Osprey Observer Christian Voice Monthly November 2022

DUFFELS OF DIGNITY PROGRAM HELPS AT-RISK YOUTH

Hillsborough County Children’s Services launched its Du f els of Dignity program on October 10. The program will collect donations of new or gently used du f el bags, suitcases and personal care items for children in foster care or who are escaping domestic violence and homelessness.

Hillsborough County Children’s Services assists many local chil dren who are in traumatic situa tions, facing homelessness or in need of emergency shelter. Often, these children do not have proper luggage to store their belongings and instead use garbage bags to carry their few personal items. Foster care youth in Hills borough County face sim ilar needs. To help these children and o f er them a bit of courage and dig nity, Children’s Services has launched its Du f els of Dignity program and is now accepting donations.

Donations accepted in clude:

New or gently used du f el bags (24-28 inches), suitcases (wheelie bags, suitcases with handles) and backpacks are all accepted. Personal care items. Toothbrushes and toothpaste. Combs and brushes. Shampoo and conditioner. Deodorant.

All personal care items should be new and in their original packaging.

Du f els of Dignity also has an Am azon Wish List, which is linked at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/ residents/social-services/children/ du f els-of-dignity. Items ordered from the wish list will be mailed directly to the Children’s Services campus.

“The idea was to create a program that Hillsborough County Children’s Services would do a year-round collection of new and gently used luggage, du f el bags and person

al care items and provide them to at-risk youth and children in foster care. These kids have gone through so much, and the trauma they have experienced is severe. It’s import ant that they get something of their very own and know they are loved. Arriving at a new home with their own du f el bag or suitcase helps provide them with a little sense of dignity during one of the most di f cult times in their young lives”, said Craig Jewesak, admin istrative services coordinator with Hillsborough County Children’s Ser vices. Each bag will have a special label with their name on it as well.

Donations can be dropped o f Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Hills borough County Chil dren’s Services Adminis trative O f ce, located at 3191 Clay Mangum Ln. in Tampa.

There will be signs di recting people to the ‘Du f els of Dignity Dropo f Location.’

Children’s Services has also part nered with local nonprofits Mary & Martha House and The Spring of Tampa Bay, which help women and their children escape domes tic violence, by providing luggage to residents in their programs. For more information on Hillsborough County Children’s Services’ Du f els of Dignity program, visit www.hcfl gov.net/du f elsofdignity.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS THAT WILL BLESS LOCAL FAMILIES

On Thanksgiving Day, many of us are focused on how to cook the turkey just right and per fecting the stufng recipe, sweet potato casse role, green beans and pumpkin pie. But amidst the food and family frenzy, it’s easy to forget the holiday is about giving thanks for our many blessings.

As the holiday season nears, many families in SE Hillsborough County continue to face many economic challenges. To be a blessing to the community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is providing 100 local fami lies with Thanksgiving baskets full of all the in gredients needed to make an amazing holiday meal. The reusable laundry baskets will be filled through individual donations and assembled by volunteers. The project, in its 10th year, takes place on Saturday, November 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the church, located at 4806 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico. Coordinator Michelle Caceres loves this year ly mission. “A shortage of turkeys and the higher food prices associated with inflation means we need our community’s assistance,” said Caceres. “We need families to come help assemble baskets but also deliver them.”

The church works with guid ance counselors from local schools in Riverview, Ruskin, Wimauma, Plant City, Lithia, Brandon, Valrico and Gibsonton, who best know which families need the extra help this holiday season.

“For me, the best part of the service project is delivering the basket to families and seeing the

By Kelly Wise Valdes

smiles on children’s faces when they see the food,” said Caceres. “Jesus Christ set the standard by feeding the hungry, and we are trying to emulate His perfect ex ample.”

The church is asking members of the community to come together and assist with this project to benefit local families.

The laundry baskets are filled with turkeys, stufng, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cake mix and frosting, butter, pumpkin-pie fill ing, pie crusts and more.

A sign-up genius has been created. If you are interested in donating food or volunteer ing for assembling or delivering, visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/9040D44A8AB2EA64-lithia1 or contact Caceres at 813-5978150.

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:11.

Te Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking for volunteers in the com munity to donate food toward Tanksgiving baskets for families in need.

A backpack with the name tag that will also go on each bag for the recipients.

Named by USA Today the “Number One Thing To Do in December in Orlan do” when it debuted in 2020, Night of a Million Lights is back for its third year in a spectacular new venue, Island H2O Water Park, from Friday, November 11 through January 1, 2023.

The park will be trans formed into a dazzling winter wonderland fea turing millions of lights, luminous displays, fes tive family activities and nightly performances by Dueling Pianos Jingle and Jangle and the strolling a cappella group Santa’s Dancing Reindeer, with DJ Jack Frost Ice Block Party leading an interactive holiday hits dance party. The Emmy Award-win ning RWS Entertainment Group will once again partner with Give Kids The World Village (GKTW Village) and Island H2O to produce the event.

Guests can view the lights, watch an allnew dancing lights show on a 5-story wa terslide, visit an interactive children’s holi day activities space, interact with strolling performers, explore themed lightscapes and create priceless holiday memories during visits with Santa.

Proceeds from Night of a Million Lights will benefit GKTW Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with magical, weeklong, no-cost wish vacations. Discounts are avail able for groups of 25 or more and Island

H2O season pass holders. VIP experi ences, spon sorships and volunteer and vendor opportuni ties are also available.

“It has been a privi lege to welcome in the public for a glimpse into our storybook Village during the holidays the past two years. Howev er, in order to preserve the life-changing experi ence we provide to wish families as increased numbers of guests are able to visit, we have made the decision to move Night of a Million Lights of-site — and truly appreciate Island H2O Water Park’s generosity, hospitality and support,” said GKTW President and CEO Pamela Landwirth.

“It’s an honor to help Give Kids The World deliver happiness and hope to critically ill children and their families by hosting Cen tral Florida’s most popular new holiday tra dition at Island H2O Water Park,” said Is land H2O general manager Jim Kunau. “We invite the entire community to join us at Night of a Million Lights at Island H2O for 52 nights of family fun, live performances, delicious food and holiday cheer while help ing to make wishes come true for families in our community and around the world.”

Island H2O Water Park is located at 3230 Inspiration Dr. in Kissimmee. For more information and tickets, visit www. gktw.org/lights.

SIXTH ANNUAL WALKATHON SUPPORTS FIRST BAPTIST BRANDON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

First Baptist Brandon Christian Academy is hosting their sixth annual walkathon at its campus of Parsons Ave. to raise money for their students on Thursday, November 10.

The walkathon is one of two fundraisers the school organizes each year to support its students’ needs through sponsorships and community support. The entire stu dent body, from preschool through eighth grade, will participate in the ‘remix’ event that will combine themes and activities from previous years. This year’s walkathon will include an obstacle course and color run, among other activities.

“We started this event [in 2017] in order to raise extra funds to enhance our pro gram without increasing our tuition cost a substantial amount,” said Kristal Medlin, assistant principal.

Last year, the walkathon raised $33,000 to support over 200 preschool, elemen tary and middle school students. The fall fundraiser relies on sponsorships to raise money for First Baptist Brandon Christian Academy, and it hopes to raise $28,000 for the program this year.

The biggest challenge for this year’s walkathon was Hurricane Ian, which caused a delay in sending out the spon sorships for the event. The nationwide in

By Lily Belcher

flation may also impact companies’ willingness to sponsor the walk athon, creating another obstacle for the event.

“The students hav ing fun is always rewarding, and being able to use the funds to increase a stu dent’s educational resources and learning environment,” said Medlin about how the fundraiser will benefit the school.

In addition to the fall walkathon, First Baptist Brandon Christian Academy will host its Spring-a-Palooza in April 2023. The spring fundraiser will give the commu nity an opportunity to participate in silent auctions, a car show, a rock wall and other activities.

Both fundraisers allow First Baptist Brandon Christian Academy to fulfill the needs of its students and improve the program’s technology without putting the burden on families. The community can support through purchasing a business sponsorship by contacting the school.

The walkathon will be located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon.

