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Congregational Vitality Please let us know if you have

1 Like 0 Share Tweet Share this Page: Garden Times Newsletter for the FEBRUARY 2019 A Year through Congregational Vitality Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for the newsletter! WE love YOUR input.

2 A year of becoming more VITAL!

3 It is February! We are so greatful to have so many of our winter friends with us this year! I am also feeling like 2019 is going to go by in a whirl. We are beginning our journey to becoming an even more vital congregation as we truly become the congregation God is calling us to be. We are beginning this journey by talking through what real and authentic caring relationships mean to us as Christians and as we work towards changing the perception of Christians in our community. We have lots of work to do ahead of us! Creating a caring community is work, but completely worth it. I invite you to re ect on these words below. "Yet caring relationships in Christ challenge us to a deeper level of relationships. Christ requires true agape love; sacri cial, self-emptying, perfect love. And although we are imperfect, it is about striving to see all people the way Christ sees them; not from judgments or preconceived perceptions; it is about helping walk with others, responding to their needs, desiring their well-being. It is about walking with people in tragedy and rejoicing in triumphs. Caring relationships of God is about allowing people to be real in their stories, without hiding or holding back, and loving every imperfect part of them. Church should be the one place where the God who already knows, encounters our honest confession and allows us to give testimony. It should be the place where con icts are confronted, crucial conversations of forgiveness and reconciliation are had, and people of God are transformed by agape-love. Caring relationships is about vulnerability and trust. It is about meeting all people of God where they are, and sharing our One Savior, Jesus Christ. Caring relationships don t come through hospitality and welcoming committees, they come through a carefully cultivated environment that is genuine and sincere in being the household of God (Immediate Toolkit for Vital Congregations: Developing the 7 Marks of Congregational Vitality, pg. 10). Over these few weeks, I look forward to diving deeper with you all as we expand our understanding for caring relationships. As we continue our journey to feed people, I hope you read through the rest of the newsletter to see what other exciting things are happening in and for our whole community. Blessings to you all! Love, Pastor Devon PS...Congregational Meeting this Sunday from 10:15-10:45am!

Make Soil Workshop Come learn on Saturday, February 9 from 1-3pm how to collect friend s and neighbor s kitchen scraps and compost them with the help of the community.

connections. This is a hands-on workshop where you will learn what Community Composting is, how to start composting at an existing neighborhood compost hub or even start one of your own.

4 Make Soil Workshop Come learn on Saturday, February 9 from 1-3pm how to collect friend s and neighbor s kitchen scraps and compost them with the help of the community. Community compositing diverts precious organic matter from the landfill, reduces greenhouse gas production, builds our neighborhood s soils to grow more food locally, and creates resilient community connections. This is a hands-on workshop where you will learn what Community Composting is, how to start composting at an existing neighborhood compost hub or even start one of your own. Includes a tour of the community compost system with hands-on composting experience. Please wear gardening clothes, closed toed shoes, and bring water. Workshop is free but love donations appreciated to support our new "Garden in the PInes" climate victory garden and future food forest. Also, we will have special guest Josh Whiton from MakeSoil to talk about their community composting platform. MakeSoil is a decentralized solution to our food waste crisis, raising Soil Makers to turn the organic matter going to landfills into planet-saving soil instead. Their website connects Soil Makers with Soil Supporters. Find a community compost bin (or become on) on their map at Please RSVP to this event to receive updates. Contact Michelle O'Connor at We have submitted our o cial job description for the VISTA program volunteer. Everything has been approved and we will begin to advertise for the position in February. Our hope is that we have someone in place by April.

2. Heather is continuing free piano lessons for the community. She does accept donations as well! We are able to do this through receiving the Blessing Grant from Peace River Presbytery. 3.

5 2. Heather is continuing free piano lessons for the community. She does accept donations as well! We are able to do this through receiving the Blessing Grant from Peace River Presbytery. 3. The Boy Scouts are working hard in the Community Garden. They completed all 10 garden beds. The beds are 10x4. All 10 beds are in the ground and ready to have the amazing composted soil put into them. Gardening time is almost here! The Garden in the Pines Community Garden is starting soon! For those who have become dependent on food pantries, we hope the community garden and food forest will help them become less dependent and more empowered to feed their families! As we build the garden beds, we want to create beds for the homeless to use and for the children of our congregation and community. 4. The Session approved having a summer intern at Wintergarden. But that means we need to nd a place for the intern to live. You you know of a place that would be available, please let us know. We are looking for donations towards covering the housing for the 3 summer months or for a gift of using someone's home. Let Pastor Devon know if you are able to help. Check here every month for the quick updates happening around Wintergarden! Community Group Meetings Bone Builders During February and March, Colleen is leading a "bone builders" strength training class that helps prevent osteoporosis. Join together on Monday and Thursdays from 10-11am. Bring your weights! Alcoholics Anonymous Meets Tuesday night AA Book Club meets in the library at 7pm. Meets Friday night Closed Men's Meeting meets in the library at 7pm. Charlotte Harbor Anthropological Society Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30pm. Here is information about about this NEW community group. The mission of the Charlotte Harbor Anthropological Society is to: Preserve and protect prehistoric sites Educate and reform Foster research and publication Develop private/public partnerships to advance historic tourism Sponsor speakers and eld trips Narcotics Anonymous Meets Sunday evenings in the library at 7pm.

