Florida United Methodist Review Online

Student movement experiences rebirth

     There is a quiet revolution going on, and it's the United Methodist Student Movement (UMSM), a section of campus ministry under the General Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (BHECM).
The Florida Conference's UMSM has its roots in a yearly retreat that began in the 1950s, but in 2002 student leaders agreed to become more than a retreat. They became a movement, and last year, the BHECM voted to accept a Florida United Methodist Student Movement Constitution.
     "It's [UMSM] a statewide network linking campus ministries and local church youth ministries," Jana Hart, director of the Florida Conference's Higher Education and Campus Ministry, said. "These students have a passion to be leaders in the United Methodist Church. They don't want to be 'the church of the future.' They want to be involved now.". Full Story

Hawaiian pastor shares keys to building church

     Hawaiian pastor Wayne Cordeiro lit a luau-style bonfire in the hearts of Florida Conference pastors at the Institute of Preaching Feb. 25-27 in Tampa.
     Cordeiro was the main speaker at the conference, an annual event designed to provide conference clergy with resources to improve their preaching and ministry skills.
     Cordeiro is founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu and a widely read author. He discussed his experience with church planting, devotional life, small groups, sermon preparation and maintaining personal balance.
New Hope launched more than six years ago. It's inaugural "church luau" was attended by 720 individuals. Now, more than 8,000 attend..   Full Story

Ministry is ready, waiting for people

Mark Jones says he feels like he is going into ministry backward. Normally, a ministry starts when a church sees a need and finds a way to fill that need. But Jones has been working for more than a year to develop a ministry, "and now we're waiting for people to show up so we have people to minister to."
     Jones is a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando and leading efforts to develop deaf ministry at the 4,000-member church. The church already has beginning and advanced sign language classes and a signing choir. It also provides interpretation of services once each month.
     Jones says the ministry's members are enjoying the opportunity to learn, grow and practice. "It's not frustrating waiting. Everybody's learning so that when people do come, our people won't be scared to get up there and interpret. We're just so passionate about it, we hope there will be a revelation out there about what we're doing." Full Story

District reopens church as new congregation

      Last year the St. Petersburg District and members of the former High Point United Methodist Church in Clearwater were agonizing over the struggling congregation's future. Last month the church was the site of a celebration of new ministry and new hopes.
     The High Point church became First Hispanic United Methodist Church of Truth and Life Feb. 27, the St. Petersburg District's first Hispanic church. The 45-member church moved into the building in January and celebrated the new chapter in its life with a worship service attended by more than 150 people from the High Point community.
     The Rev. Ramiro Exposito, the church's pastor and district Hispanic ministry coordinator, said the building and land are very symbolic to the church's members and Hispanics throughout the district. "This represents more than location, it represents interest in the Hispanic community," he said. "We feel people are interested in Hispanic ministry in this district."   Full Story

Bishop announces new cabinet appointments

      Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker announced Feb. 24 his appointment of a new director of connectional ministries and district superintendent. Both appointments are effective June 1.
     The Rev. Dr. Anne Burkholder, current superintendent of the Melbourne District, was appointed director of connectional ministries to replace Bill Walker, who is retiring. The Rev. Michael Oliver, pastor of Jacksonville's Mandarin United Methodist Church, will replace Burkholder as superintendent of the Melbourne District.    Full Story

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In Brief

Florida has dollar increase, percentage decrease

Florida adds twelfth Welcoming Congregation

Opportunities

Titusville church offers seminar on Jesus’ teachings

Floridians invited to support ministries

New resource offers discipleship experience for children

Men to recognize outstanding young people

Short Bites