Spring/Summer 2013

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Church news on...

First Thursday Organ Concerts (p.4) Chapman Partnership for the Homeless (p.6) Small Groups (p.10) Children & Youth (p.14) and more!

Summer 2013
Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the waters edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times. Then Jesus said, Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. ~Mark 4:1-9 Can it possibly be time to turn towards summer? Seems we were just taking down the Christmas decorations. Why is it the pages on the calendar turn faster and faster with each and every season? For the past several years our family has spent time away in a very small Georgia town where my mom's family settled shortly after the Civil War (has always been impossible for me to think of any war as civil). Agriculture has been a way of life in that area since the mid 1800s. The pace of life is different in that community. The calendar pages may turn, but it takes lots of nurture and patience for the crops to come in. We usually arrive at the end of watermelon season and the beginning of cotton planting. Farmers tirelessly prepare the soil for the next season's crop and then wait! Theirs is a life of patient persistence. I wonder what we will do to nurture and grow our spiritual life over these summer months. What avenues will we employ to prepare the soil, plant the seed, fertilize, and water our soul during the next few months? What opportunities will we take to enhance the spiritual life of others? Will We Grow in our faith and practice? Connections is filled with opportunities of engagement, both learning and practicing our faith! I pray that each of us will step up in our witness life and share the good news of Christ through learning, serving, sharing, and growing together! I love serving as your pastor,

Spring/Summer 2013
Contents

Meet Our Organist........................................................... 4 Chapman Partnership for the Homeless ............ 6 Behold the Beauty of Our Church........................... 8 Small Groups.................................................................. 10 Your Word Your Goal.................................................... 12 Youth................................................................................... 14 Children............................................................................. 18

Meet Our Organist,

Jay Brooks
veled at the divine instruments power and might.

When Jay Brooks first discovered organ music at age 10 he marSo he started learning organ basics from his piano teacher and by age 14 became the organist of his church in West Virginia. Later he attended his states Methodist annual conference with his father, a Methodist minister, and set a goal to return one day as organist. Indeed by 17 he became the annual conference organist and then went on to earn a degree in organ performance from the University of Cincinnatis College Conservatory of Music. Hes been playing ever since. I wasnt intimidated by it. I was intrigued by having all that power at my fingertips, he recalled of his first organ encounter. When I heard that thing it was loud and kind of scary sounding and I was hooked. Sharing that enduring love with the larger Coral Gables community, Brooks this year is holding free organ concerts on the first Thursday of every month from 12:30 to 12:55 p.m. at the church (except July 4). He performs a rich repertoire of spiritual and secular pieces on the churchs 4,000 pipe Louisa Candler Eldredge Memorial Organ and hopes to give listeners some mid-day refreshment and musical respite. He views it as an outreach ministry to church members as well as area professionals and residents. And he vows to have fun with it. When you are an organist you are almost a one man orchestra. You have this palate of different sounds to choose from. The organ can be a big powerful instrument and it can also be a
The Louisa Candler Eldredge Memorial Organ

whisper and I plan to use all of it, said Brooks. Its a solid organ repertoire, including things I might not have the opportunity to play during churchIt could be anything from Bach to Broadway. Brooks became music director and organist at FUMCCG in 2006 after moving to Miami to work for the Central Music keyboard instrument company as a South Florida representative. Previously a church organist in North Carolina, Brooks used to also play there at the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina where as word spread many from the larger community began to attend. In December he was asked to do Jay Brooks with The Growing Place kindergarteners a holiday concert for the FUMCCG staff after which he conceived the Gables musical outreach. Its a time where they can relax and listen to music once a month, an oasis, a time apart away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Brooks finds that organ music can be therapeutic and engages the musician completely in using both hands and both feet. He recalled a concert that he reluctantly played right after 9/11 only to be surprised to be uplifted. In different times in my life it has helped me to move past things that are troubling and it has helped me to start to see God and see beauty in places where sometimes people cant see any beauty. Its different for different people. FUMCCGs full pipe organ was originally constructed in the 1950s by the Moller Organ Company. Then in 1995 The Louisa Candler Eldredge Memorial Organ balcony view as the church underwent renovations the Schantz Organ Co. built a new one while leaving in parts of the original. Finally in 2006 an antiphon organ was added to the back of the church to envelop more of the space and give more support for congregational singing. There are pipes that are 6 years old and 60 years old, he said. Its around 4,000 pipes total, which I believe is the second largest instrument in Miami-Dade County. Only Florida International Universitys is bigger. Its a very, very impressive instrument. While he continues to work for Central Music, Brooks is grateful for the opportunity to play at FUMCCG. Im always going to be a church organist. I dont feel right if I dont play something on Sunday morning. I like having a church, a place I serve as an organist.

