REMINDER TO CHECK YOUR 2025 PLEDGE:
As we begin our fourth quarter and 2026 budgeting process, your Finance Committee would appreciate it if you would check the status of your 2025 pledge. I know how easy it is to slip behind while enjoying summer vacations. If you are not sure how much of your 2025 pledge is outstanding, Sara in the office would be happy to give you an update. On behalf of Rockport's Finance Committee, thank you for your diligence in keeping up to date on your giving. If you have any questions on our church finances or just want to learn how our financial statements are compiled, feel free to call me
Diana Leitch, CPA & Rockport Finance Chair
ROCKPORT RENOVATORS:
The Rockport Renovators, a small group of men at Rockport UMC, is looking for a November-December project. Our mission is to help neighbors who may have found significant difficulty in maintaining their home, due to the death of a spouse or for financial reasons yet remain in that home which needs repairs. Perhaps you are in this situation and are forced to make difficult decisions to move forward. Or, perhaps you are interested in joining our group.
John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Galations 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Contact Dave Plachta
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE CHOSEN SEASON 5:
We will gather on Saturdays, Oct. 25th, Nov. 1st, 15th, & 22nd from 6-6:30pm for dinner, and 6:30-8:30pm for back-to-back episodes of The Chosen Season 5. Please sign up on the bulletin board so we know how much food to prepare! See you there!
LAKEVIEW CEMETERY WADE MEMORIAL CHAPEL TOUR & SCHOFIELD TOMB:
Saturday, November 1, 2025, 9:00am; Choir will sing at the end of the presentation; $5/person for tour + $2 suggested tip, tip paid in cash day of.
Carpool Transportation - Cars leave from Rockport parking lot at 8:15am
Optional - Going out for brunch afterwards. Pre-pay for tour in the church office.
SPAGHETTI DINNER VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED:
Spaghetti Dinner will be Nov. 8th from 4-8:00pm. We still need drivers to deliver meals to homebound, bakers, salad dressing maker, servers, set-up, clean-up, and kitchen help. Please sign-up if you are willing/able to help in any way. All proceeds will go towards church missions and/or Nehemiah Mission.
BOOK CLUB:
Please join us November 17th @7:00pm in the Parlor, for our next book club. “The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is a historical fiction novel about three women--Osla Kendall, Mab Churt, and Beth Finch—who work as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. The story follows their work deciphering German codes, the pressures of wartime secrecy, and their fractured friendship. Years later, an encrypted letter reunites the women to unmask a traitor form their Bletchley Park past who left one of them wrongfully imprisoned in an asylum.” Hope to see everyone on November 17th for food, fun, fellowship, and discussion.
DONUTS AND COFFEE HOUR:
Please consider hosting donuts and coffee before 9:30am worship and/or after worship coffee hour. Fellowship is an important part of the life of the church and why not have food as well! Sign-up sheet is posted on the chapel hallway bulletin board.
BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:
Please join us for this 12-week Disciple Fast Track Old Testament study Wednesdays through Nov. 19th at 7:00pm in the meeting room. This study will be led by Jim Spallino.
TAKE-WHAT-YOU-NEED CABINET!
Now that school has begun again, we’re asking for help in shopping for the cabinet! We have a small crew of people who take turns shopping for the cabinet every so often, and we’d love to have your help! We have a cabinet fund, and you do not have to spend your own money, unless you’re donating items. We have a list of item suggestions available, and if you’re interested, please see Kira or call the office. Please make sure to turn in your receipts to the office to be reimbursed! Thank you
ROCKPORT CHANCEL CHOIR
is seeking returning members, new members and welcome all voices! Rehearsals are on TUESDAYS from 6-7:20pm in the choir room. Contact Susan Shick, Music Director/Organist, at 440-331-9433 or come to any of our TUESDAY rehearsals if you are interested in joining our fellowship and music ministry!
GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER:
AUGUST 2025 Church financials can be found Here
or get a hard copy in the church office.
NORTH OLMSTED EVENTS (Shared Opportunities)
Call office at 440-779-6634 or email at www.noumc.org
THE UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH GROUP
will be having the Annual Church Mouse Craft Fair on October 11th (see the flyer). We are asking for any craft items that you can donate too the Craft Table at the Fair. Also, we are asking for baked goods to sell at our bakery sale table as well. If you can please participate in any of these, we would deeply appreciate it. Items can be given to Liz Lavelle anytime before the sale and of course baked goods can be brought in the Friday evening before the event. We thank you so very much for your support! Any questions please contact Liz Lavelle or Judi Wagner.
NORTHERN WATERS DISTRICT NEWS: www.eocumc.com/northernwaters
Charge Conference
A charge conference is an annual meeting of the leadership of a pastoral charge presided over by the district superintendent. The work of the charge conference includes reviewing the mission and ministries of the charge, adopting a budget for all congregations within the charge, recommending candidates for ordained, lay or other forms of ministry, setting salaries and compensation for pastors and staff appointed by the bishop, and more.
ROCKPORT'S CHARGE CONFERENCE IS:
Charge Conference: 2:00 p.m. October 19 @ Strongsville UMC
CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com
A Clergy Appreciation Month Message from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
As we begin Clergy Appreciation Month, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to God for each of you. Your lives, shaped by the call of Christ and sustained by His love and salvation, bear powerful witness to the beauty of faithful ministry.
In this season, our East and West Ohio Conferences continue the journey of becoming one Ohio Episcopal Area, living into a shared vision with collaborative beloved community. While this brings new responsibilities, it is your dedication and steadfast service in local congregations and extension ministry settings that strengthen our common witness and fill me with joy in the Lord.
Though every Christian shares in the priesthood of all believers, those called to the unique task of shepherding, preaching, and leading God’s people carry a sacred burden. The word “pastor” in the New Testament comes from the Greek term ποιμnν (poimen), which literally means “shepherd”. To guide the church into healing, wholeness, and the daily celebration of God’s presence is a profound and beautiful calling.
I believe with confidence that clergy across Ohio are faithfully living out this vocation. I thank God for your leadership and your witness. My prayer is that you will continue to lean deeply upon God’s grace, caring also for your own spiritual well-being and holistic health. May our congregations, in turn, support you with prayer, encouragement, and care, so that our ministry may be a joy rather than a hardship.
For me, ministry has always been a source of joy. To love, to care, and to serve together in mutual trust and respect is to live fully into the call of Christ. As Scripture reminds us, when clergy and communities walk together in humility, partnership, and prayer, the church is built up in love and strengthened in hope.
May this October be a sacred time of remembering, honoring, and giving thanks for all clergy and their families across Ohio. May the Lord bless you with abundant grace, peace, and joy as you continue to serve The United Methodist Church with faithfulness.
