Covid 19, changes in demographics and society have challenged most every church. In
September of ’22 we recognized that our congregation has dwindled, and we began an effort to
put on outward focused events with an effort to grow our numbers to the point where we can
continue to maintain a United Methodist Church at Lake Shore. At the end of that year, we
agreed to evaluate the results of our efforts. So many have given time, money, prayers and effort
to create a modest growth, yet the results have been disappointing. So, it is time for the church
to talk about “What is next” in July of 2024 when pastor Freeto retires (again) and Jim Pitts plans
on finishing up as well. Our “What’s Next” group has asked that the church come together in
September to begin looking at options so we might direct the Annual Conference on our needs
during appointments in 2024. With this in mind, the group has set three meetings. You may
attend one or all. But please make an effort to be a part of the conversation. All three meetings
will last about one hour. The schedule is below:
Meeting number 1 Sunday, September 10 Directly after worship (11AM-noon)
Meeting number 2 Monday, September 11 From: 5:00PM-6:00PM
Meeting number 3 Wednesday, September 13 From: Noon until 1PM


Communion Offering
THIS MONTHS COMMUNION OFFERING

Communion Offering - September
Collection will go to UMCOR for help with disaster in Maui.



Operation Christmas Child
OCC - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2023

It seems that Patty who has been the leader of the OCC for the last two years is unable due to family obligations to fill that position this year. If there is anyone who would be willing to take the lead this year please let us know.

Items: The items being collected in June are called "career items" and are for girls 10-14 of age and boys 10-14 of age. Along with the T-shirt, shoes, toothbrush, toys, etc. that will go in each box - these items will help the older children hopefully explore a "craft" that they might use in their home and/or community.

Girls: 1 yard of material, scissors, needles, pin cushion/ measuring tape, ribbon, thread.

Boys: hammer (small - can find at Harbor Freight), screwdriver, nails (all sizes and items need to be contained), tape measure, safety glasses, work gloves, wrench set.

SUGGESTION LIST
ALL AGES: Dolls, Sunglasses, Toys, Sports: Balls, Gloves Marbles, Jump rope Small Frisbee or Disc

OLDER BOYS: Tools: multi-head screwdriver, measuring tape, hammer (small), a package of nails,
compass, binoculars, fishing kit (make your own), work, gloves, rope, twine, garden kit (w/gloves & trowel, no seeds), bandana(small), musical instrument (harmonica), magnets, flashlight (hand-crank)

REUSABLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS: (all ages), cups, water bottles, plates, bowls

TOILETRIES-ALL AGES combs, hairbrush Toothbrush Washcloths Bar soap packaged in wrap or box Band-Aids Stick lip balm (no liquids or creams), nail clippers, nail files, stick deodorant (no spray), mirror (small in a closed, compact)

OLDER GIRLS: sewing kits (bring individual items and make kits), needles, thimbles, straight pins,
spools of thread, safety pins, buttons, measuring tape, pincushion, sewing scissors, ribbons, individual items for crafts, bead jewelry/bead kit, friendship bracelets, garden kit (with gloves & trowel, no seeds)

ALL AGES GIRLS: tote bags, purses-small, small cosmetic bags (empty), hair accessories, hair clips, hair bows and ribbons, elastic hair bands, Headbands

**IT'S HERE "Back to School Sale" in AUGUST** to buy Crayons and Colored pencils, Scissors Pens, Pencils (with sharpener) Rulers, Note pads, Pencil case Playing cards, Flash cards Books (small for a box)

DO NOT INCLUDE
Candy, toothpaste, gum, war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures, chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins, breakable items (such as snow globes or glass containers), or aerosol cans.


Food Drive
CARITAS

We continue to collect food for Caritas. Bring items to church on Sunday or during regular office hours, or just leave them near the door.  So far Lake Shore has donated 6886 pounds of food to Caritas.

FAST FOR THE HUNGRY

This practice consists of
1. Skip one or more meals each week,
2. Set aside the meal expenses saved,
3. Bring the savings to church and mark it with "FAST",
4. 60% of this offering goes to Caritas, and 40% goes to the UMC World Hunger Program.

Note that fasting applies only to adults in good physical health without special dietary requirements. The children collect on the 4th Sunday of the month. Thanks for carrying on the tradition, which has been a big help to the hungry locally and throughout the world.


Sock Drive
SOCK DRIVE

We are collecting adult socks to donate to those who are in need. There is a basket in the fellowship hall. These may be dropped off at the church during office hours.

HATS, ETC.

We are also collecting hats, scarves, and gloves for the homeless. It gets very cold in winter and we are donating this collection to the homeless to help keep them warm this winter.


Recycling
RECYCLING

The church offers a recycling bin for all who do not have carts at home. You are invited to bring your paper, newspaper, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans and put them in the blue container outside the back door. We now have recycling for used ink cartridges and used cell phones as well.


Do You Remember
A BIT OF HISTORY

for the New Year Does anyone remember Herring Ave. UMC, the church built in one day in 1911? It grew to be a thriving church with more than 400 in Sunday worship but had to be closed after 92 years of faithful ministry at the beginning of 2003, 15 years ago. 15 members from Herring moved to Lake Shore UMC and brought along the tradition of FAST (Fast For the Hungry) offering.