LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region
Volume 6,
Issue 10
November -
December 2011
Pastors:
Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation
PRESENTS
and PRESENCE
Its a mystery. Yesterday morning at
daybreak a beach jogger discovered a giant plastic man laying
in the sand at Siesta Key FL. The Brand Relations Manager at LEGO said the 8
foot Lego Man was not a stunt to promote their new theme park in
Just as many of you reading this
article could be oblivious to the arrival of Lego Man, so too most of the world
was oblivious to the arrival of Gods Son, the Messiah, over 2,000 years ago. Yes,
a celestial angel army announced His birth to a few forgotten shepherds on a
hillside in Bethlehem, and traveling magi from the far east came in search of a
newborn King, but for the most part, society was unaware of Gods Present to
humanity.
This holiday season, we have the
privilege of unraveling the mystery of Gods PRESENT as we LIVE the Story and
TELL the Story of Jesus. In most situations, opportunities to share with others
will come as a result of us individually, and sometimes collectively, becoming
the PRESENCE of JESUS to others. What are some examples of how to utilize the
unique opportunities that the Holiday Season gives us to naturally be that
PRESENCE? Check out the following three key sources for PRESENTS and PRESENCE:
CHALLENGE YOUR CONGREGATION to rethink
Christmas by buying one less gift, in order to give one strategic present in the name
of Christ. Go to www.adventconspiracy.org for
downloadable inspirational videos, facts & resources. (ICCM & FMWM
offer great strategic present ideas).
GENERAL OUTREACH
IDEAS:
Lots of holiday ministry & outreach ideas are provided at www.outreachmagazine.com. Click on IDEAS at the top tool bar, then click on FALL (Sept Nov) and WINTER (Dec Feb) in
the drop down box for ideas and articles.
MINISTER TO THOSE
EXPERIENCING LOSS
this holiday season: Provide a special gathering & service for those in
your area who have experienced a devastating loss, to help them cope with the
holiday season. Google BLUE CHRISTMAS
SERVICE; youll find lots of sample services to help you create your own. My
personal favorite at a first glance is www.inspirecreativity.org/Blue
which posts a Space to Bring Our Sadness
to God service.
Supt. Darrel Riley
Christmas is Gods
reminder that we are never alone.
Anonymous
Watch for this a virgin will get
pregnant and bear a son;
they will name
Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for God is with us).
Isaiah 7:14
END THE YEAR ON PURPOSE:
connectLIVE on NOV 10th:
Leadership
Network is sponsoring a FREE 4 hour interview of Content & Conversation with
top Church Innovators Warren Bird, Neil Cole, Reggie McNeal, Bruce Miller, Hugh Halter & Dino Rizzo. Go to www.leadnet.org
to learn about each speakers unique ministry, and REGISTER. All you need is a
computer and decent internet connection . . . and a willingness to learn new
ways to expand your ministry impact! 11:00am 3:00pm Eastern.
REVIEW 2011 &
PLAN FOR 2012:
Pastors
should invite their congregations leaders to participate with them in
evaluating 2011 and planning for 2012 priorities, budgets, and ministries. Use
the Annual
On Purpose Process to guide this time of reflection in late November or
early December. Copies of your completed Annual OPP report are due to your DL
and Supt Riley by January. Download the Annual On Purpose Process at www.seregionfmc.org;
then click on left tab: Forms &
Resources, and scroll down. It is available in English, Spanish and
Portuguese.
FINANCIAL REMINDER:
Pastors,
Treasurers and local church BOAs: Have you looked at your WAVE FAIR SHARE giving
for 2011? Remember, as a connectional family, this is how our retired pastors
receive their pensions, and how our leadership positions (bishops,
superintendents, denominational support staff) and
basic services are funded. FAIR SHARE works but only as each church fully
participates. Commit to catching up before the end of the year if your
congregation has fallen behind. Thank you for your full participation.
CMC & MENTOR
REMINDER:
The
southeast region currently has 44 CMCs. Mentors have you met with your CMC at
least twice since Annual Conference? Follow the CMC Mentoring Notebook
and discuss the provided books / articles together. Make a priority of developing
the next generation of ELDERS in the southeast region.
FREE METHODIST HISTORY
& CHURCH POLITY:
Anyone
considering ordination in the FMC or currently a Local Ministerial Candidate
(LMC) needs to complete the intensive class: FM History and Church Polity. Supt. Darrel Riley will teach it at
Asbury Seminary,
CONNECT
WITH our SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES:
Holidays
can be lonely for those far from home. Connect with our SER missionaries via recent
newsletters, blogs and support information available on-line at www.fmcusa.org; scroll to the bottom of
the home page and click on FM World Missions. From the FMWM
home page, click on the Missionaries tab at the top, and
missionaries will appear in alphabetical order. You can also contact them via
emails:
Josh
& Susy Fajardo (
Mike
& Maria Long (
Jack Munos (
Rick & Cookie
SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE NEWS:
JANUARY
REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:
Bring your Annual
On Purpose Report for your District Leader
& Supt. Darrel
ALSO:
If you are unable to
file online your 2011 Year End Report with
hard copy with you and
someone will help you file from Cornerstone.
