Dear Members and Friends of the Congregational Church of the Villages,

The summer is half over (anyone happy besides me?) and we are still averaging over 60 people in attendance at worship, which is approximately 20+ more people than last summer!  We welcome ALL who have joined us with open arms and hearts.  With more numbers, we need to work harder at getting to know people...which is one of the reasons we have so many activities going on during the week for everyone.  Please check out the following dates and events and see where you would like to "jump in" for some fun and an opportunity to learn that everyone else in the church is as nice as you are!

Every Sunday @ 9:30AM:   Worship with music, prayer and a meaningful lesson; preceded and followed by fellowship and light refreshments (if people have signed the Volunteer Refreshment Chart).

Tuesday, July 13 @ 6PM:  19 people practiced their "pottery" skills at Amazing Glaze & had a jolly good time!  Be sure to admire their ice cream bowls at the Ice Cream Social this Friday, 7/23.

Thursday, July 22 @ 8:30AM:  Men's Fellowship meets at Ministry Center.  The next men's meeting will be 9/30.  Men's or the Women's Fellowship will not be meeting in August!  Please join them again in September.

Thursday, July 22 @ 6:30PM:   Board of Trustees meeting, Ministry Center.  Future dates of the Board meetings are August 26 & September 23.  All are welcome to attend these meetings.

Friday, July 23 @ 6:30PM:   Ice Cream Social & fantastic Christian comedian will be on hand to keep us filling and jigglling our bellies; a $5 donation is requested if you did not participate in making your own bowl at Amazing Glaze.  (Note:  dinner will not be served)

Every other Friday the "South" (or Rebel) small group meets at Bob & Carol Brooks.  Upcoming dates include: 8/13, 8/27, 9/10 & 9/24.

2nd Monday of each month, WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meets at 9:30AM at the Ministry Center.  Future dates include: 8/09 and 9/13.  ALL women welcome!!

2nd Fridays of the month the "North" (or Yankee) small group meets at Mike & Barbara Howards.  Due to the fact that so many will be out of town on 8/13, that meeting has been canceled.  Our next meeting will be on Friday, September 10, and will be a fun night of crazy cards. 

When the snow birds fly home for the winter, we are going to need one or two more small groups.  Please consider hosting one of these.  Each group determines their own meeting place, dates, time and format.  Those who are currently involved are thankful for these opportunities to meet and socialize with other people in our church.  Check them out!!  (We are open to new names for these groups also...if you don't like these, take it up with our witty pastor!)

Looking ahead:  FALL MISSION RETREAT, October 29-30, 2010 at The United Methodist Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park.  We urge everyone to attend to learn more about the mission projects we support; it's  also another excellent way to "get to know your congregation" by seeing them in a relaxed setting with more time to "meet & greet".  Fun, great food, neat fellowship, and learning are promised at this exciting event.  Price includes Friday night lodging (based on double occupancy), Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch. Watch for registration forms in September.

Friday, November 12:  We will be hosting another great night with the Dixieland Band at Laurel Manor!  Watch for ticket sales and more information as the date gets closer.  (But get it on your calendar now so you don't miss it!)

Sunday, December 5:  We are thrilled that Mary Jo Vitalie will be doing a fund-raising concert for us and others in and around The Villages.  What a great way to begin the Christmas Season!  Mark this date on your calendar too...and remember to invite your friends!

From the Pastor's Desk:

Our Infant & Toddler Pantry has again proven the old saying "be careful what you pray for...you just might get it."  We are experiencing tremendous growth at the pantry.  In one week we helped 27 children with the basic needs their families cannot afford.  The Village View Church donated two cribs, four portable cribs, and two car loads of other necessary baby items to our Pantry.  In addition to the baby items we give away on Tuesdays and Saturdays, we have given away more than two cases of Bibles and copies of the daily devotional booklet "Our Daily Bread."  It is a very rewarding ministry and we are so grateful for your support. 

You can be part of our future building project by making a gift to the "Legacy Tree" or "Tree of Life."  Each leaf on the tree represents your gift of $1000 to help provide a permanent home for our congregation.  When our church is built, a tree featuring brass leaves with your notation included will be mounted in the narthex of the church.  You can make your gift in a one time amount or in installments.  Being part of this growing ministry is an excellent way to see your hard earned money produce fruit for the Kingdom of God.  Remembering the Legacy Tree or the Congregational Church Building Fund in your estate planning would also be a real blessing."

The congregational meeting on Sunday, July 18th provided everyone with a good view of where are building project is at this point.  Barry Burtnett, Building Leadership Team Chairperson, led the meeting and provided an update on our financial efforts, the land on Route 301, and the teams efforts to gather important information.  Bob Jones, Mike Howard and Jim Keough also reported on issues related to the building and facilities search.  The annual meeting in January will be our next congregational report and we anticipate some significant announcements at that time.

The Board of Deacons met on Tuesday, July 20th.  The board continues to work on goals set by our strategic planning group.  The lay reader program was evaluated and everyone is very pleased with this new addition to our services.  Small groups are now meeting on a regular basis and there is hope of expanding this effort in the fall.

With thankfulness for all you do to make our congreagation a viable instrument in God's hands.

Serving Him with you,

Barbara Howard

Newsletter Editor