Students taking classes at the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church School of the Arts created 15-foot paper lace banners that are being displayed throughout Advent in worship services at the Orlando church. Photo by Ben Adams. Photo #08-1077. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0958, 12/23/08.
Ben Adams works on a paper lace banner that is being displayed throughout Advent in worship services at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. Adams is director of emerging arts at the church’s School of the Arts. He also directs the class that teaches students how to create the paper lace banners. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1076. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0958, 12/23/08.
Students in a dance class for 5- to 6-year olds at the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church School of the Arts in Orlando stretch before class begins. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1075. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0958, 12/23/08.
The Rev. Mont Duncan, director of the Florida Conference New Church Development office, reports to members at the 2007 Florida Annual Conference that 56 percent of the more than 80 churches launched in the conference since 1995 were racial, ethnic or language new starts. Photo by Caryl Kelley. Photo #08-1074. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0957, 12/22/08.
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Stiggins, executive director of the Florida Conference Office of Congregational Transformation, shares the results of an analysis of churches based on average worship attendance and professions of faith at the 2008 Florida Annual Conference in June. Photo by Caryl Kelley. Photo #08-1073. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0957, 12/22/08.
Several cameramen from area media prepare for the wedding of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Rome Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. No fewer than seven television stations covered the event. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1072. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0954, 12/15/08.
Preschoolers at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg decorated a Christmas tree that stands in the lobby of the church with ornaments in the shape of the letter “C” for the names Charlie and Carole. The tree was their gift to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Rome, who were married at the church Dec. 12. Crist and his family are longtime members of the downtown St. Petersburg church. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1071. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0954, 12/15/08.
The Rev. David Miller (right) officiates at the wedding of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Carole Rome at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. Photo courtesy of the governor’s office, department of communications. Photo #08-1070. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0954, 12/15/08. This photo is not for use by other churches, ministries or publications.
Robert Fellows, director of outreach ministry at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Sarasota, speaks with a neighbor attending the church’s HOPE for the Community event Nov. 8. The church held the outreach to help neighbors affected by the current economic downturn. Photo by Kevin Hayes. Photo #08-1069. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0953, 12/15/08.
Volunteers prepare to distribute clothing at the HOPE for the Community event coordinated Nov. 8 by Crossroads United Methodist Church in Sarasota. The church held the outreach to help neighbors affected by the current economic downturn. Photo by Kevin Hayes. Photo #08-1068. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0953, 12/15/08.
The Rev. Dr. Phil Maynard, director of the Florida Conference Office of Congregational Transformation, helps lead communion at a training event for clergy and laity Oct. 25 that focused specifically on radical hospitality, one of the five practices of The Methodist Way. The session was one of four on the practice held at various locations throughout the conference. A fifth is set for February in Tallahassee. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1067 Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0946, 11/24/08.
Church leaders offer insight into what it means to practice radical hospitality in the local church. Their comments were part of a training event for clergy and laity Oct. 25 that focused specifically on that practice of The Methodist Way. Staff in the Florida Conference Office of Congregational Transformation coordinated the event, which was one of four on the practice held at various locations throughout the conference. A fifth is set for February in Tallahassee. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1066. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0946, 11/24/08.
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Stiggins, executive director of the Florida Conference Office of Congregational Transformation, explains the four dimensions that characterize radical hospitality at a training event for clergy and laity Oct. 25 that focused specifically on that practice of The Methodist Way. Stiggins’ office coordinated the event, which was one of four on the practice held at various locations throughout the conference. A fifth is set for February in Tallahassee. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1065. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0946, 11/24/08.
NOMADS move new mattresses into a lodge at the Life Enrichment Center as part of renovations completed there in January (2007), thanks, in part, to an $85,000 grant from the Florida Conference board of trustees. Photo by the Rev. David Berkey. File photo #07-0545. Originally accompanied e-Review Florida UMNS #0640/March 16, 2007. Also accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0945, 11/22/08. Web photo only.