First Thursday Mid-Day Organ Concert!

By Priscilla Greear

Come on the first Thursday of every month (except July) and enjoy a free 25-minute organ concert by Jay Brooks! Concerts are from 12:30-12:55 p.m. in the Sanctuary. 5

FUMCCG Partners with Chapman Partnership for the Homeless

The ministry team from FUMCCG piled in a minivan around 2:00 p.m. on a recent Friday and headed down to the Chapman Partnership homeless assistance center in downtown Miami near Overtown. There they donned their gloves, caps, hairnets, and aprons and hit the kitchen to prepare the evening meal for 500 residents: BBQ baked chicken, long grain rice, salad, green beans and ice cream sandwiches. As the first seating was admitted at 5:30 p.m. from the line amassed outside, front end coordinator Bill Murff amicably ushered hungry men, women, and children through the line. Kathy Burns and Kathy Howard brought meals and drinks to those with disabilities, mothers with young children, and others needing assistance. From the assembly line, Roberta Weller served green beans wearing a smile and an apron stitched with Bible verse John 3:16 and a gift box design. At a table, one woman named Denise looked heavy laden as she ate her dinner alongside her four boys on this Friday evening during Lent. But she also felt relieved. I feel a sense of peace. My kids have a place to lay their heads and we dont have to worry that somebody will put us out or where our next meal will come from. I want to get a steady (restaurant) job, go back to school and find permanent housing. That way I wont have to repeat this cycle again, said the woman, who had lost her job and been living with a friend. She is trying to muster the initiative required to take full advantage of the many Chapman services available. Meanwhile, she is getting by one day at a time, finding comfort in the gentle presence of volunteers. When [volunteers] come they give you encouraging words. They dont have a frown on their face. They dont look down on you. Indeed, the FUMCCG team takes care to provide excellent food and service in Christs name to those in pain. When we are called to feed them its not only food but spiritual food as well, to let them know they arent any different than anybody else and God cares for them, said team leader, Tom Weller. They really believe that they are the least, the last, and the lost. When somebody comes and says let me give you a hand its foreign for them. You have the opportunity to tell them why you serve. Chapman Partnership relies on civic, corporate, and religious groups to fund and prepare nightly dinners. FUMCCG has sponsored a monthly meal since the shelter opened after it was incorporated in 1993, originally named Community Partnership for the Homeless. The church outreach was previously led by the late Sally Jenks. The homeless center was founded through the leadership of the late Alvah Chapman, former Knight-Ridder CEO and FUMCCG member who was asked by the governor to lead a commission to address rampant homelessnessabout the same time he completed a Disciple Bible class. Chapman extensively researched the issues and led efforts to establish the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and its innovative private sector partner Chapman Partnership. Church member Trish Bell now serves

