Southport UMC Newsletter

Blest Be the Tie I won’t go into all the ways that God is helping all of us seize this moment and to live into the kingdom future that God has in store for us all.   Mostly because I don’t know all of them.   But I trust that God’s hand is upon us, working to bring to fruition the mission and ministry we all strive to fulfill.   I am excited about what Pastor Duane will bring to the community of faith and know that he has needed gifts for the church for such a time as this.   I am not worried about you or about me, since I know that God’s got this! So instead, let me simply say thank you.   Thank you for the privilege of serving as your pastor for these two years.   Thank you for the ways that you have responded to my ministry, in worship and Bible study, but also continuing to be active in mission in our wider community.   I know I didn’t create these ministries; they were here long before I arrived.   But as your pastor, I was pleased to...

Dear Friends, We are excited to be joining you soon.   The two of us met in Indianapolis, were married in Indiana, and have quite an extended family connection here.   It feels good to come home.   We’ve already begun to fall in love with the church.   It seemed like an instant connection with members of the staff and Leadership Team.   There are dynamic worship experiences at Southport UMC, opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship, and programs of service that help many people.   We are looking forward to being part of such a vibrant and active congregation.   We can’t wait to get to know you. Duane and Brenda Thompson

Be sure to join us Sunday, June 23, for refreshments between services as we wish Pastor Derek and his family farewell.  In his short two years at Southport United Methodist, Pastor Derek has impressed on us the importance of love as a focal point for our walk with Christ.  Jesus commanded us in Matthew 22 to “Love thy neighbor as thyself”, which is only superseded in importance by “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”.   While the news of Pastor Derek’s move came as a great surprise to all of us, the heart and prayer of our congregation should be that God will direct his path and future ministry as he joins the leadership team of the Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where he will be working to instruct new pastors in their roles in training others to make disciples that will Connect, Serve, Grow, Give, and Go!  Leadership Team

SOUTHPORT UNITED METHODIST YOUTH GROUP UNDERGROUND 5-7 PM ON SUNDAY EVENINGS SCHEDULE ·   6/2/19-Camp Moneto-NO Meeting ·   6/9/19-” DAD MADDERS”- Movie, Chicken Wings and dip + side dishes.  ·   6/16/19-Father’s Day-NO Meeting-T-Shirt Orders Close, $9.00 ·   6/23/19-FAMILY EVENT- Waterpark Outing-Freedom Springs, 3PM-6PM-tickets Greenwood Resident $8 adult, $6 child Non-Greenwood Resident $10 adult, $8 child   Sign Up and Fees Due by 6/9/19, We will have a shelter house inside the park.   Scholarships may be available, contact Pastor Doug in the church office by 6/9/19. ·   6/30/19-” SERVICE MATTTERRS”-Hot dogs and s’mores, Devotional and 9 -Square ·   7/7/19-4th of July Weekend-NO Meeting ·   7/14/19-Ice cream social at church.  Picnic style dinner with ice cream sundaes, devotional and frisbee games ·   7/20/19-SERVICE PROJECT-Mayor’s Veteran Appreciation Picnic, Meet at SUMC at 9AM, Sign Up by ...

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.

June 1 to 7 – Camp Moneto Mission/Retreat Trip June 3 – Financial Peace University begins, 6:45-8:30pm (through July 29) June 6 and 9 – Support Community Food Pantries June 8 – Ronald McDonald Team Serving at the House on IUPUI Campus June 9 – Fellowship Meal June 9 and 23 – Madison Avenue Health Care Worship, 1:30pm June 16 – Ronald McDonald House Team Serving Dinner at Riley Hospital June 20 – God’s Will Breakfast Team Serving at Fletcher Place Community Center June 22 – Backyard Bible Blast, 2:00 to 6:00pm FAITH PROMISE SUPPORTED MINISTRIE   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 Ronald McDonald House Ministries (RMH S...

It is always amazing how God presents additional opportunities for the disciples of Southport Church to serve using the gifts and passion with which He has blessed us An Update on PROJECT TRANSFORMATION improving CHILDREN’s literacy, social-emotional, and spiritual development through an out-of-school ministry led by college-age young adults COLLEGE STUDENTS invest in the lives of underserved children as they live in community, explore their calling, and develop as servant leaders CHURCHES reconnect and build relationships with their neighbors There are so many exciting aspects of PT designed around their vision.   SUMC will take small steps in 2019 to be involved in the ministry and to learn. Our hope is to grow and expand our abilities to serve the children in our community complementing how we are serving through our partnership with Homecroft Elementary. This year we will invite adults to be reading partners with children in three different UM communities: St. A...

June 14 (Flag Day) 7:30 pm 2110 E. Southport Rd (Next to Southport Antique Mall) ·   Participate in a 40 minute ceremony ·   Hundreds of flags will be “retired” ·   Color Guard entrance ·   Armed Forces Medley ·   Playing of “Taps” at conclusion ·   Refreshments provided     Flags to be retired can be taken between 10:00am and 3:00pm to Southport Municipal Center 137 Worman St. Southport, IN 46227 Or Perry Senior Services 6901 Derbyshire Southport, IN 46227 Flags to be retired can also be brought to ceremony Please bring a lawn chair

It’s time for us to update our photo directory.  We know you are all busy but our directory will not be complete without you!  Watch our bulletin, newsletter, and our website for more information.  You will be able to sign up online or call the church office to help you schedule your appointment today.  The professional photography session is from 2-9 in the Gathering Place on the following dates:                                                       Tuesday, July 9                                                     W...

