This week's note from Rev. Ben Richards

Helene, Grimace, and Candelita

As I write Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Helene has fortunately not brought the kind of conditions for us that will make it one of memory for Southwest Florida. And while I’ve only been with you a few months, I’ve heard enough about Ian and Irma that I’m with you in gratitude for that. As it continues to strengthen and head north, I know many of you join me in praying for those it will affect more severely in the North Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

And while it’s of significantly less consequence or concern, I have to admit a personal frustration. The Mets and Braves series, with only one game in Atlanta played so far, has been delayed yet again. The last week of regular season Major League Baseball, with Wild Card standings on the line for both, and it’s all just hanging there…

The Mets have had an interesting season, but one that got off to a horrible start. Fun fact: the Mets have the best opening day record in baseball. But not only did they lose the first game this year, they lost the first five. At one point they were 11 games under .500, it seemed like the season was unravelling as early as June. As a Mets fan, there’ve been plenty of seasons that didn’t live up to the hype or hope, but come on… June!?

Then on June 12, Grimace threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Yes, that Grimace. The big purple blob that’s a McDonald’s mascot. And the team that had won only eight games in its last twenty won that one, and the next six. Went 12 and 4 to finish June and kept it up in July with a record of 17 and 10. Since then they’ve been playing great, and as fans sought rationale for the turnaround, Grimace became the unlikely mascot of a season turned around.

Another fun tidbit of the shift was calling up Jose Iglesias, since becoming an important part of the team who has also dreamed of performing Latin pop. His first big hit as Candelita – his stage name – is “OMG”, and while that’s a phrase often uttered in less than faithful ways, if you read the lyrics or watch the video it’s easy to see for him it’s a prayer of thanks, of hope, of peace and community. And the Mets have celebrated not just him, but the hope of his message, as “OMG” signs are everywhere among fans and the song now plays every time the Mets hit a home run.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll see a slew of amazing stories. Of teamwork, of players stepping up. Of calls from their leaders to ignore the “external noise” and remain accountable to one another. Of players who praise the manager for his patience and empathy.

But this is my favorite, shared by first year manager Carlos Mendoza. In the ugly months of the early season, his boss pulled him aside with this message: he was trusted. The team was trusted. What Mendoza heard was an invitation to let it flow, that those that mattered believed in him, and to take a winning attitude forward. In the training room, the weight room, the meetings… everywhere.

As the Mets have fed on that hope, the season has been a different story. It’s a joy to watch the team be a team – sadly not a given in a lot of professional sports – to turn around the season so dramatically, and be so close to finding themselves to playing in October.

And I’m reminded that God says something similar to us: you’re my child, I trust you, and I have hope in you. Ignore the external noise, trust in me. Go win this morning by being genuinely you. Rock the afternoon by being kind. Own the night by caring for yourself and your loved ones. Be victorious in the day to day, moment to moment, and what matters will come.

No promises on Grimace, but what matters will come.

-Ben

Service for September 29, 2024

Wednesday, October 2, 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.

Tomorrow Morning! Volunteers needed 9am

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 Pastor 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.

October Book Club Selection

First UMC Book Club will return to America for the October 2 selection Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1:15 to enjoy lunch and/or ice cream at the Royal Scoop and to discuss a novel.  All are welcome to join us.  These books are part of a kit available from the Bonita Springs Public Library

The October selection is set in the mountains of southern Appalachia.  It is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother, with “no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival.”  Reviewers say the character Demon is “a voice for the ages – akin to Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield – only even more resilient.”  A Washington Post reviewer said the book is “equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.” Relayed in his own voice, Demon braves the perils of foster care, child labor, bad schools, addiction, and more.

The character Demon Copperhead speaks for a generation of “lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.”  Books will be available before and after church.  See Susan Atkinson for a copy, or text her (239-405-9078) if you have questions.

The Upper Room

The Upper Room magazine's mission is to provide a practical way to listen to scripture, connect with believers around the world, and spend time with God each day.

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.

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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.