This week's note from Rev. Ben Richards

Where Is Milton Now?

That’s the news article my phone suggested to me this afternoon. And I get it. Searching and consuming news and videos and forecasts around Milton have been a regular part of the last week. But today, I just don’t care. It’s over the ocean somewhere. It’s dissipating. Bye, Milton. Now I just want to know what it left behind and move on.

One of the changes the storm underwent on Wednesday was its movement speed. It beat the more recent landfall estimates by several hours and swept across the state quickly. And while speaking with others here in Bonita Springs and elsewhere means I know better than to make light of it, to pretend this was not a significant storm for many, I couldn’t help but think as it moved quicker than anticipated, “let’s get this over with”, and then this morning, “good riddance.”

So enough about Milton, let’s move on to what’s next. And for me, that’s the following:

If you have needs, let us know.

Today, tomorrow, or in the coming week, if you need help clearing debris, find yourself short food or water or something else, or just need a warm shower before your power comes back, let us know. Of those I’ve spoken to, I’m aware of two things: that you are generally okay and that, compared to me, you are more experienced and capable of weathering these storms (pardon the pun). But if you need something, please ask. If I can help, I will, and if I can’t, I will find a way to get you that help. Families look out for one another, and First Bonita is one of your families.



We will worship together on Sunday.

Though it fared well in the storm, thanks in no small part to those who helped prepare the property, as of Thursday the church does not have power. So while I make no guarantees for slides, amplification, lights, or even air conditioning, I can guarantee that we will gather for worship, and that you are welcome to join us.

For those that worship with us online, we will try to offer something for you this Sunday and ask for your patience since so much of what is possible depends on elements outside our control.

Others need prayer, support, and rest. And so do you.

We will continue to prepare flood buckets in support of those in need in the coming weeks. We will continue to pray for those affected by Helene and Milton, many of whom continue to experience their devastating consequences. And, I pray, each of us will not dismiss our own need for rest and support and prayer in the coming days.

I’m tired. I doubt I’m the only one. But when I wondered why, I knew it wasn’t just the added physical exertions of storm shutter installations and other prep work, it was the emotional stress of watching a major storm creep towards us all week. Of the unknowns for myself, for our congregation, for my family. And maybe that’s another part of being less experienced with this than many of you, or maybe it’s just a gift that I recognize it enough to claim it. But either way, I encourage you to care for yourself in the midst of this. Rest, breathe, pray, meditate. Allow yourself the time you need to recover.

All my love to you. Prayers continue for each of you, and I hope you will let me know if there are other ways I and First Bonita can support you. Grace and Peace be with us.

Ben

Service for October 13, 2024

"Everything Happens"

Job 23



Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 3 pm

You are invited to join us every Wednesday at 3 pm in the church office for Bible study. All are welcome to be a part of this small group, facilitated by Rev. Ben Richards, as we explore our faith together.

United Women in Faith resume meetings

After a summer of monthly lunches at Bonita Springs restaurants, the United Women in Faith resumed our monthly meetings on September 16.  We encourage all women of the church to join us on the third Monday of each month

(September-May) for our meetings in Fellowship Hall at 3 p.m.

 

 The focus of our meetings, beyond fellowship, is about missions in our community and beyond.

Highlights of this meeting were learning about ways we can help our friends and neighbors at Bonita Elementary School. There is a need for uniforms for the children in all sizes.  The children wear navy or khaki bottoms: shorts, pants, or skorts for the girls. The solid color polo shirts can be of any color.  So, any of our church family who love shopping and bargains can join us in this effort (or we will be happy to shop if you prefer to donate money – we have ladies who love to shop – we see you Ruthann Etzkorn).  Approved uniforms have been found on sale now at Bealls and Target.  Along with this, we also learned from school officials that underwear  is always needed as accidents do happen!  Pre-K or kindergarten children need underwear sizes 4-5.  Underwear for the older girls in sizes 10-16 is also needed.

Another local mission project we are very excited about is our Newborn Diaper Bags.  This is a new project that developed when we realized that pregnant moms who attend our church’s monthly breakfast would love to get a few beginning supplies for when a baby arrives.  The bags are in both boy and girl versions.  Thanks to Ginny McIntosh and Julie Kampmann for the idea, shopping, and organization for this project.  The group organizes mission projects throughout the year.  We are always looking for needs in our community and ways we can help.

