First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud

July 2022 Newsletter

From the Desk of Pastor Cathy

Dear friends!


The 2022 Florida Annual Conference was held on June 9-11th at in Lakeland, Florida. This was the first time we’ve met in person since 2019. We ordained 10 elders, 2 deacons and 16 people were licensed as local pastors. Unfortunately, 16 people in the Commissioning class were not approved at the Clergy Session. Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin was recognized as the Episcopal Nominee and is the first woman of color episcopal nominee from the Florida Conference! Ruth Nye, was our Lay Delegate to Annual Conference. She and Bob Nye attended as well as Larry Finch, who served as an Usher.

          

As we celebrate Fourth of July, we remember and give thanks that we are blessed to live in a country where we can worship and serve God freely! We give thanks for 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.

           

As Christians, we have received the greatest gift of all: eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. For me, it has been the greatest joy of my life to know Jesus and serve Him in His church. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16(NRSV)

           

After over 30 years of service as our “Sound Guy” and as our custodian since 2008, Bob Nye is retiring. We will have a celebration to honor him on Sunday, July 10th at 11:00 AM after the 10:00 AM worship service with lunch and refreshments. We will have a basket to collect cards/gifts if you wish to bring something for Bob.

           

We are hiring several new staff members to be in ministry here at FUMC St. Cloud. Ms. Emma Manvell will be our new Sound Technician. Al Rivera will be our new Custodian. And Pastor Jim Kledis will be our Assistant Pastor with responsibility for teaching, preaching and visitation. Juan Santiago, who has been volunteering at our Bags of Love will be opening and closing the church, checking security and safety procedures. Please join me in welcoming these wonderful folks as we continue to grow and follow the Lord’s leading here at FUMC St. Cloud.

           

We have enjoyed Vacation Bible School with 54 children, 21 adult volunteers and 17 youth volunteers. Thanks to Rijean Smith, our Children’s Ministry Director, all our volunteers and Dwight Oakes and the First United Methodist Church Winder youth! What a wonderful high energy week! God is good! I am reminded that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14(NIV)



I am so blessed to be your Pastor!

Cathy

Thacker Family at Disney Springs 2022

VBS 2022

2022 Confirmation Class

United Methodist Annual Conference

The 2022 session of the Annual Conference was held June 9-11 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. This year’s theme was “Rebuilding the Church, Re-membering the Body: Creating a Spiritual Home for All.”


Bishop’s Offering This year, two offerings were collected to support Encounter with Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean and to provide technology grants for rural, small membership churches. 


Episcopal Nominee Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin was recognized as the Florida Conference Episcopal Nominee. She is the first woman of color episcopal nominee from the Florida Conference.


The Conference approved an overall budget of $16,142,422 for 2023, which amounts to a reduction of $187,175 from the previous year’s budget. Additionally, Conference Treasurer Craig Smelser reported that: • 416 churches gave 100% of apportionments in 2021. • Conference expenses were down $425,000 in 2021 in comparison to 2020 — much of this is due to a planned reduction along with the lessons learned about new ways to do our work from the pandemic. • The Cabinet approved $2.3M in direct grants to local churches through the New Church Development Endowment and Cabinet Development Fund in 2022. • So far, 34.3% of apportionments have been received through the end of May.


The focus of the Laity Session was on the “Four Ps” of laity leadership: Purpose, Presence, Partnership, and Passion. The session ended with a Service of Recognition for Certified Lay Ministry. At the Thursday afternoon plenary session, Derrick Scott III, executive director of the Campus to City Wesley Foundation, was elected as Conference Co-Lay Leader to serve alongside Co-Lay Leader Alice Williams.


Licensing & Ordination Services Sixteen people were licensed as local pastors, two were ordained as deacons, and 10 were ordained as elders, including Tamara Isidore, the first Haitian woman to be ordained in the Florida Conference. Sixteen people in the Commissioning class were not approved at the Clergy Session to be commissioned as provisional deacons and provisional elders.


