Holy Week Events at EUMC

April 2022 Monthly Publication

I pick up rocks.

I’m not a rockhound because that would make me an expert on the rocks I pick up. I am merely a collector of rocks…rocks from important places.

I have a rock from Little Round Top, the Gettysburg high ground where many believe the turning point in that battle and in the war occurred.

I have one from Huffman Prairie in western Ohio, where the Wright Brothers tested and perfected their flying machines.

I have one that was salvaged from the Titanic wreck site (a piece of coal) and a rocklike piece of the Berlin Wall that came tumbling down.

I have one from the shores of White Fish Point, Michigan, near where the Ed- mond Fitzgerald went down and one from Alcatraz, otherwise known as “The Rock.”

I have one from the grassy knoll in Dallas and one from the driveway of my childhood home.

I collect rocks.

Funny thing about rocks: when you pick them up like I do, you realize there’s no such thing as a bad looking rock. It can be the ugliest rock in existence, but if you found it on the 18

green at St. An- drews, and you’re a golfer…it’s the most beautiful rock in the world! (By the way, good luck finding a rock on the 18

green of St. Andrews!)

I’m not sure what it is about rocks that intrigues me. Maybe it’s the fact that it was there where that “event” happened² or maybe just that it was there when I visited. Nevertheless, it’s more about the place than the rock. The rock allows me to take a piece of that place with me² makes me feel more connected to a histo- rychanging event.

Rocks are a focal point of our faith as well. Try doing a search on “rock” in your Bible software and look at the varie- ty of references that appear. 149 times

ROCKS

Continued on Page 2

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VOLUME XIII, ISSUE IV

our English word “rock” comes up in the Old and New Testaments. These refer- ences most often set “rock” in the context of the steady, sure, rocklike God that we have.

So, imagine the Disciples’ horror when this “Rock,” whom they had come to know as Messiah and friend, is arrest- ed, tried, found guilty and then submitted himself to a cruel death on a cross. Not very “rocklike” to say the least.

So, Jesus redefined “Rock..”

No longer heavyhanded and selfsure but humble and gentle. No longer needing to control but able to relinquish control.

“Rock” no longer means a stiff upper lip but one who is not afraid to be vulnerable.

It’s the rockredefinition the world had been waiting for!

Yes, I pick up rocks.

But now The Rock picks me up. He picks us up. He carries us to remind us that He is there. That He won’t leave us.

That He won’t forsake us. That He won’t fail to Love us. That He will do what it takes to redeem us. That He won’t ever give up on us. And that He has a plan for us!

Talk about a Historychanging event…

You are Loved,

Pastor Vic

Holy Week Events at EUMC

April 10,

Palm (Passion) Sunday Worship with the

procession of the palms

April 14, Maundy Thursday, 7:30pm Reenactment of the Last Supper (Sanctuary)

April 15, Good Friday, 7:30pm Good Friday

Service (Sanctuary)

April 16, Saturday,

10:00amNoon Easter Egg Hunt

April 17, Easter Sunday Resurrection Worship, 8, 9:30 & 11am

Continued from Page 1

PAGE 3 MESSENGER

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV

No matter where the wind blows…

In Christianity Today Magazine, published some time ago, Philip Yancey shared the confession of his fatherinlaw. He says that this fatherinlaw had been a lifelong Bible teacher and a man of deep faith, that is, until the final years of his life. A few years before fatherinlaw died, a neurological disease struck him. That made him bedridden and unable to do most things he enjoyed. On top of that, his thirtynine yearold daughter came down with a rare form of diabetes ravaging her life. Then, on top of that, financial pressures came crushing down to the point that it all seemed to come to a head one Christmas.

His fatherinlaw sent out a letter to the family saying, “Over the years I have taught the Bible, and I have clung to all kinds of beliefs, and now I find my faith shattered and shaken to the point where there are only three things that I know with any certainty anymore.” Then he listed them: “The first, life is difficult;

the second, God is merciful; and the third, Heaven is a sure thing.”

