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NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE
YOU ARE ON LIFE'S JOURNEY, YOU'RE WELCOME
HERE.
Meet some of our members and find
out why they joined Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
Perhaps it could be the church you have been
looking for, too.
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Chuck and I moved to Sebring in 2001. We
had always been very active and life members of the
United Methodist Church.
However, we thought since we had made a major life
change that we would look at different churches in the
area (including the Methodist Churches)to see what was
the best fit. We checked out the Lutheran Church next door, went to an
Easter service at the church across the street, and even
visited a church in Avon Park. All
had their good and bad
points.
Finally we came to the spaghetti dinner at
Emmanuel. Everyone was friendly to us,
but more importantly, they seemed to be genuine friends
with each other. We came to several services and
was visited by Rev. Barbara. That visit confirmed
to us that this was a church of committed Christians who
shared our values of following Christ's
teachings. The Lutheran minister had told us that
women are not allowed to be clergy because the Bible
doesn't allow it. It was very important to us that
women were treated equally in the church.
Rev. Barbara showed us that the United Church of Christ
is following the true teachings of the Bible.
Emmanuel UCC truly cares about the poor, the
homeless, and the sick. The church both locally
and nationally lives its faith. We are happy that
we are members of this congregation. (We also
adore Rev. Jim). ~ Millie and Chuck
Grime
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It took Larry and I
about ten years of wintering in Sebring to finally find
Emmanuel United Church. In those
interim years we had attended several churches in the
area, some for several years. We worked on
various committees at a church in Avon
Park. Priscilla played
in their bell choir and Larry served on the Finance
Committee.
However, we never felt truly at "home". We felt as
though we were tolerated, but not as though we
belonged.
Then in 1994, upon
our return from New
England in the fall, we decided to try the
fledgling Emmanuel United Church of Christ here in
Sebring.
They had recently completed a new sanctuary and
we thought perhaps this would be the welcoming
atmosphere we were looking for.
As we approached
the church from the parking lot, a tall gentleman with a
slight limp, Duane Blough, came out of the church with
extended hand and warmly welcomed us. He walked with
us to the door bantering and joking along the way and we
were again warmly welcomed by Pastor Bill Carrell who
was standing at the door greeting
parishioners.
The welcome didn't
stop at the door. We were met with
smiles, nods and handshakes from others as well. We were
impressed by the gracious welcomes, but felt that was
just for first time visitors. However, on our return
visits the next few Sundays, the warm welcomes continued
and we gradually felt we had found our church home here
at Emmanuel. ~ Larry and Priscilla
Andrews
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My husband and I
are members of an American Baptist Church (ABC) in New
York and I am an ordained American Baptist clergy. We
recently moved to Avon Park and wanted to worship at a
church in this community, however, there are no ABC
churches nearby. After attending several local churches,
we were on the verge of traveling to
the ABC church in the St. Petersburg area (long drive!).
We needed to find a church with an inclusive and
thoughtful theology. One day I noticed an event notice
in the local paper that mentioned Emmanuel United
Church of Christ. We were excited as I checked out the
Emmanuel web site knowing there are many theological
similarities between ABC and UCC congregations. A review
of the web site gave me hope that this might be the
church for us here. We attended the next Sunday and upon
arrival we immediately felt the welcoming effects of the
Emmanuel foyer -- where you are greeted with the
calming sounds of a beautiful water fountain and "worry
stones" arranged in a basket in the corner with a sign
inviting people to take one if in need. The welcome
continued with the smiles and warm handshakes of
Emmanuel's greeters. Rev. Jim Langdoc's welcoming spirit
and thoughtful, challenging sermons combined with the
warm conversation of members who greeted us after the
worship service sealed it for us. We realized
after several weeks of attendance that God is still
speaking and called us to Emmanuel at this time. We are
ever so grateful. ~
Paul and Amy Manierre
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Back
in 1995, my partner, Gene Finnegan, and I retired, after
serving a professional lifetime as clergy - he with the
United Methodist denomination and I with the United
Church of Christ.
Our longrange plan had been to spend most of our
future years absent from the icy cold of our native
northwest Ohio. Though we knew
no one in Florida, the
Sunshine State seemed the
ideal landing spot. And after much
traveling about this state, Central
Florida became our selection.
Being
consistent fans of Oprah, with her constant urging of
folks to "go to church if you want to meet people", our
first Sunday took us off to the neighborhood church for
worship as a test of Oprah's theory. Very shortly
into the worship service we became aware that the
theology and liturgy of our choice was neither of our
taste nor our persuasion. And since any
communication with fellow worshippers seemed deficient,
we never could find the location of the coffee hour the
minister had made such a flourish inviting us
to.
Next
Sunday it was Emmanuel's turn. Friendly greetings came
our way even in the parking lot. Though the sanctuary
was cozy in size, the folks inside seem to be bursting
with energy and acceptance. But what about the music,
liturgy, and theology that we were accustomed to and
favored?
The minister, and the worship service hit a home
run here. Over Sunday dinner, with little hesitation, we
admitted to each other that our search had ended. God
had called us to the right
pew.
