JUNE 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Thanks for a Wonderful Send-Off!

 Ramona and I want to thank you for a wonderful send-off from the Northwest District! What a fun day celebrating our ministry with our Clergy, Neighbors and Family. We truly felt honored and loved throughout the day with delicious BBQ, a “Lake Cake,” and wonderful conversations along with a “keep-sake” United Methodist Hymnal holding all your reflections and words of appreciation.

We enjoyed this day with my favorite people in my favorite place. Water has always been a source of healing and enjoyment for us, and we loved being able to share that with each of you.

A Special thanks to Beth Demme, Peggy Fox,  and our Leadership Team for all the extra effort and planning that went into this wonderful celebration. We are thankful and grateful for all of your efforts!

My last day in the District will be June 30, and I am excited to welcome the Rev. Clarke Campbell-Evans who will begin as your District Superintendent on July 1.

I am transitioning away from the ds-nw@flumc.org email and will forward any requests that I can not address on to your new District Superintendent. As always, Peggy Fox, our District Administrative Assistant will be responding to your questions and needs. Peggy will work both remotely and from our new District Office at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. Appointments can be made with Peggy as needed for meetings and consultations.

You may contact Clarke Campbell-Evans after June 30 at ds-nw@flumc.org

Peggy Fox can continue to be reached at flumc-nw@flumc.org or the District Office 850-386-2154

Thank you for the wonderful support you have given me over the past 4 ½  years. It has been a joy serving with you and leading this North “Best” District during the remaining time in my 51 years of ministry in the United Methodist Church.

Ramona and I will continue to pray for you and your families as you “Do Justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8 

 Wayne and Ramona Wiatt

 

Dear Florida Conference Clergy:

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2023 Clergy Session next Thursday, June 8 at 6 pm in Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College.

Check-in/registration (in the lobby) will close promptly at 6 pm. If you are unable to check in prior to 6 pm, you will not be admitted to the clergy session.
 
This year we will vote electronically on matters pertaining to ordination and commissioning. As a reminder, only ordained clergy in full connection with The Florida Annual Conference as well as lay members of the Board of Ordained Ministry and Committee on Investigation (¶602.6) are permitted to vote at the clergy session. Voting credentials will be distributed with name badges at check-in.
 
All voting members are asked to bring a smartphone or tablet and to use their own data plan (NOT Wi-Fi) to access the voting website. We have a very limited number of iPhones to borrow (with a deposit of your driver’s license or car keys). If you plan to borrow an iPhone, please arrive by 5:30 pm. Please click this link for an introduction to electronic voting via VPoll.

Again this year, the clergy session booklet will be available online and via the Whova app. 

In Christ, 
Florida Conference Episcopal Office & Office of Clergy Excellence



 

New Events from Fresh Expressions Florida You Don’t Want to Miss

We are a week away from Annual Conference 2023. My prayer is that it will be a time of connection, revitalization, and hope for all who attend. During the Conference, Fresh Expressions FL will host a panel discussion of lay leaders engaging in new innovative ministry. All laity are invited to join at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 8. Find more information on the Annual Conference app: https://www.flumc.org/ac-23-app-download-here

Another exciting event is happening here in the North West District: Fresh Expressions Experience (FXX)! The training will be held on Saturday, August 12, 9:00 am-3:30 pm, and hosted at Good Samaritan UMC in Tallahassee, FL. Learn from lay leader, Tracy Rose, and Piper Ramsey-Sumner, Michael Beck, and Jessica Taylor from the Fresh Expressions FL team.

Attendees will receive interactive training from expert practitioners of Fresh Expressions, but the main emphasis of FXX is the immersive experiences including a coffee experience with Tracy, a Dinner Church-style lunch, and more. Lay and clergy alike will benefit from this informative and practical training.

Registration includes artisan coffee served by baristas from Argonaut Coffee, lunch, resources, and a Fresh Expressions book.

Date and Time: Saturday, August 12, 2023, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Location: Good Samaritan United Methodist Church
Tickets: $20

Learn more and register here: https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/fxxnwd
 

This is the link to registration: https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/rural-church-rising-2023

Announcing Rural Church Rising!

This conference is a two-day conference for lay and clergy people serving in rural contexts held on the beautiful grounds of Warren Willis Camp + Conference in Fruitland Park, FL.

The Fresh Expressions FL team has brought together an incredible lineup of speakers and presenters from across the country to encourage, teach, and share their expertise in building new church communities in rural contexts. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from Bishop Tom Berlin, Elaine Heath, Tex Sample, Chris and Jaidymar Smith, Stacey Spence-Baldwin, Micah Blanks, Luke Edwards, Michael Beck, and more.

A Pre-Conference Retreat is available, which includes a time led by spiritual director Laura Baber followed by an immersive session led by Michael Beck and a rural ministry networking dinner at a local restaurant.

The conference will include times of worship, activities, and relaxation as well as learning sessions and workshops hosted by our presenters. Participants will leave Rural Church Rising equipped with new tools to engage their community, empowered to reach those outside the church, and energized to explore new ways of being church. For more information, email Piper at freshexpressions@flumc.org.

Dates: October 27-28, 2023 (Pre-Conference Retreat - October 26)
Location: Warren Willis Camp + Conference Center, 4990 Picciola Rd, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Tickets: $260 ($230 Early Bird price until 07/01)

Register and learn more here: https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/rural-church-rising-2023

Piper Ramsey-Sumner (she/her) Cultivator of Fresh Expressions, Florida United Methodist Church (940) 594-7896 | pramseysumner@gmail.com freshexpressionsfl.org

Dear clergy friends in the NW District,

The District Lay Leader, Randy Clay, and I have been talking about what we might do to strengthen lay participation in the life of our Church.  As some are leaving the UMC, we thought it would be a good time to initiate ways that would help us build a stronger church.

