| Volume 15, Issue 1 January 2009 | |
From the Director's Desk ... 
Resolve to Make 2009 Your Year to Make a Difference in a Life!
A special Thank You to First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg and to Union Street, East Lake, and Heritage United Methodist churches for again providing gifts for our children this year. More than 200 children were blessed by your generosity and love. We also appreciate Friendship  United Methodist Church for providing food and toys for some very needy and special families in our midst. All the children at Union Street got a chance to sit and talk with Mr. and Mrs. Santa (Reverends Gene and Lois Watson) from East Lake (left) and select some great gifts that they could give their parents with the help of the East Lake Elves. Santa (Mr. Chip Chaploski) also visited the Children of The World Preschool and parents and children at Union were treated to a special night out at the Christmas House sponsored by the John and Carol Jo Brenneman and the Christmas story with Pastor Jim Morgan.
Thank You Volunteers and Staff for making
Christmas 2008 a memorable experience! |
Rev. Nancy Mayeux to Speak  "Immigration - Myth & Truth"
Place: East Lake UMC, 2801 East
Lake Road, Palm Harbor
Reservations: Call (727) 784-9250, includes lunch. The pastor of Light of Hope Hispanic Mission and member of the Florida Conference Board of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) will share her knowledge about and her experience with the issues of immigration in the U.S.A. and her experiences in ministering daily to immigrants. Rev. Mayeux will inform us about the national program of JFON. | |
 Computer Labs Enhance Learning
One of the most important tools for education in today's fast-paced world is computers. Thanks to a grant from the St. Petersburg Community Foundation, four new laptop computers have been added to the Children of the World Preschool ESOL/FLT (English for Speakers of Other Languages and Families Learning Together) site. Parents can now come to the center any day at any time to work on their English skills. Computer English speeds up learning, provides valuable communication skills needed in life, and enhances self-esteem. UMCM currently has computer labs at Wesley UMC and Union Street, and one is being developed at the Pasadena Community Church ESOL site.
At UMCM, we hope to be able to obtain several more laptop computers so we can create mobile labs at our other ESOL-Literacy sites. If you would like to help, we are looking for laptops in good condition with operational CD-DVD drives and Microsoft XP or VISTA operating systems. Donations for computers are also welcome. For more information, contact Donna at (727) 442-6881 ext. 9 or email her at donna.umcm@verizon.net.
Can you help to create mobile labs at our other ESOL sites? |
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From the Director's Corner...
"A CELESTIAL CHURCH"
A friend of mine recently relocated to another state. Her first priority, even before getting car insurance and her driver's license, was to find a community of faith where she felt comfortable. She found one and made an appointment with the new pastor about transferring her membership. During the conversation, she explained that she would like a pledge card, as she wanted to pledge on a regular basis, and if they had some of those nice little boxes of weekly envelopes, that would be great also.
The pastor listened, and then without blinking said, "We don't pledge here. We don't have to, as the church leaders told me when I came. They always pay their apportionments and then some, and they always fund completely any mission project they undertake in the community. No we don't have any of those little weekly pledge envelopes either. We just use those plain ones in the pew racks."
My friend also commented that out back of the church it looked like they had cleared a plot of land but stopped. A member said, "Well, yes, we were going to build a circular drive around the church and a covered walkway so people didn't get wet." Then it occurred to us that the project might not be the best use of our money for God, so we stopped. Besides people get wet and people dry off!"
The previous Sunday she had helped deck the halls and put up the Angel Tree for the community with all the little angels and wish lists. Before leaving the pastor's council she decided to stop by the tree and pick up an angel. The tree was bare! Not one angel remained for the taking!
As she got in her car to drive home, she wondered if she had made a wrong turn on some mountain road and had ended up in heaven at the Celestial UMC. No pledge drive, no pledge card, no little envelopes to remind you of giving and no angels. (She will have to wait for the next mission project for the community next week.) I hope she gets there early.
I hope I get the opportunity to visit this Celestial UMC just to check it out and be sure she was not dreaming. It is obvious that the church and their members are onto something!
Grace, Peace, Hope and Assurance!
