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Youth
Fall/Winter 2012
sity
Thanksgiving
Advent was an integral part of my familys preparation for Christmas each year. I remem-
ber sitting around our living room and listening as the Christmas Story came alive through reading, lighting candles, and prayers. Each and every year the story became more and more personal until one year it was my story too. That tradition has continued in my own family. Hearing about Gods love for the world from my mom and dad reinforced what I was learning in Sunday School and worship. Each year I was becoming more and more connected to the greatest story ever told! During the month of December, I am speaking on the theme The World Needs a Stable Influence! We will journey through the gifts that God offers the world in the person of Jesus Christ. Perhaps you know someone who needs that influence in their own life. This would be a great time to invite them to journey with you as we move towards the celebration of Christs birth and into the life His love offers the world we live in each and every day! The journey continues this Sunday in all three worship services! Perhaps your story is similar to mine. If so I am sure you are carrying on those same traditions with your family. I pray that as we move through the days to come that the marvelous story of Gods love will be our companion! I love serving as your pastor,
Fall/Winter 2012
Fall/Winter 2012
Contents
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Welcome to Our New Children's Music Director & Children's Ministry Coordinator by Priscilla Greear
Youth SPOTlight by Robert Gray
that time frame and got the OK from Haynes Batey to start something and has now developed into such a big program. Just with the economy the way it is, it's still going strong. We don't advertise so most of our families come from word of mouth." One of their selling points is their low teacher student ratio that is now at or even lower than recommendations by the National Association for the Education of Young Children whose standards are already lower than state requirements. For example, for 3-year-olds TGP has a ratio of one teacher to eight children while the NAEYC recommends a 1 to 9 ratio and the Florida Department of Children & Families ratio is 1 to 15. "Even though some of our rooms are very big and we could put more children in them we keep the class sizes workable and have good ratiosWe have lower ratios than we did before," the director said.
add the technology enrichment to "bring the school to the next level" of preparation for technology in grade school. The school has already offered a weekly computer class for 3- to 5-year-olds in its lab. But this year the school is also piloting the ABCmouse program with four new interactive computer stations being rolled into 4- and 5-year-old classes for enrichment. It has also purchased a subscription where parents can log on at night and see what their child has done that day and do follow-up activities together. Additionally, the kindergarten has two new touchscreen computers. "Kindle Fires, new interactive stations and the new computers for kindergarten are part of this year's adding of more technology into the daily classroom learning," said Worsham. "Just like the children look forward to having music on certain days they are going to have the interactive stations and the Kindles in their classrooms to provide enrichment."
Parent Bobbie Fetherston is among the many who learned about TGP through Worsham said friends. "My husband that while they have and I looked at a drawn from HighReach handful of different Learning and Mailbox -Bobbie Fetherston schools. We kind of resources to meet walked into TGP and had a good feeling. We've learning objectives for the core curriculum, this year enjoyed all the teachers the kids have had and "the school is excited to have found a good academic got really involved and it's been phenomenal for and Christian-based program and is implementing our family," she said, adding that "I felt it was a ABC Jesus Loves Me." good opportunity for me to be able to commit to After over 25 years at TGP, Worsham continues fundraising." to savor the fruits of her labor in watching youngsters She likes how parents can get as involved as they grow as children of God. And she's grateful for want to and has served as president and treasurer of parents like Fetherston who will continue to serve as the Parent Teacher Group. She and others led efforts community ambassadors. "The kindergarten teacher to fundraise for the new playground equipment and is out of this world. She prepares these children establish the annual fall festival in 2010 to help and gives them an incredible experience," added bring the church and school communities together. Fetherston before dashing off to teach the Kid's Club gymnastics. "You can ask a million families who are While not religious herself, Fetherston appreciates really involved. It's a special place. You have access how the program gently gives children an understanding to special teachers who make a difference in kids' of Christianity through chapel services, prayers and lives." Bible instruction. And she's pleased with efforts to by Priscilla Greear standardize the core curriculum this year and to
"You can ask a million families who are really involved. It's a special place. You have access to special teachers who make a difference in kids' lives."