We have an idea we would like to share with those of you who are clergy of local churches and who chair your Lay Leadership (Nominating) committees.  In your late Summer/Fall meetings to create your slate of leaders that, where appropriate, you recommend to your Charge Conference Lay Members to Annual Conference who are among the sharpest leaders in your church.  Are there young members of your church that might appreciate being invited to represent your congregation?  Could you also come up with an additional name who might be recommended to the District as an at-large delegate to Annual Conference.  If so, please add these at the bottom of your nominating form.  

These annual meetings that take place in early June are, among other things, an excellent time to educate local church leaders about the breadth of the United Methodist Church and our far reach.  Please give this some prayerful thought as you prepare to recommend your slate for 2024.

If you have any questions about this or have other ideas about ways we undergird lay members of our local churches, please reach out to Randy or me. We'd love to talk further about strengthening our laity!

I look forward to seeing you in July!

Grace and peace,

Clarke Campbell-Evans

Incoming NW District Superintendent

 

Florida UMC Annual Conference 2023

We are very excited to share with you about our annual clergywomen’s breakfast!  The breakfast is booked for Friday, June 9th at 7am in the Alumni Room of the Thrift Building on the FSC campus. It will be a full buffet breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits, fruit, juices, coffee, and tea.

The cost for the breakfast is $30 per person. If this is out of your budget, please let us know.  It is very important to us that ALL women clergy are able to join us.  You may also let us know if you are willing to sponsor someone else.

Our theme will be the Tree of Life which represents our interconnectedness as pastors, leaders and women, and our guest speakers this year will be a panel of our female District Superintendents:

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems

Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin

Rev. Debbie Allen

Rev. Emily Hotho

CLICK HERE to register and/or to purchase one of our clergywomen t-shirts.

 

By Janet Earls

Re-Thinking Small Groups

https://sharechurch.com/event/re-thinking-small-group-ministry/ if attending on your own.

If you’d like to be considered for a grant to cover the cost, please register:

https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/GrantforReThinkingSmallGroups

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 22, 2023 | 10am-1pm EDT

Hosts: Resurrection’s ShareChurch Ministry (Virtual)

Join Resurrection’s Adult Discipleship team as they share the fruit of two years of research, experimentation, and practice in a new take on small group ministry that seeks to rethink the experience of small groups and refocus the life of the church on this critical component of Christian faith. Informed by psychology, theology, and sociology, this new (and highly doable) approach will help any size church put an effective and relevant model for small group ministry into practice. And it’s easily learned and implemented!

This online training takes place from 10am-1pm EDT with 3 sessions focusing on different aspects of implementing this new approach to small groups in your congregation. Learn more in Session Descriptions. https://sharechurch.com/event/re-thinking-small-group-ministry/

We will sponsor:

Medium churches (126 - 250 AWA) 5 grants available

Small churches (51 - 125 AWA) there are 10 grants available

Extra small churches (less than 50) 5 grants available

Consider having someone participate who leads or volunteers with small groups.

PAST NEWSLETTERS


APRIL 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Bishop Berlin Visits the NW District

What a joy it was to host Bishop Berlin  in the North Best District last weekend. We had a whirlwind tour of Tallahassee including worship on Sunday  at Trinity and Saint Paul’s UMC’s, attendance at the opening worship service for Florida Advocacy Days, the Dedication of the new Impact House at FAMU Wesley, dinner and conversation with FSU/TCC Wesley, and on Monday an outstanding Clergy and laity gathering at Good Samaritan with a tour of the Madison Youth Ranch on Monday afternoon.

Here are some pictures from Bishop Berlin’s Visit to the NW District.

I will be lifting each of you up in prayer during Holy Week. Beginning this Thursday, many will be celebrating Holy Communion in a special Maundy Thursday worship service in their congregations and inviting all to participate in the Easter Vigil.

Our FAMU and FSU/TCC Wesley Foundations will lead a community Good Friday Service at 12Noon in the Sanctuary of Trinity UMC, downtown at 120 West Park Avenue. A light lunch will follow the service in Moor Hall. Parking is available on Park Avenue and in the Leroy Collins Leon County Library accessible off of S. Duval.

May the power of the Resurrection and your worship celebrations bring us new life as together we proclaim the Historic Easter greeting in our congregations this Easter Sunday: The Lord is Risen, The Lord Is Risen Indeed!”  

All are invited to join us for a special Good Friday service at Trinity United Methodist Church at 12pm. This service will commemorate the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ through music, preaching, scripture readings, and prayers. We will hear from the Wesley Foundations in Tallahassee as they share their musical gifts and insights on the meaning of the cross. We will also hear from United Methodist clergy across Tallahassee as they lead us in reflecting on the scriptures and praying for our world. This service will be a time of solemnity, gratitude, and hope as we remember what Christ has done for us and look forward to his resurrection. Come and join us as we worship together on this holy day.

I Love Being Your District Superintendent,

Rev Dr. Wayne D. Wiatt

NW District Superintendent

ds-nw@flumc.org

850-386-2154

 

The North West District office at 2236 Capital Circle NE has moved to Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Rd, Tallahassee, Florida. We now have a small office located in Saint Paul’s Office Suite accessible from the ground floor. We still have the same phone number (850/386-2154) and the same mailing address (P. O. Box 13766). Wayne and Peggy will primarily work from their home offices and can schedule meetings at your church or the new District Office when needed.

