The June E-News Is Here!

OCALA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

June 2022

CONGREGATION UPDATES

WE ARE DEBT-FREE!

On Sunday, May 15, Phil Bledsoe, Chair of the Finance Committee, shared the exciting news that our congregation has paid off our mortgage and we are officially debt-free! We were able to eliminate our debt through legacy gifts received from the bequests of long-time church members designated specifically for this purpose, along with a special gift from a devoted member to get us to the finish line. To learn more about how you can make a difference through similar gifts and leave a legacy for Ocala First UMC, download the Planned Giving Brochure linked below.

Click Here to Download Our Planned Giving Brochure

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE FROM MARK BABALIAN

On May 22, we received an update on our 2022 Budget from Mark Babalian, Co-Chair of our Stewardship Team. You can see his full message in the video below. He reminds us that in 2021, we had forecasted a $170,000 budget deficit, but through your generosity we saw an increase of $175,000 in annual giving providing a small surplus at the end of the year! For 2022, we anticipated a much smaller deficit, well within our cash reserves. However, news came from our Trustees that termites were discovered in our sanctuary and several large air conditioners, including one in our children’s ministry area, need to be replaced. These costs were far beyond the anticipated maintenance needs in our budget.

Watch the video below as Mark Babalian provides more details about where we are financially and how you can help. And keep reading to learn about a creative way to help address our specific needs in 2022.

BUGS, BUILDINGS, AND BUDGETS!

Given the one-time financial needs of our congregation in 2022, we hope you will consider grabbing an envelope from our Bugs, Buildings, and Budgets board and donating to help support these projects at our church:

Termite treatment in the Sanctuary

Replacing air conditioners for our Children and Family Ministries!

Church building repairs

Church budget deficit

Or you can give directly to these projects online.

Click the link below

Click on the "Fund" window to see a drop-down menu

Select: "Bugs, Buildings, and Budgets Special Offering"

Complete the online giving form and complete the gift

Click Here to Give Online Now

Together, we can fully fund our 2022 budget and address the ongoing facility needs essential for our thriving ministries!

Thank you for your generosity and support!

PRAYER LIST

Short-Term Health Concern

Carl Bergeson, Nancy Francis, Catherine Mitchell, Eloise Mullins, Cynthia Pugh, Earl Rice, David Robbins

Longer-Term Care

Bill Badger, Debbie Beitel, Rusty Branson, Sachi Clayton, Bobbi Deriso, Anne Kail, Faye Knotts, Jody Skinner, Julianna Sweet, Sue Walker, Angie Welch, Anne Zecca

Treatment

Riley Henry, Judy Jones, Nancy Ritz, Charlotte Ross, Grace Trice

Other

Riley Kiefer: Mission trip in June to Kenya with Zoe Empowers ministry

Condolences

We extend our condolences to Gaylon and Patty Williams and to their whole family upon the death of his mother, Carolyn Williams,

on Friday, May 27.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Ennis Wynne

upon her death on Saturday, May 28.

Upcoming Memorial Services

A memorial service for Ann Thomas is scheduled on Saturday, June 25 at 11am in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Family Life Center.

Click here to submit a prayer request!

THE BIBLE YEAR

We have made it through 20 weeks of The Bible Year! As we move into our summer months, we encourage you to keep current with your readings. We will continue reading the Psalms through June 9, then move into Proverbs, before spending a few days in Ecclesiastes at the end of June. The month of July will see us finish Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, and then begin the prophetic books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, with Lamentations thrown in for good measure.

If you haven't joined The Bible Year email list, we encourage you to do so through the link below. You will receive occasional emails with further reflections on the scheduled readings, and links to some great teaching videos and messages to enhance your readings.