October 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

October 2008

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES Birthdays September 1st 2nd 4th 5th 8th 12th 13th 16th 18th 19th 20th 22nd 24th 25th

Pat Folks Kelly Wade Donna Brynjolfsson Bill Nystrm Bob Rushworth Ruth Sumner Mary Lou Wolfe Maxine Penn Kim Park Delaney Smith Karen Wilson Kristen Jones Jon Hertling Mary Garrison Rick Gruber Karly Blanchard Jacob Cole Cameron Duvall Payton Mitchell

26th Matthew Park 28th Deborah Witham October 5th James Weeks, Jr. 6th Miranda Heitz 9th Linda Peterson th 17 Eileen Mystrom Mary Ellen Reilly th 18 Judy Colvin 20th Jayne Braddy Phil Rosseter, Jr. 21st Kristi Jones th 25 David Rogers 27th Jessica Arnette

September Leterica Kickliter & Pat Wallace Jane & Ken Brown

October 3rd Christine & Larry Messer 5th Michele & Bill Gerrell th 7 Judy & Jim Colvin 14th Beverly & Gene Copeland 20th Susan & David Rogers 28th Ellen & Bill Boon

Yeah, you are going to say that we’ve talked about all this before—and we have, although I am pretty sure that many of us haven’t quite got it yet—at least not enough to do anything more about it. What am I talking about? Radical Hospitality! So what is it? Here’s what our Annual Conference says about it: “Radical Hospitality begins with how persons in a congregation relate to one another in Christian love and then radiates out to how newcomers are welcomed and finally to how the congregation reaches beyond itself as ambassadors of reconciliation to their community and the next generation. As followers of one who easily and gladly welcomed women, children, tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes, Samaritans, Zealots, and indeed, people of all sorts into his fellowship how can we not do likewise? As Paul said, God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting our sins against us. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (II Corinthians 5:18-20).” I sincerely believe that we do a really good job of welcoming folks that walk through our doors and if and when they come back, we certainly make them feel like this would be a good place to be. Yet what about all of our neighbors in our community and folks that visit our church for other reasons? Are we at all radical in our hospitality?

Anniversaries

18th 30th

Dear Friends,

While I love our church building—aren’t we a whole lot more than the bricks and mortar (and pretty carpeting and lovely wood floors)? How do we take ourselves out of our church building into our community? There’s a lot we need to learn to bring ourselves into this new century (now quickly approaching a decade old)! Our Florida Annual Conference is offering a day-long workshop on “Radical Hospitality” and if we can’t find a good strong team of folks (would it be too much to ask for 10-12 persons) to participate—to be honest (and I might get in trouble here) I suspect that we ought to start closing all the doors and start handing out membership cards for our club. The details can be found on the conference website (www.flumc.org) under (guess what) “Radical Hospitality.” There is a workshop on Friday, October 24 in Bradenton or Saturday, October 25 in Lakeland (8:30-4:30 both places). It costs $25 a person and an optional $15 for lunch and snacks. I’m planning on going to the one in Bradenton on Friday. Who wants to join me? Or maybe Saturday is better for you—who wants to take a carload there? We need to register soon. There won’t be another opportunity for awhile on this issue and more than anything else, I suspect this issue is the one we have the most grappling to do and ponder.

Pastor Glenn

DO YOU HAVE ANY UNNEEDED BLANKETS TAKING UP SPACE IN YOUR CLOSETS? Our Pioneer Voyager Class is collecting clean blankets as a service project

From Tana in the

Children’s Corner God has blessed Children’s Sunday School in many ways this last year. He has given us a wonderful group of adults committed to our children: John Bobbitt Cheryl Cavaliere Diane Chadwick Aaron Cole Jacob Cole Mike Kopotic And he has given us a solid 6 to 7 children for Sunday school each week. The next step in children’s Sunday School will be to form a 2nd and 3rd grade class. A teacher is needed as a standby so we can offer that class when we have a core group of that age.

for one of their badges. The blankets will be given to Metropolitan Ministries, the Clothes Closet, or other charitable organizations. There is a basket outside the Pioneer Club classroom on the 1st floor or you may leave blankets in the church office or call Deni Blankenship at 230-2029.

Congratulations to Samantha Bush and Gary Butler who were united in marriage at Seminole Heights UMC on September 20, 2008.

If you have not plugged into a ministry here at Seminole Heights, please talk to God about Children’s Ministry. We will train teachers if they step forward.

“Take the first step in faith; you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step!” How many of our families would be interested in going as a group to carol and visit with some of our shut-ins on a December afternoon? We would return to the church and have pizza and a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Please give this some thought, and in December we will have a sign up. st

Parents’ Night Out resumes on Thursday, October 2 and will take place the 1 Thursday of each month. In order to participate, your children MUST be pre-registered--walk-ins cannot be accepted. See Tana for more details or to pre-register your child/children. Pioneer Club is in need of a co-teacher or assistant leader for the 3rd and 4th grade group of children. We meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:15 and occasionally for special outings. Please give this your prayerful consideration and call Christine Messer (232-8231) or Tana Bierce (326-4802) for more details or to volunteer.

