Dear friends!

           The 2023 Florida Annual Conference was held on June 8-10^th at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Karla Gusching, our Lay Delegate to Annual Conference and Larry Finch, our Lay Leader attended. Our theme was Abound in Hope from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NRSV) The summary is included in this Newsletter. There was great competition between the UF Gator Wesley Pastors and the Florida State Seminole Pastors during the reports. I decided to show our new Bishop Tom Berlin, that I was a Virginia Tech fan, since my son-in-law graduated from Tech and now works for VA Tech on the eastern shore. I showed him my key ring from VA Tech and he asked me, “Are you giving me a car?!” I said, “No. I just want you to know there is a VATech fan in Florida!” 

           This month we celebrate Fourth of July, remember and give thanks that we are blessed to live in a country where we can worship and serve God freely! We give thanks to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, for our freedom and for those who continue to serve in our armed forces to keep us safe.

           In June, we celebrated the ministries of Rijean Smith, as our Children’s Ministry Director and Amber Smith, as our Youth Ministries Director. We also welcomed Caileigh Croft as our new Youth Director and are in the process of interviewing a new Children’s Ministry Director.

           We have enjoyed Hero Hotline Vacation Bible School with 53 children,14 adult volunteers and 14 youth volunteers for a total of 81. We collected $579.05 for the Boys & Girls Club in St. Cloud along with supplies. Thanks to Rijean Smith, our Children’s Ministry Director, for another excellent VBS! Thanks so much to all our volunteers: adults and youth! It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. The children are high energy and so much fun! At the Annual Conference they reminded us that the children and youth are not the future of the church, they are the present of the church.



I am so blessed to be your Pastor!

Cathy

2023 Annual Conference Commissioning Service

Bishop Tom Berlin is also a Virginia Tech Fan

2023 AC Opening Session

            The Florida Annual Conference 2023 was held at Florida Southern College from June 8-10, 2023. Our theme was Abound in Hope. Opening session began at 1:30 PM in Branscomb Auditorium with our new Bishop Tom Berlin presiding. We were welcomed by Anne Kerr, President of Florida Southern College. We received a vibrant Committee on Resolutions report and Connectional & Justice Ministries with music and interpretive dance by our new District Superintendent Sharon Austin! I kid you not!

           The Fresh Expressions report shared the great success of this ministry in many churches in the Florida Conference reaching new people where they are: Coffee shops, Beauty shops. We are taking church to the people. I spoke with Jessica Taylor, one of the representatives, about doing Fresh Expressions at FUMC St. Cloud. Karla Gusching, our Lay Delegate to Annual Conference, will be working with her on this outreach.

           Regarding our Clergy Session, Rev. Magrey deVega, Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministries, shared that all candidates were asked the following question, “Do you practice fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness?” All answered affirmatively to this question. Rev. Magrey deVega also shared that the BOOM fulfilled its responsibilities to the Discipline Paragraphs 324 and 304. All candidates were examined without regard to age, sex, orientation, disability, social or economic status.

           The question was raised, “Why can’t we wait until the Discipline is changed in 2024?” The answer was, “We don’t know what will happen. Maybe what we do here will impact the 2024 General Conference. As Wesley stated, ‘The world is my Parish.’ God has seen us through moments of change before and God will see us through again.”

           The BOOM recommended and the Clergy Session Commissioned 4 Provisional Deacons and Commissioned 20 Provisional Elders; 3 ordained as Deacons and 9 ordained as Elders; 11 Licensed Local Pastors. A total of 47 persons Licensed, Commissioned and Ordained at the 2023 Annual Conference.

           The Conference approved an overall budget of $14,071,197 for 2024, a reduction of $2,071,225 from the previous year’s budget.

           375 churches paid 100% of their apportionments.

           $2.7M in direct Grants given to New Church Development.

           Three churches were closed: First UMC Pahokee; The Collective in Deland; and Beach in Ft. Myers. 

June Edwards, Barbara Riddle & Cathy Thacker; (CG sisters for 30 years)

Pastor Cathy, Trudy Rankin (another Covenant Group sister), & Barbara Riddle

Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Break!

Larry Finch, Karla Gusching, Pastor Mathew Findley (Faith FUMC), & Pastor Cathy at MOJO Federal BBQ

Dear Members and Friends of First Church St. Cloud:

I've been with the UMC for 8 years and have served in various roles of Leadership such as SPRC, Chair Council, Children's Ministry and more recently, Lay Delegate. This was the first year I attended the Annual Conference and I have to say, the experience was absolutely remarkable, all the way from the check in process and all throughout the agenda. I was impressed by how well received we were and how organized the event was.

