SPECIAL MISSION RECOGNITION 2019

 On May 26, 2019 Joyce Smith was a recipient of United Methodist Women special mission recognition pin.  She is a devoted member of FUMC, Clermont and the Daughter of Lydia Circle. She has attended numerous UMW mission studies, special retreats and District and Conference Meetings. She has supported UMW mission projects by donating wonderful luncheon items for workers at the Fall Bazaar and helped fill Opportunity Baskets for the Spring Luncheon Fund raiser. She regularly contributes items for local mission projects and helps transport items to the office.
Joyce has been a faithful member of the We Care Program of this church making regular visits with Pastor Hal on Tuesday mornings to serve communion and pray with home bound members.  Joyce regularly attends Bible Studies.
She was trained as a nurse and worked many years at South Lake Memorial Hospital. Now she frequently takes people to doctor's appointments and spends many hours visiting patients in the hospital, rehab facilities and at home.
Joyce has a love of the Lord and is willing to serve where needed as long as she is able.

Tom Brownlee was the other recipient of the Special Mission Recognition Pin on Sunday. He is not a member of United Methodist Women but he exemplifies many parts of the Purpose in his activities at the Church. He has been an active member of FUMC for many years.  Tom has a very welcoming nature and is interested in  how other people are. He is an excellent example of good stewardship and mission outreach. He is like "the hands and feet of God".

Tom has volunteered as Parking Team member and leader. He frequently can be seen on Sunday mornings directing traffic or driving the golf cart transporting people from their cars to the appropriate buildings.
Tom also leads the Weekday Work Warriors who volunteer around the church property doing many outdoor tasks.  The Work Warriors can be seen trimming trees and bushes, planting flowers and weeding, and removing the generous supply of leaves in the parking lots.
 Tom is also one of the volunteers who open the Church buildings on Sunday mornings and provide security. Tom is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Church and has been involved on many Boards and Committees of the Church through the years. 

EMBRACING WHOLENESS

 Saturday morning the  United Methodist Women, Clermont had a Mission Study on Embracing Wholeness - Your place in God's creation.

 Linda Welander (4th from the left) is the education and Interpretation mission Coordinator for UMW, Clermont. This is the team she worked with to put on the program. Left to right, Diane Wells, Janet Blume, Celeste Hicks, Linda, Barb Reed, and Dottie Mathias.

 Barb Reed put out a nice display of natural products to use to help the environment.

There were ideas to make kits to have in your car to give to others in need.

 Pam Anders worked at putting out all the food that was brought for light breakfast and desserts.

 Janet Blume getting the craft ready for everyone to do.

 A great idea to start your plants in cake cones and then you can put them right in the ground, cake cup and all.

 The tables looked lovely.

 The whole team together to celebrate 150 years of UMW. Left to right Cathy, Pam, Kim, Mavis, Linda, Janet, Diane, Barb, Celeste and Dottie.

 Mavis and Kim had everyone sign in and get a name tag.

 30 people attended the program.

 The program was at each place along with a package of seeds.

 Celeste lead the women in UMW purpose and read the days reading from the prayer calendar.

 Alma Manney from St. Luke's told us about a documentary event on Partners 4 Peace that will be held at their church in May.

 Elaine Cowles and Sharon Kowalski presented the Lord's Prayer in a very thoughtful skit.

 Janet Blume talked about The Sacred Creation.

 Linda Welander presented the Sacred Community.

 Janet Blume interrupted the program looking for Mission U which will  be held in Lakeland  July 11 to the 14th.

 Diane Wells talked about the Sacred Self.

 Look this song up on You tube, the words expressed today's program.

 Barb Reed talked about Convenantal Living. She used the book from the UMW reading list, Not Just a Pretty Face, to help us be more aware on some of the harm we are doing to our bodies from chemicals that are in lotions and makeup.

 Doing the lunch time half the group ate the lunch they had brought while the other half browsed the books and information table.

 And we worked on a craft, painting a flower pot.

 Some pots drying.

 After lunch and a fun search committee activity, Diane Wells ended her presentations with this reading.

Linda showed a movie about the Eden project. Several organizations are working together with the people in the areas where the forest has been stripped to replant trees.  $1.00 can replant 10 trees. An offering was taken to help with this project.

  We were then given the opportunity to make our own covenant.

The days activities ended with Celeste Hicks  highlighted the  origin and accomplishment of United Methodist Women over the 150 years. We do make a difference in the world.

CHECK PRESENTATION

Evelyn Rose and Barb Reed presented Denise Burry, director of Forward Paths and Sharon Wooten, vice president a check for $2500. Forward Paths was one of the agencies supported with money raised at the Spring luncheon and fashion show.

LIFEBOAT PROJECT

 South Lake Presbyterian Church hosted the People of Faith meeting on April 24,2019. Pastor Drew welcomed everyone.

 Ruby Allen sang His Eye is on the Sparrow.

 An interesting and informative program was presented.

 Jill Bolander Cohen founded Lifeboat Project. It helps survivors of sexual and/or forced-labor trafficking. The focus is mostly for those18 and older, both male and female.  Florida is the third highest state in the nation for trafficking and central Florida is the third highest area in the state. Jill was told that raising awareness without providing services was doing everyone an injustice, so she started the Lifeboat Project.
 School age children are often targeted. They have developed an educational gaming app for kids age 10 to 18, ACT (Awareness Combats Trafficking) to help recognize the dangers.

The woman speaking is Millie, a case manager and service coordinator. The Lifeboat Project provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and individualized support services to ensure each survivor can move past their trauma to healthy, successful lives.
 On the left is Joanne who told  how she was trafficked when she and her mother came here from the Bahamas when she was 14. They worked for a woman cleaning apartments for over a year and were never paid and were threatened. When she started with Lifeboat Joanne didn't realize that this was trafficking. Because of Lifeboat she found a safe haven and is now in college on a full wavier and giving back to the community with volunteering and musical talents.