First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud

May 2023 Newsletter

From the Desk of Pastor Cathy

Dear friends,


This past Sunday, April 30th, it was announced that I will be returning for another year as your Pastor at First Church St. Cloud. I am so blessed to serve with the amazing staff and laity here! I think about the first year as I started during the COVID pandemic with one virtual worship service and all ministries and activities closed. We have been so blessed by God to see familiar faces return and new faces join our fellowship. Only God could bring such renewal and blessings to our church! Our three Easter Sunday services had 273 in person and our Living Last Sunday had 158 people and our Good Friday service had 52 people in person. Our online views were 215 for Holy Week/Easter for a total of 698! Our Trustees continue to move forward with our plans to purchase new signs, rewire the entire Sanctuary, remodel the altar area, and make construction, mechanical and electrical improvements to our Preschool. We have replaced the AC that caused the electrical fire in November. I am grateful for their faithfulness and hard work!


May is the month of celebrations. In our family, we celebrate our grandson, Caleb’s 9th birthday on May 8th and then Rusty and I celebrate our wedding anniversary on May 10th! Mother’s Day is May 14th and we will honor and remember our moms with a special gift and some chocolate! Confirmation will be May 7th. We have two amazing young people, Mason Ash and Veranna Mosher, who are being confirmed. I have been blessed to help teach Confirmation classes along with Pastor Jim Kledis and Amber Smith. It is a blessing to see young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship with Him! We are fortunate to have an active and growing youth group in our church. I am thankful for Amber Smith who has been our Youth Ministry Director for two years and for Monica Scarlett, who has helped with teaching and mentoring our young people. The Bible says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” I Timothy 4:12(NIV) We are very proud of these young people!

           

The current sermon series is called “Moses: the Reluctant Prophet” based on the book by Pastor Adam Hamilton. Join us as we turn our reluctance into boldness! We are going to study the account of Moses’ life from the Nile River to the Sea of Reeds, from Mt. Sinai to the wilderness. We will use historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text to learn more about this reluctant prophet who blazed a trail of faith.

           

In the Florida Annual Conference, we held a Special Session of the Florida Conference on Saturday, April 22nd, to vote on 55 churches who are disaffiliating from our United Methodist Church. This is a time to grieve our losses, as we love the Pastors and people in these churches, but also a time to pray for them and ask God’s blessings on their churches and ministries for the future. For more information about where we are in our continuing United Methodist Church, please see my letter later in this newsletter.


We have much to be thankful for and to celebrate. God is faithful and loving. God will never leave us nor forsake us. “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving to all he has made.” Psalm 145:13b(NIV)

 

God bless you!

 

 

Pastor Cathy

Me, Sadie, Sara & Mom (Ginny)  2016

Caleb lost a tooth! 2023

Mystery Solved: Ancestor Survived

Last August Cristobal Reyes, an Orlando Sentinel reporter phoned Renee Bronson and wanted to talk about her family’s past. Previously Renee did not know much about the incident other than that her great-grandfather was killed by an African American.


Renee Bronson’s great grandfather, Stewart Ivey became a part of Kissimmee history in 1922 when he and several other men, alleged to be Ku Klux Klan members confronted Oscar Mack at his Kissimmee home. Oscar Mack was a black veteran of WWI who had just completed his first day on the job as a US postal worker, which he had been awarded in a federal bid. Oscar Mack feared for his life after a confrontation with three white men earlier that day. The assistant postmaster, C.C. Collins gave Oscar Mack a gun to protect himself after hearing about the threats. That gun was used to kill Stewart Ivey and Eugene Reinhardt when they confronted Oscar Mack at his home. There was a search to find Oscar Mack but he was never found. Later it had been determined that he was able to flee from Florida and moved to Ohio where he changed his name to Lanier Johnson and lived until June 6, 1960 when he died.


Renee’s knowledge of the incident matched up with what Oscar Mack’s family learned. Finding out he had survived, Bronson said that this brought her peace.

