Endings and Beginnings

Last Sunday, I traveled down to Fort Myers and met up with our district staff (Sandy and Lynn) as well as our district lay leader (Nancy) to attend the final worship service of Wesley Memorial UMC in Fort Myers. They were not able to overcome the damage from Hurricanes Ian and later Hurricane Helene. 

The church originally started in a bowling alley so each speaker during the closing worship added a bowling pin to the altar until there were 10. 

Our district leadership in support of Rev. Susie Horner, the church's pastor. 

Some of the historical pieces headed to the archives. 

These two windows were originally from the now closed First UMC Fort Myers. They are moving over to a new home at Cypress Lake UMC in town. 

 

Sunday Preaching

Saturday night I spent in Fort Myers so that I could get up early and preach three services at Cypress Lake UMC. It was so nice to be with the pastors there for Lent: Marcus Zillman and Grady and Kalyn Wiley. Bonus was I got to see people from my childhood church (Lynn Whitney) and also the first church I served Tice (Lois and Colin Feng). And then I had one more SPRC meeting in the area before heading home for vacation.

 

 

Life Around Town

I spent a lot of time in Fort Myers this past week. I worshipped at Faith UMC Fort Myers.

 

 

 

And I got to eat lunch with two of our provisional pastors. 

And I popped in for a visit at Tice UMC and ran into a few familiar faces - still around from our time there

And the roof got finished at the house! It turned out so well.

Week in Review

My week started on Boca Grande at Lighthouse UMC for worship and charge conference. Then Nancy Metz and I drove down to Punta Gorda for another charge conference at Cleveland. 

 

It was a busy week with a lot of other meetings, but it was nice to get back to Tice UMC for a growth planning conversation with its pastor and leaders. 

 

And Daryl's church made the news for their seasonal Pancake Breakfasts.

Whirlwind Week

Someone finally sent me a copy of the picture of the Ministry Hub Team that I am part of - that met earlier this month. Great group of clergy and laity!

I spent Sunday in Fort Myers at Cypress Lake UMC and then at Good Shepherd UMC in North Fort Myers for worship. Two very different sized congregations making an impact in their own way and with lots of great enthusiasm. 

Thursday I spent working from the Conference Office in Lakeland so I got to take Parker out to lunch. Glad for every chance I can get to spend with him. 

 

Life Around the District

 I spent the Saturday after vacation at the United Women of Faith 13th Annual Haitian Convocation at Wesley Memorial UMC in Fort Myers. It was so good to see so many of our Haitian brothers and sisters together and worshipping God. 

Hanging out in Fort Myers - labyrinth at Iona Hope Episcopal Church and hanging out at my friend Christy's house 

Worship at Cypress Lake UMC in Fort Myers with Bishop Berlin preaching - lots of celebrations including a baptism and announcement of leader pledges towards capital campaign. 

I ran into Lois and Colin Feng, who along with her mother, were part of the church at Tice when I was the pastor there. So good to catch up with them! 

I got to connect with Latricia again during a trip to Lakeland - we matched again without trying!

And I got a new-to-me standing desk for the district office (they had one at the conference office no one was using). I like how it works for me, especially during Zoom meetings.