LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 4, Issue 2 February 2009

Pastors: Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation

“SLOWING DOWN TO LISTEN”

Do you ever find your mind wandering when someone is talking to you? No, you’re not abnormal and you don’t have Attention Deficit Disorder. Most people SPEAK at an average rate of about 120 words a minute, but we can LISTEN about four times faster than that. So it’s easy for us to start multi-tasking when talking with someone, or to “fill in the gaps” by either thinking about other things while in a conversation with someone, or to start mentally rehearsing what we’re going to say next. No wonder there are so many misunderstandings between family members, church members, and neighbors!

A quick word search of the NIV Bible reveals 413 verses of instruction – both encouragements as well as warnings – about this tremendous gift of listening. What a redemptive difference it could make in our relationships with others if we used that “extra space” instead of merely hearing another’s words, to focus more intentionally upon all that is truly being conveyed. Stay fully engaged in conversations, expanding your listening skills by focusing upon more than just the spoken words – watch the other person’s body language, affirm that you are “tracking with them” as they speak, and be alert for “unspoken words” that may lie just beneath the surface which may be expressed if we ask an appropriate question. Being “inwardly healthy and outwardly focused” necessitates us slowing down in order to really listen to one another.

Beginning in the month of February, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14^th and the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday) on Feb 25^th, let’s determine to listen more carefully to both one another and to God.

“I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks. God is the friend of silence – we need to listen to God because it’s not what we say

but what He says to us and through us that matters.” Mother Teresa

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” – young Samuel in I Samuel 3:10

Supt/ Darrel Riley

A FEW RESOURCES TO AID BETTER LISTENING:

To Strengthen Marriages: consider individual viewings, or a public church presentation, of the DVD FIREPROOF, which has just been released. To purchase the license for public presentations, go to: www.outreach.com . Follow up study materials are also available.

Lenten Resources: view a variety of children’s, adult and congregational Lenten resources at www.creativecommunications.com or call 1-800-325-9414.

Cell Phones for Soldiers: It’s estimated that 130 million cell phones were replaced in 08. Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com to get information on turning in your old cell phone for recycling and providing prepaid calling cards to soldiers in Iraq, Kuwait & Afghanistan.

INWARDLY HEALTHY & OUTWARDLY FOCUSED:

MISSIONAL RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

SUPER SALAD BOWL to fight HUNGER in HAITI on February 1:

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, churches in the Southeast Region are challenged to respond generously to the food crisis in Haiti. Whether your church holds a “soup er salad” luncheon, takes a special offering, or uses another means to raise awareness, give joyfully to our Haitian neighbors. We have set a goal of raising at least $12,000 in the southeast region. Make this a truly Super Sunday! Haiti Relief funds should be forwarded to the Bishops Famine & Relief Fund, Childcare Ministries or FMWM.

MINISTRY CONFERENCE at ASBURY SEMINARY, ORLANDO on Feb 2 - 4:

Kingdom Encounter – Reaching the World conference, with an emphasis upon multi-cultural ministry and globalization, will be held at Asbury Seminary, Orlando. Check out details at www.asburyseminary.edu/kingdom-encounter. Registration is $125.

KATRINA RECOVERY: THE BIG PUSH

Pull together a team and come to Mississippi February – May 09 for the BIG PUSH. Bring your work team soon – the cost is $15 / person / day for room and board. Contact Greg Nitchman to schedule your team at greg@hopenet.ws, or 228-254-0493.

PARTNER with our SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES:

Recent newsletters, blogs and support information on each family are available on-line at www.fmwm.org (then click on Missionaries tab). You can also email them:

Josh & Susy Fajardo (Spain) JFajardoM@aol.com

Josh will speak at the FM Hispanic Missions Conf at Tampa First Spanish the weekend of Feb 6 - 8.

Mike & Maria Long (Greece) Longmm@the.forthnet.gr

The Longs continue their speaking tour in FL on Feb 8.

Jack & Jeanne Munos (Haiti) haitiforchrist@yahoo.com

Donate big to Haiti Hunger Relief on Super Bowl Sunday

BE FILLED and SPILLED through PRAYER

Pray daily for the following churches. Send greetings to one another. When you are the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share your personal & church prayer requests.

February 2009	SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE	AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE
Feb 1 - 7	Brevard Co: Abundant Life CPP Pastor Jose Hernandez (Ada) jose.hernandez@asburyseminary.edu	Jonesville, LA: Oak Grove Pastor Ron Wyncoop (G.G.) rwyncoop@bellsouth.net
Feb 8 - 14	Cape Coral Community Pastor David Rigby (Linda) david@capecoralchurch.com	Olla, LA: Antioch Wayne Ainsworth, preaching 190 Ainsworth Loop, Olla LA 71467
Feb 15 - 21	Clearwater-Largo Pastor David Vos (Peggy) davidhvos@yahoo.com	Olla, LA: Summerville Pastor Glenn Roark (Levena) bakerpetrolite.com
Feb 22 - 28	Dade City Pastor Harold Fisher 13945 S 20^th St. Dade City, FL 33525	Pass Christian MS: Word of Hope CPP Pastor Greg Nitchman (Jeanne) CMC Tommy Gammill (Mickie) greg@hopenet.ws, tommy@hopenet.ws

REMINDERS:

Monthly WAVE

· Be reminded that 2009 WAVE Fair Share amounts need to reflect the pastor(s) 2009 salary

Minister Tax Info

· Website: guidestone.org

· Book: Zondervan 2009 Minister’s Tax & Financial Guide by Dan Busby

· IRS website: irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE:

Reminders:

· Florida Incorporation postcards were mailed out in January; respond immediately to remain exempt from taxation in 2009.

