SUMC NEWS. A Message from Pastor Jim. Welcoming All People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus. THE ARCHES NEWSLETTER ISSUE 5 LATE FALL 2018

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1 THE ARCHES NEWSLETTER ISSUE 5 LATE FALL 2018 SUMC NEWS Welcoming All People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus. A Message from Pastor Jim It has been a productive summer! Lots of good things are happening, have happened and, I am convinced, lots of good things are still to arrive! First, our ministries have continued to run smoothly and the attendance and offerings at our services have held strong during the summer months. We are beginning new Bible Studies and the response to the offerings has been most gratifying. This fact is a testament to the level of interest and commitment in the congregation to studying and growing in God s Word. The second thing I want to mention is the clarity we have gained through the work of the Vision Team. This group of members and staff have put in lots of hours of thought, meeting together and working out details to help us develop the way we believe the Holy Spirit is leading us in the days to come. The members of the Vision Team are convinced that our purpose statement is this: To welcome all people to a growing relationship with Jesus. It is simple, concise and states plainly that we are a church which invites and welcomes everyone to a relationship with Jesus. It helps to define us as a congregation. How we hope to implement this purpose statement will take place through our five areas of focus. They are: 1. Create varied worship services that are meaningful in spiritual connection for all, especially those new to church. We have three services in English and one in Spanish now. If God provides, I hope to add a fifth service in the year to come. 2. Design creative experiences for children, youth and their families that grow their love for God and others. We have the right people in place and the passion to do just that and we will! 3. Serve the Snellville community and beyond with care and consistency, asking for nothing in return. We have long been a mission-minded congregation and we want to continue and serve even more. 4. Grow disciples through small groups which deepen our understanding of the message of Jesus Christ. We want to offer a variety of ways to help people in various stages of faith become more devoted disciples. 5. Develop consistent pipelines of new leadership in each ministry. If our ministries are going to continue and improve, we need to help persons become leaders. We have a great plan to make that happen! We have been given much for which to be thankful. God is good. 10/14 - Church Council 11/11 - Harvest Festival OCT 10/16-10/20 - LifeTouch Pictures NOV 11/22-11/23 - Campus Closed DEC 10/28 - Family Fall Festival 11/25 - Decorating for Advent 12/2 - Cookies with Santa 12/2 - Service of Hope 12/8-12/9 - Journey to Bethlehem 12/16 - Festival of Music 12/21 - Hispanic Cena Navidena 12/24 - Christmas Eve Services

2 Celebrating 135 Years Welcoming All People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus That autumn day in September 1883 must have been a happy and memorable day for a small group of Christian believers who met to organize a Methodist Church in Snellville. The newly formed congregation of 16 members worshipped in the community school house until the construction of the first church building, a little white wooden church, where the Chapel now stands. The community came together to enjoy pie and box suppers, singings, and other social functions. One can imagine the horses, wagons, and buggies around the early church on Sunday mornings. On September 23rd, Snellville United Methodist Church celebrated its 135th anniversary. This special day included a worship service led by guest preacher, Dr. Phillip D. DeMore, former Senior Pastor, who highlighted the history and bright future of Snellville UMC, reflecting the congregation s deepest faith and sincerest fellowship, linking the past and the future. The celebration continued with a church-wide luncheon where current and former members enjoyed good food and fellowship, surrounded by photos and memorabilia of Snellville UMC s rich heritage.

