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Dear Friends,
I am very excited to share with you a recent development in the life and ministry of the Redemption Store. On April 22, 2013 a Church Council meeting was held to discuss the future of the store and its need for possible relocation. As any who has served in the ministry will tell you, there are limitations to its current facility; namely space, heating and air conditioning, and parking. After a considerable period of research and analysis, leaders from within the Redemption Store, our Missions Board, and Board of Trustees came with a proposal to consider the purchase of a particular facility that is in close proximity to the store's current location on Sorrento Road.
After a thorough review of the case for relocation, the financial plan to acquire such property, and the feasibility of the proposed site, the decision was unanimously made by the members of the Church Council to seek appropriate authorization in order to proceed with this purchase proposal. As outlined in our 2012 Discipline, this requires a church conference session, which is to be facilitated by our District Superintendent, Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon.
This session has been scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 12:15 p.m. in the Community Center.
As discussed at the recent Church Council meeting, there are several encouraging aspects of this new venture:
- The new facility would include central heat and air conditioning, an open floor plan, a drastic improvement in parking, greater accessibility, and approximately 50% more space.
- Thanks to the wise planning of our Missions Board (in collaboration with our Finance team) a sizeable down payment is already in hand. The Restoring Hope Fund, which is generated solely by Redemption Store revenues, is, at the time of this writing, up to $107,120 and growing (this is not to be confused with Living Hope, which is our capital campaign to pay off the Community Center, and for which updates are also contained in this newsletter).
- Any remaining expense of the facility will be supplied by revenues generated by the Redemption Store and other gifts, while still maintaining a viable missions budget and support to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. While alleviating the burden of paying rent on our current facility, conservative projections are that the new building would be paid off in under five years.
Most importantly, it is believed that this initiative will secure the future of the Redemption Store and its service to this community for years to come. Special thanks go out to Sandra Hoffman, Paula Payne, Bobby Presley, Mike Whitner, Sid Thomas, John Harold, and Pete King for their dedication in this process, and to Louisa Buford, Amy Whitwell, and the hundreds of servant volunteers who have elected to live out their discipleship to Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Redemption Store.
As we prepare for our upcoming charge conference, if you have any question about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact me in the church office, or to contact a member of the Church Council.
Thanks be to God!
Darren
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| Community Care Corner
Laura Martin
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I heard on the radio the other day a story of a young child offering a night-time prayer. The child said, "Please God, care for my mom, my dad, my brother, my dog, and me. And God, please take care of yourself. Because if something happens to you, we'll be in a big mess!" Kids say the funniest things, don't they?
The topic of self-care is an important one. In the short time I've been pursuing ministry - and I'm guessing this is true in a variety of vocations, life stages, and/or life situations - I have found that when I don't first take care of myself, I have very little to share with my neighbor. And seeing how the Christian life is centered on love of God and love of my neighbor, this can be quite problematic when I find myself in a state of having nothing to give.
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| Facebook 101 Class
Christina Naes
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Have you finally broken down and joined Facebook but don't know what to do next? A simple Facebook 101 class is being held just for you! This class is designed to help you join the billions of users on the world's largest social media site, and help you navigate through it effectively. Whether you are worried about your privacy, simply wondering how to monitor the different posts that you see, or just don't know where to begin, this is for you. Facebook 101 is being held on May 21, at 3:30 pm for just $10, with 100% of the funds going directly back to the Community Center. Don't forget to bring your laptop and/or mobile device! Contact Christina at the Community Center for details, registration information, and laptop rental information. 850-497-0000 or christina@pbumc.net .
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The Good, The Bad and Moving Forward
Ralph Loveless, SPRC Chair
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Congratulations to our Assistant Choir Director, Christine Dodd, on her engagement and upcoming August wedding. While we are excited for her, we recognize she will be moving to Colorado with her husband. Her last day at PBUMC will be Sunday June 23. She will be sorely missed. Nevertheless, the SPRC must move forward and find her successor. Our search begins now.
