A`I

God Be With You –

Or Good Bye I will warn you all, I am a crier. I cry at movies and

television shows, especially when a series ends and

characters say good bye. Even though I know it is

fiction, I still cry. I have moved a lot, but saying “good

bye” is never easy. I guess I have a hard time with

“good byes” because they seem so final. But, in

retrospect “good byes” also mean we had at one point said “hello”. You really do not say good-bye

to people you never met.

My family and I have spent eight fabulous years here in Key West and it has been my honor to be

your pastor. We have cried, laughed, learned, fought, laughed again, and grown together. You

have opened your arms to me and my family and have accepted us as one of your own. I feel so

blessed to have been part of your history and know you will all hold a special place in my heart.

God knew that I needed to be your pastor because God knew I needed you in my life. My

identity as a “Pastor” has evolved and been solidified in the “Old Stone Church”. When I was

told I was moving a few months ago, I was asked by our District Superintendent, “What will

you miss the most about Key West?” He quickly added, “And do not say the people.” I really

had no answer. Being in relationship with you and helping you learn a little more about God’s

love has been one of the biggest joys in my life. I will forever be proud that my life’s journey

had a stop in the southern most City and that I am included on the wall of Pastors of this historic

church.

I love God with all my heart and have dedicated my life to follow Him and that is my biggest

wish for you - that each of you has a personal relationship with God. Like Paul says to a church

he loves in Philippians 2:2, “make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,

The Key West United Methodist Church Newsletter

Our Vision Statement:

People alive in Jesus Christ, growing through dynamic worship,

nurturing programs and loving service to others."

May 2015

Email: keywestumc@bellsouth.net Website: http://keywestumchurch.org

PHONE NUMBERS: 305-296-2392, 305-296-PRAY

FAX NUMBER: 305-296-4702

being one in spirit and of one mind.” I pray that through the years I will read about all the great

things this church will do for the kingdom of God and look back at my time here with fulfilment

and joy. I am so looking forward to see what you will become.

Even though I am moving and my last Sunday to preach in “Old Stone” is May 31st, I will not

go very far. I will be the Pastor of Kendall UMC in the Miami area. As my ministry continues

to expand a piece of my heart will stay with you and this beautiful place.

People in our community stop me all the time and say great things about me and our church. I

feel so humbled to receive these accolades. But the reality is that I know I was just a small part

of our “success” and “good works”. God has used this church to do much good and open our

doors and hearts in His name. I cannot begin to list all the people that have walked along with

me on this eight year journey because I know I will forget someone. It is you and your

willingness to let God use you that has been a major factor of our accomplishments.

“Good-bye” is a contraction from the 16th century of “God be with ye”. My biggest prayer as I

leave Key West is that God will always be with you. Where ever you go and whatever you do

turn to Him for guidance and support and He will never let you down!

God Be With Ye!

Pastor Ruben

As a church that is financially blessed, it has been decided to give away half of the offerings that are collected on “Holiday Sundays” to those are helping meet vital needs.

The Easter 2015 offerings were divided and shared with Rev. Fletcher Anderson, our

missionary to Cuba. In last month’s newsletter we shared his interest in the fledgling congregation in the populous Havana suburb of Regla. At present this congregation occupies very precarious quarters, but now they have a chance to acquire an ample building of 200 square meters in the center of their community, which would provide space for worship, classes, and projections of service to the community. The challenge: the asking price is $18,000. Our gift of $8,461.24 will be a terrific start to the necessary fundraising to make this dream a reality. We ask God to bless our giving, our Methodist brothers and sisters in Regla, and Rev. Fletcher’s Cuba ministry. An additional donation was received in honor of Rev. Fletcher Anderson’s Cuba ministry from Lea Theriot of Baton Rouge, LA.

A thank you was received from Florida United Methodist Children’s Home for our recent donation of $755 which will help ensure that each and every child under their care can continue to thrive in a place where they are loved beyond words, where their past can be left in the past and where their pain can be healed. Please keep in mind that May 31st will be a fifth Sunday and another collection will be taken for this great ministry.

