January 2019 Stuck In The Middle: Women s Conference 2019

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Lee Neal Underwood
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January 2019 Stuck In The Middle: Women s Conference 2019 In tight circumstances, I cried out to the LORD. The LORD answered me with wide-open spaces. The LORD is for me I won t be afraid.

And in these circumstances we can become paralyzed, angry, and depressed. But God wants more for our lives.

1 January 2019 Stuck In The Middle: Women s Conference 2019 In tight circumstances, I cried out to the LORD. The LORD answered me with wide-open spaces. The LORD is for me I won t be afraid. What can anyone do to me? Psalm 118:5-6 We often find ourselves stuck. Because of our own mistakes, because of others actions, or sometimes just because of life. And in these circumstances we can become paralyzed, angry, and depressed. But God wants more for our lives. What if in the midst of our tight circumstances, God is working in our lives to provide wide open spaces of opportunity and joy. We can t see it because of our limited view or our refusal to want anything else. Sarah and Hagar were two very different women, brought to a time of stuck due to a failure of Abraham and themselves to trust God. Betrayal, despair, and jealousy ruled their lives. Then God reminded both of them that they were not forgotten. That God saw them and their tight circumstances and wide open opportunities were provided. And in hindsight, God s plan was so clear. God see s you too. Wide open spaces are available for you... open your eyes and see God! Join us for a gathering of women at First United Methodist Hot Springs on Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12. The women s conference will start on Friday at 6:30 pm in the Christian Life Center with appetizers and brief worship. The conference will continue on Saturday at 8:00 am with breakfast. We will have opportunities for fellowship, creativeness, laughter and Bible study. This is your chance to rejoice in the God that sees you! Registration and Schedule of events is available online at womens-conference Cost is $10.00 and includes art supplies and luncheon on Saturday. Scholarships are available. For more information or questions, contact Rev. Teresa Holt at teresa.holt@arumc.org. In This Issue p. 2 Holy Conversations p. 3 Praying Our Goodbyes p. 4 UMW Sunday

2 Counting Our Blessings Cyndee Metcalf ext 102 November 2018 General Church Operations Year-to-Date Tithes and Offerings $132, Tithes and offerings $1,400, Monthly Expenses -$145, YTD expenses -$1,626, Monthly Net Income -$13, YTD net income -$225, November 2018 Missions and Memorials Year-to-Date Mission Offerings $6, Mission Offerings $93, Memorial Offerings $1, Memorial Offerings $40, Mission Disbursements $20, Mission Disbursements $120, Memorial Disbursements $28, Memorial Disbursements $33, Property Loan Balance as of November 30, 2018 $1,378, Year-to-Date P / I Payments $ Happy New Year! We have been blessed in 2018 by your pledges, tithes, and offerings as these generous donations are crucial to the vitality of First United Methodist Church Hot Springs. Your gifts allow us to support missions across the globe, provide worship opportunities to our congregation and the community, and operate a very large, historic facility. None of this could happen without you! If you have not yet fulfilled your 2018 pledge or would like to make a donation designated for last year, you may still do so until January 10, Please make sure your check is dated no later than December 31, 2018 and the memo line is marked PLEASE NOTE: All donations, memorials, or honorariums designated for The Caring Place should be made payable directly to them. A letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the recipient and a tax receipt will be sent to the donor by The Caring Place. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Cyndee. Holy Conversation Gatherings Holy Conversation happens when Christians deliberate in a prayerful and respectful way, not only to reach some desired outcome, but also so they might be transformed in love within the very process itself. As such, we know it to be a means of grace We are living in a world that has forgotten how to communicate and talk with each other. We react, we polarize, we divide. Conversation, particularly Holy Conversation (or Holy Conferencing as John Wesley called it) is a lost art. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light to this world. How can we do this if we have forgotten how to listen and be grace-giving people with others? Starting the week of February 10, we will dedicate four weeks to Small Group Gatherings, regaining the lost art of Holy Conversation. We will study Scripture as well as our United Methodist theology, learning how to converse with each other and our world. We will meet in homes and in businesses as we practice together what we will eventually live out in our daily lives. Our hope and dreams are that we will be salt and light and transform not only Hot Springs First United Methodist Church, but our neighborhoods and community. Look for more information about these groups on the website and in the February Messenger. Christian Sympathy goes to... In Our Prayers 2 the family of Mary Humphreys in her death; the family of Jim Gerkin in his death; the family of Carolyn Shirley in her death; Laverne Burton and family in the death of Ben Burton; the family of Laverne Burton in her death; John and Libby Vines in the death of John s father, Wayne Vines; and Betty Jo Cochran in the death of her son, Danny Brian Cochran. Please keep these families in your prayers at this time.

