Here is a link to resources provided by our own Florida Conference.
The Florida conference
General Conference 2024
The top legislative body of the United Methodist Church convened on April 23 in Charlotte, NC and concluded on May 3, 2024.
Who are united Methodists?
If you are worshipping with us regularly, either online or in person or a hybrid of both, you may have been exposed to the idea that Oceanview belongs to a denomination. We are considered "mainstream" because we are the 2nd largest protestant group in the US. The denomination has a hierarchy of organized leadership. We have a set of agreed-upon values and principles. We follow a book of discipline in how we order the church. That book is a living document that changes every four years. Every four years, we hold a General Conference, an international gathering of democratically elected individuals (equal parts laity and clergy) who serve on committees for two weeks and make decisions on how we are to live together and represent ourselves as a Christian denomination. Each geographical area has a local conference that meets annually called--you guessed it--the Annual Conference. Oceanview and Pastor Emily are members of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. There's one in Virginia, two in North Carolina, New Jersey, etc. You get the idea. We have a bishop who oversees our conference, Bishop Tom Berlin. He's new. The bishop has a set of helpers to oversee smaller areas. Since the conference is divided into districts, these helpers are called District Superintendents (DS). The DS's serve on the bishop's appointive cabinet, and that's where pastors come from.
The bishop and cabinet meet to discern and project possible appointments to fill the pulpits around the conference with pastors. The churches' buildings and property are held in trust by the Annual Conference. In that way, we as a church are not a solo endeavor. We have help and support when we need it. The conference is responsible for supplying the church with quality, vetted clergy, missional engagement, and connection to the United Methodist Church's larger whole. We call it connectionalism. It is one of those "isms" that is a good one. You can learn more about our Annual Conference and denomination on this page through the links below.
Bishop's Corner
Dear Florida Conference,
As we gather as a community of faith on this significant day in our nation’s history, we are called to reflect on three profound events: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the inauguration of the President of the United States, and The United Methodist Church’s celebration of Human Relations Day.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day calls us to both remember and embody the power of hope and faithful action as we work toward social justice in alignment with the vision for a beloved community found in the bible. In the kingdom of God that Jesus modeled and proclaimed, all people are treated with dignity and respect. Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolence is a timeless call for us to persist in our efforts toward reconciliation and healing in a divided world. This is the work of those who have made Jesus Christ their Lord.
Today, we also witness the inauguration of President Donald Trump. As United Methodists, we uphold the value of our democratic processes and the significance of transitions in leadership. Eleven days ago, at the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, past Presidents and Vice-Presidents from different political parties demonstrated the strength of our democracy as they sat together in the first few rows at the National Cathedral. Ambassador Andrew Young, who worked tirelessly with Dr. King in the civil rights movement, spoke about the miracle of America. He said, “I couldn’t see how we could have had the differences in backgrounds, the coming from different places on the planet, the experiences of slave and slave owner, the diversity of color and creed and national origin, and still become the great nation we are in the United States of America.”[1]
The miracle of America happens when people come together and build neighborhoods and communities across our differences. The miracle occurs when we see our diversity as our strength and understand that hope is a commitment to be resilient in the present to create a better future for everyone. Regardless of political differences, we are united in our call to pray for our leaders and our nation. We lift up our newly inaugurated president, asking God to grant him wisdom, compassion, and courage as he leads our nation. May he, along with all those in positions of authority, govern in ways that reflect a commitment to justice, peace, and the common good. These are the values of those who follow Christ, and they describe the best moments and eras in the history of our nation.
Yesterday, United Methodist congregations across the connection observed Human Relations Day, one of our Special Sundays. This day emphasizes our commitment as a church to recognize the inherent worth of every person and to support ministries that transform lives, build bridges of understanding, and advocate for justice. We celebrate Human Relations Day to call ourselves again to the vital work still to be done to create a world where all God’s children can thrive. This day reminds us of our commitment as United Methodists to our Social Principles.
As United Methodists, we are rooted in a tradition of social holiness—the belief that our faith must be expressed not only in personal devotion but in acts of compassion and justice. Rooted in the spirit of John Wesley, we are called to seek unity and understanding, even in the midst of political and social differences. This is not always easy, but it is essential to living out the command of Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
The work of Dr. King is far from complete. As followers of Christ, we are called to continue his mission to create a beloved community where all persons are treated with love and respect. This is the work of faithful discipleship. Whether through acts of service, advocating for justice, or building bridges of reconciliation, we are invited to be instruments of God’s peace, working to bring about God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
In the days ahead, may we remain rooted in the hope that unites us and the love that binds us as one. Together, our primary identity is to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, witnessing to God’s justice and mercy in a world in need of healing and reconciliation.
In Christ,
Bishop Tom Berlin, Resident Bishop
Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, Director of Justice Ministries
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_EEvmMH5JQ
Other resources for the weekend:
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