Palm Notes

Hurricane Ian Updates

Out of an abundance of caution for the deteriorating weather conditions Thursday evening through Saturday morning due to Hurricane Ian, the following schedule changes are announced:

 THURSDAY, 9/29

• The church office is closed
• Lowcountry Youth Wind Symphony practice on Thursday, September 29 is canceled
• Chancel Choir practice Thursday night is canceled
• Thursday dress rehearsal for “Okatie’s Got Talent- Palms Style” is canceled

  Friday, 9/30

• The church office is closed
• Pumpkin Patch training scheduled for 3 p.m. is canceled
• Friday’s performance of “Okatie’s Got Talent- Palms Style” is postponed until January 20, 2023
• AA meeting is canceled

  Saturday, 10/1

• Maye River Quilters Guild meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. is  canceled
• "The Gathering" at 5:30 p.m. is STILL SCHEDULED to occur

Continue to monitor the church webpage at www.palmsumc.org for the latest information.

Weekend Worship

Join Us for Weekend Services

October 1 & 2 

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Rekindle The Gift

Pete Berntson, Proclaimer

Contemporary-style Worship

“The Gathering"

Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (in person and live streamed)

youtube.com/c/cotpsc

Reader Mark Reed

Alternative-style Worship

Sunday, 8:30 a.m. (in person)

Scripture Reader: Mark Reed

Classic-style Worship

Sunday, 11 a.m. (in person and live-streamed)

youtube.com/c/cotpsc

Scripture Reader: Linda Robertson

Charge Conference Report

Rev. Joey McDonald presided at the 2022 Charge Conference of Church of the Palms last night, September 26. The Conference opened with Anna Marie Kuether leading the group in singing the hymn “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty.”

The information shared and decisions made included:

• Report of Ministry and Mission by Council Chair, Jill Swab. View it here.
• Sharing of the following statistics: Membership as of the Charge Conference: 294, 38 new members since last Charge Conference, 14 of which were Professions of Faith, 8 deaths of members (the names were read and a prayer offered), average worship attendance for the first four months of 226.
• Report of pastoral duties and activities by Pastor Pete. View it here.
• Voted to increase the total compensation, housing, benefit, health insurance, pension package for Pastor Pete by 4%.
• Affirmed, by vote, the leaders for 2023 - view summary here.
• Affirmed, by vote, the following Lay Servants: Linda Robertson, Larry Sanders, Jill Swab, David Voyles
• Affirmed, by vote, to recommend Larry Sanders as Certified Lay Speaker.
• Affirmed, by vote, to recommend Portia Foden as a continuing candidate for ordained ministry.

Numerous other reports such as finance report, trustee report, safe sanctuary verification, and others were submitted in advance online to the Conference, a full copy of the Charge Conference documents is available for review in the church office.

Staff Assistant Job Opening

The Staff Parish Relations Committee of Church of the Palms is searching for a part-time staff assistant to work 16 hours per week. Schedule time requires coverage on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If interested, request a job description and/or submit your resume to John Baxter at joabaxter@yahoo.com.

Summary of Kentucky Relief Work

(Editor’s Note: Dick and Ann Tullie share this report on their participation in Disaster Relief in Kentucky with Samaritan’s Purse International)

Disaster Response with Samaritan’s Purse

Jackson, Kentucky

September 19-23

Day 1 - Tuesday

Arlene’s mobile home. Her home sat part way up a mountain where the family owned 70 acres. She moved her used mobile home to the property 7 years ago on what she thought was high ground. Grannie’s empty house sat further up the mountain. Arlene was rescued by boat. She lost her car in the flood. She will move back into her home with no further construction as she has no insurance.  

(read more)

My House of Prayer Service

Join us Friday, October 7 at 11 a.m. for a time of personal prayer and reflection. The service will last about a half hour. It's a time to sit silently and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts.

Sisters! Beach Retreat, October 17 

Dear Women of Church of the Palms (All Sisters!): A beach retreat is planned for you on October 17. We will begin our retreat at The Crazy Crab, Jarvis Creek, at 11:30 a.m. for lunch followed by a time of fellowship and devotion at Folly Field Beach Park at 1 p.m. 

Bring your favorite beach chair and beverage of choice. A dessert of cookies will be provided. Please make arrangements to carpool.

Sign-up in the Green Book located at the back portico entrance or on SignUpGenius. We look forward to seeing you. If it should rain, we will have our beach retreat at the church. 

