Get documents about "2008 09 Institute of Preaching at Duke Divinity School
Document Sample
Atlantic Central District
E-Connection
Rev. Michael C. Oliver, District Superintendent
Patti Moxley, Administrative Assistant
Linda Graham, Financial Assistant
Linda Mobley, Coordinator of Healthy Congregations
April, 2008 Volume 2, Issue 4
District Joys and Concerns: DISTRICT CALENDAR
Concerns:
Jocelyn Adhemar – recuperating from stroke April
Kaley Delker – recuperating from surgery 3/18
Bruce Simpson – recuperating from surgery 3/19 10 – Leadership Council 11:00 @ Lakewood
Park UMC
Continued prayers for: Patricia Downes, Cedric Gray, Rachel and Gene “Passionate Worship”
Hollingsworth 11-12 – Trinity UMC, Gainesville
14-15 – UM Church of the Palm Beaches
Joy: 19- dCTT – 9a.m.-1pm @District office
Lakeside UMC, 50th Anniversary! 23-30 –General Conference
27: Announcement Sunday
May
4 – Annual Conference Forum @Trinity UMC,
Passionate
Palm Beach Gardens, 3:00 p.m.
April 14-15 6 – Refocus – 9:00 a.m. @ District office
Worship United Methodist Church 12 – dCOM @ First UMC, Port St. Lucie
13 & 14– Cabinet Meeting in Lakeland
of the Palm Beaches 18- Annual Conference Forum @ Emmanuel
900 Brandywine Rd., West Palm Beach UMC, 3:00 p.m.
Topics include: basic worship planning, worship as spiritual 22 – Refocusing @ District office, 9:00 a.m.
26 – Memorial Day, District office closed
formation, worship in the emerging culture, care and feeding of 27 &28 – Full Cabinet in Lakeland
a praise team, and connecting worship to the outside 28 -31- Annual Conference in Lakeland
community.
All pastors, worship leaders, worship
teams and anyone else who is involved April 1st Begins New Email Address for
in making worship happen at their local Pastors – No kidding!
church are encouraged to attend this
Each Pastor should have received a
conference.
letter from Jim Harsell, Chief
Registration is online: Information Officer for the Conference
Passionate Worship registration concerning giving everyone a flumc.org
email address. This will be the only
9015 Americana Rd. #4, Vero Beach, FL 32966 address used for sending District and
Phone: (772)299-0255 Fax: (772)299-0258 Conference items beginning April 1st.
Email: District Superintendent: DS-AC@flumc.org; Please make sure you have switched
Patti: flumc-ac@flumc.org Linda: flumc-ac2@flumc.org
Our New Website: www.acdistrictumc.org over your email to your new address by
then. (You can, in turn, forward your
mail from the flumc.org site to your
preferred email address.) The IT Help
Desk is available for questions. 1-800-
282-8011 ext. 187,120, or 119.
The Spirituality of the
Congregation
By Rev. Linda K. Mobley
Passionate Spirituality is, according to the research, the
characteristic of a healthy congregation that surfaces as the minimum
factor in the majority of United Methodist churches. But spiritual vitality is critical to the survival of
most turnaround churches and the key to bringing people into a powerful relationship with Jesus
Christ. Without it, a congregation will dissolve into a social network of people who care about one
another but ignore the needs of those in the communities around her. Passionate Spirituality gives
us the fervor and enthusiasm to love as God loves.
Definition:
Effective ministry flows out of spiritual intimacy, leading to a strong conviction that God will act in
powerful ways. A Godly vision can only be accomplished through an optimistic faith that views
obstacles as opportunities and turns defeats into victories. THAT’S Passionate Spirituality.
If You Are A Leader:
As a leader, you have an important role in facilitating greater spiritual renewal in the
church. Take it seriously – it’s not just the pastor’s “job”.
Learn something new from God every day. Pay attention to where you see God working.
The more you pay attention, the more you will see.
