“In GOD we trust!”

Grace Notes

Office: 904-829-8272 Fax 904-829-8201

8 Carrera Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

E-Mail: office@gracestaugustine.org

Website: gracestaugustine.org

Our Mission Statement:

“Help people find life in Jesus Christ.”

SEPTEMBER 2016 STAFF: Revs. David & Carolyn Williamson, Co-Lead Pastors

Peggy Namie, Office Administrator Nataliya Birmingham, Church Treasurer Mike Sanflippo, Music Director Robert Meade, Organist

Jason Forrest, Contemporary Music Director Zach Grant, Youth Minister Martha Yamnitz, Children’s Ministry

Amanda Richter, Nursery Attendant Supervisor Theresa Braxton, Nursery Attendant Bob Rusin, Property Maintenance Manager Peggy Namie, AM Facility Cleaner

Barbara McColskey, Deaf Interpreter Justin Abdulghani—Sound Tech Mildred Thomas, Audiovisual Tech—Volunteer Gary Hare, Head Usher—Volunteer

Peter Jimenez, Bulletin Cover Graphic Design—Volunteer Ana Villada—CCW, Flagler Intern Kyle Cummings, Madeleine Dittmer— 9:15am Interns Brian Matthews, Mackenzie Taylor, Rebecca Woods—Choral Interns

Grace United Methodist Church 8 Carrera Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

OUR SEPTEMBER MISSION OFFERING — METHODISTS IN PRAYER (CUBA) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER *Please use your mission envelope when giving.

Grace Notes & the monthly calendar are sent out via email unless you request otherwise. Printed copies of Grace Notes & the monthly calendar are available at the church

or via mail (upon request). You may also view the newsletter at gracestaugustine.org .

Triplet speech given by Becky Weiss on August 14, 2016: Dear Grace Church Family, One of the delights of being part of our triplet is that I was able to meet Arnold, the rescue duck. Arnold was found abandoned and injured and she now lives with Libby and Tom Heineken. Yes, I did say “she”. Arnold is a girl! There were lessons to be learned from Arnold and her story. The big one: we are all wounded and broken in some way, but God res-cues us, loves us, and welcomes us into His family. Arnold's physical body has deformities but she meets every challenge with determination. When we have physical or spiritual trials, our faith can give us strength and determination to over-come. Arnold is one of God's beautiful creatures whose life was saved and transformed. How does God want this church to transform lives? About the time we started the triplets, I read Jeremiah 6:16 in my Bible. “This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'” I have worshiped, served, loved and been loved at Grace Church for twen-ty years. I honor and respect our tradition and our history. The past is important and we must always remember. But we also need to step bravely into the future. We, as a congregation, are standing at the crossroads. Through the 100 Days of Discernment, we are seeking God's good way so that we can walk in it. For me, participating in a triplet has been an extraordinary and blessed time of seeking God's will for our congregation and for me personally. You see, I feel that I am also standing at that crossroads and seeking that good way. On May 22, when Reverend Bullard was introducing the triplet process, he warned that the first meeting would probably be awkward and short. Let me tell you, from the very first minute of the of the very first meeting there was nothing awkward between us. My triplet buddies (a.k.a. “my trips”) are Libby Heineken and Bill Hughes and, of course, God in His wisdom knew that the three of us were meant to be on this journey together. Libby is gracious, joyful, caring, and crea-tive. Bill is honest, wise, easy-going, and funny. Our first meeting lasted for over two hours. Another one of our meetings was four hours long; however, our record was actually five hours, but the time flew by and it was a blessing for all of us. God's own hand pulled us together in the perfect union of three hearts. This brother and sister in Christ are now dear friends of the spirit. They provided a safe place for me. They prayed for me, they laughed with me, they taught me im-portant lessons, and they trusted me with their stories. Our unofficial motto was, “We always do the right thing, until we don't.” In other words, we recognized our human frail-ties and imperfections, but supported and encouraged one another. We talked about our hopes and concerns for this congregation and prayed about the future direction of Grace Church. We asked questions. What is God asking us to do to change our world? How can we be salt and light to the community of St. Augustine? Of two things we are certain. Our Heavenly Father is asking us to be fearless and to take risks. He is asking us to leave our places of comfort, to exercise our faith muscles, and to let the Holy Spirit lead with power. We will be writing the next chapter in the history of Grace Church. We will shape and leave a legacy for those who come after us. Each one can be a part of this exciting next step. Our congregation is standing at the crossroads and asking, “Where is God's good way?” With God's help, may we walk in that good way and find rest and blessing for our souls.

