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A vertical garden
Posted by Icel Rodriguez on 5/16/12Recently, missionaries Britt and Alison Gilmore visited Florida. Now that they are back at the East Belfast Mission in Northern Ireland, Britt shares with us this exciting story.
Eucharist and Earth
May 14, 2012Catholics and United Methodists have issued a statement together about the relationship between celebrating the Eucharist and being stewards of the earth.
Run Aground at Tampa Bay: A Reflection on the 2012 General Conference
May 8, 2012The Spirit of God may have revealed to us more than we wanted to know at the 2012 General Conference
After Shaking Hands With Your Worship Guests: Officially Following Up
Posted on 5/7/2012 by Jeff StigginsI've often imagine worship guests as gifts from God. How we respond to them while they are with us and how we follow up after their visit is our gift back to God. How are you stewarding the guests that God leads your way? While many congregations work at being friendly while they are with them, I'm often surprised at how many congregations have no organized follow-up system in place. That's like receiving a gift without saying, "Thank you!" And it doesn't have to be terribly elaborate. Let me share with you my top ten ideas.
After Shaking Hands With Your Worship Guests: Training Your Congregation To Welcome Newcomers
Posted on 5/2/2012 by Jeff StigginsI have yet to meet a group of church leaders who said, "Our church isn't friendly." But I have met a lot of people who have visited congregations and reported based on their experience: "This isn't a very friendly church." Why the difference? I suspect that the main reason is that people in a congregation are visiting with their friends - and overlooking the strangers in their midst. While that's a pretty natural thing for people to do, it isn't a very welcoming response if you are visiting a congregation for the first time. Here are five quick things to keep in mind if you want to welcome your worship guests well.
What does Jesus Say to Congregations with Few Resources? (Part 5 of 5) Join Jesus in Ministry Today
Posted on 4/26/2012 by Jeff StigginsMoses was wandering in the desert looking for grass for his flock of sheep and keeping an eye out for predators. He stumbled upon a bush that was ablaze but not burning up. As he approached he heard a voice: Take off your sandals, Moses, this is holy ground. Then God told Moses that he wanted Moses to go to Egypt and confront the Pharaoh about letting God's people, the Hebrew tribes, go free. Moses immediately started back peddling. 'But I can't speak publically.' God said he would send silver tongued Aaron. 'But they won't believe me.' God asks what was in Moses' hand and when Moses responded that it was his staff, God showed him how to use it effectively to do what God was asking. This continues for awhile as God patiently addresses Moses' concerns. But there came a point when God simply said, 'Moses, just do it!'
Life is Like a Cherry Blossom
Posted by Icel Rodriguez on 4/25/12"...And pray that our lives, actions and words will share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to those around us in Japan..." asks Florida missionary Jonathan McCurley in his latest blog post. As you join Jonathan in prayer, remember: "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Despues de La Resurreccion, Que?
Escrito por el Rev. Dr. Juan G. Feliciano, Director Hispano de la Conferencia Anual de la Florida.Se termino la Semana Santa? Que pasa con la Iglesia despues de la Semana Mayor, la Semana Santa, los dias de recordacion del sacrificio de Jesus? Que hicieron los primeros discipulos(as)?
The Names of Jesus: an Easter Reflection
April 16, 2012The season of Easter is a good time to meditate on the names of Jesus in the New Testament.
Meeting our missionaries - Alison Gilmore
Posted by Icel Rodriguez on 4/14/12Missionary Alison Gilmore will be commissioned in Tampa, FL, on April 29. Alison and her husband Britt Gilmore, a clergy member of the Florida Conference, currently serve at the East Belfast Mission in Northern Ireland. Alison works as a counselor in one of the mission's ministries, a counseling center that seeks to offer emotional healing resulting from years of conflict in the area.
