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| A Message From Your DS | October, 2016 |
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Dear Friends,
Having begun to get to know more of you and the churches in the district through the beginning of the Charge Conference season, the Bishop's Town Hall Gathering and other meetings, there is a sense of excitement and hope regarding the direction of ministries that I am learning about throughout the district. I have met many committed disciples and followers of Jesus Christ engaged in the communities in which our churches are located and I am grateful you are their pastors. I have listened with interest as it is apparent which congregations have taken to heart the minimum factor identified through the survey in the Natural Church Development process and have worked hard to improve that area in order that more health and vitality move throughout the ministry of the church. I am looking forward to next year and the results of a follow up survey as a means to measure both improvement as well as additional areas to strengthen in order to continue becoming more effective communities offering Christ's ministry of love to our neighbors in many and various ways.
I was struck by the image Bishop Carter put forth at the Town Hall Gathering that our churches should seek to be building bridges to the many and varied people in our communities. We are to be places that are inviting others in and not driving them away. This is our mission, our reason for being. As I make my way around the district for charge conferences, I am asking that we consider "Who is my neighbor?" We have the opportunity discover our neighbor through the School Initiative, through Fresh Expressions, and through encouraging our congregations to be inviting the community to encounter God's love through our ministries. Rumor has it that this can be the cause of consternation among some of your church folk as those who are the 'stranger' come into your scope of ministry and into your sanctuaries on Sundaymornings taking part in your various ministry offerings. May you experience God's encouragement in the face of resistance and know of my continued prayers as we seek to throw open the doors of our churches not so much to let people in as to move God's people out into the world! When we do this, we will live! (Luke 10: 25-29)
Please take note of upcoming opportunities for spiritual growth, training for laity and sabbath space for yourselves in October and November. These include:
- Stewardship Workshop October 22, 9:30-2:45 First UMC, Orlando
- Clergy Gathering October 25-26 Life Enrichment Center
- Fresh Expressions November 5 New Covenant, The Villages
Blessings and Peace be with you all!
June
June Edwards
North Central District Superintendent
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Service of Installation - Rev. June Edwards
You are cordially invited to a Service of Installation for
Rev. June Edwards
(District Superintendent)
Sunday, October 9, 3:00pm
First Ocala United Methodist Church
(Church Sanctuary)
1126 E. Silver Spring Blvd.
Ocala, FL 34471
Bishop Ken Carter, Presiding
Reception in the Family Life Center immediately following the ceremony.
The installation service and reception are open to everyone.
Pastors, please feel free to share this invitation with your congregations.
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Faithful Expressions Workshop
The Florida Foundation will be presenting their Faithful Expressions workshop at Celebration UMC on October 19th at 7pm.
In his sermons on money, John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, urged disciples to live those practices as an expression of their faith. Included in the mandate was the responsibility to care and provide for one's self and family.
Fulfilling that call throughout your life, while also laying the foundation to make a lasting impact on future generations after you're gone, requires a plan. Do you have one? Is it up to date?
The upcoming Faithful Expressions workshop will help you consider the many ways you can ensure the gifts God has given you will continue supporting those you love and the ministries you value long into the future.
· Do you have a will that gives your dependents the resources they need to thrive?
· Are documents in place that specify who will make health care, legal and financial decisions for you if you can't?
· How will you continue supporting your church and causes that are important to you?
Join us to consider the practical, legal and spiritual steps you can take as part of intentional Christian stewardship.
Celebration United Methodist Church
9501 SW Archer Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32608
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Hello North Central District,
As the newly appointed North Central District Cultivator of Fresh Expressions, I'd like to introduce you to an awesome new opportunity...
North Central District Vision Day November 5th 2016,
The Vision Day is a great way to discover more about Fresh Expressions. In an interactive format, you will have the chance to:
*Hear how Fresh Expressions is renewing the church
*Talk about the development of Fresh Expressions US
*Learn more about the Mission-Shaped Church
*Discover tools to start Fresh Expressions in your area
*Begin our relationship together
Clergy, laity, and pioneers, are invited to join with the Fresh Expressions US team for this incredible day of visioning and training!
Where: New Covenant United Methodist Church Saturday, November 5th 2016, 9-3:30pm.
Click here to Register. I look forward to connecting with you at the event!
Sincerely,
Michael Beck
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Staff Parish Relation Committee (SPRC) Trainings
The Annual North Central District SPRC training event will provide your team with effective tools for the many responsibilities of the SPRC. Pastors, SPRC Chairperson and Committee Members, Lay Leaders, and Lay Members to AC are encouraged to attend. Please join Rev. June Edwards for this important informational training.