ALL meetings at the church are open for anyone to attend. For SPRC meetings, please call the church office in advance. SEPTEMBER MEETINGS: CHURCH COUNCIL MEETINGS: Thursday, September 8th, 6:30pm AND Saturday, September 10th, 9-10:30am FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING—Tuesday, September 13th, 11am, Room #4 PERMANENT ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE MEETING—Tuesday, September 13th, 2pm, Room #4 STEPHEN MINISTRY MEETINGS: Thursday, September 15th, 9—10:30am, WR Thursday, September 29th, 9—10:30am, WR STEWARDSHIP MEETING—Monday, September 19th, 6:30pm, WR SPRC—Thursday, September 22nd, 1pm

STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER For more information, contact: Sue Amole: samole2013@gmail.com; 904-553-8536 Roger Carlson: revrogerj@yahoo.com; 240-483-7183 UPCOMING MEETINGS: September 15th/Thursday, 9—10:30am, WR September 29th/Thursday, 9—10:30am, WR

ST. FRANCIS HOUSE DINNER PREP You are invited to come help prepare a meal in the GUMC Kitchen. This meal is then delivered and served off-site the second Thursday and the last Tuesday of each month from 4-6pm in the GUMC Kitchen. If you are interested in helping or want more information, contact Ben Gambino, 917-536-7247, nonoorso@aol.com . The dates for September are the: 8th and 27th.

DINING WITH DIGNITY The September Dining with Dignity will be held on Friday, September 16th at 6pm. You are invited to come help do any or all of the following: set-up, prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal. If you are interested, contact Mike Osgood, 904-377-2686, dcs0823@bellsouth.net .

GRACE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN To All the Ladies of Grace, Hello to all — I hope that your summer has been a fun one. I know it has been a hot one — wow!! September is here and you now what that means—maybe slightly cooler weather and the beginning of many things at church. The first Wednesday of the month dinners will begin again and I encourage all of you to attend because the food is great and the fellowship is even better. It gives us the opportunity to see people we know and to meet people that we don’t know. How often have you said to yourself — I see people in the Sunday service but I don’t know their name and I wish I had the opportunity to know them better, or I don’t know them, they must go to another service. Well voila, now you can! I don’t know many people who go to the other services and I am sure that this happens to some of you. UMW will also be cranking back up on the second Thursday of the month and I am sending you a blanket invitation to all the ladies of Grace to try and be there at 10am on Thursday, Sep-tember 8th. Our speaker will be Sandi Cipolloni, a representative from Betty Griffin House. Vee Markel will have the Devotion and the Hostess will be Pam Lowe. We meet in the Fellowship Hall, so mark this on your calendar and we will welcome you with open arms. Until then, I will simply say God bless each one of you. In His Name and mine, Paula Namie

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOB MEADE ON HIS UPCOMING RETIREMENT!

Grace United Methodist Church has been blessed to have Bob Meade play the organ for our worship services for 29 years! Bob has been a remarkable part of our staff bringing not only his musical talent but his kindness and caring for this church. Bob is a long time resident of St. Augustine and brings a rich history to our conversations about Grace and the churches of St. Augustine—he has played the organ in all of them through the years!

Please join us on Sunday, September 18 to honor Bob and to celebrate his 29 years of service to Grace. After the morning services, we will have a reception to gather and share our stories and gratitude.

We will have guest organists on the bench at 11am as we begin a search for our new organist. Bob has kindly agreed to provide music at the early 7:45am service during the interim, so you will certainly still run into Bob on Sunday mornings.

CAREFEST—SHINE THE LIGHT CareFest is a Christ-centered community service ministry that unites more than 900 volunteers each year from more than 32 churches to demonstrate God’s love in a practical way—helping those in need. The main CareFest activity each year is a day of service when volunteers gather from St. Johns County to per-form public service projects such as cleaning a yard, painting a porch, or cleaning the exterior of a home

for someone less fortunate. This year’s expression of unity in action will be on September 24, 2016, and Grace UMC will once again field a group of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to help on September 24, contact Jeff Walton, our CareFest Coordinator, at jtdgrp@yahoo.com or 904-322-1444. If you are in need of assistance with a minor repair or minor maintenance project, such as having a room painted or having the exterior of your home cleaned, also contact Jeff, and he will assist you in submitting your project request to CareFest. Through working together to help others, we create a testimony of love and service.

