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O P E N & A F F I R M I N G FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Faithful Follower
The Faithful Follower is published monthly by Faith United Church of Christ. Editor: Faith Quici
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8
IN THIS ISSUE o From Your Moderator
pg 1
o Worship Volunteers
pg 2
o Church Happenings
pg 3
o New Members
Pg 4
o Church Photos
pg 5 & 6
o Council Minutes
Pg 7
o Staff Page
Pg 8
o January 2019 Calendar
pg 9
new council members will be
approved. If you would like a topic to
be added to the agenda please let
me know by noon on Sunday, January
20.
Mark your 2019 calendar for the
Jabberwocky potluck brunch on
Sunday, January 13. I’m sure you will
find an article on the Jabberwocky
event within this issue of the
“Follower”.
Also, mark your calendar for Dinner &
Dessert to be at the home of Denny
and Judy Wetter on Friday, January
18. It is always a good time at the
Wetter’s home!
As I complete my first year as your
Moderator, I hope I have done a job
that you have been satisfied with. I
feel my first year was a learning year
and as I enter into the second year of
my two-year term, I will be following
my own instincts for the better of Faith
Church. I do thank you for your
support, both praise and constructive
criticism and I welcome both in 2019.
In closing my first message of the New
Year, I wish you peace, good health,
and happiness in 2019. Happy New
Year!
Fondly,
Richard
From Your Moderator As we close out one year and open
another, the first thing that comes to
my mind is to thank those volunteers
who have devoted many hours to
Faith Church. I know I will miss some
very important players, but please
know if I fail to mention your name it
is not because your work was any
less important than others.
I would like to thank the following
council members: Dorathy Gallo,
Donna Blakey, Linda VanBuskirk,
Sheryl Overheidt-Smith, Barbara
Brownell and Marge Hooie. Also on
council, I would like to thank those
members who will not be returning
to their roles: Richard Card and
Teddy Sotis and a special thank you
for their years of service to Denny
and Judy Wetter.
Of course, there are those who serve
on Faith’s various committees and
who help keep Faith Church running
smoothly from behind the scenes –
thank you to those members!
Thank you to our Sunday morning
volunteers: Anita, Bruce, Wade,
Earleen and Hatti. Thank you to all!
We need each and every one.
Please sign up to get your picture
taken for the church photo
directory. In order to make this
directory a success, we need each
and every member to participate.
The dates are January 28 and 29.
We need each and every one. (Did I
just say that?)
Mark your calendar for the Annual
Congregational Meeting on Sunday,
January 27, immediately following
the service. Of course, the budget
will be submitted for your vote and
PICTURE
DAYS January
28 & 29, 2019
REMINDER ANNUAL
CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING Sunday, January 27 immediately
following the service.
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W O R S H I P
VOLUNTEERS
If you are interested in signing up to
be a greeter, usher or scripture
reader, please contact our Worship
Team Leader or simply sign up on
the bulletin board.
JOIN US WEEKEND SCHEDULE
J a n 6 , 2 0 1 8
Council Sunday
Scripture: Marge Hooie
Sunday school: Hatti Damianos and
Earleen Nutting
J a n 1 3 , 2 0 1 8 Flowers Available
Greeters: Available
Scripture: Connar Felix Ushers: Available
Sunday school: Hatti Damianos and
Earleen Nutting
J a n 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 Flowers Available
Greeters: Available
Scripture: Joan Sheehan Ushers: Available
Sunday school: Hatti Damianos and
Earleen Nutting
J a n 2 7 , 2 0 1 8 Flowers Available
Greeters: Available
Scripture: Marge Kirchner Ushers: Available
Sunday school: Hatti Damianos and
Earleen Nutting
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CHURCH HAPPENINGS
Winter Adult Study Sunday Mornings at 9 AM and Thursdays at 7 pm we will study the
History of Christianity: The First 2000 Years, an A&E documentary. After
doing the first 4 episodes last January, this year we will start with the
year 1,000 AD and trace the movements and historical events that
brought us to where we are today. Each episode reveals the
struggles and victories of each time period. This study was very
popular last year. We will start on Thursday evening, January 10, and
will run through Sunday, February 3.
If you were not part of the first study you can review episodes 1-4 on
YouTube at the address below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WftBqgqd_FE&list=PLhYCEEAvQE
0gINi3JNXZm_Eo7h2LA7mfV
All Church Retreat Please mark your calendars for the evening of Friday, March 8, and
the day of Saturday, March 9, when we will be holding an All-Church
Retreat.
