A Short Note

It was a good day for me and for First United Methodist Church in Lakeland when the Bishop appointed Rev. Charley Reeb to be one of the associate pastors at our church. Charley joined me and Rev. Tom McCloskey to make up the ministerial team. It was not only a good team, but we also worked well together and had a lot of fun doing it. One of those years, we also had Rev. Alex Shanks join us as a ministerial intern. With a team like that, everything went so well and easy. Each complemented the other with our various gifts and graces.

Charley was the “Kid Preacher,” having just graduated from seminary and newly married. Alex was “The Boy Wonder” with long hair and a guitar. Tom was the “Older Brother,” and I was “Big Daddy.” I learned that I did not have to tell them what to do or how to do it - they were so talented. All I had to do was to stay out of their way.

Charley and I moved out of First Lakeland in the same year. He was moved to a church in Orlando, and I retired. Several years later, he was moved to Pasadena Community Church in St. Petersburg (at one time “The Pulpit Church” of Methodism). Some years later, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson asked for him to be loaned to the North Georgia Conference to serve Johns Creek United

Methodist Church. Johns Creek is in a fastgrowing area on the outskirts of Atlanta and, under Rev. Reeb’s guidance, became one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in Georgia.

Earlier this year, Bishop Berlin appointed Charley Reeb to be our pastor. He is coming home, bringing his wife Brandy and his son Paul to join us in our effort to serve Christ in Lakeland and around the world. He is not a stranger to many of our congregation. As a graduate of Florida Southern, he is familiar with our community, our traditions, and our values. His excitement, preaching, and devotion to Jesus are contagious. His laughter shall echo in our sanctuary, and his sermons in our hearts and souls.

We welcome the Reeb family back to our family and pray that they will bless us and be blessed by the Holy Spirit. It is a new day and a good day at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. I can see the sun rising.

Rev. Riley P. Short

Renewed Space, Renewed Faith: Celebrating the Transformation of our Youth and Community Outreach Center

We are excited to share the news about the upcoming completion of our Youth and Community Outreach Center renovation. This transformative project isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about unleashing love and empowering the next generation to live for Jesus.

In Matthew 19:14 (paraphrased), Jesus said, “Hey, bring those kids over here! Don’t hold them back! God’s Kingdom is all about these little heroes.”

Our Youth and Outreach Center is a space where these kids can experience the transforming power of God’s love, explore their faith, and discover the beautiful, messy, thrilling life Jesus has in store for them.

Let’s thank God for what he is doing in our church! As we begin this next season of ministry, we’re stepping into a space where faith ignites, and love propels us forward. Together, we’ll embrace the next generation, empower them to chase their wildest dreams, and create a community where love is our anthem.