This summary of the Leadership Board meeting held Wednesday, July 16th, is going to be short and sweet. I’m writing it on the eve of my vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, and my mind is distracted with packing and dreaming about blue skies, fresh air, and freedom. So, here are the highlights.
During the month of July, nineteen people completed SUMC’s New Members class culminating in their recognition at our services on Sunday, July 20th. Nineteen! That’s in addition to the 16 new members we received in March and further proof that SUMC is thriving!
We continue to love and help our neighbors. Twelve families were served during the reopening of the Home Goods Closet on Saturday, July 5th. SUMC’s volunteers spent time interacting with the families, gathering feedback, and even watching the movie Coco, which is about a 12-year-old Mexican boy whose love for music leads him on a journey to the afterworld where he seeks the help of his great-great grandfather, who is also a musician.
Over the past several months, Pastor Hannah announced our intention to hire an Education Coordinator who can manage youth ministry tasks and assist our team. We are excited to announce that our goal became reality this month as SUMC hired Violet Murphy for the position. Pending paperwork and security clearances, Violet will be engaging in activities intermittently throughout August and be ready to immerse fully in the job starting September 1st. We have a connection with Violet: she was Wilma Hamilton’s neighbor for years and is a dear friend. Please welcome Violet to SUMC’s team!
The Leadership Board considered and approved a fundraising proposal brought to us by Board member, Kristine Swaney. The fundraiser is for Casa San Jose, an organization that supports and advocates for the Latino community, with funds going directly to their “bail” initiative. Casa dedicates these funds to detained immigrants who don’t have sufficient money to post bail. We are asking our church family to donate books, CDs, DVDs, and intact games, which SUMC’s volunteers will take to a bookstore on McKnight Road and sell for cash to contribute to the bail fund. More information will be forthcoming about the fundraiser duration and location for said donations.
As part of the Board’s focus on spirituality and leadership skills, Pastor Hannah enlightened us with a reading of Psalm 104. Pastor Hannah described Psalm 104 as the third telling of creation, and an inspiration that can ground us in creation and our connection to it. So, if you are looking for encouragement or a reminder of God’s awesome power and majesty, check out this Psalm. It’s a hymn of praise that celebrates creation and God’s providential care for heaven, earth, and all its creatures, and gets me pumped for vacation!
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in his works -
He who looks at the earth, and it trembles.
Who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.