November 2008 Messenger

Our Church Staff

Pastor………………………………………… Rev. Dr. T. Glenn Bosley-Mitchell Music Director and Organist…………………… …………………….Judy Colvin Youth Director……………………………………………………...Matthew Heitz Children’s Ministry Director…………………………………………. Tana Bierce Director, Pre School………………………………………….…..Christine Messer Praise Team Director……………………………………………… Matthew Heitz Office Administrator………………………………………….………..Betty Jones Financial Secretary………………………………….………..…..Christine Messer Sunday Building & Office Coordinator………………………………Lamar Camp Hymn Organist……………………………………………….………..Jason Steere Nursery Attendant…………………………………………… …….Lynne Bobbitt

6111 Central Avenue Tampa, Florida 33604 813 236-5931 [email protected] Rev. Dr. T. Glenn Bosley-Mitchell

Church Office……….. 236-5931 Church Fax…………. 236-5932 Preschool Center….… 232-8231 [email protected]

Messenger

Deadline for submitting information for the Messenger is the 15th of each month. Seminole Heights United Methodist Church 6111 Central Avenue Tampa, FL 33604-6798

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The monthly news of Seminole Heights United Methodist Church

November 2008

November Birthdays and Anniversaries Birthdays Nov. 3 Liz Sandford White Nov. 4 Julie Bedingfield Nov. 6 Deni Blankenship Nov. 7 Ken Park Margie Shelor Nov. 8 Greg Kime Karen Vondruska Nov. 9 Frances Riddick Nov. 12Patricia Betz

Nov. 12Hanna Saxon Nov. 14 Mark Spear Nov. 15 William Boon Nov. 18 Nancy Fatic Nov. 19 Conor Dobbs Nov. 26 Tom Culberson Nov. 29 Raymond Yager, Jr Nov. 30 Joy Tompkins

Anniversaries Nov. 16 Nov. 28 Nov. 30

Vincent & Cheryl Cavaliere Tom & Lisa Culberson Matthew & Miranda Heitz

We Extend Sympathy to: Mrs. Marilyn Jones and family on the death of her mother, Marjorie Eckstein, on September 24. The Jones family and the Carr family on the death of Arthur Carr on September 30. Matthew Heitz and family on the death of his uncle on October 20.

November Flowers

November 23 - Given by Allen Harvester in loving memory of Martha for their 35th wedding anniversary. November 30 - Given by Mary Ann and Jim Shirbach in honor of their wedding anniversary and in honor of Mary Ann’s mother’s birthday.

Dear SHUMC Friends, I suspect that Ruth in the Old Testament might have been one of the first of the “Sandwich Generation”—you know those folks who have the burdens of caring for their children and their parents at the same time. I certainly know that many folks in our church are experiencing the layers of those caring burdens. Yes, we know it’s family, but when will we get some relief? Do you remember the Ruth story? Her husband died and she left her home and family to move with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem (as a “stranger in a strange land”). There in the threshing fields as she gleaned for leftover wheat, she met her future husband, and together they became the parents of Obed—the grandfather of King David. Ruth, sandwiched between mother-in-law and child, was certainly blessed by God. And family is such a blessing … but oh, it hurts when they hurt. So being one of the sandwich generation is nothing new to our world and culture, but as many of you know, the presence and/or help of extended family, friends and neighbors, even clues or resources from our culture seems so distant or simply impossible. The result—lots of “angst”— a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity. Maybe we should switch the sandwich generation to the angst generation. I certainly know I feel it. Today, my mom and I (and with long distance discussions with my brother and sister) had to make the decision to move my dad out of their home to an “assisted living facility” which specializes in dementia care. My mom (typically not the emotional type) was full of tears in making this decision—so please keep them in prayer. During these weeks, Gaye and I have also had the angst of trying to assist our son, Clark to rediscover the potential for his life as he faces federal or state prosecution for a “limewire” violation of federal law with minimum sentences ranging in the 8-12 years range. As a “civil rights/justice oriented lawyer” with a public defender background, I resent what I perceive was a severe “entrapment” and violation of his constitutional rights (of course, federal law sees it quite differently and I am certainly biased as Clark’s dad). Please respect our privacy on the details of this matter, as our attorney has suggested that we share nothing about this situation. I know that being sandwiched is not new, and is certainly not new to many of you. But somehow, I miss the days of grandparents and aunts and uncles, and cousins and longtime neighbors and friends all being around and connected to hold our hands, bring comfort and relief, and share our burdens. Don’t you? Faithfully, Pastor Glenn

