Commission on a Way Forward and the Council of Bishops
Bishop Ken Carter provides a sketch of general directions from the most recent meeting of the Commission on a Way Forward and the Council of Bishops.
Report on the Commission on a Way Forward's most recent meeting
The Commission on a Way Forward has drafted an interim report to share with the Council of Bishops in its task of finding a way forward for The United Methodist Church (UMC).
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.
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?
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.
Moderators offer views on Mission, Vision and Scope of Commission on a Way Forward
The moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward are using a three-part commentary this summer in helping United Methodists throughout the world to understand work of the Commission.
Way Forward group looking to get feedback
The commission, which held its second meeting Feb. 27-March 2 in Atlanta, must develop proposals aimed at keeping the multinational denomination together despite deep differences around homosexuality.
Florida 'Praying Our Way Forward' the week of Feb. 26
The Florida Annual Conference’s week of leading “Praying Our Way Forward” is Sunday, February 26, through Saturday, March 4. Resources to assist churches participating next week include a prayer by Bishop Carter and a litany for Ash Wednesday, as well as a video introducing our Florida prayer effort.
February Update from the Moderators of a Commission on a Way Forward
In our next meeting, to be held in just a few days, we will be studying the first three chapters of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Three commission members, from three different jurisdictions and two different continents, will lead our Bible study. We invite you to read these chapters with us, and to reflect on the challenges and assets in your own communities and congregations.
Commission on a Way Forward holds organizational meeting in Atlanta
Conversations ranged from reflection on challenges, hopes and concerns to the current state of what’s happening in the church to the meaning of unity to practical questions about how the Commission will go about its work and the processes and strategies that will be used to structure that work and meet the target dates.
Commission on a Way Forward: Update from the Moderators
Our way forward, as women and men created in the image of God, is to seek reconciliation with one another. It is not that we do the work of reconciliation so that we can later share the gospel through evangelism and mission. There is no evangelism, no mission, no gospel apart from reconciliation.
Bishop Carter to serve as a moderator of 'The Way Forward'
This post includes a press release from the Council of Bishops' executive committee regarding matters of unity and human sexuality prefaced by remarks by Bishop Ken Carter.