Dear Colleagues in the Ministry of Jesus Christ, Recently I asked six people to sit down together for a round table discussion. These six were John Wesley, Walter Wink, Howard Thurman, E. M. Bounds, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Richard Rohr; faithful followers of Jesus, expressing three centuries of Christian interpretation of the scriptures and tradition, informed by reason and experience. In the course of a long conversation, they agreed to disagree on most contemporary issues in American Christianity. However, they all agreed on the centrality of prayer in the life of a Christ-follower and for the renewal of the local church. Barbara Brown Taylor began with a simple statement: “To say I love God but I do not pray much is like saying I love life but do not breathe much.” [An Altar in the World: Geography of Faith] The most spiritually eclectic of the group, spiritual director Richard Rohr, added: “When religion does not give people an inner life or a real prayer life, it is missing its primary vocation… ‘Praying’ is changing your operating system!” [Breathing Under Water] Walter Wink responded: “We are not easily reduced to prayer. Many of us who grope toward praying today are like a city gutted by fire. Exhausted, over committed, burned out, we scarcely have the time or the energy to pray… Prayer … is the interior battlefield where the decisive victory is won before any engagement in the outer world is even possible.” [The Powers That Be] E. M. Bounds jumped in right after: “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God.” [The Necessity of Prayer] Wink nodded in agreement: “History belongs to intercessors who believe the future into being … A space opens in the praying person, permitting God to act without violating human freedom. The change in even one person thus changes what God can do in that world.” [The Powers That Be] Said John Wesley: “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” [A Plain Account of Christian Perfection] I asked Howard Thurman if he would lead us in prayer: O Holy God, open unto me

light for my darkness courage for my fear,

Yours in faith and hope and love, hope for my despair.

O loving God, open unto me wisdom for my confusion, forgiveness for my sins, love for my hate.

O God of peace, open unto me peace for my turmoil,

joy for my sorrow, strength for my weakness.

O generous God, open my heart

to receive all your gifts.

June 2012 Newsletter

Tim

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THE NORTH EAST DISTRICT’S FIRST “RPM” Revival Prayer Meeting

Sunday evening, June 3rd, one hundred and sixty (160) United Methodists from many of our metro- Jacksonville churches, gathered in the Ortega UMC sanctuary for an evening of worship and prayer and holy communion. Participants read scripture and prayed with one another for the following:

1. For the Holy Spirit to empower pastors and local church leaders; 2. For the lost to be saved; 3. For God’s people to turn from sin and grow in holiness; and 4. For revival in the United Methodist Church.

The next RPM gathering is this coming Thursday, June 7th, at St. James UMC in Palatka. We begin at 7:00 pm.

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Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Herbert, VP-Exec. Director

This month featuring…New Life Community UMC! 11100 Wingate Rd., Jacksonville, Florida 32218

Phone: 904.768.7779 SS 9am/Worship 10:30 a.m. Sundays; Wed. night Bible Study 7pm

June 18-24 Anniversary Celebration!!!

Celebrates 6th year in church facility, 15th year from their beginning!

“Revival” is the word at New Life Community United Methodist Church in northwest Jacksonville! This long-term “New Church Start” provides an exciting Spirit-filled worship experience for all ages, under the pastoral leadership of Lay Pastor Lamont Hogans. On June 11 they will begin a new daycare ministry, Kingdom Kids, which will provide summer activities for the community youth. In September, Kingdom Kids will offer a certified teaching program for children. Stop by, or call, to learn more about NLCUMC and/or Kingdom Kids!

Worship Celebration Team Lay Pastor, Lamont Hogans

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Annual Conference 2012 June 14-16

The theme of the Florida Annual Conference is “Transforming the World by Being United in Christ.” With the event now only a few days away, here are a few reminders—and invitations—to review before you arrive at The Lakeland Center.

Wednesday, June 13 Workshops

Everyone is welcome to participate in any preconference workshop without registering, but to ensure there is enough space in a class, with enough chairs and handouts, it would be helpful for participants to pre-register. A participant can attend a workshop in each timeslot or just one and does not need to be a member at the annual conference. There is no cost involved. For more information and to register, please click here.

