Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church

Please mark your calendars for the last week of July for an early Church-wide Flea Market. Sorting and pricing will take place on Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30.  All donations may be brought to the Fellowship Center starting on Sunday, July 26 through Wednesday, July 29.

The sale days are: Friday, July 31 from 8 am to 12 noon and Saturday, Aug. 1 from 8 am to 2 pm.

We will need help in moving all the items stored under the steps in Rudy Hall and in the Annex-watch your bulletins for the date and time.  Plan now to devote time to this project to raise funds for our church.  We need lots of help the entire last week of July!

Vacation Bible School has been scheduled for August 10-14 in the evenings.  Please contact Sue Wendt or the church office if you can help!  We need volunteers to register children, teach lessons, lead crafts, lead games, serve food, build back ground sets, and more!  There’s something for everyone!

The Food Pantry continues to be a blessing for so many in our community.  Thanks to all who have contributed their time and donations of food or money.

Non-perishable items may be placed in the box in the narthex or simply write “food pantry” on your check in the offering plate.

Please see Donna Portal if you would like to help out with this outreach mission of our church.  The smiles, the hugs and the words of gratitude we receive would not be possible without YOU.

To My New Friends in Christ,

The Apostle Paul begins many of his letters to local churches giving thanks for their care and ministry and affirming that their ministry has been heard of far and wide. Well, not only had I heard about your faithful ministry through Pastor Sam, but now the whole Annual Conference has been encouraged by your witness! Our very own Leila Toledo as A.C. Representative gave testimony during an open mic time about the outreach efforts of CRUMC. She spoke very proudly of CRUMC’s faithfulness during the ReFocus process and the God-given dreams that you all have begun to pursue as a result.

I share those dreams to offer mercy for the healing of the nations like feeding the hungry and comforting the sick. We also have a common dream to see people streaming to the house of God to worship Him with passion in many different creative modes. And, did I mention that I love Starbucks? Seriously, I like the coffee well-enough but what I truly love are the unexpected places where community pops-up and Christ’s love is shared in real-live human relationships. It is with prayer and hope that I look forward to seeing these dreams come to true with you.

I hope to see you in church soon and for the opportunity to get to know one another better through worship!

~ Pastor Amber

Download the entire newsletter: The Holy Post - July 09 [PDF]

Calendar -  July 09 [PDF]

Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL

Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL

Important Upcoming Dates

July -

1: Pastor Amber Massingill & family move in
5: Welcome Luncheon for Massingills, 11:45 am (F.C.)
6: Worship Committee, 7 pm (Annex)
13: Community Ministry Team, 7 pm (Annex)
25: SHARE Pick Up, 8:30-10:30 am (F.C.)
27: Trustees, 7 pm (Annex)
31: Flea Market, 8 am-12 noon (F.C.)

Click here for Complete Calendar - Jul. 09 [PDF]

Bishop Whitaker has appointed Rev. Amber Massingill to begin serving as our pastor beginning July 1, 2009.   Rev. Amber Massingill is a native Floridian born in Gainesville, FL.  She grew up in the United Methodist church and sensed a call to ministry beginning in college while working in various church settings including Children & Youth ministry.  She received her undergraduate degree from Furman University in Religion and Political Science and graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2000.  While in seminary she focused most of her practical learning in Pastoral Care in hospital and assisted living ministries.

At Duke, she met her husband Paul, a native of Texas, who is also an ordained Methodist minister and will be starting a brand new Wesley Foundation to serve the students of the FIU/Miami-Dade College campuses.  Amber and Paul have two young boys Gabriel (6yrs) and Michael (2 ½ yrs).  Currently, Amber is serving on staff along with Paul at the Gator Wesley Foundation at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  Previously, she has served as a local church pastor in Tampa, North Miami, and England.