3 Preschool & Kindergarten && OPEN HOUS Snellville United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten started its 35th year of preschool ministry on September 4, This year we are blessed to serve 112 children, in 10 classes ranging in age from 12 months through 5 years. Our preschool staff is made up of 26 dedicated professionals who are called to minister to preschool and Kindergarten children. Contact Debbie McIntosh, Preschool Director, (678) to schedule a tour. Spaces are still available for this school year! Visit snellvilleumc.org/registration. Fall Consignment Sale Thanks to everyone who helped make our Fall/Winter Consignment Sale such a huge success!!!! To those who helped transform the Christian Life Center into an amazing store, checked in sellers, volunteered your time to assure a pleasant shopping experience for our customers, donated items to the preschool, sorted, cleaned-up and restored, etc. (the list could go on and on), we thank you. We couldn t have done it without you! Thanks also to the Consignment Sale Board Members who meet throughout the calendar year to plan and organize this phenomenal, twice a year, fundraising event for our school. Proceeds from the consignment sale events are used to make improvements to the church s three playgrounds and provide additional educational support to the children enrolled in the preschool program. E

4 Children & Family Ministry Back to School Bash On August 1st, lots of friends from the community joined us as we kicked off fall with a Back to School Bash! Thank you to all who donated to the Back to School Supplies Drive for Britt Elementary! There were 1,864 school supply items donated! Wednesday Nights Family Experience (FX) Our hands and our hearts have been full at our new Wednesday Night Family Experience, from the nursery to Weird Science with Mr. Mike for the kids, and Parenting Through the Phases group for moms and dads!

5 Family Experience (FX) Service Project Night We took a break from our regular activities, and all came together to assemble Birthday Bags for the Gwinnett Southeast Co-Op. Thank you to all of the congregation members for the generous donations! Network 45 Retreat Camp Glisson Meanwhile, our Network 45 group of fourth and fifth graders enjoyed a fantastic spiritual life retreat at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega with hundreds of others from North GA Conference Churches. Family Experience (FX) Say YES to the Next Generation All of these programs are made possible, only by God s grace and our incredibly loving church family saying YES to the Next Generation.

6 What does it mean to be a United Methodist Woman? Let s begin answering this by actually reading the words of the Purpose Statement of United Methodist Women: United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. This statement clearly explains why we are so proud to be an active part of the largest mission/outreach organization in the world the United Methodist Women! How do we carry out this Purpose at Snellville UMC? Our United Methodist Women are faith, hope, and love in action throughout the church year. The UMW Hat and Mitten Christmas Tree is a perfect example of an outreach. SUMC UMW provide many hours of volunteering at the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op each month, as well as monthly donations of fresh eggs, feminine supplies, fresh produce, and money. We provide after school tutoring for students. We make UMCOR health kits, UMCOR school kits, and provide other donations to help during disasters. We provide school supplies for children in need. We provide financial aid and volunteer hours at several of our United Methodist Women National Mission Institutions most recently at Murphy Harpst Children s Home in Cedartown, GA, and at Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. SUMC UMW spearheaded the Christmas Shoebox last year. These are just a few examples of our ongoing ministries. To grow together not only in our walk with Christ, but also with each other, we participate in formal mission studies. For the past four years, SUMC United Methodist Women have hosted the ADOX District Mission Study. We also participate in many different Bible Studies and always include prayer and Scripture in everything we do. We host a Prayer Breakfast. We invite guest speakers to our monthly meetings to teach us about different mission opportunities in the community that we can support. We also participate in the annual National UMW Reading Program. One special project is the annual North Georgia Conference United Methodist Women Candleburning Service. We make financial gifts to mission in memory of any of our members who died during the previous year. We also make donations in honor of current members. This is a way to recognize the light of Christ shining through these very special women. All of these gifts are added together with the Candleburning gifts given throughout the ADOX District UMW local units to symbolically fund the National United Methodist Women organization. Each $40 donation funds one minute. We at Snellville UMW always fund several minutes, plus we have the honor of being a part of one of the top giving Districts in the Conference. CANDLEBURNING This just gives you a glimpse into how Snellville United Methodist Women use our prayers, our money, our love, and our actions to help fill the needs of women, children, and youth and to provide the love of Christ. Won t you prayerfully consider joining us in walking together to fulfill our Purpose? United Methodist Women