Like Philip Yancey’s fatherinlaw stated, life is indeed difficult. But no matter how difficult life may be, even when the wind blows hard in life’s journey, God is still merciful, and there is always hope for Heaven.

Famous orator and preacher Charles Spurgeon was out for a walk in the country one afternoon. He came upon a farmer’s barn with a weathervane on the roof and saw the words at the top of the weath- ervane, “God is love.” Just then, the farmer came out, and Spurgeon asked him, “Do you mean to say that God’s love is as changing as the weather?” The farmer smiled and said, “Not at all. I mean to say that no matter where the wind blows, God is love.”

Oh, how not to agree with the wise and faithful farmer. What a blessed assurance. No matter where the wind blows… God still is love, and God still caresses our wounds with assurance. We know that we tend to feel more significant anxiety and even greater love when our children are in pain or suffering for those of us with children. Likewise, when we are in pain, God shares in the pain; when we are hurting, God hurts with us; when our hearts are wounded, God gets wounded. Leave all your wounds to God right this mo- ment. God will caress your wounds, bandage them, treat them, and heal them.

No matter how hard the wind blows… God is love. After witnessing the crucifixion of their master, disciples were hiding behind the locked doors. Disciples were trembling with fear of ending up the same fate as their master. The Risen Christ came and stood among them in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” As the disciples had seen his hands and side, Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.”

This is our assurance that Jesus initiates peace with us. We do not initiate peace with Jesus by our actions.

Jesus says, “I will be with you, always!” He says, “Peace be with you,” even amid our fears. No matter where the wind blows, God will always be with you.

Joyful Peace, Always…,

Pastor Bo

A WORD FROM PASTOR BO

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV MESSENGER PAGE 4

Music & Fine Arts Scholarships

The Williamson Music and Fine Arts Fund has monies available for scholarships in the areas of drama, music, all areas of art and dance. Scholarships may be applied to pri- vate lessons, camps in the area of concentra- tion, college expenses, etc.

For further information, contact chairper- son Pam Heady at [email protected] or Director of Music Fonda Davies at:

[email protected].

Ms. Amy’s Adventures

February 22222 we celebrated with Tu- tu’s and Ties. This was so fun and the kids loved getting dressed up and celebrating the number 2! Last month that little leprechaun came but we were una- ble to catch him. He did leave a bit of a mess in the school for us to clean up. Lots of GREEN everywhere. On Ash Wednesday we were so blessed to have Ms. BethAnn come over to the school and bless some of the teachers. What a wonderful experience.

Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported our sponsor a child scholarship, we have already been able to help a few children with tuition.

We are hiring! Do you know someone who loves to work with children and has the qualifications needed……..

Give us a call 9416813169

Love, Amy, Heather & Our Amazing Team

Rummage Sale Drop0ff Shed Limited Opening

With the 2022 Rummage Sale behind us, it is time to start collecting for our 2023 sale. The dropoff shed is officially open.

At this time we CANNOT accept furni- ture until our new storage building re- ceives the “occupancy certificate”.

We thank you for your donations.

MESSENGER VOLUME XIIII ISSUE IV PAGE 5

At Home

Janet Albrecht

Jody Brokaw Jenny Chastain

Joe Croce Phyllis Eastlund Shirley Grayson

Lori Ierardi Nan Jackson Deborah Larsen

Betty Madison Geri Meneely Roger & Barb Molendyke

Jackie Morton Ruth Runyon Wanda Staneszewski

Val Stevens Bob & Lorraine Turner

Helen Williams Gina Willis

At Nursing Home or Assisted Living

Joan Bentson²Tuscan Gardens on Venetia Bay Gerry Brooks²Sunset Lakes

Alice Buck²Gardens of Venice

Margaret Cypher² Life Care in Punta Gorda Ruth Davidson² Bay Breeze

Janet Davison²Venetian Gardens Sandra Dussault²Heritage Oaks Doris Finn²Grand Villa