STRATEGIC VISION UPDATES:

SEPTEMBER 8th Church Council Meeting 6:30pm SEPTEMBER 10th Church Council Meeting with George Bullard 9-10:30am SEPTEMBER 11th Church-wide Gathering Celebrating “What God’s Been Saying to Us”, 5-6:30pm

BUSY FINGERS Do you enjoy handwork or would like to learn to knit or crochet? Please join the group that meet on Thursdays to learn and share your knowledge The shawls, baby blankets, and afghans that are made are available for anyone in the church or friend

of a church member. Contact Vee for more information budvee@bellsouth.net . The Busy Fingers meet on Thursdays except for the second Thursday of the month: September 1st, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

CHOIR REHEARSALS RESUME WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th AT 7pm Our choir is back to weekly services beginning Sunday, September 18th, and in preparation, rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 7th at 7pm. It’s a great time to get involved if you have an interest. Great if you have experience, but fine if you don’t! We meet in the Sanctuary. Hope to see you there!

CARE TEAM Are you looking for a way to make a difference in someone's life? The Care Team is looking for dedicated and friendly folks to visit our members who can no longer attend worship. If you feel God's call to this ministry, please contact Lark James at 904-825-4230 or Becky Weiss at 904-794-7199.

FIRST WEDNESDAY COMMUNITY DINNERS Our First Wednesday Community Dinners have been a big hit in the past. We look forward to seeing you when we start up again on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:30pm (NOTE: new time). The entrée (Fried Chicken) and drinks will be provided by the church. Please bring side-dishes and desserts to share. Please RSVP before 3pm on Tuesday, September 6th. Help is needed to set up and clean up. Please contact Peggy Namie/Office if you are able to help… (904-829-8272) or email office@gracestaugustine.org

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3rd Shirley Dunkle 4th Paula Merritt 5th L.C. Cole 6th Fran Lake 7th John Dunkle 8th Brenda Blake • Dale Hensel 9th Jaycie Leibin 12th Kalia Chaconas • Dina Taylor 14th Cindy Amy • Harlan Trofholz 15th Terri Thompson 16th Penny Colee 17th Carol Vander Wal 19th Miles Minkoff • Linda Mullins • Robert Peter 22nd Norma Day 23rd Sidney Forrest • Andrew Santoro 24th Barbara Dennison • June Miles 25th Jonathan Osgood 26th Jerry Broyhill 27th John Flynt • Steven Kleiber

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 1st Harry & Marjorie Daugherty 7th Roy & Brenda Blake 10th J.B. & Mary Jane Hunt 25th Steve & Debi Ziemer 26th Walt & Dottie Hardy

CIRCLE OF CONCERN

Please lift up in prayer: all unspoken prayer requests, Grace United Methodist Church, Phyllis Reed Adzima, Elwyn Kinney, Betty Fleming, Carlos Avilles, Francessca Bellavista, Mark Hunt, Norm Allmen, Claudia Johns, Jason Morehead, Haleigh McKee, Jason Harvey Breeze, James Jarrard, Jr., Judi Smith, Louise Brown, Norman Pickett, Elaine Edwards, Judy Kieffer, Dan Kingston, Marc Anthony Johnston, Vinny Louden, Jean Backlund, Craft Family, Sally Barnhart, Elaine Hudson Tillman, Christina Shaffer, Lyndia Namie, Eddie Walker, Audrey Jarrard, Family of Mariana A. Shorb Allegro: Fred Grubb Bartram Brooks Rehab: Cindy Amy, Bill Amy Bayview: Elaine Frenzke Bayview—The Pavilion: Don Allen, Isabel Garner Brookdale: Lovie Fox, Maria Schineller Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home: Jim Donnelly Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center: Elwyn Kinney St. Augustine Health & Rehab: Lila Reyes, Erich Geyer Westminster Woods: Midge Berger In the Military: Phil Smith, Lt. Col.,USAF, Joel Prevatt, US Air Force, Maj. Will Bermeo, Lt Jg. Christopher Bordino-US Navy, Jacob Bradley, M Sgt. Kat Brumfield-US Air Force, Brandon Burnette-US Army, Nicholas Callahan, Brandon W. Clark, Capt. Jimmy Harris—US Army, ISC Ray LeMieux, SSgt Miles Massey/USAF-OSI, Brian Riggenbach, MAC Albert J. Spiess, Master Sgt. Justin Smarr, CTR Mark Spurling, Jr., Jason Strohmetz, Thessalomica Vila-Navy, Tom Wetmore, John Young, Jr., Haley Parks, USAF

