Vision and Mission

After very hard work and a LOT of listening, the Council has adopted the recommendations of the Mission and Vision Statement Task Force.

Your input at the listening sessions and efforts at refining the thought and intent of the words have produced good results. 

The refined Vision Statement for Church of the Palms, how we want to be seen as we carry out our God-given work, is: 

TRANSFORMING LIVES BY

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO GOD AND TO ONE ANOTHER.

The focused Mission Statement for Church of the Palms serves to declare where we will put our primary attention and energy going forward to achieve our vision:

SPIRITUALLY NOURISH AND GROW A FAITHFUL, ACTIVE CONGREGATION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS WHO EXTEND LOVE AND GENEROSITY IN SUPPORTING THE NEEDS OF ALL OTHERS.

Committees and ministries are now actively translating these vision and mission statements into meaningful acts. Please support them with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift(s)

The Spiritual Gift Surveys that have been returned so far have been scored and are ready to be unwrapped.

The next session to receive your results is in Room 107 on Friday, September 23 at 3 p.m. More sessions will be announced as needed. 

This survey focuses on 20 spiritual gifts and which ones God has given you. No follower of Jesus has all the gifts, but all of us have at least one. Scripture declares that God “….distributes them [spiritual gifts] to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Cor 12:8-12).

New Members Weekend

Our next New Member weekend is October 8 and 9. These are the dates when we welcome those desiring to connect on a deeper level with Church of the Palms. 

The process is easy. Let Pastor Pete or the Church Secretary, Sandy Biggs, know. Complete a Family Information form to make sure we have contact information. Then an informal meeting will be set up with you and Pete so that he might get to hear your “story” and so he can address all your questions. You may join at any of the three worship services on October 8 or 9.

An Exploratory Luncheon will be held on Sunday, September 25 following the 11 a.m. service for those wishing to learn more about Church of the Palms and the pathway to membership. Please contact the Church Office if this is of interest to you.

Charge Conference September 26

Our District Superintendent, Rev. Joey McDonald, has set the Charge Conference for Church of the Palms for 8 p.m. on Monday, September 26. The conference is open to everyone. Members of the Council and retired pastors have voted at this conference. 

In the United Methodist Church, the Charge Conference meets at least once a year. It is responsible for recommending candidates for ministry, approving leaders, establishing salaries for the pastor, and evaluating the local church's ministry. Pete Berntson and Portia Foden will be seeking continued Conference approval to continue progress towards ordained ministry.

Rev. McDonald will meet with the Staff Parish Relation Committee 30 minutes before the start of the Charge Conference.

Dolls Wanted For World Communion Sunday

Do you have international dolls 18” and smaller to offer for “World Communion Sunday” set up?

Dolls can be brought to the church safely packaged and labeled by Sunday September 25. Please leave the package in the mailroom located off the narthex in the front of the church. Label each with your name and “World Communion/Brenda Berg”.

Brenda Berg will cherish your item and safely return for pick-up in the mailroom the weekend of October 8 and 9.

Thank you for participating in a world wide celebration to our Lord Jesus!

News From Kentucky

{Ed Note: Ann and Dick Tullie shared this report from Kentucky. Join their prayer team using this link for SignUpGenius to receive further updates.}

Dearest Prayer Warriors,

After dropping off the persecuted church banners for use at New Wineskins (global mission conference) in Ridgecrest, NC, we arrived safely at our worksite in Jackson, Kentucky about 3:00 p.m. The drive through the mountains has been beautiful - what a creation!

Continue reading...

Orderly Affairs Workshop

- A Gift From the Heart

Bereavement is sponsoring a three-session seminar on preparing for someone to handle your affairs should you become incapacitated or pass away. Jerri Hanna, a resident of Sun City, will present the workshop on collecting such documents as medical information, funeral planning, income and expense sources, estate documents and online accounts.

The next workshop, to be held in October, is limited to 12 attendees and consists of three one-hour sessions at 2 p.m. in Room 106:

• Fridays, October 7, 14, and 21

The cost of the seminar is $20 and all you will have to do is bring a 1½ or 2-inch ring binder and 24 plastic sheet covers. All the workbook documents and forms will be provided for you.

Please sign up using SignUpGenius.

Contact Sandi Goodwin: ssgoodwin@earthlink.net or 843-707-1291

National Alliance for Mental Illness Walk for Awareness

“Change the Tide” Walk for Awareness

Coligny Beach

Saturday, October 8 at 8:30 a.m.

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) is a national organization which provides support and education for those living with a mental health condition and their families. NAMI Lowcountry is holding a Coligny beach walk on Saturday, October 8 at 8:30 a.m. in order to bring awareness to the issue of mental health and raise funds to support their programs.

Church of the Palms will be making a financial contribution to NAMI Lowcountry and Dee DiMona is organizing a team called the “Caring Friends”.

Please consider either registering as a walker or donating at the NAMI website.

Pumpkins are Coming! 

The pumpkins are currently scheduled to arrive in their new home at Church of the Palms on Oct 6.

There is much to do to get ready and so be on the lookout for information on how you can be part of this easy and fun way of engaging with our neighbors and community.

Contact Mark Reed, our Pumpkin Champion, or Pastor Pete with any questions.  An information meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 1, and between services on October 2.  Come learn or get re-familiarized with how the pumpkin patch works.

SignUpGenius for the unloading and the daily sales slots will be available on Tuesday.

Today's Word From Our Sheepdog

I am grateful that your Lay Leader, David Voyles, will be proclaimed at all three services this weekend. I will be present at all three myself, as I too need to be fed!

David will use Philippians 4:4-9, speaking about being “Grateful and Growing.” 

It is an appropriate and timely message for all of us at Church of the Palms. We have so much to be thankful for, and God deserves our every blessing and praise. And being so blessed, we have the obligation to continue growing and maturing as the children of God. 

I am eager to hear David expand on all of this, and I trust I will see you in worship this weekend.

Humbled and honored to be the sheepdog to the Lord Shepherd in this place and time.

Grateful,

Pete +

September Birthdays

Jackie Rainville 09/22

Lynda Bialko 09/24

Mary Ann Moore 09/24

Dale Larow 09/25

Peggy Ross 09/25

Laurel Schmidt 09/26

Chick Mazon 09/28

Ron West 09/28

Sandi Goodwin 09/30