Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, As I am writing this letter, it is the Monday morning after Easter Sunday.   It was a wonderful day of worship and celebration.   Christ is risen and we celebrated that reality with abandon.   Unfortunately, when the balanced calendar spring break (which is two weeks instead of the    traditional one) encompasses Easter, many people from the church and the community are absent due to travels.   However, in spite of that fact, I noticed something very interesting this Easter.   With the large number of people who were traveling, the 10 and 11:15 services were full.   I saw many people who were guests from the community.   In addition to that, there was a wonderful atmosphere of spiritual seeking and openness.   After services I heard many stories of how people had been moved to tears and that the worship had touched them deeply.   As I delivered the morning message, I sensed an extreme openness to how the message of the risen Christ can change and transform lives

Through Family Promise’s Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), homeless families find secure places to stay while they recover from their current condition. Congregations      throughout the city open their doors to serve families, offering that warm, safe environment. Sunday, April 3 -10 (note date change), we are the people these families count on. We have many opportunities to serve our guest families with the greatest being present, sharing Jesus’ love.   Please contact the church office for more information, sherry@sumc.org or 784-9508.

Southport United Methodist Church and Boy Scout Troop 39 and Pack 39 are working together to fill the shelves at Fletcher Place Food Pantry so that hundreds of people can be fed. Donations will be collected through April 19. The center services the southside of Indianapolis and is located in the Fountain Square area.  Items Needed Beans and Rice                       Pasta and Spaghetti Sauce Peanut Butter and Jelly           Old Fashion Oats 15 Bean Soup                        Mac & Cheese Canned Tuna                          Toilet Paper                                               Bag of fresh apples Bag of fresh potatoes, onions, or carrots           Variety of Canned Fruit (in own juice/ no sugar added) Variety of Canned Veggie (low sodium or no salt added) Canned Tomatoes (diced, sauce, stewed, etc. no salt added)

BLOOD DRIVE – SUNDAY, APRIL 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Gathering Place The Blood Center staff will return April 10. We have committed to quarterly drives; so mark your calendars for August 7 and November 20 also.   Our blood drives are open to all. Invite family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to give the gift of life on any and all of the above dates.   UNITING WITH THE CHURCH – MONDAY, APRIL 11 7:00 p.m. in the Office Conference Room Pastor Mark shares the mission and vision of Southport United Methodist Church, the    difference between being a “member” and being a “disciple,” and how each person is called to ministry. Would you like to make Southport your church home?   Please plan to attend the next “UNITING WITH THE CHURCH” session Monday, April 11, at 7:00 p.m.   Child care is   provided by request. Call the church office, 784-9508, or indicate your desire to attend on your registration card.   The next session is May 9.

TOWN HALL meetings have been scheduled for Thursday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 12, for communicating exciting updates on ways we will be connecting even more with our community. These Town Hall sessions are open to everyone, and the same information will be         communicated at both. Please plan to attend one of the two so that you are current with our missional outreach news.   Ministry Leaders – All Ministry Leaders are invited to a special town hall session on     Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m.   We will cover the same material as above with additional     training for you and your teams.

Come join Troop 39 and Pack 39 – Ministries of SUMC – as they partner with other available SUMC Youth to have a workday on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will be addressing outside maintenance and upkeep of bushes, trees, mulch in the     playground, resetting cement barriers, fence lines and cleanup on all of the SUMC properties.   Any skill level is welcomed to partner and support youth and fellow members. We will be meeting at the church at 9:00 a.m., then plan to work until we have addressed identified items to be taken care of – hopefully less than four hours.   Good weather and the more volunteers available will lighten the load for everyone.   If you have some hand tools and gloves you would like to use and share, please bring them. Your support to maintain our properties will be accomplished with your help.   You will be sharing time with youth and others interested in providing an inviting and safe place to worship. If you have any que