Weekly Update 7.31.2025

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This Sunday
This Sunday:  One of the sermon topics requested for Summer Sundays was:  The Divine Feminine, Mother, Holy Spirit Sophia.  Specifically as woman.  That will be the inspiration for Sunday!  Rev. Wells will be back.  Take a look at Proverbs 8.  You might be surprised.  
The service is at 10:30 a.m. and Childcare is provided. Outreach
We will be collecting period pads (AKA sanitary napkins) for the students at Lakewood High School who cannot afford to buy period hygiene products. Please place the packs of pads in the box in the sanctuary. The high school only accepts pads, so please do not bring any tampons, period underwear, or menstrual cups. The new school year starts August 11, so we will be collecting through July so that we can deliver to Lakewood High the first week of August.
 
Demonstrating Our Values

As part of the 50501 Movement, there will be a national day of protest on Saturday August 2. Pinellas Now will be hosting the St. Pete protest at the intersection of 34th St. N and 22nd Ave N from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM.Event Info Page: https://tinyurl.com/StPeteAugust2
 Voicing Their ValuesJim Andrews, Janet Blair, and Lexi Green  Volunteer Opportunity at Missio Dei.Missio Dei, a local church and organization that feeds the unhoused community in Downtown St. Pete, will need volunteers for two upcoming Sundays (July 27 and August 3). They will need 3-5 people each Sunday to assist with setting up, serving, and cleaning up their evening meal from 3:30-7:00 PM at 161716th St. S. A sign-up sheet will be available at church on Sunday for shifts, feel free to sign up for one or more.  
Florida Conference Gathering AheadThe Florida UCC is doing things a little differently this year!  In order to avoid hurricane season, they will be having the next Annual gathering in February 2026.  So this year they are having three Geographical Area Gatherings. The closest one to St. Petersburg will be in Venice on August 9th from 10-3, Venice UCC, 620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice, FL 34293.  There is no charge, lunch will be provided, but reservations are requested.  Kim and Dyanne will be driving, and we would like to have a great showing from our church.  The information is also outlined in the weekly Sunshine Connection.  If you would like help in registering, please contact Dyanne Edds 321-890-7708.
 
WEEKLY LABYRINTH UPDATEWeekly guided walks resume Wednesday August 6 at 9:30. 
Pastor AwayFor the first week, Kim will be attending the biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Kansas City, MO with her daughter, Angela. This is a national gathering of the UCC with workshops and speakers, etc. Then there will be vacation time spent with family in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky.
Rev. Wells will be away from Wednesday July 9 until Saturday Aug. 2. If pastoral care is needed, please contact Patti Cooksey at cooksepa@eckerd.edu.  SPECIAL MUSIC IN THE SUMMERAfter Pentecost, the choir goes on hiatus over the summer and resumes rehearsals and singing in service the Sunday after Labor Day. In place of their anthems, it’d be great of there were solo or duets or even small groups during the summer months.
Vocals are, of course, okay, but they don’t need to be a vocals. instrumentalists are very welcome: guitar, balalaika, flute, cello, ocarina, harmonica, tuba?
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy: it can be just a hymn or a simple song and it doesn’t even need to be particularly “religious.” Many secular/pop songs from any decade have positive messages that align with the values of Lakewood.
You definitely don’t need to be perfect. Just be you. Any age, too: kids, young adults, old folks, middle aged.
If you’d like to perform something during the summer, please let me know. I’d truly love for that to happen! If you have a selection you’d like to do, great; if not, I can help you find one. – Hilton Care Closet
Needed for Refugee and Migrant Women’s Initiative, Inc.
This is a local group that assists migrants and refugees.  The following brand new items are needed: full-sized hygiene items, soap (laundry, dishes, hand), bedding, utensils (cups, plates, baking and cooking supplies), trash cans, laundry baskets, cleaning products, towels, toys, babycare items, school supplies for K-12.
Good Samaritan Food Pantry
The food pantry has requested pet food and breakfast cereal.  Donations may be placed in The Caring Closet here at the church.
Plastic Bags for Missio Dei
Missio Dei is in need of plastic grocery bags for the homeless and needy. Please place bags in The Caring Closet at church.
Operation Attack in Need of Volunteers
O.A. is an ecumenical food pantry at Lakeview Presbyterian Church. LUCC was a founding partner in this ministry in the 1960’s. Volunteers are needed and nonperishable food is always in demand. Contributions can go in The Caring Closet at church.

Toiletries for Celebrate Outreach
Celebrate Outreach is a local ministry with people who are living without shelter in St. Petersburg.  An average of 135 people are served each week.  Here is a list of donations needed: towlettes travel size, socks and underwear.  Please leave your donation in The Caring Closet at church.
Clothes for Those Released from Jail
Along with Pilgrim UCC, we are collecting clothing for Pinellas County jail inmates to wear upon release from the jail. T-shirts, shorts, sweat pants, socks & underwear M/F. Please no suits, dresses, or dressy clothes. Just comfortable used clean clothing placed in The Caring Closet at church. USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKSLakewood UCC YouTube ChannelLakewood UCC Bluesky accountYou can listen to Hilton’s music and videos for free at https://hiltonkeanjones.com/.View 
August Birthdays!4- Barbara Donohue7- Mardie Chapman11- Claire Stiles13- Kay Rencken14- Vita Uth22-Dana Cosper27- Dave Ogdie28- Barbara Walburn 28- JoAnne Reid


Circle of Concern
Susan GilbertMarti HafnerJosette GreenJason RiddellCathy GieseyVictoria LongMichelle Cloutier
Ann Cloutier, Michelle’s mother
JoAnne Reid
Shelly Wilson
Rick Carr
Paula and Tony Pelletier
Deb Kenneda
Barbara Walburn
Yvonne Riesen
Leslee and Holly Van Ranst Sorenson
Denise Williams
Vita Uth
Dot Thrush
Chip and Dana Cosper
Cate Colgan & Marty Seyler’s dog, Trinity
Jackie Shewmaker
All school students, families & staff
Caregivers
The 280 women and men on Florida’s Death Row Weekly Update
If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Wednesday. Please provide the information in paragraph form with pertinent details and links. THANK YOU! 

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Credits: Images of birthday cake and books from Freepik.comOur mailing address is:Lakewood United Church of Christ2601 54th Ave S St Petersburg, FL 33712-4709On land originally inhabited by the Tocabaga on the Gulf of Mexico

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