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CNNECTWinter 2021LOVING GOD. LOVING NEIGHBOR.www.churchofthepalms.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUEpg. 4A Message from Dr. Stephen McConnellFeaturesWe glorify Godand celebrate thecoming of theChrist child withfestive beauty inour placesof worship.Beginning Nov. 28 you areinvited to sponsor ChristmasFlowers for our Sanctuary andCampus Center “in memory of”or “in honor of” a designatedperson(s). Please visit the GIVEsection of our website, click onDONATE ONLINE and choose“Christmas Flowers” from thedrop-down box and fill out theform accordingly. Donations inany amount are welcome. To beincluded in the bulletin, theymust be received in the officeby 10 am Monday, Dec. 13.2COP CONNECT6Homecoming Sunday8Loving God, Loving Neighor, Through the Years10The History of Church of the PalmsRace & the Church TeamSmall Group Book Study11Learnings from Pastor Steve’s Class12Rise Against Hunger14Looking Ahead at Children’s Ministry16Update on Student Ministry18Pickleball: More than Exercise19Health & WellnessWednesday Night Life SeriesChildren’s MinistryBy Conor PetersSpirit, Mind & BodyDeacons Health & Wellness20Senior Well-Being Ministry / Palms Center Upcoming Events22Caring for the World24Classes & Small GroupsSpirit, Mind & BodyCreation Care at COPGrow Strong in Your Faith
WHO WE AREChurch of the Palms is anoasis in an otherwise chaoticworld. We believe, quitesimply, that to follow Jesusmeans to love one another.WE LOVEGod. To celebrate and employ one another’s gifts,experience, and knowledge. To empower each other in creating ameaningful impact - a lasting legacy. To support one another’s growthand wellness.WE LOVENeighbor.We’re excited that you’re here.COP CONNECT3
A MESSAGEfrom Dr. Stephen D. McConnellDear friends:This issue of Connect rolls off the presses right at thestart of the Advent season. Most of us will read this issuejust as we turn our attention to “the holidays” and to theend of the year. We will have lots of yearend things toclear up and nail down. We will look back and take awaylots of feelings and thoughts about the year past. Andthen we will be ready to turn the calendar page to a newyear.In the Church’s world, however, the New Year begins rightnow. We are on a whole different calendar, at least that’swhat’s intended to be. We proceed on a different scheduleand order ourselves to a whole different rhythm. Ourlives as followers of Jesus are ordered around the rhythmof God in the world. Beginning with Advent we take thejourney with the prophets and people of God anticipatingthat God will do a new thing in Jesus Christ. In fact, Godis always doing a new thing in Jesus Christ. We journeythrough December asking, what new thing is God up to inmy life and in the world? In December we don’t look back,we look ahead.Christmas then becomes the season of our wonderingthat with Jesus now in the world what does Jesus want theworld to change into. We follow Jesus through his ministry,listen to his teaching, watch him journey to the cross andask ourselves what life does he call me to live as my ownpersonal way of changing the world?Which brings us to Easter and the good news that wedon’t have to be afraid to live as Jesus lived – because wefollow the one who has conquered even death!4COP CONNECTSo we open ourselves to the story of Pentecostand the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides andempowers us to live boldly into the way, truth andlife of Jesus!!There is a book that came out a few years agoentitled, The Year of Living Biblically. It is somewhatof a tongue-in-cheek account of a man attemptingto live according to many of the precepts of theBible. Part of its purpose is to encourage us NOTto take too seriously what the Bible calls us to do.On the other hand, for centuries the Church hashad its own way of encouraging us to live Biblicallyand it’s through the rhythm of the Church yearand its seasons – including the Revised CommonLectionary -- which guides us on our journey. Weintentionally and seriously explore the unfoldingstory of redemption and wonder how can we play apart.So, in the beginning of our New Year we turn ourattention to the Gospel of Luke and intentionallyfollow the life and teaching of Jesus. Join us onWednesday nights (or watch us online) as weexplore the Gospel of Luke chapter by chapter.We will do our best to take Jesus as seriously aspossible and wonder how the Spirit is calling us, inthe words of the apostle Paul, “to be transformedby the renewing of our minds.”What better way to begin?Grace and peace,
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HOMECOMING SUNDAY November 14, 20216COP CONNECT