Since Veterans Day 2003, the United Methodist Endorsing Agency has sponsored a campaign to send phone cards to people serving in the U.S. military all over the world. The program has provided more than 13 million minutes of calling. A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose. Photo #08-1064. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0941, 11/15/08. Web photo only.
Army Reserve Chaplain Curtis Wells (right) and soldiers in Kuwait show phone cards their unit received. Since Veterans Day 2003, the United Methodist Endorsing Agency has sponsored a campaign to send phone cards to people serving in the U.S. military all over the world. Photo courtesy of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Photo #08-1063. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0941, 11/15/08. Web photo only.
Coronado Community United Methodist Church member Robert Shaffer helps stuff campaign envelops for fellow church member Suzanne Kosmas’ bid for the Florida District 24 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kosmas, a longtime member of the New Smyrna Beach church, won the election Nov. 4. Photo courtesy of Coronado Community United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1062. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0940, 11/15/08. Web photo only.
Suzanne Kosmas (far right) and members of her church take a break from their work building a preschool during a mission trip to Guatemala in 2007. Kosmas, a longtime member of Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, was elected Nov. 4 to the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s District 24. Photo courtesy of Coronado Community United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1061. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0940, 11/15/08. Web photo only.
Suzanne Kosmas gets to know residents of the Guatemalan community she visited in 2007 as part of a mission team from Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach. Kosmas, a longtime member of the church, was elected Nov. 4 to the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida’s District 24. Photo courtesy of Coronado Community United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1060. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0940, 11/15/08. Web photo only.
A tour guide and former prisoner leads a guided tour of the prison on Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in a 10 by 6 foot cell. The vist was part of the World Association for Christian Communications 2008 Congress in Cape Town. Photo courtesy of WACC. Photo #08-1058. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0939, 11/13/08. Web photo only.
The Presbyterian Church in Guguletu is surrounded by barbed wire as a security measure against vandals. Participants attending the World Association for Christian Communications 2008 Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, visited the church as part of the gathering. Photo courtesy of WACC. Photo #08-1059. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0939, 11/13/08. Web photo only.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is greeted by the Rev. Randy Naylor, General Secretary of the World Association for Christian Communications, as he arrives to speak at the opening session of WACC’s 2008 Congress. Photo courtesy of WACC. Photo #08-1057. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0939, 11/13/08. Web photo only.
The current Florida Conference Center in Lakeland was built in 1969. Photo by Caryl Kelley. Photo #08-1056. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0937, 11/5/08.
(Left to right) Hal and Marjorie Roberts, Florida Southern College President Anne Kerr and Florida Southern College Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Fryer on the Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland. The college announced a $3.5-million gift from the Roberts that will be used to establish the Roberts Academy, a transitional school for gifted children with dyslexia, at the current Florida Conference Center, contingent upon approval from the Florida Annual Conference. Photo #08-1055. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0937, 11/5/08.
Families wait in line to pick up their Angel Food Ministries (AFM) food packages at Fort White United Methodist Church. AFM is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide food relief while contributing to the community it serves. Dozens of United Methodist churches participate in the program as host sites for distribution of the food to church members and local residents. Photo courtesy of Fort White United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1054. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0936, 11/5/08. Web photo only.
Volunteers unload food provided by Angel Food Ministries (AFM) at Fort White United Methodist Church near Gainesville. AFM is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide food relief while contributing to the community it serves. Dozens of United Methodist churches participate in the program as host sites for distribution of the food to church members and local residents. Photo courtesy of Fort White United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1053. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0936, 11/5/08. Web photo only.
Civil Air Patrol volunteers unload food for SHARE. SHARE Florida Food Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community service and delivering lower-cost, nutritious food to its participants. United Methodist churches across the state serve as host sites for distribution of the food. Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Family Ministries. Photo #08-1052. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0936, 11/5/08. Web photo only.