Donna Ratzlaff
Deaconess
P.S. Upon checking, I found The Celestial Church reports an average weekly attendance of 128 (including children). Giving for five weeks averaged $156 per person and during Christmas they supplied food, clothing and toys for 63 families in their community. |
 FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." John Wesley
During these difficult economic times, there are a wide variety of mission outreach possibilities a local church can do to help their neighbor. Below are some ideas shared with us so far. Does your church has a creative mission outreach to your community? Please share with us at donna.umcm@verizon.net
Here are some suggestions:
Palm Harbor United Methodist Church will launch a new community outreach in January to mentor young men who have aged out of the foster care system. It is a collaborative effort between the church and community agencies. We look forward to this vital ministry known as "Young Men's Community Ministry."
Community UMC in Holiday completed their second annual "HOLIDAY program" with the support of local business, churches and Metropolitan Ministries they provided hundreds of families in their community with food, cloths and gifts. Community UMC in Holiday and their pastor Rev. Dan Campbell are taking seriously Wesley's mandate to "do all the good you can" by reinventing themselves as a mission church and working closely with the Pasco County Homeless Coalition to address homelessness in their community.
Saturday Women's Car Clinic is sponsored by UMM every Saturday. Members and elderly and disabled drivers from the community can wheel into the church lot and have their tires, oil levels, water and hoses checked out and lights inspected. If problems that cannot be corrected on the spot are found the owner is directed to a reliable repair shop or full service station.
Life Hurts, God Heals is a weekly support group for teenagers who have experienced some type of pain in their lives-divorce, bad breakups, sexuality issues, disappointment, rejection, bullying, drugs and alcohol. |
Cards from Children of the World  Preschool
Preschool children proudly display their cards which the made as a fundraiser and art project. Marylina Carbungco, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Support Services, reports that the young artists take great delight in making the cards and the revenue helps defray the Preschool's costy operating expenses. The card fundraiser earned nearly $1,000.
Order Valentine Cards today!
or call (727) 526-0017
Watch for holiday cards for Easter, Mother's and Father's Day!
Thanks to all of our staff, families, and volunteers who purchased cards! | |
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Winter 2009
Do you have...
Operational CD-DVD Drives
Microsoft XP
or
VISTA Operating Systems
Lap Tops and Notebooks
We have a dream
for a mobile computer lab
to serve
our ESOL sites.
Can you help that dream
become a reality?
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Important Dates
Feb. 11 - Rev Nancy
to speak
Feb. 4 & 11 - Health Curriculum Training
Feb. 21 & 28 - ESOL
Tutor Training
Feb. 21 - Great Chili Cookout
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Order Now! February 14!
Valentine Cards
Created by
Preschool Artiist
Call
(727) 526-0017
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 GREAT CHILI COOKOFF
All-U-Can-Eat includes dessert and beverage
Saturday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m.
Clearview United Methodist Church
4515 38th Ave N, St. Petersburg
Adults $6, Children (under 10) $3. Contact Marion 525-2782
All proceeds go to UMCM Ministries! Thank You Clearview! |
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Preschool Holiday Celebrations
 The Children of the World Preschool Staff hosted their annual Holiday Party on Dec. 20 and a Chinese -Vietnamese Celebration on Jan. 23.
Thank You staff, families, and volunteers!
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 Hats Off to Boy Scout Troop 371
The troop of Christ the King Lutheran Church donated eight Christmas trees and stands. One Boy Scout, Matthew Rezabek, also donated his time to help trim the trees down to an appropriate size and deliver them to the UMCM offices. The trees were distributed to families attending the family holiday literacy event on Dec. 23 along with an assortment of ornaments and garlands for each tree. Thank You Scouts! |
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3 Cheers for  DITTY BAGS Volunteers!
More than 3,470 "little bags of hope" were collected and distributed to become "little bags of joy" to farm workers' children and the homeless throughout our district from Crystal River to Bradenton. A big thank you to all our UMW Units. For more than 30 years, they have sought to share the love of Christ and make a difference in this very tangible way. More than 1,189 volunteers make this project possible every year including UMW Units, churches, Girl Scout troops and Sunday School Classes. Thank You to all who helped sew bags, purchase products, stuff and help sort in October and November. Our goal for 2009 is 3,600 "little bags of hope!"