Marjorie Fitzgerald²Family Affair James Gieslmen²Sunset Lakes Sonny Gourley²Towers of Venice Charles Lindberg²Heritage Oaks Sam & Thelma Lloyd²Heritage Oaks

Audrey MacEhineyRogers²Towers of Venice Jane McTighe²Advinia

Carolyn McCallum²Grand Villa Loraine Melnichok²Grand Villa Jim Roch²Brookdale²Venice Doris Scott²Heritage Oaks

Marilyn Smith²Summerfield²Bradenton Adele Stewart²Heritage Oaks

Audrey Volz²Grand Villa Janet Wilson²Heritage Oaks Skip Wilson²Heritage Oaks

Millie Wischnowsky²Heritage Oaks

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Do you live alone? In need of company? Would you like someone to visit, enjoy your

company and pray with you? Congregational Care Ministers are on hand to visit with you on a monthly basis, sharing their ministry through prayer and communion.

Please call Pastor Don at 9414745588, ext. 252

to request a Congregational Care Visitor.

VOLUME XIII, ISSUE IV MESSENGER PAGE 6

Women’s Bible Study

April 11± May 16, 6 weeks Mondays, 10:00 am & 6:30 pm

Fellowship Hall 1 & 2 Workbook cost $5

Using clips from the movie, Overcomer, this 5session study’s goal is a definitive answer to the basic ques- tion. “Who are you?” The workbook has three days of homework each week. We will conclude the study by watching the entire movie.

Please register through the church website, between services on Sunday in Fel- lowship Hall or by calling the church office.

WHY?

I wonder sometimes just how many of us think about what Lent is and why do we keep it? Web- ster’s New Collegiate edition dictionary defines it:

the period of forty weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter, observed by Christian Churches by fast- ing and penitence, to commemorate Jesus fasting in the wilderness.

So, we go from the period just before Jesus be- gins His ministry straight through to His death and Resurrection! Now my thoughts go to what hap- pened within that time frame? Jesus preached, He taught, He healed, He spoke in parables; He admon- ished, and He prayed. Why?

The answer is obvious, right? Is it for you? Really think about it. Jesus was totally obedient to the Fa- ther. He knew His assignment, the work the Father sent Him to do. He prayed. He went to a quiet place to be alone with God. Yes, Jesus is divine, but He was also made human, to fulfill the purpose God called Him…….to save us, you, and me. Why? He loved us. He loved us enough to say “yes” to the hor- rific beatings, the awful namecalling, the ridicule, the humility, and the embarrassment of exposure. He bore each crack of the whip that broke his flesh; He suffered the pain as they placed a crown of thorns upon His head. They hung Him on a cross; He could barely breathe. They cut his side to see Him bleed.

He died! Why? Do you still not see? One word…….

LOVE.

You have heard about it, you have read it, but did that word from God really penetrate? We have be- come so used to using it in a flip way that we no longer grasp what it really means; oh “I love those shoes, I love to see the sunrise, or I love to hear the choir sing.” All fine examples of expressions of ap- preciation. What about Agape love? Agape is a Greek word that means selfgiving, deep enduring concern for others welfare, affection, and friendship.

All these and more are essential characteristics of Jesus, who came to us as a gift; a gift in a lowly manger; to a rough and splintered tree, in the shape of a cross.

Praises to God the Father, this gift of love didn’t end there! Jesus rose! He rose from the dead. He paid the penalty for our sins. Why? Because of LOVE.

Barbara Ierardi

40 Days through the Bible The Answers to Your Deepest Longings

by Lysa TerKeurst

April 20June 15, 9 weeks

6:30 Wednesdays Cost of book: $ 9.00

Room 100 Facilitated by Joyce Doyle

Take a journey through the storyline of the Bi- ble reveling major themes, connections and appli- cations to your daily life today. Discover 8 major longings of the human heart and how Jesus fills all of them.

This is an 8 week course with an introductory first class (9 total). There are five days of home- work each week. If you are fairly new to Bible study, this is a good place to start. Please register through the church website, between services on Sunday in Fellowship Hall or by calling the church office.

