Parish VOICE May 2024 Edition A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM SKIDAWAY ISLAND METHODIST CHURCH
Keep On Keeping On A Note from Rev. Hale Bishop
Dear Church Family, Exciting things continue to unfold in 2024. Our pursuit to exceed expectations and embrace growth continues. At SIMC, we embody God’s love, extending a warm embrace to those seeking solace in Christ. It’s heartening to note that the primary reason for individuals joining our church is our welcoming spirit. Thank you for radiating such warmth! As of mid-April, we’ve welcomed 32 new members this year. Remember to wear those name tags and continue to invite persons to church, worship, fellowship, and ultimately, to Christ. At SIMC we are committed to nurturing relationships with God and others as it mirrors Jesus’ core teachings: love God, love your neighbors. All areas of the church are experiencing expansion, with children and youth flocking in such numbers that we’re in constant need of volunteers. Our Sunday School classes and midweek small groups are burgeoning. Embrace this opportunity to deepen your faith and foster growth throughout 2024. And always know there is a place for you to get involved. We take pride in the depth of knowledge within our SIMC community. To facilitate continuous learning, we’ve recently provided the entire congregation with RightNow Media, a vast repository of videos for all ages. This invaluable resource is yours to explore freely, and feel free to share it with others outside
our community. Our aim is to enrich everyone’s understanding of Christ, empowering us to better serve God and each other. We are profoundly blessed to be vessels of God’s work, impacting our church, community, and the wider world. Together with fellow believers globally, we’re effecting positive change in countless lives. As we step into the summer season, let’s remain steadfast in our faith. While it’s tempting to ease into relaxation, let’s continue striving toward our ultimate goal: always seeking to do more in service of Christ.
Hale
Family & Education Director Update Our Staff Parish Relations Committee approved the creation of a new ministry position at the church. We are currently searching for a Family & Education Director who will provide vision and oversight for our quickly growing children, youth and family ministries. This individual will work in collaboration with our existing children and youth ministry staff. We anticipate filling this position in the next 3 to 4 months. Please join us in praying for God to lead us to the right person for this new role. Top Eagle Scout Named: Tripp Milling Tripp was one of 62 Scouts in the Coastal Georgia Council recognized last night for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 2023. His service project at Skidaway Island Methodist was also selected for the 2023 Ea- gle Scout Service Project of the Year award for the Council, which covers 22 counties! He could not have done it without the support of the congrega- tion and staff at SIMC. We are very proud of him and wanted to share this news with the SIMC family!
SGAGMC Annual Conference July 11 - 13 at Epworth by the Sea
Narthex Refresh In the past few months, we’ve had a team of creative volunteers working on plans for a few updates to the Narthex. It is important to have a warm and inviting space to greet those who arrive for worship including those visiting our church for the first time as well as those who have worshiped here for decades. The space will have a designated Welcome Center so anytime you meet someone who is visiting the church, please direct them to the Welcome Center to pick up information about the church. Thank you to those who contributed to this project. The South Georgia Annual Conference will be held July 11-13 at Epworth by the Sea. Our pastors and delegates will represent our congregation, but all who are interested are welcome and encouraged to attend. At this year’s Annual Conference, Michelle Johnson will be ordained as Elder on Saturday (she was ordained deacon last summer) and she will also be one of the keynote speakers during the Friday morning session. The conference will focus on God’s call and our response to that call in each of our lives.
Meet our Summer Intern, Angelina Stack Hi! My name is Angelina Stack. I am a rising sophomore at UGA, majoring in psychology. I have grown up in the Methodist Church and have always enjoyed the support and community I found there, especially through the youth ministry. Whether through mission trips, Bible studies or games on Sunday nights, the youth ministry has helped me grow into the person I am today. However…my favorite part of every Sunday morning service was/is the music! I love to sing and have been a part of multiple choirs throughout my life. The music director at my childhood church started teaching me piano at the age of 5! I’ve come full circle as I often teach music classes during VBS. I am always amazed at the connection music can make between us and Christ (even if it’s through silly songs like “Father Abraham”). I’m very excited to work with Skidaway Methodist this summer and look forward to being part of the community!
Mission Highlight: CAMINO In this section of The Voice we highlight one of the many partnerships of SIMC so you can get to know about our outreach programs and needs in the community. This month we highlight a mission abroad, the Camino.
