LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 6, Issue 2 February 2011

Pastors: Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation

 

 

THE STATE OF THE UNION

 

In January each church is asked to complete the Annual On Purpose Form. This is not an administrative task; in reality, it is a spiritual guide for congregational unity and growth in disguise. Doing this process in January helps you see the state of the union.

 

Those of you who made the effort to sit down together, review the past year, pray through current challenges and progress, and speak the truth in love about areas of needed growth or frustration, have gained much as you laid it all out before the Lord.

 

How do I know that? Because I have been AMAZED at your reports. This year has been a break-through year. In report after report, I could literally see the movement of our people breaking out of familiar routines, getting outside your churches, identifying the needs of your neighbors, and responding with personal friendships and new ministries.

 

Sure its uncomfortable to attempt new things, and not everything has worked out as hoped. And yes, all our neighbors arent beating down the doors to get into our churches on Sunday morning - yet, but were GETTING it and even better were DOING it. Were becoming Christ followers . . . following in His footsteps . . . leaving home to move into the neighborhood (John 1:14). Were showing people, one at a time, what it means to be an authentic believer, and inviting them to join the journey with us.

 

This evening I received an email asking superintendents if there were any churches doing new ministries that could make a 3 4 minute video presentation of what theyre doing, so others at General Conference could be inspired. I immediately jotted down the names of 10 churches in the SER based upon their 2011 On Purpose reports.

 

Friends, dont be discouraged that your church isnt larger or your budget bigger. You are becoming INWARDLY HEALTHY and OUTWARDLY FOCUSED, and the state of our union with both Jesus and our neighbors is growing stronger.

Supt. Darrel Riley

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 6th: SOUP ER SALAD BOWL SUNDAY to REBUILD HAITI:

 

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, all churches are challenged to organize a Soup or Salad luncheon, pig roast, crayfish boil, or other appropriate regional meal after morning worship or at game time. Lets top last years $12,000 in contributions from the Southeast Region. Designated your churchs funds for any of these worthy FM Haiti projects:

 

         Sawyer Water Filters @ $50 each, order thru www.childcareministries.org (ICCM)

 

         Drill a Fresh Water Well: www.ClearBlueProject.org DVD to view and download

 

         *Structall Pastors Home @ $5,000 contact Leland Sayers 863-858-2768

*Structall ICCM School @ $15,000 - contact Leland Sayers 863-858-2768

DVD segments on Structall projects are on the homepage of www.seregionfmc.org

 

         Haiti Feeding Program: www.childcareministries.org (ICCM)

 

         Support missionaries Rick & Cookie Ireland, and Jack Munos (Jack returns to Haiti on Feb 16) through Free Methodist World Missions (www.fmwm.org)


 

 

 

LEADERS ARE LEARNERS:

 

Florida is hosting a national FM training event March 1 & 2 so make plans to participate. Bishop Matt Thomas will be speaking on the theme: TURNING THE CHURCH INSIDE OUT: Strategies to Lead an Outreach Focused Church Topics include the following:

 

         How pastors can lead their churches in outreach

         Growing lay leaders who are outward focused

         Becoming a more inclusive, multi-cultural church

         Daily ways anyone can share their faith and encourage others

 

The event will be held at St. Pete: Cornerstone. Registration: $79 / individuals and $99 / couples. Some limited free lodging is available through Cornerstone members for Monday & Tuesday nights, so sign up early. Brochure attached; complete the Registration Form.

 

 

ANNUAL REPORTS (OVER)DUE:

 

Senior Pastors received a hard copy packet of all forms, as well as electronic forms via email. As these forms were due Jan 31, make sure youve filed your reports.

 

q  On Purpose Process: SER Annual Reporting Form

Senior pastors should send their Annual On Purpose Report to their DL & Supt. Darrel

 

q  Year End Report: 2010 statistics filed electronically with Indianapolis

Senior pastors should file on-line with Indianapolis in preparation for the new Yearbook.

