To be effective in our outreach, we must also minister to ourselves. Nurture is one of the ministries at SUMC that focuses on the members within the congregation. With hospitality and loving care at the core, the various sub-committees that make up Nurture help care for the needs within our church family. The Nurture committee meets two or three times a year to plan activities for the following months.
Hayride at Reilly's Farm One Saturday in October, we gather at Reilly's Summer Seat Farm & Garden Center just as dusk is approaching. We pile into wagons for a hayride followed by a bonfire. We roast hotdogs, make s'mores, and sing our hearts out. It's a great way to spend a Fall evening with friends. See the photos from 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Annual Church Picnic with AME Zion Church We and our neighbors at AME Zion Church share a joint worship service to usher in the Summer, followed by a picnic at Walker Park. There's meat on the grill, pies-a-plenty, and all manner of games. The children play in the nearby creek, while the less child-like try their hands at bingo. Who will win the scavenger hunt this year? Check out the photos and video from 2009.
Lenten Dinner Programs During the six Sundays of Lent, we meet on Sunday evenings for pot-luck dinners and fellowship, followed by programs ranging from educational presentations to musical performances. To see this year's schedule, visit our Lenten dinner page.
Haunted House Every Halloween, SUMC's Boo Crew turns the basement of the church into a near-professional haunted house. It's one of our most popular fellowship events, finding our children working and playing alongside senior members of the congregation. It's an awful lot of fun, and a profitable fundraiser to boot. We've had as many as 600 guests in a season. Read more about it and find out how you can get involved on our Haunted House page.
Thanksgiving Dinner Pastor Russel has an annual tradition of preparing and serving his church family a Thanksgiving Dinner. This year's dinner will be Saturday, November 19th, at 6:00 pm, in the Simpson Room. All are warmly welcomed, and you are invited to bring a friend or relative to join you. Our family won't be complete unless you join us. Read all the details on our Thanksgiving Dinner page.
Celebration of Women Dinner SUMC's annual Mother's Day celebration sees the Simpson Room decorated to the nines. Pastor Russel, with help from men of the church, prepares an impressive spread in honor of all women. We show our appreciation for their contributions to society and especially to the church and the advancement of God's Kingdom. For full details, see our Celebration of Women Dinner page. Photos from the 2010 dinner can be viewed in our Media Gallery.
Annual Cookie Walk On the second Saturday in December, SUMC opens its doors for the Cookie Walk, where members of the community can save time on holiday baking by filling a $17 bakery box with home-baked, quality cookies and candy of all kinds, from gingerbread men, to ladylocks, to peanut brittle. You can find out more on our Cookie Walk page.
Birthday Breakfast for Jesus In cooperation with the Education Committee, we celebrate the birth of Jesus on the Sunday before Christmas. The potluck breakfast is held between our two services, and it is frequently visited by the man in the red suit. Everyone is welcome, and everyone receives a gift from the Library Committee.
Greeting Card Ministry Cards are sent to all members celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, as well as those recovering from sickness or injury. Even those turning 50 feel better about themselves after receiving an encouraging note from their church family.
Fellowship Hour Once a month, after the traditional service, all are welcome to gather in the Simpson Room for fellowship and, of course, food---we Methodists love to eat!
Baby Connection This outreach welcomes new mothers and mothers-to-be. Every mom knows you can't have too many binkys.
College Connection This outreach is done through the mail to remind our college students that they are close at heart. We have yet to know a college student that doesn't appreciate receiving the occasional care package.
Prayer Blanket Ministry Blankets made with love are available for anyone you know in need of prayer or well-wishes. You can give back with a note of thanks or a donation, which will go towards more material to make additional blankets.
Family Life Committee This subcommittee helps to coordinate the Lenten dinners, hayride, and games for the church picnic.
