St. John’s United Methodist Church 1800 Cypress Gardens Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33884 863-324-6347 Good News September 2016 Issue 09 Inside this issue: Staff Directory and Weekly Calendar 2 Special Days and many opportunities just for YOU!!! 3 Project Love 4 Missions & Ministries; Shriners Pull Tabs, Library News; ThankU 5 is Coming; Volunteer Opportunities 6 Children’s Ministry & Preschool 7 ReaLife and Youth Happenings 7 Pastor’s Note & Project Love Cont’d; Fall Stewardship M&M 8 Items from Archives 9 Health & Wellness: “September is Fruit and Vegetable Month” 10 / 11 Come and Worship with Us! (Childcare is available for all Worship Services Infant thru 4 years) Sundays 8:30 am Foundation Worship Service 9:45 am Hospitality in CLC 10 am Sunday School 11 am Ignite Worship Service 11 am Children’s Church in Asbury 4 pm ALPHA 5:30 pm 180 Youth Group 7 pm Young Adults Group Wednesdays 6 pm Wednesday Word 6 pm ReaLife Youth David Averill Dear St. John's, Alesia, Daniel, and I enjoyed visiting family in Belarus the last couple weeks of August. Daniel got to spend time and play with his cousins. I am glad to be back in Winter Haven, and ready to roll up my sleeves after Labor Day to do the everyday work of serving the Lord. On August 28, Amy Texley, a seminar- ian from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando kicked off a sermon series on "Serving from the Heart". Mrs. Texley served The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, when the curriculum, which forms the basis of this sermon series, was developed at that church. Across these 6 weeks, we will be exploring 6 themes that form the acronym "STRIDE": Strengths Talents Resources Individuality Dreams Experiences How does God use all of these aspects of our lives to call and equip us for ser- vice in the world as ambassadors for Jesus Christ? Together, we will explore that question and others in the next seven weeks. As a part of this sermon series, a daily devotion covering Monday through Saturday of the following week will be inserted into the bulletin, where you can add it to your three-ring binder from Lent. If you do not have one of those three-ring binders from the spring, then we have a lot more available in the Church Office and the Welcome Cen- ter. This special sermon series (especially the daily devotions) is being made possible by a grant from the Florida United Methodist Foundation through the Ware Trust that seeks to promote spiritual formation in congregations. I also want to share with you two causes of celebration from the work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. First, Jonah Burkett was hired as Director of Youth Ministry on August 8. Secondly, Amanda Green was promoted to Director of Preschool and Children's Ministry. Furthermore, the Preschool Board has ap- proved a plan to promote key preschool staff to provide assistance to Amanda, so that she can fulfill this dual role. These hires followed consultation with search committees for the respective children's and youth ministries leadership positions that were vacant for most of this summer. Moreover, David Sippel, a native son of St. John's, having grown up in the church, led an assessment process of chil- dren's and youth ministries of St. John's with a church consult- ing firm called Ministry Architects. Seventy-two members and constituents of St. John's participated in focus groups facilitated by Ministry Architects that culmi- nated in an assessment report, which provides clarity and direction for our min- istries to children and youth at St. John's. The full report is available in the church office and on the front page of the St. John's website. (www.sjum.org) Continued on page 8
Transcript
St. John’s United Methodist Church
1800 Cypress Gardens Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33884
863-324-6347
Good News
September
2016 Issue
09
Inside this issue:
Staff Directory and
Weekly Calendar 2
Special Days and many
opportunities just for YOU!!! 3
Project Love 4
Missions & Ministries; Shriners
Pull Tabs, Library News; ThankU 5
is Coming;
Volunteer Opportunities 6
Children’s Ministry & Preschool 7
ReaLife and Youth Happenings 7
Pastor’s Note & Project Love
Cont’d; Fall Stewardship M&M 8
Items from Archives 9
Health & Wellness: “September
is Fruit and Vegetable Month”
10 /
11
Come and Worship with Us! (Childcare is available for all
Worship Services Infant thru 4 years)
Sundays 8:30 am Foundation Worship Service
9:45 am Hospitality in CLC 10 am Sunday School
11 am Ignite Worship Service 11 am Children’s Church in Asbury
4 pm ALPHA 5:30 pm 180 Youth Group 7 pm Young Adults Group
Wednesdays
6 pm Wednesday Word
6 pm ReaLife Youth
David Averill
Dear St. John's,
Alesia, Daniel, and I enjoyed visiting family in Belarus the last couple weeks of August. Daniel got to spend time and play with his cousins. I am glad to be back in Winter Haven, and ready to roll up my sleeves after Labor Day to do the everyday work of serving the Lord. On August 28, Amy Texley, a seminar-ian from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando kicked off a sermon series on "Serving from the Heart". Mrs. Texley served The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, when the curriculum, which forms the basis of this sermon series, was developed at that church. Across these 6 weeks, we will be
exploring 6 themes that form the acronym "STRIDE":
How does God use all of these aspects of our lives to call and equip us for ser-vice in the world as ambassadors for Jesus Christ? Together, we will explore that question and others in the next seven weeks. As a part of this sermon series, a daily devotion covering Monday through Saturday of the following week will be inserted into the bulletin, where you can add it to your three-ring binder from Lent. If you do not have one of those three-ring binders from the spring, then we have a lot more available in the Church Office and the Welcome Cen-ter. This special sermon series (especially the daily devotions) is being made possible by a grant from the Florida United Methodist Foundation through the
Ware Trust that seeks to promote spiritual formation in congregations.