Outreach Ministry Candy Poirier cpoirier@fumchs.com 501.623.

The Case for Christ is the true story of an investigative journalist - an avowed atheist - who applies his skills to disprove the Christian faith of his wife with life alternating results.

Teresa Holt teresa.holt@arumc.org 501.623.6668 ext. 103 Thank You A big thank you to all of you in contributing to our socks and coat drive in October and November.

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

3 Outreach Ministry Candy Poirier ext 117 Dinner & A Movie Join us for our monthly Dinner & A Movie on Thursday, January 17 at 4:30 pm in the Christian Life Center to watch The Case for Christ. The Case for Christ is the true story of an investigative journalist - an avowed atheist - who applies his skills to disprove the Christian faith of his wife with life alternating results. We will have a light dinner at 4:30 pm and finish with the movie and popcorn. RSVP with Candy Poirier at (501) ext. 117 by January 16. Cost for the night is $5. Adult Discipleship Rev. Teresa Holt teresa.holt@arumc.org ext. 103 Thank You A big thank you to all of you in contributing to our socks and coat drive in October and November. They have been a blessing to all who have received them. You all step up and help where it is needed. Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Praying our Goodbyes Class Wednesdays, January 9 February 13, 6:00 p.m., CLC 209. Rev. Bill Sardin. Praying Our Goodbyes is a small group for anyone who has experienced loss, whether a job change, the end of a relationship, the death of a loved one, a financial struggle, a mid-life crisis, or an extended illness. It is designed to help you reflect, ritualize, and re-orient yourself -to help heal the hurts caused by goodbyes and the anxieties encountered when one season of life ends and another begins. Getting Ahead Spring Class We start a new Getting Ahead Spring class on January 16th in the Christian Life Center. Our facilitators will be Elizabeth Alderman, Carolyn Watts and Tracy Keaton. We currently have 5 facilitators that rotate responsibilities for the two classes throughout the year. Our children leaders for the Cooking Class will be Molly Baldwin and Jennifer Henley. Children s art classes will follow in March and April. Please pray for these families as they commit to learn and implement a plan for a better life out of poverty. Stephen Ministry Rev. Teresa Holt teresa.holt@arumc.org ext. 103 Stephen Ministry Suicide Prevention Speaker The January meeting for Stephen Ministers will be held on the second Tuesday in January to avoid conflict with New Year s Day holiday. The meeting will be on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:00 pm in the Christian Life Center Room 209 with special speaker Susie Reynold Reece, the Violence Prevention Coordinator for CHI St. Vincent Arkansas Network. This meeting is open to everyone who would like to hear Ms. Reece s program on suicide prevention. Reece is no stranger to the desperate need for suicide prevention, having lost her father to suicide in early childhood and later having fought with major depression throughout her formative and adult years. She strives to raise awareness of the issues of suicide, interpersonal violence, mental health and substance use disorders. She acts as a social entrepreneur connecting and educating stakeholders on their unique roles and assets when dealing with the social issues within their communities. This informative meeting is open to all who are interested and would like to know more about suicide prevention. 3

UMW Update UMW Sunday The annual United Methodist Women Sunday will be on January 27.

This year, that person is Cathy Larson, Urban Missionary for the Open Door project serving the Jones Mill community and housed in the Shorewood Hills United Methodist Church in that community.

College of the Ozarks in Malvern. She has also been trained as a parent education.

