LOCAL CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES

The mission of the Local Church Representative is to communicate with their church, on a regular basis, the needs and services of the Children’s Home. Each representative should work closely with his/her pastor, and the staff of the Home, to encourage the prayerful, financial and in-kind support of this ministry.

The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is deeply grateful for all those special people who give of their time and talent to serve as a Local Church Representative (LCR). With over 700 local United Methodist Churches in the Florida Annual Conference, it can be difficult for the staff of the Children’s Home to personally connect with each congregation. We rely of an LCR who has agreed to be an ambassador and advocate for the Children’s Home in their local church. We could not be an effective ministry to hurting and troubled children and families without you.

The primary responsibility of the LCR is to promote the receiving of the Fifth Sunday Offering in each local church. This is our historic means of support for the daily operation of the Children’s Home. Since the founding of the Children’s Home in 1908, the churches of Florida Annual Conference have been receiving a Fifth Sunday Offering for the Children’s Home. Of course, there are many and varied ways that churches and people can support the Children’s Home beyond the Fifth Sunday Offering. These include volunteer opportunities, in-kind donations, encouraging people to remember the Children’s Home as a planned gift and we always rely on your prayers to undergird all we do in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ for the children, youth and families that turn to us for help in time of need.

For all our LCRs we offer several resources to help you promote the Children’s Home in your local church. The primary ones are:

The Link– This is our monthly newsletter created especially for LCRs. It is sent out by email on the first Friday of each month. A printed version is also available for those who do not have an email address. The Link provides up-to-date information about the Children’s Home and keeps you abreast of the various needs that arise during the year.

Yearly Training – During the months of January and February we offer at least one training event in each of the nine districts of the Florida Annual Conference. These are designed for new and experienced LCR’s. We hope you will take advantage of this training. Once dates and locations are confirmed, we will begin advertising them in The Link.

Personal Contact – Stephen Hartsfield, Director of Church Relations stephen.hartsfield@fumch.org and Reverend Bess Bussey, Assistant Director of Church Relations bess.bussey@fumch.org stand ready to assist you and provide you with the resources and materials you need to be an effective LCR. Please contact us with any questions or any request for needed information and materials.

The following are some effective ways we can partner with you to promote the Children’s Home. Children’s Home staff are ready to provide you with whatever you need to help you do your job. 

• Preach in your church

• Provide a mission moment during a worship service

• Make a presentation to a Sunday School class, fellowship dinner, United Methodist Women’s or Men’s group, or any group in your church

• Provide a display for a mission fair or other church function

• Provide brochures, newsletters and other promotional materials

• Campus tours

• Provide opportunities for mission work groups and individual volunteers

• Annual Day On Campus celebration

Thank you for being a blessing to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home.