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, 2022

FLUMC Receives Tremendous Support from the Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant Program

The FLUMC Disaster Recovery Ministry received $25K grant from Lowe's to aid in recovery from tornadoes that damaged southwest Florida in January.

June 29, 2022

IOP Goes to Washington

The Institute of Preaching hosts a three-day pilgrimage at the nation's capital.

June 22, 2022

UMsConnected looks to expand community beyond church walls

It’s more about the future than lamenting the current disaffiliations of multiple churches. It’s an attempt to be proactive about the future church rather than reactive.

June 15, 2022

Annual Conference approves resolution on gun violence

The measure calls on members to offer personal and corporate prayer on the causes of gun violence, research its root causes, and to contact their political leaders.

June 13, 2022

The Beloved Community's message: God's love extends to everyone

Christians need to be together through the Body of Christ. To do this, we must be intentional about connecting and being with others. This means building relationships with those that are different from us.

June 12, 2022

Conference approves disaffiliation of 14 churches

More churches are expected to also leave the Conference and Bishop Kenneth Carter called for people on both sides of that issue to respect those who may disagree with them.

June 12, 2022

Conference offers apology and support for rejected ministry candidates

After 16 provisional ministry candidates were rejected at the Annual Conference over the LGBTQ+ issue, Bishop Kenneth Carter said he would have approved and commissioned them.

June 11, 2022

The future of the United Methodist Church: Inclusive, Respectful, Hopeful

The three-day Annual Conference focused on the question of what the Florida United Methodist Church will look like going forward. Even in uncertainty, many great things are happening.

June 10, 2022

FLUMC New Partnership with Amplify Media

Our partnership with Amplify gives you and your church a special discounted rate.

May 24, 2022

A Prayer for Peace in the Wake of the Recent U.S. Shootings

Almighty God, our prayers rise like incense. When we cry out to you, the Psalms teach us, you ...

May 18, 2022

Faith and vision led to "transformational" Bethune-Cookman University

From humble beginnings in 1904, the school Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded with five students has grown into the dynamic Bethune-Cookman University of today.

May 11, 2022

Finding peace, purpose, and a "happy place" through painting

Larry Magee creates magic with his paintings through a collaboration that includes Hyde Park UMC. His work has earned him acclaim in the Tampa arts community. He is also homeless.

May 04, 2022

A Letter to the People of the UMC in Florida

To the people of The United Methodist Church in Florida – and especially the clergy members and lay leaders of our annual conference, Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Savior and Lord. I write to encourage you in these days following Easter, and in anticipation of Aldersgate and Pentecost. I give thanks for the reports of confirmation classes joining local churches, persons being baptized, offerings being received for Ukraine, our continued mission work in connection with Angola, and fresh expressions of church.

May 04, 2022

United Methodists urged to relaunch their church

The new Council of Bishops president shared his hopes for a renewed United Methodist Church while lamenting the imminent departure of some to a breakaway denomination.

May 02, 2022

Things are going to get messy: New rituals can help

Across our connection, many United Methodists are engaging in conversations about the future of the denomination. Some conversations are formal, some informal, some heated, some even-keeled, but most are imbued with an existential anxiety of what might be.

April 26, 2022

Disaster Recovery & SHIP Program to partner on $1.8 million grant

The Conference partnership with the SHIP program will help South Fort Myers tornado victims on the long road to recovery

April 24, 2022

Bishop Carter announces full time appointment changes

Bishop Carter announces full time appointment changes to take effect July 1, 2022.

April 12, 2022

"He was lynched because he didn't matter"

Bigots lynched Robert Johnson of Tampa in 1934 because he was Black. They thought no one would care, but community leaders and United Methodists came together to prove those people were wrong.

April 05, 2022

"Justice is what love looks like in public"

It is not surprising to hear about the church bearing witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ by ...

April 04, 2022

A high honor for the extraordinary life of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune

On July 13, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the 15th child of former slaves, will take her rightful place among the giants of our nation. That's the official unveiling of her 8-foot tall, 6,130-pound statue in Washington's Statuary Hall.

March 28, 2022

COVID relief grants help make churches stronger

Getting a grant from a COVID-19 emergency fund established by the Florida United Methodist Foundation and Florida Conference did more than ease the financial stress at cash-strapped churches.

March 28, 2022

Introducing Fresh Expressions United Methodist (FXUM)

Across the global pan-Methodist family, teams of practitioners are cultivating new Christian communities with new people, in new places, and in new ways. We are collecting and sharing imagination, wisdom, and practices from across the connection to help resource local churches and church planters in this work.

March 27, 2022

UCF Wesley feeds students on campus as food prices increase

Wesley at UCF offers free dinner every week to support students throughout their path in college.

March 24, 2022

Blessed be their Ukrainian ties

United Methodists with close ties to Ukraine include former missionaries to that country, as well as pastors with Ukrainian heritage, and local churches that have made mission trips to Ukraine.

March 21, 2022

Delegates urge hope for denomination's future

More than 275 General Conference delegates and other church leaders have signed an open letter sharing their commitments to strengthening The United Methodist Church.

March 12, 2022

Meeting at church shut to district leader, wife

March 10, 2022

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Carter

Dear Friends, I write to you as we lament the violence and loss of life in the Ukraine. We pray ...

March 03, 2022

Bishop Carter's Pastoral Response to the General Conference Announcement

We learned today of the postponement of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church until ...

March 03, 2022

General Conference postponed until 2024

March 01, 2022

Stories from the mission fields are a perfect devotional for Lent

During this season of Lent, long-time missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner prepared a devotional featuring 47 stories from the mission fields, showing the impact that comes from sharing Christ's love.

February 28, 2022

"I was shocked at what I saw"

Malnutrition in Angola is beyond the crisis stage. A severe drought has ravaged the land, leaving children particularly vulnerable to starvation. Statistics show 50% of them will die. Icel Rodriguez of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church is trying to help.

February 28, 2022

Celebrating African American Heritage Month

Frederick Douglass: His Influence on Civil Rights, Voting Rights and Women's Rights is a Light from The Past and a Beacon for The Future

February 24, 2022

A Call to Prayer and Peacemaking

I write today to call all of us to prayers for peace in the Ukraine and across Europe. I have ...

February 24, 2022

Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Song from the Black Church Experience

Discipleship Ministries presents a four-part video series, “Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Song from the Black Church Experience” with Bishop Ernest Lyght and the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Wilson, Executive Director of Worship Resources.

February 23, 2022

Mental health initiative takes first steps to help students cope

Like many college students, Grace Oldham feels the compounding effects of work demands, classes and campus life. Mindful of her own need for mental wellness, she took advantage of the free counseling services offered at her school, the University of Florida in Gainesville. Now, she wants to continue care for the long-term, but is facing some barriers.

February 23, 2022

News & Views

News & Views

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

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