 

q  2011 Confidential Reports: In preparation for 2011 An Conf Appointments

All pastors and delegates need to submit their hopes regarding upcoming pastoral appointments at 2011 Annual Conferences; send to Supt. Darrel.

 

 

 

NEW WAVE FORM & MAILING ADDRESS:

 

Church Treasurers: As of January 1st, all churches in the EAST were to start using the new WAVE Giving Form for calculating the churchs monthly contributions. It is available in Excel and PDF formats. Copies of the form can be downloadable from our southeast region website at www.seregionfmc.org., click on the FORMS & RESOURCES tab.

 

Remember to send your monthly contributions to the new address:

WAVE Administration PO Box 707 Stafford NY 14143.

 

SAC Churches: please send an additional copy of your completed form monthly to Treasurer Marge Lehman at 5421 Sharon Trail Lakeland FL 33810.

 

 

 

MARCH 13: FREEDOM SUNDAY

Because no one should be for sale

 

Our Free Methodist ancestors championed the cause for holistic freedom. One of the issues that caught their attention was slavery. 150 years later, there are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history. Real slaves unable to walk away forced to work under threat of violence. And its not just over there it also exists here at home.

 

Our bishops are asking us to log on to www.FreedomSunday.org to start learning about this special day. Details are being prepared for how we can respond as FMCs. Meanwhile, begin making preparations for a special emphasis in morning worship on March 13th.

EVERY PERSON A PASSIONATE PRAY-ER

 

O Lord, be gracious to us; we have hoped in You.

Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

 

 

FEB 2011

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE

AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE

Jan 30 Feb 5

 

Cape Coral Community Church

Pastor David Rigby (Linda)

david@capecoralchurch.com

 

Olla, LA: Antioch

Under the Supt. Delegate E. W. Nugent

485 Hwy 770 Olla LA 71465

 

Feb 6 - 12

Clearwater: Lake Palms Community Ch

Pastor David Vos (Peggy)

davidhvos@yahoo.com

 

Olla, LA: Summerville

Pastor Glenn Roark (Levena)

LRoark71371@yahoo.com

Feb 13 - 19

Dade City

Pastor Nick & Zoanne Clark

13945 S 20th St. Dade City FL 33525

 

Pass Christian, MS: Word of HopeCPP

Pastor Tommy Gammill (Mickie)

mickie@cableone.net

Feb 20 - 26

 

Clermont: 4 Corners Redemp. House

Pastor Anthony Owens (Lidia)

aowensmia@aol.com

 

Pineville, LA: Edgewood

Pastor Alex Bigger (Felisha)

biggeriv@yahoo.com

Feb 27 March 5

Florida City: South Dade Haitian

Pastor David Dor (Myrlande)

9281 Martinique Dr. Maimi FL 33189

 

Provencal, LA

Pastor Mike Marbut (Sue)

MProGuns@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

AL-GA MISSION DISTRICT:

 

Thursday, Feb 10: The next GA District Pastors Gathering will take place as follows:

Browns Mill FMC in Newnan 15 Perry St., Newnan GA 30263

; 9:00am 12:30 pm lunch Host pastor: Tim Coleman, 770-377-4461

 

Sat Mon, Feb 26 28: Supt Darrel will be present for the following meetings:

Sun, Feb 27: AM Preaching at Faith FMC in Pleasant Grove, AL

AFT: Exec Team Mtg: Comfort Suites,125 Davis Loop Rd, Oxford, AL

Mon, Feb 28: Combined AL-GA Pastors Mtg with Supt Darrel at the Comfort Suites

in Oxford, AL, 9:30am lunch (Central Time)

 

Sat, March 26: ANNUAL CONF with Bishop Roller at Columbus GA: Christ Community Church from 10:30am 3:30pm Eastern Time. Pastors and Delegates, since this will be a one day meeting, bring several additional key leaders with you!

