Notes from 4-17-08

Thanks to Matt, and his other brother Matt, for hosting and devotion today!

Congratulations to John Legg, Kim Uchimura and Armondo Rodriguez for approaching ordination. We will miss seeing you in this setting!

I am always uplifted by hearing your heartfelt joys and struggles and get excited by the way that you encourage and counsel each other.

In other news, Kim went to the 5 day Spiritual Formation Academy & recommends it highly. Dawn & Sharon went to the “Re-focus” training & Dawn thinks Forest Hills may do that. Sharon’s excited about her move. Jim Harnish told us about Sharon Austin, who will be our new District Superintendent. Matt, can you give a little more info on the speaker you had… I was so intrigued that I forgot to write it down! Anyway, Matt encourages anyone to take time to hear him if you get a chance!

We discussed our “every other month” schedule. Because we can spend more time together, we are going to maintain this schedule, with the understanding that attendance is even more critical because of “doubling up”.

The next meeting….. look at this schedule for Friday, May 30^th at annual conference.

Would you like to meet from 2:00-5:00? I will try to find a close by, but comfortable place for us to meet.

Don’t forget to go to the

RIM BLOG and make a comment.

http://www.southcentralrimgroup.blogspot.com/

Make a “comment” to show me that you’ve visited!

If you have something to post… an idea for a topic…. Matt will put it up in lights for you!

We want to lift our brother, Mark Reynolds up in prayer, as he is facing some struggles. We love ya, Mark!

Friday, May 30th
	Ministry Expo And Health Fair Morning Session	8:00am - 3:00pm 8:30 a.m.
	Bible Study Leader: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
	Lunch Break	12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
	Afternoon Session	1:30
	Anniversary Clergy and Churches
	Retirement Service
	Dinner Break	5:00 p.m.
	Ordination Service	7:00 p.m.

Carol V. Marsh

Minister of Discipleship

First United Methodist Church, Lakeland

863-686-3163 ext . 233 255-4968 cell

CMARSH@FIRSTUMC.ORG

And what does the Lord require of you?

To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Dates for upcoming RIM retreats

Hi RIM Folks!

Here’s some info on the upcoming retreats so you can get it on your calendar.

Fall RIM Retreats –

1^st year retreat – September 15-18 – Lake Wales, FL

2^nd year retreat – October 1-5 – Kansas City, Mo (you will not be back in time for church on 10/5)

3^rd year retreat – October 16-18 – TBA

Winter Retreat – February 2-4

Theology Retreat – We will be attending a retreat at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando with Dr Tyron Inbody as one of the primary presenters. (we will let you know the details as they get closer)

Thanks – The RIM Team

In Christ,

Dan

Notes from RIM meeting 1-17-08

Present: John Legg, Deborah Nelson, Dawn Anderson, Kim Uchimura, Jeffrey Smith, Matt Wallis, Matt Horan, Dennis Roebuck, Joseph Kim, Sharon Davis, Carol Marsh

This summary does not do justice to the amazing amount of sharing and information exchanged in the meeting. In fact, the notes here only are to remind you of specific pieces of information to follow up on later or, for those who are absent, to ask about. Each of you have shared heart warming narratives of the ups and downs of your ministries. I look forward each meeting eagerly to hear how you have handled your challenges and to hear the wisdom given around the circle.

Kim Uchimura presented the devotion from the book Tea Time with God.

Matt Horan shared his current ministry at Hyde Park, “Imagining Worship Experiment.” (did I get that right, Matt?)

We will all be anxious to see how this develops … and we’re suggesting that Matt chronicle their experiment for a book later.

I mentioned that we (FUMC, Lakeland) have adjusted the most recent revised edition of Network, Spiritual Gifts… (we call the class CONNECT) into a three hour class, held on Sunday mornings, 8:45-noon.

The curriculum was re-written into a 6 hour course (down from 8 hours) but we have turned it into a three hour course that is more like an academic class where you move so fast that you feel like you’re skipping a lot of important stuff. True, but they can go back and pick up the rest on their own. The DVD and power point disks are terrific and usable.

Our adjusted lesson plan will be emailed out to the RIM group in another email another day. It is being proofed by one of our leaders at this time. Our next course will be offered Sunday, April 13, 8:45-12 noon. If any of you wishes to send a lay person to take the course, we would welcome them to participate, no cost.

Jeffrey Smith and his team are soon birthing a “59 minutes” worship experience at Kathleen. Plugged in acoustic. (April 1).

There was a lot of discussion, started by Dennis Roebuck about Small Membership Churches.

About the Social Covenant training, David Dodge is looking into having Integris training for pastors, which includes the process of developing a Social Covenant in your staff, committees, groups, etc.

Carol will email the Social Covenant of our staff again. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the document itself. The process and the follow through are the absolute key to making a difference.

Dawn Anderson talked about the “Big House” ministry that is beginning at Forest Hills UMC, for the whole family.

We’ll meet again February 25-26 in Gainesville for the RIM retreat.

Then, our next South Central RIM meeting will be at Hyde Park UMC in Tampa on Thursday, April 17^th.

You guys are a blessing! Fondly, Carol

Carol V. Marsh

Minister of Discipleship

First United Methodist Church, Lakeland

863-686-3163 ext . 233 255-4968 cell

CMARSH@FIRSTUMC.ORG

And what does the Lord require of you?

To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8