05.12.25

Note from Jessica Scott
Associate Conference Lay Leader

Friends, 

How is it with your soul today?

As I write, the world is reacting to the news of a new leader of the Catholic Church and head of state for Vatican City. Pope Leo XIV isn’t the only excitement coming out of Chicago over the last week or so. In case you missed it, the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops met in the second city to consider the larger ministry and mission of our Church. From the gathering, they reflected on our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ and published four letters on justice and peace. These letters include:

• A Call for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo;

• A Plea for Ceasefire and Justice in Palestine and Israel;

• A Call to Reject Violence Against Transgender Persons; and

• A Stand Against the Dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies.

You can read each of these letters along with a message from Bishop Tracy Malone, Council of Bishops president, here.

As Bishop Malone writes, “Our calling as United Methodists is to love as Christ loved, to serve as Christ served, and to lead as Christ led-resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”

Over the coming weeks, you will be presented with ways to lead. How will you do it? My hope is that you will operate with an eye to see and courage to stop oppression and injustice, that you would boldly love and support those who are marginalized and suffering.

In hope, 

Jessica Scott
Associate Conference Lay Leader

Preparing for AC25

Email Update for AC25 Lay Members
Are you a lay member to Annual Conference2025? Did you get our Lay Member Email update? Check it out here.

AC25 Lay Member Page
Information, links and more for lay members to AC25. Check out the page here.

Around the FLUMC and UMC Connection

Regional Gatherings
Did you miss the bishop’s Regional Gathering in your area? Not to worry! There is a recorded version available for viewing now. Check it out here.

Easter Celebration
Sun City Center UMC celebrated Easter with a beautiful chalk mural. Check it out here.

World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women Gathering
Gender-based violence dominated conversations when women from the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women gathered in Botswana’s capital April 3-6 for their quinquennial seminar. More than 600 members from the federation’s Southern and East Africa Area, all dressed in black, kicked off the gathering with a march to highlight their concern over gender violence.

Decision 1516
On April 29, The Judicial Council released Decision 1516, reaffirming the longtime principle that pastors have discretion in whether they officiate at an marriage ceremony. Specifically, the ruling says a church’s trustees can neither forbid nor compel their pastor’s performance of same-sex weddings within the church facility.

Laity Space is the online information hub for the laity of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.