A MESSAGE FROM SPRC:  
We wanted to share some Joyous news about our Pastor Don Kraps who has announced his retirement effective July 1.  Since the time that Don was appointed at Rockport, he has been such a tremendous caring Pastor to Rockport.
    Now we - as a Rockport community have a chance to support Pastor Don. So, what is the next step for Rockport? Pastor Don has been in touch with the District Superintendent, Rev. Bruce Hitchcock.  The DS will be in contact with our SPRC in the coming weeks as this process unfolds.  
    We need to pray and trust in Jesus, and he will lead us forward. We will continue to keep the Church informed as we move forward. 





JOIN US FOR DINNER & A MOVIE:

Sat., March 15 & 17 - Sound of Hope

RSVP requested but not required

Everyone welcome!





BIBLE STUDY!  
Our next study is a Disciple short-term study on GENESIS. It is an 11-week study. We will begin March 12, with a break during Holy Week, and finish May 28. Jim Spallino will be teaching. We will meet in Rm. 22/meeting room at 7pm. A limited number of slightly used books are available in the office for $5/each. Sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board.









THE ROCKPORT MEN’S GROUP 
will meet on Thursday, March 13^th at 6:30 pm at the church for a potluck dinner. There will be a great meal and time for fellowship.   Bill Eyman will make a presentation titled Understanding Ableism: A Christian Perspective. Ableism is a deeply ingrained prejudice that marginalizes and discriminates against individuals with disabilities. It’s based on the idea that people with disabilities are less valuable than people without disabilities.  Ableism manifests in many different ways, from subtle comments to open hostility. Ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require fixing and defines people by their disability. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as “less than” and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities. Everyone is invited to come and hear this informative presentation by Bill. Come and enjoy this special time together.





BOOK CLUB: 
Please join us April 16^th, 7:00pm in the church parlor for our next book club. We will be reading "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters who tells the story of a Mi'kmaw family who travel from Nova Scotia to Maine each summer to pick blueberries, where their young daughter Ruthie mysteriously disappears, leaving her older brother Joe haunted by the loss; the narrative also follows Norma, a young woman growing up in a seemingly perfect Maine family who harbors unsettling memories and gradually uncovers a dark secret connected to Ruthie's disappearance, exploring themes of grief, family secrets, and the lingering impact of trauma across generations.” If you’d like to bring something to share, bring something with blueberries in it, to go with our book!  A book club Kit with 11 large print copies of this book are available in the church office. Hope to see everyone on April 16^th for food, fun, fellowship, and discussion. 









CHAT & CHEW! Lunch & Chat Adult Discussion Group!  
Come and join us! Bring your lunch and enjoy your food AND a great discussion! We will explore various topics in the church and Bible. 12 to 2 p.m.! 

 Winter/Spring Dates: 
March 17th - We will see you at noon! 
April - NO MEETING (it is the day after Easter)
May 19th - We will see you at noon!

 Summer Dates:
June - NO MEETING
July 21st - We will see you at noon!
August 18th - We will see you at noon!









BOTTLE CAPS!  
The Youth Group are collecting bottle caps for a mission project. The plastic kind - for example, 2 liter and 16/20/24 oz bottles. 
  During these past weeks we have been asking you, the congregation, to collect bottle caps, and we are providing the boxes to collect them with to make it easier. (courtesy of Dave Stephan! THANK YOU!) You can grab one on your way out of the church on the Christian Ed table in the hallway…   We have been asking to collect these caps in order to create our own bench, fully from the caps we have collected. This bench will signify how recycling can be seen and the process. This bench will be placed in a chosen location on the church grounds.  Along with these recycled caps, we will also accept donations to use towards the processing of the caps to the bench. Through our collective efforts we will eventually have a product that can be enjoyed by everyone.
  You can find the acceptable caps and lids list posted on the table with the boxes, and also above. We will be collecting THROUGH EASTER/MAY! Thank you!

The link for information…
 https://www.greentreeplastics.com/abc-program/




COFFEE HOUR:  
Please consider hosting coffee hour and sign-up on the bulletin board.  Fellowship is so important to the life of the church and why not have a little snack at the same time!




GOOGLE DRIVE REMINDER:
Year-end 2024 Church financials can be found here.
Go to the Rockport All Church Information folder, Financial Reports folder, 2024 Financials folder, or get a hard copy in the church office.




REMINDER:
Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 - 2:00pm and Fridays from 8:00 - 1:00pm.  
Rev. Don's office hours are Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00 - 1:00pm




DISTRICT NEWS: www.eocumc.com/northernwaters
A Day Apart with Bishop Jung

Northern Waters clergy and laity enjoyed time in fellowship, worship, Bible study, and conversation with Bishop Hee-Soo Jung at the UMC of Macedonia on Thursday, February 27, 2025. A huge THANK YOU to all the Macedonia volunteers for their fabulous hospitality!

CONFERENCE NEWS: https://www.eocumc.com
Storyboard Episode 53

By EOC News on February 24, 2025 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mskdlrZbhqOD7vTsoFs0d Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation is a podcast highlighting ministries across the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church that are transforming lives locally, nationally, and globally. Produced twice-a-month by EOC Communications, each podcast episode focuses on one of the core values of the #BeUMC campaign: Disciple Making; Belonging & Inclusion; Influence, Connection & Impact; and Experience of God through The United Methodist Church. Episode 53 “Microgrants for Ministries” features EOC Strategic Ministries director the Rev. Beth Ortiz sharing about the process of applying for microgrants that can assist in funding creative ministries with the community. Churches looking to launch a new ministry to reach people outside the church community can apply for an EOC Board of Congregational Development microgrant up to $2,000. Microgrants are an encouragement for congregations to experiment with new ministries that reach beyond church walls out into the community. It’s there meeting people where they are that the Church can make a difference by introducing new people to Jesus Christ. Ortiz encourages churches to “look at the community around you and rejoice in who they are and reach them as they are now.” Apply for a microgrant. Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes. View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.