 

“All my life I thought he had been lynched, and that made my burden of guilt by heritage so much heavier and so much harder to carry,” Renee Bronson said. “When I heard he survived and went on to raise a family, I was thrilled.”

 

There have been two Orlando Sentinel articles written about this history by Cristobal Reyes, the initial story dated March 9, 2023 and then an article about the premiere viewing of the University of Florida documentary film that was made about these events dated April 14, 2023. Renee attended the Gainesville premiere viewing of the film titled, Oscar Mack vs. The Ku Klux Klan along with the Brown family (Oscar Mack’s ancestors.) You can read the Orlando Sentinel articles by clicking on the following links.

 

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/osceola-county/os-ne-oscar-mack-lanier-johnson-kissimmee-escape-100-years-20230309-u7wf7pstojczvf4sd3mzhmyfpm-htmlstory.html

 

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/osceola-county/os-ne-oscar-mack-uf-documentary-20230414-oyzc72fcizdazc3ssxr4pgikk4-story.html

 

On April 29 there was a viewing of the UF documentary at the Solid Rock Church in Kissimmee. An invitation was sent to everyone on the Newsletter mailing list. Hopefully you heard about it in time to attend.

2023 Confirmands

Mason Ash and Veranna Mosher will be confirmed as members of FUMC St. Cloud on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at the 10:15 Blended Worship Service.

Mason Ash

Veranna Mosher

2023 Graduates

Safin Karim

is graduating from high school as a home schooled student. He will be attending NYU in the fall, working toward a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre.

Andy Dzialo

is graduating from Valencia Community College with an AA degree in general studies. Andy will be attending Purdue University's global online program in the fall, working toward a Bachelor Degree in Accounting/buisiness.

Please contact the church office if you know of someone graduating from High School or College.

Congratulations!


Orson O'Dell Hendrix arrived on April 17, 2023! He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces. Congratulations to parents, Brandon & Dominique (Mo) Hendrix and grandparents, Gary Mogensen & Renee Bronson. 

Letter Concerning Our Church's Current Decision to Stay in the United Methodist Church

April 24, 2023



Dear friends and family of FUMC St. Cloud,


I have been asked to share where we are as a church with the continuing United Methodist Church and churches that are disaffiliating.


In the United Methodist Church worldwide, our journey started in 2016 at the General Conference when The Way Forward Commission was established. The Way Forward Commission was established to come up with a proposal for the global church regarding the homosexuality language in the Book of Discipline. They met nine times over seventeen months and proposed three plans to the General Conference in 2019. 1) One Church Plan would remove restrictive language regarding ministry with LGBTQ persons and would allow but not require same-gender weddings and ordination of LGBTQ persons. 2) Connectional Plan would create 3 values-based connectional conferences in US and provide Central Conferences the option to connect with one. 3) Traditional Plan which affirmed the current language about homosexuality in the Book of Discipline.


A Special Called Session of the United Methodist Church met in St. Louis, Missouri on February 23-26, 2019. At this session, the Traditional Plan was passed, and a Disaffiliation Plan called “An Exit Plan” was passed for churches wishing to leave the United Methodist Church. 


The 2020 General Conference was scheduled to meet May 5-15, 2020; was rescheduled to meet Aug.29-Sept. 26, 2020; and now rescheduled to Apr. 23-May 4, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. After these postponements, some churches decided to go ahead and disaffiliate. To date, about 2,200 churches in the United States have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church.


In the East Central District, our District Superintendent Bob Bushong held a District presentation at Peace UMC on April 3, 2022, regarding the Continuing United Methodist Church and the Future of the United Methodist Church. Larry Finch, our Lay Leader, and I attended the presentation. Churches wishing to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church are to contact and be in discussion with their District Superintendent, may exit with their properties and buildings and must follow the requirements of the Book of Discipline paragraph 2553. This states the church is required to vote and a 2/3 majority approve the decision to disaffiliate. Churches that do not plan to disaffiliate do not need to vote.