MESSENGER VOLUME XII, ISSUE 1V PAGE 7

Memorial Corner

2/12 Ken Schloegel 2/21 Joan Smith 2/24 Bruce Hertel 3/8 Maude Drinks

3/10 Joe O’Reilly 3/11 Alan Talada

Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.

Memorial & Honor Gifts

NonDesignated Giving

In Memory Of: Jane Sides Given By: Lynda Doyens In Memory Of: Suzie Doyens Given By: Lynda Doyens

Music Fund

In Memory Of: Jan Campbell Given By: Leah Circle, UMW

New Members Class

The new members classes will be held May 17th & 24th for those interested in joining the church.

Classes are from 6:00

8:00pm, (the meeting room will be announced).

Membership joining Sunday will be on May 29th during the service you attend.

The classes are a great way for Pastor Vic to get to know you as well as for you to know him, and to learn the history of EUMC.

If you are interested in joining the EUMC family call the church office at 9414745588 ext.105 and let Teresa know you’re planning to attend the classes.

FAREWELL…..

It’s been more than 15 years since I first came to EUMC as your Director of Music Ministries and Or- ganist. We have shared dozens of worship services, many cantatas, concerts, other special services and weddings and funerals. In all of this time, it has been my privilege and joy to share in your special personal moments and times of worship of our al- mighty Father. It is now time to say “Farewell” to our EUMC family as I move away from fulltime employment to other endeavors (freelancing, con- certs, accompany-

ing and spending time with grand- children).

Thank you for your love, your friendships, and

your support through the years.

You will always be in our hearts and thoughts. We will

see you again!

Love,

Fonda & Bill

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV MESSENGER PAGE 8

Prison Ministry Update

Dear to our heart, is the work of Helping Our Returning Neighbors, in S.W. Florida. We meet at Cleveland UMC, outside Punta Gorda, twice a month for board meetings and twice a month for workshops. We support those being released, start- ing with prerelease programs to housing and sup- portive programs after release. This reduces recidi- vism and hopefully the 2.5 BILLION dollars Flori- da spends yearly on incarceration. The program has started at Moore Havenand within a couple of weeks we will be in Charlotte CF. If you wish to participate in a mission trip, serve God through this vital ministry in S.W. Florida.

Currently Helping Our Returning Neighbors has an offer to match up to $30,000 of our money raised. These funds will help purchase housing in the Charlotte County area. EUMC was instrumen- talin the launch of this ministry. This started with your support of providing a path to housing for Re- ginald Santiago. Many of you know Reggie. After 29 years of incarceration, Reggie reunited with his wife and family. Today Reggie sits on the board of Helping Our Returning Neighbors with his young- est daughter Kay. GOD is good.

For furtherinfo on this ministry contact:

Steve Kennedy at 9418092191 or Dale Dear at 9417164848

Steve Kennedy

EUMW Unit Meeting April 7, 2022

Fellowship Hall 11:00AM-1:00PM

Our program will be “Healing from Estrangement.” Speaker Jane Morris will use scripture and humor to discuss the healing of relationships.

Leah Circle will host. Please bring a potluck dish to share.

Thanks to all who helped make our Rummage sale a huge success. You were the hand and feet of God. Our local community as well as global communities will benefit from your service.

To Brownie and John Schoenbauer, “thank you, your tireless leadership helped EUMC continue its mission of being a servant church.”

The Prayer Quilt Ministry has been on a hiatus of sorts, primarily due to the COVID virus, and its effect on the lives of our beloved EUMC family and community. In addition, the Parker family has been coping with some major ongoing challenges to

our physical and mental health, as well. We ask for your patience and understanding as we attempt to reorganize, restrengthen and reenergize this beau- tiful ministry by finding a new leader or leaders, and helping to prepare them to continue this won- derful and meaningful ministry. With God's help and your prayers, it will surely become a reality!

