LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 3, Issue 3 March 2008

Pastors: Please distribute this newsletter to your delegates, leadership & congregation

Check out our new Southeast Region website: www.seregionfmc.org

EMBRACING HOPE

We gathered for a clergy retreat on the shores of Panama City Beach last week. The shimmering of daybreak upon the waters, and the evening sunsets were nothing less than spectacular a wondrous display of Gods artistic magnificence.

How different this view, compared to the coastal panorama along the Gulf Coast two years earlier, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Then, the magnitude of mud and destruction that stretched for mile after mile seemed surreal, insurmountable. But God whispered words of hope into the lives of many believers, and they came to the coast to help for a week, a month, a season, and more. Relief coordinator Lewis Bunn was the first champion to coordinate the FM effort. Then Gateway pastor Greg Nitchman relocated his family to Pass Christian, Mississippi to continue the recovery effort and lay the foundation for a church plant.

Today, the mud and debris have been cleared away. An enormous canvas awaits the brush strokes of new homes and neighborhoods. As this article is being written, 35 volunteers from Lakeland Light & Life FMC are in the Pass, sharing both their skills and their witness, raising homes and hope in the lives of displaced residents. On Easter Sunday, Pastor Greg and Word of Hope FMC will hold their first public worship service in the Pass. I challenge every congregation in the Southeast Region to begin praying daily for their Easter Sunday Launch. Make sure you send them your words of encouragement as well as financial gifts to let them know that you stand alongside them in this difficult place of ministry.

The story of the Gulf Coast recovery effort is an example to us of tenacious hope in the face of enormous obstacles. May we each be inspired to likewise go into our local neighborhoods, doing the hard work of clearing away the mud and debris of others defenses and skepticism. May they see in our lives the light of Jesus and our selfless desire to serve. May we earn the trust of our neighbors and boldly look for opportunities to introduce them to the God of Hope the One who can help them find a way out of hopelessness and despair.

In closing, this Easter prayer by Ken Gire comes to mind:

Where there is doubt,

Roll away the stone and resurrect my faith.

Where there is depression,

Cast aside the grave clothes and release my joy.

Where there is despair,

Chase away the night and bring a sunrise to my hope.

May we rejoice that no matter how dark the Friday or how cold the tomb,

that, with You as my risen Savior, there is always the hope of an Easter morning.

(from Moments with the Savior, p. 382)

Darrel Riley

SECOND WAVE OF VOLUNTEERS

For a free downloadable copy of the three minute DVD The Second Wave, which overviews current opportunities to bring hope to Katrina-displaced residents, go to the website: www.hopenet.ws. For information about opportunities to send a work team to Mississippi, email Greg Nitchman at greg@hopenet.ws or call him at 228-254-0493. Sign up to be a prayer or financial partner, or to automatically receive his monthly e-newsletter: Embracing Hope.

PREPARE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

With great anticipation and expectation, Superintendent Riley looks forward to Annual Conference gatherings this spring:

South Atlantic Conference: April 18 19; 1:00 pm Friday 1:00 pm Saturday

Host pastor: John Hendricks, at Lakeland Light & Life FMC

Alabama Georgia Mission District: May 2 3; 6:30 pm Friday 1:00 pm Saturday

Host pastor: Keith Cowart at Christ Community Church in Columbus, GA

Gulf Coast Conference: Saturday, June 14, 9:00 am noon

At the Church of God Campground Tabernacle in Pollock, LA

Begin NOW to prepare for this annual gathering in three ways:

1. Continue using the On Purpose Process as a tool to help your congregations leadership keep the lines of communication open and your efforts united in living out Gods unique mission for your church this year.

2. Begin praying now that the Spirit will do a fresh work in us as we gather together at Annual Conference

3. Bring as many of your lay leaders as possible to attend Annual Conference, that together we might experience worship, be inspired, and envision a more fruitful future.