7 United Methodist Women SARAH CIRCLE OF CANNON UMC That s Amore! The Sarah Circle from Cannon UMW invited the UMW ladies from Snellville UMC to an Italian dinner on September 17 th in Fellowship Hall, at Cannon UMC. Our delightful summer dinner was followed by an outstanding program on Prayer, led by Cannon s Rev. Kathy Pierce. We encourage other units to invite UMW ladies to join one another for wonderful fellowship. We certainly can say it was favoloso! Youth Ministry What a fantastic and busy time it has been with youth ministry! We have taken up a new identity, Illuminate Student Ministries. While our structure, name, and look may have changed, our goal remains the same. We want students to take ownership of their faith while being in community with each other. Our first open house was a huge success in reaching not only new students but also parents. We hope to continue with the vision of having a ministry not only for the students, but also for their families. As for myself, I will be attending a youth training cohort for the next year to provide a better ministry for all. Looking forward to serving, growing, and learning with you! ILLUMINATE STUDENT MINISTRIES illuminate Seek the Light. Find a Way.

8 United Methodist Men UMM ANNUAL BBQ The United Methodist Men had their annual BBQ Fundraiser in Wesley Hall on Sunday, September 9 th. Everyone enjoyed pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, cole slaw, and cobbler! The United Methodist Men raised $1,310 and will go towards various ministries. Prayer Ministry DRIVE THRU PRAYER Drive-Thru Prayer is a special way to reach out to the community and extend God s love to those who are hurting or need encouragement. Commuters driving by the church can drive up and have someone pray with them. We have had as many as fifteen cars participate in this outreach ministry. Feedback from commuters is always positive and they are gracious that someone took the time to pray with them. This outreach is also a blessing to volunteers to know that they have made a difference in someone s life. Drive Thru Prayer is held the last Wednesday of each month from 5pm to 6:30pm in the front of the church. If you re interested in welcoming drivers, holding signs and/or praying with people, please contact Loutricia Barnes, loutriciabarnes@att.net.

9 Senior Adult Ministry Since 2004, the Senior Adult Ministry has been blessed with a cheerful and willing bus driver. We have been to many fun locations in Georgia and have always enjoyed good fellowship. It is with much gratitude for all our fun times that we thank Randy Collins for his service as our driver. He has decided to no longer drive the church bus beginning in January He will still be actively involved in our Senior Adult Ministry, but has decided a younger person is needed for the bus trips. We are now searching for one or more bus drivers to take his place. Contact Walter Jones or Betty Banks if you have suggestions about meeting this need. FUN FALL OUTINGS In the meantime, we have plans to go to the Georgia Mountain Fair on October 17 th, Anne Frank in the World Exhibit on November 7 th, Georgia Governor s Mansion on December 13 th, and Christmas Canteen show at the Aurora Theatre on December 18 th. Check the church bulletin for details.

10 Music Ministry THERE S A SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT The Music Ministry of Snellville UMC hosted its first Music and Sweets program on July 15 th. The theme of the program was There s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit, taken from the hymn by the same name in our United Methodist Hymnal. The Porch Band, a bluegrass/selah influenced group based out of the area, provided the core of the musical entertainment which ranged from Cokesbury Hymnal favorites to secular hits. Special appearances by the SUMC Sanctuary Choir and a women s quartet rounded out the program. Attendees were treated to an abundance of homemade desserts under the portico following the conclusion of the concert. Church members and guests alike enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of music, fellowship, and sweets!

