Exciting Changes in Communication and Evangelism

Transcription

1 With you on your journey Volume 38 Issue 4 January 30, 2014 Exciting Changes in Communication and Evangelism FUMC is embracing 2014 with a renewed focus on Communications and Evangelism! A few of those endeavors you have probably heard about already! The first is a new publication schedule for our weekly printed newsletter. In the First Place is now a bi-weekly publication, starting with this issue. The newsletter should arrive in your mailbox on either Friday or Saturday with the issue focusing on the two weeks following. On the back side of every newsletter, you can note the date of the next publication and the deadline for submissions. The newsletter will no longer include a weekly calendar listing of all church events. Instead, the Upcoming Events section will include meetings and special events. A complete calendar of recurring weekly events can always be found online at The e-newsletter will still be ed every week. If you would like to add your name to the e-newsletter list, notify me at landrews@fumclr.org. Another exciting update is the live streaming of worship services. We have been testing the streaming of First Tradition (11:00 am service) for the past month, and we invite you to check out this stream next time you are able. To watch the service live, go to Or you may go to our church website and click on Streaming. In the coming months, we will add First Word to the Sunday morning line-up of live worship services available online. Stay tuned for more happenings throughout the year as we strive to find new, intriguing ways to share that First Church is With you on your journey! IN THIS ISSUE: ADULTS New 4-Week Sunday morning class. KIDS@FIRST Prayer Bear Sunday...find out more. YOUTH Are you signed up for Veritas? MUSIC Get ready for a VOICES explosion! MISSIONS & OUTREACH Volunteer at QQUMC Community Breakfast. MISSION COVENANT Our promise is to be with you on your journey. Our purpose is to love God, love others, and change the world. Our mission is to be an inclusive downtown congregation that builds Christian community where people experience God s transforming grace. Lesley Andrews Communications Director 723 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas firstunited methodistchurch DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

2 UPCOMING EVENTS: January 29- February 15 Monday, February 3 5:30 pm - Share the Good News Meeting (Rm 212) 5:30 pm - Staff Parish Relations Comm. (Rm 209) 7:00 pm - Mustard Seed Monday School (First Cup Cafe) Thursday, February 6 8:00 pm - FUMC Youth Basketball Game (PHUMC) Saturday, February 8 7:00 pm - FUMC Youth Basketball Game (PHUMC) Sunday, February 9 7:30 am - QQUMC Community Breakfast (QQUMC) 12:15 pm - UMW Lunch & Meeting (Fellowship Hall) Monday, February 10 6:00 pm - Vibrant Worship Meeting (Rm 210) Wednesday, February 12 4:30 pm - Board of Trustees 11:00 am - Casserole Preparation (Kitchen) Thursday, February 13 5:00 pm - Casserole Preparation (Kitchen) 9:00 pm - FUMC Youth Basketball Game (PHUMC) Saturday, February 15 8:00 pm - FUMC Youth Basketball Game (PHUMC) For a complete listing on on-going weekly activities, please visit our online calendar at WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS February 2: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 February 9: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20 ANNOUNCEMENTS Kroger Rewards Program First Church youth are now registered and eligible to participate in the Kroger Rewards Program. This program pays cash to the church based on total purchases using your KrogerPlus card or key-tag. KrogerPlus cards are available, free of charge, to all customers from the service desks in any Kroger store. To earn credit for FUMC Youth, members need to register on-line at Have your KrogerPlus card handy, you will need that number, and follow these steps: 1.) Log-on to 2.) Create an account or sign-in 3.) Click on My account 4.) Under Account Settings select community rewards 5.) Find your organization and select your organization (NPO number 81402) For members who do not use computers, we can sign up for you. Participation in the Community Rewards Program does not affect your gas points. Please let us know if you have any problems with this process, we will be glad to help work it out. Kroger gift cards are no longer part of the Kroger Rewards program. All monies received from this program will be used to support youth mission and outreach programs. For more information, please contact Austin Hubbard (ahubbard@fumclr.org). On February 9th, the youth will be set up in the First Cup Cafe after First Tradition to help you register your Kroger Card if you need assistance. United Methodist Women Lunch & Meeting - Feb. 9th at Noon Dr. Johnny Moore, Philander Smith College President Dr. Moore will give us an overview of this historically Black United Methodist institution. The college s mission is to graduate academically accomplished students, grounded as advocates for social justice, determined to change the world for the better. Dr. Joseph Jones, director of Philander s Social Justice Initiative, and some students who participate in the Social Justice League will be coming with him. Please call the church at by Thursday, February 6, to make a reservation so enough food will be prepared. Everyone is welcome! Member Care Needs Casseroles! The Casserole ministry takes casseroles/soups to those needing some TLC (tender loving care) from our church family and friends; sickness, births, deaths or just need to feel the love of those who care. Daytime cooks: Please contact Darlene Schiebner, , to join the cooking party on Wednesday, February 12 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Evening cooks: Please contact Helen Williams, , to join the cooking party on Thursday, February 13 between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. We need a maximum of 8 cooks at each party so please call quickly to volunteer for this great ministry.

