The "Real Luv" weekend retreat March 3-5 at the Warren W. Willis Camp in Leesburg is a chance for mid-high and high-school students to learn how to deal with life-changing decisions. Sixth- through 12th-graders are encouraged to explore and discuss issues related to their faith, sexuality, love and dating.

Duffy Robbins, chairman of the Youth Ministry Department at Eastern College and national youth speaker, will give the keynote. Music and worship will be led by the group Wilshire.

The cost is $85 per person; the registration deadline is Feb. 18. For more information, contact the Florida Conference Council on Ministries at 1-800-282-8011, extension 139 or 141.

Due to the positive response to a grant writing seminar cosponsored by Miami Urban Ministries, the seminar will be repeated Jan. 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Miami-Dade Community College, Wolfson Campus.

"GRANT WRITING …With a Purpose" is designed for leaders and staffs, laity and clergy, of smaller faith-based groups, churches and ministries that strengthen families, offer holistic services and are based in their communities. Topics will include assessing your organization or ministry and its assets, community needs and assets, finding your niche in the community, telling your story to funders, and components of a grant application. Breakout sessions will allow participants to apply strategies to actual situations.

Charisse Grant, director of the program division of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, will be the keynote speaker. Grant is responsible for the foundation’s grants and technical assistance activities for non-profit organizations in Dade County.

The cost is $20. Paid preregistration is required by Jan. 21. For more information contact Dr. Susan Krehbiel, Miami Urban Ministries, at 305-325-0734, or Dr. Carol Hoffman-Guzman, Kellogg Project, at 305-237-3890.

The Lakeland District United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) needs people to help build a Methodist church near the city of David in Panama April 8-15. The group will install floor and ceiling tiles and paint the building.

The cost is $800, which includes travel, food and lodging. The deadline to register is Feb. 15. For more information, contact Wally Mulder at 863-956-3116 or Mr.Wally@juno.com.

United Methodists of minority heritage who are interested in a career in religion communications are invited to apply for the Racial Ethnic Minority Fellowship, sponsored by United Methodist Communications (UMCom). Applicants must be recent college or seminary graduates with communications training.

The recipient will be placed in an annual conference in the United States to work for one year with an experienced communicator and will receive a $30,000 salary and benefits.

The application deadline is March 13. For more information, contact UMCom at 1-888-278-4862 or REM@umcom.umc.org, or visit the web site at http://crt.umc.org/rem.