MISSION OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER: The Methodist Church in Cuba is bringing people to Christ in unprecedented numbers. They are doing so by planting cells (like our small groups), which become missions (with a part-time pastor). When worship facilities become available, and when the pastor builds the congregation they become a full church. This is how Grace became partnered with our sister church" Spring of Life" in Havana. Four years ago they started with about twelve members. When I went there three years ago Reverend Kimy had 85 members. Last January there were over 250. The poverty inherent in Cuba makes it difficult for the Church to buy houses for these new churches. Methodists United in Prayer is helping out; there is a new Cuba House Church Advance program with 100% of the funds going toward house church . We have led the way by helping them expand three times and now we are preparing for their fourth expansion. The cost of the unit is $3000.00. We hope to raise that this year, and do the rebuilding necessary starting next spring. We are working to make it possible for our members from Grace to do the work. Anyone wanting to make a contribution to the purchased of this next housing unit please mark your check and envelope Cuba Building Fund. Thanks to everyone involved and we ask for your prayers as well as your support! Pete Royal

POTLUCK AT THE PARSONAGE FOR CLASS LEADERS AND GROUP DISCUSSION LEADERS All Sunday School class and other Small Group leaders and those who may be interesting in being a class leader or a group dis-cussion leader are invited to join us at the Parsonage on Friday evening, September 9, 2016, at 6:30, for a time of fellowship and getting to know one another, support and sharing of ideas. Bring a covered dish if you would like, but it is not required. We hope you will plan on attending! Please RSVP to Debra Gibson (904-540-3649, email dgg0613@yahoo.com) or Peggy Namie in the church office (904-829-8272, email office@gracestaugustine.org).

If your name is not located in the birthdays or anniversaries and it should be, please contact Peggy Namie in the church office via phone 904-829-8272 or email office@gracestaugustine.org . Thank you!

TECHNICAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED If you work on a computer or have ever run a power point or slide show, we could use your help! We are creating a Tech Team that can help with running the slideshows during the services. We are also looking for people who would like to learn to create the slideshows and work with the Tech Team. There are a few of us who are making this work right now, but we need more people. Please let the pastors or Mildred Thomas know if you are interested.

MISSION FAIR IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th Mark your calendars for the second annual Grace UMC Mission Fair to be held on Sunday, September 11th. Display boards showcasing our various missions will be set up around the Fellowship Hall that morning. Representatives from each mission will be on hand following the 9:15am and 11am services to explain their missions and to answer your questions. You will also have an opportunity to sign up to volunteer. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there. Lynn Miller, Missions

GUMC BOY SCOUT TROOP 243 GUMC BSA Troop 243 visited with 1st UMC BSA Troop 205 on Monday night August 15th, 2016, to open the door to the possi-bility of sharing activities and experiences. After each troop member introduced themselves, the scouts immediately started conversations getting to know each other better. While at 1st UMC T243 participated in T205’s meeting and knot tying relay activity. T243 leadership shared their remaining 2016 calendar and Historical Trails information with T205. The prospect of the two troops sharing activities seems to have everyone excited. Scoutmaster GUMC Troop 243, Roy Blake

REPORTING FOR THE MONTH OF JULY-

DINING WITH DIGNITY in July—Served 49

General Fund

Needed through July $ 402,332

Received through July $ 389,290

Mission Offerings:

Mission Trip to Cuba $ 2,981

Transportation $ 946

Youth Mission Trip $ 1,826

Stop Hunger Now $ 1,673

Florida Conference $ 700

VBS Mission Project $ 1,250

Gideons $ 620

Children’s Home $ 3,273

Young Life Capernaum $ 220

Love Offering to Pastor Jim $ 280

PDF $ 511

OFFICE HOURS: The office hours for Grace United Methodist Church are:

Main Office: Monday & Friday, 9am—3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am—3pm/Peggy Namie—Office Administrator Finance Office: Tuesday & Thursday, 9am—3pm/Nataliya Birmingham—Church Treasurer