3 Welcome New Members We welcomed Ruth Hernandez and family into membership on Sunday, January 26th during First Word. Ruth is pictured above with her children Nina, Duncan, Ian, Luke, JT, and Ninfa. Ruth joined by transfer of membership from Oak Forest UMC. Nina, Duncan and Ian all joined by Proclamation of Faith. We are so blessed to have you all! We also welcomed Patricia Johnston, along with her children, Landen and Madelyn, into membership on January 26th. Patricia joined by transfer of membership from Lakewood UMC. Congratulations on Baptism Congratulations to Shawn and Monica Ormsby on the baptism of their daughter, Madison Brianna E Lisa, on Sunday, January 26th during First Tradition. First United Methodist Church group at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. We look froward to sharing our trip with you in the weeks ahead. Left to right: Darlene Scheibner, Carol Wharton, Rev. Kurt Boggan, and Rev. Rebecca Boggan General Operating Budget Approved The 2014 General Operating Budget for First Church was approved by our Charge Conference last week. After deducting those income transfers and expenses related to the Child Development Center, our Operating Budget for 2014 is $1,468,000 compared to the 2013 budget of $1,609,200, a reduction of $141,200 almost 9% less than 2013 budget. The following numbers show comparison of 2013 and 2014 budgets. Category 2013 Budget 2014 Budget Difference Percent Change Contributions $1,520,000 $1,366,000 ($154,000) -10.1% Other Income * $89,200 $102,000 $12, % Total Income $1,609,200 $1,468,000 ($141,200) -8.8% * Other Income includes Rent, special trust distributions designated by donors, and miscellaneous income Conf & District Shared Ministries $229,850 $234,478 $4, % Program & Operations Exps $117,600 $107,125 ($10,475) -8.9% Personnel Costs $1,044,827 $976,000 ($68,827) -6.6% Property & Administrative $216,600 $150,000 ($66,600) -30.7% Total Expenditures $1,608,877 $1,467,603 ($141,274) -8.8% The 2014 budget assumes Contributions Income based on actual 2013 Contributions and confirmed pledges for Increase in Other Income assumes additional rental income from property being purchased through the Capital Campaign. Despite an increase in Conference & District Shared Ministries, other local church expenditures are reduced 10.6% so that the total budget is 8.8% less than the 2013 budget. Property and Administration are reduced more due to savings planned in printing & postage including reduced number of mailed newsletters, reduced property taxes since formerly rented space will no longer be taxed, and other building & administrative savings (particularly upgrades in buildings being renovated reducing maintenance costs.) Personnel Costs reduced include savings during the 2013 budget year and a reduction in time for selected part time paid positions. Monthly updates will be provided through mailed newsletters and E-news by how income and expenses are running compared to budget. Your continued faithful giving during 2014 will enable your church to meet its ministry plan for Additionally, more information will be announced soon how groups and classes can designate their special giving to specific Conference Shared Ministries enabling savings from the General Budget for those items. Additional gifts beyond committed giving to the Operating Budget can be applied to those ministry areas that were reduced in 2014 budget. Questions on how to make special gifts or any specifics of the 2014 budget should be addressed to Don Woods, Church Administrator, phone: or dwoods@fumclr.org.

4 ANNOUNCEMENTS 4 week Sunday Morning Class begins February 9th, Room 205 The Gospel of John according to Jim, a rather unconventional analysis of the fourth gospel, will be led by guest speaker Jim Hester. Jim is Professor of Religion, Emeritus, at the University of Redlands, Redlands, CA. He was a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar and Director of the Rhetorical New Testament Project at the Institute of Antiquity and Christianity at Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, CA, and a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Society for New Testament Studies, and the Society for Values in Higher Education. He has preached and lectured in England, Germany, Switzerland, and South Africa. Currently Jim and his wife are members of Second Presbyterian Church, where he teaches short-term classes for adults. If you would like more information about this class or Jim Hester, please contact George Hankins-Hull, ghull@uams.edu. The class will meet February 9, 16, 23 and March 9th in Room 205. SAVE THE DATE! Drop-In Dinner Red Beans & Rice Take-Out Available March 4th, 5-7 pm Adults $5, Kids $2 MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS In Honor of Patsy Frost celebrating her Great-Grandchild by Craig and Nancy Wood In Honor of Don Woods, Jerry Carpenter, Maintenance and Security Staff by Holly Trantham In Memory of Ina Robbins by Winston & Martha Faulkner In Memory of Phylis Van Every by Winston & Martha Faulkner MISSION AND OUTREACH QQUMC Community Breakfast - Feb. 9th Volunteer to prepare and serve breakfast on Sunday, February 9th at Quapaw Quarter UMC from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. You will cook and serve a delicious and healthy breakfast and provide fellowship to approximately homeless and underserved men, women and children. To volunteer, please contact Georgia Bell (bell.georgia@sbcglobal.net) or Patty Barker (pbarker7215@yahoo.com). First Church volunteers the 2nd Sunday of every month. Communion Assistance Fund A man, struggling with alcohol addiction who I have been working with for about 7 years, called me recently to tell me that he is now married. He cannot read or write. Even though he is on disability, he does odd jobs as he can to supplement his income. With savvy survival skills, he is no stranger to the street and has always been honest with me. His new wife is handicapped as well. Taking care of each other, they now live in Jacksonville in a rent-to-purchase home. Our church has seen him through some really tough times. The ladies in the office know him and love him. We stood by him patiently hoping for this time to come. Church, be proud! With this man, we have been and continue to be with him on his journey. Your continued support of this program enables us to be there for others. They are, indeed, now part of our Church Family. Blessings, Anthony Falkowski, Director of Mission & Outreach In Memory of Lance Phillips by Winston & Martha Faulkner IN THE HOSPITAL Mary Davis (West Markham Rehab) Doris Brown (West Markham Rehab) Frances Goodenough (Little Rock VA) Linda Miller (Arkansas Surgical Hospital) SYMPATHY To Nan Enoch and family in the death of her aunt, Vona Taylor. ATTENDANCE Date First Light First Word First Tradition January January January GIVING FOR WEEK OF JANUARY Annual Operations $ Honor Our Past, Commit to our Future $

