GC 2020 AC 2020 About Us Calendar Church Locator Clergy Locator Districts Classifieds Financial Services Administration

News & Views

The Florida Conference is dedicated to bringing you news stories about United Methodists here and beyond. Whether the news is about the global church or the church on the corner, look for it here. You’ll also find thought-provoking commentaries and opportunities for education and fellowship.

In addition, News & Views is pleased to bring you an interactive Bible crossword puzzle, with new puzzles available weekly. Click here to access this week's crossword puzzle. Have a story to share? Email webadmin@flumc.org or click here to use our convenient “Submit a story” form.

Image courtesy of www.ChristianBibleReference.org. Copyright © by Cliff Leitch.

July 01, 2020

Q&A: What delay means for General Conference

The issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the United Methodist Church to navigate uncharted waters to prepare for General Conference in 2021.

June 26, 2020

Conference Launches Yearlong Initiative to Feed the Hungry

The new Fill the Table initiative seeks to provide 3 million meals in a year.

June 26, 2020

Updated Guidance as COVID-19 Cases Rise in Florida

Dear Florida Conference Churches and Clergy: Last Thursday we wrote to encourage and inform you as ...

June 25, 2020

Now is the time to get ready for hurricane season

Here are tips to help use before, during, and after the storm. Preparation is the key. Don't wait until it's too late!

June 24, 2020

'Service of Lament' challenges church on racism

United Methodist bishops, agencies collaborate on unflinching video as latest step in anti-racism initiative.

June 16, 2020

Conference will control historic cemetery after church closing

The closing of any church in the Florida Conference can be difficult, but members of Asbury United ...

June 15, 2020

FLUMC churches move ahead with re-opening plans

Churches now have the option to reopen for in-person worship. There is a variety of ideas about how to proceed.

June 12, 2020

Warren Willis camp to remain closed for the summer

The Warren Willis Camp in Fruitland Park will remain closed for the summer due to the COVID-19 ...

June 10, 2020

Especially now, preparation is vital in hurricane season

Floridians know all about the power of hurricanes. But with COVID-19 added to the mix, don't put off preparing your hurricane plan.

June 10, 2020

What We’ve Done (and Left Undone)

Many in America believed they had progressed from the racial turmoil of the 1960s. Then George Floyd was murdered.

June 08, 2020

Cabinet Statement in Response to Racial Injustice

From the Cabinet of the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

June 05, 2020

A Pastoral Letter to United Methodists of the Southeastern Jurisdiction June 5, 2020

Brothers and Sisters: As president of the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops my heart ...

June 04, 2020

Christ Church joins protestors with prayer vigil

Cynthia Metzger Phipps The scenes of protest in South Florida were unavoidable. People of ...

June 04, 2020

Coming together to seek social justice

Building on inter-racial relationships, United Methodist Congregations in two different communities, help to organize vigils and opportunities to work for reconciliation.

June 03, 2020

The Color of Coronavirus

How COVID-19 is impacting communities of color and the Church’s responsibility to respond

June 01, 2020

The Threat of Blackness

Four FLUMC pastors reflect on the recent deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and call for fellow Methodists to take a stand for justice.

May 28, 2020

In-person worship optional after June 15

The Florida Conference Re-Launch Task Force along with Bishop Carter and the Cabinet met this week ...

May 28, 2020

P.I.N.K. Girls learn to make a difference through Peace with Justice

P.I.N.K. Girls is a recipient of a 2019 Florida United Methodist Conference Peace with Justice grant...

May 27, 2020

"They were all together in one place"

As Pentecost Sunday approaches, we may be separated from our church family and others, but God reminds us that His gift of the Holy Spirit will never leave us.

May 27, 2020

Annual Conference set for Sept. 19 at First Lakeland UMC

The 2020 Annual Conference meeting of the Florida United Methodist Church will be held on Sept. 19 ...

May 27, 2020

Bishop Ken Carter's assignment to Florida is extended

In light of the postponement of the General and Jurisdictional Conferences due to the Coronavirus ...

May 26, 2020

Florida Conference churches respond to their neighborhood food shortages

United Methodist churches New Horizon and Community of Hope are among many Florida Conference churches doing what they can to provide aid during the COVID-19 crisis.

May 21, 2020

Summer in the Scriptures

Bishop Ken Carter invites you to join him for a Summer in the Scriptures as we journey through the Gospels!

May 18, 2020

Orlando's St. Luke's UMC shows the art of reaching out and filling a need

The Central Florida arts community has been devastated by the economic chaos wrought by COVID-19. But St. Luke's UMC of Orlando saw a need and mobilized to address it. In turn, an "invisible" group knew it was loved.