Both days will cover the same material.
Monday, November 28 - 6:30pmFirst Gainesville UMC419 NE First St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
Tuesday, November 29 - 6:30pm
Community UMC
309 College Ave.
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
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Lay Servant Ministries Training -North Central District
North Central District Fall LSM training this year will be shared with the Conference LSM training - November 18-20, 2016 at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park. The courses and instructors are not set as of now, but please go to flumclsm.org or floridalayservant.org in September to register online.
Please join us in the Fall!
Blessings,
Sherri Woodstuff
District Lay Servant
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Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
House of Shalom
Mt. Pleasant UMC has taken a bold step in living out and answering in the affirmative the scripture Found in Genesis 4:9 "Am I my brother/sister keeper," by acknowledging the self-worth in those we serve. We wanted to do more than just hand out food, house the homeless, or help the person in need. We wanted our love to show through our actions.
Our new facility is called "House of Shalom". It will be a building of wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, rest, and harmony with the absence of agitation or discord where God's people who are knowns as the least of these can gather and find hope - "Because the man on the middle cross said that they could come. Luke 23:43.
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October is Pastor Appreciation Month
It is important that parishioners express appreciation for our pastors. Sending cards or emails, giving gifts, or preparing dinner are just some of the ways we can demonstrate our thanks. However you choose to do it, please recognize our pastors and their families.
Click HERE for ideas from the UMC. |  |
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Annual Assessment of Clergy Leadership
Note - Due Date is now May 30
To All Local Church Clergy and Staff Parish Relations Committees:
The Cabinet has approved changes to the pastoral assessments that in previous years have been due in October. We have streamlined the forms and are moving the due date to May 30. We did this to make them easier as well as move them from the fall that is already busy with charge conferences, stewardship, and Advent/Christmas preparation. You can do the assessments anytime between January and May. Click HERE for more information.
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Enroll in Candidacy Process
Florida Conference Process for Deacon, Elder and Local Pastor
1. Member of a United Methodist Church (or a recognized UMC Campus Ministry) for at least one year immediately preceding candidacy, including a year of service in some form of leadership.
2. Read Christian as Minister and Understanding God's Call - A Ministry Inquiry Process (available at www.cokesbury.com) Discuss with a UMC Clergy person, preferably Senior Pastor or equivalent.
3. Contact District Superintendent with statement of call, requesting enrollment in candidacy.
4. Following a background check ($25), exploring candidate will be assigned to their group mentor, and enrolled in the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's (GBHEM's) United Methodist Candidate and Record Entry System (UMCARES) and Pathways to Ministry, where they complete requirements in preparation for the Candidacy Retreat, including retreat payment ($100) and psychological assessment payment ($450).
More information will be provided on the first interview with the District Superintendent.
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2017 Connectional Giving
The apportionments for 2017 are now available on the conference website. To access your 2017 apportionment information:
- Go to the Conference homepage: http://www.flumc.org
- Click on the "Monthly Reports" tab at the bottom right of the page.
- Click on the top link under Monthly Billing Reports: "Click here to download monthly reports."
- Click on 2017 Apportionment Report in the drop down menu. This will take you to your 2017 apportionments.
- Enter your six digit GCFA number.
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Benefits Update: 2017 Health Initiative
CRSP Contribution Increased for 2017
The church's contribution to fund the pastor's pension is increasing for the first time since 1993. The Florida Conference has not increased the percentage of compensation collected to fund the pension plan since 1993.
This action was taken at Annual Conference and is effective January 1, 2017. The church must contribute 15% of the pastor's total compensation for pension. That's an increase of 3% from the current 12% that was established in 1993. This increase is needed to maintain full funding of our pension plan in order to satisfy our obligations to pastors in retirement. For a full detailed announcement, click HERE.
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Early-bird registration ends this Tuesday, October 4. Register now and save.
Discovering God's Future for Your Church Conference and Live Stream
Saturday, November 5
10 am - 1 pm Eastern (9 am - 12 pm Central)
What next faithful step is God calling your church to take? It is vital to know God's direction -- or vision -- for your congregation.
At Discovering God's Future for your Church, you will learn how to discern this vision -- a step-by-step process for considering the strengths, challenges, and people that God has given you both in your church and in your community. This process can reveal what God is calling your congregation to be and to do.
