Pastor Nicki's Maternity Leave Schedule

Pastor Nicki is expecting a Baby Girl, due at the end of December. She will be on maternity leave for 12 weeks. While she is out, please email office@semheights.com with any questions or concerns. Weekly worship will continue Sundays at 10:30am. See the guest preaching schedule below!

Pulpit Coverage:

Dec. 28: Brianna Moore

Jan. 4: Rev. Florence Parra

Jan. 11: Sue Panazze

Jan. 18: Ryan Grable

Jan 25: Michael Bueno

Feb. 1: Rev. Bernie Lieving

Feb. 8: Sue Panazze

Feb. 15: Rev. Bernie Lieving

Feb. 22: Rev. Bernie Lieving

March 1: Rev. Amy Greene

March 8: Rev. Alex Shanks

March 15: Rev. David McEntire

Who to contact:

If you need pastoral care, contact the clergy at Hyde Park United Methodist, 813.253.5388.

If you are a guest preacher and have questions or need to report an absence, please contact the office at office@semheights.com to be in contact with Sue.

If you have a pastoral or staffing issue, or are a church staff member needing to report an absence or request leave, contact the church office at office@semheights.com to be in contact with Diane.

If you have a building issue, including maintenance issues or rental request, please contact the church office at office@semheights.com to be in contact with Brent.

If you have a financial question, either in your giving, rental fee, or billing, contact Christine Messer at (813) 236-5931.

If you have a question about Children’s or youth ministry, or Wednesday Night Dinner or Messy church, contact Brianna Moore at (813) 236-5931.

If you have a question about the preschool, contact Waleska Morales at (813) 232-8231.

Rooted in Grace, Growing in Generosity

Dear Seminole Heights United Methodist family:  

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12, NRSV

As we look forward to Thanksgiving and our stewardship season as a church, we give thanks for what God has done this past year.  We know this does not come through individual actions - but by the power of “we.”  God’s body working together through Seminole Heights UMC has accomplished great things this year:

• 11 people have joined our congregation.  That is absolutely phenomenal growth!

• We celebrated 6 baptisms - people who were named and claimed by Christ, because of the impact of our ministries.

• We have had another successful year at the pumpkin patch, including welcoming over 20 classes at Seminole Elementary and the preschool to our campus for storytime.

• We have children beyond our Sunday ministries - from 3 year olds to elementary schoolers - who experience God’s love weekly in SHUMPS’ chapel program.

• We have seen an increase of attendees at Wednesday Night Dinner church of all ages - a ministry that gives us the opportunity to provide God’s love to a diverse group of people.

  
  

November is the perfect time to give thanks and think about how we live lives of generosity.  I would ask you to prayerfully consider how Seminole Heights UMC is part of that generosity.  It is through the gifts of folks just like you that we have accomplished these amazing things this past year, and will continue to do more as God leads and guides us all.

A pledge card is included in this letter, for you to fill out and return to the offering plate as you are able.  Pledges may also be made online: semheights.com/pledge. We will celebrate commitment Sunday together on Nov. 23, 2025 during worship.

I am so thankful to be your pastor.  I celebrate all we have accomplished in my first few months here, and anticipate the things to celebrate ahead.

Blessings,

Pastor Nicki Taylor

Pizza with the Pastor Summary

Over the past few months, Pastor Nicki has been meeting with congregants and gathering ideas through the “Pizza with the Pastor” gatherings.  They have been a wonderful time of fellowship, and for dreaming together about the future of our congregation.  Some ideas raised at these conversations (such as Youth Sunday School) are already in motion; others are beginning to take shape.  We wanted to share with the congregation the feedback gathered at these meetings. Have additional input you'd like to share, email us at office@semheights.com.

What do you love about Seminole Heights UMC?

• The people / the sense of community in the church (x11)

• Historical beauty, beautiful church (x6)

• Care for community (x3)

• Pumpkin patch (x3)

• Children’s Church / Children’s Ministry (x3)

• Wednesday Night Dinners (x2)

• Casual worship service (x2)

• Growing diversity of worshipping community (x2)

• Teaching/discipleship

• Heart to serve by congregation

• Youth ministry

• Preschool

• Many volunteer opportunities

• Openness to children in worship and activities

• It’s potential

• Past praise band

• Past Wednesday Night Potlucks

• The Bazzar

• Easter Bunny Hop

• Christmas Tree Lot

• Traditional service

• Quiet Neighborhood

• School/church partnerships

• The church bells

• Blood drive

What is your dream for Seminole Heights UMC?

• Grow (x8)

• More connection with other members (x5)

• Grow youth program, weekly youth group (x4)

• Financial stability (x2)

• More opportunities to connect with the pastor, more pastoral care (x2)

• More volunteers (x2)

• Open communication and consideration of ideas/feedback between congregation, leadership and particularly pastor (x2)

• More connection with community (x2)

• Incorporate youth in worship, leadership (x2)

• Bringing back old church traditions (dinner, family camp-out, etc.) (x2)

• Grow young families

• Grow music ministries

• Increase contact with shut-ins

• Updates to the church building

• More Bible study

• Profound outreach

• Yearly VBS

• A community board (referrals, needs, free items, recommendations of services)

• Pastor’s Bible Study

• Gathering in Allen Hall for Holidays (Mother’s Day specifically mentioned)

• Increase Christian focus in Pumpkin Patch / Easter events

• Have a working elevator

• Intergenerational Connections