Methodist Joint Ministry Celebrates First Anniversary

St. George Island United Methodist Church celebrated its first anniversary under the guidance of the young, charismatic pastor, Rev. Themo Patriotis.
"The leadership of the two churches wanted to create a more stable environment for the two churches to grow in," said Patriotis in a recent interview. "They decided to share leadership and staff to combine their resources. Now we have a joint ministry and approach projects like the youth outreach, disaster relief and our Christmas play, ‘A Christmas Story" together. We try to do one thing at a time so we can focus on a project till it is accomplished."
About 100 worshipers, from both churches, met in a picnic shelter in Julian G. Bruce State Park on St. George Island, for a day of worship, celebration, fellowship and song. The surroundings were stunning as the windswept vista of the dunes created a sparkling backdrop for the service.
"Isn't this wonderful?" said Mike Cates of Apalachicola. "I wish we could do this all of the time."
Patriotis, clad in a traditional black collared shirt with black trail sandals and black cargo pants, first spoke on the Guatemalan ministry the congregation has undertaken and on youth outreach.
"We've now seen the full cycle of the cooperative parish and we've seen opportunities opening up," he told the celebrants. "We have an opportunity to touch the lives of young people who come to the island to visit and recreate. I see them roaming about in groups, not knowing what to do. We can reach out to them."
After everyone joined in the Lord's Prayer, Patriotis preached on the importance of relationships.
"We're so busy trying to fix each other that sometimes we forget to love each other. Turn around to the person sitting next to you right now and tell them that you love them. Jesus said, ‘do not forget the gathering.'"
"From the time I started this service, I've been preaching, so when it comes time for the sermon, I can cut it short and with all this food, I might do that, but not until we turn to the word," said Patriotis.
The day's lesson was John 17: 17-21.
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Patriotis called to mind Jesus' thoughts on the night of the Last Supper.
"He had three messages," said Patriotis. "He wanted his disciples to know that God will protect us as we go out into the world. He told them that they should be in unity, just as we are two churches that worship as one."
Patriotis said Jesus' third message in the scripture quote was that God wished to sanctify his followers. "Sanctify," said Patriotis, "means to make holy or to set aside. It means to make clean and God wants to make us clean,"
"God loves us just the way we are," said Patriotis, "Our two beautiful churches aren't the sanctuaries. Each of us is a sanctuary. It is a big, big God that created all of us, but he is small enough to hear our prayers."
After celebrating communion, the group enjoyed a picnic feast with hot dogs, fried chicken and all the fixings and a huge Greek salad with shrimp.
The congregation rounded off the celebration with swimming and kayaking in the blue waters of the Gulf.