Young adults ages 18-34 who are looking for spiritual encouragement and a chance to spend meaningful time with others their age are invited to attend "Young Adult ’99" Nov. 12-14 in Madeira Beach, Fla.

The weekend event is presented by the Florida Conference’s Young Adult Task Force and designed to provide young adults, either single or married, with spiritual worship, lively discussion, fellowship and free time.

"We believe that young adults need an opportunity to gather and be encouraged," said Mike Standifer, the conference’s director of Youth and Events ministries. "Young adults are vitally important to the church, and the church is interested in learning how to best minister to them."

Praise and worship will be lead by the praise and worship band "Who’s Your Daddy?" from Vail, Co. Jason Lampman and Matt Long will lead the worship.

The registration deadline is Nov. 5. The cost for two nights varies from $150, single occupancy, to $50 per person, quad occupancy. One-night rates vary from $80, single occupancy, to $30 per person, quad occupancy. The commuter cost is $10. Other meals and free-time activity costs are the participant’s responsibility. Child care will also be available.

Pastors and laity, especially those from African-American churches, are invited to attend "The Bishop’s Call to Excellence: Strengthening the Black Church" Oct. 15-17 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Gainesville.

The three-day event, which is the second part of the "FACE — Florida Atlanta Connection Experience," will focus on leadership and evangelism, and provide music and opportunities for worship.

The leadership team includes the Rev. James Jennings, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Sarasota; the Rev. Dr. Otis Pickett, pastor of Capital View United Methodist Church in Atlanta; Laura Pickett, an evangelist and music minister at Capital View United Methodist Church; and the Rev. Dr. Elston Perry, pastor of Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.

Staff members from preschools throughout the Florida Conference are invited to attend "Living, Laughing, Learning and Loving with God’s Children," the United Methodist Association of Preschools’ (UMAP) Fall Conference Nov. 5-7 at the Life Enrichment Center and Warren W. Willis Camp in Leesburg.

This year’s event offers several new options. Participants will be able to preview a variety of new curricula in the "Curriculum Huts." Teachers who want to add excitement to their classrooms, build self-esteem and document achievements can participate in the "A Child’s Eye View" workshop. There will also be a "Challenge Course" which will help preschool staffs build teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The program fee is $60 for UMAP members and $80 for non-members. Housing at the Life Enrichment Center is $40 per person, double occupancy, $31 at the Warren Willis Camp and $20 at the Family Campground. The registration deadline is Oct. 22.

The "Making Disciples for the New Millennium" seminar Nov. 3-6 at the Christian Retreat Center in Bradenton is designed to give laity and clergy tools to lead people from seeking a deeper relationship with God to becoming fully a part of the ministry of Jesus.

"Churches with a future have in place an intentional process that helps seekers grow into faith, baptism and discipleship," said the Rev. Patricia Brown, the conference’s director of Spiritual Formation.

The four-day program will walk participants through the four steps in making disciples: welcoming inquirers, preparing for baptism, baptism and communion, and affirming the call to ministry.

The Rev. Daniel T. Benedict, worship resources director for the General Board of Discipleship, and Dr. Jeffery A. Watson, director of worship, music and the arts for the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., will lead the event.

The cost varies from $110 for commuters to $260 for a single room and covers meals, lodging and event fees.

Overcoming roadblocks to an age-inclusive community will be the focus of a conference Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Building in Lakeland. Pastors, laity, ministers to older adults and all older adults are invited to attend.

The centerpiece of the conference will be a satellite program, "Toward a Society for All Ages," produced by the United Methodist Teleconference Connection in cooperation with Church Women United, Older Women’s League, American Association of Retired Persons of Illinois and the Episcopal Church. The program will focus on the economics of aging, human rights and developing community resources.

Dr. Rosalie Lawson, a member of the General Board of Discipleship Older Adult Task Force, will lead a panel discussion after the teleconference focusing on spiritual and health care issues for the aging.

The annual meeting of the board of directors of Epworth Village Retirement Community/Susanna Wesley Health Center is Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Epworth Village. A complimentary buffet will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Musicians, choirs and singing groups are needed to participate in the "Festival of Light" New Year’s Eve Millennium Celebration Dec. 31 at the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) in Leesburg. Individuals and groups can choose from among several opportunities. For more information, contact Margaret Carter in the Spiritual Formation office at 1-800-282-8011, extension 148, or MCarter@flumc.org;   or the Rev. Patricia Brown, director of Spiritual Formation, at 407-657-2672 or PBrown@spiritworks.org.