As we read through Paul’s letters to Timothy regarding his leadership and vision for the church, you have the opportunity to send your short verses to Seaside. What would you like to share with your church family? What words of encouragement, inspiration or vision is God placing on your heart today? Simply use the comments section below to share your letters to Seaside with us!
The S.T.A.R.S. program (Seaside Teaching and Reaching Students) would like to know if you are interested in serving in some capacity during our program this summer. If you would like to sign up to volunteer or receive more information, please fill out the form below. Someone will be in contact with you to discuss your availability and areas of interest.
He is Risen and we are Easter people! In this time of separation, we would like to know how God is showing signs of resurrection in your life. Use the comments section below to share with your Seaside family the ways in which you are seeing Easter and new life spring up around and within you!
Dear Seaside Family,
We continue to adjust in this difficult time. I am amazed at the participation and engagement demonstrated by the staff and congregation of this church. It just continues to prove what I have heard repeated since I arrived on scene here several months ago. “This is an amazing congregation.” Thank you for your faithfulness and your flexibility as we continue our sensitivity to the threat this virus poses.
Yesterday our Bishop sent out another email which affects our initial projection for getting back in the church for worship. In part, this is what she stated: “This morning, I was in zoom conferences with faith leaders, public health professionals and several episcopal colleagues. In addition, with you, I received the directive of Governor Cooper for schools to remain closed through mid-May. I urge you to continue the compassionate practice of not gathering for worship, funerals, weddings, studies, and other groups for the next two months.” So, as it now stands, we have shifted our plans to worshipping together and resuming our “normal” services on May 17. This does not mean that the church is “out of business.” The building is just closed.
Over the course of the remaining weeks there are several things that we will be doing to keep ourselves in touch as a congregation.
Lenten Disciplines: I believe that it is God’s Prevenient Grace that has placed the Lenten Disciplines in our lives to aid us in this time that we are apart. By continuing to read the scriptures, pray for one another, write letters and make the phone calls, we continue to experience the fellowship we enjoy as the Body of Christ.
On-line Worship Services: Hopefully you have been able to enjoy and participate in the on-line video services that we have been sharing on youtube and Facebook. Granted, these are pre- recorded but Stefanie and Meg have worked very hard to be sensitive to the normal worship times to which we are accustomed. You will receive an email early on Sunday morning and you can participate in worship by viewing it on Facebook. In addition to the worship services, we will be placing certain meditational moments on-line as well.
Holy Week & Easter: If matters continue as it presently appears, we will not be able to join together during Holy Week or Easter at the church as we would prefer. Please rest assured that we are exploring the best possible plan we can utilize so that we can worship during this important time in our life of faith. Congregational Care: Our Congregational Care Team has continued our weekly meetings via Zoom video conferencing. There are many people who have stepped up to make phone calls regarding health and wellness for those who are alone and vulnerable. While these persons are valuable and their willingness to serve is very much appreciated, it is important to remember that each of us, lay and clergy alike, are part of the congregational care of this congregation. Please take the initiative to check on one another and let Carol Sigafoos (585-749-2576) know if there are special needs that you discover. One excellent way to check on one another is by calling our prayer partners that we received on the second Sunday of Lent.
Committee Meetings & Classes: We continue to explore video conferencing so that we can once again establish our routine for committee meetings and classes. Continue our Faithfulness in Giving: Because of your financial support Seaside is able to:
· Continue our ministries of congregational care, reaching out to those in our family of faith who are in need of connection and care during this unique time.
· Support Seaside’s staff who continue with the daily operations of the church, being creative in keeping Seaside connected, and work toward the day we worship together in person. To assist you in this endeavor, especially since we are in a season of remote worship, you may mail your offering to the church at 1300 Seaside Road, SW, Sunset Beach, NC 28468 or set up on-line giving or automatic withdrawal by contacting Seaside’s Financial Secretary, Wayne Matthews
(910-575-4267). Wayne continues to monitor Seaside’s financial health.