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T H E H I S T O R Y O F C H U R C H O F T H E P A L M S By Phoebe TrumplerLoving God,Loving Neighbor,Through the YearsPictured left to right: Dr. William Grosvenor, Rev. John Stump, & Dr. Bruce Porter. Pictured on opposite page: Rev. Bruce Hedgepeth.In the Fall 2021 issue of Connect magazine I started writinga series about the history of the Church of the Palms. In thearticle, Loving God, Loving Neighbor Through the Years, youwalked with me through a chronology of the church. Thistime I invite you to walk our history through the eyes andwords of some of our prior pastors whom I recently had theprivilege to interview.In 1957 Rev. John W. Stump became the first pastor. Hewas followed in 1963 by Dr. William Grosvenor. In 1983 Dr.Grosvenor retired and Dr. Bruce Porter arrived to begin his20-year ministry as Senior Pastor. It is here with Dr. Porterthat we begin our pastoral reflections.I asked Dr. Porter first about Dr. Grosvenor’s service. Hedescribed him as easy going and someone who related wellto and with others. In fact, membership doubled during his19 years of leadership. The pre-school was launched and thecampus underwent significant change. The second of ourthree sanctuaries - what is now the Campus Center - wasbuilt as was the Administration and Music buildings. Whenthe sanctuary was built, Dr. Grosvenor insisted the CelticCross be atop the steeple for all to see from miles away. Thecross still stands as our call to Love God, Love Neighbor. Dr.Grosvenor was named Pastor Emeritus and continued toworship with Church of the Palms after his retirement.8COP CONNECTFloyd Ewalt served as Assistant Pastor and then AssociatePastor with Dr. Grosvenor and with his successor, Dr.Bruce Porter, who recalled how much he appreciated thatRev. Ewalt set up small group meetings for him to meet thecongregation and vice versa.Dr. Porter was serving as Head of Staff at a church inOrchard Park, NY in 1983 when he was called to becomeour Senior Pastor. His on-campus interview was in front ofeight committee members. At the end of the interview, hewas offered the position.Dr. Porter shared many memories and milestones of histime with the church during our visit in October 2021.While each memory and milestone deserves mention, thisarticle highlights just several changes during Dr. Porter’sleadership in the areas of campus, programs and mission.Our campus grew again. The walls of the then Sanctuarywere pushed out to accommodate the growing numberof members. However, around 1990 it became clearthe Sanctuary would no longer be able to support themembership. The Education Building was built to replacebuildings that housed classrooms. Those buildingswere torn down to make room for the third and currentSanctuary.
Dr. Kirbas served from 2003-2006. About his time asSenior Pastor, he shared this thought. In hindsight perhapsGod’s call was never for him to serve Church of the Palmsa long time. Rather his call was to be a transitional pastor,to be one of the bridges that eventually led the churchfrom the ministry of Dr. Porter to today’s ministry of Dr.Stephen McConnell.Dr. Porter’s leadership included new programminginitiatives. Evening adult programming was launched. Firstthere was fellowship and dinner in the Campus Center.A choice of three classes followed. These evenings werecalled Wonderful Wednesdays and “the second mostimportant day of the week”. The Contemporary Servicewas added and held between the two traditional services.The Rev. Chris Curvin was hired as Associate Pastor forChurch Growth, in part, to start and lead this service. Inaddition to the Chancel Choir, the Music Ministry hadthree children’s choirs, a youth choir, a hand bell choirand a small orchestra. We also had a group that led hymnsthrough interpretive sign language.Mission initiatives during Dr. Porter ‘s twenty yearsincluded Back to Basics Tutoring, Medical (Eye) Missionsto Honduras, Stephen Ministers, Habitat for Humanity, theTV Ministry and the Samaritan Counseling Services of theGulf Coast.In recognition and appreciation of Dr. Porter’s service hewas named Pastor Emeritus. In 2003 when he announcedhis plans to retire the next year, the church decided on aunique solution to transition to the next Senior Pastor. Dr.Paul Kirbas was called. He and Dr. Porter served as copastors for six months.Dr. Kirbas was a pastor of the First Presbyterian Churchof Bonita Springs when he received the call. The call wasof particular interest to him because of our strengths andgrowth and his familiarity with the church as the BonitaSprings church is in the same Presbytery.Dr. Kirbas started a pastoral outreach program for thecongregation and the community called Sunday NightEncounters. He taught on topics such as Faith andScience and on Christianity and Islam. The church hadmany creative ministries in place when he arrived such asWonderful Wednesdays, tutoring and the TV ministry andhe enjoyed his involvement in each one. He recalled otherpastors who served with him including Rev. Ruth Schaff,Rev. Chris Curvin, Rev. Fred Marsh, Rev. Phil Bliss and Rev.Doug Gerhart.After Dr. Kirbas’ departure, we were blessed to be servedby a combination of