There are many issues that arise from trying to work with others toward a common goal. Everyone who lives in a faith community, whether church or denominational unit, can tell one or more stories of pain and joy and sometimes both, that arise from a labor of love in community.

However, there is one area of focus about which we should have no issues…only striving by us all. That area is children and their nurture.

Our episcopal leaders have made very clear that the focus of our denomination at this time is children, through the "Council of Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty" and its partner emphasis "Hope for the Children of Africa."

Repeated articles in "The Florida United Methodist Review" and oral reports demonstrate the great good coming from our working collectively to have impact for health and Christian wholeness in the children of our state and the plans being laid for an orphanage and school in Mozambique. If we Florida United Methodists cannot join hands to pool our money and our talents in this time of bountiful economic life to aid the children of our society to be all God is calling them to be, then we may as well give up on being a connection.