Neighborhood Watch Groups The Wintergarden Neighborhood Watch Group has relocated their meetings to Murdock Christian Church. Please contact Phil at chmpjf@yahoo.com or Neil at ncaldeira044@gmail.

6 Neighborhood Watch Groups The Wintergarden Neighborhood Watch Group has relocated their meetings to Murdock Christian Church. Please contact Phil at or Neil at if you have any questions about their meetings. The Tatum Lake Neighborhood Watch Group takes place on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 pm. If you are interested in joining this effort for this neighborhood watch group, contact Jean at The O Hara Neighborhood Watch Group takes place on the third Monday of every month at 6:00 pm. If you are interested in joining the effort for this Neighborhood Watch Group, contact Denise at twelve_d4three@yahoo.com. Plant Based Foodies Meets the rst Monday of every month in the Sanctuary for a whole foods plant based meal with no oil and no salt. Meeting is from 6-8pm and includes a potluck of yummy food, a recipe demonstration, and information on what it means to live a "Whole Food Plant Based Lifestyle." Visually Impaired Peer Support Group Meets Tuesdays in the library from 11am-1pm. Rags to Riches Workshop

March 5th 11:00am to 4:00pm We are doing a workshop for women from the Homeless Coalition and Clients from the Food Pantry on Tuesday, March 5 from 11am-4pm.

7 March 5th 11:00am to 4:00pm We are doing a workshop for women from the Homeless Coalition and Clients from the Food Pantry on Tuesday, March 5 from 11am-4pm. It is our hope that this workshop will help empower women, build selfesteem and self-con dence, explore ways to improve resumes, enjoy some pampering with a facial, a fresh haircut, and get a new out t to interview in for a job. Lunch will be provided as well. Here are some ways you can help us make this a wonderful experience: 1. Know a hairdresser that might be willing to donate their time? 2. Would you like to help with or prepare parts of the lunch? 3. Do you have clothes that you would be willing to donate that are professional and only gently worn? 4. If you can help with any of these things, please let us know! Contact Beckie at (O ce or Cell ). Thank you so much in advance. Work Day, Saturday, February 23 from 9-12 Come and help us spruce up the inside of the church. Classrooms need to be reorganized and cleaned up, closets improved upon, kitchen area, lobby, and the sanctuary. And if you really want, we will have some outdoor projects that need to be done too! We will gather from And we invite everyone to bring a dish to share for a work day pot luck. Our outdoor work day is scheduled for March 9 from 8-12pm. Help us build out the Memorial for Keith and Eleanor Long, spruce up the memorial garden, clean out the ower beds, and get things looking good!

We have been going through the journey of the rst disciples and the rst groups of people who were becoming the church.

8 Presbyterian Women Due to low participation, the Presbyterian Women bible study is cancelled. Adult and Youth Sunday School Sunday School for the Adults All are welcomed to join us for our study on the Book of Acts. We have been going through the journey of the rst disciples and the rst groups of people who were becoming the church. This study is thought provoking and allows us to dig deeper into the early days of the church and learn the stories of churches beginning. The Book of Acts is also a book about the importance of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and learning to listen for God's call. Hope to see you on Sunday, at 11:00am for this new bible study. Lamont Andrews will continue to teach and learn with you. Sunday School for our Kids As we move forward with the community garden, our kids will be working on playing, gardening, communication, and growing in their faith through building relationships. The kids will have their own garden bed and are excited about growing "pickles," salad and salsa xins', and more! If anyone would like to help Pastor Devon with this, please let her know. Thanks!

Finding Our Heartbeat in 2019 Over the course of 2019, we are going to dive deeper into what it truly means to be a vital congregation. PCUSA has developed 7 marks of church vitality.