You will learn that whether God's vision for your church is large or small, it has to be right for your congregation -- right at this time, right in your context. And you will learn how to make this vision come alive in your church to be faithful and fruitful to God's will.
Sessions
- Your Church's Future and the Clarity of Vision
- How to Discern a Vision
- Living the Vision
- The Power of Vision
Presenter
Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., is distinguished professor of church leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and director of the Lewis Center.
Discovering God's Future for Your Church is a turn-key tool kit to help you implement in your church the process of discerning and living God's vision. The resource includes video segments, discussion exercises, planning tools, and much more to guide a congregational visioning process. The tool kit will be available on DVD/CD and download in early December. Preorder through November 5 and save.
- Live stream registration:
$50 $40 for one person; $75 $60 for groups of two or more people
- In-person conference registration:
$50 $40 per person
Current Wesley Theological Seminary students may register free for the in-person conference.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER.
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FIVE-DAY ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION
The Spiritual Formation Team of Discipleship Ministries of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Upper Room welcomes you to their website featuring the Florida Five-Day Academy For Spiritual Formation.
Our first Five-Day Academy was held in March 2001. This year we just hosted our 16th annual academy on March 6-11, 2016, at the Life Enrichment Retreat Center in Fruitland Park, Florida. This Academy's featured presenter was Rev. Dr. Steve Harper and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Canham.
Now for even more news! We have the dates for next year's academy in 2017:March 5-10, 2017.
Mark your calendars now! The faculty for 2017 will be Rev. Wilkie Au and Dr. Amy Oden.
The academy for spiritual formation is...
- a time to fill the deep spiritual hunger that characterizes many lives;
- an opportunity for intentional spiritual growth in a disciplined, accepting community;
- a place where community silence enhances personal prayer and reflection;
- a time of spiritual renewal and discovery through academic presentation, personal reflections and communal sharing;
- a sharing of spiritual growth in covenant groups;
- a time for healing to continue.
For more information and registration please click here. |
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Warren W. Willis is not just for Summer Camp...although that is an amazing time! Check out all the other wonderful programs that you and your church can attend.
Confirmation Retreats (Sep 30 - Oct 2, 2016) Gather with confirmands from across the state of Florida to learn about the important vows involved in joining The United Methodist Church. Connect ( Oct 14-16, 2016 & Nov 11-13, 2016) At our new fall retreat we will learn together what it means to be a Christian and do the work of the church in this digital age. We are more connected than ever, but are we any closer? How can we use social media to make a positive impact in the world aside from just posting pictures and liking statuses? Bring your devices and chargers and join us for a weekend to learn how to #church. Clergy Kids ( Jan 13-15, 2017) A retreat specifically designed to minister to the children of pastors in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. A great time to connect with old friends, develop new and lasting relationships, and focus on a closer walk with Jesus Christ. College Connection ( Jan 27-29, 2017) A weekend retreat at camp devoted to connecting high school seniors to college ministries. College ministries from around the state of Florida will be represented by volunteers, workshop leaders, worship bands, and speakers. Dare to Cry ( Feb 10-11, 2017) Dare is a student leadership training retreat for students by students. This is a great event to bring your student leaders (or those whom you'd like to become student leaders) to, in whatever form that takes in your local church.
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 Early Response Team Training
Early Response Teams (ERT) are self-contained teams who enter a disaster zone at the invitation of local emergency management officials. ERT's offer a Christian presence and are trained to provide various types of physical, emotional and spiritual assistance to disaster survivors. ERT's are registered with the Disaster Recovery Ministry of The Florida Annual Conference, and Disaster Recovery coordinates team placement with emergency management to help where it is needed most after a disaster.
NOTE: Basic Disaster Ministry Training is required before taking ERT Training. Click HERE for more details and to register online.
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| Calendar |
October
October 9: Service of Installation, Rev. June Edwards, First Ocala UMC, 3:00 pm
October 14-16: UMM Annual Retreat- Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park
October 25-26 Clergy Gathering - LEC
October 28-29 Early Response Team Training-Warren Willis
November
November 3-5: Florida Clergy Mates Retreat Annual Meeting - Life Enrichment Center
November 11: Veteran's Holiday - District Office Closed
November 18-20: Lay Servant Ministries Training, Life Enrichment Center
November 24 & 25: Thanksgiving Holiday - District Office Closed
November 28: SPRC Training at First Gainesville UMC, at 6:30 pm
November 29: SPRC Training at Community UMC, Fruitland Park at 6:30 pm
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