The final decision will be determined at the General Conference next year, 2024.


In the Florida Annual Conference, on Saturday, April 22nd 55 churches disaffiliated from the Florida Annual Conference during a Special Session.


In the local church, we have had discussions with leaders and individuals in the church, not in a special called meeting or Church Council, but in staff meetings and with people in leadership in our local congregation. Most people agree and are willing to move forward in the Continuing United Methodist Church. We believe that all people are welcome and belong in the United Methodist Church. We believe that all people are created in the image of God and that Scriptures tell us, from Genesis to Revelation, that we are loved by God and to love as God loves. We are called to love all people. We also know that the demographics of our church are changing and that we are seeing younger people in our congregation who are more open to and supportive of LGBTQ persons. We feel that it is best to wait and see what the outcome of the General Conference session brings. I love the United Methodist Church. I was born and raised in the United Methodist Church and understand that we do not all agree on every theological issue, but that the main thing we do agree on, is that we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Last July 2022, Kevin Knox, who teaches the Adult Sunday School class, held a special Zoom evening class to discuss the inclusion of LGBTQ persons. He also supports welcoming and affirming all persons in our congregation. I recommended that he read “Holy Love” by Dr. Steve Harper which discusses the Scripture passages interpreted to apply to LGBTQ persons. After this was advertised in the bulletin and after the class discussion, we had several people express that they did not affirm LGBTQ persons and have left our congregation. One thing I always say to people who wish to leave is, “Wherever you are, we value and respect your position.”


Based on all this, I believe that the best way for us to move forward is to continue doing what we are doing: loving and worshiping God with our whole hearts, reaching out to those who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurities, going on mission trips and disaster relief trips, growing, and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. So, since a few people have already left, and the majority of other members and attendees agree with acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ people, we have decided not to vote at this time and to see what happens at the next General Conference.

I hope this helps clarify where we are and our plan regarding the future Continuing United Methodist Church.


Grace and peace,

Pastor Cathy 

Meet Bill Corcoran

Bill moved to St. Cloud from Texas seven years ago when he was hired as a Pilot Instructor in Orlando. He has been flying planes almost all of his life. He first became a pilot at the age of 16 and later worked as an Airline Pilot. Bill was in the Army Reserves for eight years and was trained as the medical field through the Army. He worked as an X-ray, CT, and MRI technician for twenty years.


Bill will tell you that the Holy Spirit brought him to FUMC of St. Cloud. He became involved in First Church St. Cloud as a volunteer for the Cold Night Program. He learned about the Spiritual Gifts Seminar which Pastor Jim led in February and completed the course. Bill decided to attend the church after recognizing that the people are very caring and genuinely concerned about each other. He has since become very involved in the church. Bill and his mother, Mary Corcoran have both joined FUMC St. Cloud and have jumped in volunteering. Both of them enjoy working in the kitchen for Bags of Love and Elmer’s Kitchen. Bill will soon be volunteering as co-coordinator of Elmer’s Kitchen. He also enjoys performing with the drama team. He performed in the Living Last Supper on Maundy Thursday as the character of John.


Bill has taken the Advanced Lay Servant training that Pastor Cathy instructed. He also attends Belhaven University’s Theology Program online. He eventually would like to be ordained as a deacon.


Bill’s family is very important to him. He is very close to mother, Mary and his 13-year-old son, Liam. When Bill is not spending time with family, working as a pilot instructor, studying for his coursework at Belhaven University, volunteering at the church he enjoys playing pickleball, running, and reading. Bill Corcoran is a very busy man but the Lord has blessed him with amazing talent. God is his guide in all that he does. 

New Members

Bill, Liam, and Mary Corcoran

Serving Others with

Our Mercy Ministries

Thank You Crabby Bill's Seafood Restaurant!