9 Finding Our Heartbeat in 2019 Over the course of 2019, we are going to dive deeper into what it truly means to be a vital congregation. PCUSA has developed 7 marks of church vitality. Here are they are: 1. Lifelong Discipleship Formation vs. complacent Christian piety; simply teaching good morals; offering the latest programs. 2. Intentional Authentic Evangelism vs. Jesus freaks; Christian hypocrisy; a committee responsibility 3. Outward Incarnational Focus vs. inward institutional survival; closed communities of assimilation/exclusion 4. Empowering Servant Leadership vs. the pastor s job; monopolized leadership; hiring the young, energetic pastor 5. Spirit-Inspired Worship vs. self-gratifying worship; stale ritual divorced of meaning; consumer entertainment worship 6. Caring Relationships vs. any other social club; facades, hypocrisy and judgments of the church and religion 7. Ecclesial Health vs. unhealthy dysfunction; toxic environments; obsolete and irrelevant buildings Each month or season, we will walk through what these "marks" mean in our lives, the life of our congregation, how we work with and through the community, and how we grow to be the church God desires us to grow to be. Looking forward to walking through journey with you together!

Homeless Coalition Service Opportunities So, we hope to see you on Tuesday, February 19th at 4:30p.m. to help us serve a meal to those who are in need through the Homeless Coalition.

Looking at Islam Today Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion and accounts for 25% of the world s population.

In addition to our discussion, there is a DVD presentation, a guest visitor from the University in Fort Myers and a guided tour of the Port Charlotte mosque.

10 Homeless Coalition Service Opportunities So, we hope to see you on Tuesday, February 19th at 4:30p.m. to help us serve a meal to those who are in need through the Homeless Coalition. Join us at 4:45p.m. at the Coalition, located at 1476 Kenesaw St, Port Charlotte. Looking at Islam Today Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion and accounts for 25% of the world s population. The goal of this discussion group is to promote a better understanding of Islam and our Muslim neighbours. In addition to our discussion, there is a DVD presentation, a guest visitor from the University in Fort Myers and a guided tour of the Port Charlotte mosque. The sessions will be held in the church library from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on the following Wednesdays: February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 5 and 6. All instructional materials will be supplied. All are welcome, including friends. For more information talk to Bill McKinnie. Wintergarden Wordies Book Club, Monday February

Join us on Monday, February 11th at 10am Mercer's Cafe to discuss "Becoming" by Michelle Obama. Read the book prior to coming to help liven the conversation!

11 Join us on Monday, February 11th at 10am Mercer's Cafe to discuss "Becoming" by Michelle Obama. Read the book prior to coming to help liven the conversation! An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States. In her memoir, a work of deep re ection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily de ed expectations and whose story inspires us to do the same. Heathy Recipes that Taste Good Crock Pot - Cheesy Ham Potato Soup Ingredients 3 cups cooked ham, diced 1 celery rib, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 5 potatoes, cut in cubes 2 (15 ounce) cans creamed corn or regular corn 2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth 2 cups milk 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded salt and pepper 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional) 3 tablespoons cold water (optional) Directions Place ham, celery, onion, carrots, potatoes, corn and chicken broth in crock pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. (The ham will provide some salt.) If cooking stovetop, cook until potatoes are done. Turn crock pot to low and cook 3 to 4 hours.

12 During last 10 minutes of cooking add evaporated milk. Heat only-do not boil. Stir lightly to allow cheese to melt. if a thicker soup is desired, add optional cornstarch after dissolving it in cold water. Smash a few potatoes for thickening. Calendar Update Our calendar is fully updated and LIVE on our website. If you have questions on happenings at church, please make sure you check the website. Here is the link: O Devon's o her! ce Hours ce hours will be Monday and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Feel free to stop by and see Beckie's o ce hours are Wednesdays from 9 to 4. Volunteers in o ce on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from O ce Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Wednesdays 9 to 4. Always remember, if there are any emergencies, please do not hestitate to call Devon on her cell phone at We give thanks to this team of people who help make everything happen! Session: Luther Pringle, Joy Swails, Bob Swails (Clerk of Session) and Barbara Woods. Pastor: Devon Andrews Music Director: Heather DeGroot Bookkeeper: Kari Albanes Administrative Assistant: Beckie Tokarski O ce Volunteers: Bob Swails (Mondays) AV Assistant: Lamont Andrews and Daniel Garland (thanks for volunteering!)

The Office of Vital Congregations, PC(USA) Theology, Formation, and Evangelism Department Lake Michigan Presbytery September nd, 2018

The Office of Vital Congregations, PC(USA) Theology, Formation, and Evangelism Department Lake Michigan Presbytery September 21-22 nd, 2018 Call to Worship Psalm 95 Leader: O come, let us sing to the Lord;