Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Palm Harbor United Methodist Church

551 Belcher Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Offered by the Conference Spiritual Formation Team - Cost: $25 (box lunch included) 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the traditional historical icons with modern day iconographer Jennie Gelles. She will give a historical preview of icon writing and explain the age old egg tempera and natural pigments method of creating icons. Lucy Wray will lead participants through various exercises of how to pray with icons as we look at this rich tradition of worshipping and praying. This workshop is very experiential and a must for those interested in our rich heritage dating back to the Orthodox church.   

Jennie Atty Gelles was born in Pennsylvania in 1953, the daughter of first generation American parents whose ancestors were from Lebanon. Jennie graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1975 with a degree in art education. After marrying Richard Gelles and moving to New York, she became a professional artist, accepting a variety of commissions in different media. From the time of her baptism as an infant in the Orthodox Christian Church, Jennie has been surrounded by icons. Her first formal training in the art of the icon was in 1982 at St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, under Helena Nikkanen, who was a student of Leonid Ouspensky.  As a result of taking the course at St. Vladimir Seminary,  Jennie painted (wrote) several icons to present as gifts to the mission parish of St. Stephen the Protomartyr Orthodox Church in S. Plainfield, NJ, where she and Richard were members. While living in Florida she also wrote several icons, one of  which she donated to her then home parish of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in New Port Richey, Florida

Lucy Wray resides in Trinity, FL, and is a member of Palm Harbor UMC. She is a wife, mother of two and grandmother of twins. Lucy has a certificate in spiritual direction and is serving on the board of Shade and Fresh Water as Spiritual Director. She assists in leading clergy covenant retreats. She is also on the leadership team of the West FL/AL spiritual direction training program as a spiritual direction supervisor. Lucy completed the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation in 2005 and is a member of the conference Spiritual Formation Team. She has served on various committees in her local church and most recently as chair of the SPRC.

January 30, 2012 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. USF Campus, Tampa

On your brand-new calendars, please mark this date, January 30, 2012,  and plan to attend this event. Mark Braverman will be speaking at the University of South Florida, Tampa, in Room 2708, Marshall Student Center, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Come at 6:00 p.m. should you want an autographed copy of Braverman's book, Fatal Embrace.

Since then, Braverman has devoted himself full-time to the Israel/Palestine conflict. He is a co-founder and Executive Director of Friends of Tent of Nations North America, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Palestinian land rights and peaceful coexistence in historic Palestine. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions-USA, the advisory committee of Friends of Sabeel North America, and the advisory council of the Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace. He is a charter member of American Jews for a Just Peace. Visit markbraverman.org

Why should you attend and encourage others to do so? You should attend because you are a Christian and Christians care about their neighbors. Our neighbors in the Land of the Holy One are in crisis but our media does not share fully about that crisis. Mark, once a strong supporter of Israel's policies, will tell you why his views changed and why he is working so hard to find a just peace. Isn't that what we want as Christians?  Come and be informed!

For more information, contact Rev. Gene Watson or Rev. Lois Rogers-Watson at 

727-785-7157. 

To be included in the Florida Annual Conference "Report of 100% Churches", 100% of 2011 apportionments must be received by January 13, 2012

Apportionment payments for 2011 must be received either at the Conference office or in the lock box at Regions Bank by January 13, 2012. This is not a postmarked by date, but is the last day by which monies must be received in the Conference or our bank lockbox to be included in 2011 apportionments receipts. Any payments received after that date will be applied to 2012 apportionments. Any payments received between January 1 and January 13 must be clearly marked as to which year they are to be applied. All apportionment payments should be accompanied by a completed Remittance Report. The Remittance Report is located on our website at www.flumc.org.

Any amounts due for Ministry Protection and Health and Benefits at the end of the year will continue to show as outstanding on your statement in 2012.

A team traveling to Havana April 18-25, 2012 has announced 7 opened spots on their team. Approximate cost is $1400, which includes Airfare, transportation, housing, meals, travel insurance and visa. Application deadline is January 13, 2012. The team will work in the construction of the sanctuary and the women's ministry with the Guanabacoa Church. For more information about this team and to apply, please contact Gary Cochran at 334.669.9623 or garyacochran@bellsouth.net. 

Sylvan Abbey UMC, 2817 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759

(Must attend both Saturdays for certification)

New Basic Course: This  basic course for Lay Servants provides the framework for all leadership in mission and ministry. This course will equip leaders to better lead not only in your church, but as well as in the local community. The following topics will be covered: Servant leadership, Spiritual leadership, Caring ministries, Sharing your faith and Leading meetings. **Those taking this class need to bring the following items with them; Bible, Hymnal, a United Methodist Book of Worship and borrow a copy of the current Book of Discipline. (These can be purchased through Cokesbury or borrowed from your local church.)