People come in with their eyes down and when you start talking to them and recognizing them as being a person all of a sudden their face lights up.
as board chair, Jonah Pruitt as a vice chair, and Brent McLaughlin as a member. And Chapmans widow, Betty Chapman, always donates FUMCCGs ice cream. The Partnership gets 63% of its budget from public Trust funding and the rest through fundraising, said recently retired deputy director, Alfredo Brown. It provides comprehensive support services including emergency shelter, health care, daycare, job training and placement, housing assistance and case management. And it has become a national model: Miamis homeless rate has been reduced from 8,000 in 1995 to 839 in January. I cant think of any city in America with a reduction in numbers that significant, said Brown who joined the partnership in 1995. We work with them until they are doing all the right things and we get them successfully placed. The dinner sponsorship helps our budget immensely and weve reduced feeding on our streets, said Brown. Its so nice to have people come to feed 500 people on a regular basis and residents appreciate it immensely...We have been so grateful that these churches have stayed with us and stuck with us for years and FUMCCG has been with us since we opened our doors in 1995. And church members reap joy in living their creed. On March 15, Judy Griffis passed out Easter booklets for children and earlier purchased the 440 pounds of chicken. Its very fulfilling to see the people here instead of on the streets, families with children who would either be on the street or living in a car, to know they can come here to live and start a better life. Added Bill Murff, People come in with their eyes down and when you start talking to them and recognizing them as being a person all of a sudden their face lights up. With about 50 ministry members, the church usually brings about 20 servants a night, who serve until exactly 7 p.m. Structure is important for them. You give them a plan and give them every opportunity to succeed and graduate from the program and become employed, said Weller. The team plans to also start training other church groups who cant afford to continue or start to sponsor a meal alone but want to do it in partnership with another church. The FUMCCG dinner costs about $600 per night while Mrs. Chapman provides $200 worth of ice cream. A forensics investigator, Weller discovered his love for serving the poor through the project. God says bloom where you are planted and that is where Im planted, he said. We are the body of Christ so we (should) get out and move in this community and recognize the need and take care of itYou let people know they are not the least, the last, and the lost and let people know there are people in this community who care about them and there is a God who loves them. For ministry information contact Tom Weller at (786) 246-2577 or teweller@hotmail.com. FUMCCGs CPH team feeds the homeless every 3rd Friday of every month.
By Priscilla Greear

Behold the Beauty:

Stained Glass Windows
Every Sunday, come and behold the glory of the Lord in the resplendent stained glass windows punctuating the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables. The 16 clerestory windows illuminate Christs life, the establishment of the early church and historic figures of Methodism. The eye level transept windows to the left of the chancel feature children from the Old Testament and on the right depict little ones of the New Testament. In the balcony window above the main entrance Christ raises his hand in blessing and floats on clouds over a covenant rainbow. And all serve to uplift those who reflect on their heavenly radiance and enlighten those who contemplate their intricate details and rich biblical symbolism. The church sanctuary was dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1955 where the first balcony window was installed of Christ, which also includes a chalice bracketed by wheat and grapes to symbolize worldwide fellowship of Christians through communion. The clerestory windows were installed in 1963 through the guiding light of the clerestory window committee chair, the late William L. Gray Jr., and the childrens windows were dedicated in 1970. The clerestory windows were created by the Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia, which also made the stained glass windows for the chapel of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The vividly colored and fadeless windows of mouth-blown pot metal glass were crafted in the same way medieval glass artists executed the windows for the great cathedrals of Europe, where the art of stained glass reached its height between 1150 and 1500. In the Middle Ages the beautiful images between earth and heaven served to edify the people, glorify God and instruct the illiterate. And physical light became a direct symbol of the light of God, the true sun, guiding the hearts of the faithful. Following Eastertide, lift thine eyes to Christ the Giver of Immortality on Window 10, the second from the chancel on the right. The top left medallion reveals Christ emerging from his tomb with the bursting pomegranate symbolizing the fertility of the word and the richness of divine grace with its many seeds and red pulp. The lower left medallion shows Jesus breaking bread with disciples at Emmaus following his resurrection where he told them what Scripture said about him after which they recognized him and declared to other disciples, The Lord has risen and has appeared to us. The window reminds the faithful how Jesus also walks with them in daily life, waiting to be recognized, and how he illuminates the minds of those who call him Lord.
By Priscilla Greear

