Top 5 @ SPUMC

#1 FOOD FOR THOUGHT… AND FELLOWSHIP!

Join us this month as we hitch our wagon to the VBS Food Truck with our new worship series exploring stories in the Bible that involve food. Throughout the month we’ll be delving into stories like Jesus feeding the 5000, and the provision of manna in the wilderness. To kick off our July sermon series, we invite you to a church-wide cookout on Tuesday, July 12, 6pm. Join us in the back parking lot and playground where we will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, and veggie burgers, all while enjoying music and fellowship. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. Come and join us for summer fun!

In addition to the cookout, we’d love for you to get involved with our series this July by being a part of our virtual cookbook! We’d love for you to share your favorite summer or family recipes with us to be compiled into a virtual church-family cookbook. Send your recipes to Ann Harrison, or drop them at the Welcome Center. All recipes will be used to create a virtual cookbook on our website so that we can share in food and fellowship together! Email Ann Harrison your recipes!

#2 PRAYERS FOR PILGRIMS

The SPUMC Pilgrimage Group led by Rev. Ron & Holly landed in Munich last Wednesday (on time or 2 years late depending on how you look at it!) and after a short tour of the old city, our weary travelers settled into their temporary home in the Austrian Alps, Matrei. A day in Salzburg brought with it a tour of Mirabell Gardens and a trip through the streets of the old city complete with its ancient buildings and clever/beautiful signs. The group of pilgrims then toured the beautiful cathedral and nearby St. Peter’s cemetery. A meandering drive skirting the base of the Alps provided breathtaking views all the way home.

Saturday was the climax of their time in Bavaria: The Passion Play in Oberammergau! En route to this quaint village that has been putting on the play since 1633 in gratitude for being spared during the Black Plague, the group was treated to spectacular scenery through the Alps including Lake Plansee and the inspiring Benedictine Ettal Abbey. Upon arrival, there was a bit of time to explore and eat lunch before Act I began at 2:30pm. There was a brief break for dinner at 5, and then the group returned for the dramatic concluding Act II from 8pm-10:30pm.

While the adventure in Germany has come to a close, the journey is still underway! Our pilgrims are now in Israel where they are following in the footsteps of Jesus, (literally). Tuesday morning they set out to the Mount of Beatitudes, visited Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, marveled at the relatively new and magnificent archaeological site at Magdala (home of Mary Magdalene), feasted on St. Peter’s fish for lunch and shared in a worship service with another pilgrim group on a boat cruising the beautiful Sea of Galilee. They concluded the afternoon at the Jordan River where most of the group chose to renew their baptisms, whether by wading in to the edge or by full immersion.

Please make sure to pray for our pilgrims as their journey continues and concludes with a safe trip home to us. If you’d like to follow along on their adventures, and catch up on the trip so far, make sure to check out our Facebook page and watch a short video from Rev. Ron filling us in on some of the historic sites they’ve had the pleasure to experience together. Godspeed, Pilgrims!

#3 ASP TEAM GOES TO KENTUCKY
This past Saturday we were overjoyed to send a team of high schoolers, college students, and adults back to Appalachia this after a couple of years absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the church’s 40th trip to ASP and the team is working in Magoffin County, KY June 25-July 2. With the support of the congregation’s generous donations, the team was able to get all the way there (and will soon be coming all the way back)! We appreciate all of your support in filling their gas tanks for the long journey. Thank you also to our prayer partners who have signed up to pray for our team while they’re completing their mission in Appalachia. We wish them all the best, and will be eager to hear about their experience when they return! If you would like to continue to offer your support to our ASP team for years to come, you can send in/drop by a check to the church with ASP in the memo section or give online through our website. Just be sure to direct your donation to ASP by using the drop down menu in the “Give to” section. Thanks so much.

#4 UMM MAN OF THE YEAR
In observance of an exciting SPUMC tradition, this June the United Methodist Men presented their annual Man of the Year award which is given to a man in the congregation who has contributed significantly to the ministry of our church through their commitment and service. This year’s recipient was especially deserving as his leadership of the tech team has made a huge impact over the last two years plus and enabled us not only to do livestream worship, but to do it with growing and sustained excellence. From Sunday morning worship to special live-streamed events, this year’s recipient has been an ever-present problem-solver, offering support to the tech team as well as the congregation. We’re pleased to congratulate Rob Smith, and thank him for his continued dedication! Richard Ponder presented the award to Rob Smith and there was no one else more deserving — Thanks Rob!

#5 MARK MILLER IN CONCERT

This June, we were also privileged to host Mark Miller & Friends on behalf of the Annapolis District for their “Love & Justice for All” concert. We enjoyed a powerful afternoon of music and witness and a fitting celebration for the Juneteenth weekend. Many thanks to the multi-talented and gracious Mark and his band (vocalists Julian Wamble, Lydia Muñoz & Rhea Williams and instrumentalists Marcus Johnson & Calvin Sellers). A big shout out to Rob Smith, Clint Murray, David Ford and Heerak Kim (AV/Tech Team), Rev. Marvin Wamble (organizer & host), DS Sarah Schlieckert and the SPUMC Hospitality Team (Betty, Kelly, Gwen, Lynn, Kerri, Karleen & others). You can enjoy the whole concert on our FB page (along with pix) or YouTube Channel. Donations are still being accepted for Seeds of Security, the concert’s beneficiary.