Basic monthly packages of food through SHARE wait for pickup at a host site. The basic package has a retail value of $36, but costs half that amount and includes selections of meats, vegetables and fruits. SHARE Florida Food Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community service and delivering lower-cost, nutritious food to its participants. United Methodist churches across the state serve as host sites for distribution of the food. Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Family Ministries. Photo #08-1051. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0936, 11/5/08. Web photo only.
Outreach ministry staff say volunteers like this one preparing meals at a hot-meal program in Delray Beach through Christians Reaching Out to Society’s (C.R.O.S. Ministries) Caring Kitchen ministry are the lifeblood of their organizations. With the rise in food and gas prices, Florida Conference outreach ministries need both volunteer and financial support more than ever. Photo courtesy of C.R.O.S. Ministries. Photo #08-1050. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0935, 11/4/08.
Halifax Urban Ministries in Volusia County purchases 400 tons of food each year to help people meet their food needs. Rising food prices are having a direct effect on the ministry’s ability to provide that assistance. Photo courtesy of Halifax Urban Ministries. Photo #08-1049. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0935, 11/4/08. Web photo only.
Volunteers with South Florida Urban Ministries prepare hot meals for distribution on Thanksgiving last year. “We anticipate the need will be even greater this year,” said Brent McLaughlin, executive director of the outreach ministry. Photo courtesy of South Florida Urban Ministries. Photo #08-1048. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0935, 11/4/08.
Volunteers prepare food at a hot-meal program in Delray Beach through C.R.O.S. Ministries’ Caring Kitchen ministry. C.R.O.S. Ministries (Christians Reaching Out to Society) is an outreach ministry of the Florida Conference that fills critical food distribution needs in the Palm Beach County area. Photo courtesy of C.R.O.S. Ministries. Photo #08-1047. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0935, 11/4/08.
Cuba Methodist Bishop Ricardo Pereira worships with women at the 2006 Methodist Women's Fellowship. Photo courtesy of The Methodist Church in Cuba. Photo #08-1046. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0934, 10/31/08. Web photo only.
Forty men from the Methodist Church of Marianao repair the Church of Bahia Honda in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, which was damaged in the recent hurricanes. The crew erected walls, repaired electricity and put a new roof on the church. Photo courtesy of The Methodist Church in Cuba. Photo #08-1045. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0934, 10/31/08. Web photo only.
Audience members regroup after a community forum sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. The session was held Sept. 29 at the west campus of Valencia Community College and featured a panel of community leaders discussing community issues and answering questions from participants. It was one of several opportunities the church offered this election season to help people cut through the clutter and learn about community issues so they can make more informed choices when they vote in this year’s elections. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1044. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0931, 10/27/08.
At a community forum to discuss issues affecting the Central Florida community, Robert Stuart (far right) said about 70 percent of the people who seek help from the Christian Service Center for Central Florida need financial assistance. Stuart is director of the non-profit organization and a District 3 commissioner. He was one of five panel members addressing issues related to housing, income, crime and education at the Sept. 29 forum, sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. About 80 people attended. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1043. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0931, 10/27/08.
In discussions about education and the lack of mentors for students, Dr. Ann Manley shared how her high school guidance counselor suggested she should be a secretary instead of going to college. Disregarding that advice and despite growing up in “a very poor family,” she said she pursued a college degree with the goal of being a straight-A student. Today, Manley is vice president of grants and programs for Dr. Phillips Inc. and executive director and corporate secretary for The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation. She was one of five community leaders who served on a discussion panel at a community forum sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando in the run-up to this year’s elections. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1042. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0931, 10/27/08.
Imam Abdurrahman Sykes, chaplain at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, speaks to an audience member after a community forum sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. The nearly two-hour discussion at the west campus of Valencia Community College Sept. 29 focused on housing, income, crime and education and featured a panel of community leaders that work in those areas. The session was one of several opportunities St. Luke’s offered this election season to help people cut through the clutter and learn about community issues so they can make more informed choices when they vote in this year’s elections. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1041. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0931, 10/27/08.