Windows in Our Sanctuary

Windows 1-8 on south wall (left side) from balcony to chancel:
Window 1: Christ the Child, left medallions of the Nativity and presentation in the temple by Simeon and right medallions of the boy Christ with doctors and Christ in the carpenters shop with Mary. Window 2: Christ the Man, left medallions of Jesus baptized by John and the temptation of Christ and right medallions of Jesus driving out the money changers and washing disciples feet. Window 3: Christ the Leader, left medallions of the call of the fishermen Peter and Andrew and of Matthew from his post as tax collector. Right medallions of the great commission and Sauls conversion. Window 4: Christ the Preacher, left medallions of the Sermon on the Mount and preaching from the boat of the Sea of Galilee, and right medallions of blessing little children and in the synagogue. Window 5: Christ the Counselor, left medallions of Christ and Nicodemus and the Woman of Samaria at the well. Right medallions of Christ with Mary and Martha and with the rich young ruler. Window 6: Christ the Friend of Sinners, left medallions of Zaccheus and the adulterous woman and right medallions of Mary anointing Christs feet and Dismas, the penitent thief. Window 7: Christ the Great Physician, left medallions of blind Bartimeus and the woman of great faith and right medallions of the grateful leper and the healing of the noblemans son. Window 8: Christ the Worker of Miracles, left medallions of feeding the five thousand and stilling the tempest and right medallions of raising Jarius daughter and of Lazarus. Window 9: Christ the Man of Sorrows, left medallions of the agony in the garden and of Peters denial and right medallions of Christ before Pilate and bearing the cross. Window 10: Christ the Giver of Immortality, left medallions of the resurrection and emergence from the empty tomb and of the breaking of bread at Emmaus to right medallions of Thomas great confession and the ascension of Christ. Window 11: Apostolic Church, left medallions of Pentecost and Stephens martyrdom and right medallions of Peter and John at the Temple gate beautiful and Paul starting his missionary journeys. Window 12: Reformation, left medallions of Martin Luther of Germany and John Calvin of France and right medallions of Ulrich Zwingli of Switzerland and John Hus of Bohemia. Window 13: Founding of Methodism, left medallion of Methodism founder John Wesley and great hymn writer Charles Wesley and right medallions of Susana Wesley, faith-filled mother of 19, and Francis Asbury, first great Methodist leader in the U.S. who established many churches. Window 14: Spread of Methodism, left medallions of preacher George Whitefield and first America born bishop William McKendree and right medallions of pioneer Methodists Thomas Coke and Bishops Edwin Holt Hughes, James Straughn and John Moore. Window 15: Church at Work at Home, left medallions of modern Sunday School pioneer Robert Raikes and mother of American Methodism Barbara Heck, and right medallions of American evangelist Dwight Moody and Red Cross founder Clara Barton. Window 16: Church at Work in Foreign Fields, left medallions of missionary pioneer in India William Carey and missionary pioneer in Africa David Livingston and right medallions of missionary to India and author Stanley Jones and Albert Schweitzer, German theologian, musician and medical missionary to Africa.

Windows 9-16, north wall (right side) from chancel to balcony:

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Small Groups With a Mission

Small groups are people of faith who are living out the Great Commandment: Love your neighbor At FUMCCG, this spring and into the summer, small groups are connecting their passion with their good works. The Women In Community and the Round Table groups stuffed Easter eggs for the Branches Easter Egg Hunt. Ed and Liz Bakers group assisted at the foot washing for the homeless at the First United Methodist Church downtown. The Searchers Sunday School class and the Round Table group both took homecooked dinner to the student community at the UM Wesley Foundation during the month of April. Some of the women from the group Changing the World One Book at a Time attended the United Methodist Womens Day Apart in Homestead. They learned about immigration legal services offered by the Justice For Our Neighbors ministry, which is part of the UMC Florida Conference. The Altar Guild donated surplus communionware to a United Methodist Church in Mozambique. Recently a representative group met to envision how to make servanthood more of a priority in small groups in our church in general. There are many adults in our congregation who have the skills, experience, and time to contribute to the community and to each other through vocational stewardshipworking for good, mentoring others. There was a suggestion to establish a team, to be called The Wesleyan Corp. Some suggestions for this volunteer alliance are: visiting the shut-ins grandparenting The Growing Place (ie. reading to the children, greeting or helping with special TGP events) making soup monthly for delivery in freezer tubs to the elderly or home-bound ministering to caregivers participating in church work days for gardening or clean-up helping at area schools or tutoring Branches children/youth helping with a church event such as the annual church-wide picnic or vacation Bible School restarting a Stephen Ministry team participating in a medical mission trip beyond our borders

If you have other suggestions and if you would like to join others in a small group to grow relationships with others and God, please coordinate with Kay Murff, our Director of Small Groups, by contacting her at kmurff@fumccg.org or (305) 445-2578 ext. 113.

of courage and purpose, July 10, 17, 24! OASIS is a special time of spiritual growth, fellowship and dinner ($10).

