Grace United Methodist Church NEWSCASTER

2014 EDITION

Dear Grace United Methodist Church Family Member,

We are beginning a wonderful journey – one that undergirds the mission and ministries of Grace United Methodist

Church.

During the month of October we will introduce a new and exci!ng plan for our church family as it pertains to giving back

a por!on of what God has entrusted to each of us. In the coming weeks you will begin to see and hear more about our

Stewardship Journey which will include our church-wide reading of The Capacity for More by Rev. Cindy Blocksidge,

Randy Hardy, and Rev. Dr. Phil Schroeder. These authors have made their book available in electronic PDF format for our

church. You can find the link in the electronic version of the Newscaster, or on our website,

www.graceontheisland.com. Limited printed copies of the PDF version of the book will be available before or a2er our

Worship services on September 28 and October 5 in the lobby for free. Also, limited copies of the actual book will be

available for $5.00 each.

During the Stewardship Journey, the sermons and church-wide readings will complement one another, so you will want

to read corresponding chapters before you a9end worship each week.

Near the end of our Stewardship Journey and church-wide emphasis, we will have the honor of taking part in

Commitment Sunday on Sunday, October 26. This will be a very special !me where our church body can put our faith

into ac!on through the offering of our individual gi2s through commitments for the next year 2015. Our Stewardship

Journey will conclude with Celebra!on Sunday, November 2, where we will enjoy a !me of thanks, fellowship and

celebra!on together following the worship services.

Above all, please join me in prayer that God will con!nue to bless us here at Grace United Methodist Church as we seek

to become an even more vital congrega!on!

I love being your Pastor!

God’s Blessings,

Pastor Jim

From the Vision Team and the Church Council – OUR NEW VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS

VISION: Living in Grace

VISION STATEMENT: G – Grow in our faith through our personal relationship with Jesus. R – Respond to Christ’s love by sharing our time, talents, gifts and resources. A – Accept everyone with open hearts, open minds and open doors. C – Connect with God and one another to experience the love of Jesus. E – Equip followers to serve and make disciples in our community and world.

MISSION: At Grace United Methodist Church,

We welcome each person. We share the love of Jesus.

We spread His grace to the world.

WE WELCOME BRITT HOLDREN AS OUR NEW FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

After a national search for a youth director with assistance by Youth Ministry Institute, the Search Committee and Staff-Parish Relations Committee selected Britt Holdren,

who has been serving in the Tampa area, as our new youth director

A Word from Britt: Hi Grace! I am so very excited to be joining the team here as the Director of Youth Ministry. I have been doing youth ministry for the past 10 years around the FL United Methodist Conference. I have lived in a lot of places over the years, I was born up north and moved south with my family; they continued to move around as I found a home here in FL. I enjoy spending time outside whether its hiking, camping or in the water fishing or snorkeling. Again I’m excited to make Venice my home and look forward to you all being my adopted family. -Britt

Mike Kramer served as our interim part-time youth director for the past 14 months and a volunteer for 8+ years. Mike has such a servant’s heart and a passion for the youth. We greatly appreciate everything Mike accomplished with our youth program. Well-Done, Mike!

Grace UMC will host a “Blessing of the Animals” service on Saturday, October 4, at 4:00 p.m. on the lawn outside Punch Hall. All pets are welcome, but should be on leashes or in cages, please. Pets are special in the lives of people of all ages and can be true compan-ions. Blessing of the Animals is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. This brief worship service celebrates God’s love for all creation, reminds us to care for the animals in our lives, and offers a special time when Pastor Jim will bless the pets of our congregation. It is traditionally celebrated near the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), who is the Roman Catholic patron saint of animals. You are also welcome to

bring a picture of a pet that prefers to stay home.

WELCOMING TIPS FOR SUNDAY MORNINGS

1. Wear your nametag. If you need a nametag, sign up for a laminated nametag (free) or magnetic nametag ($9) in the lobby on Sunday mornings or call the church office. 2. Circle of 10. Greet anyone who comes within 10 feet of you. Make a special effort to greet people you do not already know. 3. Rule of three. During the first three minutes after the service, talk to people whom you do not know or who are guests. Why three minutes? That is the average time it takes guests to exit after worship, so it is important to connect before they depart.

KIDS IN DISCIPLESHIP ZONE

Wednesday Night Adult Studies begin on October 1 at 6pm

One Thousand Gifts— A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

What does the Christ-life look like when your days are gritty, long, and even dark? Based on Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, she reveals the discovery that will open your eyes to ordinary, amazing grace regardless of your circumstances. This five-session, video based study will help you learn, practice, and begin to live out the secrets of a joyful heart.