I'll be working with Joyce Doyle in the next few weeks to develop a plan for how to distribute infor- mation or answer questions. Please watch for more information in the weekly bulletins.

Counting my blessings,

Jane Parker

[email protected] (Please no phone calls)

PAGE 9 MESSENGER VOLUME XII, ISSUE IV

Super Senior Birthday Registration

Name __________________

Birth Date_____/_____/____

Month Day Year

Are you a Super Senior of four score years or more? We have the names and birth dates of many of our 80 (or more) years old, but we want to rec- ognize ALL of these honored members. Please register your birthday if you haven’t done so already. Just call the church office or send in the registra- tion form.

The Super Senior birthdays are listed each month in the Messenger. Help them cele- brate their super birthday by congratulating them on their special day.

April

Super Senior Birthdays

** 90 (or over) Years Young!

4/05 Peg Beattie **

4/08 Janet Mabie **

4/10 Rex Chase **

4/15 Joyce Hammond **

4/20 Audrey MacElhiney 4/22 Julie Kern

4/22 Mary Lanham 4/24 Aurthur Tolman **

4/25 Pat Guillerm 4/28 Ken Guillerm

Farewell Party For Fonda Davies

Director of Music Ministry April 24

Fellowship Hall

Immediately following the 11am Church Service

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV MESSENGER Page 10

FAMILY MINISTRY

Thank you to everyone who attended and/or volun- teered at the Family Fishing event. It was awesome!

Lots of fishing, fellowship, food and fun was had by all! Looking forward to doing it again soon!

Easter Baskets: The team is busy creating beautiful baskets for families in need in our community. There is still time so if you know a family that we could help with Easter baskets, please have the register at our web-

site, https://www.englewoodumc.net/events/.

We are still taking donations as well. See the list be- low for what we are collecting:

Babies: Rattles, teethers, Gerber teething biscuits, Gerber Puffs and baby snacks, Fruit Snacks and Ani- mal crackers

Ages 28: Balls, crayons coloring books colored pen- cils, craft sets, individual bagged chips, games, Bar- bies, Cars, stuffed animals, Playdough, Bubbles, Chalk, Legos.

ITEMS DESERATELY NEEDED FOR OLDER CHILDREN ARE: Sporting equipment, adult color- ing books, coloring pens, nail polish, make up, co- logne, craft sets, Legos for older, lotions, body sprays, jewelry, hair accessories, larger candy bars and gum packets.

Please make sure all items will fit in an easter basket!

Easter Egg Hunt

April 16, 2022, 10am ± 12pm

All are welcome to join us for our annual Easter Egg hunt! There will be games, bounce houses, music, food, crafts, and a spectacular Egg Hunt for children 11 years old and younger! Register your family on our website today!

JESUS AND PIZZA

Wednesday Nights 5:30-6:45pm

Students 4 years²5th grade meet in Room 300 to enjoy pizza, snacks and fruit, hear great lessons about Jesus, play games and create fun crafts. Our series right now is a scavenger hunt to find how to be the best child of God. Each week we search for clues on how we should live, talk, and act like Jesus teaches. It is so much fun, we would love for your students to join us! We always have room for more!

No need to register, just come! Meet us in the Edu- cation building, Room 300 on Wednesdays!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Food Truck Party JULY 11-15, 2022

9am-12pm

In search of any and all volunteers! We need people in the following jobs: Sci- ence teachers, crafts teachers, recreation teachers, music teachers, snack creators, story

tellers, age group leaders, assistant teachers. Be- hind the scenes crew: creating sets, organizing registrations, creating class lists and schedules, designing, setting up and tearing down.

As you can see there is a job for everyone!

VBS is a crucial ministry that brings Jesus to the community. Everyone is needed to help reach the children and their families with the Gospel!

Prayerfully consider how you can use your spiritu- al gifts this summer!

Sunday School

Our students did an amazing job singing in church a few weeks ago. We

are so proud of them! Look for them singing again very soon.