For more information on this year’s walkathon or First Baptist Brandon Chris tian Academy, visit https://fbbca.org/. For questions, contact Medlin at kristal. medlin@fbcbrandon.org or call 813-6899435.

Grace Notes Mundane Blessings

By Debora Coty

One day, I realized my faith had caught the snifes. A little snot here, a hacking cough there … nothing huge, but something that required attention. You never know when neglected spiritual viruses might es calate into consumption of the soul.

Checking my spiritual temperature, I found that a crucial element of my faith was missing: thankfulness. I was cruising along, performing all my faith duties, but something was lacking. There was no grati tude in my spirit for the mundane blessings of everyday.

Gratitude had become a casualty of my overstressed schedule.

Seriously, isn’t life really made up of 90 percent routine, so easy to overlook as Papa God’s intentional blessing? We get up every morning, our hearts faithfully beat ing, think with a mostly functioning brain, walk on legs that carry us where we want to go, grab our toothbrush with fingers that actually grip and brush teeth that are still attached to pink gums, yet we never give

the same ole’ same ole’ a sec ond thought. We begin to feel entitled rath er than blessed with the every day mundane. Thankfulness for the details of life is a pow er-packed ele ment of spiritual health that keeps our Creator-cre ation perspective intact. It’s the acute awareness that the source of our usually unconsidered everyday blessings — such as a warm breeze, lungs to draw it in, senses to feel its pleasure — is the Master Designer.

Looking at it this way, the mundane be comes downright thrilling! We see annoy ingly noisy kids as happy, carefree children; work duties become a privilege many are without; and household chores wouldn’t take so long if we lived in a grass hut swarmed by flies.

As we cultivate everyday gratitude, wor ship for our Provider boosts our spiritual health better than Grandma’s chicken soup.

So maybe it’s time to slap the spiritu al thermometer under my tongue … and yours. An injection of thankfulness is just what the Great Physician ordered.

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 TLB.

IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE: RELEASE THE BAGGAGE

If you have unresolved emotional baggage from painful experiences in your past and they are holding you back, consider attending the It’s Your Time to Shine: Release the Baggage Confer ence. This faith-based con ference is designed to help attendees heal and more for ward to live a more fulfilled life.

Latarsha Haughton, a Baltimore native and now a Ruskin resident, is the vi sionary and co-host of this powerful event and hopes participants will heal and re lease their emotional wounds and sufering as well as re claim their joy and happiness. Haughton is excited to intro duce this inaugural event with her co-host, Shalon Barnett.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people free from bond age and truly releasing the baggage that is hindering them from living their best self,” said Haughton. “I’m looking for people to connect and gain resources that will help them even after leaving the conference.”

The keynote speaker is Real Talk Kim, along with Bishop Greg Davis and a host of other panelists who will talk about identi fying baggage that people carry every day.

“They are going to discuss how it afects your health, relationships and purpose,” said Haughton. “Also, we’ll talk about the benefits of releasing baggage, along with success stories of myself and my partner, who has helped create this conference as

well.”

By Kelly Wise Valdes

An active member of The Crossing Church, Haughton is also an inspi rational author, speaker and transformational coach. She is the found er of a nonprofit called Breaking the Silence… Healing the Pain. The nonprofit was created to help others who may have endured trauma, including sexual and emotional abuse.

Haughton is passion ate about her mission to tear down mental and emotional strong holds and design a life through a mindset shift of pain to self-care, selflove and forgiveness. Haughton transforms that pain into purpose and creates community for other survivors.

More than 300 peo ple are expected to attend the Release the Baggage event, with proceeds to fund the nonprofit. There will also be various vendors at the event. If you would like to inquire about a being a sponsor or vendor, or to purchase tickets, visit https://releasethebaggage.ck.page/. Proceeds from the Release the Baggage conference will go directly toward the non profit. The event is on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m.-5 pm. and will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF, located at 3705 Spectrum Blvd. in Tampa.

Debora M. Coty

Latarsha Haughton and Shalon Barnett are co-hosting a faith-based conference in Tampa at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF.

FRIENDSHIPS ELIJAH AND ELISHA

By Kelly Wise Valdes

The Bible is full of fascinating stories about human relationships, including friendships. In fact, stories of friend ships are demonstrated throughout the Old and New Testaments. God wants us to have relationships — not just of the marital and familial kind, but deep and abiding friendships as well. True friend ship provides us with support, love and enjoyment and is nothing short of a gift from God.

The story of Elijah and Elisha may be one of the most fascinating friendships in the Bible. Elijah and Elisha illustrate the way in which a holy friendship helps us draw close to God.

One day, the prophet Elijah spotted the young man Elisha plowing the field on his parents’ farm, and Elijah liter ally threw his prophet cloak over him. Elisha immediately knew that God had His hand in their chance meeting. Even though they were strangers, Elisha felt the call to follow Elijah.

It’s unknown how long the pair re mained friends, but it was long enough for the younger prophet Elisha to carry on the spiritual legacy passed onto him by his friend. As we learn, God is about to call Elijah up into heaven — who is

the only person in the whole Bible who ascends to heaven without dying first.

In 2 Kings 2:2, we are told that Eli jah wanted to ascend alone. “And Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.’ But Elisha replied, ‘As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!’ So they went down together to Bethel.”

Once they arrived, Elisha watched his friend in a great whirlwind, with chariot and horses of fire, rise into heaven. Eli sha was the only witness, and not even an influential person — he was just a young man who followed God’s calling.

Throughout the course of his life, Eli jah had made several powerful enemies who doubted him as a true prophet of God. When God vindicated his prophet by bringing him to heaven without dy ing, his holy friend Elisha was privileged to be present so he could tell of God’s mighty power and blessing for Elijah.

Friends are faithful to one another, and Elisha shows that by not letting Eli jah go to Bethel alone. Holy friendships help us draw closer to God. We need holy friends every day — friends that will be there for us as Christ is for his believers.

BIKE-VENMBERFEST,

Bike-vemberFest At South Shore UMC

South Shore United Methodist Church is hosting Bike-vemberFest on Saturday, November 12 from 4-6:30 p.m. The original date was canceled in October due to the pending hur ricane. Bicyclists are invited to the day of fun with the goal of educat ing cyclists and motorists, including safety classes for adult and children bicycle riders. There will also be hel met fittings, food, giveaways, prizes and more. And bring your Kona Cups because the Kona Ice truck will be there. Southshore UMC is located at 11525 Big Bend Rd. in Riverview. For more information, visit www.south shoreumc.com.

First Annual Opendoor Church Car Show And Craft Fair

Opendoor Church is excited to announce its first annual Opendoor Car Show and Craft Fair. Bring the whole family for a chance to mingle and get to know your neighbors and community friends. Spec tator admission is free. There will be vari ous types of show cars, local vendors and crafts, delicious food for purchase by local food trucks, music and more. Want to register your show car or sign up to be a vendor? Reg istration is now open, so head over to your web site at www. theopen doorchurch. com/carshow or on Facebook search @ opendoorcarshow. Opendoor Church is lo cated at 2908 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon.

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church Hosting Family Photos For Christmastime

On Saturday, November 12 at 10 a.m., Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church is hold ing 15-minute mini-Christmas photogra phy sessions to use on holiday cards. Each photo session provides eight to 10 dig ital download images, and each one also provides a hot meal for 25 food insecure people in the Brandon/Valrico communi ty via Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church’s TLC Feeding Ministry. Also, there will be its Family Festival, free and open to the pub lic on the same day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., which will include a bounce house, Christ mas crafts, a popcorn stand, music and fun for the whole family.

DINNER, ARTS & CRAFTS & MORE

By Kelly Wise Valdes

Arts And Crafts Fair At Te Unit ed Methodist Church Of Sun City Center

Saint Anne Catholic Church

~Masses~

Vigil

Grab-N-Go Free Lunch By King dom Promise Church

Drive through for a free bagged lunch provided by Kingdom Promise Church and Primera Iglesia Cristiana Hispana De Brandon on Saturday, November 19 at 11 a.m. They are first come, first serve. King dom Promise Church is located at 728 E. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. For more infor mation, call 813-653-3673.

