By Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Williams, Senior Pastor
The Guest Speaker Bicentennial Committee is delighted to announce that Bishop Tom Berlin will be the keynote speaker for our Bicentennial Celebration Sunday on September 29, 2024. This momentous event will commemorate 200 years of the faith, service, and community of Trinity United Methodist Church.
Bishop Berlin, elected as a Bishop of The United Methodist Church on November 2, 2022, by the Southeastern Jurisdiction, has been serving the Florida Episcopal Area since January 1, 2023. His profound leadership and dedication to the church have already made a significant impact in our community.
Tom Berlin’s journey in faith began in his hometown of Winchester, Virginia, where he was nurtured at Braddock Street UMC. It was here that he first felt the call to ordained ministry while serving as a summer counselor at the Tennessee Outreach Project (Mountain TOP) mission camp in Ozone, Tennessee. His educational path took him to Virginia Tech, where he earned a BS in business with a major in public administration, and later to the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where he received his Master of Divinity. Ordained in 1987, Bishop Berlin started his ministry serving the Brucetown-Welltown UMC Charge and Toms Brook UMC.
Over the years, Bishop Berlin has led churches of various sizes within the Virginia Conference, including 25 years as the Lead Pastor of Floris UMC, a multi-site congregation near the nation’s capital. His deep belief in the value of a connectional church and his commitment to its vitality and unity have been hallmarks of his ministry. He has also experienced the power of global connections through partnerships like the one with the Sierra Leone Conference, supporting initiatives such as the Child Reintegration Centre and Mercy Hospital. Additionally, Bishop Berlin is a noted speaker and author, focusing on the Christian life, stewardship, and church leadership.
His leadership extends beyond the local church. He has chaired the Board of Governors at Wesley Theological Seminary, led delegations to General Conference, and served on the Commission on a Way Forward. As part of the team that created the Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation through Separation, Bishop Berlin has navigated challenging times with hope grounded in the love and resurrection of Christ and the active presence of the Holy Spirit among committed congregations.
Bishop Berlin brought to the Florida Annual Conference much needed administrative leadership for the changing landscape of the conference. While downsizing the Annual Conference staff, he has been able to ensure smooth transitions for persons nearing retirement, reorganize ministry initiatives and conference organization, which honors the financial commitments of local churches who are in the connection. In addition, he has led the conference to reduce the number of districts and has been creative with the role of District Superintendent, with some of these persons leading ministry areas beyond the district.
Bishop Berlin’s relational leadership style is well received by the Florida Conference. He has produced a series of videos entitled “Ask the Bishop” where persons submitted questions regarding the United Methodist Church, Wesleyan Theology, and the Christian Faith. In addition, he has encouraged every church in the Florida Conference to offer a sermon series in 2024 centered on Wesleyan theology and practice, with the goal of our centering in on who we are as Christians and our distinct offering of Christ to the world. His leadership at our Annual Conferences has been spirit filled and inspirational to clergy and laity alike.
On a personal note, Bishop Berlin is married to Karen, and together they have four daughters who have been a significant source of growth and inspiration in his life. He enjoys woodworking, hiking, and spending quality time with his family.
For the Bicentennial Celebration Sunday, Bishop Berlin will deliver inspiring messages at both the 9 AM and 11 AM services
on September 29. Additionally, he will join us for a significant procession from the first church site to our current location at 10:30 AM. This symbolic walk will honor our rich history and the steadfast faith of our congregation through the centuries.
We invite all members and friends of Trinity United Methodist Church to participate in this historic day of celebration, reflection, and unity. Join us as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to a vibrant future guided by faith and community spirit.