Wayne retires in June and then Clarke Campbell-Evans becomes the new NW District Superintendent on July 1. Clarke will be in Tallahassee about two weeks a month and work remotely while traveling around the District from Apalachicola to Alachua. He plans to utilize the Saint Paul's office for meetings when he is in town. A BIG shout-out to the folks at Saint Paul's UMC for being so helpful and generous in our move.

As always, please contact us if you have any questions or need us at any time. Our Office hours are still 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday.  


 

After years of living the nomadic life, meeting outside or in various Florida A&M University campus buildings that were not always available for use, or under a tent, the ministry and students of the FAMU Wesley Foundation, otherwise known as IMPACT @FAMU, finally has its own place to call home. On Sunday, March 26, from 4-6 p.m. IMPACT ministry and district leaders, foundation board members, along with newly appointed Bishop Berlin and community members and supporters gathered to celebrate and bless the new house on the grounds of the FAMU Wesley Foundation to “see what the Lord had done, and [how] marvelous it was in our eyes,”. The IMPACT HOUSE, as it is affectionately known, features a wide porch, perfect for rocking and resting in rocking chairs and worshipping and a large spacious gathering space for our worship services, our Real Talk Bible Study and fellowship activities. There is also a community room where students can have quiet time or enjoy some play time. The house is also equipped with a full kitchen and office.

But as with any new home, it needs to be furnished. And we could use your help! We are currently in need of:

4-in-1 Phone/Printer/Copy/Fax machine

AV Cart

Printer Paper & Office Supplies

Storage Organizers (Kitchen & Closets)

Gaming Systems

Soft, Comfy furniture

High Top Dinning Tables and Chairs

Card Tables

Floor-level Gaming chairs

Yoga mats

Kitchen items

Toaster Oven

Air Fryer

Gift Cards (Eg: furniture stores, Office Depot, Costco, Sam’s, Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart, Visa)

The IMPACT HOUSE would not be what it is and will become without the support of so many.

We are thankful and grateful and welcome visitors to come and ““see what the Lord has done” and continues to do here through this ministry on this campus. As our mission statement proclaims, “We are Inspiring, Motivating, Preparing and Conscientiously Transforming FAMU and the community with the Love and Teaching of Christ.” We are I.M.P.A.C.T., located at the edge of FAMU’s campus across from the university’s parking lot and new co-ed dormitory at 2023 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Visit us also at www.famuwesley.org


 

Be sure to check out this link for all of the latest on the April 22 Special Session of the Florida Annual Conference.







 

All Annual Conference-related information will be posted on the Florida Conference website.

This year's event will be held June 8-10 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Click HERE for the AC2023 webpage. You will find the schedule for clergy and lay members to annual conference. Information will be uploaded as it is available. 

There will be a Pre-Conference Orientation Webinar on Thursday, June 1st at 6:00pm. 

Annual Conference is free and open to all. However, only clergy and lay members to annual conference who are present may vote.

Are you interested in serving as an North West District at-large Lay Member to Annual Conference in 2023? This would be a commitment for three Annual Conferences. The regular session June 8-10 in Lakeland and two Special Sessions. The two Special Sessions will be via Zoom on August 5 and December 2. The Special Sessions will be at 10:00am and will be for Disaffiliations. Click HERE to submit your name.

Get AC2023 updates delivered straight to your phone!
Text flumc23 to 844-635-1026 to subscribe.

Normal text messaging rates apply. Text "STOP" to opt out. Text "HELP" for help. 

 

By Piper Ramsey-Sumner

If you are interested in revitalizing your congregation by empowering your lay people to see themselves as a vital part of God’s mission to bring hope, love, belonging, and peace to the world, join us for our next Fresh Expressions team meeting. We are exploring how we can provide the tools, training, and support you need to explore mission in a new way.

Join us! The team meeting will be hosted online on Tuesday, May 2, at 5:30 pm.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87302989122


 

Dear NW District: I try to provide information and resources I come across that you may or may not see in your day-to-day. I hope these are of some use for you.

Janet Earls

Be looking soon for an email to offer 20 small churches (under 100) and 5 medium churches (101-250) a grant to attend a training on re-thinking small groups. This will be June 22^nd 9am – 12pm. A registration will be sent to all the small and medium churches. There will be ongoing access to the training for 6 months.

Here is a guide for remaining UMC: https://www.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2023/02/17/21/27/beginning-again-guide-v3.ashx?la=en

For resources about being committed to the United Methodist Church, check out UMC.org/committed

An article with some helpful steps: https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/our-people/committed-to-the-umc/amplify-your-voice

A commentary shared recently: https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/commentary-as-methodists-grapple-with-disaffiliation-the-world-is-watching-17349290


 
 

Greetings!
We are writing to make you aware of a continuing education opportunity, specifically for pastors, offered by the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College, in conjunction with The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. In 2021, we held the inaugural Church Management Conference, a three-day virtual conference training pastors in various business areas related to the church. We had nearly 60 pastors participate in the conference, and received extremely positive feedback regarding how the experience would help grow and enhance their ministries.

This May, we are offering three webinars, each 3 hours and 45 minutes in length (including a break), which will repeat three sessions from the 2021 conference, with updates to content where needed. These three webinars will take place over three consecutive Tuesdays and address:

1. Managing Change and Conflict in the Church (May 9)
2. Human Resources and Organizational Leadership and Development in the Church (May 16)
3. Marketing in the Church (May 23)

The webinars are being taught by experts in each of these respective areas. Importantly, because these three areas were covered in the 2021 virtual conference, these webinars are not designed for those who attended that conference, but rather for those who were unable to do so.