Bill Bailey’s Southern Gospel Christmas Dinner Spectacular

Come join the fun and enjoy the Ball Brothers’ performance at the Bill Bailey’s Southern Gospel Christmas Dinner Spec tacular on Tuesday, November 29 at 6 p.m. at Lake Wimauma Convention Center. Tickets are $25 and include the concert and a full dinner meal. Call 941-7566942. Credit cards accepted. The Ball Brothers travel worldwide, singing their distinctive brand of Christian music and spread ing the message of the gospel through their talents. Lake Wimauma Conven tion Center is located at 5408 SR 674 in Wimauma.

The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center will be hosting its Timely Treasures Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 26 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the church’s Life Enrichment Center. There will be more than 70 vendors inside and outside with one-of-a-kind, handcraft ed treasures, including jewelry, stained glass, holiday decorations, artwork, doll clothing, cards, wood crafts, towels, ce ramics and much more. The Ladies Friend ship Circle will also be selling their amazing baked goods, and lunch will be served in the Crafterteria. Avoid the crowded malls on the holiday weekend and come support local crafters and artists. For more information, email timelytreasures2022@gmail.com.

Publix Charities Donates To Local Food Pantry

Our Lady’s Pantry has thrived for more than 22 years thanks to ongoing donations of food, as well as donations from several philanthropic organizations.

“Publix Charities, for example, has been amazing in their support of our pantry,” said director Tom Bullaro. “Most recently, they gifted us with $3,000 to be used towards a forklift.” There is heavy work involved.

Food boxes can weigh up to 25 lbs., so lifting these boxes is strenuous for even young volun teers. The majority of the volun teers are over 75 years old. The generous Publix donation has made a significant diference in the lives of the food pantry vol unteers and ultimately the community. For more information on Our Lady’s Pantry, visit www.ourladyspantry.com.

Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Sunday8 a.m., 10 a.m., & 5 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Spanish)

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.

Wednesday & Jueves 7 p.m.

Saint Anne Catholic Church

Vigil

Recorded Masses can be viewed on the St. Anne website (SaintAnneRuskin.org) and Facebook page. Reconciliation Tue. at 8:30am, Thurs. at 6pm, Sat. at 3:15pm and By Appointment.

Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Sunday8 a.m., 10 a.m., & 5 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Spanish)

Wednesday & Jueves

a.m.

p.m.

Recorded Masses can be viewed on the St. Anne website (SaintAnneRuskin.org) and Facebook page.

For more information, please check the St. Anne website. Registration is now open for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. Please call the ofce for more information.

Masses Live Streamed at SaintAnneRuskin.org Reconciliation Turs. at 6 p.m., Sat. at 3:15 p.m. For more information, please check the St. Anne website.

Reconciliation Tue. at 8:30am, Thurs. at 6pm, Sat. at 3:15pm and By Appointment.

SAVE THE DATES

U.S. Hwy. 41 • 106 11th Ave NE • Ruskin SaintAnneRuskin.org • 813-645-1714

Nov. 2nd • 10am • All Souls Mass Nov. 17th - Nov. 20th • Parish Carnival

For more information, please check the St. Anne website.

Registration is now open for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation year. Please call the ofce for more information.

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church is locat ed at 604 N. Valrico Rd. in Valrico.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EARNS ALL 139 BOY SCOUT MERIT BADGES

Riverview High School

senior Austin Moore earned all 139 merit badges available to Boy Scouts this summer after making it his goal to do so before his birthday.

The Troop 11 Eagle Scout became one of less than 500 scouts to earn all 139 merit badges. He also participated in the World Jamboree, which came to the U.S. in 2019, and completed all four adventure camps, earn ing him the Grand Slam Adventure Award.

“After my first two merit badges [in 2016], … I fell in love with the idea of learning of fields and hobbies that I otherwise wouldn’t come across in daily life,” said Austin.

For his Eagle Project, Austin built a Little Lend ing Library at St. An drew’s United Methodist Church after being inspiring by a news segment on Little Lending Library founder Todd Bol.

“And after having read so many merit badge pamphlets, I remembered how im portant reading was to the education and development of young minds,” explained Austin.

Austin’s neighbors and friends, David and Lynne Mergen, played an important role in helping him complete his merit badges, en couraging him throughout his journey and assisting him with woodworking projects.

By Lily Belcher

The Troop 11 Eagle Scout said the big gest challenge was overcoming his own doubts after he made it his goal to get ev ery badge. Along the way, Austin had the opportunity to learn about things he truly enjoyed and some ar eas he had no experi ence or interest in.

Austin’s favorite badge was the first one he earned as a Scout in May 2016, the Veterinary Med icine Merit Badge. This badge helped him realize he wanted to pursue veterinary medi cine as a career. He began volunteering at Boyette Ani mal Hospital to get hands-on experi ence and will earn

the Veterinary Assisting Certificate at the end of his senior year.

“His dad and I are so proud he embraced the opportunities BSA ofered. It allowed him to participate so many diferent activ ities and experiences. By putting himself out in the world he gained confidence and reliance in himself,” said mother Eleanor Moore.

Austin, alongside his fellow Boy Scouts, will be recognized in the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at St. Andrews United Methodist Church on November 5.

WINTHROP ARTS RECEIVES GRANT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TAMPA BAY

Winthrop Arts is the proud re cipient of a grant from the Commu nity Foundation of Tampa Bay. The grant, totaling $15,000, is for the Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Fac tory. Specifically, the money will be used to expand the program in Wimauma. However, the generosity of the grant also allows Winthrop Arts to expand the program in Plant City.

The Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory was established in February 2018. It is a program that provides free art classes to underserved children who live in Southern and Eastern Hillsborough County. Win throp Arts partners with several nonprof its to provide the art classes. The partners identify the children who would best be served and provide the venue for the free art classes.

The partners include Hispanic Services Council in both Wimauma and Plant City, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma and Achieve Plant City.

Paul Kaman, president of the Winthrop Arts Board of Visionaries, said, “Words cannot capture our gratitude. This grant will allow us to improve, expand and deep en our Mobile Art Factory outreach pro gram.”

Maria Garavito, La Red de Padres project director for Hispanic Services Council, said, “Hispanic Services Council has been cho

By Kathy L. Collins

sen by the Win throp Arts Mobile Art Factory to serve the chil dren that come to our programs in Wimauma and Plant City. They bring to the chil dren the opportu nity to explore the arts with amazing instructors that not only provide their knowledge but also invest their heart and minds with the community.”

Garavito added, “Children await their instructor every Wednesday and Thurs day. They explore their inner artist, and they gain self-confidence and have fun. We value Winthrop Arts and its program and thank the Community Foundation of Tam pa Bay for its support.”

Winthrop Arts is now able to send two instructors every Wednesday to Wimau ma, one to Hispanic Services Council and one to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry. Sim ilarly, in Plant City, an instructor goes to Hispanic Services Council three times a month. At Achieve Plant City, a coding pro fessional leads a coding class, and an artist teaches at each once a month.

Winthrop Arts was established in 2015. In addition to running the Mobile Art Fac tory, Winthrop Arts ofers art classes to children ages 5 and up, teens and adults at the Art Factory, located at 11267 Winthrop Main St. in Riverview.

For more information, visit www.win throparts.org.

CUSTOM

Members of the Winthrop Arts Board of Visionaries and Mo bile Art Factory instructors were presented with a grant check from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay on August 19 by representatives from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay SouthShore Council. Te funds will be used to run and expand the Winthrop Arts Mobile Art Factory.

Austin Moore completed his Eagle Scout project with St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.