Crabby Bill's donated eleven hams to First United Methodist Church St. Cloud to be used at our discretion. There are many possibilities (Elmer's Kitchen, Wednesday night dinners, Bags of Love meals, and more.) They also donated pancake mix, syrup, and eggs to be used for Bags of Love.

Bags of Love

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.

Bill and Cherille boxing Breakfast Burritos

Mary and Bill Corcoran

Mary and Bill preparing breakfast for Bags of Love

Haircut day at Bags of Love

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.

David Daniel acquires and refurbishes the bikes.

Community Outreach

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.

Elmer's Kitchen

FUMC of St Cloud serves as the host site of Elmer’s Meal Kitchen, partnering with the St. Cloud Ministerial Association. Each Sunday at 2:00 pm in the Family Life Center, a free nutritious meal is served to the unemployed or underemployed by a different church or local group.

First Sunday of month: First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud

Second Sunday of month: Alternating

Boy Scout Troop #192 & St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

Third Sunday of month: Soul City Church

Fourth Sunday of month: Jehovah Jireh Community Church

Fifth Sunday of month: FUMC of St. Cloud Youth & Adults

Al Rivera Approving the Shepherd's Pie Prepared for Elmer's Kitchen

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.

Mission Team News!

Mission Team Fundraiser


Our Mission Team will be serving a delicious Mexican style dinner at our next Wednesday Night Church wide dinner on May 10th. Please join us and support the team as they prepare for their mission trip which is scheduled for July 15 - 22. Donations are accepted.

Your support of our mission team is greatly appreciated. You can show your support by attending events, making a donation, and praying for our team and the trip.

Please contact the church office for more information.

FOOD, FELLOWSHIP & FUN

Coffee Hour on Sunday Mornings in the Welcome Center

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 with physical distancing followed by an activiity starting at 5:15 PM. It is a great time to get to know your church family. On April 12th we enjoyed a delicious meal and Bingo with prizes.

The next Wednesday Night Dinner will be held on May10th. Please join us for a delicious Mexican style dinner prepared by our Mission Team. The theme of the evening will be "Cinco de Mayo!" Donations will be accepted for the Mission Team's upcoming trip.

Martha, Myrna, and Barbara preparing the meal!

Myrna calling the Bingo numbers.

Rijean & Amber (She won a prize!)

Caleb giving out the prizes!

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. They meet twice a month on the first and third Mondays of the month through May 15, taking a break during the summer months. Please contact Myrna Lee at [email protected] to learn more about the Fellowship Circle.

Fellowship Circle will be taking a break for the summer starting May 15.

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 2nd 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. You may contact Renda at

 [email protected] to learn more about this group. 

Studying God's Word

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

Smooth Stone Bible Study is studying the book of Hebrews. They are so pleased to have some new members and are looking forward to learning more from the Bible and from each other. Smooth Stones Bible Study meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Vivian Kravitz leads this group and can be reached by email at [email protected]. They will be taking a break from their study for the summer starting on May 8th.

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. They class will start a new study this month titled, Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws. Written by pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton this is a six week study that explores the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke.


This class will soon be available online on Zoom.


Larry Finch leads this study and can be reached by email at  [email protected].

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.

Worship

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.

Children and Youth Needed for Palm Sunday Celebration!


The Drama Team performed a Palm Sunday celebration with the help of the youth and children. Jessica Clement and Olivia Siegel read the story of Palm Sunday.

Drama Ministry

The Living Last Supper 



The Drama Ministry Team presented a wonderful performance of the Living Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 7:30 pm.

John

Cast of

The Living

Last Supper


James

Jesus

Simon the Zealot

Thomas

Andew

Miriam

Nathanael

Peter

Matthew

Judas

Stations of the Cross

On Good Friday the Drama Team portrayed the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus at various locations on the church campus with an emotional performance.

 

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday a large cross is set up in front of the church to be adorned with fresh flowers representing the transformation from a barren cross, a symbol of death, darkness, pain, and hopelessness to a beautifully decorated cross reminding us of our new life. Above all, the cross becomes beautiful, new and alive in celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.