Do you want to learn how to better develop and execute marketing strategies for your church? Do you need to improve your conflict management skills in the tumultuous times the church and society-at-large are currently facing? Do you want to learn how to better develop leaders in your church and effectively manage human resources among staff and lay leaders? If the answer is yes to one, two or all three of these questions, then these webinars will enhance the effectiveness of your ministry.

In order to maximize instructor-to-pastor and pastor-to-pastor interaction, as well as meaningful instructional engagement during the educational sessions, each session is limited to the first 50 registrants, so register soon! Further, if you know other pastors from other denominations that you believe would benefit from these webinars, please share this information with them. Each pastoral registrant is allowed to bring one staff member or lay leader to the virtual sessions. This may be the same person in each session, or a different person in each session depending on that person’s role within the congregation.

You can find more information about the webinars, including detailed descriptions of content, biographies of the instructors, and pricing information by visiting this link.

Blessings on your ministry,

Rev. Alex Shanks
Assistant to Bishop Tom Berlin
The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
 

Dr. Matt Bernthal
Co-Director, Church Management Conference
Chair – Dept. of Marketing
Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise
Florida Southern College

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MARCH 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

We are excited to welcome Bishop Tom Berlin to the NW District on Sunday, March 26 and Monday March 27. (See Bishop Berlin’s Schedule Below)

The Lenten Season calls us all to a time of prayer, fasting, and giving. I have often tried to take something “new” on during Lent as well as continue my ongoing spiritual disciplines. Let me invite you to join me in praying for Bishop Berlin as he continues his visits around the Florida Conference and especially as he joins us in the North West District the end of March. I am excited about the many ways he is already leading the Florida Conference and the intentional listening he is doing in every District in Florida. He is bringing exceptional energy to hearing from laity and clergy on what they think are the greatest needs in Florida Conference during this season.

I have observed that Bishop Berlin is a quick learner and very intentional in keeping us focused on the future rather than the past. Let me ask you during Lent to be praying about the ways the North West District can embrace a new future in the midst of this season of change.  

One of my favorite passages of scripture and life verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I have discovered during this Lenten Season, that I am leaning into the power of the Holy Spirit to help me embrace his love and peace in the midst of change.

Let me encourage you to do the same as you lead your congregations on our journey together during Lent toward the Celebration of Resurrection and New Life this Easter.
 

To register for Sunday, 3/26 lunch click here.

To register for Monday, 3/27 lunch click here.
 

By Piper Ramsey-Sumner

I am excited to invite you to our upcoming team meeting on Fresh Expressions.

As you may know, Fresh Expressions is a movement that seeks to create new forms of church that are relevant to the needs and interests of today's changing culture. Here in the North West District, we are committed to this movement and its impact on our communities.

That's why I want to extend a warm invitation to anyone in the North West District to join us for this exciting team meeting. It doesn't matter whether you are a church leader, a member of a congregation, or someone interested in exploring new forms of church, we want you to join us!

I believe that this team meeting will provide you with a great opportunity to share your experiences, ask questions, and connect with other like-minded individuals. We will also explore what Fresh Expressions is, how it works, and how it can be applied in our district.

I look forward to connecting with you! The team meeting will be hosted online on Tuesday, March 14, at 5:30-6:30 pm.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88524291573

Piper Ramsey-Sumner Cultivator of Fresh Expressions, Florida United Methodist Church (940) 594-7896 | pramseysumner@gmail.com freshexpressionsfl.org

 

11 Characteristics of Effective Smaller Churches

By David R. Ray On April 13, 2016, Leading Ideas

*With added suggestions (just to get you started) from Janet Earls

Some years ago, I traveled across the United States, west to east and north to south, and back north, visiting twenty-one smaller faith communities that were noted for the quality and faithfulness of their life together. I asked probing questions and listened carefully, looking for the common denominators, the faithful and exceptional qualities that were present in most or all of these congregations. I identified eleven prevailing qualities that characterized most, if not all, of the faith communities I visited.

A smaller church that applies itself to realizing these common denominators is sure to be a dynamic, faithful, and effective church that has no need to apologize and will be a vital organ in the Body of Christ.

I believe the following practices can help your congregation be more what God is calling you to be. Imagine and strategize how each could be manifested even more in your congregation. 

1. Prioritize worship. In each place, worship was a priority, and they were working to make their worship richer and more vital. What can you do to strengthen your worship?
   1. Visit other churches in similar size to see their worship.
   2. Have someone visit your church and give you an evaluation.

2. Take advantage of your size. None were embarrassed by their smaller size; rather, they were taking advantage of their size. How could you take advantage of your size?

3. Kindle a family spirit. In each place, there was a strong family spirit and a close and caring community. How can your church take better care of one another and deepen the relationship among everyone?
   1. Formalize who checks in on whom. Choir calls when someone is not there – to check on them.
   2. Have a pew person – they know the people in their pew and check on them if they are sick or need meals.
   3. Have a call list to check on those who ask for it.

4. Have fun. In these faith communities, the members really enjoyed one another and had great fun together. How can members be helped to enjoy one another even more and have more fun together?
   1. A meal together every 5^th Sunday.
   2. A sing-along before or after service – submit their favorite songs.
   3. Have silly or unexpected celebration. Set up a spontaneous ice-cream party.

5. Commit to mission. At most of the places I visited, there was a serious, passionate commitment to mission, addressing serious needs and issues beyond their church doors. What could you do to develop or expand a deeper commitment to mission and service where you are?
   • Find out from the school nearby what is most needed. A winter coat drive? Food pantry at the school? Mid-year supply drive.

6. Find your distinctive niche. These congregations knew they couldn’t be all things to all people, but they had found and defined their particular niche and were filling it. What is your distinctive niche, and how can you better fulfill it?

