2009 Annual Conference Event Articles
    

Worldwide decision: United Methodists to vote on amending constitution

By Bill Fentum | April 22, 2009 {1005} NOTE: This article was produced and published by United Methodist Reporter in Dallas, Texas, April 10. The photos included are from e-Review Florida United Methodist News Service and United Methodist News Service coverage of 2008 General Conference and were not included with the original story. Delegates to United Methodist annual conference sessions in 2009 will vote on 32 amendments to the denomination’s constitution. Twenty-three of the changes, if passed, could lead to a new global structure for the church. full story

Conference focuses on environment, worldwide church at annual event

By Jenna De Marco | May 8, 2009 {1015} NOTE: Headshots of Dr. Laurel Kearns and the Revs. Dr. Denise Honeycutt and Pat Watkins are available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml. In the past decade climate change has surfaced as one of the fastest-growing social and political concerns across the globe. That and other environmental issues will be a major focus of more than 2,000 laity and clergy attending this year’s Florida Annual Conference Event. full story

Film festival tackles latest environmental issues, the Christian response

By Jenna De Marco | May 26, 2009 {1021} Because climate change and environmental issues are much-debated and multifaceted, organizers of this year’s Florida Annual Conference Event are offering a contemporary, faith-based context for discussing the topics. full story

Clergy share ‘wacky’ experiences of ministry

By Erik J. Alsgaard | May 29, 2009 {1022} LAKELAND, Fla. — Each annual conference event offers laity and clergy the opportunity to participate and vote in the life of the conference. It's also a time to see old friends and make new ones, and there are always stories to share. full story

Workshops give clergy, laity insights on reaching their communities

By Mary Lee Downey | June 11, 2009 {1030} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Churches in the Florida Conference are working hard to transform the world, and a series of workshops a day before the official start of this year’s annual conference session gave them additional tools to fulfill that mission. full story

Members celebrate lifetimes of ministry

By Jenna De Marco | June 12, 2009 {1032} The Rev. Dr. Rick Neal says the conferencewide memorial service for clergy and clergy spouses marks a “bittersweet occasion” for all members. full story

Creation care stars at pre-conference film festival

By J.A. Buchholz | June 11, 2009 {1031} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The idea of advocating for and protecting the environment is not just a social issue, but a faith-based belief that hits at the core of Christianity. That was the message behind a first-ever Florida Conference green film festival. full story

Conference members consider their call to care for creation

By J.A. Buchholz | June 13, 2009 {1033} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Green living. Global warming. Climate change. Those issues are heard in the news nearly every day. They were also the topic of discussion during the opening of the 2009 Florida Conference session, along with factors that don’t often surface in the secular debate: the Christian contribution and response. full story

Guest preacher says healing planet may heal souls

By Jenna De Marco | June 13, 2009 {1034} Caring for the earth is not a choice made by a select few, but an intentional mission and call that belongs to all Christians, says the Rev. Dr. Denise Honeycutt, and it’s time to get started. full story

Financial health of conference is good, leaders say

By Jenna De Marco | June 14, 2009 {1035} In his report to laity and clergy at the annual conference session, Florida Conference Treasurer Mickey Wilson said the financial leadership of the conference has made the changes the conference needs to endure the economic slowdown and be ready for an uncertain future. full story

Church structure, membership top list in debate on amendments

By Jenna De Marco | June 17, 2009 {1036} The results of votes cast June 12 at the 2009 Florida Annual Conference Event show a majority of clergy and lay members oppose constitutional amendments that would change the structure of The United Methodist Church and language related to membership. full story

Conference ministries put face on discipleship

By J.A. Buchholz | June 24, 2009 {1037} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Laity and clergy attending the June 12 session of the 2009 Florida Annual Conference Event were able to meet people whose lives have been changed through local church and conference ministries, giving them a glimpse of the way those ministries are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. full story

Bible study leader says Christians must care for creation because God does

By J.A. Buchholz | June 25, 2009 {1038} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —  The Rev. Pat Watkins says the idea of using less energy and recycling are not things only “tree huggers” should be doing, but actions all Christians should be taking because of their belief in Jesus Christ. full story

Annual Conference Wrap-up: Care for environment, amendments among main focus

By Tita Parham and Mary Lee Downey | June 26, 2009 {1039} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — More than 1,700 Florida Conference clergy and laity gathered at Bethune-Cookman University June 10-13 to consider the Christian response to environmental issues and tackle the business of the conference. full story

Bishop says all must ‘lay bodies on line’ for Christ

By J.A. Buchholz | July 6, 2009 {1041} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker urged those being commissioned, licensed and ordained at the 2009 Florida Annual Conference Event to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ. But that message wasn’t just for ministry candidates. full story

Young adults share dreams, realities with bishop, conference leaders

By Mary Lee Downey | July 23, 2009 {1051} DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Forty young adults met with 15 members of the Florida Conference Cabinet over lunch a day before the start of the annual conference session in June to discuss the future of young adults in ministry in the local church and how the local church can minister to young adults. full story

There’s more to do to achieve racial equality, pastors say

By J.A. Buchholz | Aug. 16, 2009 {1066} NOTE: Headshots of the Revs. S.S. Robinson and William W. Roughton are available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml. Two segregated Methodist conferences coexisted in Florida prior to June 1969. Their merger cut costs and made strides toward improving race relations, but pastors involved during that historic milestone say more needs to be done to achieve racial equality. full story