Brooke and Marcie Shendok

Jean Troxell, Pastor Cathy,

and Rijean Smith

Ann Fraser, Gloria Taylor,

and Althea Lee

Barnes Family

McConnell Family

Youth Decorated the Sidewalks for Easter Morning


by Lou Murray, Music Director



Your choir is about to take it to a new level. We've been gradually improving our musicianship, learning new material, and featuring soloists. It's time to do some community outreach, performing at hospitals, nursing homes, etc. To make this work, I need at least one more alto voice, so if you're an alto and would like to participate, don't be bashful. You don't need to be a church member. We'll be ordering T-shirts for the group. Anyone with a musical skill, vocal or instrumental, is welcome to join us as we practice in the sanctuary at 7:00 Wednesday evenings. 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

Beauty and The Beast Performance

at St. Cloud Middle School

Produced by Scott Weyrauch and Directed by Amber Smith

Beauty and the Beast Encore Cast

Leland Bailey Performing as Beast

(Leland is our new church pianist.)

Beast and Belle

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events


May 1 - Trustees Meeting - 7:00 PM

May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults ~ 6:00 PM

May 7 - Confirmation Sunday at the 10:15 AM Blended Service

May 7 - Last day of Children's Ministry (BEACH) until after summer

May 11 - SPRC Meeting - 7:00 PM

May 14 - Mother's Day

May 18 - Finance Meeting - 7:00 PM

May 21 - Youth Sunday

May 21 & May 24 - Last regular youth meetings until after summer

May 25 - Church Council Meeting - 7:00 PM

June 19-23 - Vacation Bible School (Volunteers are Needed!)


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)
  • 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)
  • Children's program ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM
  • Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Monday

  • Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
  • Fellowship Circle (Ends May 15th & Resumes October 17th)
  • Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM (Ends May 8th & resumes in the fall)
  • 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
  • Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Wednesday

  • Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
  • Wednesday Night Church-Wide Dinner - 2nd Wednesday ~ starting at 5:15 PM
  • 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.

Check Out Our Website!

Office Administrator, James Wise has been working hard to update the church website, https://www.firstchurchstcloud.org. Past newsletters are available by clicking on the Resources Tab. Our weekly schedule and monthly overview calendar can also be found by clicking the About tab and then the Weekly Schedule line or by clicking this link.

https://www.firstchurchstcloud.org/about/weekly-schedule

May 2023 CHURCH NEWSLETTER


Our students celebrated Christ’s resurrection with a special Easter Chapel. All the classes gathered out on the sanctuary front steps to hear the finale of the Resurrection story; Jesus is Alive! Each child was then given a special box to open. Each box contained a Painted Lady butterfly that was released. Much like the caterpillar seals himself in a chrysalis and then emerges as a butterfly, Jesus was placed in a tomb but then he emerged gloriously. The excitement of 79 butterflies emerging all at once was an amazing and memorable experience for all of them. The children also participated in Easter Egg hunts on the playground. Many thanks to our special angels, Jim and Eileen Zetwo, who donated 180+ filled eggs for the children and Easter decorations for the teachers. 


This month, the children will be learning about Zacchaeus in Chapel. They will be exploring bugs including worms! They will be planting and analyzing plants and how they grow. Graduation ceremonies will be held on Monday, May 15 at 11:30 am for Preschool and Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 PM for VPK Pre-K.


Enrollment is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. We offer a Preschool class for children who are age 3 by September 1st and completely potty trained. Our VPK Pre-K class is offered for children who are age 4 by September 1st and is free with the Certificate of Eligibility. Additional information regarding our programs 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 and also on Sunday evenings from 6 to 7 PM.

