e-Review archive
March 2006
 

In Memoriam — March 1, 2006 {0452}
In Memoriam — March 1, 2006 {0452}

March 1, 2006    News media contact:  Tita Parham*    
800-282-8011   
tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0452}

An e-Review News Item
By Caryl Kelley**

n Monroe Hatch
n Richard Harrison
n Francis Luce
n Eddie Rivers
n Thomas Kelsey
n James Harvester
n Richard Haley
n Ernesto Vasseur
n John DeRuyter
n Donald Keyes
n James Riddle
n Larry Mott
n Joseph Sweeny

full story

Financial challenges ahead: leaders gather to discuss possibilities
Financial challenges ahead: leaders gather to discuss possibilities

March 2, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0453}

NOTE: See related commentary “Strong, but challenged,” e-Review FUMNS {0454} at http://www.flumc.info/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000020/002059.htm.

An e-Review Feature
By Tita Parham

LAKELAND — The conference's financial situation last year was the best it has been in many years, but with higher insurance costs on the horizon and a declining membership, United Methodists in Florida may need to start thinking about "doing church" differently to meet financial challenges and continue vital ministry.

full story

Bishop announces cabinet changes
Bishop announces cabinet changes

March 7, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0455}

NOTE: A headshot of Sitggins, Kendall, Wiatt, Herman and Jefferson is available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml.

An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**

LAKELAND — In a recent release Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker announced changes to the Florida Conference Cabinet effective July 1.

full story

Bishop invites members to rally for children during annual week, year-round
Bishop invites members to rally for children during annual week, year-round

March 10, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0456}

An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**

LAKELAND — Children are often the forgotten members of society, but Children's Week is a time set aside each year to highlight issues important to the state's youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

The 11th Annual Children's Week "Celebrating Parents and Children" will take place in Tallahassee March 24-April 4. Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker will be a featured speaker at a press conference April 4 at 11 a.m.

full story

Alpha Club welcomes kids after school
Alpha Club welcomes kids after school

March 13, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0457}

An e-Review Feature
By Jenna De Marco**

For the third year in a row, children in Crawfordville have a safe place to go after school — Alpha Club at Wakulla United Methodist Church.

full story

Opportunities — March 15, 2006 {0458}
Opportunities — March 15, 2006 {0458}

March 15, 2006    News media contact:  Tita Parham*    
800-282-8011   
tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0458}

An e-Review News Item

n Families invited to support Children's Week events in Tallahassee
n 14th Conference Table examines role of laity
n Course helps churches meet worship fundamental
n Annual Conference offering highlights global connections
n "Externally Focused Church" author leads East Central District training
n Unique summer internships available for ethnic young adults
n Spring event will focus on 'Caring for God's Creation'
n Resources available for Christian Home Month in April
n Health and Wellness conference empowers health ministries
n Epworth Institute offers classes for young United Methodist clergy
n 2012 United Methodist General Conference Moves to Tampa
n Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" available for free download

full story

Immigration reform bill has potential to jeopardize church ministries
Immigration reform bill has potential to jeopardize church ministries

March 17, 2006    News media contact:  Tita Parham*    
800-282-8011   
tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0459}

An e-Review Feature
By Tita Parham

An immigration reform bill currently before the U.S. Senate may impact the way the Florida Conference and local churches do ministry with immigrants living in the state. The crux of the issue may be how specific words in the bill are interpreted.

full story

Hispanic Mission pastor reaches out to Florida hurricane survivors
Hispanic Mission pastor reaches out to Florida hurricane survivors

March 19, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0460}

An e-Review Feature
By Nancy E. Johnson**

Months after hurricanes Katrina and Wilma had passed, many of her poorest victims in South Florida were still suffering. One Florida City pastor saw the need and responded.

full story

Upcoming Conference Table focuses on laity
Upcoming Conference Table focuses on laity

March 19, 2006    News media contact:  Tita Parham*    
800-282-8011   
tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0461}

An e-Review Feature
By John M. De Marco**

The goal of the Florida Conference's 14th Conference Table, the fourth in a span of just four months, is to produce relevant discussions regarding the roles and expectations of laity in personal discipleship and congregational life.

full story

School's in session: Conference Table studies campus ministry
School's in session: Conference Table studies campus ministry

March 24, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0462}

An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**

OVIEDO — The race to claim and reclaim college students for the Christian faith across the many colleges and universities throughout the Florida Conference is a challenge the conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry takes very seriously.

Board members, campus ministers, college students, pastors and parents came together Feb. 25 at University Carillon United Methodist Church in Oviedo for the 13th Conference Table on campus ministry.

full story

Mission journal: experiencing the hospitality, needs of the Peruvian people
Mission journal: experiencing the hospitality, needs of the Peruvian people

March 27, 2006    News media contact:  Tita Parham*    
800-282-8011   
tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0464}

An e-Review Commentary
By Melanie Doran

Last fall I and four other clergy spouses from the Florida Conference (Pamela Rosenburg, Marion McMillan, Christine Dial and Rhonda Kleckner) went with Melba Whitaker, our bishop's wife, to Peru.

There were two separate itineraries for this trip: to find out the needs of the people and to know the country.

full story

Healthy Church Academy travels to churches to deliver courses
Healthy Church Academy travels to churches to deliver courses

March 31, 2006    News media contact: Tita Parham* 
800-282-8011  
tparham@flumc.org    Orlando {0465}

An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**

Sometimes the mountain will come to you.

That’s what happened when a cluster of churches in the Arcadia area of the conference’s South West District wanted to attend a Healthy Church Academy (HCA) course, but couldn’t afford the expense of traveling to Leesburg or Orlando. HCA leaders tailored a course specifically for them and held it at a church in their area.

full story