After many years of being part of the Methodist Church, I came to learn during the Annual Conference what the Methodist Church actually represents; unity and love for all. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲me 𝘄𝗮𝘀 #𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗜𝗻𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭𝟱:𝟭𝟯. 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿. Verse 13 says, "it is also by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be full of hope. Hope, joy, and peace, are given to us by God and the Spirit, by living out our faith.

I was truly able to appreciate and gain a deeper understanding of the work that laity does and how instrumental we are in order to continue expanding the kingdom of heaven here on earth. We were introduced to the Fresh Expressions ministry which I am so excited to bring to our church and to our community. I'm going to be working on scheduling a workshop for all who are interested in learning more about this new ministry and would like to be a part of it.

Getting to see our new Bishop, Tom Berlin lead the conference was just a breath of fresh air. We enjoyed his passion to bring the message of God as well as his sprightly humor. The Bible studies lead by Dr. Carla Works were very inspiring, heartfelt and so educational. It was stated by many that attended the event - the all-around vibes of this year's Annual Conference were completely different from years prior. There was a great sense of love, hope, peace and joy in the air.

It was very gratifying to welcome and pray for all new licensed, commissioned and ordained members during their service recognition and we pray that God's blessings are with them as they prepare to do the hard work of discipleship.

I'm grateful to Pastor Cathy and Larry Finch for bringing me along and for everyone who played a role in organizing this year's Annual Conference. They all did an absolutely wonderful job putting everything together. As we look ahead towards the future, we know there's much work to be done to continue expanding the love of Jesus through our community and through nations. I would love to extend an invitation to our members to be curious about the Annual Conference, that they too may gain a wonderful experience by attending next year's Conference. I know I was impacted and changed by it, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Blessings always,

Karla Gusching

Serving Others with

Our Mercy Ministries

We have a large number of people in need who come on Tueday and Thursday mornings for Bags of Love. FUMCSC always accepts food to fill the bags! You may help supply the need of the Bags of Love lunches by bringing any of these items to the FUMC office; Vienna sausages, canned tuna or chicken, Beanie-Weanies, bags of chips, cookies, peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit cups, pudding snacks, applesauce, bottled waters. A hot meal-to-go is served.

Gently used clothing are also distributed on Tuesday and Thursday when those less-fortunate come for Bags of Love.

As our numbers continue to go up we thank you for helping us serve the community! Volunteers are always needed to prepare a hot meal, fill and distribute bags, and sort clothing. There are many opportunities for those who wish to help out. Please contact the church office if you are interested.

Donations from Conway UMC for our Bags of Love/Cold Night Program

Bags of love is working hard to help those in need. There are several items that are needed at this time. Men’s pants and shorts sizes 32-34. (Not dress pants, but every day wear.) Also, T-shirts, socks, and underwear for men and women are needed. Women’s clothing is usually donated but recently we are not getting much. Deodorant, bug spray, small size shampoos, conditioners and lotions are also in demand. Other churches and organizations help by donating to Bags of Love also. The Moose Lodge always provides toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries. All donations are greatly appreciated! God has been faithful in providing the things we need. Thank you so much for all that you as a church do for this ministry. The people we serve are extremely grateful.

Our Bicycle Ministry provides refurbished bicycles to those in need so they are able to have much needed transportation. If you know someone who has a bike they are not using please contact the church office.

Seeds of Hope is an organized group of churches and non-profit organizations in the St. Cloud community. First Church is a part of this group which works together providing services in the area.

Click on the image above to go directly to the Bags of Love Store page.

Cold Night

FUMC of St Cloud houses the cold night shelter program. This is a community effort assisted by serveral local agencies. We are thankful for Flo Shrum our Cold Night Shelter Coordinator.

 We are putting together people who are called to the visitation ministry. This ministry will support Pastor Cathy in reaching out to our members and persons interested in our church. Visitation can happen in different ways. We will be having some training sessions to make sure that we visit in appropriate ways. If you feel God calling you to this ministry, please contact Pastor Jim Kledis at revjameskledis@gmail.com.

 Once we find enough interest volunteers for visitation, we will set the training sessions. Let us care for each other!

Renee Bronson has been leading this team. There are several books that are suggested by the team for your summer reading. If you are interested in any of these titles you can find them at the library or online.

• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehsi Coates
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
• The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Locks by Rebecca Skloot
• Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley
• How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
• Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, The Groveland Boys and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King
• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
• Cousins by Betty Kilby and Phoebe Kilby
• My Confederate Kinfolk: A Twenty-First Century Freedwoman Discovers Her Roots by Thulani Davis

Pastor Cathy and Rijean

Karla, Rijean, and Dianne

Scott, Rijean, and Chuck

Rijean with three of her grandchildren, her daughter Amber and friend Megan

All fathers were honored on Father's Day with a special treat of

moon pies and soda pop.