• Reaching out and helping foster families? After school care. Teaching kids something they couldn’t learn another way – fishing, sewing, kite-flying, cooking, crafts.

7. Strengthen your pastor’s leadership. All those places had effective, trusted pastoral leaders (young and old, lay and ordained, part-time and full-time), and most had been in place for several years. What can you do to maximize the relationship with your pastor and, if possible, extend it?

• Offer to sponsor online leadership courses or coaching, ask for a list of books they want from their favorite bookstore and provide a gift card or fulfill the online wish list.

8. Deepen the effectiveness of laity. In all these places, there was a committed core of laity. Knowing that every congregation is dependent on its membership, what can be done to take laity to a deeper level of faithfulness, purpose, and effectiveness?

• Attend district or conference in-person or online trainings. Have them meet someone else in another district who has the same leadership role. Have someone locally who trains (United Way) to conduct some trainings on communication or how to run effective meetings.

9. Deploy resources wisely. I don’t believe any of these congregations were wealthy, but they all knew how to generate enough money to do what they wanted and needed to do. How might your congregation do more with what it has and generate more resources?

• Find out a project that needs funding and rally people to help. Yard sales, donut sales, Super Bowl Subs for sale, 2% more campaign or something like that.

10. Thrive! Don’t just survive. All of these places were more concerned with being a living church than a surviving organization. What would move your congregation beyond merely a survival mentality to becoming a contagious, vibrant faith community?

• Celebrate Glory Sightings – where you saw God at work that week, really press to change the mindset to be one of abundance – it takes practice and commitment, celebrate when you have finished an event, mission, or milestone.

11. Nurture a passionate faith. Last and most important, in each place there was real commitment to spiritual nurturing and faith development. What steps could your church take to help people, young and old, become more passionate about their faith?

• Have the church do a church-wide study on something that would gain interest, give pieces to do at home during the week, have a tangible object they can carry that week to remind them of their prayer or study or commitment.

A smaller church that applies itself to realizing these common denominators is sure to be a dynamic, faithful, and effective church that has no need to apologize and will be a vital organ in the Body of Christ.



 

Spring Event - Winona Avenue Concert at Good Samaritan UMC - Sat. April 22nd

Winona Avenue is a touring Christian pop rock band that provides performances to churches and groups nationwide. Their mission is to provide a fun-loving worship experience to all kinds of people, creating a worship environment different from what we see every week in our churches. This event will be an opportunity for youth across the district to worship together in an exciting way.

The concert will be held at Good Samaritan UMC, located at 3720 Capital Cir SE, Tallahassee, FL 32311. Doors will open at 2:30pm for games and hang time before the concert from 3-4pm. The cost to attend this event is five dollars per person. Contact Zac Prasse at zac@saintpaulsumc.org with any questions or concerns. Check out Winona Avenue here: www.winonaavenue.com

Summer Event - Warren Willis UM Camp + Conference Center - July 10th-15th (wk. 4)

Warren Willis Camp is a UMC Camp that has been providing overnight summer camp experiences for youth since 1948. A day at Warren Willis is packed full of activities, games, small group discussions, nightly worship, and much more. Youth walk away from a week at Warren Willis with a desire for Jesus that they are challenged to continue to pursue when they get home.

 This year, as a district we are striving to provide transportation and hopefully scholarships to any youth that would like to attend Warren Willis Summer Camp. We have selected the week of July 10th-15th (week 4) to attend. Transportation and scholarships are going to come solely from donations, so if you or someone you know are passionate about summer camp ministry and want to help ensure the youth of our district get to experience it, please consider donating!

 Contact Zac Prasse at zac@saintpaulsumc.org with questions, ideas, and interest. We hope to provide assistance needed to get your youth to camp this year! Check out Warren Willis Camp here: https://wwumccc.org/about-us/

 

FSU and TCC Wesley Foundation will be hosting "Camp Night" to encourage the Northwest District youth to attend Warren W. Willis UM Summer Camp this summer! The night will feature a free pizza dinner, group games, upbeat worship music, and testimonials from counselors who spent their youth at camp. Every church is invited! Please consider joining us on March 22nd from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at 705 W. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32304. Don't hesitate to contact Bryant Manning, Director of FSU and TCC Wesley, at 863-660-3714 for more information.


 

Did you feel the shift in the atmosphere in the Northwest District recently? It is because Rev. Juana Jordan has arrived and is ready to launch the ministry at FAMU Wesley. The FAMU Wesley Board of Directors and the Northwest Leadership Team celebrated her appointment as the new Director of FAMU Wesley Impact on Thursday, February 27, 2023 at a dinner to welcome her into the Northwest District Family hosted by our Northwest District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Wayne Wiatt.

This group enjoyed exceptionally delicious food, fed their spirits with great fellowship, and appreciated the opportunity to meet Juana on a personal level through hearing the story of her life through her pictures. Rev. Dr. Pamela Green put together a pictorial biography of Juana’s life through her pictures posted on FB. Juana was asked to share her life story in this innovative way of introduction. Juana was asked give a brief synopsis of the story behind the pictures which allowed us to peek through a window into her life and heart. The story behind a baby picture, trips to foreign countries, membership in AKA sorority, birthday parties, gatherings with friends, UMC Ordination, time shared with her parents and her appointment at FAMU brought laughter and tears. At the end of her storytelling, Juana verbalized her recognition of the profound responsibility she has embraced in creating a space for the FAMU students to grow their faith and have a place to call home. Juana stated that through the help of God she plans to transform the FAMU Wesley ministry as she stands on the shoulders of former directors. She has already hit the ground running through creating donation opportunities. Check out the FAMU Impact website www.famuwesley.com to discover how you might pour into this ministry through your financial donations.

