FLUMC Lay Leader Update
May 27-29, 2022
A Special Note from Alice
Lord here I am, use me.
58% of American adults or someone they care for have experienced gun violence in their lifetime.
Black Americans are 10 times more likely than white Americans to die by gun homicide.
There are an estimated 393 million guns in the US, there are around 340 million people
Firearms are the #1 leading cause of death for American children and teens, ahead of motor vehicles, poisoning, cancer and Covid-19.
Every day in America, more than 110 people are killed with guns.
UMC Responses to US Shootings
A Prayer for Peace in the Wake of the Recent U.S. Shootings
A prayer from Bishop Carter in light of the tragic events related to gun violence in the US. Read the prayer here.
From UM News: Grieving, praying after attack on school
Heather Hahn writes in this May 25 article about United Methodists across the United States joining in prayer and addressing gun violence. Many additional resources for individuals and local congregations are included. Click here to read the article.
A Message Regarding the Robb Elementary School Shooting
Bishop Robert Schnase is the episcopal leader for the Rio Texas Conference, which includes Uvalde, TX and New Mexico conferences. Here offered this short statement here.
United Methodist Church of Macedonia, Ohio displays empty chairs for victims of Texas elementary school shooting
United Methodist Church of Macedonia has displayed 19 empty chairs, honoring the lives of the children who were lost in Tuesday's tragedy. Read the article here and watch the news story here.
Our Call to End Violence
A statement approved by the 2016 General Conference found in the Book of Resolutions #3428. Read the statement here.
Annual Conference - June 9-11
Lay Members and Guests to AC22
Check in for lay [voting] members to Annual Conference will take place at Florida Southern College. For more info on times and the general schedule, click here. Get more info at the AC22 webpage on the schedule, hotels, 5K Race, Nursing Kids Camp, volunteer opportunities and more. And make sure you have downloaded the WHOAVA app to stay updated on all the latest.
Ushers Needed for Annual Conference 2022
Annual Conference is almost here! We need smiling faces to help our guests have a wonderful experience! Ushers are an integral part of that experience. Click here for more information.
News from the FLUMC and beyond
Table Talk “Conversations on Race” Webinar Series
The next Table Talk webinar is June 1 at Noon. Join The Beloved Community with their guests Dr. Amey Victoria Adkins-Jones and Dr. Gerald Liu as they discuss How to talk to People about Race I (Including laity, clergy, family, children, and people we disagree with). More info and registration here.
Public Policy & Witness Training
The FLUMC Public Policy and Witness Antiracism Team is hosting two 50-minute training sessions, May 31 and June 2, to equip people for building relationships with their elected leaders. They will all be held virtually on Zoom. For more info and registration, click here.