e-Review archive
May 2004
 

Florida delegates find different highlights at General Conference (May 3, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — Three days into the 2004 United Methodist General Conference, delegates have heard opening addresses by Mississippi Area Bishop Kenneth L. Carder and Gloria Holt, a lay person from the North Alabama Conference, heard information about a potential restructure of the general church from the General Council on Ministries, and learned about the financial situation from the General Commission on Finance and Administration. full story

Conference allows Florida, Eastern Angola to connect (May 4, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — The Florida and Eastern Angola conferences are nearly half a world apart, but the 2004 United Methodist General Conference here has placed the two conferences' delegations side-by-side and given them a chance to strengthen their connection and relationship. full story

Haitian-Americans see conference as painful opportunity (May 6, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — The Rev. Jacques E. Pierre and his sister, Judith Pierre-Okerson, view the 2004 General Conference both as a painful time and an opportunity to make a difference in their denomination. full story

Massey takes center stage at General Conference (May 6, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — Attendees to the 2004 General Conference Event have seen a great deal of Florida Conference delegate Mary Alice Massey. She has been serving as chairwoman of the General Conference Committee on Calendar and Agenda. full story

Delegates vote to end use of 'minority' in church language (May 6, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — Delegates to the 2004 General Conference here voted Monday night to omit the word minority from all church language. full story

Biweekly digest (April 26 - May 7, 2004)

April 26 - May 7, 2004 full story

Minister experiences strife of Haitian orphanage (May 12, 2004)

HOBE SOUND — The Rev. James Trainer didn’t know what to expect when he arrived in Haiti March 30. The pastor of Hobe Sound United Methodist Church only knew what he had seen on television or read in articles about Haiti, but he soon learned all he wanted to know as he journeyed to God’s Littlest Angel Orphanage in Petionville. full story

Florida’s delegates express differing opinions in homosexuality debate (May 13, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — Despite overwhelmingly passing a resolution on unity May 7 at the 2004 General Conference here, many United Methodists remained disheartened at what they consider the current divisive nature of the church, particularly in regard to the church’s stance on homosexuality. full story

Delegates approve new structure for general agencies (May 14, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — Working until midnight May 5, delegates to the 2004 General Conference voted to create the Connectional Table, a new body designed to provide a more functional organizational structure for the United Methodist Church’s general agencies. full story

Delegates persevere to complete task (May 14, 2004)

PITTSBURGH — It was a long two weeks for Florida’s delegates to the 2004 General Conference here April 27-May 7. Days began at 8:15 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m., with one day creeping past the midnight hour. full story

C.R.O.S program helps families move from public assistance to self-sufficiency (May 18, 2004)

WEST PALM BEACH — Jason DeSouza is an out-of-work shoe shiner who has a new perspective on life, thanks to the Family Connections program run by Christians Reaching Out to Society (C.R.O.S.). full story

Children’s Harvest highlights work of outreach ministries (May 19, 2004)

LAKELAND — Melba Whitaker believes God calls United Methodists to be concerned about more than just a person’s spiritual life. Whitaker, coordinator of the Florida Conference’s Children’s Harvest ministry and wife of Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, said responding to the physical needs of children is what United Methodists are called to do. full story

Conference treasurer says giving to conference, churches is up (May 20, 2004)

LAKELAND — Apportionment giving in the Florida Conference is steadily improving, according to Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland, the conference’s treasurer. full story

Sacramental desecration at General Conference 2004 (May 21, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: I’m not sure what is happening in me, but in my mid-40s I find myself appreciating the sacramental life of the church. full story

In Brief — May 25, 2004 {0082}

Board of Lay Ministry announces nominees Avondale church receives model recognition full story

Opportunities — May 26, 2004 {0083}

Still time to register for summer camp A total of 3,022 campers have registered for this year’s Florida Conference Summer Camp sessions, but slots are still open for several camp weeks. Summer camp begins May 31 and ends July 31.             full story

Denomination’s budget increase impacts Florida (May 28, 2004)

LAKELAND — The budget established at the recent 2004 General Conference in Pittsburgh will increase the Florida Conference’s general church and jurisdictional apportionments by nearly $483,000, according to budgetary information being presented at the 2004 Florida Annual Conference Event June 3-6 at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach. full story