Nestled in Central America, Camino Honduras shines as a beacon of hope amidst challenges. Committed to uplifting communities, this organization stands out for its holistic approach, focusing on education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
This summer, SIMC will have six youth and eight adults travel to Honduras to partner with Camino. While there, our group will build 2 houses, paint a mural at the local school, as long as host a one-day VBS. This will be our church’s third mission trip to the area as we seek to build a long-lasting relationship. Please keep our team and the Camino mission in your prayers.
Education is central to Camino Honduras. Through schools and scholarships, they ensure access to quality education, offering youth a pathway to a brighter future. Simultaneously, they address healthcare disparities, improving access and promoting well-being as well as economic empowerment. Camino Honduras provides skills training and microfinance support, fostering sustainable livelihoods and breaking the cycle of poverty. Meanwhile, they champion environmental sustainability through conservation and awareness efforts. Collaboration is at their core. By partnering with local communities, government agencies, and international organizations, such as SIMC, Camino maximizes its impact. So far in 2024, Camino has been able to build 12 CAMINO homes, 9 of those homes were funded and built by mission teams like ours.
Our next mission to Honduras will be in January 2025 (dates TBD). Contact Emma for more details or questions (emma@skidawaymethodist.org).
To donate via the Amazon wishlist, scan the QR code.
Women’s Ministry at Skidaway Island Methodist Church The Women’s Ministry at Skidaway Island Methodist Church is designed to engage women of our church and community in spiritual, social, and service opportunities. For questions about any of our ministry opportunities, please contact Rev. Michelle Johnson at michelle@skidawaymethodist.org or call the church office at 912-598-8460.
Women in the Word Sunday, May 5 at 6:00 pm.
Words of Encouragement A Note from Rev. Michelle Johnson I always welcome the season of spring as we begin to enjoy warmer weather, blooming flowers, and fresh growth on trees. But here in the South, it seems like spring doesn’t last long enough as we are already on the cusp of summer! This change in seasons has me reflecting on the change of seasons we experience in our own lives. Sometimes it feels as if we just settle into a season and then experience a change that pulls us into another season of life. Ecclesiastes 3 says “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh…a time to gain and a time to lose…a time to keep and a time to throw away…a time to keep silent and a time to speak…” New seasons sometimes bring joy, sometimes pain, sometimes new friendships, and sometimes significant growth. Be reminded that no matter what season you are in, God is walking with you
Our Women in the Word group meets on the first Sunday evening of each month, and women of all ages are invited to attend as we take a closer look at women in the Bible. Each month will be a “stand-alone” gathering, so if you missed our last one you can still join! Women’s Book Club The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom Wednesday May 22 at 10:00 am
What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of
shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord”. And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him. Small Group Opportunity
We've heard from many of you that a desire exists for small group opportunities for our younger women and we truly want to help facilitate these opportunities...and want potential gatherings to be a joy that fuels and refreshes your soul rather than simply one more commitment in your week. To help discern the best options for small groups, please take a few moments to complete this short survey by scanning the QR code with a variety of options. We realize your schedules all change according to sea- son and kids' activities, but we’re hoping this survey will offer insight as we plan.
Coming this Summer: Armor of God Details coming soon!
Children’s Church Our unit is called One Small Step. We will be talking about how believing in Jesus is the first step – the very beginning of our life with God! Our Big Ideas and Scriptures are:
Take the first step – believe in Jesus. Acts 1:1-11; John 5:1-6 Take another step – pray for others. Acts 3; John 17:6-19
Take a big step – the Holy Spirit makes us brave. Acts 6, 7:54-59; Acts 2:1-21 Don’t skip this step – tell others about Jesus. Acts 8:26-40; Isaiah 6:1-8 We are looking forward to seeing the children on Sundays! VBS
Children’s Choir Practice at 11:15 on Sunday, May 5
We are still looking for volunteers to help us in Vacation Bible School. This is a special week of outreach and sharing Jesus with others. The children are blessed by the love and fun they experience during the week as they learn about Jesus. For some children, this is their only exposure to Jesus each year. If you can help, no matter how small you think your contribution can be, please reach out to Susan at either susan@skidawaymethodist.org or 912-398-3673 today. We promise you will receive the greatest blessing of all! Bible Verse Challenge We are challenging our Kindergarten through 5th grade children to learn Bible verses. This is an activity that will benefit the children throughout their lifetime and the current challenge is underway! This is an individual challenge, not a competition. The children are being asked to memorize Bible verses. Once they learn one, they are to let their Children’s Church leader know so they can recite it to her. Please let me know if your child needs a copy of the verses. I will be happy to hand them out at church or bring them to you. Psalm 119:11 (NIRV): I have hidden your word in my heart so that I won’t sin against you. Please reach out to Ms. Susan if you have any questions. It will be exciting to see what happens as our children put God’s word into their hearts!!!