Last year, in order to better utilize Christine's multiple talents, the SPRC established the Assistant Choir Director position, adding to her accompanist duties, responsibilities for establishing and conducting a Children's Choir and for acting as Choir Director when the Director is unavailable. It is a part time hourly job, the components of which could be separated, if having more than one employee would best meet the music needs of PBUMC. Of course, we will consult PBUMC Choir Director, Amy Maddox, as we move forward.
The complete job description is available from the PBUMC Business Administrator. If you, or someone you know, have the desire, gifts and graces to serve as an accompanist for our traditional worship services, as a leader within our children's choir ministry, or both, we would like to hear from you.
Applications should be filed in the church office not later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013, in order that any desired auditions can be timely scheduled.
Ralph Loveless
SPRC Chairman
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| A Special "Thank You"
James Matthews
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To the Beautiful Community of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church,
I want to extend my gratitude to those of you who supported me with your time, love and donations for my trip to London next month.
I was overwhelmed by your gracious support and your love of music, it really touched my heart. I can not tell you all how excited and nervous I am about this next month; I feel as I am being thrown into a lion's den of great pianists from all over the world and it's going to be a great experience.
I'm excited to share everything that God has been doing in my life through music with the people there and with every note I play that comes with my heart. You all share a part of that pulse of the heartbeat that music makes through your wonderful spirit.
Thank you all and I look forward to sharing more with you all as I continue to grow here with you all.
Feel free to write me, I'd love to hear from you!
With Love,
James Matthews
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| Counselor's Corner
Sandy Simmons
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I've just returned from Sunday service and I hope you were there, if not you missed a Spirit filled gathering. The scripture reading was the 23rd Psalm, a familiar Psalm to many of us. It was glorious listening to the way David used song and poetry to offer praise to his God. It started me thinking, if God was pleased with David, the man after His own heart, offering Psalms as his sacrifice of praise; wouldn't God be pleased with us today offering Him praise in songs and poetry? This led me to attempt to write a Psalm of praise to my Father God. I know it won't be great like David's, but it will be from my heart and that is what God wants, our hearts.
I'd like encourage you to think about writing a Psalm of praise during your quiet time with the Lord in the next few weeks. I would love to read everyone's Psalm so if you would bring them by the church office I will pick them up. I would like to include everyone's Psalm in a future newsletter.
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 Post from Gene Schmidt during the April mission trip to Haiti:
On Saturday, the team spent the day at the Orphanage visiting with the children and assisting with additional needs around the area. One of the main goals of this trip was to deliver and install a pump that was purchased by Perdido Bay United Methodist Church.
Ms. Carol Brownfield attended the Future 4 Haiti December trip to Haiti and initiated the project. The men spent part of the day Saturday installing the pump which will draw water from the onsite well and fill a 300 gallon tank currently located on the roof of the facility. Once filled up, running water will be available for use which will be a landmark achievement and be a wonderful blessing. Countless gallons of water are pumped by hand each day to cook, clean, bathe, and do laundry.
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| Prayer Shawl Ministry
Terri Jaburg
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry met Wednesday, April 17, at the home of Terri Jaburg. This was our final meeting before our friends from the north started their trip back.
Terri gave a blocking lesson so that everyone would know how to improve the looks of some prayer shawls. After the lesson we all sat out on the deck and knitted or crocheted on our prayer shawls until we got hungry.
Each of us brought a cold salad and believe it or not, there were no duplicates! We all ate too much, but what good food we had!
We wish all the travelers safe trips and return to us next year. We will look forward to having them back. Our blessings go with each one.
Terri
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| Adopt-A-Highway
Les Westerman
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| Tidbits From Flor
Flor Cruz
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What have I got to be thankful for? That question was given to me few years ago by one of my pastors. At first it was hard for me to come up with things I was thankful for other than my job, my family, my health, etc. Most of the group have the same answer.
Last week I had an amazing meeting with some of the most wonderful ladies of Perdido Bay and I was so inspired of the beautiful things they were creating that when I left and came back to my office I took my notebook and started writing what are some of the things I am thankful for, here are few.
I am thankful because...
- I have a strong shoulder so someone can rest their head and cry when they are happy or hurting.
- That I can write a note to a sick friend, a widow, someone in prison, my children.
- That I can share the material goods God let me borrow and I can give to the less fortunate.
