The 2000 Florida Annual Conference event is May 30 to June 2 in Lakeland, according to conference staff planning the event.

The theme is "Dare to Share Jesus," which was also used for the 1999 event to reinforce conference efforts to increase membership in local churches throughout the conference.

"It’s going to be a new way of doing annual conference for us in the Florida Conference," said the Rev. Keith Ewing, administrative assistant to the bishop. "It’s going to be an exciting event. We’re going to focus on discipleship…and how to make churches more prepared to make disciples for Jesus Christ."

The 2000 event will offer opportunities to motivate and equip laity and clergy to be intentional about reaching out to unchurched people in their communities. Several of the events will be open to non-delegates.

"We’ll have several noted speakers with success in evangelism and church growth," Ewing said. "It will be worth coming to just for that."

Retreat offers Wesley experience

Florida Conference clergy are invited to attend the 2000 B.W. Simpkins Wesley Study Retreat in late August or early September.

The retreat educates, inspires and challenge conference clergy to rediscover their understanding of the Wesleys in order to better equip themselves for evangelistic outreach, according to the 1991 resolution that established the retreat.

Five scholarships that cover the cost of transportation, lodging and most meals are available to any clergy serving a full-time pastoral appointment, who has at least five years of service and is at least five years away from retirement. Applications are available from the conference registrar’s office; the deadline for applying is Jan. 15. Those who have applied in the past but have not been selected may reapply.

For more information on the scholarships, contact the Rev. Jim Harnish at Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa at 813-253-5388. For an application, contact the registrar at 1-800-282-8011, extension 101.