BAPTIST

Bay Life Church 1017 Kingsway Ave. Brandon (813) 661-3696

Bell Shoals Baptist - Brandon 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon (813) 689-4229

Congregación Hispana 2102 Bell Shoals Rd., Brandon (813) 689-4229 ext. 242

Bell Shoals Baptist - Apollo Beach 408 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach (813) 641-2222

Bell Shoals Baptist - Palm River 5415 Palm River Rd.,Tampa (813) 621-2058

Bell Shoals Baptist - Riverview 9990 South Hwy 301, Suite 10024, Riverview (813) 689-4229

First Baptist Church of Brandon 216 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon (813) 689-1204

First Baptist Church of Bloomingdale 3303 Bloomingdale Ave.,Valrico (813) 689-3847

First Baptist Church of Gibsonton 9912 Indiana St., Gibsonton (813) 677-1301

First Baptist Church of Ruskin 820 College Ave. W., Ruskin (813) 645-6439

FishHawk Fellowship 15326 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia (813) 655-7431

Grace Baptist Church 2909 John Moore Rd., Brandon (813) 689-7190

Journey Church 415 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon (813) 699-8262

Shiloh Baptist Church 1104 Cason St., Plant City (813) 752-8345

CATHOLIC

Nativity Catholic Church 705 E Brandon Blvd., Brandon (813) 681-4608

Resurrection Catholic Church 6819 Krycul Ave, Riverview 813.677.2175

St. Anne Catholic Church 106 11th Ave. NE, Ruskin (813) 645-1714

St. Matthews Anglican Church 10701 Bloomingdale Avenue, Riverview (813) 663-0334

St. Stephen Catholic Church 10118 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview (813) 689-4900

CHURCH OF GOD

Boyette Springs Church of God 12114 Boyette Rd., Riverview (813) 671-0086

Plant City Church of God 2103 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City (813) 752-4591

EPISCOPAL

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church 604 N. Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-3130

LUTHERAN

Apostles Lutheran Church 200 Kingsway Rd, Brandon (813) 689-2571

Immanuel Lutheran Church 2913 John Moore Rd., Brandon (813) 689-1787

Living Savior Lutheran Church 2650 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico (813) 681-2375

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church of Sefner 1310 South Kingsway Rd., Sefner (813) 689-3513

Grace Community United Methodist Church 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Lithia (813) 661-8858

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church 5920 Robert Tolle Drive, Riverview (813) 337-7457

New Hope United Methodist Church 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon (813) 689-4161

Riverview First United Methodist Church 8002 US Hwy 301., Riverview www.riverviewfumc.org

Ruskin United Methodist Church 105 4th Ave. NW, Ruskin (813) 645-1241

South Shore United Methodist Church 11525 Big Bend Rd., Riverview (813) 649-9462

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Calvary Chapel Brandon 1331 Kingsway Rd., Brandon (813) 681-5318

Celestial Church of Christ Altar of Restoration 1209W Brandon Blvd, Unit 102 (813) 720-0745

Centerpoint Church 1801 S. Miller Rd., Valrico (813) 689-1906

Grace Community Church 1425 N Valrico Rd., Valrico (813) 689-9781

Harvest Bible Chapel Bloomingdale High School 813-699-0517

Love First Christian Center 12847 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview 813-671-2009

River of Life Christian Center 6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview 813-677-4453

New Life Christian Church 401 S. Saint Cloud Ave, Valrico 813-548-2733

South Bay Church 13498 US 301 S., Riverview 813-677-0721

Te Chapel at FishHawk 6026 Churchside Dr., Lithia 813-661-7105

Te Crossing Church - Main Campus 10130 Tuscany Ridge Dr., Tampa, (813) 626-0783

Te Crossing Church - SouthShore 2409 East College Ave., Ruskin (813) 626-0580

Te Palms Church 207 New Hope Rd., Brandon (813) 841-9598

True Sanctuary 6528 US Hwy 301 S., Suite 114, Riverview (813) 319-5862

PENTECOSTAL

Destiny Church 2322 11th Ave. SE,

645-3337

For a few years of my life, I was a busi ness success coach. I traveled around the country doing seminars and had a client list of multimillionaires who listened to my coaching tips. In the beginning, I would charge my one-on-one clients about $3,000 each for a yearly coaching agree ment, which I thought was fair at the time. It basically entitled them to a personal weekly phone conference with me. Then I found out that there were other coaches making 10 times more than I made doing the same thing. Now, I understood that I might not have been on their level, but I also knew that they were not 10 times bet ter than I was.

After that, I was at a coaching seminar in Washington D.C. and an attendee asked me what I would charge to be her person

Pastor’s Corner

Jomo Cousins, PhD FEARLESSNESS

By Pastor Jomo Cousins, PhD

al coach. I thought to myself, “$3,000.00,” which was my usual fee, but something in me said, “You are worth more than that!” I told her, “$9,000.00.” Would you believe she wrote the check? Right then and there, I thought about all the times I had been afraid to ask for more, thinking I wasn’t worth it. After leaving D.C., I went to another seminar in Seattle, Washington. A gentleman asked, “Hey, Jomo, what’s the cost for you to be my coach?” This time, I did not hesitate to say, “$10,000.00,” and he did not hesitate to write the check.

My friends, do not allow fear to rob you of your true value. Brothers and sisters, you are worth it. Don’t be afraid to ask for it. You will never receive what you do not believe you are worth. Some will say no to you along the way, but many will say yes.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to ask boldly and to know my value as a child of God. Help me to re member that I am worth every penny, in Je sus’ name. Amen.

Except from: 60 Prayers in 60 Seconds, page 40.

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP):

“7 For God did not give us a spirit of timid ity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

“Tessera

“Living

A HORSE’S TOUCH FINDS NEW HOME AND ADDS EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN WIMAUMA

By Kelly Wise Valdes

lan developed her love of horses since her time as a work ing student at the Stanford Red Barn in Palo Alto, California in 1999. Fortunately, McClellan was able take her passion for horses and turn it into a nonprofit organiza tion to help the com munity in 2017 called A Horse’s Touch.

A Horse’s Touch program involves Work Exchange (WE) in support of the state of Flor ida’s Bright Futures Scholarship program. WE students ex change work at the barn for lessons in animal husbandry as well as basic riding skills in English and Western disciplines.

Students in the WE program also devel op confidence, commitment and passion and pursue development in the leadership qualities of accountability and responsibil ity.

McClellan also has number of clients with physical, cognitive and emotional dis abilities that include cerebral palsy, autism, attention deficit disorder and children recovering from abuse. Several of McClel lan’s students from A Horse’s Touch partic ipated in the equestrian competition at the Florida Special Olympics in 2018 and 2019.

Recently, McClellan relocated her pro

gram from Lithia to Wimauma. “Things were hectic during the COVID period, said McClellan. “But we are now settled in Wimauma on our horse farm that we bought.”

With seven horses and a new location, McClellan is ready to help strength en the community with afordable programs that use horses to promote healthy living and life styles.

A Horse’s Touch cur rently has riders ages 4-49 participating in its programs. These pro grams help these stu dents, families and adults learn riding skills as well as other horse-related caregiving and activities. With all the activities and outreach programs pro vided by A Horse’s Touch, McClellan is always in need of help from people in the community who are willing to vol unteer.

“We also host birthday parties, kid horse camps and horse recitals,” said McClellan.

“There are also discounts for military vet erans, first responders, police ofcers and their families.”

A Horse’s Touch is located at 12435 Cody Dr. in Wimauma. For more informa tion about the program, events or volun teering, visit https://ahorsestouch.godad dysites.com/ or email mmbarn4@gmail. com. McClellan can also be contacted at 813-992-0743.

NEW GREASE MONKEY RUSKIN OFFERS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE

By Taylor Wells

There’s a new automotive business in Ruskin, and its name is Grease Monkey. Owned by Joe and Melissa Canfield, the franchise location is a full-ser vice auto repair center that works on all makes and mod els, includ ing most European and Asian cars and trucks.

Before Grease Monkey Ruskin, Joe and Melissa had owned and operated HiTech Automotive in Brandon for 17 years. They sold it and retired, but they eventually de cided to get back into the auto business.

“We still had more to give and more to ofer our customers as far as car repairs go, so we ended up purchasing an existing shop, and we are rebranding it to Grease Monkey,” said Melissa.

Started just a little over three months ago, it specializes in brakes, air condition ing, check engine lights, diagnostics, tires and oil changes, and it services all other mechanical auto needs. Plus, Joe’s ability to easily convey what’s happening with vehi cle repairs, depth of knowledge and years of experience make for high-quality service.