Our takeaway from this event - FAMU Impact is in magnificent hands and will indeed realize their mission of Inspiring, Motivating, Preparing, and Conscientiously Transforming FAMU and the community with the love and teachings of Christ. Be on the look out for exciting, creative, and innovative initiatives as this dynamic, dedicated leader, Rev. Juana Jordan, transforms the FAMU Community as she stated “one student at a time.”


 

From the Faithful 5 students huddled in Coleman with Pastor Scriven to worship sessions of 30 under a tent, we are ready to walk into our new building. Pastor Juana Jordan and the FAMU Wesley Foundation invites you to join us for our Building Dedication and Open House Reception. On Sunday, March 26th at 4:00 PM the new Florida UMC Bishop Berlin will view and dedicate our space as our IMPACT House. We would love to see you there as you have been and will always be a Friend of IMPACT. To RSVP, please visit https://impactfamu.breezechms.com/form/IMPACTHouseDedication


 

 

Trinity and New Hope UMC where Rev. Dr. Pamela Green is pastor hosted the Matsiko World Orphan Choir on  February 14, 2023.

Rev. Dr. Pamela Green praying prior to Concert

This exhilarating concert brought together the world’s orphaned and vulnerable children to share their story of turning the pain of loss, hunger, and hopelessness into personal empowerment. The mission of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir is to use the unifying power of music to uplift every child, bring joy to all who listen, and to inspire generosity that provides a complete education for vulnerable children. It is our understanding that sponsoring the education of one of these children instills love, joy, hope, and optimism for the future. Members from Trinity and New Hope UMC sponsored 11 children. The children were a delight and a spark of joy. Plans are underway to for a return concert in 2024.  






 

By popular demand, the 2% early payment discount has been extended!  We’ve heard you and are happy we’re able to accommodate the many requests. 
 
If your church’s Ministry Protection insurance allocation is paid in full by 3/17/23, you will receive a 2% discount off the billed amount.
 
Invoices are available online and can be accessed through the Conference website, flumc.org, Monthly Reports.

 

Registration open until May 1. Call Wayne Wiatt for further information. 

407/403-4367

March 1              8:30am –  5:00pm - Appointive Cabinet

March 2              6pm White Springs Church Conference

March 4              9am Child Youth Protection Training/Ministry Protection

March 6              Gathering and Orientation for Footsteps of Paul – (Tallahassee Group Greece Trip in Fall)

March 7              2:30pm - Planning with Janet Earls, Conference Congregational Vitality

March 8              8am – 5pm - District Dcom – (Good Samaritan UMC)

                             11am Collaborative DS Mtg

March 9              Wayne Out of Office

March 12 -         Daylight Savings Time – Footsteps of Paul Greece Trip Orientation (Jacksonville)

March 13            District Office Move Begins to 1537 Lee Avenue (March 13 – 31; Lease Ends April 1)

March 14            FUMCH Board Meeting (8:30am-3:00pm)

March 15            6:00pm -Continuing UMC Presentation, First Chiefland

 March 19           Cedar Key UMC

March 25            Bishop Berlin Arrives in NW District

March 26            Bishop Berlin at Trinity, St. Paul’s, FAMU and FSU Wesley

March 27            7:30am – Florida Advocacy Days (FAD) and Capital Area Justice Ministry Leadership

                             10am – Clergy, Spouse, and Lay Leader Gathering with Bishop Berlin – Good Samaritan

                             2:30 – Tour of Madison Youth Ranch for Bishop Berlin

March 29            9am-12noon – Cabinet Mtg (Zoom)

April 6                 Maundy Thursday

April 7                 Good Friday

April 8                 Holy Saturday                 

April 9                 Easter Sunday

April 11               Reconsideration of Appointments

April 13               Conf Trustees Mtg, 10am – 12noon

April 14 -15         Wayne Out

April 17               Covenant Group Retreat

April 18               Florida Conference Retirement Seminar

April 19               DS Collaborative Meeting

April 22               Virtual Annual Conference for Disaffiliation Votes

April 27               5:30pm, District Leadership Team Mtg.  (St. Paul’s UMC)

April 29               Ochlockonee Bay 50^th Anniversary – (11am – 3pm)

______________________________________________________

FEBRUARY 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Welcome Bishop Tom Berlin!

Bishop Tom Berlin was elected as a Bishop of The United Methodist Church on November 2, 2022, by the Southeastern Jurisdiction and was assigned to serve the Florida Episcopal Area beginning January 1, 2023.

Bishop Tom Berlin

We are excited to welcome Bishop Berlin to be with us in the North West District March 26 & 27. Here is a Schedule of our time together.

Sunday, March 26

Trinity UMC, Tallahassee- 9:15-10:00am. Greet members between the two early services from 9:15-10:00am.  Give Benediction/Greetings at 9:15am at the end of the 8:30am early service and bring greetings at the SUN Contemporary Worship service held in Moor Hall at approximately 9:50am. Bishop Berlin will depart by 10:00am for Saint Paul’s UMC.

Saint Paul’s UMC, Tallahassee - 11:00am- Noon – Bishop Berlin will preach at the 11:00am service at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in the main Sanctuary. District Retirees are invited to attend this service and greet Bishop Berlin following the service.

FAMU Wesley Foundation 4:00 – 6:00pm,  Dedication and Open House/Reception. Students to meet with Bishop Berlin following the Dedication.

FSU Wesley Foundation  6:30– 8:30pm, Dinner and Conversation with Bishop Berlin.

Monday, March 27 – Clergy and Lay Leaders to Meet with Bishop Berlin

10:00am – District Clergy Gathering at Good Samaritan UMC -  (Coffee and Conversation).

