Happy Wednesday Beloved Community!

I hope that you are all having a great week so far. This Sunday will be the last Sunday in our current sermon series. The focus passage for this Sunday is Luke 8:26-39 and it is the story of the deliverance of a man battling demons. I have been reflecting on this story for the past few weeks and I have been thinking the battles that many of us face each day. We will be talking more about that this Sunday.

This Sunday we will also be having our New Member Explorer Class immediately following worship in Fellowship Hall. I encourage any of you who are considering joining SHUCC to plan to stick around for this meeting. We will be providing lunch for you, and I look forward to seeing you there.

Do you desire a deeper sense of community? Do you want to get to know other people better?  Well, we have a ministry starting up very soon that will help you do both. The Tables of Eight ministry is going to be kicking off at the end of August with a community meal for everyone interested in participating. Many of you have already signed up for the Tables of Eight and I know that many of you may be interested but just unsure of what it will look like. We will talk about that at our August meeting, but I will attempt to hit some highlights here:

•  The gatherings will be held as often as the group would like.
• The gatherings can be anytime of the day/week that is most inclusive for the group.
• The gatherings do not have to take place at someone’s home. If the group would prefer to go to a restaurant, great. Picnic at the beach, wonderful. Dinner in our fellowship hall, super. It truly is dependent on what works best for the group.

The whole purpose of this is to build a stronger community, and I don’t want to limit that by placing all kinds of restrictions on what each group does. If you have more questions, I encourage you to reach out to me, or plan to attend the meeting at the end of August for more details.

Lastly, I want to thank you all for all that you do to make SHUCC the brave and welcoming space that it is. Each week there is such a positive energy filling our space and it is invigorating. To look out across a sea of beautiful, smiling faces really impacts me and many others in such a positive way. Someone said to me last week that “it is really saying something when I wake up on Sunday morning and I look forward to worship.” I know that feeling very well myself. I start looking forward to next Sunday as soon as the service is over the Sunday before, and that is because of you! Some of you may not know it, but you spread the good news and you make the world a better place simply by being you. I pray that you never underestimate that. Believe me when I say…

Love ya…Mean it!

-Chance 

CLICK BELOW TO BE CONNECTED TO ZOOM!

Are you looking for a way to serve on Sunday Mornings? We have a new way for you to do just that! As you have seen when you enter the lobby each week, there are smiling faces waiting to greet our members and friends, as well as visitors. These wonderful folks check people in when they arrive, introduce themselves to first time visitors, and help the visitors get registered and provide them with a welcome bag. We are looking for more people to help with this very important ministry. If you would like to serve on the Extravagant Welcome Team, please call the church office at 352-683-4870 or email Chance at shucc.mid@gmail.com to sign up. 

Still time to register for our virtual National ONA Gathering!

Our celebration of Open and Affirming ministries past, present and future begins in just two weeks, and there’s still time to register for this virtual event! It’s the Coalition’s 50th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of Bill Johnson’s ordination as the first openly gay person called to ministry in a mainline church—a UCC first! Expect creative worship, inspiring music, and challenging keynotes! Leaders include Bishop Yvette Flunder, the Rev. Rhina Ramos and one of the first transgender activists in the United Church of Christ, the legendary Barb Satin! National ONA Gathering is 7-9 pm EDT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Use the link below to learn more about the event and to register. Please share this news with your friends and church members!

If you are considering joining our church family and want to find out more information about us, please plan to attend the SHUCC Explorers Luncheon this Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 11:15 a.m., following worship. 

THERE IS STILL TIME TO SIGN UP

For TABLES OF 8!

There has been a schedule change from initial announcement.  We will not be making the group announcements this Sunday.

Instead, a luncheon will be planned for Sunday, August 28th (following worship). This luncheon is for all that have signed up or for those that may be interested and want to learn more about it.

  The Universal Christ Final Meeting

  Sunday, August 21, at 11: 15 am in the Spirit room.