The Rev. Bill Barnes, senior pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, talks to audience members attending a community forum sponsored by the church about the need for a living wage that enables people to sustain a household and how the church puts that belief into practice when determining wages for church employees. The forum was held Sept. 29 at the west campus of Valencia Community College and featured a panel of community leaders, including Dr. Valerie King, director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives at the University of Central Florida, pictured with Barnes. Panel members discussed community issues and answered questions in the run-up to this year’s elections. About 80 people attended. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1040. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0931, 10/27/08.
Audience members discuss the issues during a break at a community forum sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando. The forum was held Sept. 29 on the west campus of Valencia Community College and featured a panel of local leaders addressing community issues and answering questions from audience members. Candidates running for office were also on hand to talk with voters. The gathering was designed to give voters a better sense of what they would like to ask their local candidates and an idea of the steps they can take to help solve community problems. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1039. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0930, 10/27/08.
Lakewood United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg is one of more than 30 United Methodist churches in the Florida Conference serving as a polling location this election season. The church also offered a Bible study examining democracy in America. Photo courtesy of Lakewood United Methodist Church. Photo #08-1038. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0930, 10/27/08. Web photo only.
The Rev. Bill Barnes, senior pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, welcomes participants to a community forum sponsored by the church Sept. 29 on the west campus of Valencia Community College. The forum featured a panel of local leaders addressing community issues and answering questions from audience members. Candidates running for office were also on hand to talk with voters. The gathering was designed to give voters a better sense of what they would like to ask their local candidates and an idea of the steps they can take to help solve community problems. Photo by Tita Parham. Photo #08-1037. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0930, 10/27/08.
(Left to right) The Rev. Michael Moore, Howard Zane and Terry Vaughan gather on the steps of First United Methodist Church of Starke. Vaughan is supervisor of elections for Bradford County and a member of the church, which is one of more than 30 United Methodist churches in the Florida Conference serving as a polling location this election season. Vaughan said the 90-year-old Zane, who works as poll deputy at the county’s 5A and 5B precincts, greets every voter “with a smile and a handshake, along with thanks for taking the time to participate in this great experiment we call democracy.” Photo courtesy of Terry Vaughan. Photo #08-1036. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0930, 10/27/08.
Voters wait more than two hours at the Winter Park Public Library to vote early during the 2004 general election. Photo by Tita Parham. File photo #04-0105. Originally accompanied e-Review Florida UMNS #0187/Oct. 29, 2004. Also accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0930, 10/27/08.
The Revs. Beth Fogle-Miller, director of the Florida Conference Connectional Ministries office, and Armando Rodriquez, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, Lakeland, end worship at a specially called convocation of clergy serving churches in the Florida Conference with prayer. The 800-plus clergy and guests assembled Oct. 14 at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland for the gathering heard Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker's vision for the mission of the conference: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, using the five practices of The Methodist Way as a model. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1035. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0929, 10/23/08.
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Stiggins tells the 800-plus clergy and guests gathered at a convocation for clergy serving churches in the Florida Conference that measuring the fruitfulness of churches is “not about numbers. It’s about discipling people.” Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker called the gathering so he could share his vision for the mission of the conference and specific ways churches are being asked to measure their effectiveness in ministry. The convocation was held Oct. 14 at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1034. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0929, 10/23/08.
Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker tells the 800-plus clergy and guests gathered at a specially called convocation for clergy serving churches in the Florida Conference that the next four years are no time to ‘coast.’ Instead, he said, the conference will be focusing on one mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The convocation was held Oct. 14 at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1033. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0929, 10/23/08.
Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker helps serve communion Oct. 14 during a specially convened convocation for clergy serving churches in the Florida Conference. At the gathering, Whitaker shared his vision for the mission of the conference with the 800-plus clergy and guests assembled and outlined specific ways churches are being asked to measure their effectiveness in ministry. The convocation was held Oct. 14 at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1032. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0929, 10/23/08.