Led by Kristin Mikarts at 6:00—7:30 in Room 103

Making Sense of the Bible Rediscovering the Power of Scripture

In Making Sense of the Bible, Adam Hamilton invites us into an honest conversation about the Bible. The book begins with foundational questions such as, How and when was the Bible written? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? How literally must we read it? And, Is the Bible ever wrong?

Led by Pastor Jim Mitchell at 6:00—7:30 in Room 101

Florida Fall has arrived! The streets are busier and sports are taking up most of our weekends. Wednesday KIDZ Club is a great place for us to reconnect with God and each other. It is a little

recharge midweek! We are using the Grow Proclaim Serve curriculum for both Sunday morning and Wednesdays. It has an app that be downloaded and website with games, music, and a parent forum.

Great things are happening with Grace KIDZ! Until we meet again, Vicki

Join us for the third annual trunk or treat, right here in Grace parking lot. A fun filled and safe evening for children

of all ages! A space sign up will be outside of each service. If you have any questions contact Vicki in the church office or Children@GraceOnTheIsland.com

Don’t forget we have

Sunday School at 10

upstairs! Games, Snack

& a Craft

PIZZA & PUMPKINS

This month our prayer partners will meet October 11 at 9 to help unload and organize the pumpkins. We will then gather in 108 for a sub lunch.

Sub sandwiches, chips and drinks will be provided. RSVP to Vicki by October 8 at 488-1374 or

children@graceontheisland.com

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

The City of Venice is sponsoring the second annual “Make A Difference Day” on Saturday, October 25, 9 am to 12 Noon. Each participating church will be assigned a park to clean up. Our park is Venezia Park. A free lunch will be served at 12:00 Noon at Maxine Barritt Park. T-shirts will be provided to the volunteers. Over 500 volunteers are expected to make the city more beautiful. Sign-up on Sunday mornings or call the church office. Please be sure to include your t-shirt size. From our Mayor John Holic: “...thank all of you who give their time to make this city beau-tiful; it is truly a blessing to the citizens of Venice, one which will be returned to you many times over. God Bless you all, John W. Holic”

The Basic Course in Lay Servant Ministries

will be offered January 9-10, 2015 at Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church

208 Palm Ave, Nokomis, FL 34275 ♦ (941) 484-4415

This course is the beginning or gateway course for all aspects of Lay Servant Ministries. It will be taught on Friday night, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and all day on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must be present for all ses-sions to receive credit for completion. Your course instructor will be Rod Groom, Associate Florida Conference Di-rector for Lay Servant Ministries (LSM). This course has been approved by Gene Louise Fisher, SW District Direc-tor for LSM. Please register with Rod at rod.groom@gmail.com, no later than Friday, December 26. Your text will be Lay Servant Ministries, Basic Course Participant's Book, written by Sandy Jackson and Brian Jackson. In this text, we are encouraged to recognize and employ our personal spiritual gifts for the Church, to consider the im-portance of exercising servant leadership, develop as future leaders, remain rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and be part of a group that holds members accountable in discipleship. It offers guidelines for best practices as a church leader and outlines a number of ministries in which lay servants may assume roles. Books will be distributed on Friday night. Please bring a Bible and a notebook for this class. COST: Please bring $35.00 in cash or a check made out to Venice-Nokomis UMC. LOCATION: Venice Nokomis UMC is located at 208 Palm Ave, Nokomis, FL 34275. The telephone number is

IMAGINE NO MALARIA

How can you Imagine a World with NO Malaria, if you already believe you live in One?

Come and learn more about Imagine No Malaria. Kylie Foley will bring inspiration, information, and training to inspire laity and clergy to be instrumental in getting the word out about Imagine No Malaria in the SW District and local churches, pointing people and groups to the incredible resources available.

People are invited to attend an information session at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 30 at Christ UMC, 1475 Center Road, Venice. Mission leaders, lay leaders, children's ministry leaders, youth leaders, and passionate students and young adults as well as churches involved with African covenant relationships should find this two hour gathering helpful to their ministry. People from Grace Church can sign up to attend by calling or emailing Trina at our church office.

Imagine No Malaria is the extraordinary effort of the people of the United Methodist Church to eradicate malaria, a preventable treatable disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. The Florida Conference officially launched our campaign to help save 250,000 lives from malaria at the 2014 Annual Conference this June. Bishop Carter called for state-wide support of Imagine No Malaria, and asks for 100% commitment from churches.

