March 6 | Wednesday Night Activities

Join us Wednesday nights on the Mandarin campus! See more information on each of the following in their ministry section:

• Dinner 5:30-6:30 PM – Adult Meal: BBQ Pork Sandwich, coleslaw, potato chips, dessert & drink (water, soda or tea) - $6 per person. Kids Meal: Hot Dog, potato chips, applesauce, dessert, & drink (water, soda or tea) - $4 per person. Family Max Price (2 adults & 2 or more kids) - $20 per family. Sign up here.
• Youth Activities – 5:30-8:00 PM. Gym.
• Youth Praise Band – 5:00-5:45 PM. Worship space.
• Youth Choir – is on hiatus until April 10.
• Youth Small Group – will begin with parents in worship. Pick up this week is 7:30 PM
• Cherub & Children's Choir – 6:00-6:20 PM. FLC 830
• Childcare Room – 6:20-8:00 PM. FLC 834
• Children’s Choir – Mtg at 6:00 PM
• Children’s Activities – Children will begin with parents in worship
• Ash Wednesday Service 6:30PM, Sanctuary

Click here to learn more about Wednesday nights.

March 8 | Cook-Out & Camping

We are super excited to invite all families to join us for a fun outdoor evening filled with good food, fellowship and old-fashioned play for the kids. Sign up to attend the cookout and if you are feeling adventurous, bring your tent and camp out for the night. Organized family games will start at 5:00 PM and dinner will begin at 6:00 PM. Dinner will consist of hamburgers/hotdogs, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, and chips. Dessert will be roasting marshmallows for s'mores. The cost will be $6 per person, or $20 per family of 4 or more.  

For those spending the night, please bring your favorite box of cereal to share in the morning at our cereal bar. We provide milk and fruit; you provide the cereal. If you want to attend but do not have a tent, contact Angie and we will help you find one to borrow. Camping in the Family Life Center will also be allowed for families interested. Sign Up Here

March 9 | Church Workday

The Board of Trustees is sponsoring a Church Workday to clean up and spruce up our campus for Easter. There are many areas you can help with: washing windows, trimming trees, cleaning gardens, cleaning pews, cleaning signs, painting, etc. The time is from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM., come for the entire morning or just an hour. All help is welcome and everyone is invited to participate.

April 4-7 | Sound of Music

Sandy Webb is producing The Sound of Music and several of our youth, children and adults will performing. The Performances will be on April 4- 6 at 7:00 PM. And April 7 at 4:30 PM. All performances will be in the Worship center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Please join us for a great time and supporting Sandy and our performers. Buy tickets here.

Sound of Music practice schedule is Tuesdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM and Sundays from 2:30 – 4:30 PM for the months of February and March. 

Easter Lillies and Hydrangeas for Easter Services

Easter Lillies and Hydrangeas are available for dedication/in memory for the Easter Services for Mandarin and Longleaf. The cost this year is $25 for Easter Lilies and $30 for Hydrangeas. To sign up for a Lilly or hydrangea please use the following realm link or call the church office. The deadline for orders is March 4. Sign up here.

SAT Tutor for Youth Members

We would like to offer the opportunity for youth to work together and prepare for the SAT. We are looking for a person or people who feel called to work with youth in this way. We would set a time and allow members of the youth to come together to prepare for the test. We have many kids who would like to do well but can’t afford the cost of these preparation classes which typically start from $500 and up. If you are willing to help lead in this, please contact Paula.

Mandarin UMC & Longleaf Church T-Shirts

We are adding more ways to show off your church pride! You can now purchase a short sleeve shirt (heathered green), long sleeve shirt (heathered navy), and/or sweatshirt (heathered dark grey) through Realm. Short sleeve shirts can also be purchased and picked up Sunday mornings from the Welcome Center on the Mandarin campus. Long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts will be ordered and delivered to you once received.  

If you order online and would like your shirt brought to Longleaf, please put that in memo when ordering. Payments at the Welcome center can be made cash, check or pay through Realm. Choose “Other Income” under “Memo” put Church shirt.   

If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor Mathis. Order here.

Now Hiring Summer Camp Director

We are excited to begin a new ministry at Mandarin UMC of a summer day camp and are looking for a Summer Camp Director who will add to the many strengths in our staffing, experience, and facilities. Learn more.

