Just one day after moving to Florida from his home state of Virginia where he ministered in various churches for over 30 years, Bishop Tom Berlin traveled to St. Mark’s UMC in Ocala to spend time with the Fresh Expressions team. The day was spent immersed in gatherings within the network of fresh expressions emerging from the congregation. The bishop heard the stories of Fresh Expressions practitioners and pastors from the North Central district. It was an encouraging and energizing experience for all who participated.
 
St. Mark’s UMC, co-pastored by Michael and Jill Beck, is a small congregation that has opened its facilities for a multitude of programs that serve the community. Open Arms Village is a non-profit transitional housing and support service for houseless men that is located on church property. St. Mark’s also hosts a multitude of recovery groups throughout the week. In recent years, a network of fresh expressions of church has emerged with St. Mark’s as the launching community.
 
Bishop Berlin and Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Alex Shanks, visited on the first Wednesday of the year and were joined by the Fresh Expressions Florida team and North Central District Superintendent, Rev. Dr.  David Allen. The day began with a drive-through food distribution facilitated by A Chance for Hope Outreach Ministries, a non-profit led by Pastor Betti Gadson. Volunteers packed and distributed food to Ocala residents. Pastor Betti then shared her story of redemption, recovery, and call to serve the vulnerable and underserved in her community.
 
After a tour of Open Arms Village by Executive Director Pam McBride, located in former Sunday school rooms within the church building, clergy and leaders on the North Central Fresh Expressions team sat down with Bishop Berlin to tell their stories. Berlin expressed his appreciation and enthusiasm for the contribution fresh expressions of church have to the life of the Florida Conference and to God’s mission. His hope is to continue Bishop Carter’s legacy of support and advocacy for Fresh Expressions and to aid in telling the stories of individuals and communities impacted by these new ways of being church.
 
One fascinating and long-standing Fresh Expression here in Florida is Tattoo Parlor Church. This community periodically meets in a local Ocala tattoo shop to engage in spiritual conversation and connection while a few participants get tattoos. This simple premise brings in curious tattoo-lovers and admirers alike. A special gathering of Tattoo Parlor Church was arranged for Bishop Berlin’s visit. As two participants received their tattoos from the talented artist, others discussed the meaning of tattoos and were led in a sermonic conversation by Michael Beck. Bishop Berlin shared his own history with tattoos, in which his dislike turned to appreciation when he began to listen to others tell the stories and significance behind their tattoos. He then presided over an impromptu communion celebration for the group.
 
That evening, the bishop participated in Yoga Church, led by Tracy Kendrick. This is a long-standing community that even thrived during COVID by turning to weekly online gatherings. Yoga Church begins with a spiritual devotion followed by a calming yoga session. The day ended with Family Table—a dinner church hosted at St. Marks and well attended by the community and led that evening by a word from Gena Palacios, the founder of Recovery Church.
 
The Fresh Expressions Florida team, the North Central District, and the St. Mark’s community were blessed by Bishop Tom Berlin’s visit. His choice to spend one of his first days as resident bishop learning and experiencing these experimental approaches to church displays his openness and commitment to supporting the work of Fresh Expressions adventurers as they pursue God’s call to reach those often neglected by the church.