Dennis Tripp and Don White

Renda and Mike Collins

Lori Sweet, Kat Smith, Jerry Bergeron

Steve Peacock and his daughter

Join us for "coffee hour" between church services from 9:15 to 10 AM located in the Welcome Center. Our Welcome Center is located in the Annex at the front of the sanctuary to the left of the alter. Beverages and baked goods are served. It is a good time to get know your church family. It has become a very popular place to gather as more people participate. This is also where new visitors can get information about First Church St. Cloud and receive a first time gift. Rhys Bibeau and Larry Dykes are your hosts each week. Donations and volunteers are welcome! Please call (407) 908-4418 if you are interested in helping.

Monthly Church-Wide Wednesday Night Dinner

Each month on the second Wednesday of the month we hold a Church-Wide Wednesday night dinner.



Our next Wednesday Night Dinner will take a break over the summer and will resume on September 13^th.

Fellowship Circle

The Fellowship Circle (formerly Seasoned Souls) serves God and our church by doing tasks and chores as needed or requested. They strive to get to know each other better and thus enrich their lives, support each other and have fun. 

Fellowship Circle will be taking a break for the summer months.

Circle of Light

Another group of women who meet at the church is the Circle of Light led by Renda Collins. They meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month. Their primary goal is to mail out cards to the homebound (shut-ins) of our congregation. They are looking for other ways to serve our church. We welcome new members. They will continue to meet over the summer.



You may contact Renda at rccollins10618@gmail.com to learn more about this group. 

Here at First Church St. Cloud there are several opportunities to study God's word.

Smooth Stones Bible Study will be taking a break from their study for the summer months. However, we are excited to announce that another Bible Study led by Vicki Mauro will be meeting during the Smooth Stones time slot on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 AM. They will be studying the book of Revelation.

Every Tuesday evening Pastor Cathy leads an in-depth study of the Sermon series which will be preached on the following Sunday. This study involves much discussion about the topic at hand. Please join her and others from your computer, tablet or smartphone at 7:00 PM.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464

Passcode 623978

On Sunday mornings the Serendipity Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 AM in the classroom attached to the Sanctuary as a hybred format; some in person and others over the phone. This class is led by Kevin Knox.  For more information contact the church office.

The Genesis Sunday School Classs also meets on Sunday morning at 9:15 AM in the FLC.

Larry Finch leads this study and can be reached by email at Lfinch4945@aol.com.

The Genesis Sunday School Class will be not be meeting during the summer months. They will resume in September!

Pastor Jim will be leading a study written by Adam Hamilton. Christianity and World Religions will help us as Christians learn how we think about other religions. Pastor Hamilton will introduce the major religions. Chapters include: The Wise Men, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

The class will run July 2-August 6 We will meet in the Family Life Center at 9:15 until 10:00 am on Sundays between worship services. If you are interested in this study, please contact Pastor Jim Kledis at revjameskledis@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note: I have just completed this study with a study group in Minnesota. It is a great study and you will learn so much about the other religions of the world. Rev. Adam Hamilton explains the similarities and difference of each of the religions compared to Christianity. I highly recommend this study!

Youth Sunday School led by Caileigh Croft will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 10 AM (Between Worship Services) in the youth room upstairs of the FLC.

The Power Hour Prayer Group meets each Monday morning at 8:30 AM for prayer and to lift up the prayer requests from the congregation. You are invited to join this lively group of prayer warriors each week. If you are interested you may contact the church office.

Each Sunday FUMC of St. Cloud has two Worship Services. The Traditional Worship Service begins at 8:15 AM and the Blended Worship Service starts at 10:15 AM.

Mason Ash, Acolyte

First Church has an active Drama Ministry that performs during the Worship Services and special occasions.

by Lou Murray, Choir Director

This month choir will be ready to start our outreach performances at nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, and the like. We are practicing a half-hour presentation of inspirational vocal music, from traditional hymns to upbeat secular songs. If you know a facility that would enjoy having us, please let me know.



For our July 2 service, we'll have some patriotic music, including a solo by Pamella Heffington-Hall, Irving Berlin's “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.” Anyone with a musical skill, vocal or instrumental, is welcome to join us as we practice in the sanctuary at 7:00 Wednesday evenings. There is always room for another trained musician in our group. I'm always open to comments or suggestions regarding the music.

Thanks for listening.

