BEACON
week of August 4th, 2024
The Church at Shalimar
Lead Pastor
Dr. Alan McBride
Gerald Batton Custodian
Chris Bennett Director of Student Ministry
Karen Cardinez Office Administrative Assistant
Miranda Colgan Director of Camp Ministries
Tanner Dubose Communications Assistant
Denise Heath Financial Secretary
Sarah Hicks Director of Children’s Ministry
Karen Jadin Preschool Director
Tony Mallini Interim Church Administrator
Heyward McKenzie Chef
Amanda Marshall Nursery Coordinator
Sara Morrison Financial Assistant
Forrest Oliver Assistant Respite Director
Leigh J. Rice Respite Director
Ben Savage Director of Worship Arts Staff
Christ-centered, multi-generational, family & community relevant ministries through WORSHIP , DISCIPLESHIP , and MISSION .
Weekly Schedule
Week of August 4th
Sunday, 4th
Monday, 5th
Tuesday, 6th
Wednesday, 7th
Church Life
Blessing of the Backpacks
The new school year is just around the corner! Each year it is our tradition to pray over students and their backpacks, teachers, and other faculty within the school district as they enter the new school year. We invite teachers and faculty to join us next Sunday, August 11 at the Upward (8:00 am) and the Traditional (11:00 am) Services, and students at the Freedom Service (10:37 am) as we pray over them for a successful school year.
The Church At Shalimar - Our Next Steps
Our Church Family has adopted a new name and other elements that are part of presenting this wonderful 73-year-old Church as a NEW Church to our community and new people of all ages. Three Truths remain among a new name - first, our purpose is to make disciples for Jesus Christ- bringing people to a place of knowing Jesus’ Love for them and providing an atmosphere that enables new folks to experience Jesus’ Love. Secondly, The Church At Shalimar remains deeply connected to our Wesleyan Methodist heritage. Finally, our heritage and long history propels us to proclaim, teach, and live out our belief in the authority of the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, understanding this as God’s Word for all.
We have registered our “Doing Business As” name with the State so we can now operate as The Church At Shalimar. We will maintain our legal name and continue our 501c3 status. Numerous other steps of implementation have started. Understand that our name strongly implores all of our Church Family to give your service, time, and energy to ministries that carry out our purpose. Currently, The Church At Shalimar needs more persons to serve with our AVL team for excellent Worship presentations and persons to assist Pastor Alan with leading parts of each Worship service. Say “yes” to God’s call and contact Pastor Alan or the Church office to get involved in this new Church.
No Wednesday Night Programming on August 14th
As we transition into a new school year, there will be no Fellowship Dinner or activities on Wednesday, August 14th. Please communicate with your small group leader or director for more information on your class!
Offering Moment
Flower arrangements and roses can be given to the glory of God and displayed each week in the Sanctuary worship services. Reservations for altar flowers can be made using the reservation book in the Sanctuary Narthex or by calling the Church Office at (850) 651–0721
Missions Moment
Good of the Church featuring
The Back to School Bash was the culmination of the efforts of the Missions and Outreach Committee and our Children’s Director Sarah Hicks to provide a fun-filled event for the children in our community. Sarah’s team provided inflatables, crafts, and activities, and free food was provided by William Schenck’s team in the Family Life Center. Sandra Brown, the Mission Committee’s person of contact for the backpacks and school supplies, received superb support from One Joyful Place preparing the school supply kits for kindergartensecond grade. Casey Brennan and Kathy Little prepared the school supplies for third - fifth grade, and the children attending Summer Camp prepared the middle and high school supply kits. The following people volunteered to distribute backpacks and school supplies as well as gently used books at the Back to School Bash: Judy Bonner, Robin Hays, Denise Heath, Wendy Johnston, Kim Margold, Connie and Jimmy McAdams, Tammy Morgan, Janet Norris, and Laura Peacock. We have distributed 124 backpacks with plans to also provide them to our customers at Blessings For Children on Wednesday, and to the local middle schools and Choctawhatchee High School. Many thanks to our congregation for your support of this opportunity to share the love of Jesus to those in need.
Are you passionate about helping people feel welcome and enjoy themselves over a delicious meal? If so, consider serving on the Hospitality Team during the weekly fellowship time at Wednesday night dinner and Sunday morning brunch. Contact Chef Heyward McKenzie during the fellowship times for more information.