retired, guest and interim ministersuntil 2008 when Dr. McConnell was called to serve asSenior Pastor. But we will finish up our look at some ofour prior pastors beginning with Rev. Bruce Hedgepethwho served from 2010-2015. A future article will cover theministry of the current era.Rev. Hedgepeth’s call was to be our Executive Pastor. Heenvisioned the first part of his ministry would be workingwith Dr. McConnell to improve and develop existing andnew administration policies and procedures. But thatquickly and unexpectedly changed when not one buttwo long-time key staff members passed away in his firstyear. This was the start of a time of huge transition instaff positions. During his service other beloved longtime leaders - such as Nancy Brown, Food Ministry, andJohn Ferreira, Music Ministry – retired. Tim Reynolds whoheaded the Garden Worship Team (now the ContemporaryService) departed and Rev. Hedgepeth also assumed Tim’sposition.WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Dr. Porter retired in 2004. He went on to be pastor atthe Christ Church of Longboat Key “for a year or two”but stayed until he preached his last sermon at the endof 2013. He continues to serve and bless Church of thePalms from the pulpit as an occasional guest preacher.He and his wife, Ginny, live in Sarasota.Dr. Kirbas answered a call with the First PresbyterianChurch of Wheaton (Illinois), finished his PhD, andjoined the faculty of Wheaton College. He and hiswife, Jennifer, who is also an ordained minister, live inOklahoma City. Together they run an on-line ministry,The Graduate Theological Foundation. They recentlybought a second home in Sarasota and will be dividingtheir time between Oklahoma and Florida.Rev. Hedgepeth served as the Senior Pastor at SouthJacksonville Presbyterian Church for two years. Hethen joined Young Life and is living his missionpassion. He is the Expedition Leader for the LatinAmerica/Caribbean Division. He and his wife, Cindy,live in Sarasota.COP CONNECT9
T H E R A C E & C H U R C H T E A M S M A L L G R O U P B O O K S T U D Y By Barbara FloryRACEAND THECHURCH“ LOV E R E M A I N S T H E O N E F O R C E T H AT T R A N S C E N D ST H E D I F F E R E N C E S T H AT G E T I N T H E WAY O F O U RG E N U I N E LY L I V I N G TO G E T H E R .” - Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., Begin AgainYour Race and Church Team is staying busy following theCOP mission to Love God; Love Neighbor. In September,the Team read Daniel Hill’s book, White Awake: An HonestLook at What It Means to Be White. Hill is a white pastorof a multiracial church in Chicago. The book describeshis transformational journey of coming to grips with hisracial identity and God’s message of reconciliation. Hisgoal is to inspire and equip others to take their Spirit-ledjourney. After much discussion and planning the teamdecided to pay heed to the many suggestions coming fromparticipants of the Congregational Conversations and offeran 8-week small group study to take a deeper dive and“embark upon an awakening journey - a path that will leadus into direct confrontation with the narrative of racialdifference.” In each chapter Hill offers a personal story,a scripture lesson and a way to explore topics based onthe teachings of Jesus. We invite all of you take your ownpersonal awakening journey and read Hill’s book to learnmore about “cultural identity.”He tells us that, “. . . where common memory is lackingthere can be no real community.” The Color of Compromise:The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racismby Jemar Tisby and The Color of Law: A Forgotten Historyof How Our Government Segregated America by RichardRothstein are books that will help build a commonhistory of how church and state contributed to the socialinequities plaguing modern-day America. Both books wereprevious Congregational Conversation discussions.In reading the book we learned that racism is no single act,no single person. Rather, it is an embedded belief systemthat is woven into the very social fabric of our lives. Hillreminds us that the path toward racial reconciliation isdeveloping a common memory or common history basedon the historical underpinnings of racial oppression anddiscrimination in our nation.Save-the-Date: Jemar Tisby, January 26, 2022Author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about theAmerican Church’s Complicity in Racism and How to FightRacism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey TowardRacial Justice.10COP CONNECTIf you are interested in joining a small group deep divediscussion, please contact Pastor Laurie and a Teammember will be in contact with you. We anticipate moreofferings starting in January, if there is enough interest.Continuing Congregational DiscussionsThese will be monthly discussions based on readingschosen and facilitated by the Race and Church team. Beon the look out for announcements of upcoming dates andtitles in the church bulletin.