LOOKING BEYOND OURSELVES TO OTHERS:

LOCAL OUTREACH: BAGS OF LOVE

Ever wondered how to respond appropriately to street people asking for money at street corners or around town? After learning about this practical ministry idea, Pastor Jon Howery at Hope Fellowship (West Palm Beach) is encouraging his congregation to prepare Bags of Love. Here how it works: Fill a lunch sack with some of the following items:

Band-aids

comb

emery board

disposable razor & shaving cream

hotel-sized soap, shampoo, lotion

toothbrush & travel toothpaste

washrag or socks

moist towelettes

purse sized kleenex

single sized box of cereal

pop top can of fruit

pop top vienna sausage

pop top chicken or tuna

snack sized box of raisins

package of snack crackers

napkin & plastic spoon or fork

bottle of water

juice box

Add an encouraging Scripture verse or attractive tract, and youve got a helpful, healthy gift bag. Hold a church-wide collection for items, have volunteers prepare the bags, then set the bags out in the church foyer for members to pick up and keep in their cars to distribute.

GLOBAL OUTREACH: SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES

We praise God for His healing touch upon Mike Long; continue to pray that his health and strength will return quickly, and that the restored function of his kidneys will be a witness to others. Also send greetings and pray for the Easter outreach ministries of our conference missionaries:

JFajardoM@aol.com Josh & Susy Fajardo (Spain)

Longmm@the.forthnet.gr Mike & Maria Long (Greece)

haitiforchrist@yahoo.com Jack & Jeanne Munos (Haiti)

RESOURCE IDEA: FM FLASHPOINTS

Make sure your church is utilizing the new free FM FLASHPOINTS monthly bulletin insert (and also free PowerPoint slides). Go to www.freemethodistchurch.org and download it from the homepage. If you dont see it, go to the menu bar and click on NEWS and the first option will be FM FLASHPOINTS. Learn what is the world we are doing as a means to encourage your own creative outreach, as well as to pray more effectively for front-line ministries around the globe.

2008: EVERY PERSON A PASSIONATE PRAY-ER

Pray daily for the following churches. Use the Southeast Region Pictorial Directory to visualize each pastor as you pray. Contact info is included for sending greetings to one another. When you are the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share your personal & church prayer requests.

MARCH	SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE	GCC or AL-GA CONFERENCES
March 2 - 8	Davenport: Four Corners Redemp. Hse Pastor Anthony Owens (Lidia) aowensmia@aol.com	Pineville, LA: Edgewood FMC Pastor Emitte Belgard (Beverly) ASP Dale Robinson (Cassie) emittebelgard@hotmail.com
March 9 - 15	First Brazilian FMC of Deerfield Beach Pastor Valdir Mateos (Elizabeth) ASP Miguel Pereira (Isabel) ASP Rubens Rodrigues (Neuseli) ASP Aparecida Oliveira (Vangivaldo) valdirmateos@bellsouth.net	Provencal, LA Pastor Mike Marbut (Sue) MProGuns@bellsouth.net
March 16 - 22 16^th: Palm Sunday	HOLY WEEK: Who are you bringing to church this week? Pray for outreach ministries by our churches and missionaries	HOLY WEEK: Who are you bringing to church this week? Pray for outreach ministries by our Churches and missionaries
March 23 29 23^rd: Easter	Florida City: South Dade Haitian Pastor David Dor (Myrlande) 9281 Martinique Dr. Miami FL 33189	Shreveport, LA: Central FMC Pastor James Jackmon 1833 Dolphine St. Shreveport, LA 71109
March 30 April 5	Ft. Lauderdale Haitian FMC Pastor Jean Claude Novius (Josette) jnovius@yahoo.com	Whitfield, MS: Mississippi State Hospital Chaplain Philip Cartrette (Patricia) pcartrette@bellsouth.net

CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS & POSTINGS

SOUTHEAST REGION: BIGGIE DATES

NOW OVERDUE: Final call for the following three annual reports:

• 2007 Year End Statistical Report; file online with Indianapolis, call your DL if you need help.
• 2008 Confidential Report; submit to Supt Riley in preparation for Annual Conf. appointments
• Annual On Purpose Process; turn in to your District Leader immediately

What gets counted, gets noticed. Lets pay attention to these tangible signs of church health

Tues Thurs, April 22 24: Exponential: The 2008 National New Church Conference in Orlando.

Thurs Sat., Aug 7 9: Willow Creeks Leadership Summit; numerous simulcast sites nationally

AL-GA CONFERENCE:

News:

The Christ Community Church VISA trip to Caracas Venezuela (Feb 8 17) was a tremendous time of encouraging the congregation there & deepening the faith of team members

March 3 8: Fayette Community Churchs fifth work team will be in Pass Christian. They made a commitment on their first Katrina trip 2 years ago to return every 6 months until the work is done. Each trip they try to include some new participants to broaden their congregations understanding of missions. They desire to do their part as a partner southeast region church. Contact Pastor Brad Wilcox if you, or someone you know, would like to join their work team.

