Dear Friends,

Please keep the following in your prayers:

1. 1. Teams in full swing - New teams have been created at FreshStart and are in full swing. The transition team is currently working on our move out of the building. Please stay tuned on Sunday mornings and through this newsletter to keep in touch with what is happening. Things are starting to move quickly, so keep an eye out for more information.
2. 2. ROYAL FAMILY CAMP - we are sponsoring 26 abused children at camp one month from now. We still need to raise a lot of tuition money. If you are interested in helping with this camp in any way, please contact kathy@freshstartchurch.com.
3. 3. On Aug. 4 we will help a female make a connection back into the world after being released from prison. This will require help from each one of us. Be sure to check out the Sunday morning program and this newsletter for more information.

Scott Welch, Senior Pastor

Baptism Service

May 11 will be a great day of celebration at FreshStart as we share in the Sacrament of Baptism during our morning service. If you have made the decision to follow Christ and desire to be baptized, let us know at bonnie@freshstartchurch.com, or call us at 813-814- 1128. Join us on our very special Mother's Day as we celebrate the family of God!

Parenting Weekend

FreshStart Kids Spring & Summer Schedule

May 16 - Game Night & G-Force Sleepover
June 25-27 - First thru Fifth Grade Summer overnight camp at Lake Aurora
July 13-18 - Vacation Bible School: "Outrigger Island," Living God's Unshakable Truth
Aug. 18 - Back to School Event

May Game Night: Friday, May 16, 6 - 9 p.m.

All children thru fifth grade are invited to join us for our May Game Night. The evening will include dinner, games & more. At 9 p.m. all pre-school age children and younger will be picked up and our G-Force children will extend the evening as we take a trip to Laser Tag and then return to watch movies and have our "end of the year sleepover."

"Endure the Race," Summer Camp 2008, June 25 - 27

All children first thru fifth grade, pack your bags and join us at Lake Aurora Camp. We will spend three days and two nights meeting the challenge of the great outdoors, as we persevere and endure the race of a lifetime. If you should choose to accept the challenge, you will be boating, swimming, fishing and testing your endurance as we explore Bible lessons thru songs, skits and more. To register, pick up a camp brochure/registration form at the children's check in desk.

FreshStart Kids' Vacation Bible School
Sunday, July 13 - Friday, July 18
Sunday Afternoon VBS kickoff
Monday - Friday dinner & VBS 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Closing program, Friday evening at pickup

Set sail for Outrigger Island! It will be a week of non- stop action as you learn how to live God's unshakeable truth. Explore five Bible truths - God is real; Jesus is God's Son; Jesus is the only way, the Bible is God's Word; and my actions show what I believe. By the end of the week you will have learned what it means to know, speak and live the truth.

Each evening the children & staff will be served a light dinner, followed with the evening program.

Royal Family Kids' Camp 2008

This summer June 8-13, FreshStart is hosting a Royal Family Kids Camp, a camp for abused, abandoned and neglected children. This camp is one of approximately 160 camps worldwide, created to assist the hurting children as they begin the journey of healing.

Royal Family is a week-long, faith-based camp dedicated in creating positive memories in the lives of abused children.

FreshStart will be working with the foster care system, allowing these children to experience a true "summer vacation." We will share God's love with them as they experience memory-making activities such as boating, fishing, crafts and much more. After all these are things that all children want to experience.

To help raise money for the camp, FreshStart sold Cruise Raffle tickets in April. To assist in camper scholarships, we are still accepting financial donations.

If you would like more information about Royal Family, or are interested in being involved with our camp in some capacity, please call or e-mail Kathy Winstead at the church office at 813-813-1128 or kathy@freshstartchurch.com.

The Bottom Line

Transition Team

Outreach Team

FreshStart's Outreach Team exists to assist our church as we bring the Kingdom to the community. Our desire is to help people in many kinds of needs, showing the love of Jesus through all that we do. Our attempt to reach the needs of people is being done through:

• A2N
• Food Pantry
• First Touch Ministry, a ministry to women as they transition from prison back into their families and community
• Royal Family, a camp for abused and neglected children in our community, designed to "create positive memories" in hurting children.

A message from the Doc!

Managing Conflict - Part 4

In the first three parts of this series, we have looked at what conflict is; assumptions about conflict and managing conflicts well. So let's look at some "do's" for being effective in conflict resolution:

1. Whenever possible, take your problem to the Lord first.
Ask the Lord to show you what you might be doing to make the problem worse. If the problem is a one-time event rather than a continuing source of irritation, you may be able to resolve it alone with the Lord by forgiving and bearing with the other person according to Proverbs 19:11 "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

2. Deal with conflicts as soon as possible.

Ephesians 4:26 provides a healthy principle for handling anger: resolve it the same day it comes up. Feelings are like cement-they begin to harden quickly.

3. Keep to the present.

Don't bring up past problems. This only shows that you have not forgiven. Talk about what is happening now.

4. Concentrate on one issue.

To avoid unnecessary strife, make sure you know exactly what is bothering you, and keep to that one issue. Proverbs 20:3 "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel."

5. Use "I" statements.

In expressing feelings, state clearly how you feel rather than attacking or blaming. For example, say, "I feel hurt and disappointed when I am criticized before others" rather than "Why do you always have to criticize me before others?"

6. Express feelings appropriately.

Let one another know how you feel during a disagreement. If you are angry, frustrated, disappointed, etc. talk about your feelings, using "I" statements. Proverbs 29:11: "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

Next month we will consider some things not to do in trying to resolve conflict.

"DOC"
Richard J. Stiliha

Dr. Richard Stiliha is the pastoral counselor at FreshStart Church. He holds office hours by appointment only and is available to the community as well as our church family. To make an appointment or for additional information, call the church office at 813-814-1128.