by Priscilla Greear
OUTH Y
Light
Alexandra H. was afraid to talk about how God turned a nightmare into a stronger friendship. Josiah McLaughlin knew he had to share what last summers mission trip to Puerto Rico meant to him. Andrew Allen had never introduced the youth band or any band, let alone one where he was the lead guitarist. Max Wood talked about how he can relax at youth meetings and really be himself just like the youth motto says: Believe, Be Free, Be Yourself. Zebastian Alzamora has been on every mission trip, but it was the first one that touched his heart. Carla Stieghorst wanted to express how much it means to her that we are connecting with McCabe Memorial Methodist Church in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
These are the brave youth who shared testimonies as part of the Youth SPOTlight on Wednesday, October 24. Alexandra H. and Carla Stieghorst led the evening as our co-emcees. The youth band played two songs leading us in worship. The future of the church was right in front of us and the testimonies of some brave youth really shined. Josiah McLaughlin, a junior at Doctors Charter School, told us all about his experience in Puerto Rico. He has been in the youth group for five years and this was his best mission trip yet. Yes, he loved Pastor Riveras cooking, but it was a stranger opening up his home that really impacted Josiah. We were watching the Heat in the NBA finals when the cable went out at the pastors house. Pastor Rivera Josiah McLaughlin shares at the Youth SPOTlight. called someone he knew that had a satellite dish. Our group had never met this person, but he invited us to his home to watch the game with his wife and 4-year-old child. Who does that? Josiah asked rhetorically. He will never forget it. Andrew Allen, a sophomore at Gables High School, introduced the youth band and shared how much he loves learning to play music. He is in his second year as part of the Community Music School and is even teaching Evan Bodin, son of Carrie and Amory Bodin, some of the guitar basics. That is how they do things in the music school on Sunday afternoons: you learn, you play and then you share what you know with another. Sound familiar?
Andrew Allen teaches Evan Bodin.
afraid to stand up and share. He has an outgoing personality and swimming and playing water polo has given him a lot of confidence. He wanted to express how much his faith means to him. He shared how he has learned that he can be himself and God will take care of the rest. Zebastian Alzamora, a sophomore at Young Mens Preparatory High School, hardly ever misses a youth event. He shared how much that first mission trip to Tennessee impacted him when he was in the seventh grade and was Josiah McLaughlin & Max Wood decipher clues unsure if he would even enjoy a "mission" trip. We worked during a game at the lock-in in November. with a woman who had been living in an abandoned bus. We built her a home so she could have a real roof over her head. Even though his family was facing some difficult times, Zebastian realized how much he had to be thankful for and it changed his attitude. Carla Stieghorst, a sophomore at Gables High School, came up with the idea to go to Puerto Rico. She visits there every year and knew the other youth would love it and her mother, Haydee, would help organize some fun excursions. Carla shared how this connection with the people of Puerto Rico is very personal to her. It is her second home and now it feels like her family there keeps growing. Maybe next year she will let her mother go with us on the mission trip. But Alexandra had the hardest task. She had never spoken about her conflict with a friend publicly. She shared from the heart how sitting down with someone she was very angry with and letting that person know how she felt was so difficult. This was someone she thought was a friend, but a prank had gone wrong. The friend cried and knew she had made a mistake. Then they both cried together. It is amazing how they are now the best of friends. God really turned it around for Alexandra and her friend. Right after she shared, she walked out of Founder's Hall and broke into tears. I know. I was there. I hugged her and told her I was proud of her. Proud of how she handled the situation with her friend and proud of her for sharing it with everyone. Alexandra is a courageous young lady and I am so glad she shared her heart with all of us at the Youth SPOTlight. She really shined the light of Christ that night. They all shined that night: Alexandra, Josiah, Andrew, Max, Zebastian, Carla and the Youth Band, The New Originals. (You can ask Andrew how they got that name.) It was an amazing evening and the presence of the Holy Spirit was evident.
