An Artist Rendering of the New Facility
Rev. Jess Schload, Director of the Life Enrichment Center is pleased to announce that construction on a new meeting facility has begun this past week. The meeting building will meet a huge need for LEC, allowing the service of more groups and growth in ministry. “A continuing issue in trying to sustain our growth and strong financial position has been that lack of quality meeting space”, Schload noted. Many weekends the Center has empty lodging rooms, but is unable to host more groups due to the lack of meeting space.
The new facility will be able to host groups up to 150 guests and will be equipped with digital projection, sound, and wireless internet access. Located close to Lodging Building 1, the site will allow for meetings and worship in a place set apart from other meeting rooms.
Ground work began this past week, and slab work will start before the end of this week. The
Dirt Work begins on the New Building
expected completion date will be June 1. A date of a dedication service will be announced at a later time. One exciting aspect of this job is that it is being financed and paid for from operation income. There is no support needed from the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church (the parent body), or donations. However, if anyone would like to support the furnishing of this meeting building, please contact Rev. Schload at LEC (352-787-0313). Watch this blog for updated photos of the work in progress.
I always looked so forward to lighting the candle. I am sure my mother worried and kept a sharp eye on me, but I was ready. As the light was passed down the aisle at St. John’s Lutheran Church, my time was coming. Then it would arrive. I would hold my candle at an angle and the person next to me would light my wick. Then, I would turn and light the next person’s candle.
I am not sure how much I got from this experience as a 6 year old spiritually. I remember watching the wax run onto the paper “wax catcher” and sometimes it would make it to my hand. That was neat. I could peel it off later.
Then, as the congregation sang “Silent Night” we would file out the door into the cold Pennsylvania night. Out there we would blow the candle out and give it back to the usher. I was slow to do that. I did not have much chance at that time in my life to hold fire. But that night at church, I could. I liked it.
As I grew older, the meaning of that light grew for me into a light that illuminated my heart at all times. But as a six year old, it was just cool. I guess I could still say it is cool. I hold the light on Christmas Eve and I see a symbol of what that night and Christmas means for me, and for all of us. It means life, renewal, hope, peace, love. It means Christ came to walk with us. Now, 2000 years later he still walks with us. That candle reminds me, Christ is here.
My dream for a retreat center, and for all who come to a retreat at our, or any center, is that it would be like a candle on Christmas Eve. That this holy place will help light that flame in each person’s heart. I pray, if you come to LEC in 2012, that you too will feel like a candle, and you too will feel it “is cool”. Why? Because that light, at Christmas, at the retreat, in your heart, is Love incarnated. It is Jesus. And it shines through us to a world that needs it badly.
Merry Christmas and may your 2012 be one of growth in your faith walk.
See you on the journey!!
Rev. Jess L. Schload
Thanksgiving is upon us. It is a time each year when I, and all of us, should stop and reflect on everything we have to be thankful for in this life. It is so easy to be cynical, to complain,
to not appreciate all we have been given. Can you name 10 things you are truly thankful for this year? Perhaps that would be a good exercise for us to undertake. Let’s name the ten things we are most thankful for. But let’s not stop there. If one or more of those things is a person, give them a call and let them know. If one is a church or nonprofit, maybe it’s a good time to send a donation. If you are thankful for health, ask yourself, who helped you be that way? Do you need to thank a doctor, personal trainer, or maybe yourself for you good health habits.
Thankfulness should lead to action. At the very least it should lead to you thanking those you appreciate. But thankfulness can also lead to action to make this a better world. Maybe you work for good health in all people. Maybe you begin to attend church and be more involved. Or you could just spend more time with those you love. If you are truly thankful, it should change your life. I wish you a happy Thanksgiving, and I want you all to know that all of us here at LEC are thankful for you, and your love and support for this ministry. Continue on your journey, Rev. Jess Schload, Director
The Personal Retreat Cabin at the Life Enrichment Center - Contact us for information on using it for yourself.
What is a retreat? When and how can one take a retreat? We often think of two types of retreat. One is the retreat centered on a community of folks coming together for a purpose. An example would be a group of women from a Sunday School class decides to go to a retreat center for a spiritual growth weekend. They plan, make a reservation at the Center, maybe get a guest speaker, and off they go. It is fun. It is uplifting. They all grow closer together and grow in their faith. And they do this at a special place by a lake, or in the mountains called a camp or retreat center.
Then there is the personal retreat. I have done these many times. You make a reservation at a retreat center and go for an alone time with God. I use to pray, walk, read and think at these retreats. Sometimes I met with a spiritual adviser who helped guide me in my time. Personal retreats can be a very valuable time.
However, you do not need to go to some beautiful place for a retreat (although we would love to have you at LEC sometime soon). You can have a retreat anytime you have a few minutes and set the problems of your daily living aside. Then you can reflect, talk with God, read, and all those other things you do on retreat. Some folks call this devotions. I prefer retreat. The word means to get away from the day – to – day, the pressures of life. To get to safety. To enter the presence of God. If you have 3 minutes, I encourage to to go on a retreat!!
By the way, check out the app for your “smart phone” called “3 Minute Retreat”. I use it and find it a great way to take a quick retreat. It is also available on line at http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer.htm
Continue on the journey,
Rev. Jess Schload, Director
Sure, you spend time together in the car. Maybe you sit down together at dinner each night. But with all the hustle and bustle of life, school, and work — how often do you get quality time with your child, Moms?