Ladies! Save the date for OASIS: Esther & Vashti, women
Complimentary childcare available for children ages birth - Kindergarten

Esther and Vashti

Women of Courage and Purpose for times such as these

Register today online at www.fumccg.org or with Kay Murff in the office.

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Summer Oasis for Women

Wednesdays, July 10, 17, and 24 6:00 p.m. in Founders Hall Dinner $10 (nursery care available by pre-registration)

member Dixie Andrade asked participants to each pick a word of the year to live and get inspired by to live more fully in Christ. Its something for you to have a vision for the year. Take your word, get excited and make your year the best it can be, said Andrade, founder of the life coaching firm Envision Possibilities, mother of twin boys, co-host of a womens Bible study, and board chair of The Growing Place preschool. Andrade invited the women to choose a word they seek to embody and master, which in turn can empower and focus them in their efforts to reach their personal and/or professional goals. She said her own word is pioneer and that shes set a goal to touch 1,000 womens lives this year. I said the word pioneer because Im blazing a trail for me and going into the unknownEvery day when situations arise I say how can I be a pioneer in this situationAnd that doesnt mean just for my job, it can be in my childrens lives, in volunteering.Talk to me in July and it might change but for right now it feels really authentic and comfortable.

In a Sunday afternoon workshop, FUMCCG

The word approach is an alternative to new years resolutions that follow the do, have, be model where, for example, if you lose weight youll have self esteem and be more confident. Were going to change it around to be, do, have. The reason why is if you get stuck in the doand you dont do it youre never going to get to the be level...Youre never going to get to that exciting levelthat confident level which is what you wanted all along. Participants first wrote down why they chose their word to have intention and clarity. God will manifest what you want for your life if youre truly committed to it, have clarity on it and are talking about it to Him each day in your prayers. And she reminded them that a prerequisite is to be authentic. I try to be authentic all the time and its very hard because not everybody is going to like you. Andrade also asked participants to consider any negative thoughts and feelings that may trigger them to shrink from efforts to realize their highest aspirations. An example is someone who wants to lose weight and compares herself to skinny people after which she degrades herself and feels shame.

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This awareness can help them to be intentional in thinking positively. And dont worry about how the word will manifest itself. If you commit to it and are praying about it and you know its what God wants for you the how will happen. It might not happen in the way you thought it was going to happen. I didnt know I was going to get pregnant and have special needs children but thats what God gave us and they are wonderful, wonderful children, she said. God is going to provide you with the hows and the word for the year will guide you. The women then wrote down five new proactive habits or practices to incorporate into their life to help them in embracing this word more fully. They also wrote down five goals theyd like to accomplish and named their home run for the year, anything from a big dream to a way to live each day. When you clearly define [a goal] youre much more apt to achieve it. Participant Lorrie Balding chose wisdom as her word of the year. I seek it every day with eternity in the background. So often I look around me and whatever is going on gets my attention versus looking up. So I want to just look up all the time. Sara Ocasio chose the word belonging. She transferred here through her work for American Airlines and now as a retiree seeks to connect with community groups and meet people with common interests. While she already volunteers in adult literacy she vowed to stop procrastinating research on ways to engage more and take initiative. Its more involvement and belonging that Im looking for, she said. Aislynn McDonald came up with the word relax. If I relax all those other words I came up with will be an after effect, such as patience, compassion and forgiveness. Being so stressed, so busy all the timeIts slowing down to deal with whatever is happening, to process it, she reflected. Sometimes I get really intense over something

God is going to provide you with the hows and the word for the year will guide you.

