Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church
20740 Old Cutler Rd - Cutler Bay, FL 33189 [Click for MAP]

1. Find an empty shoe box or small plastic container. (If you choose to wrap your box, please  wrap the lid separately.)
2. Determine if your gift will be for a boy or girl and pick an age category: 2-4, 5-9, 10-14.  Mark the gender and age on the top of your box (labels are provided in the church lobby.)
3. Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.  Examples: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, school supplies, coloring books, crayons, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, candy (please double bag all candy), T-shirts, hair clips, toy jewelry, etc.
   *Do NOT include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
4. (Optional) Place a personal note and/or picture of yourself in a separate envelope. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
5. Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using the EZGIVE option at www.samaritanspurse.org, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it with a donation form (forms are in the church lobby) in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box.  If you are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
6. Wrap a rubber band around each closed shoe box and take it to the church office by Nov. 10 ‘08.

Many people are struggling financially.  Some are losing their homes.  Others are being evicted from places they rent because the landlord is losing the home.  Many people have lost thousands of dollars in their retirement accounts making the future even more uncertain.

How can we give thanks at a time like this?  It’s hard to be grateful when we focus on what we have lost.  I don’t think we can be thankful if we look at what we don’t have, what we used to have or what we wish we had.

Of all the Christian virtues, gratitude is one of the most important.  In his letter to the Philippians the Apostle Paul says, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

The secret of St. Paul’s contentment was in his confidence that God was with him to see him through any situation.  Paul was writing to a community of Christians, who had helped him financially.  So those of us, who are able, need to reach out to help those in need.  And all of us need to give thanks for what we have.

Sam

Download the entire newsletter: The Holy Post - Oct 08 [PDF]

- Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church - Cutler Bay, FL

NOVEMBER 08 – IMPORTANT DATES

8th - Country Fair & BBQ, 8 am—5 pm
11th - ReFocus Team, 7 pm (Annex)
16th - New Member Sunday, 10:30 am
16th - Preschool Board, 7 pm (Annex)
17th - ReFocus Team, 7 pm (Annex)
23rd - Annual Charge Conference, 3 pm (KPUMC)
23rd - Festival of Breads, 7 pm (Sanctuary)
24th - Trustees, 7 pm (Annex)
29th - Hanging of the Greens, 2 pm (Sanctuary)

Complete Calendar - Nov. 08 [PDF]

• ReFocus Summit #2: October 18
• Radical Hospitality Training: November 1 (Tell Pastor Sam now if you plan to go.)
• Country Fair & Barbecue: November 8
• Charge Conference: November 23
• Festival of Breads: November 23
• Hanging of the Greens: November 29
• ReFocus Summit #3: December 6

Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church
20740 Old Cutler Rd - Cutler Bay, FL 33189 [Click for MAP]

Everyone interested in helping our church become more hospitable, is welcome to attend.  We need to know who wants to go so that we can pay the registration fee now.  Please let the pastor know if you will attend.  Thanks!

Discovery: Where are we going and what does God want to accomplish?

The ReFocus Team will present a “Community Profile” that will help us determine our church’s mission focus.  This will lead to a time of listening to the Lord to discover and then to clarify God’s vision for our church.   We will then identify the Strategic Values needed to accomplish the vision. (Free Lunch)

Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church
20740 Old Cutler Rd - Cutler Bay, FL 33189 [Click for MAP]

CUBA: In Cuba there are nearly 500,000 dwellings completely destroyed, which has left nearly 2 million people without a home.  The danger of hunger and illnesses is very real and we need to act quickly.  Ways to help:
1. Donate money to the church designating it to go to Cuba.
2. We are collecting these specific items to be taken to Cuba:

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food
• Personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• First aid medicines (anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheic [Imodium etc.])
• Medicines to lower fever (aspirin, Tylenol, etc).

(We are not collecting clothing at this time.)
*Please bring donations to the church office by October 26.

HAITI: United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already at work in emergency relief in Haiti, but desperately needs more money to provide more emergency relief as their supplies are quickly depleted.  Ways to help:
1. Donate money to the church designating “Haiti UMCOR”
2. Donate money online at www.umcor.org
100% of your gift goes to the need.