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REPORTS DUE

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REOURCES

You may click on the below logos for further information.

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Hospitality Volunteers Needed!

 Click the logo below for further details.

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The Georgia Florida United Methodist Federal Credit Union will award four $1,000 college scholarships [Click Here]   for details.

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Florida Conference Online Learning Ministry!

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February Events 

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Please visit the Celebrate Jesus website for their 2012 mission dates as well as lots of great information on the ministry.

www.cjmission.org

Craig's Message  - February 2012

     Electric power is a precious commodity in Haiti. Electric power comes in sporadic (at least it seemed to me) spurts. It goes out at sometimes random times. And so Haitians, who have the resources to do so, have to compensate for this reality. They do it in a couple of ways.

Obviously when the power is flowing, everything in the house works. But also, while everything else is running, so is an inverter that charges a series of batteries. These batteries are (or at least look like) car batteries, connected to each other with heavy wires. When the electricity goes out, the inverter reverses and uses the batteries to run, well, some of the things in the house. Lights work, and the TV, but not heavy drains like A/C or a hair dryer.

Talking with my host one evening, the lights suddenly got brighter. Everything in the house was more visible. I said “Oh, the electricity came back.” And she said, “No, the electricity just went out, and now we are battery. The battery power is stronger.” Shows you how much I know.

Now, I usually write about experiences that are presented to me on a daily basis, and I find spiritual meaning in them. In this case, I can’t.

I want power in my life. And for the lights of my life to run, I need external power. The power of the Holy Spirit is the external force that allows me to be the person that God has called me to be in the world today.

And there are ways in which I receive that power. I have devotions in the morning (I’ve been reading Oswald Chambers lately, he was quite a character!). I go to church on Sundays. I study the Bible. I used to sing in a choir (being a true circuit rider has taken away some blessings).

But I can’t correlate any of those to the alternative sources of power in Haiti. The electricity fails. The batteries drain. And by the way, when the batteries drain before the electricity goes out, they have diesel generators that kick in. But even the generators can run out of fuel.

No human effort is ultimately sufficient for anything. Our systems, as redundant and robust as we make them, fail. When the FBI’s website is hacked, you know EVERYBODY is vulnerable. Ultimately we are dependent on the one eternal source of power, our Creator and our Sustainer, our Heavenly Father. No measure of human ingenuity will ever surpass of supplant that.

So, I am left with the illustration being, on one hand, a proof of our own human failure, and our reliance on God. But on the other hand, it was a great illustration of the way Haitians cope and strive amidst very difficult circumstances. I deeply admired the brothers and sisters in Christ that I met there. They are remarkable people. And they will be the first to tell you that their hope, and their power, comes from the Lord. And nowhere else.

Back Stateside,

Craig

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

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FINAL submission date for Year End Statistics is

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 5:00pm.

Year End Statistics can be accessed by clicking the "Year-End Statistics " link under "Forms and Reports" in the bottom grey section of the Home Page of the Florida Conference website www.flumc.org.

This link will open to detailed instructions for accessing Year End Statistic. Please follow the step by step instructions.

2012 Apportionments

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The conference has been working very closely with the Districts to prepare the 2012 apportionments. The apportionments for 2012 are anticipated to be uploaded by the first week in October. Please contact your District first if you have any questions regarding your apportionments.

To obtain the 2012 apportionment information for your church you can go to the conference website flumc2.org. Just like you do when you pull up your apportionments report you will go to the Monthly Reports at the bottom right of the home page. This will take you to The Message Board where you will select “Click here to download monthly reports”. We will be adding a report for 2012 apportionments, however, if that is not there yet you can pull up your apportionment report and change the date to 1/1/2012 then click on refresh to obtain the information.

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Building the Beloved Community

Mandatory Inclusivity Training for all Full-Time Clergy

A letter of invitation was mailed from the Bishop's office with details regarding the mandated inclusivity training that all full-time clergy

will need to attend in 2012.

Some details related to the exact locations of these training events are still being finalized at the Conference Center. However, we wanted to let you know the dates and regions that are being targeted for this training so you can get one of the training sessions on your calendar now. You will be able to use CE or RA funds for the cost and it will count for your continuing education requirements for 2012.

