2010 Annual Conference Event Articles
    

Bishop links discipleship to service at annual session

By Derek Maul | April 7, 2010 {1161} The themes Florida Conference Bishop Timothy Whitaker has chosen for each annual conference session during his last four years as bishop focus on transforming the world through a specific action. He’s hoping this year’s vision will lead churches to eradicate extreme poverty. full story

Pre-conference classes help members focus on mission, service

By Derek Maul | May 5, 2010 {1169} With a full docket of business to address at the 2010 Florida Annual Conference Event, conference leaders want to keep the session’s theme front and center. Classes offered before the business begins aim to achieve that goal. full story

Hispanic ministry position gets revamp in wake of budget cuts

By John Michael De Marco | May 21, 2010 {1173} A recent decision by the Florida Conference Council on Finance and Administration to cut $525,000 from the conference’s 2011 budget is causing leaders to make tough decisions related to Hispanic ministry programming and staffing. full story

Governor talks faith, not politics at conference event

By J.A. Buchholz | June 12, 2010 {1181} LAKELAND — United Methodists attending the 2010 Florida Annual Conference Event June 10-12 got to see a different side of the man who is leading the state. full story

Pre-conference classes inspire members

By J.A. Buchholz | June 14, 2010 {1182} LAKELAND — Many of the nearly 900 lay and clergy members who registered at the Lakeland Center a day before the official start of the Florida Conference’s annual session hadn’t arrived early just to get ready for the business of the conference. They were there to learn. full story

Hunger relief president calls on members to leverage citizenship

By Derek Maul | June 15, 2010 {1183} LAKELAND — The good news is great strides have been made to end extreme poverty. The bad news is there is much more to do. But the Rev. David Beckmann says it can be done, if people have the will to do it. full story

Q&A: Hopeful for ‘hunger no more’

By Derek Maul | June 15, 2010 {1184} LAKELAND — In a conversation with e-Review after speaking to more than 1,700 Florida United Methodists during the opening of their annual business session, the Rev. David Beckmann explains the challenges of ridding the world of extreme poverty and why he’s optimistic it can be done. full story

Bishop says ending poverty is question of relationships, faith

By Jenna De Marco | June 16, 2010 {1185} How to end global poverty and the question of whether that goal is even possible were key topics of discussion at this year’s Florida Annual Conference Event. Bishop Peter Weaver says it is possible and offered a unique perspective to members on how to make that mission a reality. full story

Leaders say financial outlook is promising

By Kitty Carpenter | June 18, 2010 {1186} LAKELAND — Although not fully recovered from the economic downturn of recent years, things are getting better — much better. That was the Florida Conference treasurer’s assessment as he began his report on the financial health of the conference at this year's annual business session. full story

Members celebrate ministry, legacy of ‘saints’

By Jenna De Marco | June 22, 2010 {1187} The Rev. Dr. Larry Rankin says the legacy of the ‘saints’ is not just a memory. It’s a challenge for the living. full story

Bishop tells candidates ‘table manners’ matter

By Derek Maul | June 23, 2010 {1188} LAKELAND — Florida Conference Bishop Timothy Whitaker gives 44 men and women embarking on the next phase of their ministry journey and the laity and clergy gathered with them a word of instruction about what it means to sit at God’s table. full story

Filmgoers get up-close look at poverty

By J.A. Buchholz | June 25, 2010 {1189} LAKELAND — Florida United Methodists screening films a day before this year’s annual business session began weren’t watching the latest summer comedy or action-packed thriller. Instead, they were being educated about an issue that affects billions of people, some right in their own backyards. full story

Bible study leader teaches members to ‘make space’ for God

By Kitty Carpenter | June 28, 2010 {1190} LAKELAND — The Rev. Jaunita Rasmus acknowledges that it’s hard for people to listen for God’s word and be ready to do his work amidst the busyness of their lives. But it is possible, she says, thanks to a centuries-old spiritual practice. full story

Members challenged to be part of modern-day miracle

By Derek Maul | July 1, 2010 {1192} LAKELAND — A child dies of hunger in Guinea, West Africa. Another goes to bed hungry in Florida. Hunger relief advocates speaking at this year’s annual conference event offered Florida United Methodists a glimpse of how they can create a different reality for the world’s children. full story

Conference joins denomination’s fight to end malaria

By Derek Maul | July 12, 2010 {1196} LAKELAND — A mosquito bite in Florida is merely an irritation. Around the world it kills through the malaria it spreads. That’s a reality United Methodists are working to end. full story

Leaders consider difference between member, disciple

By J.A. Buchholz | July 21, 2010 {1199} LAKELAND — Are conference churches making disciples or members? Conference leaders asked laity and clergy to consider that question, and its implications for ministry, during the recent conference session. full story

Leaders urge patience in meeting Haiti’s needs

By J.A. Buchholz | July 24, 2010 {1201} LAKELAND — Six months after the earthquake that killed more than 220,000 people in Haiti, recovery is slow and conditions in many areas remain dire. Despite such circumstances, Florida Conference leaders urged members to “give great care” to the process of helping the Haitian people. full story

Conference creates oversight groups to strengthen connection

By J.A. Buchholz | Aug. 5, 2010 {1203} LAKELAND — Florida United Methodists attending their annual business session in June approved the creation of two new groups designed to help conference ministries function “as one.” full story