DEADLINES FOR CHURCH PUBLICATIONS: →WEEKLY BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY 2PM THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO THE BULLETIN THAT THE INFORMATION IS TO BE INCLUDED IN: September 11th bulletin—submissions are due by September 7th, 2pm September 18th bulletin—submissions are due by September 14th, 2pm September 25th bulletin—submissions are due by September 21st, 2pm October 2nd bulletin—submissions are due by September 28th, 2pm →NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS FOR THE OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE OF GRACE NOTES ARE DUE BY 2pm Tuesday, September 20th

THANK YOU! Canned goods/non-perishable items - COLLECTION CONTINUES We will continue to collect items for St. Francis House. Thank you for your generous support!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

The GUMC ride on the Christmas Red

Train will take place on Thursday, De-

cember 1st. Plan on an evening of FUN,

FELLOWSHIP, and FOOD! The cost: $10

per adult & $5 per child. In November more

details will be announced and you may

begin signing up for the event then.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS: Video Tech • Fellowship Time Host/Hostess First Wednesday Community Meal Host/Hostess Ushers. Please contact the Office if you are interested in volunteering for any of these needs office@gracestaugustine.org or 904-829-8272

Children’s Ministry Thanks You! Several of our families recently went to the Parks & Recreation Department to thank all the mainte-nance workers that keep our county parks in such fantastic shape. Over the summer, our kids and families met at differ-ent parks each Wednesday for a time to play and build friendships. We had such a wonderful time and we wanted to show our appreciation to all the men and women that made it

possible. So after a call to Dale, the supervisor, to find out that he has 59 workers on staff, we set to work making smores and cards for each and every one of them. Then we met at the church and caravanned over to their office to surprise the workers with not only our treats, but a loud “Thank You” greeting, and a handshake along with a personal face-to-face thank you to each and every worker. The original plan was for the kids to make the smores and cards and I would drop them off, but Dale thought the workers would like to see the kids, and he was right—they actually made a big fuss out of THANKING US for thanking THEM! It was a great experience for all involved and just one simple way we found to take the LIGHT OF JESUS to the world!! Way to BE THE SALT kids!!

PowerHouse! A family worship & study time with the

goal of giving our families what they

need to take the POWER of GOD into

their HOUSE as they become followers

of Jesus.

PowerHouse! Will meet Wed. Sept. 7th

5:00—6:30. We will begin with a time of

fellowship on the church lawn to catch

up with friends, welcome newcomers,

and grab a snack. Then we will move to

the sanctuary for a time of worship and

study with the whole family present.

Ending with a time for parents to discuss

how to reinforce this message at home

for the month while the kids will head

upstairs for a special project based on

what we learned together.

Schedule Change for Bible Tales for Tots We are making a change to the day and time for our Bible Tales for Tots this fall to Friday mornings at 11:00. Bible Tales for Tots is a family story-time program for preschool children and their mommies, daddies, grandparents, or babysitters/nannies. It is a time for our youngest to interact with different bible stories through puppets, drama, crafts, and music. Bible Tales for Tots also provides much needed time for the caregivers to spend time supporting each other and sharing parenting experiences.

Looking For Dory—Finding God

WE have been having a great time at Dory Camp. We have talked about Dory’s weakness, our weaknesses, and how God gives us strength when we ask for help. We have been learning some great songs, doing fun crafts, and learning from the Bible how God helped others with weaknesses.

Grace Kids Wednesday Camp is held every Wednesday from 5:00—6:30pm for kids age 3 years through 5th grade.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST MEN’S BREAKFAST Attention Grace United Methodist Men (GUMM) I hope to see each of you on Saturday, 09/17, for the GUMM’s breakfast. We will gather for our fellowship time beginning at 8am in theFellowship Hall with a hearty breakfast to follow. Our speakers are Leah Kadwell, who will be giving us an update about her work with India’s “untouchables” and Jeff Walton, who will be telling us about his recently published book, Final Departure. See you on the 17th and bring a friend. Steve Ziemer

BISHOP’S TOWN HALL MEETINGS

You are invited to join Bishop Carter and other clergy and laity from around your region for an evening of conversation. • Call for Unity • A Time for Questions and Answers • Highlights of Key Future Initiatives Tuesday, September 20 > Trinity UMC, Gainesville

