WHO CAN WE BE TOGETHER? - MISSION STUDY

 The  District Mission  study on Who Can We Be Together was held at Winter Garden Methodist church on Saturday, April 15. The color dot on the program told you what table to sit at, so we sat with women from other units, not just who you came with.

Our unit supplied muffins and cookies. We all brought our own lunch. The program started at 10 and went to 2:30.

36 ladies attended, most from Winter Garden and Clermont, and a few from Community of Faith, Solid Rock, and Broadway.

Maryann brought mission cards to purchase and Dottie had Talent Bank cards to fill out. 

Merrilie,  welcomed everyone and was the presenter from Winter Garden. 

The study was based on the parables told in Luke 13. There was a lot of discussion and reflection.

Linda is a great presenter and put together a very good program.

Some interesting questions.

There were eight session and after each one there was a question to answered; our passions, our strengths, what we need to be seen,   how to be more welcoming, what we took away from the program. Answers were put on the postage note and together we made a patchwork quilt. Lots of good responses. 

RAINBOW GIVER

One of the things you do as a Rainbow Giver is present someone with a Special Mission Recognition pin. Diane gave Larry Mathias a pin and thanked him for all the work he had done forming the Safety and Security team.

She gave a pin to Dale and recognized him for the work he had done on the Safety and Security team.

She gave a pin to Karla for her leadership to the Friends and Fellowship Sunday School class.  Thanks Diane for making each one of these people feel special and appreciated. 
 

CHECKS PRSENTATIONS

 Betty presented Stephen Shylkofski and Lisa Bishop at Find Feed and Restore  a check for $4000 from the money raised at the Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show.  

Dallis Wehr was presented a check for $1000 for the food ministry needs at the church. 

Diane and Betty presenting Trish Kry at The Neighborhood Center a check for $4000. They were the other agencies that was high lighted at the luncheon. 
 

PASSOVER SEDER

 Congregation Sinai held a Passover Seder on March 23 and invited women from several area churches to attend. Carolyn, Denise, Dottie, MO and Betty went from our church.

This booklet explained it all, the steps that are followed and the meaning of each. It is used to help children, and us, understand Passover. The Haggadah that blends brevity with tradition.  We were able to follow along as songs and passages were said in Hebrew. 

 Passover; slavery and oppression followed by freedom and redemption with hope for the future. 

The Sabbath candle were lit and prayer recited. 

The opening prayer for Seder:

May all who are enslaved throughout the world, come to know freedom.

May all who are free, appreciate the blessings of abundance.

And may all of us dwell in the house of God and give thanks for our good fortune as we celebrate the rituals of Passover.

The Seder plate contains the main symbols that help tell the story of Passover.

 Matzah, unleavened crackers, "In haste did we go out of Egypt" It is the symbol of affliction and poverty. the story of Passover tells about the hardship and suffering that our ancestors endured. It reminds us of those who are n need today, so we say: "whoever is hungry, who ever are poor or oppressed; we pray for them and hope that the coming year will bring a better life for all. "

On the Seder plate was Maror (red horseradish) and chazeret (romaine lettuce), bitter herbs symbolizing the bitter life the Jews led while they were slaves in Egypt. Charoset (mixture of grated apples, nuts and cinnamon) made to look like mortar the slaves used in making the Egyptian buildings. Zeroa (a roasted bone) a symbol of God's mighty arm that convinced the Egyptians to free the slaves. Karpas (celery) represents the arrival of spring. Salt Water represents the sweat and tears of our ancestors in bondage. The Karpas was dipped in the salt water and eaten. 

Four cups of wine are consumed during the Seder. They serve as a reminder of the four references to redemption that are mentioned in the Book of Exodus:

I will bring you out of Egypt.

I will deliver you from bondage.

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.

I will take you to Me for a people.

The Passover Seder is full of  remembrance, recognizing their endurance, their history, praise to God and showing appreciation for all the blessings given them.

Elijah the Prophet is mentioned as someday returning to earth to leading the way for an Age of Peace. Someone opened the door and the leader said "Enter Elijah the prophet, may you soon come and issue in the great Age of Peace."

All Jews are invited to one day return to the promised land of Israel and celebrate Passover as their ancestors did.  The Seder ended saying "Next Year in Jerusalem"

A nice Passover feast was then eaten.