We are in the midst of our Lent study transforming from caterpillars to butterflies. We even have our very own cater- pillars that we are growing in

the education wing. The children are hoping they will hatch right at Easter!

MESSENGER

VOLUME XIII, ISSUE IV PAGE 11

Good News Church Family! We are going into our 7^th week bringing the Gospel to the K through 5^th graders at My- akka River Elementary School. Ten volunteers faithfully go forth every Tuesday to deliver the Word of God to 28 chil- dren; some know the Lord; some are just learn- ing. But’s it’s been a wonderful opportunity to reach children who may not know Our Savior. We learn scripture verses, have a Bible lesson, sing and dance to lots of cool songs, have a review game based on the lesson, and of course….we snack!

Last day of Club this year is May 3rd, and we’d like to equip every child with an age appropriate Bible to keep close for them to turn to.

We’re asking the congregation for monetary donations to accomplish our goal, and let no child leave Good News Club without the Word in their hands. If you’d like to enrich the life of a child, please go to Fellowship Hall and see Deb or Joyce to contribute. You can even write an encouraging prayer or note , and we’ll place it in a Bible for you!

If you’re interested in serving with Good News Club next year, here’s your chance to find out how!

YOUTH…..So many things are in the works for our youth! The schedule gets fuller by the weeks! Here is what we have coming up:

APRIL 3^rd : Easter Eggs Students will help close all the eggs and get them ready for the hunt. Thousands of eggs will need to be closed, so we need everyone’s help. Make sure your student is here!

APRIL 10^th : Serving Sunday ± Students will be a part of worship, greeting, ushering, reading, and par- ticipating in offering collection. Make sure your youth signs uo.

APRIL 16^th: Easter Egg Hunt volunteers: Youth will be selling food, running games, and assisting in many ways during the Hunt activities. We will need EVE- RYONE!!! Last year we had over 400 kiddos attend the event! Sign ups will be at the beginning of April.

There is a job for everyone!

APRIL 17^th: Easter Sunday ± NO YOUTH GROUP!

He is Rise, He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

GRADUATING SENIORS….Celebration Sunday May 22, 2022, 9:30am service

Any student graduating from high school, college, or grad school, we would like to celebrate you!!! Please contact the church office or register online at our website with your student’s name, graduation date and institution, and if you will be able to attend on celebration Sunday! More information will be coming, but please mark your calendars and contact us this week!

MISSION TRIP UPDATE….June 19^th ± June 25^th: Students entering 8^th grade through high school will travel to Copperhill, TN for their annual mission trip. The town of Copperhill has seen some hard eco- nomic times. Students will be assisting in a variety of ways to help families and the community get back on their feet. Students have worked all year donating their time and talents to accrue over 35 hours of vol- unteer time. They also held several fundraisers to help cover some of the costs. If you would like to donate to help defer the costs of the trip, please visit our web- site, and click on “Summer Missions” under Youth tab.

This month we celebrate EASTER, which represents our gift of NEW LIFE through Jesus Christ. He died to save us….a gift to anyone who turns to Him with trust and faith! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO RESPOND TO THIS FREE GIFT? How is God changing you? Your thoughts? Your habits?

Nicodemus, In John Chapter 3, questions Jesus about what it means to be born again? In Chapter 7, he stand up for Jesus. And in Chapter 19, Nicodemus honors Jesus by bringing spic- es to anoint Jesus’ body. Nicodemus responded with BELIEF.

EUMC will be experiencing and celebrating many upcoming graduations, retirements, changes in the months ahead. How will we, as a church, as a youth group, as people of God, respond to these changes? With all the change, let’s keep on going and keep on growing. Most importantly...Let’s keep believing!

In Christ,

Chrissy,

Interim Youth Director at EUMC [email protected]

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV MESSENGER

PAGE 12

VOLUME XIII, ISSUE IV MESSENGER PAGE 13

Central African Republic ± Between a rock and a hard place

public (CAR), population of 5 million lies in the middle of the continent of Africa. More than one million people have been forced to leave their homes due to ongoing conflicts and the cruelty of their countrymen.

