For the first time in a decade, Florida Southern College’s department of music will hold its annual Christmas Gala in honor of Florida Conference United Methodist churches as a matinee performance. The holiday music celebration is Dec. 9, 2:30-4:30 p.m., in Branscomb Auditorium in Lakeland. An optional buffet luncheon will also be served.

The cost for the Gala is $8 per person. All active and retired United Methodist clergy are invited to attend at no cost. The luncheon is $8 per person for everyone.

For more information, contact Kitty Carpenter in the church relations office at Florida Southern College at 863-680-6211 or kcarpenter@flsouthern.edu. 

A three-day Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar to help clergy and spouses 50 and older plan for their future is Jan. 4-6, 2001 at the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) in Leesburg. The seminar is sponsored by the Florida Conference Division of Ministry and led by Dr. Waldo Farabee, a retired Florida Conference elder.

The seminar is limited to one couple per district. Couples are nominated by their district superintendent and asked to honor their commitment or provide a substitute couple.

The cost is $195, divided evenly among the attending couple, the Division of Ministry and the couple’s local church. For more information, contact the Division of Ministry office at 1-800-282-8011, extension 134, your district office or Farabee at 941-335-4568.

A five-day Academy for Spiritual Formation, created by the Upper Room and the Florida Conference’s Rev. Danny Morris, is March 11-16, 2001 at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg.

The Academy is a time of spiritual renewal and discovery through academic presentations, personal reflection and sharing of spiritual concerns. It is also an experience of a daily rhythm of morning prayers, night prayers and Holy Communion, as well as an opportunity for clergy and laity to grow together in love with and for Christ in covenant with others.

Dr. William Mallard, a professor from Candler School of Theology, will lecture on "The Spirituality in the Gospel According to John." Dr. Wendy Wright, a professor from Creighton University, will lecture on "Spiritual Friendships," using her background with films and drama to engage the audience.

A limited number of openings are available, with nearly half reserved. For more information, contact Margaret Carter at the Conference Center at 1-800-282-8011, extension 148.