|
|
|
e-Review archive
December 2006
In Brief — Dec. 1, 2006 {0581}
| In Brief — Dec. 1, 2006 {0581} |
Dec. 1, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0581}
An e-Review News Item
This series includes:
n Regional training helps churches welcome guests
n Churches asked to fill gap for backpack drive
n Florida churches partner with ministry to fight hunger full story
| Opportunities — Dec. 6, 2006 {0582}
| Opportunities — Dec. 6, 2006 {0582} |
Dec. 6, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0582}
An e-Review News Item
This series includes:
n Communications agency offers basics of United Methodism online, for free;
n UMCOR asks for help providing relief following Typhoon Durian;
n Alternative gift suggestions offered;
n Alternative Christmas card program feeds spiritual, physical hungers;
n Congregations invited to learn how to 'grow a healthy church';
n Tapestry II conference addresses challenges for ministry to those over 50;
n Conference offers new online Bible study course;
n 2007 women’s retreat weekends begin in January;
n Orders, donations being accepted for prayer guide focusing on people with serious illnesses;
n Florida bishop speaks at SEJ conference on immigration;
n United Methodist youth challenged to ‘stir it up’;
n US-2 program helps put faith into action. full story
| Christmas tree theft becomes blessing for Lakeland church
| Christmas tree theft becomes blessing for Lakeland church |
Dec. 8, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0583}
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
LAKELAND — What thieves meant for evil has turned into a fountain of blessings for the United Methodist Men at United Methodist Temple.
The men’s group has been selling Christmas trees on the southwest corner of Florida Avenue in Lakeland for more than 40 years and had never had a problem with anyone stealing trees until this year. full story
| Church makes turn-around after nearly closing
| Church makes turn-around after nearly closing |
Dec. 10, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0584}
An e-Review Feature
By Steven Skelley**
John Wesley, the founder of The Methodist Church, believed Christians have a spiritual duty to minister to those outside the church. He said: “Genuine inward holiness must show itself in outward holiness. Works of piety are worthless without works of mercy. Faith without works of love is the grand pest of Christianity!”
The staff and members at the former North United Methodist Church in Sarasota agree with Wesley so much they have changed the church's name and focus in order to help the people most in need within their community. full story
| Missionary couple shares experiences helping Palestinian people
Conference Table scrutinizes ins, outs of clergy excellence
| Conference Table scrutinizes ins, outs of clergy excellence |
Dec. 14, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0586}
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
TAMPA — Excellence is an attainable goal some Florida Conference clergy say they feel they are achieving, while others admit they struggle with the all-encompassing, sometimes arduous, aspects of ministry.
The Nov. 28 Conference Table at St. James United Methodist Church in Tampa focused on that issue and the role of the conference ministry that is dedicated to providing resources and support for clergy. full story
| Jones challenges participants to examine what call to ordained ministry, congregational excellence really means
Tampa church produces Christmas play to reach unchurched
| Tampa church produces Christmas play to reach unchurched |
Dec. 14, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0588}
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
TAMPA — The birth of Jesus is being celebrated in churches throughout the world, but a church in Tampa decided to rejoice by reaching out to people who don’t know the story of Christ via an original musical developed by the church.
Members of St. James United Methodist Church performed the play “Born to Die: His Birth Was Just the Beginning” Dec. 7-10 at the church. The musical production debuted at the Tampa Palms-area church last year. full story
| Florida Conference fills key leadership positions
| Florida Conference fills key leadership positions |
Dec. 20, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0590}
NOTE: Headshots of Alsgaard, Thomas and Gonzalez are available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml.
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
LAKELAND — They were definitely worth the wait.
That’s the word from Florida Conference leaders who have ended the arduous process of searching for qualified individuals to fill key positions within the ministry of the Florida Conference.
Three new staff members have been added to the conference’s rank. Two of the positions have been vacant for quite some time, and one position was recently created. full story
| Church brings Christmas to 'invisible' of society
| Church brings Christmas to 'invisible' of society |
Dec. 20, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0591}
An e-Review Feature
By Steven Skelley**
H. Jackson Brown Jr. said, “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” Harvest United Methodist Church in Bradenton organized a special Christmas outreach to people who often go unnoticed in our society: migrant workers. full story
| Reflections from Santa
| Reflections from Santa |
Dec. 22, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0593}
An e-Review Commentary
By J. Charles Cripps**
For years I had the opportunity of portraying Santa Claus in our community and have a number of wonderful human interest stories that prove Santa Claus is far more than the commercial bait for which some people give him credit.