This
was thirteen years ago. We continue to
appreciate the diversity and acceptance of religious
thought and practice shared by folks at Emmanuel. Like most
adopted natives in Central
Florida, the church has become our
family.
Though as individuals, we may not always agree in
practice or thought, we're together in the service of
Christ and his mission. May God continue to bless our
efforts. So
be it. ~ John
Rainey |
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Stan and I moved to Sebring in the Spring of 1988. We moved from
Maryland for health reasons,
but stayed for another reason that being Emmanuel United
Church of Christ.
A little background first: Stan belonged all his life
to Trinity Evangelical
Reformed U.C.C. church and when we married, I also
joined the church.
Then we moved to Sebring. I was at loose ends and
became involved in art but was still restless . We shopped around, as
many of you have done, for a church that welcomed us . Then one day in the
paper we noticed that the UCC was going to start a church in
Sebring. Needless
to say we couldn't call fast enough. When we spoke to Bob
Loffer and he explained what the plans were, we knew that it
was going to be the church for us: The first service clinched
it for us: Spirituality and the warm and friendly welcome that
was extended to us.
Since that time we became involved in many aspects of
the church; including lively discussions and Bible studies
that were held in restaurants and the high school. Stan dedicated most of
his time belonging to the willing workers, assisting the
secretary, making many projects for the Harvest Home and
everything in general that would help the church. But, most of all we
made many loving friends and acquaintances. I was asked "Why Did
we join Emmanuel"? Now, my questions is, "Why wouldn't
we join?" ~ Marg
Hann
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Before Connie Carter
called us in 2007 about a certain house for sale in Highland's
Ridge, we had camped at Buttonwood Bay in our fifth wheel for four
years. While there, we searched for a church home in the area.
However, we were not satisfied with any that we visited. Friends at
our church, Trinity UCC, suggested that we visit Emmanuel where
Barbara Laucks was pastor. Mary Focht was also a connection we had
between the Ohio and Sebring churches. As our friendships at
Emmanuel quickly grew, we realized that our search was over.
Recently, we chose to become full-time members of a congregation
that knows and loves the Lord, values the importance of music in
worship, and shows caring and compassion for our church family and
the wider community. We are grateful for Jim Langdoc's ministry with
us, and are looking forward to welcoming our next full-time
pastor.
Blessings,
Glen and Sue
Shellhammer
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When I first moved to Florida it was the first time I
had the chance to actually choose which church I would attend. Prior
to that, I of course, went to the church where I served as pastor.
When I first came to Avon Park I visited many churches
many different denominations and many different styles of worship.
And trust me there are many different styles and feelings within the
different churches.
When I
attended these churches it felt like a clique, a group of small,
intimate, and unwelcoming people. In the large
churches they seem to be made of multiple cliques, the inner circle
impossible to enter. I offered my services to one church in
Avon
Park, and then
told him I was a retired pastor with a Masters degree in divinity
and years of experience as a pastor and that I would like to be able
to help the church in any way that I could. The pastor promised to
meet with me. He left before our appointed time on the day we were
to meet.
A few weeks later I received a telephone
call from one of the staff members. They asked me to help serve
the youth group by riding the bus as bus monitor. I reminded them that I was
an experienced pastor and that bus monitor, was probably not the
best use of my talents.
They agreed, and I never heard from them
again.
Of the
churches I attended there seemed to be no place for me
personally. I came back
to Emmanuel because of my prior relationship with Barbara
Laucks. We knew each
other from North
Carolina. I felt like an outsider, but
stuck it out. I stayed,
and soon I was asked to be involved in numerous activities within
the church. One of the
first rules of having new members in the church is to get them
immediately involved in some activity of the Church. The more I began to serve,
the more I began to feel at home. Gradually, I felt an air of
friendliness stronger and stronger. And thus here I am a loyal
servant.
I look
forward to the future with you, serving God and this church in the
best way that I can.
May the peace
of Christ be with you.
Sincerely, Dan
Smith
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In 1989 when we retired
from Ohio we went to Harrisburg, VA. We lived there for four
years when in April, 1994 we awakened to eleven inches of
snow. Needless to say, that was not the retirement we were
looking for. We called my sister here in Sebring and told her
to find a place. She did that, and we came in September of
that year. We have always looked immediately for a church, and
we did attend one where no one spoke to us. We knew Emmanuel
was near, so we went there and found the warmth, love, and care we
were used to. We became members in 1995 at Easter time.