GENERAL PRAYER CONCERNS: The Velasco Family, Our new Pastor Terri Hill, Friends and family of Jonathan Wells, Friends and family of Sherri Berman, Todd Woodlee, Tanya West, Jack Darst, Lou Pineda, Family & Friends of Wilma

Krabill, June Young, Lois Griffin, Bart Francis, Jean Chandler, Connie Costlow, Tamma Wells, Judy Greene, Larisa Ritchie, Francine Stange, Wayne Goldstein, Wilma LeRoy, Rose Sedely, Jerry Williams, Lacie Maninga, Jack & Noreen Collins, Meggan Meggs, Peggy Cornell, Greg Smith, Kirsten Cote, Ron Cherry, Vickie Hughes, Kaylee Ortueta, George Rowland, Pam Szolga, Amanda Siglin, Liam Reddy , Steve Dickey, David Carone, Ally Sonstein, Catherine Duncan, Brian Belanger, Cathy Jackson, Tom Love, Joyce Papaycik, Wayne Rankan, Verna Marble, Thea Hyde, Candace Seizer, Bob Lytikainen, Daniel McLeod, Caridad Beavers, Mary Anne Matchett, Brad Eggebraaten, Katherine Brown, Zona Harman, Linda Rysman, Katherine Doughty, Pat Wells, Penelope Clukey, Our 2015 VBS children and volunteers, (NOTE: If you would like someone put on the list, please contact the church office.) MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL IN HARMS WAY: Michael Kopitzke (Army), Stephen Hill (Marines); OUR SISTER CHURCH IN CUBA: Entronque d Herradura, La Iglesia Methodista NURSING HOMES: Dorothy Edwards Miami, FL) OUR MISSIONARY: Rev. Fletcher Anderson.

Bring your Mother, Daughter, or Friend, and join us for our MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON Saturday, May 9, at 11:30 am at the Pier House Restaurant, 1 Duval Street. We will be served at noon, and the cost is $25.00 per person which includes choice of entrée: grilled mahi mahi and coconut curry sauce served with Caribbean sweet potato hash OR pan roasted chicken breast, grilled polenta, steamed

asparagus with a caper white sauce; choice of coffee or tea, and Key Lime pie! If you plan to attend, please pick up a flyer and an envelope at the back of the Sanctuary. Payment must be turned in to Pat Gibson, with RSVP FLYER WITH YOUR MENU CHOICE; CASH OR CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO: “KW United Methodist Women”. Reservations and payment must be in no later than Tuesday, May 5th

Church Council will meet on May 20, at 5:30pm in the J.O.Y. room. All members of the Council should plan to attend. All others are welcome!

A DONATION HAS BEEN MADE TO THE

ORGAN FUND in memory of Wilma Krabill by Bryan and Charlotte Strickland.

4th Phillip Baucom Jo Pine Judy Thomas

5th April Farris Fran Kebschull Lori Mullins

7th Ricardo Flores

8th Cara Michaud

10th Paul Garrard Marian Torriglia

12th Sandy Archer Jennine Knowles William Wickers, IV

13th Amber Bosco Ryan Veach

14th Alice Calleja

15th Catherine Kerns

16th Lisa Drake Nancy Loether

17th Tony Oliva James Osgood

20th Julio Torrado

21st Maj Johnson Gaby Lee

23rd Chaz Spottswood, Jr. Mia Viard

25th Louis Pineda

26th Molly Gibson

29th James Gibson

30th Vernon Bachmann

31st Bill Anderson Aaron Fraga Janet Van Tuyl

1st Stephen & Phyllis Strunk

2nd Bob & Mary Jane Carraway

3rd Dean & Sandy Walters

8th George & Pamela Lindner

9th William Binder & Cheryl McDiarmid Neal & Christina Birmingham

12th Terry & Susan Ham

13th John & Lina Lindenblad

New Books in the Library! The United Methodist Women have donated five new books to our Church Library. They are: A Deepening Love Affair; The Gift of God in Later Life by Jane Marie Thibault, Talking with God in Old Age; Meditations and Psalms by Missy Buchanan, Lord I love the Church and We Need Help by Virginia O. Bassford, I believe in Jesus by Minerva G. Carcano and Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body; Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults, also by Missy Buchanan. Stop in soon, and check them out! Thanks so much, ladies.