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Saturday, November 22, 2008 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Featuring: Plants Baked Goods Coffee Café Auction Country Kitchen (jams, jellies, pickles, candy, etc.) Fall & Christmas crafts Pioneer Club craft table Handcrafted boutique items Collectibles Handmade quilts, pillows, etc. Grilled lunch available Wreaths and wall hangings Santa’s Workshop for children (4-10) and nursery for babies while parents shop ~~Completed craft items can be turned in anytime. Plants and Country Kitchen items can be brought in Wednesday or Thursday of bazaar week. ~~Bake sale items should come in on Friday or early Saturday. ~~Help us advertise by spreading the word to your co-workers, neighbors, friends and family. If everyone in the church and all those you tell about the bazaar came and only spent $5, think of what we could do for the church and our mission outreach. ~~Even if you’re not interested in crafts, there’s so much more--baked goods, jams and jellies, pickles, plants, fellowship and camaraderie! Bazaar salad luncheon Sunday, Nov. 23 at 12:00 noon. Salad plate: $5.00 (One more chance to browse and get that item you wish you had bought on Saturday!)

Questions? Call Jane Brown At 237-4238

Memorials (Through October 20)

Given in memory of Arthur Carr Charlie & Pat Fisher Elizabeth Sandford White Nancy Beronda Norman Swope Mavis Haywood Larry & Christine Messer Nellie Ruth Williams Open Door, Fellowship, Friendly Class Family of Robert Julian Clark, Sr.

Ruth Sumner Conard Caraway Phil Rosseter, Jr. Phil &Mary Frances Rosseter Jimmy & Joann Jones Mary Ellen Reilly Ronnie & Betty Sue Mason Kitty Soderberg Mary Lou Wolfe

Given in memory of Don Wolfe Donald & Hazel Barney (Copper leaf for Tree of Life) Ione Schell Circle Given in memory of Ernestine Allen - From Open Door, Fellowship, Friendly Class Given in memory of Gary Chester - Harold & Ardes Chester Given in memory of Harry & Ethel Barney - Donald & Hazel Barney (copper leaf)

Congratulations and best wishes to our former youth director, Moe Mennenger and Christopher Wooten who were united in marriage on October 17th in Franklin, North Carolina.

Seminole Heights United Methodist Church Teen Ministries & Boy Scout Troop 57

Thanksgiving Pie Sale 2008 Pumpkin pies Pecan pies

$7.00 each $9.00 each

How many?_______ How many?_______

(Please make checks payable to Seminole Heights UMC)

Pies will be available for pickup Mon., 11/24, 12-8pm, Tues., 11/25, 8am8pm and Wed. 11/26, 8am-11am. Name__________________________________________________ Phone _________________________________________________

A Holiday Music Tradition Continues The Florida Southern College Department of Music will present their annual holiday concert on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, Lakeland. The concert features the Concert Chorale, the Symphony Band and Orchestra, the Jazz Ensemble, the Woodwind Choir, and vocal and instrumental ensembles. The price is $10 per person, by reservation only (seating is limited). Checks go to Fla. Southern College, 111 Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801. For more info contact Lynn Hollis ([email protected]) or call 863 680-4297.

The first Thursday of each month brings two special church events: 1. Game Day is at 10 a.m. in Allen Hall. For info on this morning of fun and fellowship call Laurie Winters (238-1565) or Nellie Ruth Williams (238-5502). 2. Parents’ Night Out is hosted by Children’s Ministry. This is a time for parents to bring their children (infants - 10 years) to the church where they will enjoy supper, games, arts & crafts, movies, etc., while parents enjoy a time for shopping, a movie, or just relaxing. Pre-registration is required each month. For more details or to register, call Tana Bierce at 326-4802.