Puerto Rico 2012
by Robert Gray
embers for over thirty years, Susan and Craig McCall experienced sudden financial difficulties after both sustained orthopedic injuries that required surgery and extended medical leave from their jobs as nurses. The couple felt overwhelmed, having always enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle. But they found new confidence to handle the crisis and a smarter strategy for long term money management by enrolling in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University small group offered this fall at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables. We were beginning to experience catastrophic financial problems when the Lord led us to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Through the various financial strategies and biblical principles we began to understand our financial situation with a new clarity. We were able to identify the forces behind our financial distress, define our financial priorities, protect our assets and develop a short term plan to keep us in control and moving in a forward direction through the crisis, Susan McCall said. Church member Jocelyn Flynt led the nineweek Ramsey video series that began in September in which some 17 people of all ages participated and experienced Christian fellowship and insightful discussion in a confidential setting. The McCalls for one learned how to control debt and make a cash flow plan while changing their perspective on financial responsibility. And they appreciate the series Scripture-based lessons and Ramseys entertaining teaching style that actually makes a dry and overly serious topic understandable
and enjoyable. At the foundation, it has given us a new perspective with which to look at the way we have (and have not) lived our lives according to God's plan and word. The lessons have helped us reset our priorities and our approach to money management. We have involved our family in the learning process and have seen the positive impact it has made in their lives as well, added Mrs. McCall. Ramsey, a financial author and radio host of The Dave Ramsey Show, himself faced financial crisis where he went from making $250,000 a year to losing everything through debt accumulation. Gaining control of his finances, he started his business in 1992 to counsel those suffering from financial stress. The series covers topics including budgets, debt, emergency funds, retirement and college savings and other investments, homeowner, life, disability, health and auto insurance, and financial gifts. Its behavior changes and its a great support group. And its just things we can do, practical things we can do to feel we are in better control of our finances and making better decisions, said Flynt, a CPA. He wants us to live like no one else (now) so we can live like no one else (in the future). For starters, group participants are encouraged
He wants us to live like no one else (now) so we can live like no one else (in the future).
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to make a monthly budget to plan ahead what they will spend, mindful of how marketing influences their decisions. Its just stewardship of every dollar on a monthly basis. We do budgeting on a monthly basis, before the month starts. So you identify what is the take home pay, how its going to be spent, Flynt said. With budgeting its acknowledging what they are spending and what they owe and how they can counter debt snowballing. Members of this fall's Financial Peace University In making purchases, participants were advised to feel the money by paying cash when possible to become really conscious of what they are spending, continued Flynt. To give it a try, some even cut up their credit cards. And group members were challenged to prudently think through choices on big decisions such as whether to spend an extra $5,000 on a vacation or a ROTH IRA contribution. If you make one choice you have lost out on the other oneTheres nothing wrong with going on a vacation, hes just making you stop and think. Do you need a new car or used car or to keep your car? said Flynt, adding that they are not going to make a wise purchase decision in a car on a cell phone, which is what we can do now a days. Missy Morgan appreciates how Ramsey does not dictate how one should spend money while challenging them to really plan ahead in budgeting. She also learned a lot from others and appreciated Flynts great job of getting participants comfortable in speaking and sharing, without anyone ever being put on the spot or being forced to contribute where they may not feel comfortable doing so. Additionally, Dave Ramsey also makes couples aware that they usually come from a different mind-set or background when it comes to spending money and that both perspectives need to be acknowledged and valued, she noted, adding that the class provided a good foundation for a newly married couple. Director of small groups Kay Murff said, Weve gotten great comments back of how its been helpful to people and how they have bonded as a small group. The reason we did it is because with the economy the way it is we felt some people might be looking for ways to handle their money Gods way. Its been pragmatic but fun, she said. It looks at where they are financially and where they want to be. The popular series has been offered at 18 churches of various denominations around Miami this fall and Kay Murff hopes to repeat the course at FUMCCG in 2013.
by Priscilla Greear
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Fall Gatherings
Fall Gatherings 2012 brought church members together for small dessert fellowships to connect with each other and to our pastor. Its becoming a yearly fall event! This years hosts included Margaret and Jordan Steele, Debbie and Jack Briggle, Molly and Chuck Baumberger, Tomy and Jack Edwards, Marlin Ebbert, and the Young Couples Potluck group. Pastor Durwood attended them all and enjoyed the social conversations, but also the conversations about the life of the church family.
It was nice to mix in a few new faces...It was very intimate, and we never left the family room. Marlin Ebbert We had a very good discussion.very comfortable and informal, everybody shared freely. It was great. I felt I got to know members that I have seen on Sundays but never had a chance to strike a meaningful conversation with and know more about where they are in their faith journey! Tomy Edwards
If you missed Fall Gatherings this fall, be sure to stay connected to your church because we will be doing them again!
Men's Breakfast
Several men in the church gathered Saturday morning, September 22, for a great breakfast, Christian fellowship and a very entertaining guest speaker. Ken Murrell, Tom Weller and several other kitchen helpers provided a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gretits(thats grits for you Northerners). The coffee was hot and the fellowship was full of laughter. John Holian provided a very entertaining and informative program about our church initiative, Imagine." The PowerPoint presentation was excellent and the dialogue even better. I know some of you gentlemen missed this opportunity, but we will hold another breakfast within the next few months. If any men are not on the email list and would like to be notified through email, please email Jeff Brown, bcjeff@aol.com. As Robin Hood would say, The more the merrier!