Once again, thank you for your faithfulness. Please continue to pray for our church, our leaders, those who are affected by this virus and one another in the hopes that this will soon pass and we can gather in person.
Still in One Peace,
Francis
Seaside Family,
Throughout the Season of Lent, we had been encouraging our congregation to write notes on sticky notes and place them all over the sanctuary. These notes were to be words of how God had been working in our lives through the Lenten Disciplines, as well as the way God had been blessing us and using us to bless others.
As we are unable to gather in person, consider this our place for “Digital Sticky Notes.” We would love to hear how God is working in and through you, even through times of uncertainty and even isolation. Simply scroll to the bottom or the page and use the comment box as your sticky note, and be sure to come back to this page to read the “Sticky Notes” from others!
| Receive Text Updates From Seaside |
| Your Seaside Staff wants to stay in touch with you as best as possible during this time of “social distancing.” We will continue to use our email system to keep you updated as well as post YouTube videos and updates to our website when necessary. In addition, we have the ability to send text messages to you, if you would like. Please Note: Just because you are receiving this email does not mean you are on the text message distribution list. You must opt in to receive them. Signing up for text updates is simple. Just text the word “START” to 910-490-2216. You will then receive an automated reply letting you know that we received your request. |
Click here to download the latest information from your church staff
Dear Seaside Family,
Because of the concern over the COVID19 pandemic, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, the episcopal leader of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church has asked the churches in our Annual Conference to “Cease Public Worship for the next two weeks.” This means that all services for March 15 & 22 will be cancelled as well as any other activities that are planned at the church over the next two weeks. As a caring Christian Community, we share concern for both the spiritual and the physical well-being of our congregation. Please be in prayer for those who are already affected by this virus and for the way in which we as God’s people may respond to human suffering.
There are certain things that I want to ask you to do during this unique time.
Dear Parents,
Each class has been affected this month by the flu, virus, cold, earaches, strep throat, and other illnesses, but the warm weather that March promises us always brings an end to these problems. In the meantime, please watch your child carefully each morning. If he or she shows any sort of contagion (fever, for example), please let him or her rest at home. Only by leaving the germs at home can we eliminate it from the classroom. We are taking extra precautions to keep things washed down with Clorox wipes, washing hands, using Kleenex, and teaching the children to cover their mouths with their arms when they cough.
Scholastic Book Order
Our Scholastic Book Order is due Thursday, March 12. The flyers are being sent home.
Preschool Enrollment
We are very pleased to see that so many of our two and three-year olds will be back next year. Thank you for your support and goodwill among the community. So many of the incoming new parents have mentioned that parents of our children have recommended our school to them. We still have openings in the three and four-year-old classes, so please let anyone know that is still searching for a preschool for their child. I would be happy to meet with the parents and explain our program to them.
March Curriculum
The curriculum this month is revolved around the themes of “Transportation” and “Community Helpers”. Teachers will also be emphasizing the concepts of Opposites, Following Directions, and Patience. We will also spend some time teaching the children about Poison Control. With the arrival of spring this month, the change of seasons is being readdressed. The Kindermusic themes this month are “Up in the Sky” and “Down on the Ground”. In addition, the children will be learning about “Forgiveness” in chapel. Our Bible verse is Colossians 3:13, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Donuts for Dads
Dads, don’t forget Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 AM. This is a special time for Dads to come to school with their children for a short time so that we can pay homage to you and the important role you play in your child’s life. If Dad cannot attend, we always welcome Granddads, uncles, moms, or other influential people in your child’s world.