Session One: 2:00-3:30 PM

Session Two: 4:00-5:30 PM

Workshop Topics:

• Maximizing Social Media

• Building Kingdom Leaders

• Same Team – Different Positions: Clergy and Laity Leading Together

• Connecting to Our Community in Ways That Please God & Bless Others

• Forming Disciples in the Local Church

• Church Finance 101 (First Session Only) • Church Finance 201 (Second Session Only) • Being a Partner in Ending Childhood Hunger (First Session Only) • God's Mission: Our Calling (En Español - Segundo Sesion Sólo) • Who Are Your Church’s Neighbors and Six Ways to Reach Them

DLC Nurse & Learn Update DLC Nurse & Learn is gearing up for an exciting, fun and educational summer. Summer camp starts June 11

th and

we are expecting to be full! Summer Camp includes outdoor water play, special events like a petting farm with carriage rides and much more! We need volunteers in the classroom, on the playground and helpers for our special events. We will also be hiring full and part-time teachers. If you have a heart for kids with special needs contact DLC Nurse & Learn at (904) 387-0370.

Also, a very special thank you goes out to the following United Methodist Churches who have stepped up and raised over $15,000 toward our $50,000 goal! Murray Hill, Crossroad, Wesley Fellowship, Christ, Riverside Park, Spring Glen, Mandarin, Ortega, Harmony, Lakeshore. Your support will go a long way in helping our kids meeting their developmental goals this summer! DLC was named a Blue Cross Blue Shield Sapphire Award Honoree. Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3oazy-dg-4

Breon and Mackenzie

Figure 1

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2012 Annual Conference Reminders

Volunteers Needed One of the things that makes Annual Conference a great event is all the combined efforts of many who come together to make it happen. Whether you have a few hours or several days, there are many volunteer opportunities during Annual Conference. Greeters provide information about the facility and schedule while offering a warm, friendly welcome to members, participants and visitors. (Greeting schedules do not conflict with attending the plenary sessions.) At the worship service on Thursday, June 14

th our Communion Servers will offer Holy Communion to the

Delegates and visitors to Annual Conference. (Rehearsal will be in The Lakeland Center at 6pm on the day of the event with the service beginning at 7pm). Worship Ushers will assist in seating the attendees for worship services, as well as provide support for communion and ordination worship services. (Required orientation will be on Thursday, June 14

th at 11:30

am at The Lakeland Center. Communion rehearsal will be in The Lakeland Center at 6pm Thursday, June 14

th with the service beginning at 7pm).

Plenary Ushers will assist in seating delegates and visitors, distribute materials, take attendance and counting votes, as needed. (Usher orientation will be offered Thursday, June 14

th at 9am and 1pm.)

Volunteers can enroll and schedule their times by visiting the website. Meal Opportunities

• Group Meals: As usual, there will be numerous group meals held during the Annual Conference Event. Please note that some of these group meals require advance registration and/or payment. A list of meals may be viewed by clicking here.

• Lakeland Center: Ovations Food Service will offer several concession stand options for the purchase of food during Annual Conference. Portable and permanent concession stands will be open throughout each day and evening and will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner items for purchase. No advance reservation or payment is required.

Visitor/Guest Name Badges

If you are attending the 2012 Annual Conference as a non-voting visitor/guest, you may pre-order a name badge online HERE.

Your name badge will be waiting for you anytime at Guest Services after 1:00 p.m. on June 13, 2012. Guest Services will be located in the Main Lobby of the Lakeland Center.

Housing

• Hotels in the area are offering special rates for Annual Conference. For a listing of hotels and rates click here.