Cheri Mangum, a member of Community United Methodist Church in DeBary, unpacks food donated to the church’s Community Cares Center, which was in operation for 35 days after Tropical Storm Fay to provide immediate relief to area residents affected by the storm. Volunteers distributed more than 150 bags of food and 130 flood buckets to people in the community. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1031. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0927, 10/13/08.
Water marks on the garage door of Vito and Cathy Multari's home show how high the water got during Tropical Storm Fay. The couple had three and a half feet of water standing in their home for three weeks before it finally receded, leaving mold in its wake and waterlogged furniture that had doubled in weight. The couple is among the 227 residents of DeBary and surrounding communities that have received assistance so far from Community United Methodist Church of DeBary’s Community Cares Center, which opened after the storm to help people recover. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1030. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0927, 10/13/08.
Mold and water lines mark the damage done by Tropical Storm Fay to the home of DeBary residents Vito and Cathy Multari. The storm flooded the house, leaving three and a half feet of water standing for three weeks. The couple is among the 227 residents of DeBary and surrounding communities who have received assistance so far from Community United Methodist Church of DeBary’s Community Cares Center, which opened after the storm to help people recover. Although the center is now closed, the church is still accepting requests to work on flooded homes. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1029. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0927, 10/13/08.
Cheri Mangum (left) speaks with DeBary homeowners Vito and Cathy Multari, whose home was flooded during Tropical Storm Fay. Mangum, a member of Community United Methodist Church in DeBary, is helping coordinate the church’s recovery efforts to areas of DeBary and surrounding communities affected by the storm. Mangum and her team of volunteers worked at the couple’s home, removing waterlogged furniture and drywall damaged by three and a half feet of water that stood in the home for three weeks. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. Photo #08-1028. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0927, 10/13/08.
Students kneel to pray at the beginning of a worship service during the student leadership summit Oct. 3-5 in Orlando. The summit offered four services and four workshops, each focusing on a different element of the gathering’s Dare to CARE” theme —community, advocacy, restoration and evangelism. The Florida Conference Connection on Youth Ministries organized the summit under the umbrella of the conference Network of Ministries for Young People, which was formed at the 2007 Florida Annual Conference. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1027. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0926, 10/12/08.
The Rev. Roy Terry, senior pastor at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Naples, was keynote speaker for the four worship sessions at the student leadership summit Oct. 3-5 in Orlando. The session was the first for the conference’s youth and was organized by the Florida Conference Connection on Youth Ministries. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1026. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0926, 10/12/08.
A youth attending the student leadership summit Oct. 3-5 in Orlando prays during one of four worship sessions offered during the weekend. The Florida Conference Connection on Youth Ministries organized the first-ever gathering under the umbrella of the conference Network of Ministries for Young People, which was formed at the 2007 Florida Annual Conference. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1025. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0926, 10/12/08.
Students attending the first-ever student leadership summit Oct. 3-5 in Orlando participate in one of four worship sessions, each of which focused on an element of the gathering's “Dare to CARE” theme — community, advocacy, restoration and evangelism. The Florida Conference Connection on Youth Ministries organized the summit under the umbrella of the conference Network of Ministries for Young People, which was formed at the 2007 Florida Annual Conference. Photo by Sarah Alsgaard. Photo #08-1024. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0926, 10/12/08.
A new program and worship center is currently under construction at the Florida Conference Riverside Retreat in LaBelle, which offers camping and retreat services to United Methodists throughout the South Florida area. A gift of $700,000 from the estate of Alice W. Lockmiller of Ft. Myers to the Florida Conference capital and endowment campaign is funding the construction. Gifts and pledges toward the campaign’s $30 million goal total approximately $8 million to date. Photo courtesy of The Florida United Methodist Foundation. Photo #08-1023. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0923, 10/6/08.
