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October 2020 District Newsletter

Message from District Office

Friends,

We hope you are healthy and doing well. More than half of our district churches are open for in-person worship whether it be inside or outside. Many of you are doing pumpkin patches and planning for more in-person ministry. Just know that whatever your decision (whether to remain virtual only or venturing to in-person) that we support your pastor and church leadership's decisions. We personally ask you to pray for your pastor and church leadership. These are tough decisions to make and many folks will not be happy no matter the decision. Please be joyfully flexible as we continue to maneuver in these uncertain times. 

Blessings,

Pam Mullay

PS - I will be on vacation the week of October 5. I will return all calls and emails on Monday, October 12. If you have an urgent need, please contact the DS (ds-ne@flumc.org.)

Clergy Appreciation Month

In Timothy 1 (5:17), Paul began the concept of clergy appreciation when he stated that the elders of the church are worthy of double honor. He reiterated this idea in Thessalonians 1 (5: 12-13) when he stated that those who work hard among you should be held in the highest regard for their work. This idea became Clergy Appreciation Month in 1992, established by pastors and religious workers. 

We ask you to appreciate your pastor not only in October but all year long!

Virtual District Youth Retreat

 

Each year, the NE District usually has a retreat at either the Warren Willis Camp or Epworth By the Sea. This year, due to COVID, we have had to rethink what that retreat looks like. We have a great planning team full of district youth pastors and we have put together a great Saturday retreat for the youth in the NE District. 

REGISTRATION:

  • We have our first round or registration open through October 14. This will allow for each youth pastor to register their team and also pick specific t-shirt sizes for their team. If you register your team after October 14, you will have limited t-shirt sizes to choose from. 
  • We ask that youth do not register individually. Please see your youth pastor if you want to register for the event. If your church does not have a youth pastor, we can connect you to a youth pastor near your church. 
  • The youth pastor should register all youth that will be attending. Please be sure to include their name, email address (or parent's email address) and t-shirt size. 

AFTER REGISTRATION:

  • Each youth will receive a swag box filled with goodies for the event. More information about how to get the swag bags will be given in the confirmation email once the youth pastor completes their registration. 
  • We will email the ZOOM webinar link to everyone on Tuesday, November 10. It is important that all emails are included with the registration so everyone will receive the link.  

Feel free to download the schedule for the event here. /files/district+common/red+buttons/2020+ne+district+virtual+youth+retreat.pdf

 Updated COVID-19 Guidance

Dear Florida United Methodists,

Some of you have asked about Friday’s executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis and whether it has any impact on our FLUMC COVID-19 guidance for in-person activities.  Conference leaders have read the executive order. Our current FLUMC COVID-19 guidance has not changed. The focus of the executive order is on restaurant capacity and local government restrictions and fines. 

Please read our latest guidance from September 8th in its entirety.

Below are a few summary points from our September 8th guidance.

Some key parts of our ongoing guidance:

  1. At all times persons must maintain at least six feet of distance between family groups.
  2. Masks or cloth face coverings are required when any group gathers (except for children under the age of 2).
  3. Monitor your symptoms. Stay home if you are sick or displaying COVID-19 symptoms. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive should adhere to the CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine. 
  4. All inside activities must be in well ventilated spaces that allow for persons to maintain at least six feet of distance between family groups. Outside activities are preferred over inside activities.

Our COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines are connected to the ongoing guidance and recommendations from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. Governor Desantis’ order has not changed the guidance and recommendations of either group in terms of in-person, large gatherings.

Decisions about in-person activities will vary according to your church context. We understand there is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach for every church around the conference. Contexts are different as cases rise at different rates (click here for a county and zip code break down). At all times churches should carefully follow the guidance of your city and county officials. Any decision to resume in-person activities should be affirmed by the pastor in consultation with a team of leaders and should be communicated to your District Superintendent.

All of our previous updates and resources are found on our COVID-19 website and in our FAQ section. If you have questions, please reach out to your District Superintendent or contact the Episcopal Office at ashanks@flumc.org.

The Peace of the Lord,
Bishop Ken Carter and The Cabinet of The Florida Annual Conference

Join the Movement to End Hunger: From Food Apartheid to Food Sovereignty

Please visit the FL Conference Facebook page or our www.FilltheTableflorida.org website and see the registration pop up (or click on New & Updates) for information on the upcoming Conference Join the Movement to End Hunger: From Food Apartheid to Food Sovereignty.  The inaugural event begins the morning of Thursday, Oct. 1st with subsequent trainings offered each Thursday evening throughout the month of October.  You can also find it listed on the Fill the Table Facebook page.

Fill the Table/FL Conference of The UMC is a partner of this event, and Clarke and I have been working with the planning team.  Connectional and Justice Ministries also made a financial contribution on behalf of the black church and other people of color ministries, and I want to personally extend an invitation to you to invite your congregations while registration is still available.  Bread for the World, St. Luke’s and others are obviously also inviting their contacts and I want our folks to have access to this information.

SPRC Training Webinar

The district superintendent will conduct one SPRC Training Webinar on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 @ 7 p.m. via a ZOOM Webinar. The webinar will be recorded for those who cannot attend the live webinar.

We ask that all SPRC chairs/committee members attend or view the recording before January 1, 2021. As a reminder to you, S/PPRCs ARE NOT authorized to take a vote on whether their pastor should remain or move unless you specifically receive permission from the district superintendent. Clergy are also welcome to attend.

This training is free to attend, but you must register online to receive the ZOOM link. Once you register, you will receive the link in your confirmation email. 

2020 Virtual Super-Charged Conference

  • Clergy will automatically be registered. Any laity that want to attend must register by October 31. ZOOM meeting links will be emailed to all registrants on November 2.
  • Who should attend:
    • All clergy are automatically registered.
    • Laity in a leadership role in the church should attend. 
    • Candidates for ministry should attend.
    • Lay Servants should attend. 
    • Anyone other laity from the church are welcome to attend.

Monthly/Weekly Meetings

We have regular monthly meetings (via video) in the NE District. These include the following:

  • Church Admin (each Wednesday at noon)
  • Youth Pastor/Director/Minister (first Thursday of each month @ 10 a.m.)
  • Children's Ministry (third Wednesday of each month @ 11 a.m.)

If you are currently in one of those positions at your church and they would like to be connected to take part in these monthly meetings, please contact Pam in the District Office - flumc-ne@flumc.org or 904-396-3026.

Virtual Quadrennial Leadership Day Training

The Florida United Methodist Conference will host a VIRTUAL Quadrennial Leadership Day training on Saturday, October 24th from 10a.m. – 2 p.m.
 
This training is intended for ALL Conference and District members who will serve on a Leadership team effective 10/1/2020. Please encourage your entire team to participate.  Note: this is not a local church training.
We will hear presentations from Bishop Ken Carter, Alice Williams (FL Conference Lay Leader effective 10/1/2020) and other Florida Conference leaders.  Our keynote speaker will be Bishop Gregory Palmer, Episcopal leader of the Ohio West Area.  His address will include:

  • Antiracism:
    • The Mission and Unity of the Church
    • The Implications for a Holiness Movement
    • The Integrity of the Gospel

During our time together we will work in a collaborative style conducive to embracing our vision of being ON MISSION TOGETHER.  Our goal will be to develop and lead ministries in ways that align with the FL Conference missional mindsets and provide resources for the local church.

To register for the “all important” training, CLICK HERE. Firm registration deadline is October 18, 2020.

Note: Your Zoom link will be sent to you on Wednesday, 10/21/2020

 

 Calendar of Events

 November 2020