Upcoming Dates:

Sat Mon, March 29 31: Supt. Riley will be in AL-GA for an Executive Team Meeting & MEG interviews on Sunday, as well as various individual church visits.

Fri Sat, May 2 3: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Christ Community Church in Columbus, GA.

Friday PM: 6:30: Registration; 7:00:Worship with Bishop Roller; Reception to follow

Saturday AM: 9:00 noon: Annual Conference Meeting

Bring as many members from each church as possible to welcome our new bishop

GULF COAST CONFERENCE:

Church Family News:

Progress continues at Provencal FMC (Pastor Mike Marbut) on the 40 x 80 ft new building which will house their future sanctuary and educational classroom space. They are also experiencing numerical growth during this time of facility expansion.

Upcoming Dates:

Sat, March 8: District Leader Monty Bower will lead the next Pastors Meeting at Liddieville FMC, 9:00am noon.

Holy Week Gatherings - Everyone is encouraged to attend:

Thu, March 20: Maundy Thursday Service will be held at Marthas Chapel in Deville, 7 pm.

Fri, March 21: A Good Friday Service will be held at Edgewood FMC in Pineville at 6:00pm.

Following the service, the Annual Cake Auction will take place. Please bring cakes,

cookies, etc. to sell. Proceeds will benefit the Gulf Coast Conference Youth Fund.

Sat, April 12: At 9:00am Supt Riley will meet with the Pastors, & Peggy will meet with spouses, followed by a 1:00pm Administrative / Camp meeting; location TBD at March mtg.

Wk of April 14: Gulf Coast work team to Pass Christian; contact Monty Bower to participate.

Mon Fri, June 9 13: FAMILY CAMP at the Church of God Campground in Pollock, LA.

Sat, June 14: ANNUAL CONFERENCE will be held from 9:00am noon at the Church of God Campground in Pollock, LA

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE:

News:

Congratulations to Pastor Jon & Beverly Howery (WPB: Hope Fellowship) on the arrival of Benjamin Douglas. He is welcomed by big sisters Adoniah & Ayla.

Please continue praying that Pastor Ruben Brito (Miami: Melrose) will completely recover his speech and ability to walk following a stroke. Uplift his wife Yris and the congregation also.

The SAC BOA has approved a new policy for those desiring to solicit funds from individuals or other churches within the conference. Individuals now need to first seek the approval of the conference BOA, and then receive the approval of the local church pastor.

Reminders:

Applications for a Richard A Lehman Memorial Ministry Grant are due to the SAC Financial Office March 1. Several thousands of dollars will be awarded at Annual Conference. Apply now!

Upcoming Dates:

Sat. March 8: 9:30am: Conf MEG Bd Interviews; 1:30pm: BOA Mtg. At the Riley home in Orlando

Sat, April 5: Hold this date for possible final Conf MEG Bd interviews & BOA Mtg Location: TBD

Fri Sat, April 18 - 19: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Light & Life FMC in Lakeland:

Lets have a packed house to welcome new Bishop David & wife Yvonne Roller.

Sessions begin at 1pm on Friday, April 18 and will conclude by 1pm on Saturday, April 19.

Housing information will be available shortly.

MAY REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS:

Bring a copy of your January April Trimester On Purpose Form with you:

Sat., May 10: South Florida. Gather at 9:30am, meeting 10am lunch; location TBD

Sat., May 17: West Coast FL: St. Pete - Cornerstone. Gather 9:30am, meeting 10am lunch

Mon., May 19: Central FL: Orlando First. Dinner at 6:30pm, meeting 7 9pm

Thu Sat, May 15 17: SAC LADIES RETREAT at the Wycliffe Center in Orlando.

Mon Fri, June 16 - 20: SAC YOUTH CAMP at EBM in Summerfield (near Ocala)

Sat., Sept 20: SAC PASTORS & LEADERS RALLY DAY with Larry Walkemeyer; this is a not-to-be-missed event for all pastors, delegates, ministry leaders and team members. The event will be held at St. Pete: Cornerstone. Protect that date on your calendar NOW so you can attend.