Florida United Methodist Review Online -October 11, 2002

Weak economy causes conference to prepare

     August is historically the worst month financially for the Florida Conference, according to Dr. Randy Casey-Rutland, conference treasurer. A slightly worse financial showing this August than in the past several years has caused conference leaders to start preparing for a prolonged economic slump.
     Members of the Florida Conference Council on Finance and Administration expressed their apprehension about the short-term financial health of the conference at a meeting last month. They have appointed a task force to take a closer look at the budget shortfall and the impact of the nation's economy on conference finances. Full Story

Hispanic director urges churches to revitalize

     The Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos encouraged the approximately 20 Florida Conference Hispanic churches and missions attending the second Hispanic Assembly Sept. 27-28 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Lake Placid, to honestly assess where they are in their lifecycle and begin revitalizing.
     Santos said revitalization is a main focus of the Comprehensive Plan for Hispanic Ministries, which was adopted by the Florida Conference at the 2000 Florida Annual Conference Event. "It's one of our emphases…and it's a priority of the Florida Conference," he said. Full Story

Skate park helps Jacksonville church re-vision

     When 14-year-old Brent Foucht, a member of Fort Caroline United Methodist Church in Arlington, saw a skate park at another area church, he brought the idea back to his own church. That sparked discussion among the church's leadership and resulted in a renewed vision of what the church ought to be.
     "I wish every six months we could have a new program that would stir the pot and get us talking," the Rev. Curran Spottswood, the church's pastor, said. "It's good for us as a church to have this dialogue about what's our purpose and why are we here." Full Story

First, Land O' Lakes gets disaster-ready

     In a state where natural disaster can strike with little warning, members of First United Methodist Church of Land O' Lakes have done more than worry about disaster preparedness in their community. They have taken a big step in ensuring the safety of local residents in the event of a hurricane, tornado, flood or other calamity by training with the American Red Cross.
Full Story

Hurricanes Isidore, Lili drench Western Cuba

     The island nation of Cuba was hit by two hurricanes in less than two weeks. Hurricane Isidore tracked over the western end of Cuba Sept. 20, and Hurricane Lili followed an almost identical track Oct. 1.
     The United Methodist Committee on Relief is responding to the loss of property, possessions and crops in Cuba. It is also assisting in relief efforts in the United States, Mexico, Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean. Florida Conference United Methodists have been asked to help.   Full Story

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