10:30am – Bishop Berlin to address the NW District Clergy and Lay Leaders

12noon – Catered Lunch

https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/NORTHWESTDISTRICTMEETGREETWITHBISHOPBERLIN

Mark your Calendars and Save the Dates!

 

I love being your District Superintendent,

 

Retirees Epiphany Party

We celebrated a King (Jim Mitchell) and Queen (Danielle Upton) of the Epiphany with two parties and Brunch on Friday and Saturday. January 6 & 7. 

Good Times and wonderful conversations around our tables. We added up more than 300 years of ministry by our retirees!

Leadership Team Epiphany Party

 

 


 

Rev. Clarke Campbell-Evans will follow Rev. Dr. Wayne Wiatt as superintendent of the North West District. Wiatt will retire this summer. Campbell-Evans currently serves as the Director of Missional Engagement for The Florida Conference, overseeing global missions, disaster recovery, equitable compensation, and the Young Adult Missional Movement. He previously served as co-interim superintendent of the Gulf Central District in 2021, along with Sharon Austin. Prior to his role at the Conference, Campbell-Evans was superintendent of the former Miami District from 1998 – 2004 and pastor of St. Paul’s (Tallahassee) and Fulford (North Miami Beach).

 

 

  

A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INVITATIONS FROM FRESH EXPRESSIONS FL

By Piper Ramsey Sumner

A New Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YMDz7VnDOE

Fresh Expressions FL has launched a podcast called New People // New Ways. It was created to inspire, empower, and inform you in what a distinctly Wesleyan, Spirit-led movement that reaches people neglected by the church can do in the life of a community.

Hosts, Piper Ramsey-Sumner and Michael Beck, explore missional mischief-making with everyday people who are cultivating Christian communities of love and grace that serve those outside the typical church. The podcast is a partnership with Fresh Expressions FL of the Florida United Methodist Church and Fresh Expressions UM from Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries. Tune in if you desire to reach new people in new places and through new ways!

This podcast has just a few episodes released so far but has already had some incredible guests including Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop Graham Cray, and Leonard Sweet.

Watch on YouTube or listen anywhere you find podcasts: https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/podcast

Fresh Expressions @ Exponential

Join Fresh Expressions Florida for the second time at Exponential! Thousands of leaders will gather for inspiration, encouragement and equipping at Exponential 2023 in Orlando, FL. The conference features over 200 speakers, 150 workshops, 20 pre-conference intensives, and 75+ networks and denominations.

The FLUMC is hosting a Pre-Conference Workshop entitled: “Fresh Expressions: Spirit-led Evangelism, Discipleship, and Church Planting for the 21st Century” on Monday, March 6, 2023, 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 8:00am – 11:30am. Speakers: Ken Carter, Lexi Hernandez, Rai Jackson, Kris Sledge, Michael Beck, Candace Lewis.

There is also a free lunch hosted by Path 1 on March 8 during the conference with an incredible group of presenters.

The Florida Conference has tickets at a discounted price available here: https://www.freshexpressionsfl.org/fxatexponential2023



 

We hope you are getting excited for the 28th annual Children's Week FloridaTM, happening March 26-31, 2023! Planning efforts for next year's events are currently underway, including the signature Celebration of the Hands tradition. 

Celebration of the Hands is a stunning visual of children's hand artwork from across the state that is proudly displayed in the Capitol Rotunda. These beautiful works of art serve as a daily reminder to legislators and visitors that the future of our children rests in their hands. 

We need your help to create our 2023 display! This is a fun activity that early educators can do with the children in their classroom or that families can do together at home. Break out your construction paper, markers, paints and get creative. We can’t wait to see your amazing pieces.  

More information about Celebration of the Hands is included in this link:  https://childrensweek.org/events/celebration-of-the-hands-2023/ 









 

The First United Methodist Church of Chiefland, Florida, is seeking a Music Director/Worship Leader. The position is part-time, 10 hours per week @ up to $24 per hour. Duties include preparing music for a weekly service on Sunday, leading the small choir/praise group, supervising choir rehearsals once a week, selecting, rehearsing and leading an Easter Cantata and a Christmas Cantata, and utilizing audio equipment and Proclaim software. The Director should have excellent communication skills with all age groups.

If interested, contact:

First United Methodist Church of Chiefland

707 N. Main Street

Chiefland, FL 32693

352-493-4627

"A Church Without Walls"

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




JANUARY 2023 

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

The Missing Kings

Matthew 2:1-2 (NRSV) - In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.”

Most people know that United Methodist pastors move. When I was a child, I can remember our pastors moved every four years - just like clockwork. We loved getting to know all of our pastors. It was exciting when they came and sad when they moved. Until I became a pastor myself, I didn’t understand how much work went into moving; the emotional work of letting go and the physical energy of packing everything you would take with you. When we moved from Southside UMC in Jacksonville, Florida, after almost eleven years of ministry, we had a house full of furniture and had collected way too many things. As good-bye parties increased and my free time decreased, we needed help to get everything packed up for the moving van.

The moving deadline drew closer and closer, and we began to panic and got several people to help us pack framed paintings, photographs, mirrors, books, vases, and all sorts of things we had accumulated over the years. Instead of being organized, it was more of a mad dash to the finish line. Everything made it into the truck, except live plants and my propane gas tank. The moving truck was barely able to close its door and off we went to Orlando having no time to inventory our belongings. We unpacked in Orlando and the months went by.