Meet Kylie Foley

Imagine No Malaria, the United Methodist Church's initiative to help end malaria, has hired their coordinator of all Florida Imagine No Malaria efforts: Kylie Foley. Kylie is originally from West Palm Beach and is a recent graduate of Florida State University. She spent this past year as a Ministry Intern with the FSU Wesley Foundation before starting at the FL Conference Center in May 2014 with Imagine No Malaria. Kylie is passionate about culturally-sensitive and sustainable short-term missions, especially in Haiti. A generous grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pays all administrative costs of Imagine No Malaria allowing 100% of all donations made going directly to help fight malaria. Kylie is available as a resource to your congregation and community, please contact her with questions or ideas about Imagine No Malaria at kfoley@flumc.org. We have the resources and the passion to help end malaria for the glory of Christ. Visit www.imagineflorida.org for information on how your church can get involved today!

Your Giving Matters

New Donation Program!

The General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church is pleased to present UMCmarket, a tremendously rewarding opportunity to earn money for our church. UMCmarket makes it possible for our church to receive donations from retailers every time you make an online purchase. The best thing is that you

don’t need to change anything from how you shop today, and every small donation makes a difference. This allows our church family to do together what we cannot do alone.

How it Works. Every store at UMCmarket is happy to pay a percentage of the purchased amount as a donation. There is no additional cost or charge for either you or our church. The stores send UMCmarket the contributions within a variable time frame of 30-90 days. Once our church reaches $100 in total donations, a check will be mailed.

Signing Up is Free! You can easily sign up for free. When you go to www.UMCmarket.org, you will click on the “Get Started” button.

You will have the option to sign up with your Facebook account or enter your email and create a password. You will then be prompted to download the Easy Give Button and find our church.

With these three simple steps, you are ready to shop and donate! Together Making a Difference!

We hope you will sign up and try it out. The more of our members participate, the more donations we receive and can put towards our church mission! We live in a global village, and the world is our parish. When we give generously, our gifts do wonderful, life-changing things in the name of Jesus Christ.

CHURCH CONFERENCE – SUNDAY, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Right here at Grace Church as we host the Cluster Church Conference.

The churches in our cluster include: Boca Grande, Christ-Venice, Englewood, Grace-Venice, Slavic Christian Fellowship, and Venice-Nokomis.

Everyone is welcome to attend. We will begin the evening in TFEC with fellowship and worship. Following our worship time, the six churches will go to individual meeting places

for their respective Church Conference – receiving reports, voting on Leadership Team, removal of members,

and approving pastor’s compensation. All church members are invited to attend and to vote.

NON– PERISHABLE ITEMS ONLY, PLEASE!

Mark through the bar code then place in the shopping cart located in the

TFEC Lobby and Narthex. ALSO check the expiration date!!

Thank you for your support!!

Interested in volunteering at Grace, but you work during the week or have a full schedule weekdays? We have a great ministry volunteer opportunity! Our Sunday pick up and take home ministry is a great outreach to our homebound and shut-ins. This ministry enables them to come to church to worship God with their fellow Christians in faith. This ministry uses the Grace van, so no special license is required. You can sign up for either a pick up run, take home run or both. If you are only available certain months, we are totally open and flexible with your schedule! If you are interested in volunteering in this ministry outreach please give Trina a call in the church office 488-1374.

ADULT MISSION TRIP – IN NOVEMBER TO RED

BIRD MISSION

A missions team of adults are going on November 8 -

16 to the Work Camp at the Red Bird Mission, a

popular United Methodist Mission site in the

Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Contact Pastor

Jim - jim@graceontheisland.com if you might be

interested or need more information about the Mission

Trip.

Saving Campbell’s Soup Labels AND Box Tops for

the Red Bird Mission

This mission outreach supports a school that is

teaching new job skills, music programs and much

more. On Campbell label please save the circled part of

the coupons . If that is not present they are considered

void.

The Pumpkins are coming!! Saturday, October 11 at 9AM!

Volunteers Needed

The Pumpkins are coming!

Would you like to be a Pumpkin Bumpkin?

We are looking for a few good men, women and youth, actually we need quite a few, to assist in the selling of pumpkins & to unload!

We have 3 options available for you to sign up for sale

shifts:

1. Go to our website, ministries tab, pumpkin patch tab and click on the link. It will take you to the online sign up sheet.

2. You can call the Church office at 488-1374. Or 3. Sign up sheets on this table, every Sunday in the back of TFEC or in the Main building Narthex Lobby.

DON’T DELAY SIGN UP TODAY!