May 13, 2020

Sobering racial statistics on healthcare demand systemic resolution

African-American mothers are 243% more likely to die as a result of pregnancy than white women.

May 12, 2020

Zoe Empowers: A Christian response to a humanitarian crisis

Many Florida United Methodist churches are involved in the project, which was founded in 2004 to help orphans left in the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

May 11, 2020

Churches have much to consider before reopening

United Methodist churches across the country face the challenges of reopening.

May 11, 2020

Korean church kicks drive-thru food pantry into high gear during COVID-19

The Korean UMC of South Florida had a dream to serve as a feeding site for low-income families. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it was time to make that dream a reality.

May 11, 2020

Preaching Virtually, Not Virtually Preaching

The Institute of Preaching offered a webinar on May 1, 2020 entitled "Preaching Virtually, Not Virtually Preaching" to assist clergy during this time of social distancing. The webinar offers both general guidance and practical tips.

May 04, 2020

On a global mission to make a difference where it's needed most

EDITOR’S NOTE: In February, Cuban missionaries Leonardo Garcia and his wife, Cleivfy Benitez Garcia,...

April 29, 2020

The difficulties are real. You are not alone!

Practice these mindfulness tips to deal with the stress of COVID-19.

April 28, 2020

Gator Wesley students maintain community in the midst of COVID-19

For students at Gator Wesley, maintaining community means reimagining connection.

April 27, 2020

COVID-19 could push the United Methodist Church toward change

The current crisis reminds the Church that we're not in control. God is in control.

April 26, 2020

Bishop Carter announces full-time appointment changes

Appointment changes to take effect July 1, 2020.

April 23, 2020

T-shirt campaign supports Camp Scholarship Fund

Limited-edition T-shirt sales make the dream of camp possible for students in need.

April 22, 2020

"I knew I wasn't alone ... that's what kept me going"

The problem of suicide is increasing, but as a forum at Celebration UMC in Gainesville showed, treatment and unconditional love can make a difference.

April 22, 2020

Bishop Carter Announces Annual Conference Staff Leadership Changes, Addition to Cabinet

An update on some developments in a few key areas of our conference work

April 16, 2020

Bishop Carter recommends no public worship through May 15

A Pastoral Letter to the People of the Florida Conference Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Thank you ...

April 16, 2020

Centenarian offers words of comfort during pandemic

At 102 years old, Lucille Ellison of Orlando has seen tough times before, including pandemics. Her advice is simple: “There is no sense in worrying because God gives you the strength you need to get through those tough times.”

April 15, 2020

Feeling stressed? Virtual "Taize Tuesdays" might help

The Portico in Tampa offers Taize Tuesdays streaming on Facebook Live as one way to deal with the anxiety wrought by COVID-19.

April 14, 2020

A willing spirit of volunteerism inspires Hope For Tampa

Hope N. Griffin had an idea about how to fill the chronic shortage of medical masks. But even she is surprised at how effective Hope For Tampa has been at sewing and distributing free masks for medical workers.

April 10, 2020

Rural churches are proving they can adapt and overcome obstacles

Small and rural churches can face technology challenges associated with online worship services, but they are rising to the occasion.

April 09, 2020

“Seminary certainly never prepared me for ministry in times like these"

A pandemic is more than just streaming worship online. Pastors still have to find a way to care for and support members of their congregation in this time of social distancing. It isn't easy, but some say it's also an opportunity.

April 09, 2020

COVID-19 forces UMC Licensing School online

The danger wrought by COVID-19 has forced churches across the Florida Conference to move worship and...

April 08, 2020

Easter message will be the same, no matter how it's delivered

United Methodist pastors throughout Florida face different challenges to deliver their Easter Sunday worship services.

April 07, 2020

Palms posted on doors unite Methodists at the start of Holy Week

A simple declarative act by United Methodists throughout Florida on Palm Sunday proved there is a way to find community in the forced isolation wrought by COVID-19.

April 03, 2020

Celebrate Palm Sunday by hanging palm branches outside your home

Even if you can't attend Palm Sunday services in person, you can create a visual display about what the day means.

April 02, 2020

Annual Conference changed to virtual meeting June 6

Churches are also urged to hold no public worship through the end of April, and all are asked to follow the spirit and law of "Safer At Home."

April 01, 2020

Florida United Methodists responding well to online worship services

The initial response to a survey about on-line streaming worship services is positive.

March 29, 2020

Helping children during the COVID-19 crisis

There are effective strategies for helping children through this challenging time.

Page 1 of 69 1 2 3 4 5 ... 69 next

Contact Us

The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church

450 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815

(863) 688-5563 or toll free (800) 282-8011