Florida United Methodist Review Online

Agency works on plan for Sept. 11 fund

The board of directors of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is currently working on a five-year plan of relief and support in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and resulting military campaign. The plan is slated to be in place by Jan. 15, 2002. UMCOR says it will spend all money raised through its "Love in the Midst of Tragedy" fund on affected people.
Florida United Methodists have given more than $826,000 to the fund and lead all other conferences in giving to the denomination's relief effort. Those donations have been made through and by more than 335 Florida Conference churches. Full Story

Image inspires artist's efforts for fallen heroes

     Frank Hopper, a nationally recognized artist and member of St. John's United Methodist Church, Sarasota, had been wondering what he could do in response to the Sept. 11 tragedies. One Sunday after worship he found inspiration in a version of Michelangelo's famous carving "Pietà" he saw projected above the chancel in his church.
     Within a month, the man who has painted presidential portraits, World War II combat scenes and church murals had created an image of Mary sitting on a pile of rubble holding a dead New York City firefighter in her lap. The American flag is in place of the shroud on which Jesus is lying in Michelangelo's statue. Full Story

Christmas in the Keys

Santa Claus (Wesley House Executive Director Joe Barker)makes a surprise visit to the Healthy Families - Monroe "Mothers Group" Cultural Celebration in Key West. Healthy Families-Monroe is a mission offered by Wesley House Family Services that meets the needs of new parents to build positive parent/child relationships.” Full Story

Members receive scholarships, loans
     College, university and seminary students from Florida Conference churches received more than $164,000 in loans and scholarships for the 2001-2002 school year, according to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. A total of 137 students received financial aid from the denomination.
     Jana Hart, the conference's director of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, said that figure is down from recent years, when as many as 160 Florida students received financial aid. Hart believes the decline is due, in part, to pastors and youth ministers not knowing about the availability of aid packages. Full Story

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News In Brief

Foundation offers new fund

Florida churches advance the flame

Bishop announces November appointments

Notices

Communications director needed

Lay board seeks nominees

Counselor considered for Counseling Network

Opportunities

Board offers grants for youth, young adult ministries

Cuba needs hurricane relief