As you have noted, I used "we" because Tom and I in our 52-1/2 years
of marriage never neglected to continue our church life together,
and we thank the many of our Emmanuel family for sharing this
special part of our life with all of you. ~ Kathryn
Ferguson
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When my
partner John and I came to Florida for that first winter 13 years
ago we did not know anyone in this area. We had looked around the
state earlier and decided that we wanted to be in the middle of the
state and the middle is Avon Park. As we looked through the phone
book we found there were two churches that were United Church of
Christ and several that were United Methodist. Our plan was to visit
all of them and then make a decision as to which church we would
attend. Thus, the first Sunday we went to that other United Church
of Christ and not one person greeted us or even spoke. The second
Sunday found us at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, after having
phoned the church for directions and being asked why we wanted to
know where the church was located. However, when we arrived on
Sunday morning the greeting was so much warmer than the telephone
contact had been. People greeted us in the parking lot as we emerged
from our car, welcoming us to Emmanuel, and as we sat near the front
the warmth and friendliness of George Furnival made us feel even
more welcome. This was November, so back north we went for the
holidays with plans to return after Christmas. As we drove back we
decided that the folks at Emmanuel were so kind and so welcoming
that we did not even visit the United Methodist churches in the
area. Because of John's background we knew that the United Church of
Christ, as a denomination, was open and affirming of all persons
regardless of sexual orientation, which the United Methodist was
not. As we continued to be a part of Emmanuel it was the acceptance
and love shown to us by the members that caused us to stay and make
Emmanuel our church home. I have found the spirit of God moving
within this community of faith in a positive and affirming manner,
with a demonstration of love and acceptance of the diversity that
God has created within all of us. The denomination brought us here
but it is the people within this church that have kept us here. ~
Gene Finnegan
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I joined Emmanuel U.C.C. because I was bored. Thru my childhood and teens
going to church was inconvenient and unimportant. After high school this farm
girl went to the Big City to find work. There wasn't much to do
weekends, and I started exploring different churches. I explored several different
aspects. One
prestigious, highly respected edifice stays in my memory as the
coldest place I had ever been in, this with no regard at all to
Fahrenheit. After I
tired of the Big City I returned to small city
and country living. In
my late 20's I arranged for my own baptism, knowing no one had ever
bothered. Eventually I
worked into a difficult and demanding position which I thoroughly
enjoyed. Weekends were
a time to play with no time for church. Time passed, and I
retired. After a couple
of fumbles I found myself in Sebring. I met a very friendly woman
who often mentioned the church where she was a member. I went there with her and it
turned out to be Emmanuel, and there were more friendly people
there. Finally, at around 70 years, I joined a church for the first
time. Here I found what had been missing in all the other places.
Here I came to appreciate the open welcoming attitude. Here I
learned to enjoy the freedom of expression to worship without an
excess of ritual. Here I feel that God, the great spirit that
is in and around each of us, is truly and openly celebrated. And all
the friendly people are still there. And I am no longer bored. ~
Mary Bostwick
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First off we came to
Emmanuel while looking for a new home church and we saw Emmanuel's
piece in the paper of their open house for the new church, so we
decided to check it out. We met John Rainey, who gave us
information and a friendly face to make us feel welcome. The
next Sunday we came to see for ourselves, and were met by more
warm and friendly faces. This did keep us coming back in the
first place. As time went on we knew that God was here
and everyone was sincere with concerns and feelings. We looked
no farther! Then there is the music, which is a big part of my
(Bev's) search for a home church. I really love being a part
of the choir and the great friends that I am making, thanks to
Elaine Short who took me by the hand to Connie and told her I was
joining the choir. Ed likes helping out with the ushering and
the yard sale, and would like doing more as time goes by. But
the main reason we are here is because Emmanuel lets all people be
themselves, and welcomes everyone no matter who they are. You
only have to believe in God. ~ Ed and Bev Siebert
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I recently moved
back toFlorida from Illinois and
I wanted to establish a new church home. I was seeking a community
of believers where the Word of God was taught through traditional
worship and group study and where believers joined together to share
their witness at home and abroad and enjoy Christian fellowship.
After much prayer, I was led to Emmanuel United Church of Christ and
found a community that was truly "Sharing God's Love with
Everyone."~ Ginger
Schmidt
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God has called me to be a member of Emmanuel UCC to reawaken
my spiritual soul, to learn to accept support, to heal and grow
stronger, to spread the word of God's love and peace found in the
inclusivity of this church, and to share the gift of my
talents. ~ Joan L. Beck
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I joined Emmanuel with my husband after having been a PCUSA
member all my adult life. I joined because of Emmanuel's
deeply spiritual atmosphere in worship, a loving pastor, a caring
congregation, and its open and accepting stance. I
especially love the "GOD IS STILL SPEAKING" slogan, because I have
believed this from the very beginning of my faith journey
nearly forty years ago. I see how members of
Emmanuel respectfully and cordially treat all
visitors, and rejoice when people of all ages and backgrounds
decide to join the "family." Emmanuel is my
extended family -- a touchstone of Christian love,
faith, hope, and encouragement where I can continue to grow and
serve God with joy. ~ Joyce A.
Gordon
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Arriving from Ohio, we
searched for a place to worship. Our criteria was
simple. We wanted a
liberal UCC church, whose beliefs would not make us feel like, "We
would burn in Hell!" Emmanuel met the criteria. They even knew our names on
our second visit. We
found a very warm, compassionate congregation and felt so at
home. No longer were we
homesick for Ohio. We now look forward to
returning to our home church in Florida. The choir, Bible studies, Friday discussion
group, and especially Barb and Phil have brought us closer to God.
~ Daniel and Susan
Tucker
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