e-Review Daily News
    

Florida Conference begins restructure

By John Michael De Marco | March 19, 2010 {1153} NOTE: A headshot of Frank North is available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml. Significant structural changes to the Florida Conference will position it to more effectively serve local congregations. That’s according to the Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller, director of the conference’s Connectional Ministries office, who is spearheading the moves after 15 months of studies and discussions. full story

Leaders begin examining health, structure of denomination

By Jenna De Marco | March 19, 2010 {1152} Is The United Methodist Church unwell? That’s a question leaders across the denomination are considering as they examine the health of the denomination and possible changes to its structure. full story

Seville congregation takes church to soccer fields

By Jenna De Marco | March 15, 2010 {1150} Changing a seldom-used church baseball field into a community park transformed the community around Trinity United Methodist Church in Seville. It also changed the way church members see themselves in their community. full story

Personalia

An e-Review News Item | March 10, 2010 {1148} • Florida United Methodist receives national scout award • Floridians recognized by United Methodist Association for outstanding leadership full story

Cutler Ridge seamstresses ‘sew comfort’ for soldiers

By Jenna De Marco | March 9, 2010 {1146} A group of women from Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church near Miami is trying to make the lives of military men and women a little easier. And they’re doing it with needle and thread. full story

Commentary: Digital culture demands relevance, change

An e-Review commentary by the Rev. Larry Hollon | March 9, 2010 {1147} NOTE: A headshot of Hollon is available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml. This commentary was first featured as a Jan. 12 post on Hollon’s blog.   The Rev. Larry Hollon wonders if The United Methodist Church can survive in today’s digital culture, and if so, in what form it will exist and how it will adapt to be relevant in a new cultural reality. full story

Leaders say passionate leadership is key to church’s future

By Kitty Carpenter | March 2, 2010 {1145} WINTER PARK — With the words of John Wesley ringing in their ears, more than 250 laity and clergy were reminded of what it means to be a passionate leader and the critical role transformative leaders will play in the church’s future. full story

Grant gives pastor, congregation chance for renewal, look to future

By Larry Macke | March 1, 2010 {1144} NOTE: A headshot of the Rev. Bob Brown is available at http://www.flumc.info/photo_gallery2.shtml. A $50,000 Lilly Endowment grant is giving the Rev. Bob Brown an opportunity to spiritually recharge and the congregation he has served for nearly three decades a chance to envision ministry for the future. full story

Church launches own social network

By John Michael De Marco | Feb. 25, 2010 {1143} Many churches now have “fan pages” on Facebook and leaders who send out regular updates on Twitter, but Oakhurst United Methodist Church might be the first to sport its own bona fide social network. full story

Florida United Methodists ramp up relief efforts for Haiti

By Jenna De Marco | Feb. 3, 2010 {1135} Propelled by the United Methodist connection and their concern for the Haitian people, members of the Florida Conference have found a variety of ways to help in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince Jan. 12. full story

Leaders get education on farm worker life, urban agriculture

By Erik J. Alsgaard | Jan. 21, 2010 {1126} IMMOKALEE — Florida grows more tomatoes than any other state, producing an annual crop valued at more than $500 million. Bishop Tim Whitaker and other conference leaders spent a day learning where those tomatoes are grown and the issues surrounding their harvest. full story