If Fellowship Dinner is not on your plate, then we have other opportunities! God has designed us with a unique combination of gifts, passions, and life experiences to spread the Gospel. Let us know which areas of ministry you want to serve in by completing an Every Member In Ministry (EMIM) form at shalimar-umc.org/emim.
A special thanks to the church for your continued support in Children’s Ministry. It is because of your generous giving that ten 3rd – 5th graders were able to retreat from the noisy world and “BE” with God at Blue Lake. The week at Blue Lake provided a space for our campers to grow in relationship with God and one another. Praise Be To God!
Kids Camp Report
How Do You Re-Purpose a Lending Library?
The back and front story here is that our library, in existence for many years, has been “re-purposed” in a sense into a fun and lively Childrens’ Center! The former library space is ground zero now for our kids, our future! The enlargements and improvements are amazing, thanks to a few visionary volunteers who saw great potential and possibilities in already-existing spaces and others who wisely recognized growing ministries in those spaces! We are blessed as a church to have folks who are able to imagine and foresee possibilities, here’s to ALL who in one way or another, made the transformation a success story!
BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE LIBRARY BOOKS?
WHERE ARE THE BOOKCASES, LADEN WITH TONS OF RESEARCH, CURRICULUM, LITERATURE AND JUST GREAT READING MATERIALS?
GREAT QUESTIONS; here to be answered:
All research and curriculum books and series are now in bookshelves in our Conference Room, formerly the church chapel. These are materials for digging deeper and/or for leading small groups in reflection and study. This is the center for all things study-related, if for yourself or your small groups of any kind. Take your time here, and understand that what you are being offered is access to a vast supply of reference material, carefully selected over many years to grow and know spiritually. Tables and chairs in the conference room make it easy to peruse and use.
The childrens’ book collection, one of the best we believe, is now in the Childrens’ Center, very much a part of that ministry. Again, books for kids were all carefully chosen with the common goal of lifting and loving kids.
All other books are now on book shelves on the 2nd floor of our FLC and especially arranged in Room 209 there. ALL books are yours for the having no more checking out or in, no strings attached! Just help yourselves; keep, share, or bring back.
Easy-peasy!
A most exciting part of the re-purpose project was the creation of an “Upper Room” in FLC room 209. Step into a quiet and comfy room, turn on a lamp or two, and enjoy being surrounded by books and decor that soothe and perhaps inspire. It’s a place for reading, reflection, visiting one on one, or for a small group gathering, warm and welcoming. Again, when you find a book you’d like to read, just take it. And if you want to meet there with someone special or host a small group, a table and 8-10 chairs, a white board, pens and pencils are there, but for those occasions, please reserve the space with the church office.
And THAT’S HOW TO RE-PURPOSE A CHURCH LIBRARY!!!
-Anne Porter
Care Packages Needed!
The Blue Star Mothers are doing summer troop care packages, and we need your help! Please consider donating items for the boxes. Please see the list below and there will be a list on the collection box in the FLC lobby. If you have a deployed family member or friend who could use a box, please let us know.
Suggested Care Package Items
If someone who has deployed has other ideas, please feel free to add them!!
Small size/travel size toiletries (shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste, wipes, etc)
Toothbrushes and travel holders/protectors
Disposable razors for men and women
Individual serving tea, coffee, cocoa, (Starbucks Via Lattes, Tasters Choice, powders, etc.)
Individual serving drink mixes/flavors that can be added to water bottles (Gatorade, Propel, Crystal Lite, etc.)
Individual packages nuts, trail mix, jerky (NO pork), mac & cheese, peanut butter, other lunch substitute items
Individual packages of snacks (cookies, gummies, snack cakes, crackers, granola and other bars)
Lip balm, Blistex, Vaseline, Carmex (squeeze tubes)
Travel size Q tips, kleenex , bandaids
Writing material, games, movies, cards
Gum, Lifesavers, hard candy
Socks (thick, cotton or wool) and/or Sock slippers
Towel and hand towel – cheery colors
Silly cube-compressed washcloths (Spongebob, SpiderMan, etc)
Foot powder and Dr. Scholl’s moleskin
Sun block and Insect repellent (lotion or towlettes)
Inflatable pillows
Small toys or stuffed animals troops can give out (or for them)
Mesh laundry bags
Grief Support G roup
At a GriefShare group, you’ll find understanding, guidance, relief, and a safe place to navigate the challenges of grief. Come join us! Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one Contact Us Today
Thursdays, 5:00 - 7:00 pm Central September 12 - December 12 Meetings via Zoom for information visit GriefShare.org