Clergy Mates Coffee Connection

Friday, June 15, 2012 (9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) Florida United Methodist Conference Center – 3

rd Floor

450 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue

The Florida Conference Clergy Mates are invited to come connect with all your Florida Clergy Spouses at this year’s Annual Conference. No RSVP is necessary. Please drop in to say hello. For more information contact Candy Smiley at csmiley581@yahoo.com

Register online for childcare at www.flumc.org

Page 6 North East News

Are you looking for tools to help your congregation grow in their faith through their stewardship?

Pastors, along with the key finance leaders in their church, are invited to attend together.

CLICK HERE to Register Online

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North East News Page 7

UMVIM Mission Opportunities

The office of Global Mission of the Florida Conference is promoting several conference-wide UMVIM mission trips for 2012. To join one of these teams or to learn more, please contact team leaders. Budget for each trip includes airfare, lodging, ground transportation, meals, medical insurance, and registration. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please click here to learn more. For a scholarship application, [click here]. YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE, CAMP CANAAN, CUBA Date: June 17-26, 2012 Purpose: Building relationships Opened to: FL Conference young adults Team size: 8 Budget per team member: $1,400 Contact: Haylee Linduff, haylee@campustocity.org HAVANA SEMINARY, CUBA Date: July 12-21, 2012 Purpose: Construction Opened to: FL Conference Team size: 12 Budget per team member: $1,600 Team leader: Robert Pinera, rpinera@aol.com QUESSUA MISSION STATION, ANGOLA Date: August 13-23, 2012 Purpose: Construction, VBS Opened to: FL Conference Team size: 8 Budget per team member: $3,000-$3,500 Team leader: Armando and Icel Rodriguez, irodriguez@flumc.org UNITED METHODIST WOMEN CONFERENCE, CAMP CANAAN, CUBA Date: Sept 13-20, 2012 Purpose: Attend annual women gathering of the Methodist Church in Cuba Opened to: UMW of the FL conference Team size: 10 Budget per team member: $1,400 Team leader: Icel Rodriguez, irodriguez@flumc.org NEW LIFE CENTRE, ZAMBIA Date: Sept 19-Oct 3, 2012 Purpose: Construction Opened to: FL Conference Team size: 8 Budget per team member: $3,000-$3,500 Team leader: Greg Harford, gharford@flumc.org

Page 8 North East News

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Celebrate Jesus Mission - 2012 Mission Opportunities Smyrna Georgia: July 7-14, 2012 Florida Space Coast: July 21-28, 2012 Applications are available on their website. For more news about Celebrate Jesus Missions, check out their newsletter [click here]

Life Enrichment Center New and Exciting Programs

There are some new and exciting programs going on at the Life Enrichment Center. Many of you have contacted us sharing your excitement about some of these great camps and retreats, and we look forward to seeing you this summer!

However, if you have not yet taken a look at http://www.LECprograms.org, please take a few minutes today and do so. You can also “Like” the “Life Enrichment Retreat Center” page on Facebook to get all our latest updates.

Online registration is open for our summer and fall programs.

And in case you missed it, here are some of our new and growing programs that we’ll be looking forward to seeing you at!

Grandparents and Me Camp – 3 Sessions this summer! Family Camp – July 2-5, 2012

Mom and Me Weekend – September 14-16, 2012

Dad and Me Weekend – In the early planning stages, April 2013

First Aid, CPR and Wilderness First Aid Training – at our site or yours!

For more information, questions, or to register, you can contact Rev. Melissa Cooper at mcooper@flumc.org, or by phone at (352) 787-0313, ext. 4109.

Leaders may register for these free webinars at www.gbod.org/adultseminars.

June 5, 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT) How Do Adults Make Decisions? Authority and Issues of Faith Participants in this webinar will consider some of the traditional sources of authority (think quadrilateral) and what is happening now as the church finds itself in a time of huge transition.

July 24, 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT) What Happens When the Rules Don’t Work? Critical Thinking and Adult Faith Participants in this webinar will examine the role of mental models as they pertain to faith and explore how critical thinking comes to the rescue when mental models don’t seem to work anymore.

August 28, 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT) How Adults Learn, Part 1: The Emotional Aspect of Learning Participants in this webinar will explore how emotions function in ways to increase or shut down learning. Ideas related to developing a positive emotional climate in adult small groups will be included.