I also want to share with you two causes of celebration from the work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. First, Jonah Burkett was hired as Director of Youth Ministry on August 8. Secondly, Amanda Green was promoted to Director of Preschool and Children's Ministry. Furthermore, the Preschool Board has ap-proved a plan to promote key preschool staff to provide assistance to Amanda, so that she can fulfill this dual role. These hires followed consultation with search committees for the respective children's and youth ministries leadership positions
that were vacant for most of this summer.
Moreover, David Sippel, a native son of St. John's, having grown up in the church, led an assessment process of chil-dren's and youth ministries of St. John's with a church consult-
ing firm called Ministry Architects. Seventy-two members and constituents of St. John's participated in focus groups facilitated by Ministry Architects that culmi-nated in an assessment report, which provides clarity and direction for our min-istries to children and youth at St. John's. The full report is available in the
church office and on the front page of the St. John's website. (www.sjum.org)
Continued on page 8
Ministers All the Members of the Family of God 863-324-6347 [email protected]
Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose testing is offered,
between 9:30 &10 AM in the Church Library. On
the 3rd Sunday of each month for SEP it is the 18th
Pastor David will be hosting a Pastor’s Coffee in the
Library from 10 -10:45 AM. This will be on every second
Sunday. This is for new visitors, and members who bring
a friend interested in knowing more about the church.
Sunday, SEP 25th - Fourth Sunday of the Month
Third Monday of each month, on SEP 19th the
United Methodist Men (UMM) make and take
dinner to the boys at Anchor House.
September’s Special Days of Events and Opportunities
The United Methodist Women (UMW) are collecting the
following items now through Thursday, September 22nd to
send to UMCOR to go into their health kits and school kits.
This project is a joint effort with other Florida UMW.
Checks are also gladly accepted, made out to SJ-UMW
with info line “for UMCOR collection”. The items are:
For the health kits:
Comb (large and study) not pocket size
Nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or
no toenail clippers)
For the school kits:
Blunt scissors (rounded tip)
Hand held pencil sharpener (individual)
There will be a basket in the Narthex to put these items.
Thanks in advance for your help with this project.
ALPHA COURSE OPEN HOUSE
September 4th @ 4 pm
Got Questions about Life? Please join us for the ALPHA program
Meet and Greet in the Overflow Room
Items Needed For Belarus: through Sep 4th
Backpacks, Markers, Pens, Pencils
Starting on Wednesday, August 31 at 7 pm,
the choir for the Traditional service (8:30
am) will resume practices. Come join us if
you enjoy singing. We have a place for you
to share making a joyful noise each Sunday.
Monday, September 5th
Sunday, SEP 18th - Third Sunday of the Month
First Day of Autumn,
Thursday, September 25th
The Pumpkins are Coming! Saturday,
October 1st! Come help unload them.
Sunday, October 16th - A Taste of St. John’s
Ministry & Mission Fair (more info to come)
St. John’s office is closed
September 15th to
October 15th
Sunday,
Sep 11th
National
Thursday, Sep 22nd Meeting at 10 am in
the Overflow Room. Omeka Darbille-Moore
who worked with the children’s home in Haiti
and was instrumental with the medical sup-
plies will be our speaker. Reminder please bring the items
for UMCOR (see above), as we will be delivering them to
District meeting on Saturday, Sep 24th.