In terms of content, planning will begin in earnest after the holidays.
But we do know the retreat will be loosely on the topics of God’s love,
spiritual growth, and growing closer to one another as a community.
Neal Watkins, who will lead us, is the Florida Conference Director of
Faith Formation and will be working closely with a small committee of
church members, and Pastor Jude, to plan. Please pray for Neal and
The Planning Committee as we seek God’s will for this special time
together.
Final Details about location and times will be forthcoming.
Social Action and Missions MANATEE COUNTY FOOD BANK for JANUARY is: Pet Food
Downtown Ministries: Every first and third Tuesday of the month. We
are meeting January 1 and 15.
SAVE THE DATE: Kiwanis Food Packing Event: February 9
FAITH PRESCHOOL Wendi Steinbach, Director
Greetings from Faith Preschool.......
Our "Pancake Breakfast with Santa" at Applebee's was a wonderful
success! The children really enjoyed seeing Santa and it was so nice
to see so many families from the past and present come out and join
us.
The children did a fantastic job performing for their families at our
preschool holiday program. It was a joy to see their smiling faces on
stage. After the program, the families enjoyed refreshments together.
We will be closed from December 24 until January 7 for winter break
and the preschool will be back in session on Tuesday, January 8.
We wish everyone a “Happy New Year”!
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT –
November 2018 Total income $ 23,626.61
Total expenses $ 22,670.62
Net Ordinary Income $ 955.99
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This January
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST
SAT, JAN 5, AT 9:00 AM We will enjoy breakfast at Sage Biscuit
located at 1401 Manatee Ave W,
Bradenton, FL 34205, in downtown
Bradenton. After breakfast, join us for
a stroll around the Bradenton
Farmer’s Market. Please sign up by
January 3 if you would like to attend.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
SAT, JAN 5, AT 8AM We will gather for breakfast together
at D’s in Palmetto. Please sign up if
you would like to join us.
DINNER AND DESSERT
FRI, JAN 18, AT 6:00PM Thank you to Denny and Judy Wetter
for hosting the January Dinner and
Dessert pizza party. Please sign up
and list your favorite pizza and also
with what you would like to bring as a
dessert, appetizer or salad. Pizza and
drinks will be provided.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY
HOSPITATLITY
FRI, DEC 30, AFTER SERVICE
COMING UP… The Crop Walk is coming up at the
end of February. Information and a
sign-up will be available soon.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Do you want to see Faith’s
children’s ministry grow? Then
let’s be prepared. Please
sign up to serve once a month, in
either the nursery or Sunday school
class. Please contact Babs Brownell
if you would like more information.
Call: 941.747.964
ONECO FLORIST 941.756.1556 When ordering flowers through the
church, please sign up on the Flower
Chart. Flowers orders are $25. Oneco
Florist is offering Church members $5
off their first arrangement. Just
mention this article.
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FELLOWSHIP HAPPENINGS
It’s Gonna’ Be Fun! Faith UCC is having a Jabberwocky Brunch Potluck on January 13, 2019,
immediately after the service. What’s THAT you ask? It is a silly, nonsense
brunch with excellent potluck dishes and mismatched everything!! Maybe
you’ll have an Easter napkin and a Halloween plate, a Christmas cup on
a bright blue tablecloth. It is a great way to use up our leftover paper
products. So wear a crazy outfit, don a foolish hat, create a tasty dish, get
in a silly mood and ATTEND. Sign up on the bulletin board by January 10.
Need more info?- ask Sheryl Overheidt- Smith.
Fellowship and Fun Abound The beginning of the New Year is filled with many social events for our
Faith family and friends. There are brunches, potlucks, a Chili Cook-off
(yep, it’s back), themed hospitalities, birthday hospitalities, men’s and
women’s breakfasts, outings, a Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, Dinner and
Desserts, a Blessing of the Animals event, a Crop Walk, Pride Fest and a
beach service/barbecue. Our church is growing and thriving and we
need your help at all the events to make sure of their success. Please talk
with Sheryl Overhedit-Smith to see how you can help.
Education and Embracing Marge Kirchner
As part of SAM's committee, the area I chose to work with is finding help
for transgender people in Manatee County; I continue to work with that
issue and hopefully, we'll be able to find some support for our transgender
residents.