Thursday, September 22 > St. Luke’s UMC, Orlando

Sunday, September 25 > Christ UMC, Fort Lauderdale

Monday, September 26 > Grace UMC, Cape Coral

Each evening gathering will be preceded by light appetizers

For more information, or to register, please visit flumc.org/townhall

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES The United Methodist Church North East District Lay Servant Ministries Caring, Leading, Communicating The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church September 23 & 24, 2016 Friday 6:30pm—9pm and Saturday, 8:30am—5pm Classes will be held at Howe Memorial United Methodist Church 252 South Summit Street, Crescent City, Florida 32112-2744 386-698-2635. The purpose of Lay Servant Ministries is to equip the laity to realize and respond to their call to ministry. For more information, contact: Linda Cumbie 904-463-1074 luverofangels01!yahoo.com Registration forms are located in the office, sanctuary, and on the table in the breezeway. In an effort to bestow radical hospitality, we are asking that anyone interested in attending to complete and either mail or drop off their registration forms at the District Office. Please no walk-in registrations on the day of the event. All participants must attend the entire 10 hours of training in order to receive certification. Basic Course—Lay Speaking Ministries Advanced Course—Pray for Me—The Power In Praying for others Advanced course—All the Places to Go: How Will You Know? For Course fee refer to the registration brochures posted on the Breezeway Hallway Bulletin Board. Registration Deadline is September 10th.

2017 WOMEN’S RETREAT UPDATE

2017 Women's Retreat Old and New Testament Scripture verses for the weekends.

The Theme for the 2017 Women’s Retreat is “Peace.” The 2017 brochures will be mailed in September and registration will open on November 1st. We will be distributing copies of the brochure as soon as it is available, and women of Grace who desire to go as a group will be meeting the first part of October (date to be announced) to choose the weekend we will go. We hope you will join us! Save the dates and mark your calendars now for one of 3 weekends in 2017:

1. Dates: January 20 -22, 2017 Keynote: Sabrina Tu Bible Leader: Emily Knight Music Leader: Donna Allen

2. February 10 -12, 2017 Keynote: Juana Jordan Bible Leader: Sarah Baldridge Music Leader: Belinda Womack

3. March 3 -5, 2017 Keynote: Sheryl Marks-Williams Bible Leader: Lisa Stamp Music Leader: Belinda Womack

The registration fee is approximately $180 and includes lodging and meals. Scholarships are also available!

We invite you to join us for this awesome time of laughter, sharing and praise! Come enjoy great Bible study led by female ministers, amazing music, fun activities or a time of quiet contemplation or rest and relaxation – not to speak of lots of good food, fellowship and friendship.

If you would like to join us or if you have questions, please contact Debra Gibson (904-540-3649 or email dgg0613@yahoo.com), Elaine Edwards (904-599-2593 or email pehe.edwards@gmail.com) or Barbara Ervin (904-540-5272 or email baervin@bellsouth.net). You may also read more and see photos from last year’s retreat on the Florida United Methodist Conference Women’s Retreats Facebook page. Commit today to come with us for this uplifting and re-energizing weekend!

NEW WEDNESDAY NOON BIBLE STUDY Join us for the New Wednesday Noon Bible Study. This Bible Study will be based on the book “More to Your Story—Discover Your Place in God’s Plan” by author Max Lucado. The facilitator for this study is Bruce Long. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by calling Peggy Namie in the Church Office 904-829-8272 or email office@gracestaugustine.org . This Bible Study begins on Wednesday, September 14th at Noon. This is a six to seven week study.

MONEY AND FOLLOWING JESUS In our Disciple’s Path workbook there is a chapter entitled GIFTS – Financial Generosity. Author and Pastor Jim Harnish spells out the basis for our generosity in simple, profound terms: • God created everything • God owns everything • As disciples of Jesus, we are not owners of our possessions but trustees of things that belong to God. You might say that disciples of Jesus are compelled to live and give according to the instructions (mission) of the Owner and Creator of our stuff. We are not free to use our possessions and wealth just any way we want to based on whim or mood. To put it another way, we are executors of God’s estate. Disciples exist to execute the will of the Owner! Dr. Harnish goes on to say that unless we first buy into this basic understanding of discipleship and stewardship, we cannot go much further. If we do buy in, then a whole new understanding opens up before us! This “buy in” enabled John Wesley to preach about money and possessions and giving saying, “Gain all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.” And he never spoke of the first two apart from the last one. In other words, the earning and the saving had no meaning apart from strengthening our capacity to give. Now, we can all quickly identify how subversive this whole line of reasoning is in our culture and political and economic sys-tems! Any Madison Avenue ad executive will tell you that the genius of a great advertisement is that it establishes an emo-tional connection in the mind and heart of the consumer. I need to have a gut reaction to that car or make-up or garment or vacation spot or any product subtly believing that it will make me better, stronger, prettier, more successful, more attractive. The Bibles teachings on giving and generosity are not based on these cultural values. The Scriptures and the Church talk about tithing (for example) based on the assumption that it all belongs to God. And our disciplines in giving – such as giving 10% (or any intentional percentage of our income/resources) are based on our need to re-align ourselves to the true Own-er and Creator of our wealth and our stuff. Living in the burgeoning Industrial Revolution in England in the 1700’s, John Wesley observed the power of vast accumula-tion of money and capital in the world. And he was adamant about the spiritual pitfalls regarding this same wealth: Money never stays with me; it would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find a way into my heart.