October is my favorite month of the year here in Florida. Even though it's officially still hurricane season, October brings some of the loveliest weather we experience all year. It is also a time of preparation for both the GraceTones Handbell Ensemble and the Chancel Choir as they get ready for what lies ahead. Both bells and voices will be ringing forth each week as they rehearse general music and Christmas fare for upcoming Sundays. This is a wonderful time to consider joining one of our little bands of merry music makers. If you're interested in checking out either handbell rehearsal on Tuesdays at 5:30 or choir rehearsal on Wednesdays at 6:30, I invite you to let me know - we'd love to have you join us. Meanwhile, enjoy the beautiful weather that October brings to our state and our beautiful city of Venice. See you in church!

Gene Hodges

POLICY REMINDERS:

1. Room Reservations: Any time you wish to use any Grace Campus room (s) or equipment, please see Trina in the church office. There is a schedule that will need to be checked first and paperwork filled out for both the office and custodians.

2. Groups currently using rooms: If your group currently uses a space and needs a larger space, a different date, time, or is not meeting (any changes to your regular event) please see Trina in the church office so we can be sure your needs can be met.

3. Table reservations: Any time you wish to have tables or easels in the TFEC lobby or Narthex, please see Trina in the church office. There is a schedule that will need to be checked first and paperwork filled out for both the office and custodians.

These policies and procedures are in place to ensure your space or equipment will be available to you and applies to anyone within the congregation, staff and outside groups. The last thing that we want is for you to be planning to use the space or table and it is already in use by another group. Due Date Information:

1. Information for Sunday bulletins, Sunday Power Point slides, Sunday Morning public announcements, posters and tables are due 10 days prior to the date.

2. Newscaster due date schedule is located on the bulletin board in the staff office hallway or in the work room on the bulletin board.

Thank you, Grace Staff

Notes from Members

Thank you so much for all the prayers during my resent health situation! I can’t wait to be back and see everyone!! Blessings, Diane Slikas.

Many thanks to you who have served as greeters for the contemporary service in September. Your GRACious presence is thoroughly appreciated

Sue Bensen and Anna Lowery; Kathy Bossert; Debbie Campbell; Katrina and Roy Cook; Gerrie and Jay Geerdes; Mary King; Donna and Ken Logerquist; Kristen and Mark Mikarts and Nancy Mitchell

INFANT BAPTISM

Jaelyn Jean Degilio Anthony Degilio and Ashley Hager, parents Born: July 11, 2014

Baptized: August 24, 2014

COMMISSIONING OF STEPHEN MINISTERS - Barbara Duke, Dennis Dulmer, Christy Hedrick, Lori Morse, Mike Shahan, Stephany Stoddart

EXPLORING GRACE – Are you interested in exploring church membership here at Grace UMC? Our next membership class, EXPLORING GRACE, will be offered on Monday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Jim will share information about church membership, Grace UMC, and God’s amazing grace through Jesus Christ. Sign up for the membership class by calling the church office at 941-488-1374 or email at trina@graceontheisland.com.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL Our 2014 Advent Devotional this year, like last year, will include devotionals written by members of our Grace Church family about Christmas memories. We need 20 persons to submit devotionals for the weekdays during Advent. Sundays will include the Advent Wreath candle lighting devotionals. Sign up for a day by calling the church office. Utilize the “Upper Room” format for your devotional: A scripture reading, the devotional (around the Christmas theme), and a brief prayer. The devotionals should be submitted by email in “Word” format to the church office no later than November 1.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

~Olney “Hoog” Needham – Saturday, October 11, at 2:00 p.m. ~James W. "Jimmy" Clark Jr. – Wednesday, November 5, at 11:00 a.m.

MEMORIALS

MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF OLNEY “HOOG”

NEEDHAM by Grace UMW Ruth Circle; Frank Read and Ed & Dotty Kalchbrenner.

MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF JAMES CLARK

by Ellie Love.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Kindly consider enhancing the beauty of our worship areas by placing flowers on the altar.

Flowers can be given IN MEMORY OF or IN HONOR

OF loved ones or friends. Bouquets are $30.00 each and are yours to claim after the 11:00 AM service. Sign up on the flower Calendar in the hallway by

the staff offices.

AUGUST 2014

ATTENDANCE Worship - 311 Sunday School - 80

Yearly Attendance Average Worship - 410

SEPTEMBER Special Offerings

Missions: $85.00

Children’s Coin Ministry: $118.76

Children’s Home: $1,185.00

UMCOR: $500.00

IN MEMORIAM

Olney “Hoog” Needham

Marilyn Bay

Lois Curran

Bricks may be engraved in memory of loved ones. In

order to maintain consistency throughout the walkway,

memorial bricks will be engraved with your loved one’s

name , year of birth and year of death. Money received

from the purchase in excess of memorial bricks cost will

be used for the continued maintenance and upkeep of

the Memorial Garden and Walkway.