W E D N E S D A Y N I G H T L I F E S E R I E S By Joe HamelineThe More You KnowLearnings from Pastor Steve’s ClassFor years, teachers in elementary schools have conductedan experiment in communication and interpretation. Itgoes like this: the students are all at their desks, lined upin rows from the front of the room to the back. The teacherwhispers a sentence to the first person in the front row,who then turns and whispers the sentence to the personbehind them and so on until the last person, who comesup and repeats the sentence to the teacher. Invariably, thelast message is nothing like the first.So, what does that have to do with Pastor Steve’sWednesday night Bible studies class? I have found eachsession of the class to be stimulating and enlightening.After 16 years of Catholic education and many years ofreading the Bible, these classes brought me to a place ofseeing it in a different light. Not night and day different,but through a sharper lens. While the core message is theBible is God’s way of speaking to us and the Holy Spirit isthe guide, an important premise here is that the Bible hasbeen subject to so many translations and interpretationsthat many people will see it differently and receive themessage with different points of view, albeit similar inits core. In fact, before we even get to the differences intranslation and interpretation, consider that both Old andNew Testaments were written by people who were relatingwhat they saw, heard, or believed. Even the first four booksof the New Testament were written by four men who sawthe same thing, yet saw it and wrote about it with fourdifferent descriptions.That all puts the Bible in a light of being both technicaland personal. Technical in how it is presented, andpersonal in how we perceive it. Because of this we needsomeone who is expert with imperfect technical languageto help us through that side. We are helped along by theHoly Spirit, who pervades through the material and theprocess, but I believe we are also helped immensely byguides like Pastor Steve who tirelessly work to help usunderstand both sides.One of the smartest men I know has a PhD in physics.When he speaks to me in physics, I don’t understand aword he says. So he has to work to speak in a language thatis meaningful that will help me to understand what he issaying. This is the role of the Holy Spirit and guides likePastor Steve.The true miracle of the Bible is that after so manycenturies, and interpretations, the message has basicallystayed intact, and our Christian core beliefs have heldtrue and survived. If you were to describe sitting, it mightbe on a chair, or a couch, or a stool, or a bench, or a rock,but everyone would still be sitting. Same thing, differentpoints of view. So you might describe the Bible throughthe eyes of Reformers Zwingli, Calvin, Knox, Luther, orPope John XXIII, who reformed the Catholic Church inconvening the Second Vatican Council, and yet, all havethe same Christian core beliefs. In conveying this miracleof the Bible, Pastor Steve brings forth its similarities withthe U. S. Constitution. Both were written long ago, andmay be somewhat imperfect, but both have become thebackbone of their respective entities: Christianity and theUnited States. Both have been modified but the spirit ofboth documents remains basically intact through manycenturies. This is the miracle.While I feel so much has been revealed to me throughPastor Steve’s presentations, I think my biggest take away isthat, while Christianity has many different denominations,we are all not so different, and it is okay to be different,think differently, perceive differently. We all have the samecore beliefs, built around what the Bible says to us. As longas we respect each other’s holy ground and appreciatethe differences, we can still treat each other with love andkindness. To quote a line from that “Top 40” chart-buster:“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”COP CONNECT11
RISE AGAINST HUNGER November 10, 2021119 volunteers helped pack 25,008 meals to be sent to Central & South America.12COP CONNECT
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L O O K I N G A H E A D A T C H I L D R E N ’ S M I N I S T R Y By Carol HomeisterIN IMPACT KIDS, OUR CHILDREN ARE TAKINGA YEAR-LONG JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE.We have made it from Genesis all the way to the book ofEsther in the Old Testament so far! This Advent seasonwe will take a small series detour to celebrate the Birth ofJesus with a fun series called Christmas Science!In Impact Kids we strive to focus on teaching childrenstrong core values for their lives, a faith that will stick withthem, the importance of prayer in our lives, and readingGod’s “truthful words” in the Bible.Look at some of the fun we have had worshiping withmusic in Impact Kids time: Family Fun Night with aPumpkin Patch, Celebrating at our Halloween Jesus Party,adopting F.R.O.G. Bible Buddies (so the kids can read theirBibles to them and Fully Rely On God), and kids caringfor kids with a food drive for our neighboring WilkinsonElementary school. Impact Kids is always energetic andfilled with the joy that God has put in us while we learn.14COP CONNECTEXCITING PROGRAMS TO LOOK FORDec. 8: Christmas Under the Stars. The event will be heldat 5:30 pm in the courtyard. Preschool and COP kids willcelebrate the Christmas story with songs and a shortpageant performance.Jan. 30, 2022: Family Sacrament Sunday. Kids will learnabout the Sacraments through experiential Stations atImpact Kids.Feb. 6, 2022: Family Communion Sunday. Kids willobserve Communion in service with their families.No Impact Kids.May 7, 2022: Family Blueberry PickingIMPACT KIDS 4 CORE VALUES:1. Love GOD! (More than anything)2. Love PEOPLE! (All people)3. Do Your BEST! (When we do our best, God does the rest)4. Have FUN! (God gives us Joy and He wants the best for us)