Sat, Jan 14
Mon, Jan 16 Central FL (6:30
supper 9pm)
Sat, Jan 21
AL-GA
MISSION CONFERENCE:
Sun Mon, Feb 12
13: Supt. Darrel will be
on-site for the following meetings:
Sun, Feb 12: PM meeting of the Executive Team at the Comfort Suites in
Mon, Feb 13: AM joint meeting of all
room
at the Oxford Comfort Suites; concluding lunch at a nearby restaurant.
NEW CPP: Keep Pastor Kenny Johnston, wife Julie, and
the team at Trinity Life Church in
WORK TEAMS NEEDED TO
REBUILD PLEASANT GROVE
In
April of this year, Pleasant Grove AL was obliterated by tornadoes. Since that
time Hands of Hope and
Faith FMC in Pleasant Grove, have partnered with the organization LOVE (Locally
Organized Volunteer Effort) to rebuild damaged homes and build new homes. To
send a work team, contact Pastor Greg Nitchman at gregwol@att.net
or 404-775-2403 telling him: 1) # of team members in your group, 2) skill
sets they have. Your teams skills will be matched with dates when those skills
are needed on current projects.
GULF COAST CONFERENCE:
Dec 2 4: Conference
Fri, Dec 2: BOA,
6:30pm at
Sat, Dec 3:Pastors & Spouses Gathering at Marthas Chapel in Deville LA:
Planning
Session 10:30 noon:
Bring
your holiday cards & financial gifts for the Longs with you
Also
bring your 2012 personal & church calendars for planning purposes
Christmas Luncheon & Holiday Celebration begins at noon
Feb 3 5: Spring
2012 Conference Training Weekend:
Fri, Feb 3: BOA,
6:30pm, final preparation for Annual Conf.
Sat, Feb 4: Pastors
& Leaders Spring Training Event
March 30 31: ANNUAL
CONFERENCE,
Friday PM and Saturday AM.
June 11 - 15: NEW DATE for FAMILY
CAMP
in Pollock LA change your calendars!
PRAY for the CONGREGATIONS
in our REGION:
Intercession is a way of loving others
it is desiring for them far more than it is within
our power to give them, and so we are led to pray. Richard Foster
|
Nov Dec 2011 |
SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE |
GULF COAST CONFERENCE |
|
Oct 30 Nov 5 |
Clearwater:
Lake Palms Community Pastor David Vos
(Peggy) Pastor David Hummer (Linda) DHummer@knology.net |
Provencal
LA Under the supt Contact: B R Whitehead PO Box 314
Provencal LA 71468 |
|
Nov 6 - 12 |
Dade
City Pastor Nick Clark (Zoanne) (recuperating from vocal chord surgery) |
Shreveport
LA Under the supt Delegate & church admin Alexandria
Bartlett CentralFreeMethodist@yahoo.com |
|
Nov 13 - 19 |
Clermont:
Case Redencion Pastor Anthony Owens (Lidia) pastoranthony@casaredencion |
Winnsboro
LA: Liddieville Pastor Kenneth Lukens (Evangelene) 2166 Hwy 135 Winnsboro LA 71295-7428 PO Box 314
Provencal LA 71468 |
|
Nov 20 - 26 Thanksgiving Wk |
THANKSGIVING
WEEK: Pray for those dealing with loss this holiday season |
THANKSGIVING
WEEK: Pray for those dealing with loss this holiday season |
|
Nov 27 Dec 3 Advent Wk 1 |
Deployed
Military Chaplains, Service
Men & Women, and their Families Chaplain Mark Williams Wife Monica; children: Madisyn
(15), Abigail (11), Evan & Caleb (twins 10)
406 Skylark Blvd Satellite
Beach 32937 |
AL:
Birmingham - Emmanuel Pastor James Andy Bunn (Christi)
Bunn5@charter.net Pastor Lewis Bunn (Amy)
labseven@aol.com |
|
Dec 4 10 Advent Wk 2 |
SAC
Haiti Missionaries: Jack Munos
Haiti4christjak@yahoo.com Rick & Cookie Ireland
rick.ireland@yahoo.com |
AL:
Pleasant Grove - Faith Pastor Joe Shuffett
(Wendy) joeshuffett@bellsouth.net Host congregation for tornado work teams |
|
Dec 11 17 Advent Wk 3 |
SAC
European Missionaries: SPAIN: Josh & Susy Fajardo GREECE: Mike & Maria Long |
SAC
European Missionaries: SPAIN:
(AL-GA) Josh & Susy Fajardo GREECE:
(AL-GA and GCC) Mike & Maria Long |
|
Dec 18 24 Advent Wk 4 |
THE
WEEK PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS: Pray for holiday outreach
opportunities & Special Services |
THE
WEEK PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS: Pray for holiday outreach opportunities & Special Services |
|
Dec 25 - 31 Christmas Day New Years Eve |
THE
WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS and
NEW YEARS: Pray for Fresh, New Beginnings |
THE
WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS and
NEW YEARS: Pray for Fresh, New Beginnings |
REMEMBER MILITARY
PERSONNEL & THEIR FAMILIES this holiday season:
families
currently separated by deployment
families
facing the imminent deployment of a family member
families
of returning soldiers struggling with injury or re-integration issues
The
attachment: Returning War Vets was originally prepared by VA Chaplain Dan
Hummer in 2008