In fact, John Wesley lived out this understanding with his own income. When he began as a young Anglican priest in the 1730’s, his annual income was 20 pounds. He tithed 2 and lived on 18. When he died in 1788, Wesley’s income was 200 pounds (!). He still lived on 18 and gave away 182! More than a 1000% increase in giving over his lifetime! Wesley knew that getting our heart and spirit in the right place is the key. This is why Jesus pointed to the poor widow giv-ing her tiny coins in the Temple that day as a prime example, “she has put in more than all of them.” It is not (and never has been) the size of our gifts to God and God’s Church that matters. It is the heart and spirit and inten-tionality behind our gift that matters! The Scriptures are clear. We are to give whatever we give to God off the top, as first fruits. Then, trust God to help us make best use of all that is left. And you know, I’ve yet to talk to anyone who tithed or gave generously … and missed it! I’ve never heard anyone say, “Boy I sure wish I had not given so much to the Church.” No, when we get our heart right, we find that God opens up a new perspective on our giving, our living, our efforts, our prayers, our talents and the 101 small ways that we go the extra degree to make a difference.

God never asks you to do everything. God simply asks us (in the words of John Wesley) to do whatever good we can, how-ever we can, to whomever we can, where ever we can, whenever we can, for as long as we can. And to trust God for the results! And that is why we give to the church … because there ought to be a place and there ought to be a people. There ought to be a place dedicated to the notion that every single human being is a precious child of God of immeasurable worth and a people dedicated to sharing that love. There ought to be a place and a people where anyone can come and receive the grace and love of God revealed in Jesus Christ and receive the care and hospitality of God’s people. There is too much pain and heartache and defeat and fear in this world for us to be about anything else. There ought to be a place and a people that lifts up children and youth with support, safety, love, peace and encourage-ment; where young people can dream big dreams, ponder big questions, reach for their full potential and in so doing learn to know God’s love. There ought to be a place and people dedicated to the bigger vision and to deeper prayer; where the elders are respected and lifted up as the best resource of stories and values and truth and light and hop There ought to be a place and people that proclaims without apology that all we have and all that we are is a gift from God. There ought to be a place and a people giving their very best to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus Christ. There is such a place and such people! It is the Church and we are it!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW CHORAL INTERN

Brian Matthews is a senior at Flagler College, double majoring in theatre arts and art history. At the col-lege, he serves as Outreach Chair for Artists Striving to End Poverty, as well as Vice President of Alpha Psi Omega, a national theatre honor society. Most recently, Brian was seen as Sheriff Joe Sutter in Flagler’s spring musical, The Spitfire Grill. He is excited to embark on this new opportunity with Grace UMC.

WELCOME BACK TO OUR RETURNING CHORAL INTERNS Mackenzie Taylor is currently in her third year at Flagler College pursuing a degree in History with a concentration in Public History. She has been singing her whole life with her schools, with vocal lessons and in musicals, and has been a part of many choirs, including the United Girls Choir in Connecticut and most recently, Martin County High School's OPUS. She is super excited and honored to be an intern for our choir and looks forward to the beautiful music we will be making together. Rebecca Woods is a Senior at Flagler College studying Graphic Design and Theatre Arts. Throughout her academic years she has sung in Ithaca’s CSMA choir as well as several church worship groups. She was an alto sectional leader in her high-school’s acclaimed acapella group “Beyond Measure”, and has a pro-duced single—”Perfect World” - through Christian record label “New Vine Media”. She is incredibly hap-py and humbled to get to be a part of Grace United Methodist’s Choir and looks forward to working with them throughout the semester.