The 2004 Wesley Study Retreat will take place June 20-29, 2004.

According to a resolution adopted by the Florida Conference in May 1991, “The purpose of this retreat would be to educate, inspire, and challenge the clergy in the Florida Annual Conference to rediscover their understanding of the Wesleys, so as to better equip themselves for evangelistic outreach through proclamation and social action.”

Any clergy person serving full-time in a pastoral appointment in the Florida Annual Conference who has completed at least five years of service and is at least five years away from retirement may apply for a scholarship that covers costs for transportation, lodging and most meals for the clergy person and his or her spouse.

Applications are available at the conference registrar’s office, and the application deadline is Jan. 15, 2004. Applications should be mailed to the Rev. Jim Harnish, selection committee chairman. Those awarded scholarships will be notified by April 15, 2004. Persons who have applied in the past, but have not been selected are eligible to reapply each year.

The Rev. Philip Roughton, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach, and his wife, Mica, will lead the trip.

For more information contact Roughton at 386-677-3581.

The Florida Conference Resource Center has more than 1,000 videotapes available for churches and individuals, including resources for Advent season.

Among them are “Rough Edges,” which depicts two women from “different sides of the track” who meet by chance on a winter night and share a park bench and a small part of their lives.

“Songs of Christmas” explores the stories behind some of the most popular Christmas carols. “Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect” is an animated story of a young pine tree with great hopes. And “The True Christmas Story” weaves archaeological evidence with biblical teachings as the contrast is made between the rich and powerful Herod and the coming of Jesus in a shepherd’s cave.

Videotapes may be borrowed for a few days or as long as one month, and there is a $5 user fee for all resources.

For more information contact Conference Resource Coordinator Caryl Kelley at 800-282-8011, extension 115, or ckelley@flumc.org. 

United Methodist students interested in religious journalism careers have until March to apply for scholarships from the denomination’s communications agency.

The Nashville, Tenn.-based United Methodist Communications (UMCom) is providing scholarships specifically for United Methodists to help meet the need for church trained communicators. In addition, the agency is offering its seventh mentoring experience to address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in annual conference communications.

The $6,000 Stoody-West Fellowship will help a graduate student pursuing a career in religious journalism study at an accredited graduate school or department of journalism. The agency will also award a $2,500 Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship, which assists ethnic minority college students who will be juniors or seniors and are planning careers in print journalism, public relations and marketing or in audiovisual or electronic communications.

The $30,000 Judith L. Weidman Racial Ethnic Minority Fellowship is a full-time, salaried fellowship given to a United Methodist and recent college or seminary graduate for a 12-month period beginning July 1 to work in church communications. It offers hands-on experience and mentoring in annual conference communications office.

The application deadline for each of the scholarships is March 15.