e-Review archive
July 2004
 

CIW uncovers slavery ring in Lake Placid (July 1, 2004)

IMMOKALEE — Romeo Ramirez didn't know slavery still existed in the United States until he infiltrated a citrus worker camp in Lake Placid where people were systematically abused by the owner. full story

Johns turns personal pain of disability into passion for others (July 2, 2004)

MERRITT ISLAND — June Johns' passion as a crusader for the physically and mentally disadvantaged began in her childhood and continues today, helping the United Methodist Church in Florida reach out to people in need. full story

Melba's Mission Journal: Worship at Damba United Methodist Church (July 13, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: In January of 2003, I had the marvelous opportunity to visit the Eastern Angola Conference with the Rev. Geraldine McClellan, district superintendent of the Gainesville District, and Mike Wacht, the head of our conference's communication department. Over the next several months, I will be sharing with you my experiences of this visit. full story

Opportunities — July 5, 2004 {0103}

Great American Bake Sale offers fun way to fight hunger Churches have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of 13 million children at risk of hunger in the U.S. through the Great American Bake Sale. full story

Healthy Church Academy enrollment opens this fall (July 6, 2004)

LAKELAND — There's been a lot of talk about the number of Florida Conference churches needing transformation, and members of the New Church Development and Congregational Transformation offices have designed a program to help churches in their transformation journey. It's called the Healthy Church Academy (HCA), and preregistration for courses beginning January 2005 opens this fall. full story

Pastor's journey of service takes detour to detention in Cuba (July 12, 2004)

LAKELAND — The Rev. Aldo Martin was only 11 years old when he gave his first sermon, and he says it's one he won't forget. Martin had written the sermon and was about to deliver it when the lights went out in the Methodist Church of Omaja in Cuba. A frightened Martin doesn't remember what he said in the dark, crowded church, but he knew in that darkness he would walk in the light of Jesus Christ for the rest of his life, regardless of the obstacles he would face. full story

In Brief — July 16, 2004 {0113}

Florida churches receive Igniting Ministry recognition, grants United Methodists approve four more years of 'Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.'  full story

Clergy health care remains hot topic at conference event (July 7, 2004)

LAKELAND — The church, like millions of Americans and corporations, is not immune to the escalating costs of health care. And in the Florida Conference clergy enrolled in the conference health insurance plan are being asked to assume greater responsibility for their health-care costs. full story

Orlando churches in NCD process show progress (July 9, 2004)

ORLANDO — Orlando District churches participating in the Natural Church Development (NCD) process are showing positive results, according to a recent study of those churches by Rebecca Maish, a local coach consultant and member of Tuskawilla United Methodist Church here. full story

Clergy spouse changes law in teachers' favor (July 14, 2004)

POMPANO BEACH — The husband-wife/pastor-teacher duo is a common dynamic among clergy families, particularly in the Florida Conference. It's a great way for a couple to serve the community in different, but powerful roles. But some have discovered financial drawbacks impacting the teacher spouse when a move between churches takes place. full story

Pastor uses hobby of more than 25 years to help others (July 15, 2004)

MOORE HAVEN — The Rev. Thom Street never suspected his love of amateur radio could be relayed into saving lives. full story

Wills shares vision for loving, united church (July 15, 2004)

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Rev. Dick Wills, senior pastor of Christ Church United Methodist in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church July 15. Wills said he hopes to lead the church from his own personal spiritual growth experiences into being a "vital community of faith…and radically following Jesus and his teachings." full story

In Brief — July 19, 2004 {0114}

Wills receives first assignment as bishop ORLANDO — The Rev. Dick Wills, newly elected bishop of the United Methodist Church and pastor in the Florida Conference, will assume his role as bishop of the Nashville Area, which includes the Memphis and Tennessee conferences, Sept 1. full story

Research shows how clergy spouses cope, level of satisfaction with role (July 21, 2004)

LAKELAND — A clergy spouse's ability to cope with ministry life has a strong correlation to the endurance of the pastor's ministry, a comprehensive study of Florida Conference clergy families demonstrated. full story

Delegates pass CFA budget, ignore Florida's call for no increase (July 22, 2004)

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Rejecting a plea by the Florida Conference to hold the line on spending, delegates to the 2004 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference passed the budget proposed by the jurisdiction's Council on Finance and Administration (CFA), which includes a 4.8 percent increase for the 2005-2008 quadrennium. The total budget is a little more than $8.65 million. full story

Minister's quick response saves church member's life (July 22, 2004)

MERRITT ISLAND — The Rev. Ginny Pearcy was preparing for the 11 a.m. worship service June 27, just as she does every Sunday at Grace United Methodist Church here, when a parishioner rushed into the sanctuary to tell her a child was choking in the fellowship hall. full story

Delegates say racism affected jurisdictional elections (July 22, 2004)

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — While delegates to the 2004 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference here celebrated the historic election of two women bishops to the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ), some were also left hurt, angry and empty by proceedings they felt were unjust and racist. full story

Opportunities — July 23, 2004 {0121}

Hispanic Family Camp deadline draws near This year's Hispanic Family Camp begins at 12 p.m. Sept. 4 and ends Sept. 6. Featured at the event are Bible studies, crafts, conferences for married couples, outdoor activities, pastoral counseling, talent night, worship services and youth events... full story

Notices — July 23, 2004 {0120}

Annual conference offering totals exceed $7,000 Relief agency responds to Haiti, Dominican Republic floods Liberia needs continued support full story

Conference finances continue to improve, clergy say why (July 27, 2004)

LAKELAND — Florida Conference finances continue to actively rebound, with apportionment giving continuing on the upward swing begun earlier this year. That's according to Florida Conference Treasurer Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland who said apportionment monies received in June were the most in both dollar and in percentage terms since 1999 when he began maintaining records as he does now. full story

Phone card ministry reaches out to soldiers around the world (July 28, 2004)

JACKSONVILLE — Kathy McCulloch is always searching for opportunities to be in mission, either in her community or around the world. McCulloch is the Jacksonville District's missions coordinator, and she found just the project for her district this summer during a district mission team meeting. Someone suggested they start their own AT&T telephone card ministry similar to ones in other conferences. full story

Melba's Mission Journal (July 30, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Through the bishops' initiative Hope for the Children of Africa conferences across the United States have been linked with conferences on the continent of Africa. These relationships have been going on for quite a few years. It was through this initiative that the Florida Conference raised money to build a school in Mozambique. Now, we are in a relationship with the Eastern Angola Conference. Why the Eastern Angola Conference? full story

In Memoriam — July 30, 2004 {0127}

E. Duane Hulse Jr. John E. Winters George E. Sanford Dennis R. DeLacure Rogers P. Fair Fred D. Rumsey Franz Engle Robert D. Sawyer David H. Talley John P. Davenport George W. Hamilton full story