Elevator Update

I am happy to bring to you all today an update on our Elevator!  As many of you know - and many of us have experienced - our elevator has been down for a long, long time.  It was originally put in in the 60’s, and lasted the church an amazingly long time.  It is currently out of code and needs to be completely modernized to get it working again.

Our Trustees have been working long and hard, getting bids and vetting out multiple companies, to find the best company to do the work at the most fair price.  We will be going forward with OTIS.  It is our hope that in around 6 months we will have a fully functioning, up-to-code elevator again!

The elevator project is not cheap - again I must stress that this is a complete modernization of an over 60 year old elevator.  Thus, we have taken out a $215,000 loan through the foundation to get the project moving forward.  This is a refinance of a previous loan we took out with them in 2019 for critical facility repairs.

We plan to utilize our capital campaign funds to pay down this loan, and will be prayerfully discerning other income-generating activities to go toward the loan balance as well.  This may include the sale of extra lots around the church property - but please know that sale of property will not happen without significant church discussion and input.  It requires a church conference where every member has the opportunity to have a voice and vote.

I urge everyone to join me in prayer for this project as we move forward.  Be in prayer for the construction staff that will be on site.  Be in prayer for those faithfully giving toward the project, and for those discerning income-generating opportunities in support of the project.  Be in prayer for those people we will be better able to welcome to our campus with accessibility granted to our Sanctuary once again.

If you feel led to give to this project, you may make a gift to our “Foundations of Faith” fund at any time.  You may also make a pledge toward the campaign if you have the ability to make a dedicated gift through 2027.  Gifts of any amount help us in our critical journey to make our second floor welcome to ALL once more.

Thank you to everyone who has gave significant hours in research, preparation and/or prayer around this project.  I have to specifically name Ken Brown for elevator research, Katie Smith who led the charge on applying for the loan, and Christine Messer who supported us with any financial records required along the way.  I am very grateful to be your pastor, and very thankful to be able to share this update with you all today.  For any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Blessings,

Pastor Nicki

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