For more information on how you, your family or your church can be
involved in this or other ministries, contact Pam Qualls, UMCM Coordinator of Volunteers and Church Relations at (727) 442-6881 ext. 5.
Click here to contact UMCM.
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 Congratulations Rev. John Ekers, UMCM Board President! Rev. Ekers has been confirmed in his appointment as lead volunteer chaplain for members of the Pinellas County Sheriffʼs Office. Rev. Ekers, originally from Ohio, was in the banking business untill he decided to pursue a degree in theology. He received his degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and has been a pastor at Wesley Memorial UMC in St. Petersburg for 13 years. He is available to sheriff's agency members through the office of Sgt. Tom Acker, Psychological Servies Coordinator, at (727) 582-6122.
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A Missions Plea for Books in Philippines!
An urgent request still goes out from Deb Machtel, wife of the Dunedin UMC pastor, for English books. Debbie's sister, Connie, teaches in a remote area of the Philippines, where there is a desperate need for English books for the young high school students. Reading levels are very low and books are urgently needed. Click for more info. |
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PACT and PASS+
HANDS-ON LEARNING is BEST!
From Potato Pancakes to celebrate Hanukah to cookies for Christmas, the kids in the PASS+ After-School Tutorial Program love hands-on learning! Every day at PASS+ for elementary children, parents and siblings, you can hear laughter and learning. Dedicated staff and volunteers transform book learning into real life situations with hands-on teaching techniques and they apply their reading, writing, math and science skills. Your donations help make PASS+ (Producing Academically Successful Students) possible.
Thanks to our volunteers for the many hours of giving! |
ESOL English Tutor Trainings
DATE: Saturday, Feb. 21 and 28
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N
REGISTER: Call Pam Qualls (727) 442-6881 ext.5
For more info: umcm.info or
Health Curriculum Training
Session 1
DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m.
PLACE: Union St. UM Church, 1625 Union St.
Session 2
DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m.
PLACE: Hope Lutheran Church, 801 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg
Current and former tutors are invited to a fun and informative session about working with students using "Staying Healthy: An English Learner's Guide to Health Care and Healthy Living," a new health literacy curriculum developed by the Florida Literacy Coalition with contributions by our own Tracey Tyber. Tracey (right), ESOL site coordinator at Union, will be assisting with the trainings, along with UMCM's Director of Literacy Services, Jan Setzekorn.
Make a difference in someone's life in 2009! Join UMCM's dynamic ESOL Tutor Team! |
From Alicia's desk, Director of Children of the World  Preschool
UMCM wishes to Congratulate Ms. Boutsy Ngonvongsa for completing the Early Childhood Education CDAE (Child Development Associate Equivalency) program! In an informal ceremony, Ms. BJ Stewart, Program Head of the Pinellas Technical Education Center (PTEC), presented Boutsy her certificate of completion. A "cap and gown" ceremony was held on Jan.29 at the PTEC auditorium.
 Boutsy is currently one of the Bilingual Teacher Aide at the Children of the World Preschool. Prior to working at the preschool, she used to volunteer in the classroom when her youngest child was attending the program. In having that experience she found her calling and decided to pursue a degree in Childhood Development. Ms. Boutsy is loved by her students and is a valued member of the preschool program. Congratulations, Ms Boutsy!
 From Jan's desk, Director of Literacy Services For several years, ESOL students at UMCM's Union St. site have spoiled their tutors with a "surprise" Christmas party. Former students often return to visit with their tutors and share in the holiday festivities and food. The generosity of the UMC congregations that provide Christmas presents for the children does not go unnoticed. Some cry, some hug, and always we hear, "gracias, gracias." This year was, once again, a special night for all.
Jay Beyersdorf, site coordinator at Skycrest UMC and a member of Aldersgate UMC, along with students from Skycrest UMC, joined in this year's festivities. ESOL students had learned the English words to Christmas carols. The Skycrest students joined with the Union St. students as they serenaded their children and tutors. The children were delighted to see their parents singing in English and joined in with some "Ho Ho Ho!"s when they sang Frosty the Snowman.
Students typically bring a traditional holiday food from their home country. We have come to love the "ponche" (a warm fruit drink) from Mexico. This year brought three different versions, along with several different flan recipes. Yes, all HAD to be sampled.