15th Chris & Lori Mullins

18th James Osgood & Lorraine Garrett

20th Phillip & Amy Pierce

29th Terry & Luanne Doughtry Bob & Becky Sachsenmaier

30th David Sr. & Linda Fraga Herb & Fran Kebschull

Pastor Terri Hill

Office Manager, Becky Love

After being born in Charleston, WV Terri’s family moved to central Florida when she was a baby. She graduated from Winter Park HS and attended Florida Southern College, becoming President of the Wesley Cmpus Ministry Fellowship and the Pre-Ministerial Association and graduating summa cum laude. Granted a Presidnet’’s Award Full Scholarship, she went to Cander School of Theology at Emory University, graduating with a Master’s in Divinty. Pastor Terri was ordained in 1980 and has served in small, medium and large membership churches and as District Superintendent. She comes to KWUMC from Suntree UMC in Melbourne, where she has served for 12 years. She is married to the Rev. John Hill, a United Methodist pastor on sabbatical, and they have three children and six grandchildren. In addition to spending time with her friends and family, she enjoys snorkeling, scuba diving, fantasy football, making mosaics, reading and playing with her dog, Schooner.

We welcome Becky Love to the office staff, where she is the new office and financial manager. She comes to us from the Texas Annual Confrence of United Methodists. Becky is a former Pastor, and brings a wealth of experience to our office. Her special interests include music, expecially piano and voice. Since moving to Key West, she has learned to love exploring in her kayak and peddling around town on her bicycle. She is the proud mother of three daughters, Molly, Smamatha and Susie who are all in their twenties, and the adoring Grandmother of Jeremiah (13) Breenleigh (4), Gracyn (2) and Zion (16 months) We are so happy to have you in the office!

The One and Only Pat Gibson By Sheila Miklos

The Old Stone Church owes gratitude

To Pat Gibson for her fortitude. She has always gone the extra mile

And completed her daily tasks with style. From Bible Studies to Mother's Day affairs,

She has always shown how much she cares. Never a Yard Sale, but she was there, Running a stall and doing her share.

Her service to UMW should not be forgot. In her years as President, she accomplished a lot Volunteering comes natural as breathing to her,

And she's always around when you need a prayer. She may not have been computer wise,

But she could always answer your ‘whens’ and ‘whys’. if you made an inquiry, she checked right away.

She got right on it, without any delay. Always cheerful and ready to help out,

She's "the hostess with the mostest", without any doubt!

Pat, although you say that you're retiring, I know you'll not cease inspiring.

You've watched this church transform and grow. Now it's time for you to rest in the glow.

HAPPY RETIREMENT, PAT. GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.

The Velasco family is presented with a Memory Quilt at the service on Sunday, May 3. It was designed and sewn by the Happy Hearts ladies who are led by Mary Ann Riley. Thank you to the talented stitchers who created a beautiful reminder of the time the Velasco family has been in Key West. What a treasure of a keepsake.

Ms. Pat Is All Set to

Enjoy Retirement!

A NEW LOOK FOR THE NURSERY!

Thanks to a generous donation, the Nursery got a fresh coat of paint. Two shades of bright sunny yellow were chosen, and it looks great! The Happy Heart Sewing Ladies stitched up new matching curtains. We welcome Jeanne Tindel as the new Nursery Coordinator, joining Brittney Clukey, Nursery Assistant. The

nursery is open for both Sunday morning services, and Sunday School, taking care of our little ones, from birth to 4 years of age. Stop in and say hello! TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL CHURCH WIDE SPRING CLEAN Please make plans to help our Trustees with a work day. The day and time will be announced shortly, as soon as it is determined by our “Trustees. We will be doing routine building maintenance, cleaning out, throwing out, and straightening up! If we have lots of help, the work will go more quickly and be more fun so please consider giving back to the church with your time and energy! God loves a clean heart and a clean church!

Coming Soon!!

2015 Vacation Bible School will be held here July 13 – 17. This

is a time of fun and fellowship for the children who attend, and

also for the youth and adults who volunteer their time. Please consider joining in the fun. There are many ways to help, and the more you give, the more God will bless your faithfulness. Volunteers and Participants can register from a link found on the church website. Please be in prayer for this amazing ministry to our community and it’s children.