- That I can use my craft abilities to share with others.
My life has changed because Jesus is my Lord. When you feel down, make a list and see how blessed you are, it will make your day better.
Our capital campaign is still moving forward. We added another $20,500 to the principal of the mortgage on April 5; thank you for your support. If you want to know more about our Living Hope Campaign, please call me at 492-2135 and if I do not know the answer, I will find out for you.
Living Hope Campaign
On another note, our Finance committee met this month and our projected budget for the year is on target. We continue to be good stewards of our resources. See you around!
Blessings,
Flor
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| Community Center News
Christina Naes
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If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider Tai Chi. Originally developed for self-defense, Tai Chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. Often described as meditation in motion, Tai Chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements. Classes are every Thursday at 9am. Free introductory Tai Chi Class on May 25, 10:00 a.m.
Sign-up sheets for Pilates are in the Community Center. We anticipate a class to begin in June.
PBUMC was able to bring some love and hope to the Perdido Community. Teaming up with Perdido Bay Baptist, Pleasant Grove Baptist, and Point Baptist; the Mobile Food Pantry made its delivery to the Community Center for the first time.
Over 5000 pounds of food was dropped off, sorted, and distributed to needy families in the Perdido area. It was a truly humbling experience for all that volunteered their time, and we thank everyone for their involvement.
God blesses us with opportunities every day, and all it takes is a little initiative to really make a difference in other people's lives.
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| Annual Conference Offering
Darren McClellan
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Superstorm Sandy was the most destructive storm New Jersey has ever experienced. It left 2.7 million New Jerseyans without power, 253,000 households sustained damage and tens of thousands of homes were uninhabitable.
Sandy disrupted or discontinued thousands of jobs and impacted tens of thousands of people's lives. A storm this size calls for many partners working together to bring relief and recovery to New Jerseyans. The United Methodist Church, through its 30,000 churches across the United States, will collaborate with other relief agency partners to rebuild a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
We are humbled and honored to be able to return the connectional gesture of helping another conference after a time of destruction. The Alabama-West Florida Conference has been the recipient of missional offerings after Hurricane Ivan and the Gulf Oil Spill.
How Can I Help?
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Next time you see Youth Director, Josh Brown running around with his "kids", please stop and say "thank you!". On Sunday, April 28, after Worship Service, Josh and several members of the Youth Group went down to the Redemption Store and gave the curb appeal a huge facelift. They spent the afternoon removing trash from the property, sprucing up the flower beds and doing much needed yard work throughout.
What a blessing to have such an awesome Youth Group at PBUMC!!
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GREAT NEWS! PBUMC was selected to receive a grant from the International Paper Foundation! These funds will provide books and literacy materials for students at Global Learning Academy. We will need volunteers to help with literacy activities, and serve as mentors for GLA students. More information about this project will be unveiled soon, but consider being a part of this Book Club with your PBUMC friends and children-in-need at GLA. To join the fun, and make a difference, contact Barbara Russell (fredbarbararussell@gmail.com, 850-492-2625) or Kristi McClellan (kkmcclellan@hotmail.com or 850-637-1163).
RUTH CIRCLE will meet Wednesday May 1, at the Community Center at 11:30 a.m. and proceed to Landry's downtown for our annual May lunch. Please let Harriet know if you are not going to attend (850) 492-2747. Hope to see all the Ruthies!!
SPREAD THE SEEDS of HIS WORD and watch it bloom through the Redemption Store. Please be a servant in His name and call Amy Whitwell at 850-516-8501 or Louisa deJarnette at 850-492-5367 to schedule your time to plant!
REDEMPTION STORE VOLUNTEERS MEETING - A long overdue meeting of all our beloved Volunteers is scheduled for Monday, May 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Center. There are many things to discuss so please plan to be there. Come with all your ideas and questions! If you have not volunteered and are at all interested, please plan to join us. Call Sandra (492-3965) or Paula (492-7702) for more info.
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Photos From Community Food Pantry
April 15, 2013
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Perdido Bay United Methodist Church
13660 Innerarity Point Road
Pensacola, Florida 32507
(850) 492-2135
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