Carlson Connection
Whether you are a five-year old child, a ninety-five year old grandmother, a busy mom, or a businessman with big responsibilities, we invite you to be a part of our vibrant church community. We are longing for individuals who wish to learn, serve, and grow at Carlson.
Assimilation Team (A Team)
Help new members become involved, contact current members who haven’t been here lately to check on them and help bring them back to church. Members also visit patients at Oak Brook Nursing Home and send cards to people on our prayer list. The A Team meets the third Thursday of every month at 5:30 pm in the Annex. Everyone is welcome to join us. Call or text Patty Gruhn for more information at 402-312-6013.
Bulletin Folding Crew
Come to the office on Friday mornings to fold and stuff the Sunday bulletins. Call Royene Hankins at 863-675-4792 for more information.
Care & Compassion
This is a part of the A Team. Follow up with people on our prayer list, pray, send cards, call and/or visit. Organize meals and medical transportation as necessary. See the A Team listing for more information.
Children’s Team
Teachers and assistants for Wednesday nights (during the school year) and Sunday mornings (year round); various times and age groups available, including children’s church and children’s sermons. Contact Stephanie Williams for more information at 863-234-7101.
Chancel Choir
The choir sings traditional hymns and special music at the 8:45 am service. They also put on two concerts each year, on Palm Sunday and at Christmas time. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm and Sundays at 8:15 am. For more information contact choir director, Hannah Mary Perry at 239-271-4827.
Communion
Schedule communion servers. Set-up, serve and clean up communion. If you are interested in helping in this area, contact Kelli at the office, 863-675-0656.
Disaster Recovery Team
This teams creates our disaster recovery plan, attends trainings to assist in a disaster, and helps implement the disaster plan in an actual disaster (typically a hurricane). They also participate in the United Methodist Church’s Disaster Recovery Projects. For more information or to join this group, contact co-chair Margaret England at 863-517-0202 or co-chair Rowdy Howard at 863-675-2735.
Evangelism
This team reaches out to the LaBelle community, including making house calls to church visitors. For more information, contact Mark Lapp at 863-675-3146.
Greeters
Schedule and train greeters, serve as a greeter by welcoming people as they arrive on Sunday and assisting congregants as necessary. Contact Patty Gruhn at 402-312-6013.
Grounded in Faith
The Grounded in Faith coffee bar serves coffee and snacks on Sunday mornings. Contact Linda O’Ferrell if you would like to help serve, 863-673-4918.
Kitchen Angels
The Kitchen Angels plan menus, shop for food and paper goods, and cook and serve our meals on Wednesday evenings. Contact Julie Burke for more information, 863-675-2933.
Mary & Martha Funeral Ministry
The Mary and Martha Ministry is dedicated to providing solace and hospitality to members of our congregation during their time of loss of a loved one. The committee will provide food and a quiet time for the family and friends to gather together during this difficult time. The bereaved family simply needs to contact the church office to schedule. If you are interested in finding out how you can be a part of this ministry, contact Amber Vojak-Spencer at 863-674-0557.
Missions
Carson participates in missions in the local, national and global communities. See our Missions tab on our main menu for more information.
Operation Backpack
This is a weekly ministry benefiting elementary school children. Throughout the school year backpacks are filled with food by volunteers for students in need. These are distributed for weekends and holiday breaks. For more information on how to get involved contact Linda O’Ferrell at 863-675-3146.
Praise Band
The Praise Band leads our 11 am worship service. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 6:00 pm and Sundays at 9:50 am. If you an sing or play an instrument and are interested in joining the praise band, contact our Contemporary Worship Leader, David Cleveland at 863-253-1925.
Prayer Group
Carlson members join the residents of Moss Landing for a prayer group on Mondays at 10:30 am. The address is 900 Aqua Isles Blvd. H-34. If you would like more information, contact Mary McHenry at 239-994-1705.
Senior Adult Ministry
Once you get past fifty, the fun has just begun. Whether you are retired, still working, active or not, the over-50 group at Carlson provides events and outings to hang with people your own age. The over-50’s Mentoring Ministry also gives older believers a chance to meet with and help younger believers grow in Christ. This group is currently without a leader. If you are interested in leading or co-leading this group, please contact Kelli at the office at 863-675-0656.
Sewing Angels: Prayers and Squares Chapter 1217
The Sewing Angels meet twice a month on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm in the Annex. (check the calendar for which weeks) You are invited to help with various projects even if you don’t sew. The Angels have made laundry bags and pillow cases for the Florida UM Children’s Home, prayer quilts, and other projects. Donations of fabric are always appreciated. For more information contact Kathy Heidenreich at 954-682-4063. They also have their own Facebook page: UMC Carlson Sewing Angels.
Small Groups
Often, small groups of people are better able to interact and learn about a topic than larger groups. For that reason, Carlson holds small bible studies on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings and even in members’ homes at other times. The size of most groups is anywhere from six to twelve. If you would like to know more about the groups that are meeting, or would like to start your own group, contact Patty Gruhn at 402-312-6013.
Stephen Ministry
After receiving 50 hours of specialized training, Stephen Ministers are able to serve as a spiritual mentor to a care receiver. They can help people who are going through a divorce, job loss, death of a loved one, or someone just questioning their faith. If you would like the help of a Stephen Minister, or would like to train to be a Stephen Minister, please contact Margaret England at 863-517-0202.
UMCOR Sager Brown
Each year a group from Carlson join a group from First United Methodist in Orlando to spend a week in Baldwin, LA. Preparing disaster recovery packets that are distributed through out the world in times of need. For more information contact Phil Keyes at (863) 675-3813
United Methodist Men
The UM exist to declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life. Men’s ministry leads to spiritual growth through service. They meet the first and third Thursday each month at 6:00 pm. They gather to pray, study, eat and work together. They also cook their “World Famous Chicken” at various church functions throughout the year. The chicken dinners and work projects provide opportunities for strengthening their bond with Christ and each other. New members are always welcome. Contact Eric Baker at 863-675-3301.
Ushers
Ushers are scheduled each Sunday. They hand out bulletins, assist congregants as needed, collect the offering, and count attendance. If you are interested in serving, contact Diane Moss at 941-456-6133.
Worship in Motion
This dance & flag team provides visual expressions of worship during our contemporary service at 11 am on Sundays. Rehearsals are at 10 am on Sundays. If you are interested in joining these girls, contact Judy Lapp at 863-675-3146.
Worship Team
This team decorates the sanctuary and altar for different seasons of the church. They plan the worship services and coordinate special parts of the service with related groups like the choir, liturgist, ushers, video, etc. To be a part of this team, contact Diane Moss at 941-456-6133.
Your Ministry Here!
We believe everyone who comes to be a part of Carlson brings talents and gifts with them. We want to be a place where you can create and lead a ministry of God’s choosing for you. Our vision is important to us and we look to have ministries that help us grow in the Lord in any of these four areas: worship, study, service, mission/ministry to neighbor, community and the world. Please contact Pastor David Mullins at 863-675-0656 or Lay Leader, Jim Sloan at 863-675-0650 if you are interested in starting a new ministry.