Boomers for Bannerman

It's always exciting to receive new members to our church. If you haven't had a chance, check out the recent postings that share our new members.

What's even more exciting is when those new to our church family jump in and share their gifts, talents, and passions with the church family. As I write this, I'm listening to one of these new members pounding away as he repairs a closet in the church. It's music to my ears.

This week, though, I want to share two new things:

• The Boomers Ministry
• The Bannerman Mission Project

I had a goal this year to rebuild our ministry for those who are retired (I'm not attaching an age to that). I have a clergy colleague that that would say, "ministry to those who are chronologically mature." Two names came to mind when praying about someone who could help me in this area: Karen Robinson and Ann Fisher. Karen is new to our church and Ann has been a part of it for a few years. The two ladies have paired up with Deborah Hudgins, recently retired, who has been planning ladies' events for years to learn tricks of the trade.

They have decided to name our new ministry for those who are retired or not working, Boomers. If you're not a Boomer exactly, that's okay. Karen said she didn't like any of the names she found online for older adult ministries. They all seemed too cheesy.

A meet and greet is scheduled, so click here to learn more.

At Karen's previous church, she helped organize an outreach project for Bannerman Learning Center, a school in Green Cove Springs. Bannerman isn't a zoned school. The kids who go often don't have the family support that kids have at other schools for various reasons, which means the teachers don't either. As a retired teacher, Karen felt it was essential to help this school because it received less state support than all the other schools. After talking to the principal, they came up with the idea of giving all the teachers mailbox love every month.

At the planning meeting, Karen, Ann, and Deborah decided they would take on the monthly mailbox love. They are easy little crafts that are fun to put together! Can you picture it? You gather with your new friends, eat lunch, and then all chat as you put together a collection of notes for the teachers. What could be a more accessible mission project? Keep on the lookout for more information!