September 18, 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT) How Adults Learn, Part 2:—The Behavioral Dimension of Learning Participants in this webinar will explore how the cycle of action/reflection/action contributes to effective learning with adults.

November 13, 7:30-8:30 PM (EDT) How Adults Learn, Part 3:—The Cognitive Dimension of Learning Participants in this webinar will explore how the brain processes information, as well as how adults make meaning as an integral part of learning.

For further information contact Carol Krau, Director of Adult Formation and Discipleship Toll free (877)899-2780 ext 7171

Free Training for Leaders of Adult Classes and Small Classes

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Grace In Action Weekends August 17-19 | October 19-21, 2012 Grace Church, 13 Southeast 21st Place, Cape Coral, FL 33909

During this weekend, you and your team will experience and learn about the vision and strategy of Grace Church with a focus on recovery (Celebrate Recovery) and compassion outreach ministries (Third Saturday Outreach). On Friday night, you will worship with 300-400 adults, youth, and children at Celebrate Recovery. On Saturday morning, you will join 150 volunteers as they reach out to thousands of neighbors at our Third Saturday Outreach when we give away thousands of pounds of food and offer more than a dozen other ministries. On Sunday morning, you will have an opportunity to worship at three of our four campuses. For information or questions contact graceinactionweekends@gracechurch.com or register on-line at www.egracechurch.com

Some of the best learning we can have as church leaders is a combination of inspiration and instruction. Grace Church wants to invite you to a "come and see" as well as a "come and learn" weekend. Grace Church is a multiple-site, United Methodist Church with four campuses in Southwest Florida (Cape Coral/Fort Myers area). Grace Church has grown from 400 to 2800 in worship attendance, from one campus with two worship services to four campuses with thirteen weekly services.

Church Music Workshop July 15-July 20, 2012

Florida Southern College

The Florida Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts is pleased to announce that our 56

th Annual Church Music Workshop will be held from Sunday afternoon, July 15th through Friday

noontime, July 20th, 2012, at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Anyone involved in church music or worship planning, both traditional and contemporary, adults or youth, are invited to join us. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Journey: The Seasons of Faith,” is based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. Clinicians for the workshop will be Adult Choral Clinician Ken Berg, composer and co-director of the Birmingham (AL) Boys Choir; Youth Clinician Andrew Minear, Director of Choral Activities at Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando; Handbell Clinician Sharon Brant, organist/music director at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dade City; and Workshop Pastor, Dr. Kandace Brooks, Director of Community Formation and Affiliate Professor of Worship at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando. Also included during this year's workshop will be a Pastor's Retreat and Worship & Song Event on Wednesday, July 18th.

Our Annual Church Music Workshop is for adults and youth (College, High School and Middle School) and has a variety of seminars to meet everyone’s music ministry needs. We invite you to take this opportunity to connect with other church musicians and worship leaders and be renewed. For more information and for registration information, please visit our website at: www.floridafellowship.org or contact Joan FitzGerald, Workshop Chairperson, at joan.fitzgerald@verizon.net or Registrar Dan Shorb at info@floridafellowship.org.

Rev. Jorge Acevedo, Lead Pastor

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Building the Beloved Community Mandatory Inclusivity Training for all appointed Clergy

A letter of invitation was mailed from the Bishop's office with details regarding the mandated inclusivity training that all full-time clergy will need to attend in 2012. We wanted to let you know the dates and regions that are being targeted for this training so you can get one of the training sessions on your calendar. You will be able to use CE or RA funds for the cost and it will count for your continuing education requirements for 2012. Also, Conference CE funds may also be available depending on whether or not you have used those funds recently. Here are the dates and locations: September 27-29 Christ United Methodist Church - Pompano Beach Campus [Click Here] for registration. 210 NE 3

rd Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33308

October 8-10 El Caribe Resort & Conference Center [Click Here] for registration. 2125 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118 October 15-17: First UMC of Brandon – [Click Here] for registration. 120 North Knights Avenue, Brandon, FL 33510 Every full-time clergy must attend one of these events, so please put one of these session dates on your calendar.