During her presentation, Cathy will chronicle her twenty-seven year journey leading the Open Door project from its original mission of serving hot lunches to people in the Jones Mill Community on

4 UMW Update UMW Sunday The annual United Methodist Women Sunday will be on January 27. UMW Sunday is a day when UMW members are active participants in various elements of worship and a special person is invited by the local UMW unit to speak to the congregation. This year, that person is Cathy Larson, Urban Missionary for the Open Door project serving the Jones Mill community and housed in the Shorewood Hills United Methodist Church in that community. Cathy s professional career spans a total of forty plus years in education, twenty-seven years in elementary education, primarily early childhood, and fifteen years working in higher education at College of the Ozarks in Malvern. She has also been trained as a parent education. In 2002 Cathy was commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, as an Urban Missionary and received missionary training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. During her presentation, Cathy will chronicle her twenty-seven year journey leading the Open Door project from its original mission of serving hot lunches to people in the Jones Mill Community on Saturday, then expanding to so many more services in response to the needs of the families within the community. The local UMW Unit has supported the Open Door project for more than ten years, including helping to furnish the remodeled kitchen in the church, to preparing and serving Saturday lunches, providing food for the food pantry, clothing for the clothing closet, providing blankets, and purchasing computers. Currently, the Unit contributes money each year for the annual backpack project for children from kindergarten to college. Two circles purchase gifts for children at Christmas. This year gifts for twenty-five children were provided and two members helped families wrap the gifts on wrapping day. Underground Youth Ministry Forest Turner, Jr. fturnerjr@fumchs.com ext Just as the original mission of Open Door has changed, so has the way the UMW Unit of First United Methodist Church supports the project. UMW Unit & Circle Meetings The UMW Unit Meeting and Circle meetings will be held on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 am. At that time, members will have an opportunity to make their UMW pledge for 2019 and enjoy a soup luncheon provided by UMW Board members. IHOP Fundraiser The Underground Youth are hosting a fundraiser at IHOP on January 20! Come help support the youth group and enjoy a delicious dinner on Janaury 20 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the IHOP in Hot Springs, located at 3837 Central Avenue. Let them know you re eating to support the FUMC Underground Youth, and IHOP will donate 20% of the profits to the youth group. For more information, contact Forest at fturnerjr@fumchs.com. Let IHOP and Forest know you re coming! RSVP here: groupraise.com/events/76796

All 1st - 5th grade kids should have RE-REGISTERED for the winter/springs semester, even if they were signed up during the fall/winter.

Illuminate Worship Arts Returns! Our children s Illuminate worship arts group returns on January 9 from 6:00-7:00 pm!

If you thought it looked cool in 2018 and would like to give it a try, now is the time to join! Please not this is a firm two month commitment.

5 Children s Ministry Michelle Wilkins mwilkins@fumchs.com ext. 130 WAK & CLUB 45 WAK and CLUB 45 sign-ups for the Winter/Spring 2019 semester are complete! If you missed getting your child signed up, contact Michelle Wilkins to see if there are any open spots left. All 1st - 5th grade kids should have RE-REGISTERED for the winter/springs semester, even if they were signed up during the fall/winter. Wednesday after school programs resume January 9, 2019 and will run through April 24. For more information or any questions, contact Michelle Wilkins at mwilkins@fumchs.com. Illuminate Worship Arts Returns! Our children s Illuminate worship arts group returns on January 9 from 6:00-7:00 pm! Illuminate will start a new routine to be shared in The ConneXion worship service at the end of the semester. If you thought it looked cool in 2018 and would like to give it a try, now is the time to join! Please not this is a firm two month commitment. We will assign parts by the end of January, so if you think you may want to give this worship arts group a try, join us January 9 in the Christian Life Center's Almighty Arena at 6:00 pm. Children s Council Planning Meeting Mark your calendars for this first meeting of the new year! Children s Council will meet on Wednesday, January 16 at 6:00 pm in Jesus Rock s Cafe in the Christian Life Center. We will continue our conversations from last meeting about improvements and what we want to do differently this year. Before the meeting please think and pray about the following questions: What are YOU passionate about regarding children and their families? How do we truly BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with the children and families in our church and our community? How do we help them further build their relationship with God, with the community? Let your voice be heard.don t miss this very important time to dream collectively about the future of FUMC Children s Ministry and how it will affect the kids and families in our community! Is God calling you to teach? We are currently in need of a co-teacher for 4th & 5th grade students on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 am. Curriculum is provided, and you would be rotating Sundays with Deb Clymer. This means you would only teach 2 Sundays a month! Please contact Michelle Wilkins if you have questions, or are interested. Please prayerfully listen for God s whisperings. Is He calling you? Beyond Conference for Volunteers We hope you join us at this year s 2019 UMC Conference Children s Ministry s Beyond Conference. It is important to refill your spirit for ministry, get inspired to try new methods and ideas, and most importantly connect with others who have the same passion for children s faith formation! Join us Friday and/or Saturday January 25 & 26 at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. Check out the website to register and for schedule details (just click on the BEYOND link): arumc.org/our-ministries/childrens-ministry/ or contact Michelle Wilkins for more information: mwilkins@fumchs.com. SAVE THE DATE! 5

