e-Review archive
December 2004
 

Opportunities — Dec. 3, 2004

n Healthy Church Academy classes kick off in January n Tapestry Conference offers new focus on older adults n Have a heart: transform a life with an UMCOR alternative gift n Advance offers opportunity to give during season n Churchwide funds support HIV/AIDS ministries n Healthy Congregations Task Team seeks members full story

Recovery in Arcadia is long, church continues its efforts (Dec. 9, 2004)

ARCADIA — Patricia and Jere Worley, both in their 70s, already had their hands full dealing with health problems, raising their adopted grandchild and great-grandchild, and tending their 10-acre orange groves. And that was before Hurricane Charley blew through their town. full story

Churches overcome difficulties to serve needy at Christmas (Dec. 9, 2004)

PORT CHARLOTTE — Members of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church decided damage from Hurricane Charley would not keep them from hosting their 19th annual Christmas meal for people in need. full story

Tampa nonprofit helps churches, groups meet hurricane needs (Dec. 10, 2004)

TAMPA — Donations from the nonprofit organization Somebody Cares Tampa Bay (SCTB) have helped several United Methodist congregations and ministries in their hurricane recovery efforts this fall. full story

It's never too late to save a marriage (Dec. 14, 2004)

Charlotte** just wanted out. After more than 20 years of marriage, her husband, Bob**, had confessed to having a two-year affair with a co-worker. "I was devastated. I felt totally victimized," the 56-year-old says. "I just wanted out. I knew it was going to be too hard...it was going to take too much to try to piece our marriage back together again." Instead, she stayed. full story

Faith triumphs over adversity in Florida (Dec. 14, 2004)

Adversity may bring out the best in some people, if the financial giving of United Methodists in some areas is any indication. "Our connectional giving is up this year," reported Randy Casey-Rutland, treasurer of the Florida Conference. Giving increased despite the fact that "many of our churches were negatively affected by three hurricanes this year." full story

Children's Home residents reach out to needy kids (Dec. 21, 2004)

ENTERPRISE  — When the elementary school girls in Shannon Cottage heard about "Operation Christmas Child" on a local Christian radio station, they knew what they had to do. full story

Whitakers experience life, church in Angola (Dec. 22, 2004)

LAKELAND — Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker and his wife, Melba, recently saw firsthand the powerful faith of an East Angolan people ravaged by civil war, but united by their love for Christ and one another. full story

What child is this: Christmas Message 2004 (Dec. 23, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: "What child is this...?" the carol asks. "What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? "What child is this...?" The question is the most important one for Christians in the 12th month of the year. full story

Opportunities — Dec. 23, 2004

n Seminar scheduled for maintaining, dying churches n Social action internships available for ethnic young adults   n United Methodists urged to join 'Week of Prayer' n Head mission executive endorses day of prayer for Middle East n Society of St. Andrew offers Lenten devotional n Young people lead fight against hunger, poverty Super Bowl weekend n Mission agency begins recruiting young adults for service n United Methodist seminar program focuses on spiritual, vocational formation n Society sets winter gleaning schedule full story

Community gets a chance to talk with the animals (Dec. 23, 2004)

LAKELAND — Safari Todd came to Kathleen United Methodist Church, near Lakeland, this fall, bringing panthers, alligators, snakes, skunks and a host of other rare, endangered and misunderstood animals. full story