Lay Servant Ministries Training Saturday Sessions: September 29, 2012 8:30a.m. - 3:00p.m.

& October 6, 2012

9:00 a.m.-2:30p.m. (both days required)

First UMC-Starke 200 N Walnut

Starke, FL 32091

This course fee is $30.00 which includes materials and lunch. Registration will begin at 8:00am on Saturday 9/29/12 with the first session starting at 8:30a.m.

Please click here for event brochure or for more information contact Patrice Peterson, District Lay Servant Ministries, Director at (904) 553-2217 or email leaveit4pat@yahoo.com.

Save The Date: Clergy Team Meetings Tuesday, September 18 at 6:00PM Thursday, September 20 at 9:00AM First UMC; 200 N Walnut Street; Starke, FL 32091 Spring Glen UMC; 6007 Beach Blvd; Jacksonville

All appointed Clergy are expected to attend one of these meetings. More information to follow.

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Volunteer Keyboardist Wanted for Praise and Worship Band… Perhaps you have this talent, equipment and desire for this type of ministry. We play every Sunday evening at our service from 6 pm - 7pm. We practice every Sunday afternoon from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. We faithfully commit and volunteer our time and talents to this ministry. Please call Garden City United Methodist Church at 904-764-4627 or email gcumc1@yahoo.com .

Classified Ads

Christ UMC, Neptune Beach has started a new Praise and Worship service on Sunday evenings at 5pm. We do not have any sound equipment for this or projector, and are asking if other churches, who have progressed to more advanced systems, would be willing to give or sell their old systems. Please contact the church office at (904) 249-5370

Mount Zion UMC is in need of a 15 passenger bus. Perhaps your church is ready to purchase a new one and you want to sell the old one (which is still in good shape) for a reasonable price. If so please contact Pastor Georgia Gaston, 904-998-0144.

Save the Date - Clergy Mates Fall Retreat Planned 32nd Annual Fall Retreat - November 1-3, 2012 Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park Thursday evening through Saturday morning

Formerly known as Ministers' Mates, the Clergy Mates include the Spouses of active, retired or deceased clergy who have worked in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? - Email us at FLUMC-Mates@cfl.rr.com - Call us at (386) 734-9224 - Visit the CLERGY MATES' table at Florida Annual Conference

Donation of an Upright Piano: The Florida United Methodist Children’s home has a donation from the Northeast District of an Upright Kohler-Campbell Piano, if you are interested in it, please give Mark Nelson a call at 407-222-1040 or email, mark.nelson@fumch.org.

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C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

June 2012

*Recurring Monthly Reports 2 Basic Disaster Ministry Training, 10a.m.-3p.m. Middleburg UMC 14-16 Florida Annual Conference, Lakeland, FL 17 Father’s Day 25 District Committee on New Church Development Meeting, 10 a.m. District Office 25 District Leadership Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Orange Park UMC

July 2012

*Recurring Monthly Reports 4 Independence Day, Conference Center and District Offices Closed 23 District Committee on New Church Development Meeting, 10 a.m. District Office 23 District Leadership Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Orange Park UMC

August 2012

*Recurring Monthly Reports 15-31 Annual Ministry Protection Property and Casualty Insurance Review (Annual

Survey). Review insurance coverages and update online insurance database annually.

Annual survey period is August 15-31, 2012. This database is available online year round to enable churches to update insurance data as changes occur. Click here for link to the insurance database on the Ministry Protection website. The Annual Workers Compensation Salary Survey is included in the risk console review of property and casualty insurance. Please be sure to project your payroll by category through the end of 2012 when completing this section.

24 Annual Charge Conference forms available online Friday, Aug. 24. These forms are

to be completed annually by each local church in accordance with the district superintendent’s annual charge conference directions

To access Calendar of Reports due for 2012 Click Here