Sunday,
Sep 11th
Patriot Day
remember
9-11-2001
See page 6
and check
the weekly
Bulletins.
4 pm in Overflow Room
4 pm in Overflow Room
Good News 2016-09 Page 4
Field trip to
Explorations
Dear Friends and Supporters of Project Love,
It’s hard to believe that the end of Project Love’s third year, adjacent to Angel’s Care Center, is upon us. Everything is so
fast paced here, that time truly flies by! It’s hard to believe that three years have gone by, but when I reflect on everyone
whom we’ve served, all that we have accomplished and the many, many blessings that we have seen, few would believe
that this could have been done in three years. God has truly been in everything that has been done here.
Since we opened our doors on August 5, 2013, we have served 1,279 first time clients. This group of core clients have
made an additional 5,838 visits for a total of 7,117 visits. There were 3,297 visits alone for this year, more than the first
and second year combined. Since we are only open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.,
these numbers reflect why time truly goes by fast here. Our number one need continues to be food related. The number
two highest numbers have attended our classes that we offer, followed closely by those in search of clothing, shoes, school
uniforms, school supplies, furniture, household items, hygiene items, baby supplies, medicines, etc. We continue to have a
staggering number of senior citizen clients, many with dire needs.
With food being such a needed commodity, we are so fortunate that Publix, who is our main supplier of our donated
food, increased our monthly allotment from six to twelve pallets of canned and boxed food items. We also get quite a bit
of paper products from them, as well as some household and hygiene items. These items come from their damaged return
warehouse and are free of charge to us. A local trucking company picks them up and delivers them free of charge. We
are also thankful to receive additional canned and boxed food items from several church and civic groups, but only a few
of these help on a monthly basis. We keep a small pantry in operation for daily emergency food needs, but the third
Tuesday of each month is when the twelve pallets of food come from Publix. Our wonderful group of volunteers helps
unload the truck and bring the boxes into the building where they are unboxed, sorted and checked for dates, graded
out what is not good and re-boxed for distribution the next day. We are now distributing 120-135 boxes the third
Wednesday of each month. This is truly a huge undertaking that could not be done without our wonderful, dedicated vol-
unteers. Also on our distribution day each month, we receive 100-120 loaves of bread and a variety of pastries from the
Publix bakery located close to Davenport. These are also donated free of charge and are not even out of date yet. In
the spring of 2014, we were granted approval to shop at the Agape Food bank, a division of Catholic Charities, in Lake-
land. This was very exciting because we can now purchase frozen meat items as well as some fruits and vegetables to
add to our other food items. We are now purchasing approximately 700-800 pounds of meat and produce to add to our
food boxes each month. (Each client gets approximately 60 pounds of food and supplies each distribution day.) There is a
nominal charge for the things purchased at Agape and a local couple felt the call of God to supply funds that have al-
lowed us to make these purchases and continue to do so, to this day.
We have a variety of classes that we offer to our clients, including Bible study, beginning and intermediate sewing, quilt-
ing, loom-knitting, crocheting, cro-hooking, art (painting), seasonal crafts, dress for success, resume preparation, GED tu-
toring, finance and budgeting, individual and group counseling (taught by a Christian mental health counselor), self-
esteem, nutrition and seasonal vegetable gardening. We have a beautiful garden area at the back of the property and
a wonderful teacher who guides and helps our “green thumb” clients toward growing healthy fruits and vegetables. We
have been fortunate to have 27 wonderful and dedicated teachers, thus far, to teach our classes to date.
We have also been fortunate to have over 180 individuals and businesses that have provided monetary, tangible or in-
kind support to Project Love. Most of our support comes from donations of gently used clothing and household items. We
stock our closing closets with these donations to help our clients. Monetary donations are desperately needed to purchase
items that we don’t readily have.
Over 10,000 hours of time have been logged by our volunteers, (5,027 for this year alone), in addition to the time the
NOMADS spent here working on our building earlier this year. Our volunteers have served as teachers for our classes,
(continued page 8)
Page 5 Good News 2016-09
Please continue to donate items for the toiletry kits and first aid kits that we give to every patient, every visit. Special needs at this time are: washcloths, deodorant, small combs, disposable razors, quart size zip lock bags, and all items for Senior Bags that will help make older people's lives
happier and healthier. These are such a blessing to the people we serve, and Thank You!!!