Planned renovations to Barnett Lodge at the Warren W. Willis United Methodist Camp in Fruitland Park. Courtesy of The Florida United Methodist Foundation. Photo #08-1022. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0923, 10/6/08.
Trish and Daniel Bell’s $2 million gift to the Florida Conference capital and endowment campaign will support the ministries of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home and provide scholarships through the Florida Conference Ministerial Scholarship Fund. The Bells, who live in Coral Gables and are members of Kendall United Methodist Church in Miami, have been long-time supporters of The United Methodist Church in Florida. Photo courtesy of The Florida United Methodist Foundation. Photo #08-1021. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0923, 10/6/08.
The Rev. Gene Yotka shares his message with worshippers attending the drive-in service at First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, held every Sunday at 8 a.m. It’s one of several innovative ministries the church is undertaking to reach the non-traditional churchgoer. Photo by Larry Booth. Photo #08-1020. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0922, 10/5/08.
Worshippers receive bulletins from “ushers” as they wait for the Sunday morning drive-in service at First United Methodist Church of Cocoa to begin. The Rev. Gene Yotka, the church’s pastor, says between 50 and 80 people typically attend, depending on the season. The service is one of several innovative ministries the church is undertaking to reach the non-traditional churchgoer. Photo by Larry Booth. Photo #08-1019. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0922, 10/5/08.
The Rev. Gene Yotka visits with worshippers before beginning First United Methodist Church of Cocoa’s drive-in service, held every Sunday at 8 a.m. Much like at a drive-in movie theater, parishioners pull onto the property next to the church and tune their car radios to 88.5 FM. While walking from car to car, Yotka uses a wireless headset to lead the service and deliver his message. The service is one of several innovative ministries the church is undertaking to reach the non-traditional churchgoer. Photo by Larry Booth. Photo #08-1018. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0922, 10/5/08.
An “usher” gives a bulletin to a worshipper attending First United Methodist Church of Cocoa’s weekly Sunday morning drive-in service, which is designed specifically for people who aren’t physically able to worship inside the church and those who aren’t yet comfortable with that kind of experience. It’s one of several innovative ministries the church is undertaking to reach the non-traditional churchgoer. Photo by Larry Booth. Photo #08-1017. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0922, 10/5/08.
School children in Ibo Beach, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, eat food provided by Stop Hunger Now and funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Founded in 1998 by the Rev. Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist minister from Virginia, the organization has provided more than $44 million in direct aid to more than 60 countries, including more than 5 million meals for the poor. A UMNS photo courtesy of Stop Hunger Now. Photo #08-1016. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0921, 10/3/08.
A baby receives a vaccination in an Action By Churches Together clinic near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, that is supported by the United Methodist Church. The Methodist Church has a long history in the Latin American/Caribbean region. More than 240 years ago in Antigua, a group of Afro-Caribbean slaves started the first Methodist congregation outside of England and Ireland. Photo by Paul Jeffrey/ACT International. Photo #08-1015. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0921, 10/3/08.
The Rev. Jonas Milice, pastor of Sanctified New Jerusalem Haitian United Methodist Mission in Pompano Beach, leads worship during a district cluster service Jan. 27. The congregation has grown to more than 300 worshipers since it began three years ago. Photo by Erik Alsgaard. File photo #08-0749. Originally accompanied e-Review Florida UMNS #0797/Feb. 13, 2008. Also accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0921, 10/3/08.
In parts of Cite du Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, hungry people buy cookies made of dirt. In partnership with Stop Hunger Now, the United Methodist Committee on Relief funded an emergency shipment of packaged meals to Haiti during the summer, amidst food riots taking place there. Founded in 1998 by the Rev. Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist minister from Virginia, Stop Hunger Now has provided more than $44 million in direct aid to more than 60 countries, including more than 5 million meals for the poor. A UMNS photo courtesy of Stop Hunger Now. Photo #08-1014. Accompanies e-Review Florida UMNS #0921, 10/3/08.