Important Dates
March Special Events – Dr. Seuss’s Birthday – March 2
Scholastic Book Order due – March 12
Donuts for Dads – March 12 – 9:00
St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
First day of spring – March 20
Sincerely,
Donna Russell
Sherry Marshall
Jean Summers
Kellie Frey
Gini Powell
Sack lunch provided (donation of $5 benefits the SBIC Food Pantry)
Presented by the Greater Shallotte Ministerial Association
February 26: “The Surprise of Prayerfulness”
St. Brendan’s Catholic Church
Homilist: Farrell Graves
March 4: “The Surprise of Being Found”
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
Homilist: Suzanne Simpson
March 11: “The Surprise of Forgiveness”
Seaside United Methodist Church
Homilist: Mark Betti
March 18: “The Surprise of God’s Word”
Shallotte Presbyterian Church
Homilist: Stefanie Riley
March 25: “The Surprise of Sight”
Calvary Baptist Church
Homilist: Alex Parker
April 1: “The Surprise of Resurrection”
Camp United Methodist Church
Homilist: Fran Salone-Pelletier
Dear Parents,
January has been a month of weather fluctuations. We have very cold days followed by warmer temperatures. As a result of the weather and the season, we have had children out of school due to colds, strep throat, ear infections, and the like. Thank you for letting your child remain home to recuperate rather than send him/her to school when he/she might be contagious. Because of your diligence, we have not had any epidemics thus far.
Curriculum
The theme this month will be Dinosaurs. In addition to learning about dinosaurs, teachers will be teaching rhyming patterns and the values of kindness, taking turns, and honesty. Teachers will also be revisiting the skills of last month, especially patterns and positional words. In music, the theme is “Out and About” and “On the Go”. February is also Dental Health Month; therefore, the classes will be discussing the proper care of their teeth and seeing the dentist. This month we will look at Being Hospitable as a way to show love for one another.The Bible stories will focus on this concept, and the Bible verse is “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:9
Special Events
Ground Hog Day – February 2 Valentine’s Day Party – February 13 – More information to come
Presidents’ Day – February 17 – Schools are closed
Scholastic Books
If you are ordering from Scholastic Books, the due date for all orders is Thursday, February 13.
Valentine’s Party
Thursday, February 13 is our Valentine Party. Each teacher will send home a class list for you so that valentines can be sent in for the classmates. If help is needed in preparing for the party, the teacher will notify you. Enrollment for Next Year
February is the start of enrollment for next year’s two, three and four year olds. An enrollment letter and enrollment form are attached. Please read and respond within the next two weeks if you would like to verify early placement. Your recommendations to neighbors and friends have always brought us wonderful families, so if you need extra forms, please let me know.
Have a Heart Month
Each year, we have a coin collection month. The purpose of this project is to instill in the children that it is never too early to do good for others. We ask each child to bring in any loose change each day and add it to their class’s “piggy bank”. At the end of the month, we take the change that has been collected to the bank, have it counted, and use the money to help someone in need. In the past, we have collected money for the food pantry, purchased Thanksgiving meals for a few families in the community, and given a donation to our local animal shelters. Anything that you can do to remind your child to bring in a few coins each day would be greatly appreciated. We will begin the drive on Monday, Feb. 3 and end on Thursday, February 27.
Snacks Reminder
Thank you to those parents who have been so diligent in providing a snack for their child’s class. Children enjoy the variety that you provide. Please let your child’s teacher know if you are unable to provide a snack on the day that you were given on the calendar. The teacher needs to know so that a snack is prepared for that class. The snack can be simple. There are some food suggestions in the student handbook.
Tax Information
Some of you have requested our school’s identification number for tax purposes. The number is 56-1983731. I hope this will help you during your tax preparation.
February is a short month, but it is such an important one because it makes us all stop and reflect on those qualities in our loved ones that we so love and appreciate. It certainly makes our staff know how much we love your children and how much we appreciate you for allowing us to help them grow developmentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you.
Sincerely,
Donna Russell
Sherry Marshall
Gini Powell
Jean Summers
Kellie Frey
Cathy Milstead
An Invitation to Participate in “Holy Friends” Small Groups
Small groups of 5-12 persons will be forming in early February with the purpose of fellowship, prayer, sharing a meal together and a brief liturgy. Our focus is building stronger relationships with our friends (Holy Friends), and with God. You will meet once or twice a month in people’s homes or other designated places, with a facilitator to host and lead the discussion. More detailed information will follow, if you are interested. Questions? Contact Sue Amyx-Eggert. Please complete the information below.