5 Giving Our children gathered and assembled over 30 emergency food kits for Rice Depot. Way to go children!! You will feed 30 people for a day at a time of great need. Our food collection for February is beans and soup, canned or dried. Please leave in our wire baskets on the 1st floor or in Donna or Pam s office. Prayer Bear Sunday Providing A Place of Belonging On February 16th, each church member has an opportunity to participate in the children s February mission project during First Word and First Tradition. We ask you bring a new, small stuffed bear to worship with you! The bears will be blessed in worship, tagged by our children with ribbon and Bible verse, then given in love to the Little Rock Fire Department. If you are not aware, firefighters carry small stuffed animals in each fire truck to provide emergency comfort to a child victim of fire, accident, etc.. Summer Camps Online registration for our 4 camps in June will open on March 1st. In order to offer the best quality in fun and learning, each camp will have a limited enrollment number. Camp fees will be listed online and must be paid at time of registration to secure your child s spot. We hope to see you there! YOUTH Souper Bowl Party This Week! It s game time this Sunday night! We are celebrating at the Mackey Household-5406 N. Grandview! Kick-off and dropoff are at 5:30 pick up is after half-time. We will be collecting canned soup at the door that will go to the Arkansas Rice Depot! VERITAS Feb 28-March 2, 2014! Veritas is a high-energy event held at the convention center in Rogers, AR. It is the highest attended United Methodist Youth Conference event in the state! The purpose of Veritas (Latin for truth) is to ignite spiritual renewal through passionate worship and community building. This event is for students in grades Those who want to participate need to get a medical/code of conduct form and the $40 admission to Austin or Kat by Wednesday February 19th. Forms can be found in the Youth Studio or online at Upcoming Basketball Games: 2/1 Christ Lutheran v. 7:00 PM 2/6 Christ the King II v. 8:00 PM All games are held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Woodlawn Avenue. MUSIC NOTES ATTENTION YOUTH PARENTS: Parents and Youth! Get ready for the VOICES EXPLOSION! We are starting something new with you this spring. We know you are very busy, brilliant and talented folk- so we are trying a new schedule. We are going to have a burst of practice in a short time to see if we have greater results in attendance. I think it will be fun, and you can have the calendar right now so you can plan ahead! Rehearsals will be Sunday evenings starting March 16th April 13th at 7:30 pm at the church. This gives us 5 rehearsals to be ready to open the Cokesbury Space for Easter in First Word! Parents- we are asking these things of you: commitment of having your youth at rehearsals no matter what for this short time support of this ensemble, knowing that it must not go away share the importance of singing and playing for God in a Youth Experience please be in town on Easter Sunday for them to sing at 9:00 First Word Service! Youth VOICES- we are asking this of you: be present Sunday from March 16th April 13th at 7:30 pm be wonderfully excited and ready to give some wonderful energy for Easter Sunday please be in town on Easter Sunday to sing and play at 9:00 First Word Service ask ALL friends who sing and play to join us! We want many! Let s make this an AMAZING EXPERIENCE for all of us! Parents, please send me questions if you have klinson@fumclr.org. I hope this will trigger more energy for this ensemble, so we can grow and reach new amazing heights! Kyle Linson ATTENTION MARATHON PARTICIPANTS! Are you participating in the Little Rock Marathon this year? We want to be With you on your journey and ask the congregation to support you on Marathon Sunday. Please Lesley Andrews- landrews@fumclr.org so we can add you to our list!

6 firstunited methodistchurch LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS The First United Methodist In the First Place (USPS ) is published every other week for a total of 26 issues by the First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas Editor, Chris Cooper; Managing Editor, Lesley Andrews; Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas. www. fumclr.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FUMC In The First Place, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR <<Name>> <<Address Line 1>> <<Address Line 2>> <<Address Line 3>> Follow us! facebook.com/fumclr The next issue of In the First Place will be published on February 13, Submission deadline is February 9th.