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Heaven Sent Worship Team Debuts

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 23, 2008

BRANDON - After months of preparation, Heaven Sent, the new youth praise team at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Brandon, led Sunday morning worship for the first time June 8.

The contemporary musical group is led by volunteer Chris Altman, a professional musician and member of the church's adult praise team. JD Baron, a former youth group member-turned-teacher, helps mentor the young members and fills in on drums. Charles Harps serves as a vocal coach. Dan Segale, youth director, works closely with the group.

"The reward is huge," Altman said in a recent e-mail, "because you can see the results immediately; they learn so fast." He said the band members "enjoy working together and hanging out with each other beyond practice. It is great to see how dedicated they are, but also how they can enjoy making someone's worship experience better by sharing their gifts."

Band members include Donnie Cullen, lead guitar; Chris Armellino, bass; Erin Bazemore, rhythm guitar; Emily Dees, keyboard and vocals; and Vanessa Harps, Kristina Sheppard, Shelby Register and Liz Uchimura on vocals.

For information about the church's Breakthrough Student Ministries youth group or Heaven Sent, call the church office at (813) 689-6849 or go to www.standrewsbrandon .org.
Eagle Project Fed Needy Families

Matthew Dorn of Brandon, who will be a junior at Jesuit High School in Tampa this year, became an Eagle Scout in April. His Court of Honor was held June 9 in Brandon.

Since his start in Scouting in 2001, he has served as troop librarian, quartermaster, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader.

"It was not always easy for Matt to stay focused on progressing through the ranks," said his father, Jim Dorn. But with the help of troop leaders and his parents, "it all came together in the end."

"He's a really good kid ... a very nice young man," said Bryon Holz, Matthew Dorn's religious emblems counselor.

As every Eagle Scout must, Dorn planned, organized and carried out a project to help the community. In December, he provided Christmas dinners for 16 migrant families in Dover whose names he received from the Nativity Outreach Food Pantry and Food Bank in Brandon, where he volunteers regularly.

In November, he procured 100 pounds of ham from the HoneyBaked Ham Store, 16 pies from Village Inn and cookies from Pepperidge Farm. Another donor provided staples such as flour, sugar, pasta and peanut butter, which Dorn was able to give to each family for future use. He also purchased carrots, beans and potatoes for the families with money people donated.

Dave West, owner and in-house chef at the Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium in Brandon, let Dorn cook the meal in his facility with help from West, fellow Scouts from Troop 89, his dad and mother, Jackie, and sister Sarah. Dinner Done Brandon stored the prepared meals.

Matthew and Jim Dorn delivered the meals. "It was as rewarding for him as for the people receiving the meals," Jim Dorn said.

Teachers' Group Awards Scholarships

The Delta Beta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators awarded $1,250 scholarships to two high school seniors in May.

One went to Courtney Faherty of Riverview High School, who will attend the University of Central Florida, and the other to Samantha White of Brandon High School, who will attend the University of North Florida. Both will pursue degrees in education for children with special needs.

The organization also installed 2008-2010 officers: Marlena Johnson, president; Heather Burgess and Cindy Port, co-vice presidents; Kristin Boerger, past president; Debbie Yates, recording secretary; Hope Wolf, corresponding secretary; Esther Carpenter, treasurer; Celia Rogers, sergeant-at-arms; Becki Boswell, chaplain; and Debbie Holloman, historian.

Teachers with at least two years of experience are welcome to join the group, which performs "children-related projects throughout the year," Johnson said.

For information, call Johnson at (813) 689-9606.

Beth Shalom Holds Open House

The membership committee of Congregation Beth Shalom, 706 Bryan Road, will hold a free open house from 9:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 for families interested in learning more about the synagogue. Parents also may register their children in religious school for prekindergarten through 10th grade.

A light breakfast will be provided. No reservations are needed.

Rabbi Betsy Torop, who leads the congregation, said, "We provide a meaningful Jewish home for people of all ages and levels of knowledge, a place to learn and to question, a place to worship and celebrate, and a place to find a community that cares."

Among the programs the synagogue offers are Friday worship services, Sisterhood, Brotherhood, B'nai Mitzvah preparation, Daytimers, Chavurah groups, youth programs, adult education classes, holiday celebrations and the Jewish Community Center and Federation Preschool Brandon.

Visit www.bethshalom -brandon.org or call the temple office at (813) 681-6547.

Eastern Silverliners Set Meeting

TAMPA - The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Eastern Air Lines Silverliners, which includes many members from the Brandon area, will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bahama Breeze Restaurant, 3045 Rock Point Road N. Former Eastern Air Lines flight attendants are welcome to attend.

For information, call Barbara Reed at (813) 671-3078 or Adrienne Love at (813) 677-2909.

Thrift Store Announces Sale

RUSKIN - The Mary and Martha House Thrift Store's first Shop Till You Drop sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1009 1st St. S.W. All furniture, household items and appliances will be discounted 50 percent. Clothes for people of all ages will be on sale. Refreshments also will be available.

The Mary and Martha House's two emergency shelters and transitional housing provide shelter for Hillsborough County women and children in crisis.

Call Jan Falcione at (813) 645-7874.

Kiwanis Invites New Members

The Greater Brandon Kiwanis Club meets from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Thursday at Ben's Family Restaurant, 704 Brandon Blvd., E. Members and anyone interested in learning about the organization are encouraged to attend.

Call Gena Shaffer, vice president for membership, at (813) 546-5043.

Writers Group Welcomes All Levels

Brandon Christian Writers will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive. Writers of all levels of experience are invited.

Contact Ruth Ellinger at writer@ruthellinger.com or (813) 685-7387.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, call (813) 657-4531 or e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr.com.

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