As time goes on, we are thrilled to see the hopes of students both past and present become realities. Monica Yoder returned to let us know that she is now an American citizen. Silvia revealed that she was recently married. And George told us it was his birthday!
Thank You, Jay and all the ESOL volunteers! |
"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." John Wesley
Thank You to all of our Donors for Novemeber- December 2008
Kindly forgive if we have accidentally missed or missplelled your name
In-Kind Donors
Barbara Crow Friendship UMC Bert Pearce
Chip Chlapowski Diane Bonbrisco Michelle Kiewit
Dorcas Circle - St. Paul Union Street UMC Dottie Waters
Kathy Johns East LakeUMC M/M Jim Strachen
Eileen Dragon UW Preschool Parents First UMC St. Peters
Dunedin Wachovia Bank Jean Tillett Pasadena UMW
Joe Tashe Peggy Chlapowski M/M Joe Azbell
Pasadena Community Church M/M Terry Brady M/M Jim Strachen
Florida Conference UMW M/M Scott Street Jess Slinkford
Cathy Beaushaw Rainbow Preschool Corey Nickels
Oakhurst UMC Laurel Ballinger Carolyn Feaster
Laura Casper Lynn Hugus Heritage UMC
Scout Troop 371 Christ the King Lutheran Church
Individual Donors
Frances Power Grace Dougherty Blanche Raines
Richard Fenlon Donna Ratzlaff Beatriz Ferguson
M/M Paul Reed Julie Floen M/M Stephen Ripley
M/M George Hall Iris Schreiber Ruth Hazelton
Marie Sibling Betty Heater Stanley Shaver
Janet Heinsen Ruth Spangler Charles Horne
Helen Sweatt M/M Kenneth Kastor Kathryn Sweatt
M/M Donald Kragh Elise Tirrell Martha Lane
M/M Vic Beaton M/M Raymond Lau Pam Boling
David Lindsay Mrs. J.R. Bottinger M/M John Lythgoe
M/M Harry Briscoe M/M Ronald Mack Mary Broeseker
Rev. Nancy Mayeux Doris Campbell Rose Oeschger
M/M James Chance Marian Palmer Dorothy Cherry
Juan Pimental Barbara Crow Ruth Pinch
M/M Charles Crow Grace Whitehair Nancy Currens
Cecilia Dais
Memorials:
Ed and Edith Tussing by Elise Tirrell
In Honor Of:
Betty Heater, M/M J.G. Welkon, Anna Mary Mellinger, Marty Dicke,
Dr. and Mrs Joe Romolo by Iris Schreiber and Iris Schreiber by Betty Heater
Groups and Churches
Anona UMW Gulfport UMW Oakhurst UMC
Faith UMCLargo Oakhurst UMW United Nail & Spa PasadenaCommunityChurch First UMC Dunedin Riviera UMC
First UMC Seminole Riviera UMW First UMC Hudson
Seminole Garden Squaws Heritage UMC Seminole UMM
Hope Lutheran Church St. Paul UMC Childs Park Fellowship
St. Paul UMW East Lake UMC UMW Curlew
Seminole UMW Mary CIrcle UMW First St.Petersburg UMW Friendship
St. Luke UMW St. Luke UMC Lakewood UMC
UMW New Port Richey UMW Tarpon Springs Skycrest UMW
Union Street UMC Thrifty Spirit Shop - Curlew St. Petersburg UMC
During
these difficult times, your donations (what ever the amount) are deeply
needed. If you would like to donate to the ministry by check, please
send it to United Methodist Cooperative Ministries, 1625 Union Street, Clearwater, FL 33755 or via credit card just click on our Network for Good or you can use your credit card on our secure site. Thank You!
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Let us hear from you!
If you want your newsworthy event or pictures to appear in UMCM's Reaching Out or E-News, please contact Nancy Currens, Director of Public Relations and Communications at (727) 442-6881, ext 2 or nancyc.umcm@verizon.net.
Nancy wishes to extend sincere thanks to Mr. Jake Voreis for many volunteer hours of editing and proofing our Reaching Out and E-news each month. |
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Donna Ratzlaff, Executive Director UMCM | |
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