Ralph and his wife, Judy, are the parents of five children, two daughters who are ordained ministers, and three sons. They are also blessed with 10 grandchildren ranging in age from 14 to 27. Ralph and Judy came to the Villages in 2007. In January, 2009, Ralph became involved with a program called REC, Residents Encounter Christ, a ministry to the incarcerated. Shortly after that first REC weekend in the Sumter County Detention Center, he received another blessing by being hired as the jail chaplain for that same facility. He has subsequently served three tours of duty as chaplain totaling twelve years.
Ralph feels blessed to have been called to serve as the Pastor of Coleman UMC since July of 2022. He previously served as the Visitation Pastor for Community United Methodist Church and Wildwood United Methodist Church.
Ralph is excited about the possibilities of serving the growing Villages community in the Coleman area.
Music
Our Church Organists
We are blessed to have three talented and versatile organists who enrich our worship playing both keyboard and organ .
- Doris Ruiter
- Charlotte Schaffner
- Karen Moline
Service Volunteers
Our Church service volunteers provide for ongoing support to worship, church activities, ongoing congregation needs, and hospitality at church events. Our church could not function without the help of these precious volunteers.
- Lay Leader, Worship Co-leader - Shelley Jilek
- Treasurer - Roman Gera
- Visitation Ministry -Ralph, Dabrielle, Doug, Judy J., Roman, Kathy D., Shelley J.
- Prayer Team - Sheila, Gene, Judy J., Karen, Ralph, Shelley J., Shelley S.
- Phone Ministry -Shelley S.
- Card Ministry - Kathy D.
- Hospitality - Sheila Childers, Fran Thompson, Judy Jobe
- Altar Ministry - Fran Thompson, Judy Jobe
Building and Grounds Volunteers
Buildings Maintenance - Brad Jilek
Grounds Maintenance - Pete and Kathy Daley
Here’s a brief overview of the responsibilities for church building maintenance and grounds maintenance:
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Church Building Maintenance: Church building maintenance volunteers are responsible for ensuring the proper functioning, safety, and upkeep of the church facility. Their duties include:
- Inspecting and Repairing: Regularly inspecting the building’s systems (such as lighting, plumbing, and heating) to identify any issues and promptly repairing them.
- Structural Maintenance: Addressing minor structural defects within the church building, such as fixing doors, windows, and other components.
- Cleanliness: Keeping the premises clean and orderly, including bathrooms, kitchen areas, and common spaces.
- Collaboration: Coordinating with other volunteers for special maintenance projects.
- Safety: Ensuring that emergency exits, lighting, and other safety features are functional.
- Communication: Reporting any significant issues to the church’s Board of Trustees or senior pastor.
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Grounds Maintenance: Grounds maintenance workers focus on the outdoor areas surrounding the church. Their tasks include:
- Landscaping: Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and planting flowers to maintain an attractive and orderly landscape.
- Tree Care: Pruning trees and shrubs, removing dead or unwanted branches, and ensuring the safety of the church grounds.
- Seasonal Tasks: Handling seasonal tasks like snow or ice removal (if applicable).
- Pesticides and Fertilizers: Applying treatments to plants or soil as needed.
- General Clean-Up: Removing litter, debris, and maintaining pathways and sidewalks.
- Collaboration: Coordinating with other maintenance workers and contractors.
In summary, both church building maintenance and grounds maintenance contribute to creating a welcoming and functional environment for the church community.
