Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, In my last letter I shared that we were moving toward transforming the church library into a digital library and lending out Kindles that are loaded with various Christian literature offerings.   I am glad to let you know that the Kindle lending library is now available for use.   You can call the church office to inquire about the books that are available or to request a book to be purchased and downloaded to one of the devices.   When you borrow a Kindle it will be for a prescribed length of time, and there will be a borrowing agreement that will need to be read and signed.   The agreement just lays out the guidelines for the use of the Kindle.   If the kindle you are wanting is already on loan, then we will put you on a waiting list and you will be contacted when the kindle is returned. I am excited about this new possibility for sharing Christian resources.   I hope many of you take advantage of this opportunity. I also want to inform you that I will be ta

The 2014 – 2015 school year is already beginning!   So now is the time to renew our partnership with Homecroft Elementary School. Do you know that we partner with Homecroft Elementary School in the following ways? ·   After School Achievers Club – the last two years on Thursday afternoons, we have had     between 3 and 8 people go to Homecroft to help children with homework (and just be an adult role model to them). ·   H.O.P.E Mentor – Perry Township has a program called H.O.P.E. (Help Our Pupils Excel).   Last school year, we had 5 people that went to Homecroft during the day and volunteered 60 – 90 minutes to help in a class at the direction of the teacher.   The H.O.P.E. Mentor may help a specific student or may be involved with a small group of students, depending on the need of the teacher. ·   Religious Education – This year, we will be involved with the 4th and 5th grade Perry Township Religious Education classes through Homecroft.   There will be availability for

We are in the process of putting together the Journey Group offerings for the fall.   A Journey Group catalog will be available near the end of August. Signups will occur in September and Journey Groups will meet in the months of October through December. Use a Journey Group to build relationships with others and practice your faith story!

Starting Sunday 9/7/14, you will see some changes coming to Children’s Church.   Our vision for the changes is to create an environment that will allow the children to continue to grow in their faith in Christ and will so engage the children (and you the families) that the children will be encouraged and excited to come back week after week. If you are a parent of a child age 2 through 5th grade, please join us Saturday, August 16, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about these exciting changes and how we can be “orange.”   (Wait, what?   What is “orange?”   As Jesus said when he invited His disciples to join Him on His mission, “Come and see.”)   Please RSVP to the church office (784-9508, office@sumc.org ) if you plan to attend so that we know how many goodies are needed and how many children will be in childcare during the parents’ meeting.

In preparation for this year’s Student Ministry event, “One Body One Mission,” we are forming a team of men and women who were created by God to make a difference in young people’s lives. Our work will involve putting in place the plans and activities for the OBOM event, a daylong retreat on Saturday, October 4, 2014. Our next organizational meeting is Sunday, August 10, at 12:30 in the Gathering Place, lasting approximately 90 minutes. Snacks will be served. At this time we will be developing options for faith activities, opportunities for teamwork (games), an opportunity for serving (a service project), and an opportunity for creating (building project).   We will also form a kitchen team to prepare food during the event day for the adults and youth. For more information e-mail Kelcey Snyder, Student Ministry Director, at kelcey@sumc.org or Jerry Kidwell at office@sumc.org

Through your generous contributions to Faith Promise, we are sharing Jesus’ love in our community, across the nation, and in the world.   Faith Promise is “extra mile giving” in support of the church’s community and outreach ministries. Recently Faith Promise giving supported our Upper Sand Mountain Mission Team. The team of adults and youth, both skilled and learning, worked on homes preparing two for sale. They had many other tasks at other locations in this Alabama area. The team worked hard each day and interacted with others expressing the love of Jesus through their actions and words. During Vacation Bible School we welcomed children for five days and shared with them how Jesus’ love is one of a kind. Through a variety of activities, each child knew they were in a caring, safe, and loving environment with people who wanted them to know Jesus. This summer several children and youth had the opportunity to attend a Church Camp with the cost being shared by th