In addition, Grease Monkey ofers courte sy shuttles so customers can return home during vehicle repairs along with a nighttime key drop box so they can drop of their vehicle at night. It can arrange for your vehicle to be towed as well if necessary. For those in terested in its trade, while the business is fully stafed, it’s open to interviews for new em ployees.

But business isn’t its only goal, as the family-owned and operated Grease Mon key Ruskin also has a strong community involvement focus.

In November, Grease Monkey will ofer a free ‘get to know your car’ class — for la dies mostly, but anyone is welcome — cov ering warning signs for necessary repairs or maintenance, how to change tires and such. Follow its Facebook page at www. facebook.com/greasemonkeyruskin, and be on the lookout for its other community events.

Grease Monkey Ruskin is located at 2003 S. U.S. Hwy. 41 and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and it plans to be open on Saturdays. Vvisit www.greasemon keyauto.com/locations/us/fl/ruskin or call 813-645-0339.

Mercedes McClel

A Horse’s Touch is a nonproft organization in Wimauma that is working with people of all ages to teach basic riding skills as well as care for the horses. It ofers a variety of programs as well as camps and birthday parties.

Photo courtesy of Weirdo Photography.

Melissa and Joe Canfeld, the owners of Grease Monkey Ruskin which opened just over three months ago.

Tankful, Grateful And Blessed In Every Circumstance

By Kelly Wise Valdes

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a special time and a great opportunity to show our thanksgiving to God as well as our gratitude for the blessings of family and friends. We gather together to eat, fellowship and give thanks. Although it may sound easy, many of us could find ourselves in a place where being thankful may not feel easy. If we’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, if we are having health issues or if we are struggling financially, we may not feel particularly thankful, grateful or blessed. But, giving thanks to God in every circumstance in life is one of the most important indicators of spiritual maturity. In some of the books below, you will learn of sure scriptural foundations for being thankful and grateful even during difcult times. “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” — Psalm 69:30. Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Giving Tanks: Christian Mealtime Prayers, Graces and Table Blessings

By Philip Kapusta

This faith-inspired book is a compilation of Christian mealtime prayers, graces and table blessings which can be used in an in dividual or family setting to give thanks and remembrance to God for His continual pro vision for us. Christians are called to receive all of God’s gifts with thanksgiving. Giving Thanks contains the largest collection of Christian table prayers ever compiled, with over 500 blessings for you and your family.

A Collection of Tanksgiving Bless ings: Inspiration and Encourage ment for a Season of Gratitude

By Barbour Publishing

Thankfulness is always in season. This soul-stirring anthology of devotions, prayers, Scriptures and reasons to be thankful will remind you of God’s power and provision. In this collection, three Thanksgiving titles — “The Power of Thanksgiving,” “Give Thanks” and “101 Thanksgiving Blessings” — will provide inspiration and perspective.

Extreme Gratitude: Learning to Give Tanks For All Tings

By Rick Carr

In this book, readers will learn that grat itude comes from the idea of grace, which is ‘grata’ in Latin. Grace is the “unmerited love and favor of God toward man.” So, gratitude is a feeling of thankful appreci ation for favors or benefits received. This inspirational book will challenge Christians to respond with the extreme thanks that His lavish grace deserves from us and teach to give thanks always for all things.

Tankfulness: In Everything Give Tanks

By Sue Lutz

This faith-filled book helps us see that being thankful does not mean ignoring painful realities; it means bringing our trials to a God who loves us and sent his Son to be our Savior. This book explains how believers in Christ have a reason to be thankful that they never had before: Je sus removes the barrier of sin and brings them into a relationship with God. We as Christians are called to be thankful during all of life’s seasons.

IMPACT HOSTS ANNUAL DESIGNER PURSE BING0

Are you looking for a fun and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit while helping a local char ity raise important funds? Then mark your calendars for Thursday, Decem ber 1 because the IMPACT program is hosting a holiday de signer purse bingo.

The event, which will take place at The Regent in Riv erview, will ofer 10 rounds of bingo with a designer purse as the prize for each round.

Tickets to the event cost $40 a person and include one set of 10 bingo cards along with food and beverages (this is an alcohol-free event). Guests will have the opportunity to pur chase additional bingo cards and rafe tickets as well as participate in a silent auction.

The event is the annual fundraiser host ed by IMPACT program, a Brandon-based charity which educates teenagers on the benefits of healthy choices while avoiding high-risk behaviors.

“This is a great opportunity for com munity awareness and to provide neces sary funds for the IMPACT program to

Report

continue their eforts in edu cating, equipping and empowering teens to avoid high-risk behav ior by making healthy choic es,” said Angie Kagey, IMPACT executive direc tor.

The event’s title sponsor is The George Shea Team with Sig nature Realty. Additional spon sorship opportu nities are avail able.

“This event is special because it is a fun-filled night for the community to come together to support a wonderful cause,” said Kagey, who added that it is a good way to get into the holiday spirit before the busyness of the season kicks in.

The Regent is located at 6347 Watson Rd. in Riverview, near Winthrop. Doors for the event will open at 6 p.m., with bingo starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kagey at akagey@whatisimpact.com or vis it www.whatisimpact.com. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, No vember 23, and tickets can be purchased at impactdesignerbingo.eventbrite.com.

BRANDON LIONS CLUB SELLS LUMINARIA KITS TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES

Brandon area residents have the opportuni ty to help oth ers and spread light next month thanks to the Brandon Lions Club and its an nual luminar ia project and fundraiser.

Until Monday, November 7, res idents through out the Bran don area can purchase a Lu minaria Kit to raise funds for local charities supported by the Lions.

“Our Lumi naria Kits are constructed with white paper bags weighted down with sand and illuminated from within by a candle,” said Brandon Lions Club treasurer Joe Kuebler. “They are tradi tionally displayed on Christmas Eve.”

According to Kuebler, each kit con tains 15 long-burning votive candles, 15 candle holders, 15 white bags and a plastic bag of sand (to use in the base of each bag).

Kits are $7.75, and orders of 15 kits or more will be delivered locally. No pay ment is required with your order. All or ders are COD (cash on delivery) and can be picked up at the Brandon Lions Club,

located at 610 Limona Rd. in Brandon, or will be delivered (orders of 15-plus kits) on Satur day, December 17.

According to Kueb ler, the fundraiser has been taking place an nually since 2002. For the last seven years, the homeown ers asso ciation in Parkside Village in Lithia has pur chased enough Luminaria kits to light a path through the community on Christmas Eve. “This has become a favor ite community tradi tion,” said homeown ers association board member Marie Gilmore.

The proceeds will benefit Brandon Lions Charities, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization that has been sup porting the club’s eyesight and hearing programs, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Greater Tampa Lions Sight Fund, ECHO, Family Promise, The Outreach Clinic, Brandon High School Don Bishop Track Meet and other local area needs since 1954.

Contact Kuebler at 813-263-2522 to place an order, or email brandonlions club@gmail.com.

Staf Report

Te IMPACT program is hosting its annual designer purse bingo fundraiser on Tursday, December 1.

BUSINESS LEADERS NEEDED FOR CEOS IN SCHOOLS

encouraged by the positive outcomes we have witnessed thus far.”

in Schools invites Tampa Bay area executives to spend a day away from the ofce and step into the classroom. On Friday, November 4, these role models will experience a day in the life of public education, working side by side with principals, teachers and staf in applying successful business practices that enable these local schools to thrive.

Hillsborough Education Foundation, in partnership with Vistra Communications and Hillsborough County Public Schools, encourages business leaders to get in volved with their future workforce. Now in its fourth successful year, this innovative program will place 150 CEOs in public ele mentary schools across the county to learn more about the challenges and opportuni ties facing our students, teachers, adminis trators and public schools every day. This one-day, unforgettable, hands-on learning experience often results in forged relation ships that positively impact schools yearround.

“This program strengthens bonds be tween our public schools and business leaders and provides a new perspective on the role these relationships play in prepar ing our future workforce for academic and personal success,” said Hillsborough Ed ucation Foundation CEO Kim Jowell. “We are excited about this program and are

Brian Butler, pres ident and CEO of Vistra, founded the program in 2019 to encourage business leaders to address challenges and make an impact in our schools. “The sup port of business leaders in this community is what we need now more than ever,” said Butler. “Their expertise, innovation and re sources are an important contribution to the success of our schools, principals and students.”