The following churches are celebrating milestone anniversaries:

200 Years: Alachua, First (NW); Fernandina Beach, Memorial (NE); Fernandina Beach, Trinity (NE); Live Oak, Pine Grove (NW) • 150 Years: Largo, Anona (GC); Waldo, Freedom (NC); Shady Grove, Hendry Memorial (NW)

125 Years: Miami, Cornerstone (SE), Tallahassee, Lake Jackson (NW)

100 Years: First, Cross City (NW); Jacksonville, Ft. Caroline (SW); Lake Placid, Memorial (SW); Miami, Kendall (SE); Miami Springs, Poinciana (SE); Orlando, Broadway (EC); Lake Helen (EC)

75 Years: Tallahassee Heights (NW)

50 Years: Longwood, Sanlando (EC); Orlando, Christ Hispanic (EC)

• 25 Years: Naples, Cornerstone (SW)


The Conference voted to approve the discontinuance of Riverview UMC in Ormond Beach. The following churches were approved for disaffiliation according to ¶ 2553 of the Book of Discipline. • First, Vero Beach • St. Paul’s/Highland Avenue Fellowship, Melbourne • Lake Helen UMC, Lake Helen • First, Dunnellon • First, Williston • Solomon Chapel, Orange Lake • Wesley Chapel - Cotton Plant, Ocala • Fort Caroline, Jacksonville • Greenville UMC, Greenville • Hanson-Madison, Pinetta • Cherry Lake, Madison • Rocky Springs, Madison • Davie UMC, Davie • First, Punta Gorda


The Service of Remembrance for the clergy and clergy spouses who died in the last year featured a sermon from Rev. June Edwards. 


The following resolutions were approved by the Conference: • A Resolution Offering Apologies and Hope for the Commissioning Class of 2022 • Resolution on Equity in Congregational Development (Amended to include Indigenous and Native American clergy) • A Resolution on Gun Violence Resolutions not voted on will be referred to the Conference Table.


Retirement Recognition The Conference noted the long and dedicated service of 25 pastoral leaders who move on to retirement. They combined for 671 years of service.

The next Annual Conference is set for June 8-10, 2023, in Lakeland, FL.

 

Service of Remembrance, Lakeland

Annual Conference Clergy Session at FUMC, Lakeland

Ordained Elders & Deacons

Pastor Cathy Recently Visited the Zetwos

Eileen Zetwo and Pastor Cathy

Your Church needs you! First Church St. Cloud has many opportunities for volunteers. The Mercy Ministries, Bags of Love, and Elmer's Kitchen are only a few.


We are also in need of someone to take over doing this newsletter. It can be a team of people rather than just one person. Jaynee Yocum who has been publishing the newsletter since the first issue in April 2021 is moving to Georgia. Jaynee is willing to continue with this until someone comes forward to take over. Please consider this volunteer opportunity. Contact the church office if you interested in taking photos or enter data into the Constant Contact template.

VBS Volunteers: Jim, John, and Judy

Serving Others with
Our Mercy Ministries
Bags of Love
FUMCSC is always in need of food to fill the bags! We are serving record breaking numbers of hot breakfasts to-go on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the underserved of our community when they come to receive a bag filled with nonparishables. 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, or bottled water. As our numbers continue to go up we thank you for helping us serve the community!

Volunteers: Bonnie, Kevin, & Judy

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: Boy Scouts or

St. Thomas Aquainas Catholic Church

Third Sunday of month: Soul City Church

Fourth Sunday of month: Christ the Savior Church

Fifth Sunday of month: FUMC of St. Cloud

We are very thankful for all of the churches who participate in this ministry.

Volunteers from St. Thomas Aquainas Catholic Church served the Elmer's Kitchen on June 12.

Helping Out at A Place For Grace

Donna Regn, David Daniel, and Flo helped recently served at A Place For Grace. They were able to sit and talk with the people who were being served. Donna said, "Communication is the best policy for these people. You get to know them and then they can trust you and you can trust them. Communication is the only way to gain their trust."


Retirement Celebration for Bob Nye

Bob has served our church for over 30 years as our distinguished “Sound Guy” and has maintained our campus as our

Jack of All Trades” since 2008.

He has served us in many positions, for so long!

Bob will be greatly missed as a church staff member.

 

Please join us as we celebrate and honor him on

Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 11 AM

in the Family Life Center, FUMC, Saint Cloud.

Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP: “Connect Card” or call the church at 407-832-3128

Meet Our Amazing Staff Members

Pastor Cathy Thacker is the Senior Pastor of First Church. She has been a blessing to this congregation since her appointment in June of 2020.