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Thanksgiving
and
This fall season our church has hosted many events, outreach, and spiritual growth opportunities. Two of those came around the two biggest holidays of every year: Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program and Meeting at the Manger have become church traditions over the years where church members truly reach out to their neighbors across Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County. Each Thanksgiving, First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables partners with South Florida Urban Ministries to help make Thanksgiving possible for over 6,000 people in the city of Miami. This year over 500 servants packed our campus on that Thursday morning to prepare, package and deliver the meals. Sharon Servants sign-in on Thanksgiving Watson and her kitchen crew worked morning. day in and out all week to cook and carve 70 turkeys and over 1,000 meals were prepared in our church Servants prepare meals for delivery. kitchen! Children helped package some of the meals and they decorated the bags that the meals went in. Once the meals were ready to go, they were loaded into cars and drivers headed out to homes around the city to distribute them to families in need. Its amazing to see how so many people of all ages came together to make a difference in our community. On Friday, December 7, the church held its annual Meeting at the Manger to coincide with the Coral Gables Christmas Tree Lighting event. What has become a church-wide tradition continued this year with live music from The Growing Place children and the Lighthouse Band and a grand organ recital by our very own organist, Jay Brooks. Some of the youth and adults reenacted the Christmas story, children made Christmas crafts, and Robert Gray and the youth provided food for everyone. The new Nativity scene was a real hit and many people stopped to take their pictures with baby Jesus and the animals. If you missed these special Two of the youth play holiday traditions of FUMCCG, Mary & Joseph. please consider joining an upcoming outreach activity to help the church continue to further spread Christs love through Miami as 2013 unfolds.
The Craft Tent at Meeting at the Manger
Chrismas t
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I have been reflecting on the Scripture from John 15:1-17 for the past several weeks, Abide in me and I in you. When we abide in Gods love it moves us to share this love beyond ourselves. I have been blessed to hear stories of people in our church who do abide in Gods love and live lives that make a difference in others.
Bearing Fruit
Peter Treblas, a longtime member of First Church (who just moved to Daytona), has delivered over 100 candles in the last three years to folks who have visited our church. Just recently we have received two notes from individuals showing their appreciation: It is a blessing to have found our new church home that is so filled with love and I look forward to worshiping again at First UMC. Through the delivering of candles all over Dade County to our repeat visitors, Peter has shared that they matter to us and that they too abide in Gods love. Brother Milledges Sunday school class and a few individuals answered the request to buy gift cards to give to The Branches children and youth after school program (to purchase items that the children needed so that they could participate fully at the UM youth camp). We received a thank you card from Branches, sharing that because of these gift cards the children had what they needed and had a wonderful time at summer camp. There was even an emergency run for a swim suit for a fourth grade girl so that she could join the others for swim time. The children abided in Gods love through the service hearts of others.
This fall my office was filled with clothes that others gave so that the residents at Riverside House (a transitional ministry for those who are incarcerated) would have nice clothes for job interviews. It may seem like a small gesture, but to not have a fresh shirt or dress for a much needed job interview would put them at a disadvantage. Indeed, this meant a lot to them to be able to look presentable for an interview. D e b b i e Briggle, a longtime preschool Sunday school teacher, noticed this fall that her chairs were not as clean as she would like. Abiding in a whole lot of love for her Sunday schoolers, she and The Growing Place Debbie Briggle cleans her Sunday School class' chairs. teacher with whom she shares a classroom scrubbed 20 chairs. My prayer for our church is this: that all of us will take the time we need to feel the love of our Creator and that drawing from the vine of Christ, we may each bear fruit so that others too will know this love. In Gods service, Rev. Mary Susan Ward
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On July 9, 2011, after suffering the horrors of two decades of civil war, South Sudan became the newest country in the world. The devastation caused by years of conflict resulted in extreme poverty and one of the lowest literacy rates in the world only about 20% of the adult population can read and write.
Alfalit South Sudan had been laid out. Alfalit South Sudan became a legally registered entity in that country and a local board of directors was established. The Alfalit text books in English used by Alfalit Liberia have been edited and adapted to comply with the cultural sensitivities of South Sudan. A work plan was developed to cover everything from using office space in Yei to staffing needs being projected and program goals were established.