The Bonita Springs UWF group will be hosting the Southwest District Meeting on October 19.  This is the first in-person meeting of the group in over a year.  Our group will be providing coffee and pastries for the women from throughout the district at around 9:30 that morning in Fellowship Hall.  The meeting, conducted by district president Bev Emonds of North Naples Church,  will include awards and recognition of members who have passed during this year, and a communion service.  Our Rev. Ben Richards will be presiding for that.  In addition, the guest speaker will be a woman who served as a missionary in Cuba. 

The next meeting of United Women in Faith in Bonita will be October 21 at 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  All women are invited to join us on the mission field!  See any officer if you have questions: Susan Atkinson, Jaci Colombo, Jann Mier, Kathy Schmitt.

First UMC Book Club

After gathering  October 2 to discuss the novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, the group will read another novel about a different  youth for the November 6 session. The November selection is Lightning Strike: A Novel by William Kent Krueger.  The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Royal Scoop to enjoy lunch and/or ice cream and lively discussion.  All are invited to join us.  The only requirements are to enjoy reading and discussing what you have read.

Kristin Hannah, one of the group’s favorite authors, describes this book, the prequel to a series about the character Cork O’Connor, as “a pitch perfect, richly imagined story that is both an edge-of-your-seat thriller and  an evocative, emotionally charged coming-of-age tale.”  It is a story of “fathers and sons, small-town conflicts, and the events that shape our lives forever”.

The story takes place in Aurora, a small town nestled in the forest along the shores of Minnesota’s Iron Lake. It takes place in 1963 when  Cork O’Connor is 12 years old. When he stumbles upon the body of a man hanging from a tree in an abandoned logging camp, a series of events that follow will cause him to question  his hometown, his family, and himself.  Even though his father is the town’s sheriff, Cork begins to look for answers himself.  Was it suicide or something else?



This is a book from the library kits available through the Bonita Springs Library.  Copies will be available before and after church beginning Sunday, October 6.  See Susan Atkinson for a copy or send a text to 239-405-09078 if you have questions. Happy reading! 

It’s Potluck Time - October 27 

As we enter the season of Autumn (yes, we know it’s not much different here in Florida), it’s time for a Harvest Celebration. And what could be better than a church-wide potluck dinner/lunch? This food-fellowship event will take place after worship on October 27 instead of coffee fellowship. This will be a time to welcome back more of our seasonal church family, to let more people meet and get to know (and love) our pastor Rev. Ben Richards, a chance to enjoy casual dining with church friends, and a chance to fill up on beef brisket and/or baby back pork ribs prepared by our own Executive Chef Russ Baird!

This is an opportunity to spend time with your church family and invite your friends and neighbors to join us. This is not a fund-raising event… it’s about sharing our love with our church family and guests… and, of course, about having a wonderful meal. Those attending are asked to bring a side dish to share: vegetables, salads, desserts. Although we don’t want to end up with 20 green bean casseroles, for example, it won’t be the end of the world if more than one person signs up for the same food item – recipes do vary. Please utilize the sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary before the event, or you can simply reply to this email and Ben will add you and your dish to the list. 

If you’re unsure what to bring, this might be an opportunity to use the First Bonita cookbook from our 100 birthday celebration in 2021. You’ll find lots of special recipes there, and if you don’t have one, there are more available!

"TOM AND PRINCESS' CORNER"!

The places we go and the things we see!

Tom, we need to let our friends know the church is A-okay and ready to welcome them back with open paws!

FUMC Bonita is standing strong and ready for a purr-spective Sunday service. Paws crossed, the electricity will be back on soon, ensuring we're fully powered for worship.

Princess, we need to give a special thanks to the scooter guy who rolled in with some treats and food before and after the storm—your kindness was the cat’s meow! We hope to see you all this Sunday for a sermon that will surely be whisker-lickin’ good.

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PRAYER & CARE

All information and last names will be kept confidential. Our list is updated weekly. If you need us to keep someone on the list, please send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org.

Come Pray

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom and in the sanctuary

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Prayer Request cards are on the rack at the back of the Sanctuary.

Please help us to keep the list current, fill out a request for adding or taking off!

Altar Flowers



If you would like to honor family, friends, or loved ones for an anniversary, birthday, or memorial, contact the church office for details.

 Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 our church participates with the Meals of Hope to feed over 150 families each week. Right now we have a DESPERATE need for people to come and help out with the initial packing of fresh fruits and vegetables into bags, and then taking them to the cars as the clients come through.