Here at Faith, we have our special guys, Jeff and Connar and they are a
loving part of our Community of Faith. In the New Year, there will be a
program to help us reflect on their particular challenges. We love them
and support them, but do we know about their challenges?
There is a TV show on TLC called “I Am Jazz” which examines the life of a
transgender young person and her family involvement. She is now a
young woman, but she knew she was a girl from the time she was about 2
years old. Her amazing family has embraced her and supported her
throughout her life and have given TV watchers insight into this often
neglected area of our populace.
The new season of “I Am Jazz” begins on January 1 at 10:00. P.M.
(Channel 46 – Spectrum or channel 139 on Fios). It would be wonderful if
our congregation could watch the weekly shows to bring knowledge to
ourselves as we embrace Jeff and Connar.
Spirits and Spirituality After a successful trial run in November, Spirits and Spirituality will return in
January with two groups.
One group will meet the first and third Mondays at 6 pm (discussion
doesn’t start until 6:30) and a second group will meet at lunchtime on the
second Wednesdays of the month (starting on January 9)
We are still searching out a quieter and more comfortable location. If
you have a favorite place that might work let us know and we will
contact them!
You, in Choir? "No Way!" "Yes, Way!" Our new Music Leader, Carly Rafferty is doing a great job leading the
choir. We will resume rehearsals on Thursday, January 10 at 5 pm! We
are always looking for new voices to join our merry band of music makers,
so come on down and give it a try!
4 NEW MEMBERS
The following members were received on
December 2, 2018: (L to R)
Liv Coleman, Matt Lepinski,
Connar Felix, Barbara Edens, Donald
Coveleskle, and PJ Widerman.
NEW MEMBER PROFILES:
Don Coveleskie
How long have you lived in Bradenton - a little over two years.
Where did you live prior to moving here - in Collegeville Pennsylvania.
Are you retired? Yes
What is/was your occupation? I did technical software sales - mostly SAP related.
What is the name of your home/most recent church? Trinity United Church of Christ in Collegeville.
Why did you pick Faith UCC as your church? Reminded me of home and the people are so friendly.
Hobbies, Special Interests, etc... Gardening, reading, and getting people to register and vote.
Barbara Lynn Edens
How long have you lived in Bradenton – 11 years.
Where did you live prior to moving here - Colorado
Are you retired? Yes
What is/was your occupation? Retail
Why did you pick Faith UCC as your church? I like the people and enjoy the service.
Hobbies, Special Interests, etc... Reading, using my computer and talking to people.
PJ Widerman
How long have you lived in Bradenton – 1 year.
Where did you live prior to moving here - Baltimore County, Maryland.
Are you retired? Yes
What is/was your occupation? Environmental compliance officer- Baltimore County Government
What is the name of your home/most recent church? Maryland Presbyterian Church.
Why did you pick Faith UCC as your church? Relocation from Maryland to Florida left us with a large gap to meet
our spiritual needs in a church that could provide what we had at Maryland Presbyterian, i.e., welcoming,
affirming and progressive faith community. With the help of our former Pastor’s research, we found it at Faith
UCC.
Hobbies, Special Interests, etc... Reading, walking, swimming, golf, bowling (for fun, not blood), gardening,
social gatherings with friends, volunteer with OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College, Travel.
Connar Felix
How long have you lived in Bradenton – lived in Tampa 18 years.
Where did you live prior to moving here - Illinois
Are you retired? No
What is/was your occupation? Probation specialist for Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
What is the name of your home/most recent church? MCC Tampa
Why did you pick Faith UCC as your church? Started coming because of my then partner/now husband. Felt at
home and decided to switch churches.
Hobbies, Special Interests, etc... Reading, Art, Music, going to the beach, going to museums, etc.
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Church Council Minutes Faith United Church of Christ
December 10, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM. Those present
were, Richard Dilts, Donna Blakey (via Facetime), Dorathy
Gallo, Linda VanBuskirk, Marge Hooie, Pastor Brian, Sheryl
Overheidt-Smith, Denny Wetter, and Judy Wetter. Visitors were
PJ Widerman, Jennifer Hargis and Marge Kirchner.
Pastor Brian opened the meeting with prayer.
Moderator, Richard Dilts introduced the visitors.
A motion was made by Linda VanBuskirk and seconded by
Denny Wetter to accept the minutes from the November 12,
2018 Council Meeting as printed. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Marge Hooie and seconded by
Donna Blakey to accept the Financial Secretary’s October
report. The motion passed.