Child Development Center Update Mandy Johnson mjohnson@fumchs.com 501.318.1377 Special Gifts & Memorials In Memory of Mary Idalou Hull Boyd From William P. and Janice K.

6 Child Development Center Update Mandy Johnson Special Gifts & Memorials In Memory of Mary Idalou Hull Boyd From William P. and Janice K. Jackson In Memory of Jim Gerkin From Gretta, Gretchen and Kristin Kaufman, Ted and Ann Carrithers, John and Karen Poe, Wayne Ranson, Brian and Joy Holtz, Friendship Sunday School Class In Memory of Mary Ellen Humphreys From Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Smith, Peter D. and Jacqueline I. Blakeslee, Nancy Rhodes, The French Family, John and Sue Polk, Bob and Thea Mathis, The Cordell Family, Babs Blagg, Mildred Smith, Linda Dowdy, Arlean Rogers, Marjorie Grisham, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bristow In Memory of Ben Burton From Rev. and Mrs. David Moseley, Ted and Ann Carrithers, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Smith, Don and Mary Ann Schnipper, Wayne Ranson, John and Karen Poe, Dr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Fleischner, Friendship Sunday School Class, Gretta, Gretchen and Kristin Kaufman, Mildred Smith In Memory of Jane Ranson From Allan Ranson December was a busy month for the CDC! The center reached full capacity in classrooms with children, especially infants, on a waiting list to attend. Because of this, a new classroom for five infants has been opened to help alleviate the need for quality infant care in the greater Hot Springs area. Two Sunday School classes very generously supported three CDC families in December. The Pathfinders class paid tuition for two children for one month and a member of the Friendship class took a family shopping with funds provided by class members. The CDC is so thankful for the generosity of the two classes and also to FUMC for painting the hallway walls in the children s wing over the holidays, giving the space a fresh look. Preschool children presented the annual Christmas program for their families and, as usual, the program was short and sweet and enjoyed by all. Based on the children s book, Shepherd on the Search, each of the three and four old classrooms had a Shepherd who came to visit during the Christmas season. The Shepherds were the littlest Shepherds and each night they went on a mission to find the Baby Jesus. While they were searching, they became tired and fell asleep. Each morning the mission of the CDC children was to find the littlest Shepherd. From the children, families and staff of the CDC, thank you to the congregation of First United Methodist Church for your continued support of the CDC as a part of the church s ministry to children and families. 6 In Memory of La Verne Burton From Dr. and Mrs. Richard Van Bebber, Friendship Sunday School Class, Dr. and Mrs. Stuart A. Fleischner, Gretta, Gretchen and Kristin Kaufman, Mildred Smith In Memory of Ronnie Twyford From Ted and Ann Carrithers, Brooks and Nan Clem, Seekers Sunday School Class, Simmons Bank, LaDonna Twyford, Lynn and Janet Horton, John and Karen Poe, Wayne Ranson, Don and Mary Ann Schnipper, Gene and Carol Thomason, Ann Shelton, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bristow In Memory of Carolyn Shirley From Ted and Ann Carrithers, Jim Drake, Linda Dowdy, John and Karen Poe, Genesis Class, Patricia Tortorich, Carol Pratt, Owen Blackwell, Laurie Black and Len Blackwell In Memory of Wayne Vines (Father of John Vines) From Pam Herrington and Babs Blagg In Honor of Arlean Rogers 98th Birthday From John and Holly Haggard In Honor of Rev. David Moseley, Rev. Teresa Holt and Rev. Bill Sardin From Elizabeth Alderman In Recognition of our Pastors, Church Staff, and the Outreach Committee From David and Carolyn Wylie In Honor of Sue and John Polk In Honor of Patricia Tortorich In Honor of Carol and Gene Thomason In Honor of Becky and Ronnie Jeter In Honor of Sue and Bill Pearcy In Honor of Dot Brown From Beverly Wright In Honor of Gloria Damron From Nancy Baxley In Honor of The Bereavement Committee From Emilie Stewart

