Our Fellowship Chapters are a great connection point for members at the regional level. Our chapters host events ranging from choral and handbell festivals to day-long workshops and retreats.
Events below are listed in chronological order.
Illinois Great Rivers
30th Annual Handbell Festival
When: March 10, 2018
Time: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: First United Methodist Church, Peoria, IL
Cost: $30/person for church groups with at least one Fellowship member; $35/person for groups with no Fellowship member. Registrations increase by $10 after February 10.
Clinician: David Harris, director of the Raleigh Ringers
Registration: https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/handbell-festival
North Georgia
Handbell Festival
When: March 10, 2018
Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Peachtree City United Methodist Church, Peachtree City, GA
Cost: $25/person. A $10/choir fee is added for printing of one piece of repertoire.
Clinician: Jefferey A. Hall, award-winning handbell composer and director of music ministries at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Madison, TN
Information and Registration: http://www.umfellowship.org/images/Chapters/newsletters/NGeorgia_HandbellFestival18.pdf
West Michigan
Singing Through the Church Year
When: April 14, 2018
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (Optional lunch with West Michigan board from 12:15-1:30 p.m.)
Where: Westwood UMC, Kalamazoo, MI
Cost: $10/members, $15/non-members
Event Highlights:
Anthems for every part of the church year for 6-20 singers will be featured. Sessions will be led by Sara Collins, Jane Wright, and Joseph Jennings. Come and bring fellow choir members! It will be a very fun day of singing and compiling your list of favorites. Music will be available for purchase by lunch time!
Information and Registration: http://www.umfellowship.org/images/Chapters/newsletters/WMich_SpringFlyer18.pdf
Registration deadline is April 10.
Florida
Adult Church Music Workshop and Youth Music Camp
When: June 10-15, 2018
Where: Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, FL
Cost: $99 for youth; $255 for members; $355 for not-yet-members. Additional fees apply for room and board; meals are on your own. A $50 early-bird discount is available for adults who register before April 1. Scholarships are available for first-time attendees.
Event Highlights:
Come and learn with fellow musicians, artists, handbell ringers, worship designers, and nationally-known clinicians. It’s a week of fellowship and fun that includes seminars, music reading sessions, leadership training for older youth, and an intergenerational orchestra. Ring Sarasota will be featured in the event’s opening concert. This year’s theme is “Come to the Table - Inviting and Creating Community through Worship.”
Clinicians:
- Worship: Mary Scifres, United Methodist pastor and worship consultant
- Handbells: Robert "BJ" Jackson, recently-retired Director of Music at First UMC Gainesville and Florida chapter past-president
- Adult Choral: Lloyd Larson, composer and arranger
- Youth Choral: James Wells, Director of Choral Ministries at Brentwood UMC (Tennessee) and 2016 Youth Music Camp clinician
Registration: https://floridafummwa.org
Florida
The Well: A Worship Leader Retreat
When: June 15-16, 2018
Where: Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland Park, FL
Cost: $200, includes registration, one-night accommodations, and four meals. A $50 early-bird discount is available for those who register before April 1. Scholarships are available.
Event Highlights:
Join other worship leaders for a time of fellowship, worship, and connection as we explore topics including worship planning and song selection, refueling and preventing burn out, and the pastor and worship leader dynamic in a comfortable, conversational setting.
Clinicians:
- Jeremy Hearn, First UMC Lakeland and The Point in St. Petersburg
- Joey Landstedt, Community UMC in Fruitland Park
- Josh Smith, pastor at True Life Church in Melbourne
Information and Registration: https://floridafummwa.org/the-well or contact Joan FitzGerald at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