But if we are the body.   Why aren't His arms reaching?   Why aren't His hands healing?   Why aren't His words teaching? Do you know that song by Casting Crowns?   If you do, I hope it is stuck in your head now because it is mine.   This song serves as a reminder that we are called to take care of each other, to make disciples, and that we must stay focused on being His hands and his feet in this world. The reason I bring this up is, recently several times it has been brought to my attention how we are the body, and by we, I mean Southport UMC. I recently went to an event that was a Christian based event.   The event was not just United Methodist, but open to all denomination, also there were people there from all over the state.   I was amazed that several people from our church were serving at the event in some capacity (I think I counted about 18).   This was particularly amazing to me because the event wasn’t in our back yard, it was 5...

Mayday!! Panic stations!   Not you, me.   Well, my household.   There is just a lot to be accomplished in the next month or so and the time is slipping away.   Plus, I am on the road some significant time this month.   So, it is a month of travel and transition, as well as a month of focusing on how I can be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. We’ve just begun our Disciple’s Heart series to end April, and now we’re ready to dig in and ask some serious questions about what it means to be a disciple.   There is a part of us that thinks that this is something we can set aside for a calmer time.   When we have time to focus on the things of faith.   When the busyness of this life occupies our thinking and our doing, we tend to put our walk with Jesus on a back burner.   It’s only natural to deal with what is right in front of us.   Once that is handled, then we can get back to the important things of life – like relationships with God a...

Psalm 8: 4-6   (NIV) What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands. Gen 1:28   (NIV) God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” In his Pocket Bible Commentary, William Neil says, “The psalmist speaks of man as the crown of creation (Ps 8), controlling the forces of nature, exploiting its natural resources. The author of this chapter (Gen 1) sees man’s status and function in the same way: privileged to run the world, but responsible and accountable to its Creator.” What we are talking about is stewardship, being good caretakers of all of God’s creation. The staff and leaders here at SUMC strive to be good stewards of this building, of your tithes and offerings, and of our environment. This building is in use every day and we use lots...

Less than three months until our workcamp/retreat!! Located in beautiful Brown County, Camp Moneto is our largest church campgrounds in Indiana! Again, we are going to lend our hands to help get this camp into great shape! Saturday, June 1st through Friday, June 7th, we will be lending our hearts, minds, hands, and time to help build, fix, clean, paint, and make welcome this camp to hundreds of youth, families, church groups, and individuals, to grow closer to Christ and each other! It will be an exciting time to see how we can be home missionaries and see how God can use us! It will be a time to grow in our faith through actions, study and prayer. What do you need to qualify for this experience? A willing heart and desire to serve Christ! Do you need to have any special skills or experience? No, just a willingness to learn from our volunteers and campground staff who will show you, in a safe way, what and how to do it! If you have special skills or experience, yes, we need you a...

SCHEDULE 4/21/19-Easter Sunday-NO Meeting 5/5/19-‘MOM MUTTERS’-Tacos and Chocolate Nachos, Crafts, Devotional, Yard Darts & Corn Hole 5/12/19-Mother’s Day-NO Meeting 5/19/19-‘FAMILY FATHOMS’-Game Night-Family Invited, Coney Dogs with Fritos’ on the side and dessert, Devotional 5/26/19-Memorial Weekend-No Meeting 6/2/19-Camp Moneto-NO Meeting 6/9/19-” DAD MADDERS”- Movie, Chicken Wings and dip + side dishes.  6/16/19-Father’s Day-NO Meeting 6/23/19-FAMILY EVENT-Picnic and Water Park at Freedom Springs-Bring a covered dish for picnic outside of water park picnic shelter 1PM, Stay Tuned for more details…. 6/30/19-” SERVICE MATTTERRS”-Hot dogs and s’mores, Devotional and 9 -Square 7/7/19-4th of July Weekend-NO Meeting 7/14/19-‘Ice Cream Matters’-MEET AT GREENWOOD LIBRARY-Picnic Sandwich Dinner, Frisbee Relay, Devotional and Mrs. Curl -bring money for treats 7/21/19-‘WATER BLAST’-Grilled Skewers and Pie, Devotional and Water Birt...

Summer is quickly approaching…. Check out our New Playground!! We are Thankful to our church members, boy scouts and cub scouts that joined us on two playground work days in April. A big shout out to all those who participated, your help was greatly appreciated.   The playground has been designed to accommodate children ages 3 and up on one side and infants and toddlers on the other. This allows for all our children to enjoy the playground at the same time. Our first event on the new playground will be our End of Year Preschool Celebration.   Organization of this event is currently underway, preschool teachers are planning our annual “IS INDY 500”. Children in preschool will come celebrate the last day of preschool and race in to summer. For the children who continue with us in June and July we plan a special summer with lots of exciting adventures, walking field trips, water day, bike day etc…   Our calendar allows our children to engage in a different activity eac...