Orders for bricks will be batched in increments of no

less than five so it may take some time for your brick to

be placed in the walkway. A dedication ceremony will

be held quarterly. We will notify you of the date and

time should you wish to attend. Forms are located in

the Church front office. Return the completed form and

check in the amount of $100.

In the Hospital?

If you or a loved one goes in the hospital, please call the church office and notify us. Clergy no longer have access to the patient listing that lists patients by local churches or denominations. This means that our church and Pastor Jim will not know if one of our church family is in one of the hospitals unless someone calls the church office and notifies us. Pastor Jim and others visit the hospitals Monday through Friday, and on the weekends and in emergencies. It is now important to call the church office at 941.488.1374 if you, a family member, or a friend is admitted to the hospital, We would like to know for visitations and prayers. Thank you for your help.

Homebound Ministry

We sometimes hear through casual comments of church members who are in assisted living, rehabilitation, or are home bound. Then it begs the question: how many are there that we don’t know about? Please, if you know of someone in assisted living, rehabilitation or homebound (even if they have a caregiver), please call the church office with their name and location. We want to make sure that we are not missing anyone and we want to do a better job in reaching out to our homebound members.

Thank you for your assistance.

News from the

As always, the Trustees have been busy keeping the church campus in good repair.

Here are a few facts I think you will find interesting:

The White House Our Church Campus

132 rooms 50 rooms 35 bathrooms 8 bathrooms 6 levels 2 levels 412 doors 34 doors 147 windows 143 windows 28 fireplaces 0 fireplaces 8 staircases 2 staircases 3 elevators 0 elevators The White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests, so can our church, and we have two kitchens.

Trustees are working on the following projects:

• Bell Tower light, being done by Girl Scouts, of our church.

• Cleaning and painting the Bell Tower and steeple.

• Repairing pot holes.

• Repairing cements cracks.

• Working on the 2015 Trustee budget.

• Repairing the Bus and Van A/C’s.

• Installing Hurricane window panels at the Parsonage.

• The painting of yellow turtle stakes (6,000), for Mote Marine Lab. Our community kids provide the labor and Mote Lab. provides the stakes and paint.

• We have had several of our people rotate off and some new folks arriving, this was a good time to do a security check and change our locks/keys. ($827.50)

• At the request of the Venice City Utilities Department, we are having our two grease traps pumped out, once every six months. ($500 each time)

• Repaired a toilet. ($486)

• Church loan is down to $192,784.72

• Currently have two Community Service helpers working at the church at different times.

Special thanks to “Affordable Golf Car, at 1590 Tamiami Trail, South Venice,” for the free loan of a large golf cart, on two occasions in support of our church events.

We also wish to thank Mike Shahan for all his assistance in helping us meet OSHIA standards with the scaffolding setup/take down in TFEC. Board of Trustees

Gene Stover

`

United Methodist Women LIVING OUT VISION

United Methodist Women is turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world. We provide opportunities and resources to grow spiritually, become more deeply rooted in Christ and put faith into action. We are organized for growth, with flexible structures leading to effective witness and action. We equip women and girls around the world to be leaders in communities, agencies, workplaces, governments and churches. We work for justice through compassionate service and advocacy to change unfair policies and systems. We provide educational experiences to lead to personal change in order to transform the world.

Looking for somewhere to volunteer during the week

inside with AC!!!!

Well Grace has several opportunities to volunteer in the

office!

You can be a sub volunteer for our regular volunteers when they are away

OR

We are adding a new shift!

We are seeking morning volunteers.

♦ Work 1 morning a week, every week, from 9am to 12

♦ Answering the phone and assist with general office work

♦ No experience is necessary, we provide training and are flexible with your schedule.

The United Methodist Women (COUNTRY STORE) wish to THANK everyone for a very successful year.

Without your wonderful donations we would have nothing but we were able to make over $8,000.00 for our mission fund!

Please keep your donation coming over the summer and if you have any questions please contact Judy Johnson at 941-488-6929. See you at our first sale in October!

Grace United Methodist Women resume meeting on the 2nd

Tuesday of each month with our October 14th meeting at

11:30 in Punch Hall. The UMW Executive Board will

provide lunch. The program: "Missions Near and Far" with

Jim Foubister of 1 Christ—1 Church as the speaker.

The Piecemakers’ News

Open House Please mark your calendars now for our open house on November 14 and 15. The quilters have been working hard to have many new items for sale.

Our numbers grow each Wednesday as snowbirds and vacationers return. Sewing machines hum as we prepare for our November open house, and as we renew our supply of baby and lap quilts. Stop by the East Wing any Wednesday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to see our handiwork or to join us in our mission.