Dorathy Gallo made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s
Reports for November. The motion was seconded by Marge
Hooie and passed. The Treasurer reported that the Stock
Account has been opened with United Church Funds. If
anyone chooses to donate stock to the church it can now
easily be sold through this account.
The December, January and February calendars were
presented and added to throughout the meeting.
Pastor’s Report – Pastor Brian mentioned that Christmas
caroling will be held on December 23 at 1:30 PM ending at the
Bagley-Bonners. Beginning on January 13 and January 16
there will be a study of the video “The Last 1,000 Years of
Christianity.” February will see a return of Dreams and Visions;
Ash Wednesday will be March 6; Blessing of the Animals on
March 2; Easter is April 21 and April 28 is our next beach
service. He also mentioned recent visitors. Pastor Judy was not
in attendance but Pastor Brian gave her report. There will be
an all church retreat on March 8 with a focus on Spiritual
Growth and Community. Sylvia Hull will lead the worship
service on December 30. Carly will be gone on June 6 for a
previously scheduled family cruise, Rob West will provide
special music that day and Anita will be at the piano.
Old Business:
The following have agreed to serve on the Council in 2019:
Richard Dilts, Moderator; Marge Kirchner, Deputy Moderator;
Financial Secretary, Dorathy Gallo; Treasurer, Donna Blakey;
Secretary, Connar Felix; Building and Grounds, PJ Widerman;
Christian Education, Marge Hooie; Community Outreach,
Linda VanBuskirk; Events and Fellowship; Sheryl Overheidt-
Smith; Faith Care, Jenny Crocker and Lynne Keane; Social
Action and Mission, Babs Brownell; Worship, Jennifer Hargis.
The January meeting will include outgoing and incoming
members and will be held at Richard’s home.
Volunteers will be needed during the time LifeTouch will be
taking pictures for our new directory.
Linda VanBuskirk reported on the Policy and Procedure
Manual. Two people have turned in their procedures.
The deadline is January 14 for this information.
There was no update on the sign.
New Business:
Pastor Brian discussed the new UCC program for a Medical
Savings Plan for all employees. After a brief discussion a
motion was made to set up the plan for Faith UCC
employees, for those who wish to participate. A motion
was made by Richard Dilts and seconded by Linda
VanBuskirk to open the account with the fee of $100 and
adopt the following resolution: Resolved that, the Flexible
Benefit Plan for UCC Ministries that operates in and is
administered through The Pension Boards-United Church of
Christ, Inc. be, and the same hereby is adopted for the
employees of Faith United Church of Christ of Manatee
County, Inc. and
Resolved further, that such Plan shall include provision for
participating clergy and lay employees to elect a health
care reimbursement account, a dependent care account
or both according to Plan provisions that are substantially of
the manner described in the attached materials; and
Resolved further, that this Plan shall be made available to
our clergy and lay employees as soon as administratively
feasible.
The motion passed.
A brief discussion was held concerning the sound system
and the Media Shout program.
There was a discussion on the Stewardship campaign and
the proposed budget.
Department and Committee Reports:
Committees:
Building & Grounds: Denny Wetter reported that the
solution to the commode problem is water pressure and
recommended that a bladder tank be installed. He is in the
process of getting additional quotes since the first was $950.
Events and Fellowship: Sheryl Overheidt-Smith reported on
upcoming events, December 30 Birthday Hospitality;
January 13 Jabberwocky Church potluck; January 18
Dinner and Dessert at the Wetter’s; January 20 Birthday
Hospitality; March 5 Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper.
SAM: The committee is exploring a spending plan for mission
money.
Worship: Marge asked for volunteers for Sunday, January 6.
Communion– Sheryl Overheidt-Smith, Donna Blakey,
Dorathy Gallo and Judy Wetter; Marge Hooie – Scripture.
Un-decorating the Christmas tree will be on January 9 at
10:00 AM
Pastor Brian closed the meeting with prayer at 8:14 PM.
The next Council Meeting will be held on Monday, January
14, 2019 at 6:30PM at the home of Richard Dilts.
Respectfully Submitted
Judy Wetter, Secretary
8 Your Staff
Pastors Rev. Brian and
Rev. Judy
Bagley-Bonner
Cell:
941-718-3132
(with Janie)
PASTORS’ OFFICE HOURS Monday- Thursday mornings
Please contact us to make an
appointment.
We are not in the office Fridays.
