The Florida Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (BHECM) invites United Methodist churches to nominate one student for its annual scholarships.

Students can qualify under two scholarship sources that are available through BHECM. One is the Merit Scholarship, which is funded through the Student Day offerings taken each year on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. These funds must be given to a full-time student planning to attend an institution of higher education recognized as United Methodist-related.

The second scholarship source is a private scholarship fund that can be given to a student who is a member of a Florida Conference United Methodist congregation attending any college or university.

To qualify for the scholarships, students must be active full-time members of a local United Methodist church for at least one year prior to the date of application and nominated by the church through its pastor or chairperson of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. Students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. They must also demonstrate commitment to the local church, an interest in serving others in the community and financial need.

Application forms are available from the office of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. Applications and transcripts must be received by the BHECM no later than May 31.

People involved in faith-based organizations who want help learning how to write effective grant proposals are invited to participate in an online course presented by Houston Community College – Central and the Texas Annual Conference.

"Grant Writing for Faith-Based Organizations" is a three-week course that will help participants increase their ability to compete for money to fund congregational outreach. The material includes a review of successful organizations, strategies for identifying and accessing funds, specific elements of proposal writing, an introduction to the Internet, and training in Microsoft Word.

Spiritworks, the spiritual formation ministry of the Rev. Patricia Brown, is offering two opportunities for Florida Conference laity and clergy to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ.

The two-year Formation Program for Spiritual Directors continues with a class on the Ignatian/Augustinian Experience of Spiritual Direction May 19 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando.

The class is for individuals interested in pursuing an active ministry of spiritual direction and is open to individuals exploring the vocation of spiritual direction. The cost is $25, plus $5 for lunch. For more information, contact Brown at 407-657-2672 or pdbrown@spiritworks.org,  or Canon L. Brondstead at 407-423-3567, extension 335.

People looking for a community to help them grow spiritually in Christ are invited to explore the Christ Path Community at the Christian History, Memory, and Time Day Retreat May 26 at the Dunklin Retreat Center in Stuart, Fla. This community is for longtime disciples of Jesus Christ, as well as newcomers to the faith.

The denomination-wide Igniting Ministry national media campaign kicks off in September with Open House Month. The first of a series of television advertisements featuring The United Methodist Church will air on national cable programs around the country. To learn how your church can participate in this evangelistic opportunity, go to the Florida Conference Web site at http://www.flumc.org/ignitingministry.   Look for more information by mail May 1.