Our mission is “to support each other in fellowship and love as we create quilts for our babies, shut-ins, and friends of Grace United Methodist Church who need comfort; and to make items for sale to assist our church financially.”

If you know of someone in the congregation who would like to receive a visit and a comfort quilt please let the Piecemak-ers know. If you have a son or daughter returning home from active duty in the military and would like to have him or her receive a quilt, please call Carol Simpson at 497-5460 or Audrey Tamblingson at 497-5478.

The Threadcatchers quilting circle meets every Friday 9am – Noon in Room A8. For information call Lorry Stover at 485-0094.

United Methodist Men

Have you made a Financial Commitment to Grace

United Methodist Church for 2014?

We encourage all of our members and friends to make a financial commitment, whether you are here year-round or here for 1 to 6 months. Commitment Cards are available from the ushers or in the church office.

You can also manage your giving online: GUMC is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply follow these easy steps: 1. Visit the church website at www.graceontheisland.com

2. Click on the on line giving button, 3. Click on the Create Profile button, then

4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions.

OR Donate from your smart phone

Grace now offers a mobile version of our online giving page to make it easy for you to give anytime from your smart phone. Simply scan the image you see here using your phone’s QR code reader.

We RE-KEYED several locks and ALL the EXTERIOR locks. If you are a Grace key holder, and you can’t get in, please get with Trina to ensure you still need a key and to exchange it out.

Grace United Methodist Men

The Grace United Methodist Men will kick off this year’s activities in October: Pancakes will be flipped, meals will be eaten and opportunities to travel and have fun will be available for all interested parties. The first men’s supper will be on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 6p.m. in Punch Hall. The United Methodist Women will be preparing the appetizers, food and drinks. Our speakers will be our very own Steve Boone, Attorney and Rev. Warren Wasson. They will share information on how we can lay a solid foundation for the future of our Church.

Conference Wide Weekend Retreat at Warren Willis Life

Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park, FL

October 10-12 (Friday PM to Sunday AM)

Inspiration – Devotion – Learning

Sign up by August 31 for best Rooms

$159 for 2 man rooms.

Retreat Leaders

Humorist & Motivation Speaker: John Riley

Pastor: Rev. Scott Smith

Worship Leaders: From First UMC Coral Gables,

Lighthouse Band.

Get all the details and download registration forms at:

www.ummflconf.org or call: 863-858-4985

For further information contact: Trina or

Pastor Jim in the office OR John Milton at 484-7975.

Grace Travel Opportunities 2014/2015

November 8, 2014 - Weeki Wachee, $40.00 includes

transportation and entrance fee. Dinner on your own.

SIGN UP TODAY IN LOBBY!

December 10, 2014 - Palm Dinner Theater “A Christmas

Carol”, $60.00 with 50 persons.

January-TBD

February 12, 2015 - 9 nights Southern Caribbean Cruise.

Ship is selling out fast – call Chris at 1-855-431-2584.

March - Baseball game, time place, date and cost TBD

April - Sailor Circus--date and cost TBD

A transatlantic cruise is available April 11, 2015 sailing from Tampa to Barcelona, Spain, with return air from Barcelona -From $1,699. More information to come.

NEWSCASTER DEADLINE

Please submit all articles by October 13 for inclusion in the November Newscaster. Thank you, Katrina Cook

The Newscaster is sent as an E-Mail publication.

Contact Katrina Cook at 941-488-1374 or trina@graceontheisland.com to be added to the list or pick up a hard copy

in the Narthex.

Meetings United Methodist Men’s Dinner

Monday, October 6 at 6:00PM in Punch Hall

Staff Parish Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM in Parlor B

UMW Executive Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 14 at 10:100AM in East Wing

UMW General Meeting & Lunch

Tuesday, October 14 at 11:30AM in Punch Hall

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 21 at 8:00AM in Punch Hall Conference Room

Church Council Meeting

Sunday, October 26 at 12:15PM in Punch Hall

Operation Christmas Child Takes Off!

Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature. What begins in the heart of someone who cares can change eternity for a child and his family. This program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift. Since 1993 over a 113 million boxes have been collected and distributed in over 150 countries. The Gospel was shared in over 45 languages.