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S T U D E N T M I N I S T R Y By Conor PetersAn Update fromStudent MinistrySTUDENT MINISTRY HAS BEEN A JOY THEPAST COUPLE MONTHS!We kicked off the school year together, have beengathering on Sunday mornings, and have been worshippingtogether one Sunday evening a month. We’ve even had theopportunity to throw in some fun events here and there!Our families have been adjusting well to the new schoolyear and our students are certainly enjoying the sense ofroutine that academics bring to their life. We appreciateall the ways our congregation continues to keep all ourfamilies in their prayers.If you remember, at the beginning of fall, we announcedwe would be transitioning our Student Ministry program togathering primarily on Sunday mornings during the 9 amhour, and then encouraging our families to join us in our10 am Contemporary service. These Sunday mornings havebeen really enjoyable and enriching to our students. Thestructure of these Sunday mornings varies from week toweek to offer something slightly different for our students,but is focused around a time of discussion with peers theirown age.When we gather for our monthly Sunday evening worshipnight, which we’ve since named “After Hours,” we spendtime in fellowship together, share a meal, and get toworship together in our Chapel. We’ve been blessed tohave some great guest worship leaders come in fromLakeland and Tampa to lead worship for our students, andthis monthly gathering has quickly become something ourstudents look forward to greatly.16COP CONNECTSomething exciting that we are beginning to offer areopportunities specifically for young adults ages 18-25. InJanuary we will take a group of young adults to Atlanta,GA for 2 nights for Passion Conference 2022, the largestyoung adult conference in the nation. We are also hopefulwe will be able to offer our young adults unique missionopportunities as time goes on. Throughout the year,this ministry will serve our young adults by providingopportunities to explore their own identity in Christ bylistening to the Holy Spirit, to build community with oneanother through welcoming all and loving one another, andto follow Jesus through the ways we build community, servethose around us, and care for the world. We’ll also beginoffering semester events for our high school juniors andseniors to prepare them for life after college.No matter how busy life has become or where we findourselves, life always has a way of reminding us that weare stronger when we are in community with one another.We encourage our congregation to continue to be prayingfor our families and supporting them through prayer,mentorship, and time. Families, know that your churchcommunity here at Church of the Palms is always praying foryou and cheering for you! Blessings this holiday season.
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S P I R I T , M I N D & B O D Y By Liz BarnettPickleball: More than ExercisePictured left to right: Alyce Gee, 86, and Vince Golden, 92.“ D O N ’ T L A M E N T W H AT YO U H AV E LO S T;C E L E B R AT E W H AT YO U H AV E G A I N E D.”Pickleball was invented in 1965 by a man who wanteda game the whole family could play. He succeeded.Alyce Gee, 86, and Vince Golden, 92, are proof of theinclusiveness of Pickleball, the fastest growing sport inAmerica. Although neither is a church member, Pickleballhas brought them here to join the most popular activity inthe Palms Center.give up tennis, he Googled “Pickleball” and found thePalms Center. He joined the beginner’s group, playingdoubles on the instructional court with Ethan Howell whopatiently taught him the game as they played. Now anavid player who is on a court daily, he credits the sportwith improving his overall health, especially his sense ofbalance.“Seniors can’t stay home and brood about what isn’tgood,” explained Alyce. A tomboy who graduated fromstickball to the tennis team in college, a physical educationteacher and a dedicated tennis player for 68 years, sheled an active life. A year ago, arthritis from head to toemade it impossible to play tennis despite knee andankle replacements and titanium screws to hold her feettogether. She turned to Pickleball, which was an easytransition from tennis, and soon found her specialty –playing at the net. Tennis friends suggested coming to thePalms Center. Here she found the air-conditioning was ablessing since she has asthma, COPD, and emphysema.Here she also found more smiling, fun and friendlinessthan she had ever encountered on the courts before.Staying active means more than exercise to Vince. Awidower who has lived alone for 12 years, he feels “theability to go out and see other people, to experience thegenuine smiles and acts of sincere good sportsmanship”are part of the joy of playing the game. He is grateful to allthose at the Palms Center stating, “They have rescued mefrom living alone and being isolated during the pandemic.”Vince, a former engineer, has played competitive sportsyear-round since high school, concentrating on golf andtennis in recent years. Three years ago, when he had to18COP CONNECTAlyce agrees. The camaraderie she feels while playing hereis her favorite part of Pickleball. She and Vince embody heradvice, “ Don’t lament what you have lost; celebrate whatyou have gained,” as they join the players on the court.Then the thud of bouncing balls, interspersed withlaughter and shouts of “Good one!” fill the Palm Center aswe find one more way to love our neighbors.
