Laity Space Weekend Update - February 18, 2023

Laity Space Update

February 18, 2023

Happening around the FLUMC

Bishop Berlin and The Values of Appointment Making
Bishop Tom Berlin and the Cabinet recently began the process of clergy appointment-making. To learn more about the process, the core values related to making appointments, and itineracy in The Florida Conference, click here.

The Intersectionality of Race and Ethnicity in the Latinx Experience
The Beloved Community host a monthly half-hour conversation with various speakers about anti-racism efforts in our Conference. Their January episode featured Rev. Estelli Ramos who serves on the faculty of the University Of Central Florida School Of Social Work. Watch this episode here.

New Episode of New People // New Ways from FX Florida
The latest episode of New People // New Ways, a podcast produced by Fresh Expressions Florida features Lexi Hernandez, a local pastor in the United Methodist Church. She planted and leads Growth Co., an intentional spiritual formation community for people in their 20s and 30s that operates both online and in person. Listen to the latest episode here.

Central Florida Roadtrip: Black History in Central Florida
This special edition of Central Florida Road Trip a public television program presented by WUCF explores the many contributions of African-Americans in central Florida. This episode showcases Bethune-Cookman University, one of Florida’s United Methodist collegiate institutions. Listen to the episode here.

Hurricane Ian Updates from the Florida Conference
Stay up to date on news, needs and ways you can support our continued recovery efforts here.

Mark Your Calendars

Institute of Modern Worship Spring Intensive starts March 2
The Institute for Modern Worship was created by, and for, local church worship leaders and pastors, in partnership with the Florida Conference. Registration for their Spring Intensive has opened with sessions led by Jeremy Hearn, Rev. Melissa Cooper, Rev. Roy Terry, Janet Earles and special guest presenter Leslie Jordan. For more information, click here.

2023 Conference Wide Local Church Training in February and March
The Conference is offering Local Church Training via Zoom over seven consecutive weeks in February and March. Each subject will have three opportunities for you to attend: Thursdays 2:00pm and 6:30pm as well as Saturdays at 9:00am. The material will be the same at all three sessions, and the meetings will not be recorded. For more information on specific trainings and registration, click here.

Special Sessions of the Annual Conference
”I think it is important to provide opportunities for the annual conference to consider requests for disaffiliation from churches who have followed the process outlined in Paragraph 2553 of our Discipline.” - Bishop Tom Berlin. Read the announcement here.

UWF Scholarship for Lay Women Application due April 18
The United Women in Faith National Scholarship is for lay women in the USA who are pursuing careers in church or social service vocations. Preference will be given to laity working on behalf of women, children, and youth. The applications are due on or before Tuesday, April 18, 2023, for the fall semester of 2023. For more info, click here.

Mark your calendars for Annual Conference 2023 - Abound in Hope, June 8-10, 2023 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. Click here for more.

Our UMC Connection

Awakening at Asbury University
At the end of a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, students at Asbury University lingered to pray and worship. Since then, they have not stopped as many others have gathered and news has spread about this miraculous awakening. The Florida Conference is home to many graduates of Asbury College and Seminary. Find out more about the Asbury Awakening here.

MSU Campus shooting shatters community
From the Michigan Annual Conference - "Ash Wednesday has come early," said Michigan Conference Bishop David Bard at a prayer vigil less than 24 hours after a mass shooting at Michigan State University shook the state. Read the article here.

UMCOR responds to earthquake in Turkey and Syria
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful recorded since 1939, struck southern Turkey followed by a second 7.5 earthquake and at least 78 aftershocks. Affecting neighboring Syria with a combined death toll in the thousands and recovering efforts on-going, UMCOR issued a solidarity grant to International Blue Crescent, their long-standing partner in the region, to help provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, food and first-aid kits to those who have been displaced. Read more here.

Florida’s #BeUMC Video Directory
Each of us made a choice to be United Methodist, to #BeUMC. In doing so, we connected with others around the world who are also called to share God’s love and put their beliefs into action. We are the church. Together. Watch these videos to be reminded of why you chose to #BeUMC and to see how you are a vital part of The United Methodist Church’s continuing mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Watch the video here.

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