Chancel Choir - 8:15 AM Traditional Worship Service

Directed by Lou Murray

Worship Team - 10:15 AM Blended Worship Service

Directed by Scott Weyrauch

Handbell Choir

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

July 2 - August 6 - New Bible Study - Christianty and Word Religions ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM

July 4 - Independence Day - Happy 4th of July - Church office closed

July 4 - Bags of Love still being held

July 15 - 22 - Costa Rica Mission Trip

July 10 - 15 - Warren Willis Youth Camp

July 17 - 22 - Youth Week/Missions with Dwight Oakes

July 23 - Newcomer's Luncheon

July 30 - FUMCS hosts Elmer's Kitchen

Regular Meetings

Sunday

• Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:15 - 9:15 AM
• Hybred Serendipity Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 - 10:00 AM
• Genesis Sunday School Class ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM (FLC) (Summer Break - Resume in September)
• Bible Study - Christianity and World Religions ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
• Youth Sunday School ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
• Coffee Hour (Annex off the Sanctuary) ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
• Blended Worship Service ~ 10:15 - 11:15 AM
• Newcomer's ~Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:30 AM
• Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)

Monday

• Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
• Fellowship Circle (On Vacation-Resumes October 17^th)
• Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ (On Vacation-Resumes in the fall)
• Revelation Bible Study taking over Smooth Stones time slot on 2^nd & 4^th Monday of month at 10:00 AM
• Trustees - 1st Monday of month - 7 PM
• Boy Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Tuesday

• Bags of Love ~ 9 - 11 AM (Hot Breakfast to Go)
• Online Bible Study with Pastor Cathy - 7:00 PM; Please join using your computer, tablet or smartphone.

 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464 use passcode: 623978

Wednesday

• Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
• Wednesday Night Church-Wide Dinner - (On Summer Break)
• Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday 

• Bags of Love ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Handbell Rehearsal ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Please Note: Our Church Services can be viewed on

FACEBOOK LIVE on our FB page or later on our YouTube

Channel. Click on the links at the bottom of this newsletter to

find these videos.

June 2023 CHURCH NEWSLETTER

Our school-year has ended but information about our program can be found on our website at



www.firstumcpreschoolstcloud.com.

Smiles,

Ms. Denise

The children of FUMC of St. Cloud meet on Sunday mornings during the 10:15 AM Blended Worship Service after the Children's Moment for Children's Church.

 Our Sunday evening children's program is on summer break!

We are looking for a new Director of Children's Ministries. If you know of someone who might be interested please contact the church office.

BeExcitedAboutCelebratingHim

The Children's Ministry will take a break from regular weekly evening meetings during the summer months. Children's church will still be held.

This year our VBS was a Blast!

The students learned ways to serve God while having fun, making crafts, playing games, praising God with songs, and having great snacks.

Super Meer

Opal Thacker Preparing Snacks

(Right Photo) Pastor Cathy, Lily, Ada, Brooke, Kenzie, Olivia, Caileigh,

Lila & Veranna

Our Youth Group meets each week on Sunday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM during the school year. 

The youth group will take a break from regular weekly evening meetings during the summer months.

Important Upcoming Dates for the Youth

Sunday Morning: Youth Sunday School between the church services (9:15-10:00 AM) FLC Youth Room

July 10 - 15 - Warren Willis Youth Camp - Second Week

July 17 - 22 - Youth Week/Missions with Dwight Oakes

Ten of our youth on June 26^th, the day they arrived at camp.

Photo provided by Rijean Smith

July 11 - Joe & Amy Allison

July 15 - Jerry Bergeron & Eileen Perez

July 21 – Chuck and Joyce Perkins

July 23 - Ed & Judy Kochur

July 23 – Jared Dorn & Celia Thacker Dorn

Note: We are working hard to keep our information accurate and regret if we have missed your birthday or anniversary. If you know of someone whom we have missed in this birthday or anniversary list please notify the Church Office.



The Word of Our Lord

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, 

so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Staff Members & Email Addresses



Pastor: Cathy C. Thacker - cathycthacker@gmail.com

Assistant Pastor: Jim Kledis -  revjameskledis@gmail.com

Office: Joyce Perkins - treasurer@firstchurchstcloud.org

Admin. Asst.: James Wise - admin@firstchurchstcloud.org

Accountant: Chuck McLendon - clmclendon@aol.com

Children's Ministry Director: Open

Youth Ministry Director: Caileigh Croft - croftcs02@gmail.com

Preschool Director: Denise Dunn - director.firstumcpreschool@gmail.com

Sound Technician: Emma Mavell

Choir Director: Lou Murray - musicalou@inbox.com

Worship/Music Director: Scott Weyrauch - sweyrauch@mac.com

Mercy Ministries Coordinator: Donna Regn - turtleregn@gmail.com

Custodian: Al Rivera - alburs1960@gmail.com

Security: Juan Santiago - lovehohos@aol.com