Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, During the month of May we had two town hall meetings for the purpose of sharing      information about new directions for staff at Southport United Methodist Church.   All of you should know that Pastor Chris Stephens has been appointed to be the lead pastor at Kendallville Trinity United Methodist Church.   Pastor Chris, Michelle and Robert’s last Sunday here at Southport UMC will be   June 14.   Pastor Chris will be preaching his final sermon at SUMC that week.   I encourage each of you to be present to hear that sermon and to express your appreciation for Pastor Chris’ ministry and to give him and his family a loving send-off. As it was shared in the town hall meetings, Southport UMC will not receive another appointed pastor as an associate.   Instead we have hired a Director of Missional Outreach.   The person filling that position will be Jason Young.   Jason has served as the chairperson of the Leadership Team for several years and serves on several Cen

The JUBILEE MINISTRY TEAM is preparing for a special Christmas in July and will be a Next Step on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings during the month of July.  In the January newsletter you may have read the article about Jubilee spreading its wings and having a season of Jubilation in 2015. We will continue to provide gifts, food, and personal care items to 25 Perry Township families on Jubilee Christmas day, Saturday, December 12. Information will be at the Next Steps table. We know that family and children’s needs aren’t only during the holidays. So we choose to share the good news of Jesus throughout the year. With the input of school social workers, nurses, and staff, we are learning effective ways we can lend support and address needs.  A second component of Jubilee’s Christmas in July is offering opportunities for you to   contribute to the identified needs given to us by the schools. More information will be at the Next Steps table with suggestions listed on

Reservations are now being taken for a day trip with the JOY (Just Old Youth) Travelers August 13.   (If you received an earlier pamphlet with an August 15 date, that was a typographical error.)   Madison, Indiana, is the destination.   Lunch will be at the Clifty Inn, on the ground of Clifty Falls State Park. The deluxe motor coach will depart from and return to the Southport Church of the Nazarene.   Cost for the ride is $20 per person.   Lunch and any other optional expenses are on your own. Seniors from many local churches have thus far attended previous trips, which included visiting the Underground Railroad Museum and Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati, having lunch on the Belle of Louisville, visiting the Falls of the Ohio, and attending a matinee performance of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Derby Dinner Theater. If you are interested in attending the Madison trip, please contact the church office for more information.   Reservations are made on a first –com

Boy Scout Troop 39, a ministry of SUMC, is collecting flags again this year to be honorably retired in the flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.  The event will be at the Southport Park off Derbyshire Road. If you have an American Flag that is worn, torn, tattered, soiled or in need of being honorably retired, we will be happy to take care of your flag.  You can place them in the black plastic container in the coat room area, contact Bill Holzer for pick up, or bring with you to share in the retirement.   All flags collected will be folded and retired with the respect they deserve. If you plan to attend the ceremony, as you enter the park off Derbyshire Road, you will be directed where to park.  Bring your family, folding chairs and blankets to the event.  Respect for our American Flag will show appreciation for those who have sacrificed for our freedom.