Note from Jessica Scott Associate Conference Lay Leader
Hello friends,
How is it with your soul?
In the second half of the Lenten season, I am reflecting on hope. Specifically, Isaiah 40:30-31:
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (NIV)
As the parent of twin two-year-olds, there’s no shortage of big feelings in my house. Sometimes, big feelings like frustration or anxiety take up so much space and wear us down that we don’t feel like there’s room for hope. But the thing about hope is that it fits in the smallest spaces, like sand between rocks. Small grains ad up, the unsteady loose gravel is stable, sturdy, and solid.
Like those grains of sand, one small act of kindness can be transformative and any one of us can make a difference. Today, I invite you to reflect on what small hope is within you. Then, I encourage you to consider what small act of kindness you can do to share that hope with someone else. It doesn’t have to be huge - kind word, a cup of coffee, or sharing a funny meme - it all adds up.
In hope,
Jessica Scott Associate Conference Lay Leader
Season of Lent
40 Day Journey through Matthew Looking for a spiritual practice to add to your Lenten season? It’s not too late to join Bishop Berlin and the FLUMC on a 40-day journey through the book of Matthew. Follow along here.
Around the Connection
Lay Servant Ministries Training in April Join the East Central District for a free virtual Lay Servant Training. Lay Servant training prepares laity to be in ministry through caring, communication and leadership. The key emphasis of Lay Servant Training is equipping and empowering lay servants to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, who then go and make other disciples. NEW: ECD is offering he Basic Lay Servant Training in Spanish. More info and registration here.
Regionalization and Constitutional Amendments Lay Members to AC25 will consider some amendments to the Book of Discipline including a restructuring of the denomination known as Regionalization. Check out this explainer series called “The UMC Really is…” for more information on regionalization and its implications for the UMC. Also, learn about all of the constitutional amendments and how lay members can make their voice heard and vote count here.
Laity Space is the online information hub for the laity of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
