SPECIAL MISSION RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS 2018

On Sunday, June 3rd, four women were presented a Special Mission Recognition Pin for exhibiting special service in the community and exemplify the United Methodist Women's purpose within the Unit and faith community. The pin represented a monetary gift given to United Methodist Women National Division. The money is used to support international missions of the United Methodist Women Organization. Celeste Hicks, President of the United Methodist Women at FUMC presented the pin to them during the 11 o'clock service. It was a great surprise the women, for they did not know they were receiving this recognition.

 Rosemary Yoder is a devoted member of FUMC Clermont, the United Methodist Women's Unit and Daughter of Lydia Circle. She has supported UMW mission projects with beautiful handmade sewing items and cooking wonderful luncheon items for workers at the fall bazaar, and helped contribute and fill Opportunity Baskets for the Spring luncheon fund raiser. She has been the recording secretary for her Circle and is always ready to be involved with projects. She has attended numerous mission studies and retreats and this February walked 2 miles for Havenfest at Venetian Gardens in Leesburg to support The Haven and raise money for domestic abuse victims. She is not afraid to become involved in Social Action projects. One quiet way she put her love into action in the community was by working with a few neighbor ladies to make "memory boxes" for newborns who did not survive at South Lake Hospital. Rosemary handmade a beautiful gown for each baby. In summary, Rosemary's gifts of kindness and beautiful creativity, along with her servant's heart epitomize faith, hope, and love in action.

 Audrey Morgan is a special woman who lives out the purpose of United Methodist Women even without being an official member. Audrey is an active member of FUMC Clermont and in the community. She has been a member of the church choir for many years and also the King Ridge Singers. She is on the Altar Guild for the church and spends many hours changing the altar cloths, banners, symbols and decorations in the sanctuary. These are behind the scenes things that happen before worship services to create meaningful experiences.  She is also involved in the Clermont community. She has been president of the local Kiwanis for 2 years, a board member of the Boys and Girls Club, a worker at the polls during elections, a member of Friends of the Library and the Chairperson of the Veterans History Committee of Friends of the Library. At the last Florida Lakes Symphony Concert, Audrey was honored with a bouquet of flowers for selling so many tickets for the concerts. Whenever Kings Ridge Community has patriotic events, Audrey is always involved in the planning and helping to assure the event runs smoothly. Audrey Morgan is a dedicated Christian living those principles in the church and throughout the community,

 Noelene McCall is an active member of FUMC and of United Methodist Women. She attends the Friends and Fellowship Bible Study on Sunday mornings in the Upper room.  Noelene participates regularly with We Care Ministry being a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry and knitting beautiful shawls and baby blankets. She is now part of the team sewing red fleece stockings for the Christmas Project for babies born in December at South Lake Hospital and knitting some of the white stocking hats with red pompoms on top. Noelene is a member of the Lunch Bunch Circle and also Mission Coordinator of Social Action for the Unit. Noelene regularly reads from the UMW Prayer Calendar at Circle and Unit meetings to educate attendees of the global mission involvement and spiritual emphasis of United Methodist Women. Noelene has attended many District and Conference educational events and is always ready and willing to share what she has learned. She has helped plan and participate in several UMW Mission Studies at this church and organized members to participate in local and national projects to raise awareness of social issues. For several years she has been involved with the programs in the Clermont community for People of Faith an interdenominational organization that meets 3 times a year.  Noelene lives out the purpose of United Methodist Women.

Congratulations were extended to these three women after the service. Thank you for sharing your lives with our Church, our community and with us.

Mini Sanderlin was the fourth recipient but because this was a surprise she was not in attendance at the 11 o'clock service to receive her pin. Mini Sanderlin has been active at First United Methodist Church for many years. Every summer she has been involved with Vacation Bible school and frequently with Jerusalem Marketplace assisting in Ministries to Children.  She has organized numerous receptions for bereaved families after funeral or memorial services, bringing a sense of calm and comfort to those affected with loss. She has been  more active in United Methodist Women since leaving her beloved profession as a clinical nurse and educator. Mimi has been involved as the leader and co-leader of Daughters of Lydia Circle which meets in the evening once a month. She has helped organize many luncheons for the UMW Unit for quarterly meetings, assisted with many tasks for the Unit Mission Studies and Mission Fund Raiser at this church. Mimi has served this Unit on the nominating committee, participated on the Special Mission Recognition Pin Selection Committee, been  the Charity Liaison for the Spring Luncheon Mission Fund Raiser and for 2 years was the Secretary for the Unit. Mimi is involved with personal spiritual development having participated in numerous Bible studies; the Disciple Program and attending United Methodist Women's Spiritual Retreats and Mission U summer Education Program. Mimi's community involvement revolves around her family and 4 grandchildren which live in Clermont and her numerous friends. She has been very faithful to a friend and former workmate currently residing in Fruitland Park. When she needed a driver to take her to doctor's appointments and treatment, Mimi made herself available to drive to Orlando on a regular basis. Mimi knows how to have fun and also have a Servant's heart.

Mimi was presented her pin when she came to pick up her granddaughters at Vacation Bible School

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.

NATIVE AMERICAN MISSION STUDY

 On April 28, 2018 the United Methodist Women had a very interesting program on Native Americans and the many connections we have as Methodist. The American Indian Christian Circle of Lake County meets at our church and are followers of Christ, with American Indian heritage. Their purpose is to share the message of Jesus Christ, to offer a form of worship that is unique to Native people, and to preserve the tradition of the native people of Americas.

 About 50 women, and a few men, gathered in the social hall for the program.

 There are three Native American conferences of the Methodist church.

 There is also an Oklahoma Missionary conference.

 Ed,  who is the chair of the Florida Conference Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM),  opened the program with a Native American ceremony and prayer.

 Janet, was the chairperson for this program, had a very interesting and informative presentation. She showed how much the Native Americans were pushed off their land as Europeans settled here. She also shared how their children were taken from them and shipped east to have them assimilate to the European culture, thus losing their own identity.

 The purpose of the program was to educate us, to be more understanding, to learn about their culture and be more open to Native Americans.

 A lot of information was shared by these women. Each woman was introduced to us and to what tribe she belonged.

 Each one explained their ceremonial clothing or regalia.

 Modesty is stressed, as seen in the clothing.

 A lot of symbolism is on their clothes.

 Dian shared a lot of information on Native American life.  She told how they use all the parts of an animal, and about the different types of homes tribes had depending on the area where they lived.

 Dian shared one legend about the the corn husk doll and the reason she has no face. It taught the children to remember beauty is from the inside not the outward appearance.

 The two horses on the table show how horses were painted to help the warrior when they were fighting the enemy. Warriors have always been honored and today they always honor any of their members that are veterans, police or first responders.

 The women shared a prayer song that is said in the morning. First it was sung to the east

 and then repeated to the south, west and north.

 A luncheon was served of Native American food.  We had soup made from the three sisters ( corn, bean and squash), jerky, fry bread, berries and nuts. It was a delicious meal.

 After lunch the men did drumming and the women danced. Only men play on the drum or only women, they do not play together. The songs were sung by all, some in Native language and some in English.  The American Indian Christian Circle of Lake County has a gathering at our church at the Agape House the third Sunday of the month.  It starts at 4:00 P.M. with a potluck supper and fellowship, or crafts.  Supper is followed by Services at 5:30 with drumming and dancing after the service. You are welcome to attend, just bring some food to share.