The children’s choir will be practicing for a special Mother’s Day presentation in the 10:00 service on May 12. Practice will be at 11:15 on Sunday, May 5 in the Chapel. Please plan for your children to join Ms. Carrie and Mr. DJ for as many practices as possible. We will all be blessed by the special song they sing just for Mom!
Upcoming in May Movie Trip on May 26th (time TBD based off showings available) Senior Sunday on May 19th at 10:00 am Youth Summer of Fun! Video Bible Study on Mondays in July at 6:00 pm In July we are bringing back our video Bible study that was such a huge hit last summer! Every night we will provide a different dessert and work our way through a RightNow Media teaching series. We will meet on Monday nights in July at 6:00 pm (no meeting July 15). Summer Waves & Lock-In July 27 - 28 Join us as we head to Jekyll Island for a day at Summer Waves! Afterwards we will have a lock-in at the church and head to church together on Sunday morning.
Men’s Bible Study Held every Monday at 4:00 pm in the Parlor. The group is currently studying Acts and using William Barclay’s commentary. Contact Hale for more information. Grief Care Group Meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am in the Parlor. Join us as we journey together in a safe sacred space on May 7th and 21st at 10:00 am. We’ll be discussing helpful goals as we journey through grief together. All are welcome, no matter when you lost your loved one, we are here for you. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
America’s Second Harvest Tour May 8th at 10:00 am Join our Adult Ministry to tour America’s Second Harvest’s new facility, have a light volunteer activity while there, and enjoy lunch after. To register, scan the QR code.
Directory Photo Dates May 2nd - May 5th
Line Dancing Wednesday, May 15th at 1:00 pm
Bright Eye-Deas Low Vision Group Wednesday, May 8th, from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. join us for a presentation on Non-24 Hour Sleep Wake Disorder. We will have Ms. Vicky Preddy, MSN, RN, a nurse educator with Vanda Pharma- ceuticals, sharing her knowledge on this subject with us. For questions or transportation needs, please call Kay Higby at 248-227-1800. If you would enjoy going to lunch following the meeting, please contact Anne Jeanblanc at 912-598-0879. SIMC will have photographers on site to take photos of our members for our new directory from April 25 - 28 and May 2 - 5. Schedule your time by scanning the QR code.
Come join us for line dancing in Bailey Hall! We’ll slow down the music and learn a few basic steps. For more information, contact Emma at emma@
Rise Against Hunger Sunday, May 5th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Our missions team is inviting you to join us on Sunday, May 5 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm as we help pack 10,000 meals to be delivered to people in developing countries who have suffered from natural disasters to conflict.
We need 40-50 volunteers (3rd grade and up) to help weigh, measure, and pack. Younger children will pack snack bags for PACK. Register by scanning the QR code.
Skidaway Island Methodist Church 54 Diamond Causeway Savannah, Georgia 31411 (912) 598-8460 www.skidawaymethodist.org
Non-Profit US Postage PAID Permit 96 Savannah GA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Rev. Hale Bishop Senior Pastor hale@skidawaymethodist.org Rev. Michelle Johnson Executive Pastor michelle@skidawaymethodist.org Paul Chant Director of Music Ministries paul@skidawaymethodist.org
Emma Johnston Youth & Program Director emma@skidawaymethodist.org Susan Donovan Director of Children Ministries susan@skidawaymethodist.org Debbie Platt Office Manager office@skidawaymethodist.org
Melissa Gillenwater Communications Coordinator publish@skidawaymethodist.org Ashley Saprrito Controller asaporito@lacpa.net
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