Church Staff and Leaders
Pastor: Pastor Woody Eddins (woody@simsburyumc.org)
Minister of Visitation: Reverend Norma Rust
Pastoral Liaison: Lori Garcia (lori@simsburyumc.org)
Church School Coordinator: Heather Ryan (heather@simsburyumc.org)
Children’s/Youth Music Director: Dorothy Cowles (dorothy@simsburyumc.org)
Lay Leader: Charlotte Ray
Church Council Chair: Dick Adams
Certified Lay Speakers: Mark Brady, Deb Clifford, Ed Dudley, Linda Stroud, Jane Whelchel
Lay Speaker: Ross Fritschler
Lay Members of Conference: Peter and Joyce Royal
Administrative Ministries
Church Council
Contact: Dick Adams (206-2600)
Finance
Tracks church budgetary affairs. Meets monthly.
Contact: Hal Johnson (658-0634)
Stewardship
Advocates for contributions of time, talent, and financial resources. Meets monthly
Contact: Don Baker (242-8620)
Board of Trustees
Overseers of church property and legal representatives of the congregation. Meets monthly.
Contact: Don Baker
Staff Parish Relations
Hires non-appointed staff; counsels with appointed clergy. Meets monthly.
Contact: David Jimenez
Lay Leadership
Nominates laity for leadership in congregation; educates and prepares active members for leadership responsibilities.
Contact: Pastor Woody Eddins 651-3356
Worship Ministries
Worship Committee
Provides input about weekly worship services; plans and coordinates special worship times.
Contact: Deb Clifford
Altar Guild
Prepares elements, cares for linens & vessels, assists pastors during communion.
Contact: Open
Flowers
Coordinates weekly altar flowers and rosebuds for births & baptisms.
Contact: Jean Staley
Usher Coordinator
Greets and seats worship participants; gathers weekly offering and registry pages.
Contact: Ed Hamilton
Lay Reader Coordinators
Prepares individuals to read scripture during worship and coordinates weekly duties
Contact: 10:30 - Rolene Johnson – 9:00 – Cindy Horsler
Music Ministries
Contacts: Yves Venne (860) 651-3356 x227 and Dorothy Cowles (860) 693-9799
Provides music for contemporary and traditional worship services; educates children and adults in the art of music ministry. Music Ministry supports the following programs:
Chancel Singers (Yves Venne)
Rehearses each Thursday at 7:30p.m.; participates weekly in 10:30 a.m. service.
Chancel Ringers (Yves Venne)
Rehearses each Thursday at 6:15 p.m.; participates in various services throughout the year.
Music Makers (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.; participates in various services throughout the year. For children ages 4-Kindergarten.
Children’s Choir (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Sunday at 11:45 a.m.; participates in various services throughout the year. For children grades 1-5.
Celebration Ringers (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Wed. at 5:00 p.m.; participates in various services throughout the year. For children grades 2 - 6.
Wesley Ringers (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Wed. at 4:00 p.m.; participates in various services throughout the year. For children grades 6 – 12.
Youth Praise (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Sundays at 5:30 p.m.; participates in various services throughout the year. For girls grades 7 – 12.
9:00 Music Team (Dorothy Cowles)
Rehearses Wed. nights – musicians 5:45, musicians & singers-6:45; leads music and plays in 9:00 a.m. service.
Pageant Committee (Dorothy Cowles)
Organizes annual holiday pageant.
Adult Bible Study
Thursday Morning Bible Study meets9 – 11:00 a.m. in the annex throughout the year (except on school vacation days).
Other Adult Education opportunities are available throughout the year.
Education Ministries
United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF)
Contact: Randy Cole - Sr. High or Linn and Jenn Taylor
The UMYF sponsors these programs:
Jr. and Sr. High Fellowship
Meets most Sundays starting at 6:00 p.m. Participates in other activities throughout the year including retreats, fun activities and service projects.
Work Camp
Students in grades 9-12 travel for one week of mission work each summer to UM ARMY (United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth)
Church School
Contact: Heather Ryan
Provides nursery care on Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to noon; provides church school classes for children age 2 through senior high on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Also sponsors:
Vacation Bible School
One-week camp each summer for children ages 4 & up. Contact Dorothy Cowles: 651-3356
Communion Instruction
Confirmation Program for 8th Graders
Contact: Pastor Woody Eddins: 651-3356
Witnessing Ministries
New Member Committee
Welcomes new visitors, coordinates greeters, coordinates New Member Sundays. Meets monthly. Sponsors:
· Methodism 101: The book “Meet the Methodists”.
· Nooks & Crannies: Tours the facilities of SUMC
Contact: Jon Webber
Outreach
Identifies and assists with the needs of local, state, national and international groups.
Contact: Jason Soltero
South Park Inn
Coordinates and prepares monthly food donation to the South Park Inn shelter.
Contact: Jon Webber
Peter’s Retreat
Visits to this facility that houses persons with AIDS who need support and love.
Contact: Paul & Joanne Douglas (651-5773)
Volunteers in Mission
Coordinates mission trips to local, national and international sites.
Contact: Cassandra Broadus-Garcia (651-5773)
Messenger
The parish newsletter provides information about upcoming events, as well as uplifting messages written by the pastors. Published monthly, except Dec./Jan. and July/Aug. are combined issues.
Contact: Lori Garcia in the church office (651-3356)
Nuturing Minstries
United Methodist Women
Contact: Pat Adams
Local unit of the Woman’s Division of the UMC. Supports mission and ministry on local and global levels. Meets quarterly. UMW supports these circles:
Rachel Circle
Daytime circle, meets monthly.
Contact: Joan Dorman
Rebekah Circle
Daytime circle, meets monthly.
Contact: Martha Dixon
Susanna Circle
Evening circle, meets monthly.
Contact: Karen Matheson or Nancy Hawkins
Sit in, Knit in – Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knits or crochets prayer shawls for delivery to those who are sick, hospitalized or in need of special prayers.
Contact: : Carol Bressor or Carrie Houghton
Stephen Ministry
Teaches and fosters a culture of care. Trains potential caregivers; connects caregivers with care needs.
Contacts: Deb Gice, Marilyn Webber, Barbara Berger, Pat Adams , Charlotte Ray
Family to Family
Provides help for short-term needs (such as childcare, meals, transportation).
Contact: Carrie Houghton
Prayer and Praise Chain
Provides group prayer and praise support on behalf the congregation.
Contact: Ann Gallion (658-1266)
Hospitality
Coordinates luncheons, special events, and fellowship hour.
Contact: tbd
Eucharistic Ministry
Celebrates Holy Communion with those who are unable to attend services.
Contact: Pastor Woody Eddins (651-3356)
Dinner for Eight
Couples meet in groups of eight for dinner and fellowship.
Contact: John Stewart (284-0072) or Joyce Tullock (658-1564)
Methodist Men’s Fellowship
Men’s group meets second Saturday of each month (except in the summer months) for breakfast and fellowship.
Contacts: Jon Webber, Rudy Maurer, Bill Gerlach, Jon Gice or Jeff Euting
Church-Sponsored Ministry
Little Lambs & Ivy Childcare Center:
Provides childcare in a nurturing, Christian environment. Enrolls children age 6 weeks and up; provides after-school care for older children.
Contact: Joanne Maurer (860) 408-9467
Adjunct Ministries
Pastoral Counselor-in-Residence
Contact: Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg
Plowshares Institute
An organization that teaches nonviolent strategies and promotes peace on a global level.
Contact: Rev. Bob Evans (651-4304)