Children's Church on Easter Morning

BeExcitedAboutCelebratingHim

The Children's Ministries led by Rijean Smith meet on Sunday evenings. The Children's Sunday evening program is called the B.E.A.C.H. Club (Be Excited About Celebrating Him.) Each week from 6:00 until 7:00 PM they enjoy learning about Jesus, making crafts, learning about each other, playing games, and having a delicious snack. If you know of a child who would enjoy our children's program, please contact Rijean Smith at [email protected].


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

Vacation Bible School

Mark your Calendar! VBS is right around the corner and we need you! We are looking for volunteers to volunteer the week of June 19th through the 23rd. Please contact Rijean at 407-908-4686 to sign up or if you have any questions.

On May 2nd we will have an adult information and training meeting at 6 PM. We look forward to seeing you there.  


More information about VBS and a student registration form is available on the church website or by using this link:


https://first-united-methodist-church-st-cloud.mycokesburyvbs.com/



(Volunteers are needed for VBS week. Please contact Rijean at 407-908-4686 or [email protected].)

Important Upcoming Dates for the Children


May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults @ 6:00 PM

May 7 - Last day of Children's BEACH meetings until after Summer

June 19 - 23 - Vacation Bible School from 9 am to 12 PM



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

The youth at our church, led by Amber Smith (assisted by Monica Scarlett) are very active with many of the events that we host. They also are involved with the Children's Ministry and help out where needed. About once a month they have fun activities outside of the regular meeting. If you know of a teen who would like to get involved in our church's youth program, please contact Amber Smith at [email protected].


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

Youth Easter Party

Important Dates for the Youth


May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults @ 6:00 PM

May 6 - Weikiva Retreat

May 7 - Confirmation Sunday

May 20 - Youth Sunday Rehearsal

May 21 - Youth Sunday

May 21 & May 24 - Last regular youth meetings until after summer

May 31 - End of School Party ~ 5:30-7:30 PM

June 19-23 - VBS

June 26-July 1 or July 10-15 - Warren Willis Camp

July 17-22 - Youth Week/Missions

May Birthdays

May 4 - Chris McConnell

May 6 - Liam Corcoran

May 7 - Lyn De Maria

May 8 - Larry Finch

May 10 - Amber Smith

May 11 – Kaleigh Gigstead

May 14 - Phil Christian

May 16 - Kevin Knox

May 17 – Charlotte Morgan

May 19 – David Johns

May 21 - David Cloud

May 21 - Dick Powell

May 28 - Vern Dorsey

May 29 - Janice Kirsch

May Anniversaries

May 10 - Rusty & Cathy Thacker

May 15 – Jim & Jo Kledis

May 18 - Ken & Joyce Smith

May 19 – William & Dorothy McIntosh

May 22 - DeVon and Mary Benton

May 24 - Alfred & Vicki Mauro

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

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 8:12


Your safety is our No. 1 concern!

Practice self evaluation and hygene

for your safety and others.

We are now able to lift most of the Covid restrictions.

Please continue to deposit your Let's Connect Attendance Card and offering in the box or basket at the back of the church when you leave.

Please dispose of your bulletin as you leave or take it with you to reference upcoming events.

The Sanctuary is sanitized regularly.

Staff Members & Email Addresses



Pastor: Cathy C. Thacker - [email protected]

Assistant Pastor: Jim Kledis -  [email protected]

Office: Joyce Perkins - [email protected]

Admin. Asst.: James Wise - [email protected]

Accountant: Chuck McLendon - [email protected]

Youth Leader: Amber Smith - [email protected]

Children's Ministry Director: Rijean Smith - [email protected]

Preschool Director: Denise Dunn - [email protected]

Sound Technician: Emma Mavell

Traditional Service Music Director: Lou Murray - [email protected]

Worship/Music Director: Scott Weyrauch [email protected]

Mercy Ministries Coordinator: Donna Regn [email protected]

Custodian: Al Rivera - [email protected]

Security: Juan Santiago [email protected]

First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud
1000 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769
407.892.3128
Visit Our Church Website
Facebook  Youtube