Also, Conference CE funds may also be available depending on whether or not you have used those funds recently.

Here are the dates and regions that are set at this point:

February 27-29: Gainesville Hotel & Conference Center [Click Here] for registration.

7417 West Newberry Road, Gainesville, FL 32605 (352) 332-7500

September 27-29 (Fort Lauderdale/Pompano area)

October 8-10 (Daytona area)

October 15-17: First UMC of Brandon, 120 North Knights Avenue, Brandon, FL 33510

Every full-time clergy must attend one of these events, so please put one of these session dates on your calendar now and protect it.

One-day Mission Centered Ministry Events

featuring Doug Anderson February 6 – 9, 2012

Please click here for details !

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Ministerio Centrado En La Mision

Un seminario de un día por el Dr. Doug Anderson 10 AM – 5 PM

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Haga clic aquí para leer en español !

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38th Annual Secretaries Seminar - February 24-26

Life Enrichment Center

The PAUMCS (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) will hold their annual seminar in Fruitland Park, FL. This year's featured speakers are: Beanie Rankin from GCFA in Nashville and Mont Duncan from the Florida Conference office, according to registrar Louise Urquhart.

Beanie Rankin will be presenting information on Computer Etiquette, Membership and Statistics. Mont Duncan will present information entitled "Know Your Community." The Florida United Methodist Children's Home will be the entertainment on Friday, February 24.

Seminar activities will begin Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. and continue through Sunday morning worship. The cost for the entire weekend (workshops, materials, 2 nights' lodging, meals, and snacks) is $185 for a single room or $150 for a double room. Some scholarships may be available.

For more information about this event, [click here] for the brochure. Registration Form please click here

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HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CHURCH SEMINAR – Part 2

Saturday, February 25, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church

Oakland Park, Florida

This seminar is opened to both CLERGY and LAITY [Including YOUNG ADULTS!]

Please click here for the flyer and RSVP TODAY!!!

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LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES
2012 LAY SERVANT CLASSES

MARCH 9-10, 2012
Hollywood Hills UMC
400 N. 35th Avenue
Hollywood, FL 33021
954-989-8304

BASIC COURSE / English & Spanish
ADVANCED COURSE: Methodism 101 / English

SCHEDULE
Friday 5:00PM Registration & Refreshments
6:00PM – 9:00PM Course Instruction
Saturday 8:00AM Registration & Breakfast
9:00AM & 12:00PM Course Instruction
12:00PM – 1:00PM Lunch
1:00PM – 5:00PM Course Instruction

Course Fee: $25.00 Includes course materials, Friday refreshments, light breakfast and box lunch on Saturday.

For More Information or to Register Contact
Jacki Haack, Lay Servant Ministry Director at 954-559-4465 or growandglow@aol.com OR The District Office.

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BLACK CHURCH PREACHING SEMINAR

Church Office will be hosting a Preaching with Purpose, Power and Passion seminar and lecture series with the Rev. Dr. William B. McClain, homiletics professor of the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.

March 29, 2012 - March 30, 2012 click here for details

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Center for Health’s Clergy Health Research Survey

In support of the Church Systems Task Force request for better accountability and monitoring of clergy health, the Center for Health

will conduct its annual clergy health research survey in February.

A sample of 5,000 active clergy will receive an invitation to participate in the brief (10-15 minute) online survey to help understand and monitor clergy

health needs across the denomination. Clergy in your conference may receive the survey.

The resulting data will be used to monitor trends and needs as well as to develop programs and services to assist UMC clergy in leading healthier lives, supporting mission and ministry.

Confidentiality Assured!

Participation is voluntary and the opinions and information shared will be kept confidential. The survey is solely for research purposes and will not

replace any other health questionnaire or risk assessment from health plan or conference providers.

Click here to read the letter mailed from General Secretary Barbara Boigegrain to the survey sample.

Questions should be directed to Anne Borish, Research and Information Manager, at aborish@gbophb.org or 1-847-866-4566.

Thank you for your support of this effort.