Blanche Beall has the library up to date and organized. She is wanting to retire and is looking for someone to
donate a couple of hours per week for the job of librarian. She is willing to train them. If you are interested in
this position, please call the church office at 863-324-6347.
From Don Allen: Many thanks for saving those pull tabs turned in 61 pounds of tabs. We received a letter from the Shriners Hospitals for Children: "Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment regardless or the patients' ability to pay. Shriners’ Hospitals for Children relies on the generosity of donors like you to deliver this mission every day."
A thank you from my heart to all who provided meals, prayers, and good wishes to me during my present illness. Every good thought is helping me towards healing. Thank you each and every one.
I love and appreciate all of you. Hannah Phillips
We have decorated the Thrift Store for fall with lots of color and have things for everyone. The stock is continually changing, so please drop in and explore. Right now, we have some very nice furniture. Our hard work has given us a very good summer and we continue to
support the many missions that St. John's has, through the Mission Committee.
Many thanks for the response for the medical supplies for the Emmanuel Children's Home Foundation of Haiti you have been wonderful. Again, the congregants of St. John's have stepped up in a time of need. The "Bear
Ladies" donated twenty-five of their hand-made bears for the children to love.
Good News 2016-09 Page 6
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is in need of some new volunteers to help with the seasonal decorations of the sanctuary and narthex. Most of our work is done daytime during the week.
Pew Pockets
We need some new volunteers to help maintain the items in the pew pockets. The task takes about one hour any convenient time during the week for a month. Generally at least a year or more passes before you are called on again.
Handbells
St. John’s Ringers started up at the end of August. We would love to have some
new people join us. If you have never rung – we will teach you!
Altar Flowers
We are always in need of people to donate flowers for the altar in memory or honor of someone or some occasion. Each bouquet is $25. The sign up book is at the Welcome Center. Take a moment to look through
the book and pick out a special date.
ALPHA COURSE OPEN HOUSE Meet and Greet in the Overflow Room
Sunday, September 4th @ 4 pm
Got Questions about Life? Please come and join us for the program.
Bring a neighbor or friend.
This is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open, and informal environment.
No pressure! No follow-up! No Charge! No matter where you are in your Christian walk, there is something for everyone.
It will run for about ten weeks that includes a light meal, thought-provoking films, and
time at the end to share your thought with a small group.
Adults of all ages are welcome!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested and able to help with the following, please contact
Sue Umstead (863-324-3171) or the church office (863-324-6347).
Page 7 Good News 2016-09
ONGOING Weekly Youth MINISTRY - Come Join Us - WHERE WE GROW TOGETHER!
On Sundays Both 180 & ReaLife will be meeting in the youth room at 9:55 to 10:05 for some announcements & worship
Sunday School
10:06 am ReaLife Sunday School - Youth Room (212) - High School
10:06 am Middle School Sunday School - Youth Room (216) - Middle School
Youth Ministries - Designed for Outreach and Fellowship!
SUNDAY EVENINGS: 180 Youth Group (6th-8th grade) meet 5:30 to 7 pm in the CLC Gym Come enjoy some fun, food
and fellowship!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: in the Upper Room ReaLife (9th-12th grade) from 6 to 8 pm (new starting time) We share food,
fellowship, our thoughts and ideas as we explore components of Christian Faith with the Alpha video series.
PUMPKIN PATCH
Our annual pumpkin patch is approaching fast and we need all the volunteer help we can
get. Pumpkins will arrive Saturday morning on October 1st and we will need as many people as possible to
off load the truck. Then we need volunteers to sign up to cover shifts throughout the
month of October. Sign up posters can be found at the Welcome Center.
We are still in need of pallets so if you know of any source please contact Jonah at
From Amanda Green, Preschool Director and Children’s Ministry Leader 863-326-1638
Jonah Burkett, our new Youth Director at St. John’s UMC, recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a
degree in business. He has had a passion for ministry which led him to St. John’s. He served as a youth leader during his
time in Orlando, and felt God was calling him in to youth ministry. Jonah states "I grew up in Winter Haven. Coming to St.
John’s, with such a welcoming staff and congregation, is a blessing to me. I am excited to be here and excited to get to
know all of you!"