Trials and difficulties may be confirmation you are on the right track.
Refrain from motivating people out of guilt. That will do more to push people away from
God than anything else you could do.
If you are a Part of a Leadership or Ministry Team:
Confession/repentance is essential to spiritual passion and growth. Do you, as a team, need
to restore God to the Leadership Team? Remember -- God’s Grace will always give you
another chance.
When a church's passion for Christ increases, it will be evidenced in the atmosphere of the
church and in the fruit of its ministry.
Prayer is not preparation for the ministry - it IS ministry.
Monitor all events and programs in your church with respect to what they tell people about
Christ.
Action Steps:
As leaders, model a passion for Christ.
Identify those Christians whom God has given the gift of praying.
Train Christians with the gift of counseling to be spiritual mentors, if they are willing.
Recruit the small groups in your church for a multi-week training course in praying.
Provide opportunities for people to give examples of God’s transforming work in their lives.
Identify those factors that block spiritual passion in your church.
Mark YOUR Calendar!
Annual Conference Forums
In just a few weeks, we will be in Lakeland for Annual Conference.
The Forums (formally called Orientations) will be May 4th at Trinity
UMC, 9625 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, and May 18th at
Emmanuel UMC, 2800 West Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. Both Forums
will be from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
As you can see from the logo, the theme is “Living the United Methodist Way.” At the forum,
we will give you details about the workshops which will be held Wednesday, May 28th. Be sure to make
your hotel reservations to include Wednesday night!
Our delegates to General Conference will have just returned home May 3rd, so it is our hope to
give you highlights at the Forums.
As always, you will receive your AC workbooks and other information that will be helpful in your
service as a delegate. Please plan to attend one of the Forums. If it isn’t possible for you to do so, it
would be very helpful if you would arrange with someone from your church to bring you your workbook.
Mike and I look forward to seeing you there~~~if you have questions, please contact me.
Dottie Graves, Leader of Laity dotnruss@cfl.rr.com (321) 722-3660
Please pray for our Lay Delegates & Clergy going to General Conference
April 23 – May 3.
Annual Conference Offering – Plan now to take an offering to bring to the 2008 Annual
Conference session this year. As is our tradition, an offering will be taken that supports the mission of
making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Every congregation is invited and
encouraged to collect this offering. The amount collected is secondary to the prayer and faithfulness
with which it is supported. The offering will be divided three ways. Sixty percent will be directed to
the East Angola/Florida Partnership. Twenty percent will support the legal immigration counseling
ministry in Central Florida, and twenty percent will strengthen Florida children’s ministries with the
Council of Bishop’s Initiative on Children and Poverty.
Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be held on March 30 to April 4, 2008 at the
LEC in Fruitland Park, FL. Many have found this Academy a pivotal event in their spiritual journey. This year's
topic is "Journey to a Thankful Heart". Being grateful is more than saying "thank you." Explore the beliefs,
barriers, bridges and becoming of genuine Thanksgiving as you learn how to develop a thankful heart. This year's
faculty includes Graham Standish, author of "Becoming a Blessed Church" and "Humble Leadership"; and Linda
Douty, author of "How Can I let go if I don't know I'm Holding On-Setting Our Souls Free". For more information
and/or registration, go to [website].
PREACHING WITH PRESENCE OFFERED IN LEESBURG
The Center for Clergy Excellence has six slots open for the April 21 – 23. Preaching With Presence Workshop in
Leesburg. If you are interested in attending, please call the District Office.
What’s happening in the AC District…
RADIO PROGRAM SUPPORTS CHURCH’S GOALS
When Gene Yotka arrived last year as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Cocoa, many ambitious
goals were set by Pastor Gene and the leadership of the church. A most important mission at this church, as at
many others, is to minister to those seeking a relationship with God. Recently, a step toward that goal was
realized when Pastor Gene began a radio program in Brevard County, ”Means of Grace” on station WNIE, 1510
AM. It airs daily from 4 PM to 4:30PM. This station reaches a population of 877,880. Besides learning how we
can seek God’s presence in our lives, the program has interviews with individuals, including seminary professors,
and inspirational music. Any one interested in being a part of this exciting ministry should contact First United
Methodist Church at 321-636-4811.
