Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, There is a funny story about a mother and her son, about six years old, walking through the parking lot of the church they attended.   And there was some construction going on at the church, I’m not sure what, but it left the parking lot a mess, dirty, muddy.   The little boy asked his mother why there was dirt, and she said, “Because they’re working on the church.”   So, the boy asked, “Well, when will the church be finished?” It was a natural question for the little fellow.   In his childish mind, he just assumed that the church is a building, and that you should eventually be done working on it, it should be finished at some point. We know it doesn’t quite work like that.   There’s always something to do on any building.   Here at Southport UMC, I know that you’ve successfully raised the funds needed to replace the HVAC system so that this wonderful church facility will remain comfortable and inviting.   Work on that will begin soon, I understand. But the

Summer is off to a great start. The children have been enjoying the fun filled summer schedule: Movement Monday- Outside running, jumping   and skipping. Tidal Wave Tuesday- Play day with water, sprinklers, water balloons etc… Worship Wednesday- Mr. Brandon teaches a worship lesson thru gardening. The children also get to sample for snack the things they grown in the worship garden. Trekking Thursday- We like to walk to Southport Park, Dairy Queen, and even Long’s Free Wheelin Friday- The back parking lot transforms into a super highway and the children ride bikes, scooters etc… for a fun filled day. The children that are 2 yearrs and under enjoy the same activities just on a much smaller scale.   Please check out our new playground at the East end of the building, volunteers have been busy putting up playground equipment, spreading mulch, installing fencing and many other things. We are VERY appreciative of those folks that have helped out. Have a Happy 4th of July!

SCHEDULE ·   7/7/19-4 th of July Weekend-NO Meeting ·   7/14/19-‘Ice Cream Matters’-Picnic style supper, Ice Cream Treats at Dairy Queen-Bring Money for treats-Permission Slips REQUIRED, Frisbee Relay, Devotional ·   7/20/19-SERVICE PROJECT-Mayor’s Veteran Appreciation Picnic, Meet at SUMC at 9AM, Sign Up by 7/14/19-LIME GREEN T-SHIRT DAY, wear if you have-please, open to entire church and RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   7/21/19-‘WATER BLAST’-Grilled Skewers and Pie, Devotional and Water Birthday Party games ·   7/28/19- ‘LARNIN MATTERS’-Corn dogs and tater tots, Devotional and Relay Races ·   8/2/19-EVENT-Lock-In at SUMC, FAITH, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN—START TIME, TO BE DETERMINED-YOUTH WILL SERVE AT HOMECROFT EVENT, WILL MEET AT CHURCH FIRST,   Family Breakfast in the Underground at 9am on 8/3/19, Sign Up Due by 7/21/19, RHUMC Youth Group invited ·   8/4/19-Parent Meeting at 11AM in the Underground ·   8/4/19-‘Faith and Friends’-Casserole Night, Devotional and Board Game

You may or may not know that in the past, Southport United Methodist Church has been able to offer a small scholarship to assist with college expenses.   The scholarship was made possible by some past members of SUMC:   Mary & Riley Lynch. We haven’t been able to offer the scholarship for a few years but are able to do so again. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Pastor Doug in the church office. Application deadline is July 15th, 2019.   A decision will be made at that time so there can be no applications accepted after that date.

Since 2012, a significant number of people from SUMC have been involved in Kairos Prison Ministry.  Some have also been or currently are weekend leaders, state officials, and even an international officer. In October and November, there are many opportunities to serve, both inside and outside the prison walls.  Team formation is in the process for three inside facilities where SUMC members serve.  The first is Indiana Women’s Prison, October 3-6, followed a week later by Plainfield Correctional Facility for men, October 10-13.  A third is Rockville Correctional Facility (women) October 31-November 3. There will be a ministry table at church July 11 and 14 as well as August 22 and 25.  Check those out to find all the different ways to serve as well as how to sign up to attend a closing. While Christ is the true leader of the ministry, former team leaders from SUMC include Connie Klipsch, Sarah Holwager, Bill Holwager and Walt Trammell.  This fall’s leaders are Billie Hunteman

We had 28 people (12 youth) participate in this year’s Camp Moneto mission/retreat trip.   (See list below.)   Thanks to all who participated.   Because Camp Moneto is so close, we had people who commuted to work several days.   We had people that came and stayed the night for a few days and we had people who stayed the entire time. We had a great time with our study in the evenings.   I want to commend our youth for participating (a lot) when we had discussion.   This was tremendous.   During the day, we did the following tasks:   asphalt patching; roof destruction, cleanup and rebuild; deck(s) destruction and rebuild; cleaning cabins; power washing decks; some carpentry work; cleaning moss from the sides of buildings; trail and other brush clearing; electrical work; drainage work to prevent basement flooding.   Did I forget anything? This work can’t be done without volunteers.   But, if they could pay for the work we did this week, a very rough guess is that we saved the camp o

It is always amazing how God presents opportunities for the disciples of Southport Church to serve using the gifts and passion with which He has blessed us JULY OPPORTUNITIES Provide back to school needs for children – Christmas In July From July 4 through 28 visit the Christmas in July ministry table in the Gathering Place Take one or more tags from the boards, make your purchases and return them to church and you will have shared your time and resources so that children from our community who attend Homecroft Elementary will have what is needed for back to school. Provide food, drinks, prizes, gift cards so that families can enjoy a community festival at no cost When you visit the Christmas in July ministry table you will have options to purchase food items, drinks, game prizes for families to enjoy at the Community Festival and Movie Night at Homecroft on August 2. Talk with a Festival leader and find out how you can participate in preparing for the Festival, help at

July 4 and 7 – Support Community Food Pantries July 7 – Community Meal in the morning and Church Picnic at 12:15pm July 4 to 28 – Christmas in July Supporting Homecroft Back to School and Community Festival Movie Night July 14 to 20 – Mission Team to Upper Sand Mountain Alabama July 14 and 28 – Madison Avenue Health Care Worship, 1:30pm July 18 – God’s Will Breakfast Team Serving at Fletcher Place Community Center July 21 – Ronald McDonald House Team Serving Dinner at Riley Hospital July 27 – Ronald McDonald Team Serving at the House on IUPUI Campus FAITH PROMISE SUPPORTED MINISTRIES   Thanks to your faithful contributions the following ministries continue Blood Drive Sundays (contact the church office) August 11, November 17 Interfaith Hospitality Network Serving Homeless Families (IHN) (Leaders: Paul and Maggie Lucas) September 29 – October 13 Clothing Drive in August Jubilee Ministry (contact the church office) Christmas in July and December Ronal

Please signup today to get your family photo taken for our new directory.   We still have plenty of openings.   Just go to our website and you can sign up or call the church office at 317-784-9508 and we can sign you up.  

Okay, do you want the good news or the bad news first?   I recently ran across a cartoon of two cavemen and one caveman said to the other, “The good news is I invented fire today.   The bad news is I burned dinner.”   That kind of sums up this finance article, I have some really great news to share with you, but I have to pair that with a warning not to burn dinner. The good news is you did an AMAZING job on raising funds for the Congregation Comfort Campaign!   You gave over $30,000 to be used for the new HVAC units in the Worship Center.   That is an astounding job and we thank you for your generosity. Now, I must share a word of caution.   I do not want this in any way to take away from the previously mentioned praise.   However, I must bring this up or I am simply not serving you well as your Financial Officer.   We saw a drastic drop in budget giving in May (that’s your regular tithes and offerings).   May’s budget giving dropped 18% from the monthly average thus far thi