Church Office Hours MONDAY-FRIDAY
9 AM - 12 PM
746-8890
Fax 746-0670
Secretary Faith Quici
Music Leader Carly Rafferty
Anita Porter – Pianist
Bruce Covey – Media Specialist
Arlene Smith – Hired Treasurer
Hatti Damianos & Earleen Nutting -
Sunday school Teachers
Don Duncan – IT Support
Faith UCC Email:
Faith Website:
faithchurchucc.com
Members of the Prayer Team want to keep the prayer list current.
Please advise us when you would like a name removed from the list.
SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST
If you, a member of your family, or someone you know is ill or
hospitalized, please let the office know as soon as possible. A member of
Faith Church would like to make a visit to bring God’s word of comfort.
The church office telephone number is 746-8890 or email at
Joan
Sheehan
941.748.2498
Janis Groth
941.779.6988
Marge Hooie
941. 447.4193
Helen Nutting
941. 747.2734
Sheryl
Overheidt-
Smith
941.776.5589
Prayer Team If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, call one of the following:
2019 Church Council Please see Moderator, Richard Dilts, if you are interested
in joining the 2019 church council. We will vote on
nominations at the annual congregational meeting on
Sunday, January 27, immediately following the morning
service.
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JANUARY 2019 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 Office is closed New Year’s Day 6:30pm Downtown Ministries
2 7pm BAC
3 7:15pm NA and NarAnon
4 7:15pm NA 7:30m BAC
5 9am Women’s Breakfast 9am Men’s Breakfast 10am NA and NarAnon
6 10:30am Service with Communion 1:30pm BAC 7:15pm NA
7 6pm Spirits & Spirituality (every 1st & 3rd Mon)
8 Preschool resumes
9 Un-decorate 10am 12pm Spirits & Spirituality (every 2nd Wed) 7pm BAC
10 7pm Christian History 7:15pm NA and NarAnon
11 Church Women United – annual meeting at Pathways Christian Fellowship 7:15pm NA 7:30m BAC
12 10am NA and NarAnon
13 9am Christian History 10:30am Service Jabberwocky Potluck after service 1:30pm BAC 7:15pm NA
14 6:30pm Council Meeting at Richard’s Harbor Walk HOA (every 2nd Monday) Final Annual Reports are due
15 11:30am Prayer Mtg. 6:30pm Downtown Ministries
16 7pm BAC
17 7pm Christian History 7:15pm NA and NarAnon
18 Follower Reminder Dinner and Dessert at the Wetter’s home 7:15pm NA 7:30m BAC
19 10am NA and NarAnon
20 9am Christian History 10:30am Service Birthday Hospitality after service 1:30pm BAC 7:15pm NA
21 Follower Deadline No preschool (MLK day) 6pm Spirits & Spirituality 7pm BR HOA
22 23 7pm BAC
24 7pm Christian History 7:15pm NA and NarAnon
25 7:15pm NA 7:30m BAC
26 10am NA and NarAnon
27 9am Christian History 10:30am Service Annual Congregational Meeting 1:30pm BAC 7:15pm NA
28 Photo Day for Directory 7pm Inlets HOA
29 Photo Day for Directory
30 7pm BAC
31 7pm Christian History 7:15pm NA and NarAnon
Happy Birthday 1/6 Jeffery William Hunter Felix 1/7 Rose Smith 1/18 Hatti Damianos 1/28 Scott Duncan
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Visit our website: www.faithchurchucc.com
o In our worship, we are an inclusive community, a family of faith, which through
prayer, song, the sacraments and liturgy seeks to feel closer to God, to praise God,
to give thanks to God, and to seek forgiveness from God in order to grow in
discipleship.
o In our Christian Education, we seek to develop a community of people with a
mature Christian faith; meaning a faith which leads us to care for others, that opens
our hearts to service, an evolving faith that is the product of critical thinking and
questioning. Our education is for all ages and is conducted in places inside the
church and out.
o In our missions, we seek to share the excitement of our Christian faith without judging
others. In our missions, we seek to take our faith and beliefs from the inside out, and
know that our missions require that we must also bring the outside in. We take
Christ’s admonition—to go forth and share the good news—as our own, which we
strive to do in word and deed both locally and globally.
FAITHFUL FOLLOWER
Faith United Church of Christ
4850 SR 64E
Bradenton, FL 34208-5527
JANUARY 2019
The Vision of Faith United Church of Christ