March 4 | Craft Class – Pressed Flower Candle Holder

Join Tammi Studer and Lynne Brault on Monday, March 4 at 6:00 PM as they help you create a Pressed Flower Candle Holder. All materials will be provided. $5 per candle holder. Register Here

March 7 + 8 | True Beauty Book Club

The True Beauty book club will meet in March after having read the book Have You Seen Luis Velez by Catherine Ryan Hyde for a discussion. Upon registration, the location will be emailed to you the week of the meeting. Meeting dates will be:    

• Thursday, March 7 at 6:00 PM - Sign Up Here
• Friday, March 8 at 12:00 PM - Sign Up Here

Weekly | Adult Bible Study

Check out what we're studying in some of our classes. To learn more about classes and see what we're studying, click here. 

• St. Johns Small Group – Check out what we're studying in some of our classes. To learn more about classes and see what we're studying, click here. 
• Remember – Wednesdays beginning February 21 at 6:30 PM in Room 852 in the FLC. A How to Hear Guide and Knowing the Bible study that will help you Grow in God’s Love. Feb. 21 – Mar 27. Register Here.
• Romans – Wednesdays beginning February 21 at 6:30 PM in Room 854 in the FLC. A Knowing The Bible and Life Application study that will help you Grow and Go in God’s Love. Feb. 21 – Mar. 27. Register Here.
• Wrestling With Doubt – Thursdays beginning January 18 at 10:00 AM in Room 842 in the FLC. A How to Hear God Bible study that will help you Grow and Go in God’s Love Together. Jan. 11 - March 14.
• Young Adult Bible Study – Join us on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM for dinner and devotion. Next meeting is February 20 at Tijuana Flats on San Jose. We are reading the book You Are More Than You've Been Told by Hosanna Wong. Please see Paula for a copy of this book and come ready for discussion and fellowship.
• Men’s 210 Scripture & Coffee Fellowship – Join in with other men for fellowship time, coffee and devotion at Dunkin on CR 210, 1620 County Rd 210, Saint Johns, FL 32259. Contact Jim Clark for more information at 937-572-0736.
• Acts: Catching Up With The Spirit - Beginning Tuesday, March 12 at 9:30 AM in Room 842 in the FLC, the Bible study, Acts: Catching Up With The Spirit by Matthew L. Skinner will start. In this 6-week study, Matthew Skinner explores six key themes that illustrate the ways in which reading Acts is capable of igniting our imagination about the character of the Christian message, the work of God’s people (the church), and the challenges of living faithfully in a complex and changing world. Books are available for $7 each in the church office and will also be available in the classroom. Register Here.

Weekly | Classes Updates

Check out what we're studying in some of our classes. To learn more about classes and see what we're studying, click here. 

• New Community Sunday School – The New Community Sunday School will begin discussing the book The Gift of Empathy: Helping Others Feel Valued, Cared For and Understood by Bretscher & Haugk. The class meets from 9:50-10:50 AM in Room 852 upstairs in the Family Life Center. All are welcome! 
• Longleaf Sunday School – During this Season of Lent, the Longleaf Adult Sunday School class is studying the book Seven Words: Listening to Christ from the Cross by Susan Robb, following worship (10:15 – 11:00 AM) and on-line via Skype. Contact John Russell. Looks at Christ’s final words on the cross from a biblical and historical perspective, showing how we can find life and hope in them. All are welcome. 
• Crusaders Sunday School – The Crusaders Sunday School Class will begin the Bible study seven Words:  Listening To Christ From The Cross by Susan Robb on Sunday, February 25th.  In this study, you will examine Jesus’ final words, full of life and hope for the Lent season.   This class meets in Room 304 in the Bence Wing from 9:45-10:45 AM. All are welcome!
• ReNewed Sunday School – The ReNewed Sunday School class is discussing the Bible study Faithful: Christmas Through The Eyes of Joseph by Adam Hamilton. This class meets at 10:15 AM in Room 854 in the Family Life Center. All are welcome!
• Women’s Sunday School – The Women’s Sunday School class is discussing the NOOMA videos by Rob Bell. This class meets in Room 843 in the FLC from 10:00 - 10:50 AM. Women of all ages are welcome! 

March 3 l Mandarin Food Bank Drop Off

We will have a Donation Drop-Off for the Mandarin Food Bank this Sunday, March 3, on the Mandarin campus. Please drop your items off next to Learning Ladders as you drive onto campus. Thank you for supporting our Missions Ministry.