Missionaries Ron and Donna have experienced tragic events as they serve there. Ron, who was raised as a MK (missionary kid) and Donna, have served 35 years enduring many hardships which in- clude being taken hostage early in their careers.

They have helped plant more than 80 churches in previously unreached areas and have worked for more than a decade to establish and manage a mis- sion’s aviation base in eastern CAR, in what Ron describes as a “haven of security” within a danger- ous region.

Since 2012 Islamic rebel groups have been wag- ing a brutally violent campaign to overturn the gov- ernment. In 2013 a coalition of Islamic rebels and other rebel groups ousted the CAR’s president in a coup. On Good Friday, 2017 their mission station was attacked and within 30 minutes all Christians were either killed or driven into the forest to fend for themselves and live off the land.

The entire mission station was destroyed includ- ing the house Ron and Donna had built for their fam- ily. The aircraft hangar and maintenance shop, also built by hand, were also destroyed. Ron responded to the devastation by saying, “It was a deep, deep hurt for me to realize that generations of missions effort to build was all destroyed. We lost the whole thing, but not the privilege of being able to put it on the altar of Christ.”

Today, strong Christians, indigenous leaders and missionaries alike, serve the Lord faithfully in the CAR where roughly 600,000 people live in camps for Internally Displaced People (IDP).

Nancy Prins,

Chair Mission Committee

30th Christmas Dinner Wrap Up

This was our second year of COVID conditions, so all meals were either delivered or picked up. Many volunteers worked several days at vari- ous jobs. Versatility and adaptabilityare our new nor- mal. We served 1900 meals.

Of these 258 were delivered by our volunteersand 116 meals delivered by Meals on Wheels volun- teers to their clients.

Our outreach to the community included 390 invitations to Helping Hands clients,150 to St. Da- vid's clients, 50 to the Chamber of Commerce of Englewood, and to the parents of our Foundation's children.

Many of our volunteers postedourposters in their club houses or gave an invitation at their cof- fee hours. All Firemen, EMTS and Sheriff's Depart- ment members who were working hada meal deliv- ered to them. We are attempting to reach out further in our community to those in need each year.

Our leftovers were given to Meals on Wheels of Englewood, and they served 163 more meals from our donation.

We received a flood of thank you notes from those receiving our meals with delightful com- ments. This year we had 17 teams of drivers with 2 teams making 2 trips.

Many thanks to our committee of Jim Beam- guard, Beth and Jim Harrison, Carolyn and Bob Davidson, Jane and Ted Morin, Marianne Howard, Quentin Burkey, Bob Myers, the Energizer Bunny Lori Bauer and Grace Talada.

PAGE 14 MESSENGER VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV

Englewood UMM Country Breakfast

7:3011:00am In Fellowship Hall The LAST Breakfast

this season…..

April 2nd

OJ & Bottomless Coffee/Tea Egg & Sausage Or Biscuits & Sausage Gravy Or

Quiche & Fresh Fruit Pancakes OR

$6²Children under 12 eat for FREE!

The women have crafts for sale.

SEE YOU NEXT FALL!

Serving Opportunities

We are asking you to prayerfully consider helping in one of these ministries.

x

Wednesday Night Dinners We need a small leadership team to plan and prepare the weekly dinners.

x

Reset Team Needed to reset tables & chairs between dinners & Sunday worship & again for dinners.

x

Family Promise One or two people to lead and organize Family Promise at EUMC.

Families staying on site will resume 2022.

x

Friends Class One or two people to restart the Friends Class which is an 11:00 Sunday school class for adults with special needs.

Curriculum is provided.

x

Disaster Response Team A dedicated lead- er is needed to take teams to help people re- covering from natural disasters in the state.

This team works in conjunction with

UMCOR and will need to take their training.

x

Divorce Care One more person, preferably a male, to help facilitate this 13week class for those struggling with divorce or separa- tion. The course is usually offered twice a year.

x

Sunday Welcome Team coordinator Someone to schedule the greeters/ushers (Welcome Team) for each service on Sun- days.

x

Congregational Care Ministry more peo- ple are needed for visitation to Assisted Liv- ing, Nursing Homes and homebound con- gregants.