There is a side to playing Santa Claus people do not see. full story
| Bike ministry brings Christmas to hundreds
| Bike ministry brings Christmas to hundreds |
Dec. 22, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0594}
An e-Review Feature
By Maureen Lendzion**
ORANGE PARK — What child doesn’t dream of a shiny bike for Christmas? The James Boys of Orange Park United Methodist Church work all year to make that dream a reality for hundreds of Clay County Children. full story
| Church alters image to reach neighbors
| Church alters image to reach neighbors |
Dec. 22, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0592}
An e-Review Feature
By Steven Skelley**
To many people the church seems a mysterious or even unwelcoming place. At times churches and their members unintentionally reinforce this feeling by their actions.
Jesus admonished believers to welcome the strangers passing by their doors, and First United Methodist Church in Melbourne vowed to do just that this Christmas. full story
| Minister asks congregation, ‘What in God’s name are you doing here?’
| Minister asks congregation, ‘What in God’s name are you doing here?’ |
Dec. 28, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0595}
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
TAMPA — When you are a member of the body of Christ you are expected to be the arms, heart and legs.
That’s what members of Hyde Park United Methodist Church are becoming through the church’s new HOMES (Housing Offering Mentoring Education and Support) ministry. Launched last August, HOMES is an intensive homeless ministry program developed in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries. full story
| A place to call home
| A place to call home |
Dec. 29, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0596}
NOTE: This story is a sidebar to “Minister asks congregation, ‘What in God’s name are you doing here?’ ” FUMS #0595 at: http://www.flumc.info/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000030/003000.htm
An e-Review Feature
By J.A. Buchholz**
TAMPA — Home. For many, it’s a word that is more a feeling than a place, yet for some it’s something that was once within their grasps and then suddenly gone.
That’s how it felt to Lynndale Royal.
The single mother was wrestling with the idea of providing a better life for her two young children while also struggling with the stressful arrangement of living with her sister. The former cashier for Wal-Mart knew there was a better life waiting for her if she could just find the courage and faith within herself to discover it. full story
| Opportunities — Dec. 29, 2006 {0597}
| Opportunities — Dec. 29, 2006 {0597} |
Dec. 29, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0597}
An e-Review News Item
This series includes:
Conference-related:
n Florida United Methodists invited to donate their backyard citrus;
n UMVIM presents ‘Mission: Possible’ to celebrate, train volunteers;
n Workshop for volunteers wishing to teach English offered in Tampa;
n Gulf and South Central district churches announce opening of immigration clinic;
n Clergy kids are ‘upside down and inside out’;
n Center for Clergy Excellence tackles lack of younger adults entering ministry;
n Couples ‘seek ye first’ at United Methodist Men’s spiritual retreats;
n Lake Junaluska offers symposium on challenge of immigration;
n Bethlehem pastor seeks host churches.
Global/national:
n Diakonia Convocation expected to draw 600 United Methodist servant-ministers;
n Church musicians invited to gather in Nashville;
n General Board of Church and Society invites members to join petition to end torture;
n General agency endorses Alliance for Fair Food, encourages members to do same;
n Music directors seek gifted United Methodists for ’08 assembly;
n West Virginia camp offers summer youth mission opportunities;
n Seminary holds Summer Collegium for pastors of small churches. full story
| United Methodists urged to save lives with 'Nothing But Nets'
| United Methodists urged to save lives with 'Nothing But Nets' |
Dec. 30, 2006 News media contact: Tita Parham*
800-282-8011 tparham@flumc.org Orlando {0598}
An e-Review Feature
By Tita Parham**
ORLANDO — The United Methodist Church is a partner in a campaign to help African families fight malaria, and Florida United Methodists now have a chance to be part of that effort as it makes its first appearances in the arena of public awareness. full story
|
|