This Christmas, you can share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with a needy child by using a simple shoe box. Operation Christmas Child is an easy missions project that every member and family can participate by bringing a gift-filled shoe box to church on Sunday November 9 or 16. The congregation will join together to wrap shoeboxes in Punch Hall from 10-11:30 on November 16. Wrapping paper, tape and scissors would be appreciated. If you want to wrap your shoebox ahead of time, please wrap the bottom and the lid separately, put a rubber band around it, label and enclose $7 to help with shipping costs. Brochures with suggestions for gifts and instructions will be available at tables or in the church office or contact Mary King at 492-9809. You can be a part of this amazing program. What’s really inside each box you prepare? Not just toys and gifts, but love, hope, joy and an opportunity to share the message of God’s love with children all over the world.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST UPDATE

The pancake breakfasts are scheduled to start up on October 4, the 1st and 3rd Saturday morning of every month through April. For those of you that helped make last year’s breakfast such a success I hope I can count on you again. Please send me an email at: Larry.bender105@gmail.com if you are willing or interested in volunteering this season. If you didn’t help last year and you want to be a part of this church outreach, all are welcome. If you don’t feel you can work the breakfast you can still help by coming to breakfast and letting us serve you. We do a great job!

EVERY SUNDAY

8:15 - 11:00 Coffee Time, TFEC

9:00 LifeJourney Worship, TFEC

9:15 Children’s Sunday School 9:30 & 10:10 Adult Sunday School Classes 10:00 Kids Club Class, 206/207

11:00 Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

EVERY MONDAY

9:00 MMO, TFEC Nursery

10:00 Staff Meeting, Library

12:00 Preschool Dance Class, TFEC

7:00 First Place 4 Health, West Wing

EVERY TUESDAY

9:00 MMO, TFEC Nursery

5:30 GraceTones Rehearsal, Music Room 6:30 Disciple 11 Class, Parlor 6:30 Cub Scouts, PH/EW/WW/MRC

7:00 AA, Parlor B

7:00 Emmaus Men’s Meeting, Library

EVERY WEDNESDAY

9:00 MMO, TFEC Nursery

9:00 Piecemakers Quilting, A8 & PH 10:00 Disciple 11 Class, Parlor 12:00 Preschool Gymnastics, TFEC

5:30 Grace Kids Club, TFEC RM108

CONTINUE EVERY WEDNESDAY

6:00 On Thousand Gifts Study, TFEC RM103

6:00 Making sense of the Bible Study, Parlor 6:30 Boy Scouts, PH/EW/WW

6:30 Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Music Room

6:30 Stephen’s Ministry, Library 7:00 Al-Anon, Mtg. Rm C

EVERY THURSDAY

9:00 MMO, TFEC Nursery

12:00 Preschool Gymnastics, TFEC

6:30 LJ Praise Team Practice, TFEC

7:00 AA, Parlor B

Be sure to check the Church Calendar on our website at: ww.graceontheisland.com

October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:15AM Preschool

Chapel, TFEC

2 3 Pancake Breakfast setup, TFEC

4

8:00AM

Pancake Breakfast, TFEC

4:00PM Blessing of the animals, outside

Punch Hall

5 Communion 6:00PM Cluster

Charge Conference, TFEC

6 10:00AM Staff

Meeting @VOI

6:00PM UMM

Dinner, Punch Hall

7 9:15AM Preschool

Chapel, TFEC

6:00PM Girl Scouts, TFEC RM 203

8 9 1:30PM VOI

Communion

10

11 9:00AM

PUMPKIN UN-

LOADING, Front

9:00AM Pumpkins

& Paryers, Front &

TFEC Rm 108

2:00PM Memorial

Serivce, Sanctuary & Punch Hall

12 Mission Opportunity

11:30AM Your Turn

Class gathering, PH

13 NOVEMBER Newscaster

Information DUE

14 10:00AM UMW

Executive Board

Meeting, East Wing

11:30AM UMW Gen-eral Meeting & Lunch,

Punch Hall

7:00PM Staff

Parish Meeting, Parlor

15 9:15AM Preschool

Chapel, TFEC

16

17 Pancake Break-fast setup, TFEC

18 8:00AM

Pancake Breakfast,

TFEC

19 Children’s Coin Ministry

12:15PM Healing Service, Chapel

20

4:30PM Community

Dinner, Punch Hall

6:30PM Suncoast

Emmaus Group Meeting, East Wing

21 8:00AM Finance

Meeting, Punch Hall

Conference Room

9:15AM Preschool

Chapel, TFEC

9:30AM UMW Circle

Meetings, Campus

12:30PM Preschool Directors Meeting,

MRC

6:00PM Girl Scouts,

TFEC RM 203

22 8:00AM

Newscaster Collators,

MRC

9:00AM Preschool

Vision Screening,

TFEC RM 108

23 6:00PM Scout

District Meeting,

Library

24

25 9:00AM Make

a difference Day,

Venezia Park

26 Canned Food 12:15PM Church

Council Meeting,

Punch Hall

27

28 10:00AM Book Lover’s

Group, Parlor

29 9:15AM Preschool

Chapel, TFEC

30 31 5:00PM Trunk or

Treat, Main Parking

Lot

EVERY FRIDAY 7:30 Men’s Bible Study, Parlor B

9:00 Threadcatcher Circle, EW&PH

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed but should be, or if there are any errors, please email or call the church office so that a correction can be made. Thank you!

