Fall 2011 at Florence

The theme for fall worship is

WOVEN TOGETHER through WORK AND WORSHIP.

Here are some glimpses of our life together.

Parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids and Groomsmen -- Matthew 25

October Family Night

All Saints Remembrance -- October 30th

Tamales 2011

At Florence we have a tradition of making TAMALES for the Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale each September.

Thanks to Maria Montoya, we have learned how to make authentic Mexican tamales. Once again, we were glad to SELL OUT! Yea, Tamale Team!

In a new twist this year, the ANABAPTISM 101 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS wrote PANTOUM POEMS REFLECTING ON SERVICE.

Can you guess who wrote each one?

TAMALES #1

“These are grass fed organic chicken tamales.”

The steaming pot full of them just sitting on the stove top.

The aroma soon filled the air.

“Do you eat the husk?”

The steaming pot full of them just sitting on the stove top.

“Can I get them to go?”

“Do you eat the husk?”

The smiles on people’s faces when they took the first bite.

“Can I get them to go?”

The aroma soon filled the air.

The smiles on people’s faces when they took the first bite.

“These are grass fed organic chicken tamales.”

TAMALES #2

MCC! Pig out for Jesus! We save the world!

How many tamales do we have?

Mi amiga, take me to Mexico.

Que rico! Que delicioso!

How many tamales do we have?

Chris and AJ save the day! Rose, Kathia, Vanessa and John Mark to the rescue!

Que rico! Que delicioso!

I needed a hug; I was fried.

Chris and AJ save the day! Rose, Kathia, Vanessa and John Mark to the rescue!

Mi amiga, take me to Mexico.

I needed a hug; I was fried.

MCC! Pig out for Jesus! We save the world!

TAMALES #3

We all had fun.

I like how everyone helped.

I liked how we did a line.

I liked the pizza.

I liked how we did the line.

I liked how no one got left out.

I liked the pizza.

I liked how no one got left out.

I liked how everyone helped.

I liked how we did a line.

I liked the pizza.

We all had fun.

TAMALES #4

Serving people hot tamales as they smile once they eat them.

Enjoying the time of making tamales with each other.

Being part of it.

Seeing people coming from many places.

Enjoying the time of making tamales with each other.

Hanging with youth.

Seeing people coming from many places.

Meeting new people.

Hanging with youth.

Being part of it.

Meeting new people.

Serving people hot tamales as they smile once they eat them.

AND -- Ian and Andrew got up early and did the RUN FOR RELIEF!

Fall Begins: Amigo Camp Out and Camp In

On a drizzly weekend we created new "rituals" for the traditional Florence Camp Out. While it has been a tenting event at Amigo Park in the past, this year we also used the West Shore Lodge on the other side of the lake at Amigo Centre, Sturgis, MI.

Thirty three folks came for some or all of the weekend. And yes, Willard and Kathy Fenton-Miller and Gary Nofsinger did tent! Amigo Highlights

• Marsh Hike
• Great Meals -- including pancakes on Sunday made by Gary Nichols!
• Games indoors and out
• Donald "The Monster" of the playground!
  
• Sing Along with Henry Braun on harmonica
  
• Worship around the campfire -- kids building "houses" with the hardwood scraps for the fire
  

Here's a glimpse...

photo: Kathy Fenton-Miller

photo: Kathy Fenton-Miller

photo: Kathy Fenton-Miller

photo: Kathy Fenton-Miller

photo: Kathy Fenton-Miller

PIZZA GARDEN!

Food Stories in the Bible is the theme for Summer Sunday School for children at Florence. TASTE AND SEE -- GOD IS GOOD!



The 'BODY' Inter-generational Sunday School class has been working for weeks to prepare a bed for the children to have a vegetable garden. Weeds and even a tree were removed and mulch hauled in. Then Kathy Fenton-Miller gathered a plan, plants and tools for us to begin.




We have a "pizza garden" -- tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and chives! There are four "slices" of the garden and a team to tend each one.

NOTHING SLICE:
Talyn and his grandparents, Jane and Charlie.

PEPPERONI SLICE:
Micah and his dad, Luke, and teacher, Nora.

CHEESE SLICE:
Sean and his grandfather, Gary, and Skylar and her pastor, Nina

YUM YUM SLICE:

Haley and her great aunt, Dallie,
and Sean, too, since Dallie is his grandmother!

Today -- SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011 -- we planted!