Florida Episcopal Area

Mission and Ministry
Volunteers with the Canaveral Port Ministry welcome cruise ship workers on leave while their ships are docked in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ministry provides respite for homesick seafarers far from their home countries. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Port ministry offers seafarers home away from home

Members of First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida, provide respite and a “home church” for cruise ship workers.
Immigration
The Rev. Andy Oliver (center), pastor of Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., poses with other protesters outside of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center in the Everglades where suspected undocumented immigrants are being held. Oliver says his goal is to “raise awareness and help amplify the stories of people that I think our city is treating with cruelty.” Photo courtesy of the Rev. Andy Oliver.

Pastors push back in Florida

The Revs. Andy Oliver and Roy Terry, both United Methodists, are committed to continue protesting in response to what they see as government overreach in Florida.
Disaster Relief
Cedar Key United Methodist Church, located near where Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, is experiencing flooding for the first time in its history because of the record storm surge. Members are scrambling to remove carpeting and linoleum to allow the floor to dry out properly. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Robin Jocelyn.

United Methodists begin Idalia recovery

After the monster storm roared onto land, United Methodists in the U.S. Southeast were assessing the damage and responding to immediate needs. Church members from neighboring states also were quick to offer a helping hand.
Annual Conferences
UM News is the official news gathering agency of the 13-million member United Methodist Church. Map courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by UM News.

Exiting Florida churches’ lawsuit dismissed

A Florida judge dismissed a lawsuit originally filed by 106 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church without paying exit fees. However, the judge’s ruling opened the way for an appeal.

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