Pastor Amber has a passion for Spiritual Formation among God’s people, as well as sharing the love of God and good news of Christ with new people.  She enjoys leading Bible studies like Disciple and Experiencing God and especially helping new people connect through small group experiences like Alpha for evangelism, or moms’ groups for support, or prayer for spiritual growth.

“I am looking forward to meeting each of you and serving in ministry along side you.  I hope that God will use my pastoral leadership and passion for spiritual growth to help Cutler Ridge UMC making an impact for Christ in the community.  Please pray for our family, as I pray for you, during this transition.”
Rev. Amber Massingill

Dear Friends,

When our District Superintendent Rev. Debbie McLeod told me that Rev. Amber Massingill was being appointed to serve Cutler Ridge UMC beginning July 1st, I was very excited for you.  She is a wonderful person and you will love her very much.  She is gifted in many ways.  She will be a blessing to this congregation.

There are going to be many changes in the South East District.  Rev. Debbie McLeod, our current district superintendent, is being appointed as Senior pastor of Mandarin UMC in Jacksonville.   The new district superintendent for our district will be Rev. Craig Nelson.  Some of you may remember Craig from when he served at Perrine Peters.  Rev. Tim Smiley, who is senior pastor at Plantation UMC will go to serve as district superintendent the North East District.  I will take his place as the senior pastor at Plantation UMC.  My last Sunday in the pulpit will be June 14, after which I will be taking two weeks of vacation (I’ve never thought of packing as a vacation).

Thank you for the support, during these eight years of my ministry at Cutler Ridge UMC.  You have been good friends and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

I would appreciate your prayers very much.  As CRUMC is facing some severe difficulties regarding our finances, Plantation UMC is experiencing the same.  Pray that I will be able to lead them well into this uncertain future.  I will be praying for you and for Rev. Massingill and her family.  God bless you all!

~Sam

Download the entire newsletter: The Holy Post - June 09 [PDF]

Calendar -  June 09 [PDF]

- Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL

Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL

Important Upcoming Dates

June
1: Church Council, 7 pm (F.C.)
14: Farewell to Pastor Sam, 11:45 am
21: Father’s Day
27: SHARE Pick Up, 8:30-10:30 am (F.C.)
29: Trustees, 7 pm (Annex)

July 5: Welcome Pastor Amber Massingill

Click here for Complete Calendar - Jun. 09 [PDF]

Cutler Ridge United
Methodist Preschool/Kindergarten
20740 Old Cutler Rd
Cutler Bay, Fl 305-235-6654
(on the corner of Old Cutler and Marlin Road)
over 40 years of serving the Cutler Ridge area

Now accepting registration for 2 year olds through kindergarten.

Preschool hours are 9:00 - 12:00 with before and after care provided for children enrolled in our school.

Part-time & Full-time programs available.
Our Preschool is open from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Free VPK program available for 4 year olds

NAEYC & UMAP accredited.  Gold Seal Provider by DCF

Brochure - Details, Schedule & Tuition Rates [PDF]

Please call or stop by for more information!

Dear Friends,

A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution. “Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs?” “Not so fast,” said the pig testily. “For you, that’s a contribution. For me, it’s a total commitment.

In the current economic crisis it’s time for us to make commitments to our church, our families and our neighbors.  Some people are struggling and will not make it unless we step up and commit ourselves to them.  Even some churches will not survive unless people give sacrificially.  It is a difficult time and we need each other.

At the heart of Christianity is the idea of sacrifice.  Jesus gave up his life on the cross for us.  Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us.  In response we give ourselves to God and to others.

This month we celebrate Mother’s Day.  In my own life, motherhood has been the best example of sacrifice.  My mother and my wife have sacrificed so much for their children.  I have been amazed at their sacrificial love.  If you have a mother like that in your life, let her know how much you appreciate her total commitment to others.  Happy Mother’s Day!

~Sam

Download the entire newsletter: The Holy Post - May 09 [PDF]

Calendar - May 09 [PDF]

- Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL