NEWS & NOTES
ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO ASSIST AT THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER
When the temperature dips, LaBelle opens a warming station where people can get a hot shower, a blanket and a warm place to sleep for the night. There is a need for volunteers to assist in 4-6 hour shifts. Call Margaret England at 863-674-0695 for more information.
FINANCE UPDATE
The Finance Committee would like to make you aware of some extra needs in our General Fund. In the last few weeks, we have had maintenance expenses as well as some once-a-year expenses that have come due. Also, November is a month that will have three payrolls this year. Would you prayerfully consider giving a little extra to meet these needs. Thank you for giving to the Lord.
FALL “N” FUN CELEBRATION WINNER
The winner of the “guess the number of candy corns in the jar” is Julie Burke. There were 671 candy corns in the jar and Julie only missed it by 4 with a guess of 675. Julie wins the jar of candy corn and a $15 gift card to Dunkin Donuts. Congratulations Julie!
SUNDAY BULLETIN HAS GONE DIGITAL
Did you know that the Sunday Bulletin is available on the app? Open the app, click the three bars at the top to access the menu and you will see the Sunday Bulletin as well as the calendar, Wednesday dinner menus and much more!
MAYARI PRESCHOOL AND CUBA SISTER CHURCH UPDATES
The Christian preschool at the Methodist Church in Mayari, Cuba has opened. Carlson will be sending t-shirts for the staff and play parachutes in November.
Our sister church in Sagua, Cuba is praying for funding to be sent to replace their console which is beyond repair.
Please lift these requests in prayer. To donate to these projects, designate your funds “Mayari Preschool” or “Cuba Sister Church.”
Stephen Ministry Training
To learn more about Stephen Ministry training attend the first training session on Sunday, October 21 from 3-5 pm in the Annex. Classes will continue through March 2019 with holiday breaks.
On completion of the 20 sessions, participants will be given the opportunity to be commissioned as a Stephen Minister. Contact Byron Smith, Patty Gruhn, or Margaret England for information.
“Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life” POSTPONED
From January through March the study “Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life” will be offered on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:00 pm for anyone who wants to experience Christian caregiving skills to use at home, workplace or relationships.
“Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life”
This five-week course is for any Christian who wants to be lead through the experience of learning about their Christian caregiving gifts. Sundays 2:00 – 4:00 pm beginning October 21. For more information, contact Margaret England, Patty Gruhn or Byron Smith. You can sign up in the Narthex.
GREETERS
God may be calling you to be a greeter. If interested, please call Hannah Mary Perry at 239-271-4827.
FINANCE NEWS
The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund has had several recent requests for assistance. This is a designated fund and is replenished only by specific gifts to that line item. As the Lord lays on your heart, please consider a contribution to assist with benevolent needs. (Donations to this fund must be marked on your check or envelope.) Also, the air conditioner in the balcony is no longer working and needs to be replaced. This can be done with the Capital Expense line, which is a budgeted item. However, as you are aware, our Current Expense fund needs to be built up, after the summer lull. If you are able to give extra to current expense, it will allow us to accomplish this major repair, as well as some other things needing to be done. Thank you for giving to the Lord. (Designate general fund on your check or envelope.)
Wednesday Nights @ Carlson
Wednesday Nights @ Carson will return on September 5th. Wednesday evening class descriptions and menus are under the worship tab. The Kitchen Angels are gearing up for another great year of dinners. If you are interested in organizing one of the weekly meals let the office know. You would need to plan the menu, shop for ingredients and oversee the volunteers who will help you cook and serve the meal.
Free Ink Cartridges
The church has accumulated ink cartridges that it no longer needs. If you can use any of the following ink cartridges, you can pick them up in the office during office hours.
HP – 29 black, 49 tri-color, 57 tri-coor, 93 tri-color, 94 black, 98 black
CANON – BCI-21 black, BCI-21 tri-color
LEXMARK – 41-42 black/tri-color
OFFICE DEPOT – substitute for HP 58 photo
Hurricane – Special Needs Shelter
I know that we are still recovering from Irma, but the 2018 Hurricane Season is upon us. If you or someone you know will need a special needs shelter in the case of a hurricane, you MUST register in advance. Click below to register. Online Registration for a Special Needs Shelter
These are websites that you may find useful.
The United Methodist Church
The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
Chuck Knows Church ~ Cute videos explaining just about everything
you would want to know about the church, but were afraid to ask.
Weekly Bible crossword puzzles
The website of the little book you love
Daily devotions and more
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Child Protection Training Class
This is mandatory training for anyone working with children or youth in our church, including VBS.
Contact the office for information about online training.
CPR / AED TRAINING
Tuesday October 29 @ 7pm
Jeff Burton will be teaching a CPR with AED class at Carlson in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 payable at the class for book and ASHI-Approved Certification Card (2 years). Registration limited to 19 participants. (couples may share one of the 19 mannequins). To register contact the church office or Margaret England 863-517-0202.