Address________________________________________________ Please pay for pie(s) when ordering This section for pie coordinator’s use Method of Payment:

Check #__________ _____Payment enclosed

Cash_______ Amount __________

All proceeds benefit youth programs (Please mail this slip in, call the church office to place your order, or put the slip in the collection plate.)

The Wilmington Celebration Choir will be performing for us on November 16th at the 9:30 and 11:00 services. The choir is based out of Wrightsboro UMC in Wilmington, NC and will include 40+ singers featuring a wide variety of musical styles. They perform nationally and will be with us prior to leaving out of Tampa for a Caribbean cruise. Please take this opportunity to invite friends to join you for this special presentation. We are still looking for volunteers to assist with the group meals and families willing to host the choir members in your home. The host families will provide lodging for 2 nights (Sat/Sun) and will need to provide transportation back and forth to the church. If you can help please contact Diane Chadwick at 236-2273.

Our Metropolitan Ministries holiday food drive is underway benefiting those of our community who will not have a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner unless we help make this possible for them. Of course we sponsor a year-round food drive, but at this time of year we like to suggest:

MISSION MESSAGE The holidays are approaching; for most of us it’s the busiest time of the year with very little time to think about anything but getting through the season without losing our sanity. The loss of jobs and a bad economy puts a pall over what should be a blessed and happy time.

Canned goods: pumpkin pie mix, yams, vegetables, cranberry sauce, gravy, fruit, etc. Dry packages: Instant potatoes, stuffing, beans, rice, pasta, gravy mix, etc. Dessert items: packaged cookies, cake mixes, dessert mixes, boxes of gelatin and pudding Plus: evaporated and powdered milk, hot and cold cereals, crackers, Bisquick, cornbread and roll mixes, etc. Grocery store gift certificates are always greatly appreciated since they are used to purchase turkeys, fresh produce and other perishables. (Leave certificates in the church office.) No glass containers or fresh produce or loaves of bread, please, since the holiday food won’t be taken to Metropolitan Ministries until about two weeks before Thanksgiving.

Personally, this year, I’ve decided to reduce the amount of stress by focusing on what’s important. The time spent with family and friends, and the meaning of Christmas. My family doesn’t notice if the dressing is homemade or made from a box or if the pies are bought from the bakery. But they do notice if the dip I make only at Christmas is missing, so I’ll make the special dip.

As you do your grocery shopping please add a few extra items to your basket and then look for the Metropolitan Ministries barrels outside Allen Hall and the baskets by the church office and in the narthex. United Methodist Women--are you remembering to drop a little change in your World Thank Offering jar every time you have an extra blessing in your life? We will be collecting the Thank Offering money at our General Meeting on November 9th. All ladies of the church are invited to join us for this annual special meeting.

Charge Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Clark Edwards will be the presiding elder. At this meeting we will elect our church council officers for next year and report on activities of this past year and expectations for the coming year. All members of the Church Council should plan to attend and all of our church family are welcome to attend.

When thinking about how trivial these decisions are compared to the challenges our Christian friends in other parts of the world are suffering, I am humbled by their constant faith that “God will provide”. Hurricanes in Cuba have destroyed churches, homes and crops. Yet, not for one minute does a Christian question God’s will or lose their faith. Temporary homes are built with the rubble as they continue to worship and thank God for what they still have. Persecution of Christians in China and many other parts of the world are beyond our comprehension as we are free to worship and openly observe our Christian rituals in the denominations of our choice. Yet, by worshiping, they risk their very lives. After dinner on Wednesday, November 12th at 6:45 p.m. you will have the opportunity to hear Frances Christensen talk about his mission in China. He is part of Youth With A Mission and the son of long-time member Marium Christensen. Sunday, November 30th, Pastor Pedro Castillo from Methodist church in Santiago de Cuba will preach to our congregation. There will be a combined service at 10:30 a.m. with lunch following the service. Please support these missionaries by attending. You will be humbled and amazed at their courage and commitment to Christ. Love in Christ Missions Committee