Sometimes you must try a church for weeks or even months before you feel like you can decide if it's your "forever spiritual home." Other times, you walk in and know right away.That's what happened to Christy and Woody. I met with the couple a few weeks ago as they shared their story and experience about our church and why they wanted to join. They started to attend Fleming Island UMC in December,...  Read More

In December, we joined with Sacred Heart Catholic Church next door for a joint parking lot food drive. My heart was so warmed with Deacon Rich contacted us about joining forces to serve those around us in this way. It was such an amazing day, filled with Muti-generation service, and cross-denomination Kingdom work. Last week, I got the opportunity to take a field trip over to the Green Cove Food P...  Read More

It's hard to believe January is almost finished. As February arrives, we have Valentines Day (2/14), then Ash Wednesday (2/22), which starts our season of Lent. If you've always wondered about Lent, this article is a great place to get you started.During Lent, I always seek out a book that will deepen each person spiritual that I can incorporate with my preaching. This year, I've chosen Lent in Pl...  Read More

February 5, 12, and 19, 2023 Do you do This? This opens doors and solves problems. This inspires others to do This, too—it’s the good kind of contagious. When they tell our life stories, we want them to put This at the top. We are hardwired for This. This is who we are, and This Is What We Do. It's easy to simply come to worship. It takes work on our part to connect with God. If you're connecting ...  Read More

As 2023 provides a fresh start, we are excited to start the new year with a Fifth Sunday Offering. The Fifth Sunday Offering began in 1906 as a way to raise funds to build an orphanage and continues to show the deep connection between the Children’s Home and local churches around the state. The Fifth Sunday Offering remains the backbone of all the support we receive here at the Children’s Home. As...  Read More

The pastor I grew up with, Rev. Dr. George Mathison, or Brother George as we called him, is known by a few things:His dedication to prayer - He gets on his knees early every morning and prays for people. He will often call you and tell you he's praying.His tennis game - One of the things he loves most now about retirement is that he doesn't have to bow-out of tournaments to go preach on Sunday mor...  Read More

Francis Asbury Moonlit Approach Painting by Richard G. Douglas Courtesy of B.L. Fischer Library, Asbury Theological Seminary Right before Christmas, it was shared that I would be serving two churches starting January 1. This Sunday, January 8, will be my first Sunday to preach both churches. The commute from one to another makes me feel like one of the circuit riders of old.Here's the post I share...  Read More

I hope you receive a Christmas card from me, but if you didn't, then I wanted to share the contents of it here for you:It's hard to believe it's been 6 months since AJ, Abigail, and I moved to Fleming Island UMC. God has blessed our family in so many ways during 2022.AJ has a new job selling digital add spots for SignsOfHope.com. He works from home most weeks and gets to pick up Abigail from schoo...  Read More

I had the pleasure of helping pack our thanksgiving boxes for a bit. (My box is on the left side in the back.   Read More

We have been so grateful for the outpouring of support through our annual Christmas gift card drive. This drive gives us an opportunity to show God’s love through gifts – during both a season in which gift- giving is especially celebrated, and a pandemic in which good news and generosity are desperately needed. If you would like to give gift cards for the Children's Home, it's not too late! You ca...  Read More

The Florida United Methodist Children's Home (UMCH) is a mission that's special to the hearts of many Methodists. Our church's representative is Eddie Coppage. That means Eddie stays connected with the home and how they need support. Val and Eddie take so much joy in going to visit the home and taking our donations.The UM Children's Home has two campuses that includes residential homes, therapeuti...  Read More

Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids this month so you can help your kids continue growing at home. Remember when you just couldn’t wait to be tall enough and old enough to ride a roller coaster? It seems like a small thing, but it's actually a significant childhood milestone and every kid is looking to measure up in some way. But . . . we never really outgrow that im...  Read More