Below you will find an update on two projects which have been on-going for several months. One of these activities will be taking place very soon, the date for the other is still a few weeks away. Please read this information and plan to be involved in helping both these events to be successful:

    We are almost there! The Green House project is nearing completion. For one or two persons who may not know about the Green House, it will be our new facility for Children and Youth Ministries. It will also be available for other small group adult meetings and will be the site for our use in hosting, periodically, the Interfaith Hospitality Network (Ministry to homeless families).
    On Sunday February 22, 2009 we will conduct a Consecration Service for the Green House at the close of our 8:45 AM and 11:15 AM Worship Services in the Sanctuary. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Marshall Howell, will be with us to preach and to assist with the Consecration Service. We will have a prayer for its opening at 10:00 AM, in front of the facility itself. The building will be open for you to visit from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. You will not want to miss this special day. We have anticipated this day for several months. Plan to be present and invite others to come with you!

    Two years ago we undertook a comprehensive survey of our congregation. One of the needs expressed from this survey was for a "non-traditional" worship service. A task force was assembled to discuss the finer points of such a ministry opportunity. After months of discussion and planning, we celebrate in announcing a name for this service, "The Anchor." Look at Hebrews 6:19 (NIV), "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
    While details are still being pursued we are now recruiting people to help us live into this vision. Ministry areas include: music, lighting, drama/dance, media, hospitality, seasonal worship, and sound. These ministry areas will develop into "Worship Teams." Please let us know which Worship Team your gifts can best be used. Some needs are short-term, some are for a church season. Please contact a member of the Anchor Task Force if you need further information: Kim Floyd, chair, Danny Falligant, Kyle Kraft, Beth Gainer, James Rody, Alden Procopio, Ellen Walker, Jeremy Akin, Josh Grotheer, Paige Childers, Dick Reese, Meg Procopio, Kevin Vogelsang, Julie Vann, Frank Parr, and Rob Grotheer.
    Your prayers and your participation is greatly appreciated.

I know you will want to celebrate both of these events and become involved in making them all that God wants them to be. God's work here at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church is a work which calls for the best from all of us. I anticipate, with excitement, our moving forward together for the cause of Christ's Kingdom. All of you are a vital part of the work we seek to do together.

We express our love and Christian sympathy to Greg and Jan Vach and family on the death of Jan's uncle, Charles Phillip Stilley, of Jacksonville, Florida.

And to Chris and Paula Lamb and family on the death of Chris' grandfather, Herbert "Rocky" Lamb.

In Memorial Hospital - Betty Dewey

In Candler Hospital - Joyce Collins; Tom Pedigo's mother, Mary Pedigo.

In Saint Joseph Hospital - Angie Jackson's sister, Jessie Burke