Our annual flea market has been re-scheduled for Saturday, October 4, beginning at 8:00 a.m. We hope you will spread the word to your friends and neighbors. If flea markets are “your thing” come on down that day and shop for the many bargains that will be available. Even if you don’t come to shop, you can help support the flea market by going through your closets, garages, kitchens, drawers, attics, etc. and pull out all those things you no longer want or need and bring them in for the sale. Some of the items that are needed include: small (working) appliances, kitchen wares, dishes, toys, books, tools, knick knacks, craft supplies, pictures, sports equipment, exercise equipment, baby items, furniture and appliances. Items should be taken to the storage area beyond the kitchen and beyond the ice machine. We must have your donations no later than Wednesday, October 1st, in order to allow time for pricing. However, furniture and large appliances cannot be stored here prior to the sale and must be brought in that morning. Also, we do not sell clothing. Any clothing items that come in will be donated to The Clothes Closet. Jane Brown can always use help in sorting and pricing prior to the sale, and of course workers will be needed the day of the sale, so call Jane (237-4238) to volunteer your help. Let’s all get involved!

OUR ANNUAL PUMPKIN AND PECAN PIE SALE is once again scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving with the proceeds benefiting youth and Boy Scout ministries. More details and sign up slips will soon be available.

Please Keep in Your Prayers… Our Known Military: Scott Aiken, Tim Bonner, James Brumley, Ashlee Colvin, Tracey Edwards, Patrick Freshwater, Daniel Goode, Shawn Bonner Grabulis, Eric Harvester, Jr., Ken Herbert, Brian McClanahan, Trevor Mott-Smith, Misty Newell, Michael Penn, John Vondruska, Kristen Vondruska, James Weeks Those shut-ins living at home or in care facilities Our Reported hospitalized: UCH - Lamar Camp Our sister church in Cuba, Rio Cauto

MEMORIALS / HONOR GIFTS (Given through September 15) Given in memory of Don Wolfe by: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. James Jeffrey Betty Kime The E. T. Shelnutt family Phoebe Worth Medical Center Mr. & Mrs. Milt Bedingfield Mr. & Mrs. Larry Jones Fern McDowell

Mary Ellen Reilly Mr. & Mrs. Phil Rosseter, Jr. Cletus Ehrlacher Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Mason Leterica Kickliter Mr. & Mrs. H. T. Bailey Mr. & Mrs. Norm Krueger Mary Virginia Handley

Given in memory of Ernestine Allen Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Mason Ione Schell Circle

Mary Virginia Handley Cletus Ehrlacher

Congratulations to Tim and Heather (Rushworth) Bonner on the birth of Caleb Matthew on August 5. Proud grandparents are Bob and April Rushworth and Larry and Debbie Bonner.

Bazaar Buzzings The Seminole Heights UMC annual holiday bazaar is just around the corner on Saturday, November 22nd. There’ll be a bake sale full of tasty home-made goodies, jams, jellies, and pickles. There are lots of new crafts for gifts, wreaths, children’s items, teachers’ gifts, jewelry, and an auction. Concessions will be available for lunch.

Given in memory of Mary Bascome Cletus Ehrlacher Mr. & Mrs. Jim Metcalf

So you’ll be able to shop, there will be a Santa’s workshop for the little ones as well as a nursery for the babies.

Given in memory of Nancy Liddell by Mary Virginia Handley Given in memory of Dr. Goddard Sherman by Sally Sherman Given in honor of Celeste McConnell for her 100th birthday by Cletus Ehrlacher

Success depends on your support; bring your friends and neighbors, as this bazaar benefits our church and missions. --Jane Brown --Jayne Braddy

THE WILMINGTON CONCERT CHOIR IS COMING! Our church will be blessed to have the Wilmington Concert Choir of 40+ members performing for us during both services on November 16th. We need volunteers willing to house adult choir members for two nights. If you are willing to house one or more choir members please contact Diane Chadwick at 236-2273. If you’re unable to house choir members but are willing to assist with the preparation of group meals for the choir, please let Diane know.

It’s not too early to begin thinking of all those in our community who will not have a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner unless we make this possible for them. Of course we sponsor a year-round food drive, but at this time of year we like to suggest: 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. 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.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHURCH DINNERS ARE BACK and there are some changes for this year.  Pot lucks will be on the 1st Wednesday of each month (1st Sunday, communion; 1st Wednesday, pot luck).  Due to the rise in the cost of food and papergoods, we have found it necessary to increase the price of the dinners to $5 for adults, $4 for children aged 3-12, and free for children under 3. You will now pay at the door and receive a ticket for your meal, which you will place in the basket at the serving window. Would you like the honor of being “Chef for a Day?” If you would like to sign up to cook a Wednesday night meal please see Deni or Carole Blankenship. There’s lots going on at Seminole Heights UMC on Wednesday evenings--dinner, Pastor’s study, Youth activities, and Pioneer Club. If you would like more information about any of these activities feel free to call the church office. Won’t you join us!

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? What are those extra blessings in your life? Did you meet someone today who has many more health problems than you have? Drop some change in your jar in thankfulness for your health. Did the policeman let you off with a warning instead of a ticket? Drop some change in your jar! When you woke up this morning were you able to turn on your tap and get fresh, clean water and have electricity to make your coffee? Feed your Thank Offering jar. We don’t have to look very far to find all those blessings we tend to take for granted every day. We will be collecting the Thank Offering money at our General Meeting on November 9th. Ladies, did you know--with so many women all over the U.S. giving a few pennies, or nickels, or dimes or more--the World Thank Offering last year amounted to over $1,600,000! Yes, over a million dollars extra for missions!