Addison Davis, superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools, said, “This incredible initiative has already created important, lasting relationships within our schools. When our educational leaders and CEOs join forces for children, anything is possible. These partnerships can result in solutions that make our entire community stronger as we seek to create a world-class education for all.”

Participants who would like to volunteer for the CEOs in Schools initiative are asked to reserve a school at ceosinschools.com. With so much interest from returning par ticipants, there are less than 20 schools to fill, especially in North Tampa, the Plant City area and south county.

Also, on Wednesday, October 12 at 3 p.m., the CEOs in Schools Kickof Reception will be held at TPepin’s Hospitality Center, located at 4151 N. 50th St. in Tampa. Par ticipants and principals will meet and learn more about this year’s event.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 4:00 PM 10:00 PM Bands Under the Big Tent (6:30 PM)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 4:00 PM MIDNIGHT Soul Circus Cowboys (8:00 PM)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 11:00 AM MIDNIGHT Classix (8:00 PM)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 12:00 PM 10:00 PM Military/Veterans, Law Enforcement and First Responders Appreciation Day

NCS Alumni Day

Registration is now open for Tampa Bay CEOs and senior executives to spend a day at a Hillsborough County public elementary school and share their experience with students and school leaders.

DOVE INTERIORS CARPET

FLOORING &

Dove Interiors

MAKES

HOMES BEAUTIFUL

By Libby Hopkins

Carpet One Floor & Home is your local flooring store in Ruskin for great service and quality car pets, wood floor ing, floor tiles, vinyl and more in a wide range of colors and pric es. It also ofers window treat ments, bedding, kitchen and bath, cabinetry and counter tops.

Locally owned and operated for 32 years by the mother-daughter duo Joan Miller and Kimberly Scott, Dove Interiors brings beauty, quality and outstanding customer service to all its clients. “All of this started in 1991 when I walked away from my successful career in finance to open Dove Interiors with my two chil dren, Kimberly and Rick,” Miller said. “We made the decision to start a family busi ness and moved into a small space in the Sun Pointe Shopping Center.”

The family business received a warm welcome from the local community. “We credit our success to our trust in God and that He would help us through the good times and bad times,” Scott said.

Dove Interiors stayed in the Sun Pointe Shopping Center until the business built out its own building in 2007. “Talk about a leap of faith, when we started this business, we didn’t know anything about the carpet business,” Miller said. “Car pet was our first product, and luckily my

son, Rick, knew how to install it. Our first carpet representative was a godsend and taught us everything we ever wanted to know about carpets.”

The family slowly added ceramic tile and Hunter Douglas window treat ments to their growing business. “From there, we added vinyl, hardwood, lami nate and then a few years later cabinets and countertops,” Miller said.

Ofering great customer service has always been a top priority with Dove In teriors. “Our job doesn’t stop at the final payment,” Miller said. “We take care of the job until it’s finished from showing up with the installer, making sure everything is progressing properly while the install is taking place, and we are there when the job is completed.”

Miller and her family treat their em ployees like family as well. “We cannot say enough about our team at Dove Inte riors,” Miller said. “They are knowledge able about our products and they listen to our clients to make sure everyone of their needs are met.”

If you would like to learn more about Dove Interiors, you can visit its website at www.doveinteriorscarpetone.com or call 813-642-4369. Dove Interiors is lo cated at E. 2305 College Ave. in Ruskin.

FAITH & FOOTPRINTS

By Kelly Wise Valdes

The Church Of The Pilgrimage In Plymouth, Massachusetts

In 1623, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation, Massa chusetts held the first Thanksgiving. As a drought was destroying their crops, colonists prayed and fasted, and miraculously it began to rain the following day. And not long after, a Dutch supply ship brought staples and sup plies to the weary Pilgrims. This 1623 festival appears to have been the origin of Thanksgiving Day because it com bined a religious and social celebration.

The Pilgrims were known as ‘separatists’ in England. That term was applied to them because they were liter ally separated from the Church of England. Their princi pal incentive was to find a place where they were free to worship God according to their vision of the church with out government interference.

The Church of the Pilgrimage in Town Square, Plymouth continues to carry on the faith and understanding of the Pilgrim ancestors. Its founders originated from Scrooby, England in 1606 and traveled on the Mayflower.

In 1620, these brave men and women sailed to the New World to protect their English heritage and started a col

ony. They first arrived on Cape Cod, but the harsh weather and lack of drinkable water caused them to seek other shores.

They eventually landed in the coastal town that would become Plymouth in December 1620 and start ed a colony and a church. The church today prides it self in being direct descendants of the Pilgrims’ first church. It was originally named the Pilgrim Church at New Plymouth.

The church is a historic landmark and is at the foot of Burial Hill, where the first fort was built by the Pilgrims that landed in Plymouth and where the earliest Pilgrims are buried. The first meeting house was also built there, and it was eventually replaced by five buildings, the latest built in 1897. The Church of the Pilgrimage is now a member of the United Church of Christ and has held close its legacy of worship for more than 400 years. The church is located at 8 Town Square in Plymouth, MA. For more information, visit www.churchofthepilgramage.org.

Live Like You Mean It ... Hurricane Ian: Taking Responsibility Instead Of Just Taking

“God is our refuge and strength, “an ever-present help in trouble.

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

“and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” — Psalm 46.

Our grandchildren live in Orlando, many friends live around Tampa and then — just to be sure we noticed — Hurricane Ian’s last gasp played out here in North Carolina.

A small change in course can affect huge differences in outcomes. What’s good news for some turns out to be di saster for others. Everyone prayed for a miss, so God’s real interest is in what

people do to support one another, care for neighbors and work together in re covery.

One question in play is our steward ship of this good Earth. Why do we con tinue to abuse it? Not just the wanton disregard of science but more local de cisions to build on barrier islands, to lay waste to wetlands and to develop areas historically prone to flooding while de nuding them of vegetation?

My only explanation is spiritual sick ness. There is such greed for wealth in the short term. It’s another version of the credit card disease that wants stuff right now at the expense of later. We

are, quite simply, borrowing our grand children’s quality of life with no inten tion of paying it back. They will be hardpressed to make good on our debt.

The good news is that redemption, and healing, and restoration and renew al are always in play. I look at the intel ligence and the imagination and the love of life that characterize our grandchil dren and I cannot help but smile.

In the meanwhile, though, wouldn’t it be great if we could begin the healing process ourselves and give the children a little more help over the next couple of decades? If we would only turn the tide and take responsibility instead of

just taking.

By Derek Maul

As Paul explained things in Romans 8: “For the creation,” he said, “is waiting in eager expectation for the children of God to finally get on board with God’s plan.”

Amen — let’s get on with it — DEREK. Derek Maul has written for many news outlets, including the Tampa Tribune, The United Methodist News Service, All Pro Dad, FOCUS Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The Chris tian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other publications. Read Derek Maul’s daily blog posts at www.derekmaul.wordpress.com.

HOT OFF THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WIRE

Charity Reaches Out To Ukraine Orphans For Christmas

A U.S.-based Christian charity is ramping up its eforts to bring hope to more than 60,000 children and orphans across Ukraine, Russia and the former Soviet Union this Christmas — 10,000 more children than last year. The hugescale, church-led Immanuel’s Child out reach supported by Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) gives local churches the opportunity to help thousands of children and their parents suf fering from poverty and war and facing the ominous threat of a brutal winter.

This Christmas, it’s even more vital to bring hope to thousands of children and orphans caught in a humanitarian catastro phe. It’s estimated 7.5 million people, many of them children, have been displaced within Ukraine’s borders, and as many as 5 million refugees are hunkering down in neighboring Poland.

Immanuel’s Child’s local church network is part of one of the most important aid dis tribution eforts in the former Soviet Union and war-torn Ukraine. Since the Ukraine conflict began, local churches supported by SGA — an organization that’s been serving evangelical churches in the former Soviet Union for almost 90 years — have supplied meals to more than 7 million people. For more information, visit www.sga.org.