Christmas Poinsettias 

Christmas Poinsettia orders for Sanctuary Adoration will soon be needed as the supplier has an October 30 deadline. A SignUpGenius in being designed to accept your orders.

8-inch plants are available in RED or WHITE and are priced at $24. You can indicate whether your poinsettia is "In Honor of" or "In Memory of" and the name of the individual(s). Poinsettia(s) may be picked up after the 11 a.m. service on December 25 or from the portico during the week.

A separate order/entry must be made for each poinsettia purchased.

Order forms will also be available at the church office. If you have questions, you may contact Susan Voyles at Susan@palmsumc.org.

In Joy and Thanksgiving

For Austen and Glenn Hecker as they move through the adoption process to receive Esperanza Grace

For Alexander Atkins and his fiancée Ailing, as Ailing makes her way from China to South Carolina

For Direction, Comfort, Protection

For our Country, our UM Church, and the leadership of each

The citizens and soldiers on both sides of the conflict in Ukraine

Healthcare workers – including those caring for the elderly and those with mental illness

Refugees in Syria and other war-torn areas

The millions living in hunger in Africa and Afghanistan

Our military and those serving in law enforcement

Our civil service workers and leaders in government

For the people of Puerto Rico

For the people in the path of Hurricane Ian

Thanking God for continued Healing and Wholeness

Sam Hollis

Sharon Boulware

Aura Lee Mulik

Jack Hills

For Those Under Hospice Care

Rev. Kenny Burr

Helen Berntson

Dean Bare

Jim LaGoy

Ill / Healing 

Linda Stibel

Luther Berntson

Dan Miller

Don Myers

Mark Forry

John Hurley

Gerri LaGoy

Jane May

Gene Yanek

Lois Solomon

Dan Mabey

Peter Danforth

Lori, Mike Beagen’s daughter

Mark Reed

Bonnie Wallace

Fred and Donna Bagley

Carol Baxter

Mary Snyder

Chick Mazon

Hospitalized

Steve Morse was admitted to ICU , and for Maggie

Kristy, daughter of Linda and Lou Greer, in Wake Forest Hospital

Those Grieving

Judy Jones and family in the unexpected death of her brother, Robert E. Jones, Jr, 60

Just a quick note today to request that you take the necessary steps to keep safe. Ian is anticipated to return to hurricane wind strength before coming back on shore - this time between Beaufort and Charleston on Friday.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has some excellent information on what to consider having in your emergency kit on its website at https://scemd.org/prepare/your-emergency-plan/family-disaster-plan/family-emergency-kit/.

As possible, pay attention to your neighbors and assist while keeping safe. 

The South Carolina United Methodist Early Response Teams (ERTs) are on standby, waiting to see how and where Hurricane Ian will impact us. The teams will be activated as soon as it is necessary and safe to do so.

They have special credentials that allow them to enter affected areas before the general public has access. These teams coordinate with county Emergency Management officials and local disaster response groups.

Once we can assess any damage at our church, home, and community, we can let our district superintendent and disaster response coordinator know of any issues.

ERTs can be dispatched to help with putting tarps on roofs, mucking out buildings and homes, clearing debris, and removing fallen trees.

We will be standing by to see how we might be of assistance to others who may need our help.

Finally, many have already been affected by Hurricane Ian, and many more will soon be. Emergency response personnel will be pushed to the limit to assist. Please take a moment now to pray for their safety and strength.

God of all, we pray for those who respond at the first call,

For those who rush toward danger, bringing hope and comfort;

For those who serve, protect and guide others to safety.

Keep them in Your care and safely protect them as they follow Your command to love their neighbors.

Amen.

Church Calendar

Council Chair Jill Swab

Lay Leader David Voyles

Trustee Chair Marsha Harrison

Finance Russ Stockman

SPRC Elaine Graham

Worship Chair Susan Voyles

Worship Vice-Chair Linda Robertson

Missions Bill Unger

Stewardship Richard Reeves

Evangelism Donna Cleveland

Nurture Dee Lehr

Treasurer Bob Lane

Recording Secretary Sandy Collins

Financial Secretary Al Couper

Church Historian Phil Bright

Membership Secretary Brenda Berg

Epworth Sylvia Kaufman

Staff Team

Pastor Pete Berntson

Director of Music / Worship Arts Anna Marie Kuether

Piano Accompanist Dr. Janet Elshazly

Music Leader Lauren McLeod

Church Secretary Sandy Biggs

Staff Assistant Donna Wiles

Bookkeeper Berenice Fedder

Nursery Assistant Colleen Olsen

Nursery Assistant Luz Coston