Pick Up Take Home

10/5 Bob Bainbridge Bob Bainbridge 10/12 Sheldon Toepfer Sheldon Toepfer 10/19 Terry Winfrey Steve Boone 10/26 Robert Waldron Sheldon Toepfer

Mel & Phyllis Johns

Bob Bainbridge

Judy Johnson

Marion Ogle

TRADITIONAL SERVICE

10/5 F Jim & Margaret Tilton

B Ayleen Durrer 10/12 F Wanda Karasek

B Marcia Morley

10/19 F Betty Shiell B Mary Chambers

10/26 F Jaye & Linda Burnside

B Helen & Marlin Boruff

OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS

1 Rev. Warren Wasson

2 Mary Chambers

Nancy Baney 6 Kimalee Rowley

7 Sanford Earle

8 Nick DeGenaro

Ann Hutchison

Robert Slikas

9 Kathy Sasher Nancy Meiser Cynthia Maule

Catherine Kallman

Jonathan Howe

10 Nancy Hoyt Jane Sjoberg

Payton Harris

11 Margaret Tilton

13 Carolyn Antonaglia

Helen Kittle

14 Brent Huber Dorothy Kalchbrenner Roy Cook IV

15 Mary Stadelman

16 Geraldyne Parsons

Gavin Carfield

17 Bill Durrer 18 Judith Johnson

19 Penny Corell Ron Balduf Gerrie Geerdes

Vicki Mackey

20 Helen Boruff Bill Lansberry

23 Joan McMahon

Jennifer Kranz

24 Betty Andersen Sherry Fleming 25 Arthur Welch

Nancy Raney

Linda Langley Larry Carmack

27 Lauralyn Atz

Louise Kephart Evan Kranz

28 Carol Beyer Jean Needham

Dorothy Mumford

Brendon Kingsbury

Beth Shahan

30 Dama Moore

Susan Hoffman

31 Janet Shahan

2 Robert & Deborah Koehler David & Karen Schoenthaler 5 Harold & Wilma Hicks

10 Matthew & Stacy Cary

12 Jack & Frances Newberry 13 Mark & Barbara Hontz 14 Mike & Janet Shahan

15 Robert & Diane Slikas

27 Robert & Doyleen Jones 31 Tony & Kristy Babington

Grace United Methodist Newscaster (USPS 581-930) is published monthly (except July) by Grace United Methodist Church, 400 field Avenue East, Venice, FL 34285-4035. Periodicals Postage Paid at Venice, FL 34285, and additional mailing offices.

Grace United Methodist Church

400 Field Avenue East

Venice, Florida 34285-4312

941-488-1374

Website: www.Graceontheisland.com

Postmaster: Send Address Changes to:

Grace United Methodist Church Newscaster

400 Field Avenue East , Venice, FL 34285-4035

LABEL

CHURCH STAFF

Ken Carter, Resident Bishop, Florida Conference

Rinaldo Hernandez, District Superintendent, SW District

All Members of the Church, Ministers

Jim Mitchell, Pastor Britt Holdren, Youth Director

Gene Hodges, Organist/Director, Traditional Music

Rob Lincoln, LifeJourney Praise Team Director Vicki Mackey, Children’s Director

Patsye Dulmer, Preschool Director Scott Dowdy, Finance Manager Katrina Cook, Office Manager

Frank Hall, Custodian

Karen Bowles, Housekeeper Mary Jeanne Moorman, Pianist

Grace Preschool has amazing families! We had TWO playground work days in September to spruce up our playground.

Some parents had so much fun they asked for a second one – so we did! Now our playground looks amazing. Thank you

to everyone who helped – especially Frank who hauled away the pine needles!!!

We will have speech screening by Becky Delaney this month and Lions will do vision screening also.

All the children have had their Ages and Stages Screening. This is a screening that is done by the teachers to

determine if any learning delays are present in children. VPK children have also already had their first VPK

assessment.

We will be closed on the 24th for ECA Conference. Those who do not attend conference will hold parent conferences

since public school is also closed.

We look forward to the arrival of the pumpkins. The children always love visiting the patch each year. We will hold

our Halloween Parade on October 31 beginning at 9:15am. It’s always such a fun time to see all the little ones dressed

up! Come join us!