Rev. Jim Kledis has recently joined the church staff as Assistant Pastor. He will be teaching, preaching, and also helping with visitaton of the congregation.

Joyce Perkins is the Church Office Administrator/Trasurer. She has been working at the church for the past seven years. Joyce also enjoys singing in the choir.

Rev. James Wise records and produces the live recordings for each Worship Service on his laptop at the back of the church. We are very appreciative of everything that James does around our campus and in the office where he is the Administrative Assistant. He has been working at the church for five years.

Denise Dunn is the Director of our Preschool. She has been the director for the past eight years.


Rijean Smith demonstrates her love for children as our Director of Children's Ministries. 

Amber Smith does an amazing job as Youth Director and also sings in the Worship Praise Team.

Lou Murray coordinates and leads the choirs of our church as the Choir Director. She is a very talented musician.

Scott Weyrauch leads the ten o'clock Blended Worship Service as Worship Leader.

Al Rivera has been hired as custodian and to take care of maintenance of the facility. He will be starting in the beginning of July.

Donna Regn demonstrates her love for people as our Mercy Ministries Coordinator.

Juan Santiago has recently come on staff and will be securing the buildings and helping in many other capacities including our safety procedures. 

Emma Manvell is our new sound technician.

Chuck McLendon is our accountant and sings in the Worship Praise Team.

Father's Day 2022

All of the dads were treated to snacks after the church services.

C.O. Arrignton

Chuck McLendon

Juan and sons

Andy Smith with his grandson, Logan and two daughters, Amber & Amanda

Father and Grandfather, Ted Miller pictured with

Althea Lee, Gloria Taylor, & Pat Hardin

Coffee & Fellowship Hour on Sunday Mornings

Each Sunday morning coffee and refreshments are served beteween Church services from 9:15 to 9:55 in the breezway between the FLC and Sancturary. Plan on stopping by for a hot cup of coffee, a donut or cookie and visit with a fellow church member.

Join our Sunday School Class!

You are invited to attend our Sunday school class study on Sunday mornings at an in person setting at FUMC St. Cloud. We are studying various books by Christian writers and authors like Ellsworth Kalas, Amy Levine, Max Lucado, Adam Hamilton, James W. Moore and others. We will enjoy great fellowship and friendship! Contact the church office for more information.

A New Women's Group

A new women's group called "Circle of Light" will be meeting once a month on the second Wednesday at 10:00 AM for fellowship, devotions, service projects, guest speakers, and refreshments. Renda Collins is leading this group. One of their service projects will be to reach out to the shut-in members of our congregation.

For more information contact Renda at (407) 518-6911.

Music by Lou Murray, Music Director


The Summer at the Movies sermon series is opening up many opportunities for our music. At the June 12 service we had Lucy Knowles singing “A Million Dreams.” June 19, Father's Day, we were blessed with Renda Collins singing “Daddy's Hands.” We look forward to patriotic music for the July 3 service, with Lucy scheduled to sing “God Bless America.” With many of our choir members on vacation this summer, off and on, you'll be seeing a smaller singing group. But we promise to bring lots of enthusiasm to make up for it. If you'd like to sing with the choir, don't be bashful. We need all voices except sopranos, and we practice Wednesday evenings at 7. I'm always open to comments or suggestions about the music.

Thanks for listening!

Safin Karim

Lucy Knowles

Mark Your Calendar


Upcoming Events


July 4 - Independence Day

July 10 - Retirement Celebration for Bob Nye

July 31 - FUMCSC serves at Elmer's Kitchen


Regular Meetings

Sunday

  • Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:30 AM
  • Serendipity Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 AM
  • Coffee Hour (FLC or walkway) ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
  • Blended Worship Service ~ 10:00 AM
  • Newcomer's Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:00 AM
  • Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)

Monday

  • Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
  • Seasoned Souls will be on summer break until the fall
  • Smooth Stones Bible Study will be on summer break until the fall
  • 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: 62397
  • Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Wednesday

  • Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
  • Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM
  • Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday 

  • Bags of Love ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM


Please NoteOur 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.

Visit our Website!

Office Administrator, James Wise has been working hard to update the church website https://www.firstchurchstcloud.orgPast newsletters are available by clicking on the Resources tab and our Monthly Overview Calendar which is continually updated by James. The calendar can 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.


