Laity and clergy seeking an opportunity for spiritual renewal, growth and healing are invited to participate in Florida’s Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation March 11-16 at the Life Enrichment Center in Leesburg. The academy is sponsored by the Florida Conference and the Upper Room.

Dr. William Mallard, a professor at Candler School of Theology, will lead classes on spirituality and the New Testament. Dr. Wendy Wright, a professor at Creighton University and national retreat leader, will teach a session called Spiritual Friendship. Laity and clergy from the Florida Conference will lead music, worship and covenant groups.

The cost is $450, which includes tuition, meals and single-occupancy lodging. For more information, contact Margaret Carter at 1-800-282-8011, extension 148.

The United Nations estimates there were 840 million malnourished people in the world in 1999. Heifer Project International (HPI) is one way individuals and churches can address the needs of hungry people throughout the world, according to Roger and Carol Stuart, volunteers with HPI.

The Stuarts sponsor an annual event called the Florida Farm Day, which offers information about the project and raises funds to support it. This year’s Farm Day is Feb. 10 at the Stuarts’ farm near Crescent City, north of DeLand.

The Farm Day will include food, hay rides, music and a petting zoo. Participants will see working demonstrations of a chicken tiller, bio-gas digester and a cinva ram brick maker. A "Fill the Ark" parade will recognize churches and groups that gave to HPI during 2000.

For more information on the Florida Farm Day, contact the Stuarts at 904-467-9031 or rcs64@hotmail.com.  For more information on HPI, visit http://www.heifer.org or call 1-800-422-0474.

United Methodists can give to HPI through the General Board of Global Ministries Advance, Heifer Project International, Living Gifts, #982532-1

The North Carolina Conference needs United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) teams to assist with Hurricane Floyd flood recovery in the eastern part of the state.

A very small percentage of the families displaced by the 1999 storm are back in their homes, and leaders of the recovery effort expect the process to take years.

"North Carolina United Methodists are willing to continue serving, but volunteers are needed," said the Rev. Nick Elliot, director of the Southeastern Jurisdiction UMVIM. "Those who had to wait the longest will need the most assistance. Please help us keep helping until everyone is home again."