Advanced Course - Lay Servants Deliver an Effective Sermon: This course offers a practical guide to addressing the foundations necessary for preparing an engaging sermon. Our text is "From your heart to theirs", by Franks and Carroll. **You will need to bring a Bible and a Methodist hymnal to each session.

Advanced Course - Lay Servants lead in Pastoral Care Giving: This course offers insights into the life span and the dynamics of contemporary life to help your church leaders reach out with God's love and care for others in your own church and into your community .**You will need to bring a Bible and a Methodist hymnal to each session.

For the Brochure and registration form [click here].

Saturday, March 31, 2012

from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Florida Botanical Gardens and Heritage Village in Pinewood Cultural Park 

12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo

A Walk-for-the-Dream sponsored by United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, will take place on Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., at the Florida Botanical Gardens and Heritage Village in Pinewood Cultural Park, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The public is invited to participate as individuals, families, churches, businesses and/or other teams. Volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life will raise funds to support the Cooperative Ministries programs for at-risk children and families by getting sponsors for their participation. Everyone who collects a minimum of $35 or more in sponsorships will receive a free T-shirt and a boxed lunch for a picnic in the park. Top fundraising individuals will have the chance to win big prizes. Awards will also be given for the top fund raising groups and those with the most official walkers. Reservations and registration are required.

Register on-line through www.UMCM.info in January. Or, for more details, registration forms or to volunteer for the event, call Kitty Carpenter, at 727-442-6881, ext. 5, or email kcarpenter@umcm.info. Group or Church Walk Coordinators will also be provided forms.

Founded in 1975, United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc. is a non-profit outreach mission of the Gulf Central District of the United Methodist Church. Cooperative Ministries mobilizes volunteers and provides a wide variety of social service programs in five Gulf Coast Counties to over 15,000 individuals and families needing help with basic social, educational, and economic needs.

SAVE THE DATE - Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Allendale UMC

Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

3803 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg, FL 33703 

(727) 527-6694

Rev. J. Ellsworth Kalas will be preaching the Word on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida at the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. The public is invited. Parking is available on the North and West sides of the church property. Due to the anticipated size of the congregation you are encouraged to be seated in the Sanctuary on or before 10:45 a.m.   

Rev. Kalas is known for his long time pastorate within the United Methodist Church; his leadership as President of Asbury Theological Seminary [Wilmore, KY, and Orlando FL]; his authorship of many Christian books, including: Parables from the Backside. The New Testament from The Backside; Grace in a Tree Stump, and many others.  

Save the date, Sunday, May 6, 2012; and, the time to arrive, 10:45 a.m. in order to attend the Worship Service and savor the experience of hearing one of America's leading preachers; and, a most outstanding educator [in our own backyard].

Some of the best learning we can have as church leaders is a combination of inspiration and instruction. We want to invite you to a "come and see" as well as a "come and learn" weekend at Grace Church, a multiple-site, United Methodist Church with four campuses in Southwest Florida (Cape Coral/Fort Myers area). Grace Church has grown from 400 to 2800 in worship attendance, from one campus with two worship services to four campuses with thirteen weekly services. Grace Church has one of the largest recovery ministries in America as well as a ministry to the poor and marginalized that models the Wesleyan ministry balance of acts of mercy and acts of piety in a contemporary setting. Monthly, dozens of people in Lee County come to faith in Jesus through both the recovery and compassion ministries of Grace Church.

During this weekend, you and your team will experience and learn about the vision and strategy of Grace Church with a focus on recovery (Celebrate Recovery) and compassion outreach ministries (Third Saturday Outreach). On Friday night, you will worship with 300-400 adults, youth, and children at Celebrate Recovery. On Saturday morning, you will join 150 volunteers as they reach out to thousands of neighbors at our Third Saturday Outreach when we give away thousands of pounds of food and offer more than a dozen other ministries. On Sunday morning, you will have an opportunity to worship at three of our four campuses.

I hope you will join us!

Jorge Acevedo

Lead Pastor

If you have children (ages birth through high school seniors), we hope you'll save the dates for the Clergy Kids Retreat! This event is hosted by the Warren Willis Camp and the Center for Clergy Excellence. It gives children of clergy a chance to receive ministry in a setting other than their parents' congregation, and build relationships with other clergy kids in a fun environment. Parents of children 3rd grade and younger will attend with their children, making it an opportunity for young clergy and spouses to connect and build a supportive community.

For more information, contact Joel Pancoast, Program Manager at Warren Willis United Methodist Camp, at joel.pancoast@warrenwilliscamp.org.

February 24-26, 2012, 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 Fri., 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. Registration deadline is January 20, 2012. 

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

Scholarship Application [click here].