7 January FUMC Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Happy New Year! Office Closed Saturday, January 12 Stuck in the Middle with you 8:00 AM Tuesday, January 22 Open Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 2 Intercessory Prayer Group Romeo Thursday, January 3 ConneXion Band Rehearsal Friday, January 4 Sunday, January 6 Sunday School Confirmation Class The ConneXion Worship Monday, January 7 Youth Donut Devotion Emmaus Women s Group Disciple III Bible Study 8:15 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 10:45 AM 7:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 8 UMW Unit Meeting 10:00 AM Open Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PM Stephen Ministry Leadership Meeting Stephen Ministry Supervision Meeting Wednesday, January 9 Intercessory Prayer Group Romeo Knitwits WAK/CLUB 45 Wednesday Night Dinner Confirmation Tween Time Youth Small Groups Kidz Praise Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 10 Bible & A Brew Friday, January 11 Stuck in the Middle with You 12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 5:15 PM 6:30 PM Sunday, January 13 Sunday School Confirmation Class The ConneXion Worship Monday, January 14 Youth Donut Devotion Emmaus Women s Group Disciple III Bible Study Tuesday, January 15 Methodist Men s Breakfast Open Arms Food Pantry Wednesday, January 16 Intercessory Prayer Group Romeo WAK/CLUB 45 Wednesday Night Dinner Confirmation Tween Time Youth Small Groups Getting Ahead Children s Council Meeting Kidz Praise Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 17 Senior Saints Dinner & Movie Friday, January 18 Sunday, January 20 Sunday School Chapel Communion Confirmation Class The ConneXion Worship Board of Stewards Meeting Monday, January 21 Youth Donut Devotion Emmaus Women s Group Disciple III Bible Study UMW Board Meeting Wednesday, January 23 8:15 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM Intercessory Prayer Group 10:45 AM Romeo 10:45 AM WAK/CLUB 45 Wednesday Night Dinner 7:00 AM Confirmation Tween Time Youth Small Groups Getting Ahead 10:00 AM Kidz Praise Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 24 7:30 AM ConneXion Band Rehearsal 2:00 PM Friday, January 25 Sunday, January 27 3:30 PM Sunday School Confirmation Class The ConneXion Worship Monday, January 28 Youth Donut Devotion 6:30 PM Emmaus Women s Group Disciple III Bible Study 4:30 PM Tuesday, January 29 Open Arms Food Pantry Wednesday, January 30 8:15 AM Intercessory Prayer Group 9:30 AM Romeo 9:30 AM WAK/CLUB 45 9:30 AM Wednesday Night Dinner 10:45 AM 10:45 AM Confirmation Tween Time Youth Small Groups Getting Ahead Children s Council Meeting 7:00 AM Kidz Praise Choir Rehearsal 10:00 AM Thursday, January 31 11:00 AM ConneXion Band Rehearsal 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:15 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 10:45 AM 7:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 2:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM

First United Methodist Church 1100 Central Avenue Hot Springs, AR

Methodist Men s Summit on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

8 First United Methodist Church 1100 Central Avenue Hot Springs, AR Men s Summit 2019 Save the date for the ninth annual Methodist Men s Summit on Thursday, February 28, Look for more information, including this year s keynote speaker, coming in the February Messenger. Tickets will be available for purchase starting in February. CONNECT WITH US (501)

April 2018 New Programs & Events for 20 s/30 s

April 2018 New Programs & Events for 20 s/30 s If you are in your 20 s and 30 s (singles and couples) come join us for our April events and small groups Mosaic Madness! Join us at Mosaic Madness on 1125