Christmas arrived on schedule but most of our Christmas decorations were still in boxes in the garage. As we began to unpack them and decorate for our first Christmas party, I realized a certain item could not be found. One particular decoration we loved was a brass rendering of the three wise men. Ramona’s aunt and uncle had given it to us, and we always enjoyed having the Magi standing near the doorway. We enjoyed celebrating Epiphany after the busyness of December. For seven years we searched for the missing kings and wondered where they might have gone. No matter how many Christmas boxes we looked in, the Magi were nowhere to be found. I truly did miss them!

After those seven years in Orlando, I was appointed to serve on the extended cabinet to serve in the Office of Clergy Excellence at the United Methodist Conference Center in Lakeland, Florida. We began to prepare for our move to Lakeland. It was the first time in 25 years that we were moving as empty nesters. We held an estate sale and sold about two-thirds of our belongings. Being efficient, we successfully downsized. We lived in two more houses before we landed on the one that felt like home. That home had a beautiful fireplace. We thought that the fireplace needed a mirror hanging over the hearth and I remembered we had one packed away in a box in the closet that had not been opened in nine years.

When I began to remove the brown paper wrapping, guess who appeared taped to the back of the mirror but the missing kings! We cheered! We celebrated! After nearly a decade, our kings had found their way home! (They were actually there all along, just hiding.) It was a great celebration in our new home, especially for Epiphany. The Kings found their way to our front door to welcome all our Christmas and Epiphany visitors. “Field and Fountain, Moor and Mountain. Following Yonder Star!

Maybe you’ve been a little lost after the celebrations of Christmas and you need to find your way home. May the star in the sky guide you. May the light of Christ direct you during this Epiphany Season and into the new year!

I Love Being Your District Superintendent,

 

The North West District will offer SPRC Training in January for all clergy and/or SPRC committees interested. Please save the date:

January 8, 2023 (Sunday)  --  6:00 PM  --  Saint Paul's UMC Tallahassee

January 9, 2023 (Monday)  -  6:00 PM  --  First UMC Live Oak

Please CLICK HERE to register.

Church Profile – reviewed and updated annually. 

These forms are to be reviewed and updated annually by all church SPR Committees and all clergy in the Florida Conference. All church SPR Committees must update online annually. The Church Profile deadline requires it be completed online no later than one week prior to the pastor’s DS consultation, if having. The final date to update the Church Profile is January 31, 2023. 

Pastor Profile – reviewed and updated annually.
All pastors in the local church must update online annually and may begin after December 1. If you are currently appointed to Extension Ministry and want to be in the Local Church for the 2023 Appointment Season, please email Dr. Bob Bushong and .cc Claudia Sava. The Pastor Profile deadline requires it to be completed online no later than one week prior to the DS consultation. Though you may not anticipate a move, it is important that both the Pastor Profile and Church Profile be current and up to date at the first appointment-making session of the Cabinet. The reports should be an honest reflection of the pastoral ministry and the profile of the church. The final date to update the Pastor Profile is January 31, 2023. 

Click HERE for the detailed instructions for accessing both the Church and Pastor Profiles. Follow the step-by-step instructions to access the appropriate profile. The final date to update Profiles is January 31, 2023.

 

Zac Prasse

Attention all Youth and Families! We are looking forward to 2023 and kicking off our Quarterly  Youth Events. We are looking to do a Movie Night in late February to early March as our first event! We will have a popcorn bar as well as an ice cream bar. This will be a great opportunity for our youth to get to know each other and gain some excitement about coming together a few times a year! More information regarding time, location, and other specifics will be out soon. We hope you can join us!

In case you missed his article from December newsletter, here is a bit more about Zac.

My name is Zac Prasse and I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with our Youth in the Northwest District. I’m a lifelong resident of Tallahassee, I currently attend Florida State University as well as the Youth Ministry Institute. I have been working in Youth Ministry since 2019 at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp, Killearn United Methodist Church from 2020 to 2022, and now at Saint Paul’s UMC since October of this year. I am excited to create quarterly events for our youth to attend such as service opportunities, worship nights, fun events and outings, and possibly even retreats. Again, I am overjoyed to have been presented with the opportunity to serve our Youth, and look forward to working with many of you throughout this journey!




 

For me, today is a day of celebration and rejoicing as we enter the bright New Year of 2023!  We have the delightful opportunity for our Lay Servant Ministries to, once again join in community.

SAVE THE DATES!      Mark your Calendar!

Plan your schedules!     And Register NOW!

We have selected February 10-11, 2023 for our next study series. 

We have selected Trinity UMC, 310 MLK Street Lake City, FL 32055 as the meeting site and look forward to our time together. 

Registration deadline will be January 27, 2023.

Further details will be forthcoming, however Friday February 10 will begin at 5:30 PM and Saturday February 11 will begin at 8:30 AM.  We request $40.00 per person to cover cost of study material along with food and refreshments.

We are offering three classes for this session:

1. Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course – Instructor Rev. Chandra Snell

Advanced Courses:

2. Accountable Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar – Instructor Starr Clay
3. The United Methodist Way, Living Our Beliefs, by Kenneth L. Carder – Instructor Linda Thomas

       ***    REGISTER HERE:  https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/NWDISTRICTLAYSERVANTTRAININGFEB2023 ***

Blessings to Each of You,

Randy Clay 
 

By Bishop Tom Berlin

Click here to read an excellent article written by our new Bishop.

https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/4-truths-about-ministry-revealed-by-the-pandemic/



 

                                                               

October 7-14, 2023.  Visit this link to learn more:   http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/files/uploads/PA23_100723A_14931_Wiatt_FINAL.pdf
Register by Dec 1 for Educational Opportunities’  discount! 
If interested in this trip or you have additional questions, contact Dr. Wiatt in  the District Office at ds-nw@flumc.org or 407-403-4367. 

Your NW District Staff,

 Janet, Piper, Wayne & Peggy