· Applications for a Richard A Lehman Memorial Ministry Grant are due to the SAC Financial Office by March 1. Recipients will be awarded their grants at the April Annual Conference. Several thousands of dollars will be awarded this year. Apply now!

Updated Contact Information:

1. Pastor Jose Del Toro (Miami Melrose) has new contact information:

12264 SW 18 Terrace, Miami, FL 33175

Home: 786-330-3365, Email: deltoroj@live.com

2. CMC Nelson Hom (Orange City) has a new email address: n.hom84@yahoo.com

3. Pastor Larry Jones (Pt Charlotte) has a new home:

5590 Longleaf Dr. North Fort Myers, FL 33917

· DL Roberto Silva (Boca Raton) has a new email address: drrobertosilva@comcast.net

Upcoming Dates:

· Fri – Sun, Jan 30 – Feb 1: St. Pete: Cornerstone MISSIONS CONFERENCE

· Fri – Sat, Feb 13 - 14: Conference Leadership Meetings in Lakeland

Friday 3:30 pm – supper: SAC DL Mtg at a hotel in Lakeland

Saturday 9:30 am – lunch: Conf Cabinet Mtg. at Lakeland Park: Maxwell Commons

Saturday lunch – 3:00 pm: BOA Mtg. at Lakeland Park: Maxwell Commons

· Fri, Mar 13: District Leaders Mtg (9:30 – lunch) at the Riley home in Orlando

· Sat, Mar 14: Conference MEG Bd Interviews, AM at Riley home in Orlando

Conference BOA Mtg, AFT at Riley home in Orlando

· Sat, April 4: Final Conference MEG Bd Interviews at Riley home in Orlando

· Fri - Sat, April 24 – 25: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Light & Life FMC in Lakeland

· MAY REGIONAL TRAINING EVENTS

Saturday, May 9 in South Florida, 9:30am – lunch, location TBA

Monday, May 11 in Central Florida – Orlando First, 6:30 dinner – 9pm

Saturday, May 16 in West Coast, 9:30am – lunch, at St. Pete: Cornerstone

· Thurs – Sat, May 14 – 16: SAC LADIES RETREAT at the Wycliffe Center in

Orlando. 2009 theme: Freedom in Christ. Mark your calendars!

· Thurs – Mon, June 11 – 15: SAC YOUTH CAMP: REFUEL at Lakewood Retreat Center

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

AL-GA & GULF COAST COMBINED EVENT:

Fri – Sun, Feb. 20 - 22: Pastors & Spouses Retreat:

AL-GA and GCC pastors & spouses will come together Friday PM – Sunday afternoon, Feb 20 - 22, at the Edgewater Beach Resort on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, FL (11212 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL 32407; ph: 850-235-7380) for a time of replenishing and challenge. Two couples will share each 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom fully equipped condo.

UPCOMING AL - GA INFO & DATES:

Sat, Jan 31: Deadline for the filing of the following forms:

· 2008 Year End Report for local churches to be filed electronically with Indianapolis

· 2009 Confidential Reports for appointed clergy to be send to Supt. Darrel Riley

Sun, Feb 1: Super Salad Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday to raise funds for Haiti Hunger

Fri – Sun, Feb 20 – 22: Pastors & Spouses Retreat: Passion for One, Compassion for All

Sun – Mon, Mar 15 - 16: Supt Riley leads meetings at the Comfort Suites in Oxford, AL:

Sun, 15^th: Executive Team Mtg and also MEG Interviews

Mon, 16^th: AL – GA combined AM Pastors Meeting

ACTS FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER: After months of prayer, hard work and bridge-building with the community, Pastor Jeff Curry and the leadership team will publicly re-launch the church on Easter Sunday, April 12. Contact Jeff to tell him what financial gift you can give to their launch:

25 more folding chairs @ $17.10/each Banners @ $100

Data projector @ $700 Track lighting for platform area

Fri – Sat, May 1 - 2: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Christ Community Church (Columbus GA)

UPCOMING GULF COAST DATES:

Sat, Jan 31: Deadline for the filing of the following forms:

· 2008 Year End Report for local churches to be filed electronically with Indianapolis

· 2009 Confidential Reports for appointed clergy to be send to Supt. Darrel Riley

Sun, Feb 1: Super Salad Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday to raise funds for Haiti Hunger

Fri – Sun, Feb 20 – 22: Pastors & Spouses Retreat: Passion for One, Compassion for All

Fri, March 6: Administrative Co. Mtg Friday evening; MEG Bd interviews will be Fri or Sat.

Sat, March 7: I AM THE CLAY workshop led by spiritual director Jane Knight, at the Pineville: Edgewood FMC. This is a hands-on, experience in renewal for all adults. This event will take the place of our March Pastors meeting. Cost: $15.

Thu, Apr 9: Maundy Thursday Service for conference, at Martha’s Chapel, Deville

Fri, Apr 10: Good Friday Service & Cake Auction, hosted by Edgewood FMC, Pineville

Sun, Apr 19 or 26: Family Camp Sunday: testimonies and special offering for 09 camp

Mon – Fri, June 8 – 12: FAMILY CAMP at the Church of God Campground in Pollock, LA

Fri - Sat, June 19 - 20: ANNUAL CONF. with Bishop Roller (Edgewood FMC in Pineville)