Category: Stories

Every year, Night of Joy gathers some of the biggest names in Christian music for an awesome time at the “Happiest Place on Earth”. Elevate took on Magic Kingdom and had a great time getting to know each other, eating turkey legs and listening to rocking, positive music focused on Christ. Our adult volunteers, who made the whole night possible, also had a great time. What we lost in sleep (we stayed out pretty late!), we gained in great memories.

THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS. HURRICANE KATRINA. EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA. HOW DO WE HELP?
The good news is – you belong to a church that has a system in place to help in situations such as these. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by war, conflict or natural disaster. UMCOR provides humanitarian relief and disaster response to people in more than 80 countries, including the United States.

WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?
UMCOR is working with local partners to provide emergency food vouchers in Sicily and food packets and hygiene kits on the islands of Kos and Lesbos. Methodists in Italy have contributed funds for a migrant project called “Mediterranean Hope.” In Hungary, The United Methodist Church is a member of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid, whose volunteers have been working at refugee camps.
After the flood waters have receded, wounds have been tended, basic needs met, and the world’s attention has faded, UMCOR continues to be present by providing ongoing assistance for temporary relief, and long-term education, training, and support.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Your contributions to your local church support your local church’s work and regional ministries. It also supports national and international programs, agreed upon by General Conference. All United Methodist churches share the cost of these ministries, with each local church being responsible for contributing a fair portion, or “apportionment.” This makes it possible for 100% of your UMCOR donation to go to the projects specified. There are no administration costs taken from the gift.

Methodism’s founder John Wesley encouraged his followers to spread the good news, transform hopelessness into hope and assist God’s children wherever they may be. When UMCOR donors give their time, money, and supplies, they join UMCOR as the hands and feet of Christ. Our own mission team just returned from serving at the UMCOR depot in Sager-Brown, LA.

To learn more, serve or donate, please go to umcor.org.

Many thanks to Cheryl Loft who saw a need in our community, started our Soul to Sole ministry and has served faithfully for 6 years! Cheryl is moving on to other commitments, and Sandy Havron will continue the efforts of supplying gently-used athletic shoes to those in need in our community. Thank you Cheryl! If you have shoes you wish to donate, please drop them in the large red bins in the courtyard on Sunday mornings.

We recently welcomed our newest ordained deacon to the church family! After extensive training and evaluations, Michele Walker Van Son received the Bishop’s commissioning as a Deacon of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. Our Church Conference then unanimously voted to have her serve here. She feels called to welcome, educate and connect people of every area into the community of the church. Michele was raised in this church family, and has chosen to raise her family here. She is the mother of Josh, Nick and Lily, and daughter of Bill and Robbi Walker.

This Covenant Experience is an opportunity for the whole church to experience reading the Bible together over an eight week period. Everyone is invited to join a Covenant group which will meet weekly to learn and talk about what they have read. There is even a Covenant group for our students on Sunday morning at 11am. This experience of reading the Bible will focus on the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying pattern as we read passages from both the Old and New Testaments. The concept of covenant reminds us of the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. This relationship is grounded in the faithfulness of God’s love and on our ongoing commitment to stay in love with God while we share signs of that love with others.

Opportunities for Men:

• Tuesday Mornings: Sept. 15-Nov. 3, 7-8am, the Fellowship Hall, facilitated by Rev. Gary Rideout
• Thursday Mornings: September 17-November 5, 7-8am, the Resource Center, facilitated by Rob Neil, Ben Howell, and Skip Matthias
• Wednesday Lunch: September 16-Nov. 4, 12-1pm, Room 319 MFLC, facilitated by Vince Furey (registration for lunch TBA)

Opportunities for Women:

• Thursday Mornings: Sept 17-Nov. 5, 9:30-11:00am (316, 321, 320, 319 MFLC) yes childcare, facilitator: Amy Richardson
• Mondays lunch: September 14-Nov. 2, 11:30-1pm (The Parlor) bring your own lunch ,
  facilitator: Laura -Grace Anderson
• Thursday morning: Sept. 17-Nov.5, 7-8am. ( # 236 Wesleyan building)
  facilitator: Jayne Rideout

Opportunities for Everyone:

• Sunday Mornings: Sept. 13-Nov.1
  8:30-9:45am room # 319, 320 MFLC yes childcare
  9:45-11:00am room # 321, 320 MFLC Sunday school available for all ages (Cornerstone Class)
  11-12:15pm room # 313 MFLC yes childcare
• Wednesday Evenings: Sept. 16-Nov. 4, 6:30-7:45pm room # 316 MFLC (Yes Childcare Register Here)

Opportunities for Students and Young Adults:

• Sunday Mornings: Sept. 13-Nov.1
  Students: 11-12:15pm Resource Center
  Young Adults: 11-12:15pm Location TBD

Brought to you by the Beyond 50 Ministries Task Force of the Florida Annual Conference in partnership with First United Methodist Church Winter Park, Great Expectations for Boomers & Beyond is a conference designed to address the needs of the growing population of those over 50. This unique event will encourage and engage participants with passion and creativity. It also will provide countless ideas and opportunities for growth, as well as pave the way for tapping into the spiritual gifts and talents of older adults as vital disciples of Jesus Christ.

This statewide conference is especially for:

• People 50 years of age and beyond.

• Members of the clergy interested in starting or improving their 50+ programs.

• Laity involved in leading ministries for those beyond 50.

• Anyone who wants to learn more about addressing the needs of this rapidly expanding population.

In addition to outstanding keynote speakers, the conference will have more than 30 fun and informative breakouts, including sessions led by Will Randolph, Director of Aging and Older Adult Ministries at Discipleship Ministries. Although all breakout sessions are open to all participants, some are uniquely designed to help leaders who are engaged in developing programs for older adults. The entire event will focus on what’s next for those in the second half of life and how laity leaders and clergy can best address their needs.

Visit the Great Expectations website for more info and to register.

We serve an awesome God and now you are about to be a bigger part of an awesome church!

There are two ways to get connected:

SERVE

Be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to others. THIS is how to be “on the move to make a difference through Jesus Christ.”

CONNECT

Join a group, learn something new, find people to share some fun! THIS is how to grow your faith by expanding and deepening your community, working together to follow Jesus.

Please take a look at our Members Connect page for various opportunities.