Feinstein Challenge
C.R.O.S. Ministries needs your help in meeting the Feinstein $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger. Food and
financial contributions received between March 1 and April 30, 2008 count towards this match. Please note
“Feinstein” in memo section of the check. Every dollar and pound of food helps. Please help us meet this
challenge!
Help Rebuild Homes
Volunteers are needed to help rehab hurricane damaged homes - roofs, drywall etc. Most homes are located in
the Glades. Days and times are flexible, everyday but Sunday. Groups of 2 to 10 preferred. Need to be 16 years
and older, to work on a roof. Call Mayra Echenique, (561)-755-2495 or e-mail mechenique@crosministries.com
Riviera Beach Food Pantry
We are in urgent need of volunteers Monday through Friday between 9 am and 4 pm to distribute food to needy
families in the Riviera Beach pantry. The volunteers must be willing to get signatures for the food given out to
the families. Please call Donna Buchalter, at 561-699-5113 or e-mail dbcros@bellsouth.net
Note: The Department of Children & Families caseworkers in Riviera are very short staffed. As a result, the
supervisor has decided to give out food only once a month to area families. We were only able to help 155
individuals in February, due to a lack of volunteers. We would be able to help more families, more often, if we
have volunteers willing to prepare the food bags and give them out. With the needed signatures, we can also get
more free USDA food from the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Office Help
C.R.O.S. is looking for individuals to help out in their Lake Worth office, three to four hours every week.
Volunteers assist with making copies, filing, preparing mailings, computer work etc. If you can help, please call
Ruth Mageria at (561) 233-9009 ext 105 or e-mail rmageria@crosministries.org
Nothing but Nets Basketball Tournament
Trinity UMC, Palm Beach Gardens is holding a Nothing but Net Basketball tournament in April. All funds raised
during the tournament will go to purchase nets for families in Africa. To register and to receive a flyer for
advertising, please visit the website or contact Rev. Arlindall Burks directly at www.trinitypbg.org/nbn.
Laptop Computer/Overhead Projector Needed
First Hispanic UMC is in need of a laptop computer and an overhead projector. If you can help, please contact
Rosa Suarez- Prado at rasuarezprado@gmail.com.
Check out our new Atlantic Central District website:
www.acdistrictumc.org
Making appointments By Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
Each year the bishop’s cabinet of district superintendents goes through a process of appointing
pastors to local congregations. We influence the life of the annual conference more by making
appointments than by any other means. By making appropriate appointments, we equip the local
churches with the leadership they need to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of
the world.
The cabinet may have more understanding of the needs of local churches than most members
imagine. District superintendents develop a holistic understanding of churches’ histories and
mission and an in-depth awareness of pastors’ strengths and weaknesses. Consultations with
pastors and staff-parish relations committees give to superintendents a contemporary reading of
the relationship between a pastor and a local church. Profiles of pastors and local churches provide
the entire cabinet with a self-portrait for both pastors and churches.
In deciding which pastor to appoint, normally the cabinet spends sufficient time understanding the
missional needs of a congregation. Then members of the cabinet nominate pastors to be appointed
to the congregation, and each nominee is studied carefully. Through different means, a consensus
is reached about who should be appointed. When there is no consensus, the bishop makes the final
decision. The guidelines for appointment-making that provide directions for the cabinet can be
viewed at http://www.flumc.org.
Staff-parish relations committees are aware that we have abandoned the practice of asking the
committee to vote annually on the tenure of a pastor. Any committee or pastor can request a
consultation with the superintendent regarding a move. However, just because all appointments
are made on an annual basis does not mean that it is wise to require committees or pastors to
discuss a pastor’s tenure every year. Our encouragement of longer pastorates influenced our
change from the old procedure.
