IT'S SHOW TIME

 March 17,2018 the United Methodist women at Clermont Methodist church had a luncheon fashion show.  The theme was It's Show Time.

 Members sold tickets for the opportunity drawings.

 There were lots of baskets each with a theme. Choosing which ones to put a tickets in for the drawing was the hard part.

 There was also some items for a silent auction.

Several women from the Lunch Bunch Circle bid on this canvas print of the stained glass window in the upper room of the church. They presented it to Pastor Doug for his birthday.

 Two charities were helped with the money that was raised. Find, Feed and Restore is a new mission at our church. It provides temporary housing in trailers for families with children to live rent free for up to 12 months. During this time free case management services are provided to the family to help them get on their feet.

 The other charity started in our church years ago and now is in its own building, Faith Neighborhood Center. They currently assist an average of 4,000 individuals a month (950 families)

 The fashion show was put on by Clara Schneider who owns Em's on 5th in Mount Dora.

 Lots of clothing was modeled.

 All of the models were from different organizations in our church.

 On May 5th Chris and Jan presented Allison Broadway from Find, Feed and Restore a check from the money raised at the luncheon.

A check was also presented to Trish Kry for Faith Neighborhood. So glad we could help these worthy charities along with enjoying a lovely time of fellowship, lunch and fashions.

HEAD START

 Two years ago Episcopal Children's Services bid and received the grant to operate this Head Start in Clermont. The Early Head Start program takes children 1 and 2 years old and is all year long. The Head Start is for children 3 to 5 but only operates during the school year. 

 This building has 6 classrooms. There is also a kitchen, so breakfast and lunch is made on site. Families who income is 200% below the poverty income qualify for their children to come to Head Start. There is a family advocate to support the parents to get help with needs such as job training, schooling, housing, and education. 

 A parents resource room was just dedicated.

 One of the classrooms for the 3 - 5 year old. The children were out on the playground. There are two teachers in the room and up to 15 children. The early head start class has 2 adults for 8 children.

On the left is Jeanne, who is the chief officer of center operations from Jacksonville, FL. She came down to give us a tour of the facilities. Next to her are Cathy and Noelene from Clermont United Methodist Women. Maritza is manager of center operations and on the right is Regina who is the center manager. United Methodist Women presented them with a check to help with needs of the children.

They expressed their thanks for all the help they have received from the women at our church. The children helped to make this card. Head Start can always use volunteers, so if you are looking for a way to serve this is another opportunity.

THREE SISTER SOUP

At the mission study on Native Americans we were served Three Sisters soup.  It refers to the three main crops of Native Americans: beans, corn and squash. The crops were often planted close together and in this way benefit from one another. Corn stalk provide the structure for beans to climb, beans provide nitrogen to the soil that other plants need, and the squash spreads along the ground blocking the sunlight and in so doing, helps prevent weeds. Here is the recipe.

 2 cups canned pinto beans (one 16 oz. can)
1 Tablespoon butter
1 medium onion chopped
1 large clove garlic minced
6 cups low fat chicken broth
1 large celery stalk, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 cup yellow squash peeled and chopped ( butternut or pumpkin would work too)
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1 cup canned or frozen corn kernels
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

1. Melt butter in 4-1/2 quart soup pot over medium low heat. Stir in onions and cook for 2 minutes. add garlic and cook 1 additional minute. Add broth and celery. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add carrots, squash, tomatoes and potato. Simmer for 30 more minutes.
2. Stir in pinto beans, frozen corn kernels, tomato paste, oregano, salt , black and red pepper flakes. Cook 5-8 minutes until corn is cooked and soup is hot.

Makes 3 quarts,  8 generous servings.