Mr. T Preaches At His Home Church For First Time

Mr. T, whose real name is Laurence Tureaud, preached a message of faith at his home church, Cosmopolitan Communi ty Church in Chicago, Illinois. He shared a message called ‘Doubting Thomas,’ which focused on the Scripture passage John 20:24-25. During the sermon, he noted that

Christians, like Thomas, can sometimes doubt the Lord.

“Let me set the record straight right here, Thomas was not the only disciple that doubt. As a matter of fact, many of you are doubting Jesus right now,” Mr. T told the congregation. “Thomas did not doubt Jesus. Thomas doubted the disciples who was tell ing him about Jesus because Thomas knew the disciples were not credible witnesses.”

Mr. T described his opportunity to preach at his home church for the first time as “a great honor and awesome responsibility.” While he admitted that he was nervous while preparing to preach, he also shared that he let the Holy Spirit guide him. For more information, visit https://twitter.com/

er in his life that Cain realized God was the true inspiration behind his life’s work.

Cain is best known for co-writing “Don’t Stop Believin’,” as well as “Faithfully,” “Open Arms” and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).”

Cain leads worship at his church and is married to Paula White, senior pastor of City of Destiny Church in Apopka.

When he was in third grade, Cain survived a fire in a Catholic school that took the lives of 92 of his classmates and three nuns. Feel ing lost, Cain’s father put him in music school, believing his son was “saved for something greater.”

Cain was devastated when his father passed away at the age of 63. “I always wrote for him,” he said. But in the midst of his loss, God revealed something to the mu sician. “And then God, His voice came to me. I sat weeping at that piano, [and God] said, ‘No, Jon, it’s been me,’” Cain said. Cain now sees the lyrics in songs such as “Faithfully”

By Kelly Wise Valdes

and “Open Arms” through new eyes as God revealing His love to him. “It opened my eyes to the transcendence of a father reach ing down to his son,” he said. For more information, visit www.jon athancain.org.

Episcopal Priest’s Jeop ardy! Streak Yields $78K And Some Subtle Evange lism

Answer: This Episcopal priest is now a Jeopardy! champion with winnings of $78,098.

Question: Who is the Rev. David Sibley? Rev. Sibley, the rector of St. Paul’s Epis copal Church in Walla Walla, Washington, lived out a childhood dream, did some out reach on behalf of the church, and — above all — just had fun.

Rev. Sibley ini tially didn’t wear a clerical collar, wanting to play not as a priest but just another contes tant. However, he soon realized that simply by virtue of being introduced as a priest before each game, his priesthood had become part of the show. In a separate Twitter thread, he also shared that he would be tithing 10 percent of his winnings to his parish, explaining what that meant and why he was doing it.

“There was a clear ministry opportunity that emerged as the week went on that I wasn’t expecting,” he said. For more infor mation, visit www.stpaulsww.org.

He Didn’t “Stop Believin’”: Jour ney’s Jonathan Cain Reveals God Inspired His Most Famous Songs Singer and songwriter Jonathan Cain of the band Journey recently revealed that he credits the title of the hit song “Don’t Stop Believin’” to his father. But it wasn’t until lat

by the

Nancy C. Millan

ALL ABOUT SPEECH & LANGUAGE CELEBRATES A DECADE IN BUSINESS

All About Speech & Lan guage, located of Dale Mabry Highway, was opened 10 years ago by two sis ters, Brieann and Alicia Papp, who wanted to provide skilled and compas sionate care for their pa tients.

The Papp sisters were raised by a family of en trepreneurs and followed in the foot steps of their father and uncle by start ing a private practice after college. Brieann, who entered the Univer sity of Florida as a communication sci ences and disorders major, encouraged her younger sister to take a course in the field.

“[Alicia] fell in love with the course work and knew this was exactly the pro fession that would fulfill her passion of helping others and making a diference combined with the stimulating science behind human communication,” explained Brieann.

Following college, they shadowed local private practices and saw the benefits of combining individual therapy with func tional, group therapy.

“It allowed a therapist to build genuine connections and relationships with cli ents and their families and the 1:1 setting, in addition to collaborating with related professionals, allowed significant prog ress to be made in each child’s life,” the sisters said.

By Lily Belcher

A decade later, their team of 22 members hosts 500 individual sessions a week where they sup port 270 chil dren and their families. The family-owned business ofers speech-language therapy, oc cupation al therapy and reading and writ ing support. They also promote social skills through in dividual and group set tings and ofer addi tional pro

grams, such as Orton-Gillingham and Lin damood-Bell instruction and the Picture Exchange Communication System.

All About Speech & Language also pub lishes articles with care advice and tips for their patients, which allows them to extend their support to their families and community outside of the appointment times in the ofce.

“Given the relationships we develop with our families, we do our absolute best to maximize their potential as they grow and develop; so that as each devel opmental milestone is turned over, they have the tools they need to succeed as individuals, within their families, and as members in our community,” said the sis ters.

For more information, visit https:// aaspeech.com/ or follow it on Facebook and Twitter. To contact the Papp sisters’ ofce, call 813-616-4004 or fill out the contact form on the website.

BIKES FOR CHRIST NEEDS HELP WITH GIFTS OF TRANSPORTATION

Many individ uals have suf fered this past year, finding themselves in situations they never could have imagined. Loss of a job, loss of af fordable living … times are hard for many right now. A bicycle can be life-changing in so many ways.

“Ms. Acosta has a disabled husband and four children she takes care of. Tey have a vehicle in disrepair so this bicycle will enable Ms. Acosta to safely transport to work so she can earn income to support her family of 6. Ms. Acosta was very excited to receive this donation.”

Bikes For Christ needs your help this Christmas season to continue to help those less fortunate.

Bikes For Christ cur rently partners with over 70 organizations in the Tampa Bay area by supplying bicycles as transportation to the clients with whom these agencies work. Its main focus is veterans trying to overcome hardships, underprivileged children, and anyone who is in need and is trying to climb out of the grips of poverty or the situation they are in. Along with every bike it gives out, it also provides a Gos pel of John, as it wants that individual to know that Christ cares for and loves them.

Founder Pat Simmons stated, “Christ mas is always the time of year when we reach out to the community for that ex tra bit of help we need. Plus, we always try to do something special as well. The past two years we have had the oppor tunity to send bicycles to children in Af rica by partnering with The Tampa Bay Area Liberian Community Association, and we have close to 25 more on their way there this year. However, the need continues to be great here at home in our own community, so we are reaching

out to ask for more assis tance.”

At this time, Bikes For Christ is asking the public for donations of good, used bicycles in ‘adult’ sizes. Simmons said that “85 per cent of the orders our partner orga nizations place is for men’s bicycles, and those are always the greatest need.” Bikes do not have to be per fect, but it does want them to be as close to rideable condition as possible. That way repairs can be done quicker and they can be in the hands and feet of the individ uals who need them sooner. Monetary donations are always greatly appreciat ed as well. Donations options are here: www.bikes4christ.com/donations.

Among the many accolades Bikes For Christ has received, the most notewor thy was being honored with the 2020 WEDU ‘Be More Empowered’ award for “small nonprofit making the biggest im pact in the Tampa Bay area.”

Bikes For Christ is a 501(c)(3) tax-ex empt organization, EIN: 82-2374095. Its mission is to provide bicycles to those in need while also sharing the love of Jesus. Its main focus is veterans who are working to reestablish themselves, underprivileged children and anyone who is struggling and working towards self-sufciency.

Visit Bikes For Christ at www.bike s4christ.com.

All About Speech & Language celebrates 10 years of supporting local patients.

All About Speech & Language celebrates 10 years of supporting local patients.

DRUMLINES WILL PERFORM AT VFCC SHOP LOCAL HOLIDAY EXPO

The Valrico Fish Hawk Chamber of Commerce is hosting its VFCC Shop Lo cal Holiday Expo on Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Patrons will be able to shop at this annu al vendor market in the teachers’ park ing lot at Blooming dale Senior High School, located at 1700 Blooming dale Ave. in Val rico.