March 3 l Donation Drop-Off: Homeless Coalition of SJC  

Sunday March 3 and 10, our Longleaf campus will be collecting new socks and underwear (any size) for the Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County. Thank you for supporting our Missions Ministry.

March 16 l Trip to FUMCH

Learn more about our mission partnership with the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home at their annual Open House on March 16! Our Missions Ministry will have the opportunity to tour the Children’s Home, in Enterprise, Florida, and attend educational break-out sessions. We plan to leave the MUMC campus at 7:00 AM and return around 3:00 PM. Click here for more information and to register. 

April 14 l Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event  

Our annual Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event is coming up on April 14! We are so excited to pack meals for those in need. Rise Against Hunger is dedicated to fostering a global movement aimed at eradicating hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies.  

This is a fun, churchwide event for anyone ages five and up. We will have three one-hour shifts this year with additional set-up and clean-up shifts. Click here to register or to make a donation. 

Upcoming Ways to Serve

• March 3 | Donation Drop-Off: Homeless Coalition of SJC 
• March 16 | Trip to the FLUMCH  
• February 30 | Cup of Love  
• April 14 | Rise Against Hunger Meal-Packing Event

Now Open | Upward Soccer Registration

Spring soccer registration is now open! Practices will start the week of March 25 and the first games will be on April 6. Our last game and the end-of-season celebration will be on May 18. There is a discount if you register by March 9. We will practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 5:30PM and 6:30PM. Your athlete will practice once per week.

• If you are a returning player and have your uniform from Fall 2023, please register here.
• Otherwise, please register as a new player here.

We can always use volunteers as coaches or in the concession stand. To volunteer, please contact Chris Rogers. For more information, click here.

Weekly | Facilities Recreation Schedule

Pickleball:

• Sundays: 1:00-3:00 PM
• Tuesdays: 5:00-7:30 PM
• Thursdays: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Weekly | Choir

Have you ever thought about joining the choir but thought you weren't ready? Well... now is a great time to join for a couple reasons: 1) you always were ready! 2) We are having a special guest voice instructor over the next 7 weeks who is going to be working with the choir in a group lessons setting, helping us all improve our voices.

By working with this professional you will learn some basics of good singing technique and improve your vocal tone and breath management! And of course, you will get the added benefit of being around all of us cool choir folks.

If you are curious about this or want more information please reach out to Adam Stich at (803) 979-2805.

Wednesdays | Children + Youth Choir  

The Cherub and Children’s Choirs practice in FLC room 830 led by Elizabeth Clayton 

• Cherub Choir (3 yrs. old and potty-trained to kindergarten) 6:00-6:20 PM  
• Children’s Choir (1st-5th grade) 6:30-7:00 PM.  

Youth Choir practice in Choir Room led by Sandy Webb 

• Youth Choir (6th – 12th grade) 5:45 - 6:30 PM  

For more information about Cherub and Children’s choirs, please contact Elizabeth Clayton. Contact Paula for more information on Youth Choir.

Now l Warren Willis Summer Camp Sign Up

Mandarin UMC & Longleaf Church will be taking children and youth (going into 4th grade to just graduated High School) to Warren Willis Summer Camp in Fruitland Park, Florida, June 24-29, which is Week #2 under Warren Willis Overnight Summer Camp registration. If your student is going to WWSC, you MUST FIRST register them at Summer Camp – Warren Willis Camp + Conference Center to secure your child/youth’s spot for camp. It fills up fast. If you have any questions about camp, please contact Angie.  Read more here.

Summer | MUMC Summer Camp

We are excited to share we will be offering 7 weeks of Summer Camp for children going into kindergarten thru rising 8th grade, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with early drop off and extended day options. Families will be able to register for the weeks they need. Our first week will be June 3 and include VBS in the morning along with multiple afternoon activities including basketball camp. Contact Angie or Paula if you need more information. Learn more.

Additional Summer Dates Include: 

• May 28 - May 31 – VBS Set up 
• May 29 – VBS Volunteer Training/Refresher
• June 24 - 29 – Warren Willis Summer Camp (sleep away camp for rising 4th grade - HS graduate) 
• July 8 - 12 – Passion Camp (rising 7th - seniors) 
• July 21 - 27 – Youth Mission Trip (rising 7th - 12th grade) 
• August 3 – Ichetucknee Springs Tubing (Middle School)
• August 4 – Promotion Sunday at Church 

Youth Times

Our One10 Youth times are listed below. Please reach out to Paula if you have any questions.

