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Hernando Today

A Christmas Of Family Joy

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: December 13, 2008

RIDGE MANOR - A few years ago, only a dozen people attended the dwindling United Methodist church in Ridge Manor.

And then along came a rescuer of such vibrancy that in January there will be a new welcoming outreach casual service inviting local families and residents to a Saturday evening "contemporary service. This is intended to be a very healing time, in a safe place where people can come 'just as they are," it says in the December newsletter.

"There will be lively praise and worship music enhanced by the new high-tech sound and video system, prayer, softer music and closing reverent quietude. We know with God, ALL things are possible," wrote Pastor Debbie Nelson, formerly a local schoolteacher.

"We just love Pastor Debbie and this is such a wonderful church!" said Pam Blomberg, an office volunteer and member for four years.

She noted that traffic headed east and west on 50 can come through okay even as repairs are being done on the I-75 overpass where it was damaged recently.

Christmastime at Ridge Manor Community United Methodist Church is well underway thanks to the pastor's love of her church and the intergenerational love of members and local families who work so well together.

Last Friday the church was transformed with yards of greenery and hundreds of twinkling lights by children, parents, grandparents and all ages of elves, even an angel.

Quintin Gaines is a sixth-grader whose father is a police officer. Quintin plays an angel in 'Christmas Night at the Church,' an original play just written by Diane Beuthe, director of the children's ministry. Quintin's baby sister, Madison, will be in the Christmas drama too, cradled by Mary as portrayed by adorable 8-year-old Delaney Keeling. "A bit like the movie 'Night at the Museum,' there are some children scampering and playing tag in the sanctuary while their parents are at a meeting. Suddenly they are scared when the Nativity figures come to 'life,'" Beuthe explained.

"But the animals and people teach the 'church kids' about Christ's birth.

"And at the Christmas Eve service, our 5-year-old twins, Jake and Maggie Cunningham, will lead 'Holly,' a real, live miniature donkey, down the center aisle to join the Nativity. I just learned that donkeys have a 'cross' marking of darker fur along the ridge of their back and down the shoulders."

"At the closing the children will place gold 'angel halos' on all of the adults' heads as we all sing 'Angels We Have Heard On High," Pastor Debbie said. "It's sure to be a melt-your-heart, memorable heart-warming experience." (The weekly pastor's sermons and congregational testimonials are emotional as attested to by ample boxes of tissues available on every padded pew and member affirmations.)

Today is "Christmas Angels Day," where 15 children and youth are learning about the joy of giving as they use several $50 Walmart gift certificates to buy gifts for their families who registered in the annual Christmas Angels' charity outreach, monies donated by church members. A pizza party is slated after they wrap and tag the purchased gifts.

Each Wednesday local children attend FBI - Faithful Bible Investigators, and they are fed as much free dinner as they want, in addition to enjoying games, music and friendship.

Matt Nix, the youth director, agreed with the pastor that the program serves to help local needy children learn about the love of God through His Methodist "helpers."

The youth program on Thursdays is called CIA - Christ in Action. In the process of new programming, more field trips and mission outreach is anticipated, while weekly meetings include ingathering, prayer, a biblical morality lesson, music, snacks and camaraderie.

The pastor is proud of the church for its heart for giving.

She noted that at Thanksgiving for instance, 30 families were given full dinners to cook at home for their loved ones - this done in partnership with Anchor Church across the street.

"The church annual Pumpkin Patch also provided a Fall Festival, hay rides, face painting, a build-your-own Scarecrow Factory," the pastor said.

"We had 16 Trunk or Treat vehicle displays and tons of family fun as a free community outreach, including filed trips for 660 local school children who learned about pumpkins and became "pumpkinologists."

Today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Dade City Christmas Stroll, some church members will be painting faces and handing out free candy canes to welcome children to visit The Ridge Manor church.

A variety of seasonal music and a decked-out downtown await your free attendance and applause.

When asked about the up-coming Christmas Eve Service, Pastor Debbie remarked, "In a world where life can be cruel and times can be hard, we plan to share The One we all need to know now more than ever - Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, and we pray our neighbors will join us Dec. 24 at 7 p.m."

When do they meet?

Sunday Koinonia Cafe: 8:30 a.m.

Sunday Bible Study: 9 a.m.

Sunday worship service: 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday FBI: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Happy Birthday Jesus! (potluck) : 5:30 Wednesday Dec. 17

Youth group CIA: 6 p.m. Thursday

Children's drama: 10:15 a.m. Sunday Dec. 21

Adult choir concert: 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 21

Christmas Eve service: 7 p.m.

Ridge Manor Community United Methodist Church is located at 34350 Cortez Blvd., on US50 west of the HWY 301 intersection, Ridge Manor. Phone: 352-583-3770.

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