Due to scheduling conflicts and unexpected health problems I have been unable to facilitate the study in a more timely and suitable time frame; however, people have expressed an interest in finishing the book; therefore, we will have a final gathering time in which each participant will be asked to share their personal experiences of the book and if, or how it may have impacted your current understanding of the historical Jesus versus Jesus the Universal Christ, dualist thinking versus an incarnational worldview, original sin versus original goodness or any other issues you would like to share. Look forward to seeing you in August.           Shalom, Linda Bixby

We are happy to announce the beginning of a new Affinity Group that we are calling Prism. This group is for folks who identify as LGBTQIA+ and our allies. We will be meeting monthly for social events, and this will be a great opportunity to foster deeper connections and community. Our first meeting will be Saturday, August 13 at 3:00 pm. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall for a time of community building, fellowship, and brainstorming. Light refreshments and drinks will be served. To sign-up, please stop by the Beloved Community Board. For more details please see Billie or Kim McHam. 

Did you know that we have a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund? The funds in this account help our pastor respond quickly when emergency needs arise among our members and friends or in the community. This fund is funded by designated offerings from members and friends of SHUCC. If at anytime you would like to contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to SHUCC Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” or if giving cash, write “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” on the offering envelope. 

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry thanks all volunteer and who donate to this vital ministry. 

We are currently in need of peanut butter and jelly, cereal, canned fruit, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, canned tuna,

and one pound bags of rice.

Our next food pantry distribution day will be Saturday, August 6th.

Financial donations are always accepted!

Our next Book Study will begin on Monday,  August 1, and there will be two opportunities for you to participate. Monday Nights at 7pm the Book Study will be via Zoom from the comfort of your home. In-Person Book Study will be on Friday Mornings at 11 am. We will be discussing Tyler Sit’s book Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers. This book is “a practical exploration of Christianity for people who want to show up for justice and stay in the movement.”

If you would like to purchase your own book, they can be purchased thru Amazon at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/Staying-Awake-Changemakers-Tyler-Sit/dp/0827235526/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PMKPJZCO8ALM&keywords=staying+awake.+tyler+sit&qid=1658152869&sprefix=%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1

The church office can purchase your book for you if you prefer, and this would be tax-exempt. Just call the church office at 352-683-4870 and let us know that you would want us to purchase your book. We will attempt to purchase used books when possible and you can reimburse SHUCC when your book arrives. We hope that you will join us for this five-week book study opportunity. 

7/30 - Jim Gibson

7/30 - Tom Harris

7/30 - Michelle Roseland

AUGUST BIRTHDAY'S:

8/3  - Trish Phillips

8/5 - Denny O'Neil

8/6 - Thurza Frost

8/7 - Christina Haggerty

8/11 - Carolyn Allion

8/13 - August Dascenzo

8/14 - Dale Allion

8/20 - Janet Gordon

8/22 - Sandra Roberge

8/24 - Annabelle Gibson

8/29 - Lorraine Boylan

8/29 - Gloria Bulau

8/31 - Lamar Sprouse

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES:

8/18 - Mike & Mimi Dearolf

8/20 - Lamar & Cindy Sprouse

8/27 - John & Elaine Sammon

8/30 - Walter & Marilyn Wiwczar

PLEASE PRAY FOR...Sherrie Raymond, Scott Harris, Myrtle Helfers, Kathy Scheible, Janet Pruitt, LaRetta Thompson, Sandy Parker, Matthew Browning & family, Del & Susan Fillmore, Jimmy Patton, Beverly Gethen, Jennifer Mattson-DeGroff, Annabelle Gibson, Mike Dearolf, Linda Bixby, Martha Faber, David Lillie, Charlotte, Mark, Adam, Steve's Dad, Mary Fowler, and Addy.

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

OFFICE HOURS

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

 If you would like  Chance to visit you,

please call him at 727-809-2390.

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

 Do you have a nametag?   If the answer is “No”, please sign the sheet by nametag rack in hallway or call the church office at (352) 683-4870.