JULY 2022 CHURCH NEWSLETTER


It’s time for summer camp!! Our first camp of the summer was held June 13-17. Pirates and Princesses joined us for a week of fun including hunting for buried treasure, sailing on a pirate ship and walking the plank. Our second camp was held June 27-July 1. Campers moved “Full STEAM Ahead” into the wonderful world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each participated in their own experiments and used scientific inquiry and discovery to analyze their results. Check out our Facebook page to see pictures and live stream videos of the exciting happenings at our school www.facebook.com/firstumcpreschoolstcloud.


Enrollment is now open for the 2022-2023 school year. We offer a Preschool class for children who are age 3 by September 1st (currently has a Wait List) 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

Our guest Childen's Church speaker, Dwight Oaks who

also helped with VBS this year.

The children of First Church meet on Sunday mornings during the Blended Service after the Children's moment and on Wednesday night for their "B.E.A.C.H. Club" program from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Vacation Bible School was held

 July 20-24

This year we had a BLAST at VBS with 48 children, 20 Adults,

and 13 Youth! 

Preparing for the Big Week


VBS Training led by Rijean Smith

VBS Kids, Youth & Volunteers

In Action

Dwight Oaks brought his youth group from First United Methodist Church of Winder, Georgia to help with our VBS on their mission trip. Thank you, Dwight!

Our Youth Group also meets each week on Wednesday evenings

from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.


The youth at our church 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. If you know of a teen who would like to get involved in our church's youth program please contact Amber Smith.

Baptism and Confirmation

This year we had four young ladies confirmed as members of the church on June 12, 2022; Sophia Janet Spivey, Brooke Flaherty, Kayleigh Grace Gigstead & Mackenzie Rae Stott. Three of these young ladies were also baptized.

Kaleigh Gigstead Baptism

Mackenzie Stott Baptism

Sophia Spivey Baptism

Brook Flaherty Confirmed

Mackenzie Stott Confirmed

Sophia Spivey Confirmed

Kaleigh Gigstead Confirmed

Confirmands with Amber Smith

    Confirmands with Pastor

     Cathy and Olivia Siegel

Sophia with her parents Rusty & Kristen Spivey

Brook with her parents, Robbie & Jeanette Flaherty and her brother Zachary

Dwight Oakes & Pastor Cathy had the privilege of participating together in the baptism of Noah Michael Smith, son of Nathaniel & Stephanie Smith and grandson of Larry & Celia Finch on Monday, June 20th at the Kissimmee lakefront.

Congratulations to Daniel Watson, graduate of Harmony High School! He will be attending Grove City College in Pennsylvania with a football scholarship! Proud parents Brian & Jill Watson. Grandmother Barbara Watson.

July Birthdays

July 3 - Michael Morris

July 3 - Sarah Harris

July 4 - Mariyn Cornish

July 10 - Karla Loper

July 11 - Brylee McConnell

July 12 - Jahkeema King

Juy 13 - Ellizabeth (Liz) Jessen


July 18 – Jennifer Rojas

July 23 - Sivinti Dyals

July 26 - Ruth Nye

July 27 - Randy White

July 28 - Barbara Watson

July 29 - Pat Brack

July 31 - Dana Knox

July Anniversaries

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 don't want to miss anyone! If you know of someone who isn't listed in this birthday or anniversary list please notify the Church Office.


The Word of Our Lord

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Your safety is our No. 1 concern!
We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the CDC and new COVID cases. We will re-evaluate in-person worship should anything change. For now, we ask that you continue to practice these essential guidelines:
  • Please monitor your symptoms and if you feel sick, please stay home.
  • Masks or cloth face coverings are optional indoors and outdoors at this time. 
  • Please maintain at least six feet of social distance when possible.
  • You may now sit anywhere in the sanctuary
  • No passing of the offering. Please deposit your 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 after every worship service.

Staff Members & Email Addresses



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

Music Director: Lou Murray - musicalou@inbox.com

Office Manager: Joyce Perkins - treasurer@firstchurchstcloud.org

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

Youth Leader: Amber Smith - amber.10golf@gmail.com

Children's Ministry Director: Rijean Smith - rijeansmith@yahoo.com

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

Blended Serv. Worship Leader: Scott Weyrauch sweyrauch@mac.com

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

Accountant: Chuck McLendon - clmclendon@aol.com


First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud
1000 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769
407.892.3128
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