This event has been held by the chamber for over five years and ofers more than 40 vendors who will be showcas ing local products and services. In addition, mem bers of local high school drumlines will be making an appearance and having a ‘friend ly’ drumming competition and much more.

Each year, there is also a coveted flamingo decorating contest where vendors can dress up their fla mingos for the general public to vote on in diferent categories. Proceeds from the event support the chamber’s 2022 Charity of Choice: Im

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pact. The Impact Program promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships to teens through its Teen Impact program, to parents through its parent program and to teachers and other youth leaders through its class room education pro gram.

“We will be there with a fun booth for fami lies,” said Osprey Observer manag ing editor Marie Gilmore. “This is such a fun event and I love to shop local and support our local busi nesses.”

Booth space at the event is still available and costs just $60 per busi ness.

For more infor mation and to reg ister, visit https:// valricofishhawk. org/.

14TH ANNUAL FISHHAWK TURKEY TROT SET TO SUPPORT SEEDS OF HOPE FOOD BANK

Fourteen years after she helped her children earn community ser vice hours as Newsome High School runners staging a Thanksgiving Day race, Leda Eaton is leading the charge for the 14th annual Fish Hawk Turkey Trot and the Seeds of Hope food bank it supports.

That both Seeds of Hope and the trot have become fully en trenched in Eaton family lore is a given, as it is equally established in FishHawk, where thousands of runners from through out Tampa Bay arrive for the holiday race. Their aim is to support both the race and the food bank, which students help run un der the mentorship of adult leaders.

“It’s a diferent world we’re living in right now,” Eaton said. “So many kids aren’t ex posed to community service hours that involve giving back to the community in a meaningful way. We emphasis the impor tance of doing something selfless for oth ers.”

Leading the efort are students from nearby schools, including Bloomingda le, Newsome and Riverview high schools, along with homeschooled students “and adult leaders who mentor these kids and want to see them succeed,” Eaton said. Strawberry Crest High School in Plant City has been involved in the efort as well.

With its mission in mind, to nourish hope through community service, the Seeds of Hope food bank is open on Thursdays for boxing food items delivered a day earlier,

By Linda Chion

and which are dis tributed from 5-7 p.m., or until sup plies are depleted.

Space for the inde pendent, nonprofit food bank is provid ed at the Presbyte rian Church of Blooming dale, at 710 E. Blooming dale Ave. in Brandon.

Now in its 12th year, the demand for Seeds of Hope food boxes has been steady and growing, with 350 boxes distributed weekly.

With inflation and a bear economy coming on the heels of a health pandemic, “there’s just a lot of need out there,” Eaton said. “Every week we’re getting new peo ple. I don’t know how to put that genie back in the bottle. It started with COVID, and we haven’t seen it let up since.”

In support of the food bank, the Fish Hawk Turkey Trot kicks of on Thursday, November 24 at 5668 FishHawk Crossing Blvd., with races that include a timed and untimed 5K walk/run, 10K timed walk/run and 1-mile fun run. Also on tap, a 250-yard mini run for “kids and kids at heart,” pho tos with turkey mascots, dancing to the “Wobble” song, arts and crafts and special ribbons for the top 100 finishers in each race age category. The fee for each entrant includes as well a race T-shirt and medal.

Registration fees increase after Tuesday, November 22. To register, visit www.so hopefl.org or contact Millie or Dan Shikes at sponsor@sohopefl.org.

FishHawk Turkey Trot runners start their holiday morning in service to others supporting the Seeds of Hope food bank launched 12 years ago.

The chamber wants to thank Di amond Member HiTech Automotive and Platinum Members Backbone Construc tion & Roofing, The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, Citizens Bank & Trust, Excel lence First Insurance, Cruise Planners of Valrico and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.

Te Valrico FishHawk Chamber of Commerce will host its VFCC Shop Local Holiday Expo event at Bloomingdale High School on Saturday, Novem ber 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

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New Friends. New Beginnings.

Where the health of all members of the family is con cerned, it’s best to have a doctor who not only has much experience and ex pertise but also strives to personal ly care for patients. That’s the goal of Dr. Randell Sehres.

“My primary focus is to take care of the whole patient. … I’m able to address all of their concerns up to my level of exper tise,” he said.

Dr. Sehres is an award-winning, board-certified fam ily medicine doctor at Absolute Surgi cal Specialists with over 25 years of experience, which includes orthopedics, dermatology, men’s and women’s health care issues and mental health issues. He’s also a f liated with Brandon Re gional Hospital, the HCA network and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Born in Miami, he graduated from the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in 1993 and did his residency in family medicine in Balti more at Franklin Square Hospital. After returning to Florida, he was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base for his fouryear commitment to the Air Force, fin ishing in 2000.

Then in 2002, he started Brandon Family Medical Care, which he had for 17 years until it was bought by Adven tHealth. However, three years later, he

By Taylor Wells

lost his son, Scott, age 24, and chose to take time o f . He also found that he didn’t like working exclusively for a hos pital.

“The 17 years that we had the private practice, we really tailored that prac tice to be, you know, a family practice. We considered our patients; we didn’t treat them like num bers. We had a per sonalized relation ship with them, and that was lost when it was taken over,” said Dr. Sehres.

When he decided to work again, his friend, Dr. Craig Amshel, owner of Ab solute Surgical Specialists, suggested joining his practice, and did so in June. Now, Dr. Sehres can give more time to patients, and he’s been seeing them from Sun City Center and reaching out to those he had taken care of for many years — along with new patients — from Tampa, Brandon and other local areas.

“In family medicine, we’re trained to take care of patients of all ages, so one of my greatest satisfactions was taking care of the family … and seeing the chil dren grow and up and have children of their own,” he said.

Absolute Surgical Specialists is locat ed at 1046 Cypress Village Blvd. in Sun City Center. For an appointment with Dr. Sehres, call 813-633-0081.

TAMPA BAY VETERANS APPRECIATION WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER

Local veterans and a coalition of churches and businesses re cently came to gether to spon sor a new event, the Tampa Bay Veterans Appre ciation weekend. The coalition seeks to help vet erans transform their lives by o f ering information that can improve their circumstances and showing them resources that they may not know they have access to. Veterans and their families are encouraged to join in for food, drinks and fellowship as they are given thanks and served in honor of their own service to our coun try at this completely free event.

The first day will be about spiritu al and physical wellness and include a brief sermon by a veteran in our community, haircuts for veterans who need them and medical screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes. The screenings will be accompanied by in formation cards about early identifica tion and prevention of these diseases, with qualified doctors and nurses onsite to provide this service.

The second day is for mental and fi nancial wellness. Guests can expect fi nancial advice workshops with licensed financial planners on-site to provide ed ucation and advice; health care planning workshops, which will have a planner available to educate the veterans about their options and provide resources; and an entrepreneurship workshop, in which a veteran, who is an entrepre

By Taylor Wells

neur, will pro vide mentorship on how to start a business after completing your military career.

Each day, there will also be to-go meals and information packets, which include resourc es like Medicaid options, financial planning and veteran benefits, to name a few.

“We went through with the VA and a few other veterans associations to put together information for the vets that we can give to them in one robust packet,” said Maran-Atha Taylor, event coordinator of the coalition, which con sists of Renew & Transform Ministries International, New Foundation Chris tian Assembly International, Awaken and Transform Ministries, WeGoAll Places LLC, Chosen Business Services, Veterans Medicare Options, Primerica Financial Services and Merr Art Inc.

Taylor added, “We’re also working with the VA to send a rep out to help the veterans with registering for ser vices and asking questions that they might have because many people don’t know what all they have access to.”

The event takes place on Saturday, November 12 from 12 Noon-4 p.m. and Sunday, November 13 from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Gardenville Park & Recreation Center, located at 6219 Symmes Rd. in Gibsonton. For regis tration, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ tampa-bay-veterans-appreciation-tick ets-437240697697.

Dr. Randell Sehres, a family medicine doctor at Absolute Surgical Specialists and an afliate of Brandon Regional Hospital, the HCA network and St. Joseph’s Hospital.