I am writing to you from Brownsville, Texas, a hotel near I-69E, heading west toward the coast. As you anticipate a storm coming your way in Florida, please know I’m praying for all my dear friends and loved ones in Florida.
One of the reasons I’m here in Brownsville is for a training course called “Transformational Moral Leadership” (XML for short). The Army Chaplain Corps has been very involved in this effort, and some of you may already know that I’ve been teaching these courses across the state of Florida. Now, I’m doing it here in Texas, working with National Guard units from all around the country.
The three core principles of Transformational Moral Leadership include:
1. Moral Courage 2. Moral Reasoning 3. Moral Empathy
These principles might sound familiar, as they echo themes from The Wizard of Oz. “Moral Courage” is a bit like the Cowardly Lion finding his courage. “Moral Empathy” can be compared to the Tin Man discovering his heart. And finally, “Moral Reasoning” is like the Scarecrow singing, “If I only had a brain!” learning to think through ethical and moral situations.
In addition to these principles, we’re also working to enhance Emotional Intelligence. As part of this course, we take assessments to develop a deeper understanding of our emotional and moral capacities.
The word of the week I want us to focus on is “Serve”. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about “share”, and now we move to the third component of our Vision 2030 goals, concerning ways we can serve locally and globally as the Body of Christ.
As many of you know, I’ve made the commitment to serve here in Texas, though it was unexpected. I was called up, and I answered that call. Yet, as I serve here and teach courses like “Transformational Moral Leadership”, I want to remind you that we are doing this together for the glory of God.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support. Together, we serve—not just in Florida, but around the country and the world through the many missions we support as a church.
I encourage each of you to continue growing in your capacity to serve. Let us make a difference as we do more together for the Lord and His Kingdom than we could ever do on our own.
God bless you all and have a great day.
In His service, Pastor David Averill
TOMORROW!
Help Us Shape the Future of Our Youth Group!
Your insights are invaluable to us. We’re on a mission to enhance our youth group program, and we need your anonymous feedback to make it happen.
Wonderful Wednesdays for kindergarten through fifth grade meet from 6:00 to 8:00 pm each week. Worship Arts begins at 6:00 pm followed by Bible study, crafts, and games.
CHILDREN ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
Childcare – Available from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm
Kids’ Church – Children begin in worship at 9:30 and then depart for Kids’ Church
Bible Fun – Available during the 11:00 traditional service
TheUnitedWomenofFaith meets every 4th Tuesday, at 1:00 pm in Friendship Hall. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend.
All women are invited to join the United Women of Faith Circles monthly meetings: Naomi Circle meets 2nd Tuesday of each month in Sanctuary Hall at 10 AM. Hannah Circle meets 3rd Thursday of every month in the chapel at 1:30 PM.
The widowed support group meets on Thursday, September 26 at 9:30 am in the chapel. Anyone who has lost a spouse is welcome.
Collection baskets are in the Fifth Avenue entrance for:
Non-perishable food for Lake Cares
Toiletry items for the homeless and the battered women’s shelter
Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition by Steve Harper is a workbook that explores major features from John Wesley’s devotional life. Charlotte Jardine, a certified Lay Servant, will lead this study on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm in the chapel from October 8 to November 19. The $10 book is available in the church office.
The Book club is discussing The Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin on Wednesday, October 9 at 3:00 pm in the chapel. New readers welcome!
NEW BIBLE STUDY! A Bible study on the book of Ezekiel with Paul Lane begins Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 pm in the chapel.
Starting Point meets on Sunday, October 20, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm in the chapel. If you want to know more about being a Christian, a United Methodist, or a congregation member, contact the church office to reserve your place.
Travel in Italy in November 2025! As I did for Greece and Turkey, I am again teaming up with Pastor Jonathan Tarman, Senior Pastor of Sanlando United Methodist Church of Longwood, Florida to provide Sanlando members and other friends the opportunity to journey into the context of the New Testament and of the early Christian Church. This Italian journey is scheduled to depart on November 1, 2025, from Orlando. The standard part of the journey returns on November 11, but there is an optional extension that will return on November 14.
The trip has been planned by and will be facilitated by Pastor Jonathan’s friend, The Rev. Peter Miano, of The Society for Biblical Studies. Peter led a 2019 Sanlando pilgrimage to the Holy Land to much acclaim. You can read about his authentic approach to touring and teaching in Italy here: https://sbsbibletours.org/italy/
The following link contains the tabs for the official trip information and registration forms. The eleven-day journey, including airfare from Orlando, will cost $4,911.
If you are interested in going, please email me at david@mtdorafumc.org to let me know and I will add you to the email list that I use to communicate about the trip.
An informational meeting via Zoom has been planned for Thursday, October 17th at 7 PM EST. The Rev. Peter Miano, of The Society for Biblical Studies, will join us for that meeting to share about the journey and answer any questions. I will post the Zoom link in the weekly once I receive it.
Three opportunities to be Living Love:
Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at Trout Lake Nature, 520 E County Road 44 in Eustis. Wear closed shoes and bring gloves, bug spray, and sunscreen. Volunteers of all ages are welcome.
Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27 – Volunteers are needed for our craft fair outreach in the sanctuary and in the welcome tent. Contact Janet@mtdorafumc.org to sign up for a time slot.
Wednesday, October 30 from 7:00-8:00 pm – Truck or Treat in the Grandview parking lot. Decorate your vehicle and pass out candy or donate snack-size, nut-free candy. Contact the church office to reserve your parking space.
Interested in a Wonders of Egypt trip from February 24-March 7. 2025? Contact Paul Lane at 407-325-3017 for more information.
First UMC is looking for an adult to serve as our paid childcare supervisor. This person provides care for and supervises children during approved church activities while leading group play and educational activities. The individual works with a childcare assistant. The weekly hours are Sundays from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Seasonal evening hours are available. CPR and first aid training will be provided. References and a background check must be completed before hiring. ——————————————————————————————————– Do you want to be the face of our congregation? We need volunteers to serve as greeters from 9:00 to 9:30 am and 10:30 to 11:00 am on Sunday mornings.
The prayer group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm. Contact the church office for the off-campus location.
Exercise class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 am in Friendship Hall. The class does not include any floorwork.