• Wednesday – 5:30 - 8:00 PM
• Sundays – 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the Mandarin campus
• Sundays – 5:00 - 7:30 PM

*If a youth member is dropped off early or outside of these program hours, A parent or guardian must wait with the youth member until the youth staff is available. This is in accordance with our Child/Youth Protection Policy.

February 25 - May 5 | Confirmation Class

Confirmation is a Christian formation class for youth in the 8th grade and above. This class will starts on February 25 and will meet from 12:00-1:15 PM. Classes will include a light lunch each week. We will meet upstairs Kasey Mogle each Sunday from February 25 - May 12. We will not meet on Easter or Mother’s Day. Confirmation Sunday is May 19. 

This week Confirmation is at Warren Willis for the Confirmation retreat. We will not have our regular Sunday afternoon class. The Sunday Class will be March 9.

Youth Hoodies Available

Youth Hoodies are available for purchase. We currently have them in black (a mix-up at the printer) and forest green. We want to thank Izzy for designing these great hoodies. Those who attended the ski trip got one as part of their trip fee. These are available for $25. We currently have all sizes (S-XXL) available.

Let me know if you would like one at pcokerjones@mumc.net. Please Include in the email how many you would like and the sizes you need. They can be picked up at church on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of youth ministry volunteers. Below are areas you can serve in this department. We ask that those with youth members in this program consider volunteering for one item a month. If you have any questions, please contact Paula.

• Youth Sunday Night Meals – Sign up here.
• Youth Sunday School Teachers – Sign up here

What are the Children Learning in February?

Visit our website to find out what your children are learning this month! Click here.

March 5 | Mommy & Me Book Club

Mommy & Me Book Club meets in the Children’s Wing of Mandarin UMC Tuesday, March 5  9:00-11:00 AM. Moms and grandmas with kids aged 0-5 years are welcome to join! We start with free play, followed by a themed book and craft starting at about 9:30, and end with more free play. Snacks for the kids and coffee for the moms will be provided in abundance! Please sign up here and email Taylor Mathis if you have any questions or would like to join our Facebook group.

Now | Warren Willis Summer Camp Sign Up

Warren Willis sign up has begun! See the Children & Youth Ministry section above or our website for our summer dates! 

Summer Dates

See Children & Youth Ministry section above or our website for our summer dates.

March 8 | Cook-Out & Camping

See Adult/Churchwide section above or our website for information about this fun evening! 

Acolytes

Our acolytes (3rd grade and older) serve in the traditional services each week. If your child is interested contact Courtney Rankin for Mandarin or Angie for Longleaf. Click below to sign your acolyte up for a Sunday:

• Mandarin Acolytes
• Longleaf Acolytes

As a reminder, acolytes who serve monthly will be invited to our yearly Acolyte Recognition Party.

Children's Ministry Updates

All of the Children’s Ministry’s information is on the church website. Click here for the Children’s Ministry events page. 

Weekly | Sunday Morning Activities

Babies through Preschool | Childcare and Preschool Sunday School lessons offered during all service/class times, in the Childcare Rooms (FLC 834 at MUMC).  



Elementary | Bible Story and Activity Time is offered during all worship services, children start/end worship with you. Sunday School Class is offered from 9:55-10:55 AM at Mandarin in FLC 837. This hour allows us to dig deeper into their lesson. 



Do you want a parent's night out? Serve once a month or equivalent and receive a night out in January and August 2024. Click here to volunteer: Mandarin or Longleaf

Weekly | Junior Youth

Our 4th and 5th grade students enjoy Sunday lunch together ($6), and play games, have great discussions, and build lasting friendships. We will have occasional service projects and trips. Details of any trip will be sent out in email prior to the event. A release form is required for each student and is available at each hangout.  

We meet at 12:00 PM on Mandarin campus under Portico on South side of Family Life Center (near the church bus). Pick up is at same location at 2:30 PM. We hope you will come out and try it. Parents are welcome to stay anytime. Sign up here. Sign up here.

2024-2025 Open Enrollment for Learning Ladders families 

It’s that time of year again when families are planning for the next school year. Current Learning Ladders families will receive a link in their Brightwheel account. New to Learning Ladders, to register, email info@learningladderspreschool.com and request a link for 2024-2025 Enrollment