that is not really a big deal so if I stop then Ill react differently. And letting go too everything doesnt have to get done. If I relax more and enjoy the moment then the to dos and the chores wont be so important. Twenty year advertising professional Angela Kim told the group how she chose the word renewal to uplift her through the bittersweet decision to leave behind her home, community life and orchid garden and take a new job in Houston. The word is renewal, the idea of releasing the past and embracing all the prosperity that will come to me because obviously its not working here because I havent been able to find employment. I feel almost that God is asking me to let go of everything that Ive worked so hard forIm afraid that Ill fail and that I dont think I can do it, she said, overcome with emotion. I wont have the comfort that I consider comfortable for me because Ill be in a different space. The word will be my way of keeping true to the vision of why Im making this change. Andrade advised her to reframe her fears in a more positive way and focus not on leaving things behind but on renewing life in a different way. You are a faithful person and you are praying about it and [renewal] is going to manifest. When you dont worry about the how its going to manifest in great ways and exciting waysUse this word to feel excited, to get energized about a new change. But God answered Kims prayer in a surprising way indeed: The Houston job offer was rescinded due to miscommunication on logistics. But that same Tuesday afternoon she contacted a Miami agency she had interviewed with and got a job offer by Friday evening. I started my new job on Wednesday of this past week, the same day I was scheduled to depart for Houston, wrote Kim afterwards to the workshop group. I am amazed by Gods timing and orchestration. My word, renewal, continues to inspire me. I pray that your selected word inspires you this week.
By Priscilla Greear

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YOUTH

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Confirmation 2013
FUMCCG Youth on Confirmation Sunday

The Confirmation Class of 2013 was recently received into the fellowship on Sunday, April 7. The class included: Jack Archer, Michael Aspinwall, Katrina Darby, Hunter Matson, Eloy Rios, Victoria Rios, Chrissy Rosillo, and Abbie Wagner. Once again our wonderful team of teachers consisted of Candy Rose, Lisa Metzker and Robert Gray.

We added to the curriculum this year by reading through the entire Gospel of Mark. This was a great experience for the teachers as well as the students. Reading the entire Gospel covers the life of Jesus on earth and his mission as the Christ. All the issues of being a faithful Christian come to the forefront through the simple reading of the text. It was a wonderful experience to discover Jesus anew in every class. The highlight of the confirmation experience continues to be the retreat at the Warren Willis United Methodist Youth Camp in Leesburg, Florida. The class joins 400 other youth also going through confirmation. There are guest speakers and fantastic worship as well as over five hours of study time as a group. The setting at the camp is beautiful and the energy is truly inspiring. Many of the youth from this years class will be attending summer camp for the first time this year based on their positive experience at the confirmation retreat.

FUMCCG Youth at Warren Willis Confirmation Camp

This confirmation class has a lot of personality and many talented young people. We look forward to experiencing their continued spiritual growth and maturity as they participate in the youth ministry and other areas of the church. We recognize and affirm the important step they have taken through confirmation and are very proud of them.
FUMCCG Youth & Teachers By Robert Gray

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SUMMER 2013 Mission Trip & Camp

Puerto Rico Mission Trip 2013
Last year 16 youth and four adult chaperones went to Ponce, Puerto Rico, and teamed up with McCabe Memorial Methodist Church and their wonderful pastor, Ingmar Rivera. The good people of McCabe Memorial put us up in their homes and their hospitality was incredible. Our team was so touched by the passion and joy of the people there in Ponce that we are planning to go back again this June.
Puerto Rico 2012

We also had an idea. Maybe Pastor Ingmar and some of their youth could come to Miami and work with us on Vacation Bible School and other projects. So we invited them to Miami. And we were so excited that they sent a group to Miami June 8-13. Pastor Ingmar, his wife, Coral, and their daughter, Yadi, brought four high school boys with them. The McCabe Memorial group was part of our Vacation Bible School team. We also did some projects around the church including pressure cleaning and painting. The youth room definitely got some painting and cleaning as well. In Puerto Rico we will be cleaning and painting their school. After we refurbished the existing mural that had been vandalized, Pastor Ingmar has requested that we do a brand new mural in another location. Amanda May Moore will be leading our mural team and they have a great design already planned. After our amazing trip last year, we set a goal to have twenty-four youth and six adults go this summer. Well, we have surpassed our goal. Our team is twenty-FIVE youth and six adults to make a total of THIRTY-ONE missionaries! Praise God!
By Robert Gray

