e-Review archive
July 2005
 

Food program at Tampa church feeds body and soul

July 6, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0326}  An e-Review News Feature By Nancy E. Johnson** TAMPA — 9 a.m. couldn't come soon enough. They huddled outside the locked doors. Many had been here before. They knew that on the other side of those doors was fellowship and food. "It doesn't matter where you go to church. It's not just for Methodists. It's for anybody in the neighborhood who's hungry," said Karen Hill, a volunteer with Port Tampa United Methodist Church's food pantry. full story

In Brief — July 11, 2005 {0328}

July 11, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0328} An e-Review News Item By UMCOR UMCOR asks for help with response after Hurricane Dennis As people return to their homes today in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, the extent of Dennis' damage will become clearer. This category 3 storm, while less severe than anticipated, still inflicted severe damage in regions already scarred from last September's Hurricane Ivan. full story

Local business owners put gifts, talent to work for their church

July 10, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0327}  An e-Review News Feature By J.A. Buchholz** TAMPA — Hyde Park United Methodist Church has a new way to orient new members and visitors to the church, thanks to an innovative couple. Cheryl and John Parrish, owners of Tampa's CDs-2-GO Inc., decided to put their gifts and talents to work for the church by creating an interactive CD-ROM that would help "demystify" the experience of getting involved for new members, as well as introduce the church to seekers. full story

In Brief — July 13, 2005 {0329}

July 13, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0329}  An e-Review News Item By Florida Conference SRC Florida Conference communities, others need assistance LAKELAND — Although the Florida Conference was not in the direct path of Hurricane Dennis, some coastal communities were affected. full story

United Methodists begin storm cleanup, offer online giving option

July 14, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0330}  NOTE:  This article was produced by United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn., and distributed July 12 to its subscribers. An e-Review News Feature By Meredyth Earnest**   ANDALUSIA, Ala. — United Methodists in Alabama-West Florida are doing initial damage assessments following the arrival of Hurricane Dennis, and the church is making online giving possible for donations. full story

Cuba, Haiti need help after Dennis

July 14, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0331}  An e-Review News Feature By Tita Parham ORLANDO — Caribbean islands often do not fare well during a major storm, and it was no exception with Hurricane Dennis, which pounded Haiti and Cuba last weekend. The storm caused the deaths of 38 people in Cuba and Haiti and destroyed homes and crops, according to a recent release from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Other news sources say the number of deaths is higher and could grow as recovery progresses. full story

SRC reminds churches: be prepared

July 15, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0332}  An e-Review News Feature By J.A. Buchholz** LAKELAND — Now that the hurricane season is in full swing, church members must be prepared to both respond to their communities and protect their churches if a storm hits their area. Key to that preparation is the church's district disaster response plan. That's the message Marilyn Swanson, project director of the Florida Conference Storm Recovery Center (SRC), wants to convey to conference churches. full story

New Covenant United Methodist Church hosts district celebration

July 19, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0333}  NOTE:  This article was produced by the Daily Sun and appeared in that publication July 11. An e-Review Feature By Glenda Sanders** THE VILLAGES — New Covenant United Methodist Church hosted a celebration of the newly formed North Central District of the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church July 10, welcoming clergy and members from 96 churches and missions from Leesburg to Gainesville and Mt. Dora to the Gulf Coast. Many of the churches involved in the celebration were instrumental in the founding of the New Covenant church during its formative stage. full story

Jacksonville pastor suspended, arrested

July 21, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0334}  An e-Review Feature By Tita Parham LAKELAND — The Rev. Eric Young was suspended from his duties as pastor of Fort Caroline United Methodist Church in Jacksonville in response to allegations that he had used a computer at the church to access Web sites featuring child pornography. Those allegations led to a two-week police investigation and Young's arrest July 8 on a state felony charge of child pornography via the Internet. full story

Opportunities — July 22, 2005 {0335}

July 22, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0335}  An e-Review News Item n Tampa church hosts Companions in Christ leader training event n Retreats provide relief for clergy families working with hurricane recovery n Men have chance to grow, get away n Churches encouraged to participate in Purpose Driven campaigns n Discounts available for Purpose Driven resources n Seminar provides in-depth opportunity to view NCD n National Council of Churches seeks signatures to protest Darfur genocide n GBGM hopes program will create friendships and mission experiences n Last chance to order 2005 Florida Annual Conference Journals full story

Notices — July 23, 2005 {0336}

July 23, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0336}  An e-Review News Item n New fund gives members chance to rebuild Cuba's churches n Health and Wholeness team needs church stories to share full story

Churches form non-profit to help needy in small town

July 26, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0337}  An e-Review Feature By J.A. Buchholz** OCKLAWAHA — The Rev. Gary Eldred believes churches have a responsibility to reach outside their walls and do more in a community than sit on a corner and serve the members on the inside. Eldred, now pastor at First United Methodist Church, High Springs, was pastor at Ocklawaha United Methodist Church here when it became involved in a unique partnership with other churches that stretches across denominational lines to help those in need in the small town just outside Ocala. full story

Camp provides all-day fun for mentally challenged campers

July 28, 2005    News media contact:  Tita Parham*     800-282-8011    tparham@flumc.org     Orlando {0338}  An e-Review Feature By J.A. Buchholz** LEESBURG — While some campers float effortlessly underneath the early morning sun in the pool at the Warren W. Willis Camp, others prepare to enter the chilly water, squealing with delight. It's a scene that is repeated several times throughout the day by hundreds of campers, but on this day it's different because these campers are mentally challenged adults attending Camp Pioneer. full story