All members that have attended an Emmaus or similar walk are welcome to join the group forming at Southport.  The goal of this group will be for fun and fellowship.   Last month we met to make AGAPE gifts for  the new Pilgrims group in April.  We would like to continue this activity.  Meetings would be every other month  June, August, October, December, February, April . More information to come in the June Newsletter

Thanks to all the people who helped make the Kairos weekends at the Plainfield Correctional Facility and Indiana Women’s Prison a success.  No matter whether you prayed, baked cookies, participated in the weekends, attended closing, made posters or placemats, cooked delicious meals, or did anything else, all your efforts were appreciated.  If you have never been a part of a weekend, you should start thinking about the fall.  There will be opportunities to serve in many ways for the weekends in October.  If you are interested, just let the church office know or make a note on the back of the attendance card.

The purpose of the United Methodist Women Circles is.... be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative supportive fellowship and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. United Methodist Women's groups have been around for 150 years this year.  What a joy to celebrate.  We are supporting each other through our service to the church and others in our community.  Rebekah Circle will be having a Pitch-in Luncheon on May 14th at 11:30am in the gathering area.  Come join this creative supportive time of fellowship. We expand our concepts of mission by being involved in many of the ministries in the church: Funeral dinners, greeting and ushering, God’s Will Breakfast, etc. We will again be SELLING NUTS STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.   Tell all your family and friends to order because this is one way we can support ...

Thank you for your donations for the April Food Collection.   For May our dates of collecting food are: Thursday, May 2 and Sunday, May 5 Our donations will go to Hunger, INC.  The pantry is located on Epler Ave. just west of Madison Ave. Items to donate:                     Diapers sizes 3 or 4                     Shampoos, toothpaste and Toilet Paper                     Variety of soups (not chicken noodle or tomato) You are the hands and feet of Jesus by helping feed the hungry. care as they work to regain their footing and find homes for their family. We have made a difference! Our next rotation for IHN family guests is September 29 through October 13.

Our Creation Care Team now meets the second Monday of each month in Rm W104.  We are discussing many of our ways to help YOU>>>>>THE CHURCH be better stewards of our GOD created EARTH.   Check out this website to see what is happening in Indianapolis to improve our energy issues. 21,000 Evangelicals Petition For 100 Percent Renewable Energy In Indiana The Creation Care Team wants you to know: 1. Tox Drop site in Perry Township is at 4925 S. Shelby St. and is open from 9-2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. 2. More sites available for recycling items are located at: indy.gov Then follow the steps below to get to the right tabs: Services (see all at the bottom of the page and click on the tab) Topics (click on at the top of the page)----Trash and Recycling----(click on the square labeled) Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off sites with times and dates. 3. The following Walgreen stores take Meds: 3455 Mann Rd., 180...

Many of our Interfaith Hospitality servants had the opportunity to meet the Baber family, Joseph Sr., Cierra and Joseph Jr. during the February rotation. We received this news from the Family Promise IHN Director and we celebrate with the Babers. “We are pleased to announce the Baber family moved into their new home today!  They entered the program at Southport UMC on February 5. Joseph was working at Wendy’s on the west side and Cierra eventually joined him in employment at Wendy’s, and they began saving.  Joseph Jr. had the horrible time of getting on a bus at 6:00am every day and back at 5:00pm, sleeping hours each day on the bus. We worked to find housing as quickly as possible, but the only places that would take them fast were in areas that Dad said, “I left a bad neighborhood; I don’t want to get involved with the same bad stuff.”  So he worked hard to find a mom/pop landlord on the west side that would accept them.  They kept the faith, waited it out—wh...

It is always amazing how God presents additional opportunities for the disciples of Southport Church to serve using the gifts and passion with which He has blessed us An Update on PROJECT TRANSFORMATION Improving CHILDREN’s literacy, social-emotional, and spiritual development through an out-of-school ministry led by college-age young adults COLLEGE STUDENTS invest in the lives of underserved children as they live in community, explore their calling, and develop as servant leaders CHURCHES reconnect and build relationships with their neighbors There are so many exciting aspects of PT designed around their vision.   SUMC will take small steps in 2019 to be involved in the ministry and to learn. Our hope is to grow and expand our abilities to serve the children in our community complementing how we are serving through our partnership with Homecroft Elementary. This year we will invite adults to be reading partners with children in three different UM communities: St....

May 2 and 5 – Support Community Food Pantries May 5 – Fellowship Meal May 11 – Ronald McDonald Team Serving at the House on IUPUI Campus May 12 and 26 – Madison Avenue Health Care Worship, 1:30pm May 16 – God’s Will Breakfast Team Serving at Fletcher Place Community Center May 19 – Pastor Woody Woodlin from Upper Sand Mountain Parish in Alabama at Southport May 19 - Ronald McDonald House Team Serving Dinner at Riley Hospital May 27 – Church Office Closed   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 Ronald McDonald House Ministries (RMH Saturdays: Paul Lucas, RMH Sundays: Jean Ann Myers...