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| Gretchen Hastings Named Managing Director of Connectional Relations |
|  LAKELAND – Gretchen Hastings will join the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Managing Director of Connectional Relations. Ms. Hastings will assume her new responsibilities by August 30. In this role, she will provide strategic direction and leadership for the Conference connectional relations ministry, according to Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller, the Director of Connectional Ministries. “This is part of an ongoing effort to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and responsiveness of the Conference staff,” she said.
“This critical position will focus on strengthening the service, training, and support provided by the connectional ministry area to other Conference ministries, district offices, and local church leaders,” said Fogle-Miller. “ To read more click HERE.
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| Native American Author says ‘Be Yourself’ at Committee on Native American Ministry Annual Retreat |
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Laney Burney (right), who taught the fingerweaving class and is of Creek descent, works as a secretary at Chiefland United Methodist Church. Laney instructs a participant attending a fingerweaving class. Burney learned the art of fingerweaving while delving deeper into her Creek heritage and participating in Native American re-enactments depicting early 1880s camp life. Photo by J.A. Buchholz.
By J.A. Buchholz
FRUITLAND PARK — There is one true God, but there are many ways to worship him.
That was Richard Twiss’ message to participants attending the Florida Conference Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAM) annual retreat May 14-16 at the Florida Conference Life Enrichment Center. Twiss is a member of the Sicangu Band of the Rosebud Lakota/Sioux Tribe from South Dakota and author of “One Church, Many Tribes: Following Jesus the Way God Made You.” He is also co-founder and president of Wiconi International, which works to “promote community, strengthen culture and foster spiritual vitality among Native American or First Nations people,” according to its website. Wiconi means life in the Lakota/Sioux language.
Speaking about living in the United States as a Native American, Twiss said it is possible to be a Native American and a Christian. In fact, combining the two, he said, is liberating and crucial to the tapestry of the American narrative. To read more click HERE.
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| Rev. Kenneth W. Kleckner III Voluntarily Steps Away From Pastoral Responsibilities Following Arrest |
| LAKELAND - The Rev. Kenneth W. Kleckner III, appointed in 2006 to serve as the senior pastor of the Ocala West United Methodist Church in Ocala, Florida, volunteered on Saturday, July 10, to step away from his pastoral responsibilities to the church and the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church.To read more click HERE.
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| Bishop Tells Candidates ‘Table Manners’ Matter |
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Bishop Timothy Whitaker tells candidates preparing to be ordained elder they have a responsibility to “duly administer” the sacrament of communion. That means looking around to see who is — and who is not — at the table. “The sacrament is not duly administered,” he said, “until the table looks like the community.” Photo by Dave Summerill.
By Derek Maul | June 23, 2010
LAKELAND — It’s hard to imagine church taking place in a venue used for ice skating and basketball games, but the arena at the Lakeland Center was transformed into hallowed ground June 11 during the 2010 Florida Annual Conference when a group of women and men took the next step on the journey of called ministry.
During each annual session, candidates are ordained, licensed and commissioned. But before they say their vows, receive certificates or licenses, or don their new stoles, Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker has a word with the laity and clergy gathered — but particularly those being presented — about their responsibilities as members of God’s church. To read more click HERE.
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