Months before South Sudans official independence day, a group of Methodist organizations including the East Africa Annual Conference, the General Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist The biggest challenge at this point Committee on Relief (UMCOR), is to raise the necessary funds to the Holston Annual Conference, print the text books and launch the and the Ginghamsburg Church program. The amount needed to do Alfalit South Sudan Board of Directors in Tipp City, Ohio (a member of this is $100,000. Alfalit, being a faiththe West Ohio Conference) organized a based nonprofit ministry, means it is a step of faiththe roundtable to explore the needs and set the priorities to funds are never there, yet we know that our Lord Jesus strengthen the churchs leadership, including options to Christ will always provide the means to do our work provide services to bring the people of South Sudan out because we are doing His work. of the depths of despair, terror and poverty they had been living under for years. Right now we are asking people of faith to step up and help us with their prayers and gifts to get this program Alfalits President, Rev. Roberto P. Perez, was invited started. When you give the gift of literacy to a needy to present Alfalits work to the Roundtable by Bishop person, you give a gift that will endure for generations Daniel Wandabula of the East Africa Annual Conferto come. ence. It was there that he met Rev. Fred Dearing, a Global Ministries volunteer in South Sudan who is the new District Superintendent for the UMC in the country. With Rev. Dearings valuable assistance, Alfalit was able to establish a South Sudan affiliate in its global work to promote literacy.
By May of 2012, with the help of Fred Dearing on the ground in South Sudan and the Alfalit team at the Miami headquarters, the groundwork for the launch of
Education is a basic human right and when parents learn to read and write, they encourage their children and other members of their extended families and communities to do the same. They will be able to help their children with their schoolwork and get a better job to provide for their families. Literacy gives them the tools to improve their quality of life, break the circle of poverty, and become better parents and better citizens.
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Sunday School class with music, fun games, and a Bible story for children Kindergarten - 5th grade.
WAMM (worship arts music ministry) with Childrens Music Director, Rebecca Gonzalez
Sundays at 10:45am - Kindergarten - 5th grade Mondays at 3:30pm (resume on January 14, 2013) - 3-years-old - Kindergarten
KIDS NIGHT OUT (Kindergarten - 5th grade) Come for a fun-filled time to spend with friends playing games, doing crafts, eating and more! Child care will also be available from 8:30 - 9:30pm for $5. PARENTS NIGHT OUT For potty trained pre-k kids from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Supervised play will be provided for $10 per child. Please pre-register your child.
If you would like to be a part of our childrens ministry team, please contact Rev. Mary Ward at mward@fumccg.org or (305) 445-2578, ext.103.
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Learn Spanish
Two levels (Beginners and Intermediate) on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm in the Library
Learn English
ESL Class on Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Library
Marriage Enrichment
Seminar by Charlotte Smiley
Financial Peace
Graduates Reunion on Tuesday, January 15, at 7:00pm in the Head Center (Interested in starting another FPU class? Contact Kay Murff)
Learn to Paint
Tuesdays at 2:00pm
Find Friends
Young Adults (contact Jennifer Flynt, jflynt@fumccg.org, for more info) Silver Club (seniors) on Thursdays at 10:30am in the Head Center Men's Breakfasts once a month Ladies Night Out quarterly Young Couples potluck dinner once a month
If you would like more info on our small groups ministry, please contact Kay Murff at kmurff@fumccg.org or (305) 445-2578, ext.113.
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Contact Us!
Rev. Durwood Foshee, Senior Pastor dfoshee@fumccg.org or ext. 101 Rev. Roberto Perez, Associate Pastor robertopperez@bellsouth.net Rev. Mary Ward, Associate Minister mward@fumccg.org or ext. 103 Venda Horne, Business Administrator vhorne@fumccg.org or ext. 102
Counseling - Sallie Quillian and Judy Hatfield Traditional Music - Jay Brooks and Dr. Bob Gower Contemporary Music - Richard Aspinwall
jbrooksorganist@gmail.com or ext. 124 and rgower@miami.edu raspinwall@fumccg.org or (305) 801-6768 Membership, Outreach, & Children - Rev. Mary Susan Ward mward@fumccg.org or ext. 103
Do you have a story to tell that affects or involves our church and/or its members? We want to hear it and help you tell it!
Send any ideas or stories for the next issue of Connections to our Communications Coordinator, Jennifer Flynt, at jflynt@fumccg.org.
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