...... A new kind of church with an old tradition, now in Homestead Florida ......

 An Open & Affirming God Is Still Speaking Congregation!!!

The Homestead Community United Church of Christ is a church for all Christians, under the sponsorship of the Miami Beach Community Church and meeting in community with the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  We are open and affirming, as well as welcoming, to all life-styles.  Our affiliational motto is: "That they may ALL be one."  Our local church is governed entirely by our members.  We recognize two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.  Persons join by affirmation of faith.  No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

 CHANGES!

Our organizing Pastor, the Rev. Bob Sichta, has received a call from Barneveld, Wisconsin, and will be preaching his last official sermon on Sunday, March 18th, following which he will be on sabbatical through April in order to allow him to pass the baton to the Rev. Imro Anys, who has agreed to serve as our Contract Supply Pastor Subject to Call.  While we will go through the UCC polity process, our congregation has expressed a willingness and desire, on completion of Rev. Sichta's sabbatical, to formally call Rev. Imro to our pulpit.  We will miss you, Pastor Bob!  Thank you for all you've done, including giving us Pastor Imro to follow in your steps.  Godspeed to all! 

Now Meeting at:

1001 NE 15th Street , Homestead, Florida 33030, in community with the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Every Sunday:

Church Services - 10:45 am

Sunday School    -  9:30 am

Child Care Available!

 

Every Tuesday:

Bible Study           - 7:30 pm  - Next Class: Thursday, March 15th!

 

• Early Services are held every Sunday at 8:30 am, at the Community Partnership for the Homeless, located at 28205 SW 125th 
  • Speaking of which, our Associate Pastor Imro Anys has been doing an incredible job with our Homeless Shelter services.  Together with superb volunteer Evan Reese and Pastor Bob, Pastor Imro has organized children's activities so well we are now conducting Sunday morning programs for more than 40 homesless children each Sunday.  What a great ministry Pastor Imro is doing!  Thank you, Pastor Imro!

Coming Events 

(See our Newsletter for more details.  Don't have one?  Call Pastor Bob at 305-282-9571 and get on the list.  It's easy, and it's free!  In the meantime, here are a few featurettes!)

• The Next Great Potluck Luncheon: Please mark your calendar for our next Pot Luck Luncheon, immediately after services on Sunday, March 18th!  Each one is delicious, featuring famous pastas of the world, killer chili, and gourmet servings of chocolate mousse - oh, and a lot of great people, too!  See you there!!!

• Carnival & Country Craft Fair!!!  Our Carnival & Craft Fair last month was such a success we've decided to do it again this Fall!  Please keep your calendars for November for our next Country Craft Fair and ANTIQUE CAR SHOW!  It'll be even bigger and better than last time, featuring beautiful holiday table settings, delicious recipes (and their results), your favorite quilts and fabrics, plus more booths, games, food, fun and prizes, including a repeat of our fantastic sweepstakes drawing!  People are already subscribing for booths and spaces! Planning starts this Summer. See you there!!! 

• Next Board Meeting                 7:30 pm - Wednesday, March 14th!
• Church Workday                                             Saturday, March 10th!
• Next Potluck Luncheon                                     Sunday, March 18th!

Congratulations!!!

• To our first Honorary Members: Chuck & Bonnie Brasie!
  • Though they live in Miami Lakes, they have been personally responsible for the donation of truckloads of clothing, furniture, appliances, and even an automobile through our church to the Community Partnership for the Homeless (the "CPHI") - and that's only since March of this year.  Prior to that, they not only donated more of the same, they also donated over 200 new toys - complete with batteries - to the children of the CPHI, thereby making sure over 100 children received at least two new presents this past Christmas.  What unselfish examples of devotion to the needs of others, to those unable to help themselves.  The fact that they live such a distance away has not stopped them from giving of themselves, to and through our church, to others!  Thank you, Chuck & Bonnie!!!  PS:  For the third year in a row, Chuch & Bonnie have donated too many toys to count!  In other words, every child at the CPHI has had a Christmas, made possible through their incredible generosity.  We can't say enough about these great and generous people!  God Bless, Chuck & Bonnie!

• To Marcia Maynard, Homestead's Teacher of the Year!  Not only is Marcia a gifted writer who passes her wonderful skills on to the high school students in Homestead, but she is also an incredible artist, working in mediums including painting, watercolor and photography, regarding which she has garnered a grant that will allow her to teach an special program inclusive of involving high school students in the many facets of Art South - the awesome art program located on Krome Avenue in downtown Homestead!  Marcia, you are a special gift to your students, your community and your church, making us triply proud of your involvement with us!  Congratulations, Marcia!!!

• To our Pastor Bob Sichta, who was formally Ordained as a Minister in the United Church of Christ during services on Sunday, August 6th, at the Miami Beach Community Church, led by the Rev. Dr. Garth Thompson, and attended by many clergy from the Florida Conference, including (but not limited to) the Florida Conference (Interim) Minister Rev. Dr. Jack Richards, the Southeast Florida Regional Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Bill Koch, West Florida Regional Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Jean Simpson, and former Florida Regional Conference (Interim) Minister currently serving as (Interim) Minister of the Hollywood First United Church of Christ the Rev. Jack Remaly.  It was a wonderful celebration of new ministry!  Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Bob!

• To US!  On receiving word we are the recipient of a Pastoral Support Grant from the national offices of the United Church of Christ!  It will help us grow, and we are thankful for their support!

*****

Call 305-282-9571 anytime, for details, or for a ride!!!

By the way, please feel free to check our Links page.  It's a great way to get in touch with other UCC's and DOC's!