11 Baptisms BAPTISM NUBARI OLIVE AKPONI BAPTISM GIANNA ELIZABETH RABE BAPTISM WILLIAM JAMES ORR

12 Welcome New Members MARY BETH HORNBECK ALLEN & LOU ANN CAMPBELL LINDA BILLINGS SCOTT HARMAN & PATRICK SULLIVAN

13 Calendar Church Family Directory Senior Adult Ministry Advent Services Christmas Parties Anne Frank in the World Exhibit November 7 Service of Hope December 2 7pm Hancock Sunday School December 1 Heritage 12pm October 9-12 Gathering Room 1pm - 8pm October 13 Gathering Room 9am - 5pm October Gathering Room 1pm - 8pm October 20 Gathering Room 9am - 5pm Church Council Meeting Wesley Hall October 12:15pm Senior Adult Ministry Primetimers No meeting in November Children s Bible Blast November 11 Wesley Hall 12:30pm - 4pm Harvest Festival November 11 11:45am Thanksgiving Break Festival of Music December 16 11am Hispanic Cena Navidena December 21 CLC 5pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Services Contemporary Service December 24 4pm Traditional Services December 24 5:30pm & 11pm Stephen Ministry December 7 Heritage 12pm Grace Snell Circle December 10 Wesley 12pm Fellowship Sunday School December 10 Heritage 6pm Open Door Sunday School December 10 Wesley 5pm Primetimers December 10 Wesley 6pm Senior Adult Bus Trip to Georgia Mountain Fair October 17 Leave 9am Primetimers October 6pm Campus Closed November 22 & November 23 Christmas Tree Lighting December Events Cookies with Santa December 2 Wesley Hall 3pm - 5pm UMW Christmas Program December 4 Wesley Hall 3pm - 5pm Annual Charge Conference Stone Mountain FUM October 28 5pm - 7pm Family Fall Festival CLC + Outside October 28 4pm - 6pm Pre-K Halloween Parade Preschool Halloween Parade October 31 10am - 11:30am City of Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting Towne Green November 7pm Decorating for Advent November 25 CLC 11am - 2:30pm Sanctuary 2pm - 6pm Journey to Bethlehem December 8 - December 9 6pm - 8:30pm Preschool Luncheon December 12 Wesley Hall 11am - 3pm Preschool Program December 20 10am Campus Closed SUMC Christmas Holiday Campus Closed December 25 & December 26

14 Notes

15 Notes

16 Staff Worship & Music Dr. Jim Cantrell, Senior Pastor Rev. Walter Jones, Associate Pastor Rev. James Savage, Associate Pastor Rev. Efrain Morales, Hispanic/Latino Pastor Catherine Elliott, Director of Worship & Music Nancy Johnson, Associate to Worship & Music Director of Contemporary Worship Martin Russell, Sanctuary Technical Director Patrick Sullivan, Contemporary Worship Music Leader Adam Wolfe, Contemporary Worship CLC Technician Margaret Peterson, Organist Megan Field, Director of Children s Choir mfield@snellvilleumc.org Youth Ministry Blake Shuler, Youth Director bshuler@snellvilleumc.org Kelsie Chiara, Assistant Director to Children & Youth Ministry - kchiara@snellvilleumc.org Children s Ministry Kathie Bamsey, Director of Families with Children kbamsey@snellvilleumc.org Kelsie Chiara, Assistant Director to Children & Youth Ministry - kchiara@snellvilleumc.org Reception Star McHan, Receptionist & New Member Assistant smchan@snellvilleumc.org Communications Ministry Andrea Carroll, Director of Communications acarroll@snellvilleumc.org Health & Wholeness Ministry Ella Collier, Health & Wholeness Director ecollier@snellvilleumc.org Rona Rahtz, Health & Wholeness Assistant Facility Scheduler rrahtz@snellvilleumc.org Membership Ministry Margie Tutton, Office Manager & Membership Secretary mtutton@snellvilleumc.org Finance Ministry Leigh Anne Russell, Financial Secretary larussell@snellvilleumc.org Facility Ministry Rob Henson, Facility Manager rhenson@snellvilleumc.org Wedding Ministry Donna Walts, Wedding Coordinator weddings@snellvilleumc.org Preschool & Kindergarten Ministry Debbie McIntosh, Preschool Director dmcintosh@snellvilleumc.org Jackie Nora, Assistant to Preschool Director jnora@snellvilleumc.org Rhonda Fowler, Preschool Financial Administrator rfowler@snellvilleumc.org 2428 Main Street East, Snellville, GA // // snellvilleumc.org