Project Love (continued from page 4)
working in all aspects of our food program, being “shoppers helpers” to our clients on food distributing day, “muscle men”
who carry out the boxes for our clients picking up and delivering donations here and to our clients, sorting and putting
away our donations in the appropriate areas, helping clients find needed items when they come here, handyman or fix-it
services, help with writing our “official” thank you notes, help with cleaning our building, etc. and the list goes on and on.
Project Love is a very busy place but our clients often tell us that it is a blessed place and they can feel peace and the
presence of God here. What better testament could we have than that! We want everyone who enters our door, whether
it is a client, volunteer or person who is providing donations to feel the love of God here. I truly am very thankful, to be a
small part of this wonderful ministry and look forward to the new blessings from God each and every day in this wonder-
ful place.
In His Service, Eugenia Barton
Good News 2016-09 Page 8
From the Pastor (continued from page 1)
I want to recognize the leadership of Pam Willis, who was St. John's interim youth coordinator for the summer, and Samantha Crawford, who was St. John's interim children's coordinator for the summer also. Undoubtedly, they were both instrumental in keeping these vital ministries going while various leaders discerned the future of age-level ministries at St.
John's United Methodist Church.
The future is a lot clearer now for our children's and youth ministries, and the Ministry Architects assessment report has laid out a clear plan for us to build on a strong foundation and legacy of sharing the love of Christ across all generations, from cradle to grave, at St. John's United Methodist Church. I am ready to follow that path, by the grace of God, to a
promising future here at St. John's United Methodist Church that God has in store for us. Are you?
Let's travel on that path together.
With Joy on the Journey, David
A Ministry Moment By Laura Moisa:
St. John’s is my home. I have no other home church other than this one. I was baptized here, confirmed here, grew up here, sang here, danced here, cried here, prayed here. These blue windowed walls are sacred to me because it has helped shape the person I am today. My nurturing started with my parents, but was watered by the body of St. John’s. Vacation Bible School, youth group, Celebrate Jesus missions, SHARE, and Key West missions are just a few ways the church has helped me learn and spread the word of God. Without this, I may have traveled down a dark and weary road. My
church, St. Johns’ UMC, in Winter Haven, FL, will always have a special place in my heart.
Do you remember playing with blocks when you were a child?
This year’s Fall Stewardship Campaign is based on Rev. James Harnish’s book
“Earn, Save, Give”. Rev. Harnish will be preaching on Sunday, October 23rd
which will be the start of the Fall Stewardship Campaign and will continue
through Commitment Sunday on Sunday, November 13th .
More to come in the weekly bulletins and next newsletter.
FALL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
Ministry & Missions:
the Building Blocks of
Good News 2016-09 Page 9
Archives is cleaning out some items from storage (see pictures below). If anyone would like any of them, let Sue Umstead
know and/or they will be available in the church hallway
1991 Choir Tour framed 1992 Choir Tour framed
John Wesley class work project
These five are from
Mt. Top
From Missions
Board
1-Haiti
2-Various
3-Florida
Groundbreaking
shovels from the
original chapel
and the new
sanctuary
Good News 2016-09 Page 10
What is Fruit And Vegetable Month?
In March 2007, the National 5 A Day program became the National Fruit and Vegetable Program and launched a new
public health initiative, Fruits & Veggies—More Matters. The new guidelines recommend two to six and a half cups of
fruits and vegetables a day or the equivalent of four to 13 servings. In addition to this goal, the program seeks to inform
everyone that eating fruits and vegetables can improve their health and reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases,
including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and macular degeneration.
What Can Eating Fruits and Vegetables Do For Me?
It’s essential to get a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet every day! Why? Because colorful fruits and
vegetables provide the wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals your body uses to maintain good
health and energy levels, protect against the effects of aging, and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.*
Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that may have health-related effects. However, they are not considered important
nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Many of the phytochemicals and other compounds
that make fruits and vegetables good for us also give them their color. It’s important to sample the complete color spec-
trum every day to get the full health-promoting benefits of fruits and vegetables.
Make Colorful Food Choices
Blue/purple fruits and vegetables contain different amounts of health-promoting phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins
and phenolics, currently being studied for their antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Include BLUE/PURPLE in your low-fat
diet to help maintain: a lower risk of some cancers*, urinary tract health, memory function, and healthy aging. Get blue/
purple every day with foods such as: blackberries, blueberries, black currants, dried plums, elderberries, purple figs, pur-
![Training Day Alesia[1][1][1]](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/55896558d8b42aa14b8b46ac/training-day-alesia111.jpg)
