First United Methodist Church Bonita Springs Newsletter

First Bonita

Serving Bonita Springs for Over 100 Years

10.16.26

Our Charge Conference

A few hours after worship this Sunday we will have our annual Charge Conference meeting. This year it will be held as a “cluster”, several churches from the area holding our meetings simultaneously which opens the experience to be more communal and celebratory, as well as adding elements of worship.

Because this year’s meeting is being held elsewhere, and because a cluster meeting can sometimes mean a little less interaction during, I want to be sure that you still have the opportunity to review our report and ask questions. To that end, printed copies will be available for anyone that would like one following worship this Sunday. A digital copy is also available now; simply reply here and let me know you’d like one. (I’m traveling to Jacksonville and back today and tomorrow so I may be a bit slow to reply, but I will get it to you!)

Additionally, I will share a few words during Coffee Hour about Charge Conference and I and some of our lay leadership will answer your questions. We’ll open it up for dialogue for all, though I’ll also make myself available if there is anything you’d like to discuss at a table.

Finally, I hope you will consider joining the Charge Conference this Sunday afternoon, October 18. It takes place at Cornerstone United Methodist Church (8200 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34119) and begins at 3:00 PM. If you would like to carpool, I and a few others will be in the paved church parking lot next to the offices in advance. We will leave at 2:30.

My thanks to all of our lay leadership who worked hard to compile and produce the many annual documents and reports that make up our submission. I look forward to seeing you Sunday, in worship and again later that afternoon.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Ben Richards

Sunday Worship

Join us on Sundays in-person or online! Click here to worship with us on 10/18 or here for 10/25. We'd love to have you worship with us!

Clothes and Shoe Drive this Sunday

The United Women in Faith are conducting a clothes and shoe drive for the children at Bonita Elementary School. Whatever you purchase can be brought to church this Sunday, October 18.

Items needed are sneakers for girls, sizes 1, 2, 3, and for boys, sizes 4, 5, 6. Cardigan sweaters for both boys and girls, but not hoodies! Polo shirts for both boys and girls in red, light and dark blue, yellow, and green in any size. Shorts and pants for boys and girls in dark blue and khaki in any size. Husky size pants for boys are always needed.

These items can be purchased at Kohl’s, JC Penney, and the Children’s Place. Thank you so much for your participation in this project. We appreciate whatever you can provide for the children.

Lovingly,

Jann Mier

Community Breakfast and Clothes Closet Tomorrow

Tomorrow (Saturday, October 17), we will host our Community Breakfast and Clothes Closet. This takes place every month on the third Saturday and hosts many from the community outside our congregation. It’s an incredible ministry, an opportunity to serve and support, and a chance to get to know our neighbors. If you’ve never been a part of it before, we hope you’ll consider coming and checking it out. Come and eat, come and chat, come and serve.

Breakfast will be served from 10 to 11:30 AM. If you would like to volunteer, please arrive by 9 AM.

September Financial Report

	YTD Actual September 2026	YTD Plan September 2026	YTD Actual September 2025
Offerings & Other	221,171	217,950	209,808
Expenses	212,616	217,594	197,173
Surplus/(Deficit)	8,555	356	12,635

Offerings through September continue to exceed both Plan and Last Year. Spending was lower than Plan, but higher than Last Year because of increased maintenance costs, utility costs, and staff salaries (the custodian position was vacant for the first four months of 2025.) Through September, we have a Surplus of more than $8,000, significantly over Plan but lower than Last Year.

This surplus will help support us through the next few months until we are "in-

season."

Rummage Sale 2026

This year’s Rummage Sale has been scheduled for Saturday, November 14. As in previous years, this is an opportunity to support the ministries of First Bonita by donating items that will be sold at the event in the fellowship hall.

Donations may be dropped off before worship on Sundays beginning this week and running through Sunday, November 8. The storage shed behind the sanctuary and fellowship hall will be open at this time.

Updates

Bible Study:

Our Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM in the church office conference area. Facilitated by Rev. Ben Richards, this small group is open to all that would like to explore their faith by reading scripture together.

Meals of Hope:

Meals of Hope distributes food at First Bonita every other week on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. If you or someone you know would like to participate as a volunteer, their next distribution is on October 27. Food distribution is available from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Prayer and Care:

Our prayer team meets every other week, Fridays at 9:30 AM on Zoom or in the sanctuary. The next meeting will be October 23. Cards to submit requests are in the back of the Sanctuary. Need to add or keep someone on the list? Send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org. All information and last names will be kept confidential.

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.

Prayer Requests

Bob K

The family of Donice

Kenn & Joyce

Holly R

Harvey D

Ninetta

Timothy R

Barbara

Dee Dee