D E A C O N S H E A L T H & W E L L N E S S By Phil EllisThe Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit ofactivities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.A HEART ATTACK ON MAY 5, 2021 CHANGEDMY LIFE. Two stints allowed my distressed heart toregain function. Changes in my medications resulted inmuch lower blood pressure. Rest helped my body to starthealing. After a month I started cardio rehab, which isexercise that is fully monitored by nurses at the hospital.My activity was recorded and my weight logged every timeI went to rehab. My cardiologist received a report eachweek so my progress could be followed. Twelve weeks and36 sessions later, I graduated and the difference from whenI started was amazing. I lost 16 pounds and felt muchbetter.Defining WellnessWellness is an “active pursuit” that is associated withintentions, choices and actions as we work toward anoptimal state of health and wellbeing. Wellness is oftenconfused with terms such as health, wellbeing andhappiness. While there are common elements amongthem, wellness is distinguished by not referring to astatic state of being (i.e., being happy, in good health, ora state of wellbeing). Rather, wellness is associated withan active process of being aware and making choices thatlead toward an outcome of optimal holistic health andwellbeing.As a Deacon, I am on the Wellness Committee and weare responsible for researching and providing content forthe Connect. As a result, I am committed to exercising,reducing my weight and improving my overall wellness.I hope that the following information regarding wellnessproves to be helpful to you, in the same way it’s helped me.Wellness Is MultidimensionalWellness is about more than just physical health. Itincludes the following: Physical: Nourishing a healthy body through exercise,nutrition, sleep, etc. Mental: Engaging the world through learning,problem-solving, creativity, etc. Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressingour feelings, and understanding the feelings of others. Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purposein human existence. Social: Connecting and engaging with others and ourcommunities in meaningful ways. Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationshipsbetween planetary health and human actions, choicesand wellbeing.What is Wellness?Wellness is a modern word with ancient roots. The keytenets of wellness as both preventive and holistic can betraced back to ancient civilizations from the East (India,China) to the West (Greece, Rome). In 19th century Europeand the United States, a variety of intellectual, religiousand medical movements developed in parallel withconventional medicine. With their focus on holistic andnatural approaches, self-healing and preventive care, thesemovements have provided a firm foundation for wellnesstoday.The abbreviated information above has been provided by the Global Wellness Institute.To read this article in its entirety, please visit: P CONNECT19
S P I R I T , M I N D & B O D Y By Susan NeislerSenior Well-BeingUpcoming EventsOur Senior Well-being Ministry was created to empower,care for, and instill hope in our senior community, in orderthat they might live well in spirit, mind and body. Our hopeis to provide ministry and connection opportunities forseniors and their caregivers, here at Church of the Palmsand in our surrounding communities. Our first few eventswere a success and we’re looking forward to the next. Markyour calendar for our next Tea Time on Friday, December17 at 3 pm in the Campus Center. This lovely Christmascelebration will include sharing of Christmas memories,festive treats and Palms Pal update.HOSPITALITY TEAM DINNER & MEETINGDec. 2 5:30 - 7 pmMinistryWhat’s a Palms Pal? It’s the old Pen Pal way of stayingconnected only with a modern twist. Volunteerparticipants at our last Tea Time event connected inpairs, committing to one another the desire to stay intouch
entitled, The Year of Living Biblically. It is somewhat of a tongue-in-cheek account of a man attempting to live according to many of the precepts of the Bible. Part of its purpose is to encourage us NOT to take too seriously what the Bible calls
