New Book from Fred Zobel

One of our former Associate Ministers, Fred Zobel, has recently published a book entitled,  Please Remember My Name… At My Funeral and bring some Chocolate Chip cookies with you.  The book is divided into three parts with the first part about grief, several reflections on how we handle the loss of loved ones, a few observations about the clergy’s role in providing grief ministry, and some thoughts and ideas about the healing process and experience of both celebration and  mourning when a loved one dies. The other two parts contain several thoughts about events of the past along with several chapters about the full time RV lifestyle that Fred and Mary love and enjoy.  If you would like to purchase a soft cover book autographed by Fred ($12.00), please call him at 261-3568 and he’ll be glad to deliver it to you. Hard cover and soft cover and ebook versions can also be purchased via your local book store.

Leaders Needed for Girl Scouts

FUMC Girl Scout Troop 110 is in need of additional leaders to lead several age groups.  Commitment is only 4-6 hours a month, depending on the month.  Troop meets 2nd Sunday from 2-4 at the church; some extra events and some over the summer.  Position is Rewarding, Uplifting and Energizing.  Please contact Carol Tullius at 748-2308 or ctullius@yahoo.com if you are interested or just want to know more.”

Suit Yourself

It is that time again for those of us who volunteer at Suit Yourself.  We have the task of switching out our fall/winter season to spring/summer season.  During the year, we diligently work to sort out clothing from our donations, which are generously given to us.  For those of you who think of us, a BIG THANK YOU goes to you!

As spring is upon us, (although we never seemed to have made it to winter!) we are all cleaning out our closets and trying to get rid of “stuff”.   I would like to ask, those of you, who are considering giving clothing items to Suit Yourself, please keep in mind that our clients are between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age.  Our true need is items that are stylish, current, and classic.  More than likely, if you would put it in your garage sale or it is left over from a garage sale, we would not be able to use it.  Please take these items to one of the other charities where they could put them to good use.  If we get clothing that falls into this category, the time and effort that it takes to sort and go through these things, takes away from our service to our clients.

We do have a need for costume jewelry and shoes sizes 8 ½ and up.  Please if you make a donation:  Make them Only SPRING AND SUMMER ITEMS.  Also remember to make sure they are clean and preferably on hangers.

I want to invite anyone who would like to come and tour our ministry, to do so.  As of now, we are only open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12noon and 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  We are always in need of volunteers.  Please let me know if you would like to work with us.  We have a great group, have lots of fun while we are working and are very flexible when it comes to hours.  I can’t say that the pay is good but I can say that you will be blessed in many other ways!

Joe Harrell Men’s Breakfast

Wednesday Mornings at 7:00 a.m. in The Wright Place
Men of all ages, this is for you!  We have a mighty fine men’s Bible study, fellowship, and breakfast every Wednesday morning in The Wright Place.  (We will not meet the week of March 7th.  That week we will meet at First Presbyterian Church with their men’s Bible study/breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6.)  Other than that we will continue our study of II Corinthians which we have just started.  Different men lead the study chapter by chapter as they choose.  Our meetings last from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. (come 15 min. early for coffee and more fellowship).  You’ll quickly feel included!  Over the years there have been a lot of men with strong faith and lives to model participating.  Come and see!  Or check with our president, Ben Bell, at 429-1581.

Coming Events for Senior Adults

Festival of Wisdom and Grace: From Transition to Transformation
July 30 – August 2 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, NC
(Sponsored by Southeastern Jurisdictional Association for Older Adults)

American Queen Steamboat Trip up the Mississippi
Leaves on June 16 – We will leave New Orleans on the American Queen and travel up the Mississippi to St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and Oak Alley which we will tour.  The cost is determined by the cabin you select.  Flyers will be placed within the church with more information.  If you are interested, email Mary Stanley at darrellstanley@cox.net.  Look for flyers!

Juvenile Justice Reform and Warren Williams Update Email Group

If you would like to join the hundreds of concerned members of our church and community and receive email updates on the well being of Warren Williams plus information and suggestions on how we can make positive changes to the juvenile justice system in Florida and the US, please email Rick Branch or Jane Reich and ask to be added to the list.

Ushers Needed

We have a special need for 3rd Sunday ushers at the 11 AM sanctuary service!  Please call or email Rick Branch if you are available to help in this important ministry.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Conference

Our very active Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every Tuesday morning in the Stringfield Room of our Library. The items they create are blessed with prayers from our congregation and are given to individuals who are in special need of prayers. Debra Tallman, Director of Senior Adults, is the staff person to this ministry.

A special treat for Prayer Shawl Ministries across the Conference is a workshop at Blue Lake on February 29-March 2. The speaker for the conference is Roberta Bondi, retired professor at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has written extensively on prayer and is an accomplished knitter. She loves the knitting process so much she cards and spins her own wool!

Try to fit this workshop into your schedule even if you do not knit. Beginning knitting, tatting, crochet and “broomstick crochet” will be taught and you will be blessed by the Christian fellowship as Dr. Bondi leads participants into a deeper prayer life.