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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting with new candidates for ordination in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. The process of becoming ordained as an elder in full connection takes several years. It’s a journey filled with formative steps that support the candidate’s discernment, preparation and understanding needed to fulfill […]

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic started to cool down, another situation was heating up inside the sanctuary at Merrell United Methodist Church. Patricia Tabois, a lay leader at the Lauderdale Lake church, describes the uncomfortable situation. “When Pastor had wanted to come back to face to face, the AC just decided it was not going

Stocks and bonds climbed in the first half of the quarter as concerns about inflation abated, but the Federal Reserve brought investors back to reality with aggressive interest rate policy and messaging. After an initial rally, U.S. stocks ended the quarter near 2022 lows. Small-cap stocks fared a little better than their large-cap counterparts; growth

When single mother Tavia Holloman experienced a family crisis coming out of homelessness, she found the Learning Empowered agency, and it changed her life. “They always made sure my family had the resources we needed, connecting me with different services,” she said. “They taught me about community and engagement and empowering others. “It’s about what

The Florida United Methodist Foundation has had lawyers, bankers, accountants and pastors leading its volunteer board of directors. Now, a Navy veteran is assuming that role. Ron Coleman Jr., a longtime member at Calvary United Methodist Church in Orange Park, was elected in June to serve as chairperson of the board, which includes clergy and lay

Maida Derouiche, 57, was at her daughter’s house in Ponce, Puerto Rico, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Jan. 7, 2020. “It was not easy,” Derouiche said. “It was a moment of many mixed emotions because at my age, I had never gone through that kind of situation, with a granddaughter by my side.” Her

When it comes to philanthropy, George and Nancy Hensley give joyfully, but they also plan strategically. “We want our gifts to go to organizations that have a heart for caring,” George Hensley said. “We are drawn to ministries and causes that are meeting the needs of the community and beyond. We intentionally seek ways to

In preparing this, my first blog since beginning my role as president of the Florida United Methodist Foundation, I was torn as to what topic would be most fitting. Do I lead with a heartfelt elaboration on my excitement and gratefulness for the privilege of serving in this role? Or do I dive into the

Jacob Hall remembers getting a call from his youth pastor at First United Methodist Church in Coral Springs in early 2020: he needed help building a desk. Hall happily obliged. One thing led to another, and soon Hall was not only setting up the desk, but also livestreaming and recording church services when they went online during

Steven Bowers has a challenging task: to convert a 50-year-old sanctuary into a worship space that’s conducive to sharing the gospel message in today’s cultural milieu. The goal, Bowers says, is to support a mission “to introduce people to a life-transforming relationship with Jesus,” particularly those who struggle with traditional churches and spaces. This spiritual,