If you are interested in one of these ministries, please contact:

Joyce Doyle in the church office., [email protected] or

9414745588 ext. 261

Comparative Financial Operations/Performance

For the 2 month period ending February 28, 2022

2022 2021

Tithes & Offerings $348, 195 $321,374 Cash Expenditures $214,841 $228,022 Tithes & Offerings

Less Expenditures $133,354 $ 93,352

VOLUME XIII ISSUE IV MESSENGER PAGE 15

Guide Team Corner

We will be using this forum to keep you abreast of actions that the EUMC Guide Team takes on behalf of the church. At its March meeting, the Guide Team discussed and/or acted on the follow- ing:

i Met with Thom Shafer, District Superinten- dent, to discuss the status of our Senior Pastor appointment.

i Approved the 2022 church budget subject to review in July 2022.

i Reviewed Stewardship Campaign 2022 where pledges totaling 50% of our 2022 budget amount have been received.

i Discussed the search process for our new Di- rector of Music Ministries/Organist.

i Discussed repairs/renovations/landscape work needed at our 3 church parsonages.

i Discussed developing a policy on volunteers doing maintenance work on church property to minimize liability. All volunteer work must be supervised by church maintenance staff.

i Welcomed our new church receptionist, Jen- nifer Sabo.

i Approved the addition of Amy Borg as our newest Guide Team member. She is replacing outgoing member Greg Sabo.

i Approved the addition of James Rowe and Os- car Keuker to the EUMC Permanent Endow- ment Committee.

i Discussed plans for farewell receptions for Senior Pastor Vic Willis and Director of Music Ministries/Organist Fonda Davies.

Please let me know if you have questions or need additional information.

Beth Harrison

Business Administrator

Book Buzz

The other day I was reading from a book entitled Never Trust a Calm Dog and Other Rules of Thumb by Tom Parker. The following are some of Tom’s thoughts about dogs…..

All you dog lovers might want to hightail it to St.

Louis and take a peek at the Dog Museum. It’s re- nowned for dogrelated art.

If you and your dog would like to go to summer camp together, consider Camp GoneToTheDogs in Stowe, Vermont. If this is too far away, there is also one in Front Royal, Virginia. There are world class instructors on obedience, agility training, manners camp and herding camping. Sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Did you know that Marilyn Monroe once received a white poodle from Frank Sinatra as a gift. Sinatra had named him Mafia!

In a suburb of medium density, a dog’s bark can be heard in 200 surrounding houses...or by 800 peo- ple…..

Anything over 45 minutes seems like forever to your dog. You will be greeted as enthusiastically coming back from a 2hour shopping trip as you will coming back from a 2day vacation.

If a dog tolerates gentle handling between its toes, it probably is suited for children.

A kennel should be twice the length of the dog you are building it for. Measure the dog from its nose to the tip of its tail.

Lastly, an ordinary woman in Southern California had her toy poodle dognapped and held for ransom in 1992. The asking price was $5,000. She was re- tired and on a fixed income so she negotiated the robbers to $2,500. She paid, the dog was delivered to the pound as promised. The pound had been alert- ed and called 911. The police were there to catch the criminal!

I thought Pastor Vic might want to hear some of these little gems before he departs from our church.

Blessings to you all!

Pam Heady

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Lakeland, FL Permit No. 1

April 2022

Englewood United Methodist Church 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223 Phone No. 9414745588 Fax 9414752865 Website: www.englewoodumc.net

A SERVANT CHURCH Following the example

Of Jesus Christ, The Englewood United

Methodist Church Shall strive to make God

And His Kingdom More real through our Caring, worship, study Fellowship & outreach.

To this end, as a Servant Church, We offer ourselves

And our facilities For the Christian growth

Of all persons.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Adopted 1978 Revised 1989