The Life Enrichment Center is excited to announce a new program for Fall 2012 — Mother/Child Weekend.
This event will be a great opportunity for moms and kids to spend some uninterrupted quality time together in a beautiful and peaceful retreat setting. But don’t let the peacefulness of the site mislead you — there will be lots of opportunities for fun, including games, crafts, campfires and s’mores, storytelling and MORE!
This weekend will also be a time for moms and kids to grow closer to God together through interactive Bible study, worship and music.
Be on the lookout for more information coming soon! If you have questions, contact Melissa at mcooper@flumc.org.
Two of the most revered childhood traditions are family vacation and summer camp. As a parent or grandparent, what better opportunity could there be but combining the two! That’s what Family Camp is all about at the Life Enrichment Center.
Join us the first week in July to enjoy an incredible family experience. This is for ALL the family — parents, grandparents, step-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course the kids! Spend some quality time together without all the hassles of home — no cooking, no cleaning, no worries! You come, and we will provide a top-notch experience for the whole family.
We will combine the traditions of summer camp — campfires, crafts, nature walks, games, storytelling — with the comforts and special experiences of vacation, including some off-site excursions! There will be special times of worship and Bible exploration that build on our summer theme — “Secrets of the Kingdom” — so you can grow both as a family and as part of God’s family.
Until I experienced my first Family Camp, I thought camp was just a place for kids. I was quickly proved wrong. Don’t believe me? Check out this article from Parenthood.com about the incredible opportunity Family Camp is!
And of course, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or e-mail Melissa at mcooper@flumc.org.
We are proud to announce that the Life Enrichment Center is now an ASHI (American Saftey and Health Institute) Training Center!
The LEC now offers classes in the following:
- Basic First Aid
- CPR/AED for the Community and Workplace
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer (CPR-Pro)
- Wilderness First Aid
Knowing what to do in an emergency situation saves lives every day. Whether you are a medical professional, an Appalachian Trail hiker, or a mom, having the skills to treat basic or advanced injuries can be the difference between life and death for someone.
We will be offering on-site classes soon, or, if you are part of a church, school, club, or other group that would like personalized training at your site, we can do that too! Just e-mail or call and we can let you know all your options.
Contact Melissa for more information at mcooper@flumc.org.
Grandparents and Me Camp is growing! Last summer, we actually had a waiting list for our two weeks of camp, so we are excited to announce THREE Grandparents and Me Camp weeks for 2012!
- June 25-28, 2012
- July 23-26, 2012
- July 30-Aug 2, 2012
Join us as we explore the “Secrets of the Kingdom” and look at the stories Jesus tells in the gospels. Mystery is everywhere, so bring your adventurous spirit and your treasure-hunting skills!!
What an incredible opportunity this is for grandparents to spend time with grandchildren — and we do all the work! No cooking, no cleaning, no hassle to you! You can both grow as a family and learn more about God’s family together.
Registration information will be available soon. This year, we will have online registration.
“X” Marks the spot for fun this summer, so don’t miss out!
For those of you who already love Grandparents and Me, leave a comment telling us why you’re coming back this summer!
I have been asked to lead communion for the United Methodist Men’s Retreat this weekend here at
Serving Communion at Grandparents Camp 2011
the Life Enrichment Center. I am honored to do so. I have always felt that the service of the bread and cup is central to who we are as Christians. We have been encouraged to preach the Word to the entire world. We have been told to pray without ceasing. Singing praises to God certainly lifts our spirit. But the Eucharist, the bread and the cup, taken as a part of worship with our sisters and brothers in Christ, is the strongest reminder to us of who we are and what Christ did for each of us. Partaking of the bread and cup is the action Jesus asked us to do “often” in order to help us remember.
It is so easy to forget. I know that I can go along in my day-to-day ministry and never give a thought to all the blessings I have in my life, and to the presence and sacrifice of Christ, and what that means to me. When Jesus used a simple cup and piece of bread to share the story, he gave us a gift. He gave us a way to remember. If the wonderful gift slips our mind in everyday life, at least in the Holy service of communion we can be reminded. Tomorrow, I get to remember again
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17Jesus took a cup of wine in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he told the apostles, “Take this wine and share it with each other. 18I tell you that I will not drink any more wine until God’s kingdom comes.”
19Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his apostles. Then he said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me!” (Luke 17-19 CEV)
Continue your journey with Christ,
Rev. Jess Schload, Director
Hey y’all! (That’s how we say ‘Hello’ in Tennessee, at least!)
Will and I worked at a United Methodist camp in North Carolina that specialized in sailing.
A little about me — I’m a UMC clergywoman originally from Tennessee, with detours in Boston and North Carolina before arriving here at the LEC about a month ago. My husband Will and I have had a busy time of unpacking and getting to know a new state. We hope to make Fruitland Park our home for a long time.
I have been very busy traveling around the area and speaking with pastors and friends of the LEC to hear about all the great things that are already happening here. But even though I’m just beginning to learn about the ministry here, I am already dreaming about what ministries can be produced and enriched at this site.
Be on the look out in the next week for more information about the dreaming that has been happening around here and some exciting new programs that will be coming to the LEC in 2012!
In the meantime, feel free to leave me a comment about your favorite current events at the LEC, or something you would like to see happen here that might meet a need personally, spiritually, or for your church or other organization!
