Hello Beloved Community!

I want to start out by saying a huge thank you to all of you for the outpouring of support that I have received around my seminary graduation. The party on Saturday night was so much fun, and kudos to all of you for pulling off such a wonderful surprise. I have enjoyed reading your cards, emails, and messages and I have been overwhelmed by the beautiful gifts that I received. Thank you to everyone who had any part in this at all, you brought me more joy than you will ever know…because I can’t find words adequate to express it! I love all of you!

I do want to provide you with an ordination process update. I had a meeting with the regional committee on ministry on Tuesday. The meeting went really well and they are recommending me for Ecclesiastical Council! Now that they have made that recommendation, I will have my Ecclesiastical Council in September. This is the final step in the Ordination Process other than an ordination service. This is a very exciting time and I want to keep you updated all along the journey.

Bible Study resumes today, and each Wednesday there will be two opportunities for you to participate. We will be meeting at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm, so feel free to join us for either. We will focus on the text that will be used for the sermon the following Sunday and this will allow us an opportunity to take a deeper dive into the scripture for the week. We will be meeting in the Spirit Room of the main building.

This week we will begin our Easter/Pentecost Sermon series that will run through July 31. The theme for this week is going from being troubled and fearful to being at peace. The focus text for this week is John 20:19-23 and it is the story of Jesus appearing in a locked upper room.

Lastly, this Sunday we will have two local agencies set up at tables in the lobby sharing information about the services that they provide. One agency will be The Vincent House and the other agency is the Hernando County Department of Health. I hope you will all stop by and see them either as you come in or as you leave on Sunday.

I hope that you all have a great week!

Love ya…Mean it!

-Chance

Great News!!!!

Chance completed his meeting today with the Regional Committee on Ministry and they are recommending him for Ecclesiastical Council! ANOTHER BIG STEP TOWARDS ORDINATION!!

Your Council on Ministry met last Sunday with the following results:

• Lilly Browning has agreed to serve as Clerk replacing Brian Knowles. Lilly also serves as Co-Ministry Coordinator of Missions and Social Engagement. She also coordinates Loaves and  Fishes, our food pantry program. Her husband, Henry, has worked ongoing to improve the church grounds. 
• -Our finances were in the black for the month of April
• Our June Council Meeting will be dedicated to budget preparation for next year.
• We will have an All-church Retreat in June. Watch for additional information and plan to attend. Your voice is needed as we plan!
• 
  

REMEMBER----YOU ARE A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD!!! 

Barb Boley, Moderator

Bible Study starts today,

Wednesday May 11, 2022

at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

in the Sanctuary Spirit Room.

Starting this Saturday, on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month we will be working on the church grounds (mowing grass, pulling weeds, etc.).  If you can help out, we would love to have you join us.  We will meet at 7:00 a.m. - hope to see you here!

Did you know that last week was Hurricane Preparedness Week? 

Be ready for hurricane season. Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1. 

Make an Evacuation Plan

A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare, while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring that you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter what the circumstances.

IN THE EVENT OF A HURRICANE, PLEASE NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF YOU DECIDE TO EVACUATE.

If you are considering joining our church family and want to find out more information about us, please mark your calendars and plan to attend the SHUCC Explorers Luncheon on May 22nd at 11:15 a.m., following worship.  A Sign-up sheet is in the lobby.

If you are an Amazon Prime member or just shop regularly at Amazon. com, you can designate part of your purchase price to go to your church! This happens through AmazonSmile program - the Amazon foundation gives 0.5% of your purchase price to the charity of your choice, and you can designate Spring Hill United Church of Christ as your charity.

Instead of going to www.amazon.com as you normally do, navigate to smile.amazon.com. It looks just like Amazon's normal site, except it will tell you to designate a charity of your choice. Click on "My Account" and look for the option to "Designate My Charitty" or "Change my Charity", do a search for our church.

FROM YOUR FLORIDA CONFERENCE:

My Dear Friends,

There is a ZOOM conversation this evening (5/11) at 7 p.m., and I’d like to take just a moment to explain why I hope that you and members from your congregation will attend (please feel free to share this invitation with your church’s contact list, as you see fit).

The “Collage Ministry” team of First United Church of Sarasota will be leading us in conversation about “Living Into Our Covenants as Open & Affirming People.” Some of our churches in the conference are Open & Affirming, and some are not. It is my hope and prayer that ALL of our churches will have the opportunity to receive insight as to more effectively and lovingly serve as neighbors, sisters, and brothers in Christ to all members, families, and allies of LGBTQ+ persons.

I KNOW YOU ARE BUSY - which is why I’m excited that our conversation plans to focus on what churches as a WHOLE can do (as opposed to expecting pastors and leadership to carry the work alone).

For these reasons, I hope you will join us.

The ZOOM ID is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3616878295

Thank you for all that you are and all that you do. I hope to see you soon.

Neal Watkins

Minister for Congregational Life

Florida Conference, UCC

PLEASE PRAY FOR..Sherrie Raymond, Scott Harris, Myrtle Helfers, Carrie Haggerty, Kathy Scheible, Janet Pruitt, AJ, LaRetta Thompson, Jill Thompson, Addy Hackl, Melody, Steve Whitney, Ted Shepherd, Sandy Parker, Matthew Browning & family, Del Fillmore, Jimmy Patton, Debbie Bogoslofski, Beverly Gethen, the Ukranian People, Rev. Jones and Kazmierczak families and Jennifer Mattson DeGroff,

(If we need to take a name off the Prayer list, please let the office know.)

The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry will be open on the first and third Saturdays each month from 9 am - 11 am. The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry ministry helps us reach our hungry, worried and lonely neighbors with a little bit of food, and a whole lot of love. Thank you to all who give food, finances and/or time to this outreach.

• Mondays: 9:00 am -1:00 pm (Chance will be in the office / Marty works from home)
• Tuesday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Marty) / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (Chance)
• Wednesday: Administrative Day - Office is Closed to outside calls and visits - unless an emergency. We will have a volunteer come in on that day. (9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Marty) /11:00 am - 7:30 pm (Chance)
• Thursday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Marty) / Chance is off
• Friday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Marty and Chance)