MEDICAL PERSONNEL NEEDED

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Faith UMC Fort Myers is in need of additional medical personnel to round out its medical mission team to El Salvador in March of 2012. We are in need of one or two adult medicine professionals (MD, DO, NP or PA). We are also in need of one or two pediatric providers. An OB/GYN would be a great addition as well. Interested medical professionals should contact Dr. Brad Middaugh at 239-481-7799. Faith Church has been blessed to provide good health care teams for several years. This will be our second trip to El Salvador. Together we can make a real difference in the lives of those in need.


David Stauffer
Pastor

15690 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33908
239-482-2030 Office
239-940-7181 Cell
239-482-6270 Fax
dstauffer@faithum.com
www.faithum.com

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"Methodist United in Prayer" (The old Cuba/Florida Covenant)

Is your church interested in a week long mission trip to Cuba? There is no better time than now to prepare for a mission trip to Cuba in 2012.Come visit the Methodist church in Cuba. Learn about their customs, the tremendous growth in Methodism in Cuba. See for yourself the revival, the charismatic style of worship. If you have a sister church, go and meet the pastor and the congregation and strengthen that relationship , if your church here does not have a sister church relationship , find out how to have one.
Requirements to go to Cuba: Have a valid U.S. passport, have a heart for missions and have a minimum of 4 people from your church wanting to go. Approx cost is 1,840.00 all expenses while in Cuba.

Please contact Robert Pinera , Southeast district coordinator for "Methodist United In Prayer" Email: Rpinera@aol.com

cell phone 954-562-6089

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Do you know you someone that needs a car to get to work but,

have been rejected by banks or credit unions?

South Florida Urban Ministries is pleased to bring this life changing national program to our local community!

Come learn how we can help your families in need of a used car loan!!

Click here for more information.

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  The Upper Room ministry of the Board of Discipleship

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Has created an Academy for Spiritual Formation that really is tailor fitted for our District. They are creating a bilingual Academy, and it will be hosted here in Florida. This is a three year commitment. And it’s not cheap. But the Florida Annual Conference has $2,000 scholarships for eligible people who apply for the money. Please click here to learn more about it.

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The Center for Clergy Excellence

Created a new website, specifically for people who are just beginning to explore a call to licensed or ordained ministry. It contains resources,

contact information, and basic instructions for how to get started in the

candidacy process.

www.mycallfl.org

Please check it out, and share it with others!

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Career Support Network - First Coral Springs UMC

is offering a Job Seeker's Support Group.

Please click here for more information on this important ministry !

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FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNITED METHODIST STUDENTS

The Florida United Methodist Foundation administers two scholarships that are intended exclusively for the use of United Methodist students who wish to further their education beyond high school. Please click here for this scholarship details!

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Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

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Announces the opening of its Crisis Pregnancy Center

Please click here for more information .

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HIRING ONLY CHRISTIANS

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Very often when Staff Parish Relations Committees get together to hire somebody, the discussion comes up about whether they have to be Christians, and if so, is it legal to ask about it, and publish it that way, etc. We have this sense that in hiring we can't ask those questions. But it's not true. As churches, and as United Methodist Churches, it is perfectly Ok to seek people who fully endorse the mission of the church. Anti-discrimination laws allow for this. The Boy Scouts tested this all the way to the Supreme Court. And that decision was further refined recently by a case involving World Vision. Please read the following news article from the Puget Sound Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/10/03/supreme-court-world-vision-can-hire.html

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Please read the documents below and pray with your church about how you can help this ministry.

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Habitat for Humanity Update & Request for Help

Liberty City Outreach

Faith House Sponsor Request Letter for 2011

Faith House 2011 Sponsorship Agreement

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SE Clergy

February Birthday's

Does your church want to advertise a job opening? 

Would you like to post your resume for churches to see?

Our "Available Jobs/Resumes" page contains current job openings and resumes of those looking for work in ministry. The page is for anyone looking for a job and/or looking for resumes of those interested in working in ministry settings.  Please click here to see the most recent additions.

If you would like to post information on the "Available Jobs/Resumes" page please email it to Tasha Smith     (flumc-se@flumc.org).

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