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Warren Willis United Methodist Youth Camp

I first went to Warren Willis UM Youth Camp four years ago and was extremely impressed with the entire affair. The camp is directed by Mike Standifer and his fantastic staff during the entire year, but most of the camp staff is WWUM Youth Camp FUMCCG Youth 2012 college age young adults hired for the summer. Their faith in Christ and their passion to share that faith is the driving force of the camp. The camp site is a beautiful wooded retreat that says Old Florida all over it. The trees have moss hanging everywhere and the view of Lake Griffin just takes your stress level down three notches every time. Technically, it is located in Fruitland Park, Florida, but if you have trouble finding that look up Leesburg. The camp is divided into three levels: elementary, middle school, and high school. There are around 800 kids in the entire camp each week. The separate age groups do activities in groups throughout each day and eat separately as well. They also stay in air conditioned cabins divided by gender and age group. Worship time is the highlight of each day at camp. The entire camp comes together to join in a spirited session including great music and videos. The band is made up of counselors and is always very talented and energetic. No one sits around during worship! It is high energy and every song has associated hand gestures. By the second day, everyone knows the motions for each song and it is really fun. I never miss worship. The camp runs for about 10 weeks and each week is a stand alone session. We will be attending the third week from June 24-29 with about 15 youth from our church. In fact, we have too many going to fit in the church mini-bus, so if you are interested in driving some kids to camp this June, let me know. Plan to stay for worship on that first day. You wont be disappointed.

By Robert Gray

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Fridays for

Kids

Parents Night Out

&

First Fridays for elementary children and Parents Night Out for preschoolers started in February and ended in May. The parents could enjoy some quality alone time while the children were cared for in a nurturing environment. The elementary children learned about the life and teaching of Jesus and were led by over a dozen servants giving their Friday nights to spend with our children. Just after the first three First Fridays we touched the lives of 64 children! Please keep these programs and our entire Childrens Ministry in your prayers that we will make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

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Summer Calendar
Vacation Bible School Thank you to all the volunteers who made VBS this year a success and to all the children and their parents who raised over $1,000 to buy two cows and a flock of chicks from Heifer Interntaional!

June 10-14

Family Fun Water Park Party!

Family Fun Party at Grapeland Water Park on July 19 from 6-8:00 p.m. Tickets for $5 will be on sale on June 30, July 7, & July 14.

July 19

Summer Sunday School Schedule

July 7 & 14 One worship service at 10:30. Children (K-5th grade) will begin with their families in worship and be dismissed to room #202. July 21 & 28 Worship services at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Children (K-5th grade) will begin with their families in worship and be dismissed to room #202. August 18 Fall Sunday School will begin
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Join us for two special combined worship services!

10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary followed by a reception after each service: July 7 - Special Communion Service July 14 - Hymn Sing Worship Service Normal worship services will continue for the rest of the summer.

Contact Us!
Do you have a story to tell?
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

Small Groups - Kay Murff Youth/College - Robert Gray

(305) 446-0846 kmurff@fumccg.org or ext. 113 rgray@fumccg.org or ext. 107

The Growing Place Preschool Weddings - Roberta Weller Baptisms - Darrell Miles

rweller@fumccg.org or ext. 121 dmiles@fumccg.org or ext. 106

Counseling - Sallie Quillian and Judy Hatfield Traditional Music - Jay Brooks and Dr. Bob Gower Contemporary Music - Richard Aspinwall
mward@fumccg.org or ext. 103 jbrooksorganist@gmail.com or ext. 124 and rgower@miami.edu raspinwall@fumccg.org or (305) 801-6768 (305) 661-9581 and (305) 448-1957

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.

Membership, Outreach, & Children - Rev. Mary Susan Ward Finance - Sid Macaspac smacaspac@fumccg.org or ext. 104 Communications - Jennifer Flynt Prayer - prayer requests online at www.fumccg.org or Ward Cox
Redline513@aol.com jflynt@fumccg.org or ext. 119

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