I need to add a frank word to members who try to influence the superintendent or me by a letter-
writing campaign or petitions. Petitions are never considered since they represent a failure to follow
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, which gives authority to elected staff-parish
relations committees to consult with district superintendents. Letter-writing campaigns are such an
obvious attempt at lobbying that they are counterproductive. Neither a superintendent nor I can
make any meaningful response to such letters since we are engaged in a confidential process
lasting several months before it is brought to conclusion.
Always we seek the guidance and illumination of the Holy Spirit throughout the whole process of
consultation, study, conversation and decision-making. We try to exercise good judgment as we
ask for the unseen guidance of divine wisdom. It is not unusual to experience surprises that cancel
our own judgments; we welcome these as reminders to us that we are a part of God’s church
where the Spirit works in ways that transcend our human limits.
15 Passenger Van Update The Department for Ministry Protection provided recommendations on the
ownership and use of dangerous 15 passenger vans at Annual Conference last June. As a result of the increased
cost to insure these vehicles and due to the catastrophic risk inherent in them, the 2008 premium for 15
passenger vans has increased to $4000 per vehicle, which was reflected on the most recent property and
casualty insurance invoices received by our churches.
As an incentive for churches that still own and operate 15 passenger vans to transition to safer transportation,
the Conference is offering a full "rebate" of the 2008 van premium ($4000), if the church sells the van by June
1, 2008. After June 1 through the end of the year, the Conference will "rebate" 50% of the van premium,
($2000).
Managing Change: Special Offer to Clergy Families
This workshop will be offered to clergy and scheduled immediately following Annual Conference in
Lakeland. It will be led by Sally Campbell-Evans and will take place at Le Mans Suites in Lakeland May
31 through June 2. There are 5 spaces available. The cost of the retreat is $165 and includes
everything but food. If you feel this workshop would be helpful, please contact Trudy Rankin at the
Shade and Fresh Water [website]. A DVD is also available at the website and the Annual Conference
table display to support pastors by assisting SPRCs in understanding the clergy culture. Shade and
Fresh Water operates through the financial gifts of those who have been served.
An Invitation to Re-imagine the Way You Preach:
2008-09 Institute of Preaching at Duke Divinity School
Twelve pastors from Florida and six from Western North Carolina will be chosen to participate in three retreats
and a congregational training day between August 2008 and April 2009.
Further information about the program is available at [CLICK HERE].
Conference Table: “In Defense of Creation II”
Bishop Whitaker will be leading our next Conference Table which will be held on Tuesday, June 17 th at
Trinity UMC, Gainesville, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bishop Whitaker, who is heading up this conversation
within the College of Bishops and will be leading this Conference Table, is hoping that many of our
conference clergy and laity will attend this table discussion.
Summer Mission Intern Opportunities
Are you interested in working in ministry with children at day and overnight camps this summer? You
will share your gifts for nine weeks June 8 – August 8 at various settings throughout Florida. We are
seeking college students and high school graduates with an aptitude for ministry with children and
youth and enthusiasm for sharing our Christian faith! You will be placed in groups of 2 – 5 to work in
United Methodist outreach agencies or with our summer camp ministry at the Life Enrichment Center
and Riverside Retreat. Training, weekly stipend and room and board will be provided. For an
application or further information, email Rev. David Berkey at dberkey@flumc.org or go to the
conference website, www.flumc.org and look for the application. You can also call for an application at
1800-282-8011, ext. 140. The deadline is April 15th.
Financial Consultation Service for Clergy
Did you know that our United Health Care offers free pastoral financial consultation? One toll-free
phone call is all it takes to reach an experienced Employee Assistance Program professional who will
consult with you and recommend the right information, resources and support. The number for clergy
to call is 1-800-842-2869.
