Space is available for nine free pre-Annual Conference workshops, but time is running out. The deadline to register is May 24.

Click here to register.

The workshops include:

JUSTICE, RECONCILLIATION, AND ME

Wednesday, June 9th 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Workshop is limited to the first 300 registrants

Current registration: 124 of 300

In the words of Bishop Demond Tutu, “We contend that there is another kind of justice, restorative justice, which has the characteristic of traditional African jurisprudence. Here the central concern is the healing of breaches, the redressing of imbalances, the restoration of broken relationships, a seeking to rehabilitate both the victim and the perpetrator, who should be given the opportunity to be reintegrated into the community he has injured by his offense.” You are invited to journey with us through a time of relationship building, storytelling, introspection, and hope. Come and be part of something beautiful!

Presenters:  Rev. Dr. David Allen, Rev. Dr. Arlindall Burks, Rev. Dwayne Craig, Rev. Dr. Geraldine McClellan, Rev. Dr. Latricia Edwards Scriven

BREAD FOR THE WORLD’S RACIAL WEALTH GAP

Virtual Learning Simulation

Tuesday, June 8th 10:00 am to Noon

Wednesday, June 9th 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Workshop is being offered twice, with each being limited to the first 100 registrants.

• Current registrations: am - 74 of 100 • pm - 46 of 100

What is the racial wealth gap and why does poverty impact people of color disproportionately in our nation? As awareness of the realities of racism in our nation grows, Bread for the World developed this 2-hour experience, designed to introduce participants not just to the current racial wealth gap, but how for centuries, it has been and continues to be embedded in the fabric of the U.S. federal policies and economy. Learn more about the systems that create many of the challenges we face, as well as sustainable approaches to changing them. This will be a large group presentation with facilitated small breakout room discussions.

Presenters:  Poverty Solutions Group staff - Lynette Fields, Executive Director, Ruth Berlus, Program Director, Members of Circles Winter Garden

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY: an offering from the Gulf Central District

Thursday, June 10th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Workshop is limited to the first 300 registrants.

Current registration: 101 of 300

Becoming the Beloved Community - Explore together how we are challenged by race, how we behave because of it, and ways we can be faithful in becoming the Beloved Community, a community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger and hate.

Moderator:  Warren Pattison, Gulf Central District Lay Leader; Keynote: Gil Rendle, UM Elder, PhD in Organizational and Group Dynamics;

Panelists: Robert Dinwiddie—member Gulf Central Anti-Racism Team; Rev. Bobby Hinton—member Gulf Central Anti-Racism Team; Pastor Zulma Soba-pastor Forest Hills UMC; M.E. Ram-member Gulf Central Anti-Racism Team; Rev. Jana Hall-Perkins—pastor McCabe UMC and others.

FILL the TABLE – Equip, Engage, Empower Your Community

Tuesday, June 8th, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm

Workshop is limited to the first 300 registrants

Current registration: 78 of 300

In this workshop, we will focus on three key aspects: engage, equip and empower.  Our goal is to engage with you in sharing current and meaningful feeding ministries so that you too can engage with your community in meaningful ways. We will spend time hearing from a few key leaders from across the Florida Annual Conference that have been working on the frontlines of feeding ministries to equip you with real concrete action steps that you can take to your community to feed others. Lastly, you will leave this workshop feeling empowered to make a difference in your community by learning a few key ideas on the importance of empowering others.

Fill the Table is an initiative led by the Office of Missional Engagement, The Rev. Clarke Campbell-Evans, Director.

Presenters:  Molly McEntire Volunteer and Missional Trainer, Emily Autry Fill The Table Coordinator, Key leaders in feeding ministries- FLUMC Pastors, Non- Profit Staff.

FINANCIAL CONTROLS IN AN ONLINE WORLD / 2022 CONFERENCE BUDGET

Wednesday, June 9, 11 am-Noon

Workshop is limited to the first 300 registrants

Current registration: 66 of 300 
This workshop will discuss the changes that churches need to make to keep good financial controls in an online work environment.  We will discuss the purpose and objectives of internal controls, control problems that local churches encounter, the fraud triangle, how to complete a risk assessment, and how to implement internal controls that protect the people who assist with the financial management of the church and the financial resources God has blessed your church with to do the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  In addition, there will be a brief presentation of the 2022 Annual Conference Apportionment Budget and Q&A session.

Presenter:  Craig Smelser, Interim Treasurer, Florida Annual Conference

LEARNING TOGETHER: Sharing Best Practices for Innovative Ministry During COVID-19

Thursday, June 10th 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Workshop is limited to the first 100 registrants

Current registration: 72 of 100

A panel discussion with several pastors of churches of differing sizes and styles, discussing best practices, tools for innovation, and what they’ve learned during this past year of ministry during a global pandemic.

Presenters - Emily Hotho Skycrest UMC, Michael Beck Wildwood UMC, Magrey DeVega Hyde Park UMC, Wes Olds Grace UMC Cape Coral

ONE CHURCH, TWO LANGUAGES MINISTRY MODEL

Wednesday, June 9th 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Workshop is limited to the first 100 registrants

Current registration: 37 of 100

This Workshop is designed to cover the following aspects:

• How to identify churches with the openness and potential to embrace a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-lingual ministry.  

• Doing the Mission-Insite demographic study of population segments around the ministry area and identify ways to be in ministry with them.

• To educate leadership in the Local Church regarding the opportunities and challenges of this model of ministry.

• Creation of a Covenant between the two ministry bodies defining the purpose of our ministry together and mechanisms for decision-making and accountability.

• Clarity of purpose around mission, justice, and equity issues. Understanding the difference between "ministering to” and “ministry with”. Preparing the congregations to embrace diversity, practicing cultural humility, appreciating, and celebrating cultural, ethnic, gender and language diversity.

Presenters: Rev. Dr. Rinaldo D. Hernandez, Senior Pastor at Cape Coral First UMC and Director of Latino/a Ministries in the FL Conference and Rev. Roberto Chaple, one of the Pastors at New Hope UMC, Brandon and Sun City Center UMC

SPIRITUAL SPA – RELAXATION FOR REVERENDS

Thursday, June 10th 11:00 am - Noon

Workshop is limited to the first 300 registrants

Current registration: 66 of 300

The Clergy Care team invites you to reward yourself with an hour well spent in the Spiritual Spa!  We will be exploring tried and true, innovative, and even whacky spiritual practices that can lift and inspire you to new heights as you learn to relax those tense “Reverend” muscles.  YOU DESERVE IT!

Facilitators:  Rev. Sidney Tompkins, chair of the Clergy Care team and Rev. Sara McKinley, Director of the Office of Clergy Excellence.       

Presenters: Clergy Care team members and friends.

UPCOMING GENERAL CONFERENCE AND MY CHURCH’S FUTURE

Monday, June 7th 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Current registration: 135 of no limit given

Join Bishop Carter and Rev. Alex Shanks as they share the latest information about the upcoming General Conference and the future of The United Methodist Church.  Participants can submit questions.  In a season of change, we remain confident of God’s presence among us as we remain On Mission Together.