Building Community,

One Relationship at a Time

Billed as America's new hometown, Celebration, Florida, has all the ingredients of friendly, neighborhood living which make memories of yesteryear so fond. Seventh-day Adventist Christians living and working there are adding their special relational ingredients as well: small groups, service, and Sabbath.

Various small groups are helping build relationships throughout Celebration. Des and Mary Lou Cummings, charter members of Celebration Seventh-day Adventist Church (a mission group of the Florida Conference sponsored by Florida Hospital Church), have hosted weekly small group gatherings in their home. These informal get-togethers intentionally create the opportunity to become better acquainted with neighbors and friends, explore Scripture, and build relationships. Interested in joining one of our small groups? Get in touch with Allan Martin.

Service opportunities are also part of the range of activities coordinated by Celebration Seventh-day Adventist Church. Members, like Dick and Brenda Duerksen, regularly volunteer at Give Kids The World, a "home away from home" for terminally ill children and their families who come to visit Central Florida theme parks. They serve meals or clean "adopted" villas while being with these families, an experience they find enriching. Interested in joining us for our next service opportunity? Call 407-303-4400, ext. 0 for more information and sign up.

Sabbath Celebrations are hosted each Saturday, 11:00 a.m., in the Celebration Health Chapel. Members, like Stevi Ritch, Tommie Hartzog, and Ajith Abraham, pause from their work week to enjoy and participate in these festive worship and praise gatherings that are open to the community and often feature inspirational music, drama, and speakers. For information on upcoming celebrations, contact Allan Martin.

"We are so impressed with the depth of spirituality we see in our Seventh-day Adventist friends here in Celebration" comments Celebration residents Frank and June Lantz. "Their commitment is fantastic!"

In simple, personal ways, Celebration Seventh-day Adventist Church members are building community, one relationship at at time. For more information call 407-303-4129 or email A. Allan Martin, Ph.D.