 

 

GULF COAST CONFERENCE:

 

February 4 6 GCC SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT WEEKEND with SUPT RILEY

 

         Fri, Feb 4: Pastors & Spouses Dinner together at Ryans Steakhouse in Pineville, 6:00pm

 

         Sat, Feb 5: Retreat Day for All GCC Clergy & Laity, at Jonesville: Oak Grove

Theme: Spiritual Enrichment Day: Exploring Various Approaches to Personal Devotions

9:00am 9:30am Coffee and Fellowship

9:30am 12:45pm Devotions & 4 workshops, including personal options

12:45pm 1:30pm Concluding Luncheon

The entire Retreat Day is FREE! Bring lots of folks from your church.

 

         Sun, Feb 6: Supt. Darrel will preach at Deville: New Hope

 

Mon Fri, June 13 17: GCC FAMILY CAMP at the Church of God Camp in Pollock LA

 

Sat, June 18: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at the Church of God Camp in Pollock LA

 

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE NEWS:

 

Reminders:

 

         Florida Incorporation postcards are NO LONGER MAILED OUT! It is now up to each local church to file online annually with the Division of Corporation at www.sunbiz.org . File before May 1st to keep your tax exempt status, or you could be fined $400. Each church should check their status online, and pay the $61.25 filing fee for 2011.

 

         Light & Life Work Team Projects: If your church facility or parsonage needs work and you need extra help tackling the project, send your written request, detailing project needs, to the Financial Office, attention Marge Lehman, at 5421 Sharon Trail, Lakeland 33810 or email sharonjoy79@aol.com. Work requests will be evaluated. Churches of selected projects will need to cover material costs and provide meals for workers.

 

         Lehman Ministry Grant Applications: Dick Lehmans legacy lives on in our churches and outreach ministries. If your church needs help starting, or expanding, a ministry that transforms lives in your church and community, apply for a 2011 grant. March 4 deadline

 

 

Upcoming Dates:

 

 

Sat, Feb 12 MEG Board Elders Interviews @ Rileys (CMC recommendations due also)

 

Sat, Feb 19 SAC BOA Mtg at Maxwell Commons, Lakeland Park, 9:30am - lunch

 

Tue-Wed, Mar 1-2 BISHOP MATT THOMAS Consultant Training @ St. Pete: Cornerstone;

Open to all; SAC District Leaders will attend with Supt Riley

 

Sun, March 13 FMC Freedom Day human trafficking

 

Fri-Sat, April 1-2 SAC Womens Retreat at the Clarion Hotel & Conf Center in Tampa

 

Sun, April 24 EASTER

 

Fri-Sat, April 29-30 Annual Conference at Lakeland: Light & Life FMC

 

Fri, May 13 District Leader Video Conference, 10am noon

 

 

 

JUNE REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:

Bring your Spring Trimester On Purpose Report for your District Leader

 

Sat, 4 Regional Event: South FL (9:30am lunch) Hialeah: Ministerios Nueva Vision

 

Mon, 6 Regional Event: Central FL (6:30 9:00pm) Orlando First Spanish

 

Sat, 11 Regional Event: West Coast FL (9:30am - lunch) Location TBD

 

 

 

WedSun, July 13-17 GENERAL CONFERENCE in Rochester, New York

 

MonFri, July 2529 SAC YOUTH CAMP

 

Fri Sat, Aug 5 6 SAC Conference Cabinet Retreat for DLs, BOA, MEG & MAC members

 

Mon-Wed, Sep 12-14 FMC: Starting Strong in Indianapolis, IN

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:

Bring your Summer Trimester On Purpose Report for your District Leader

 

Sat, 10 Regional Event: South FL (9:30am lunch) Location: TBA

 

Mon, 19 Regional Event: Central FL (6:30 9:00pm) Orlando First Spanish

 

Sat, 24 Regional Event: West Coast FL (9:30am - lunch) Location TBD