Fredericksburg United Methodist Church launches Ministry Expo and

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1 Fredericksburg United Methodist Church launches Ministry Expo and an opportunity to discover, celebrate and use your gifts for building God s kingdom. Be sure to bring a neighbor with you to worship on September 6 and 7. A Ministry Expo will be in Kobler Hall where you will learn about opportunities to worship, grow and serve for all ages. Recent mission trips and FUMC history will be featured on the Methodist Green. United Methodist Men and Cub Scouts will be serving refreshments. Looking for an in-depth Bible Study? Disciple I and IV classes start in September. Now is the time to take action on something you ve been thinking about for a long-time. Register at the Ministry Center in Kobler Hall. Serving from the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service (STRIDES) is our congregational focus in September and October. Small groups will meet weekly to further explore worship themes. Sign-up for the small groups listed here online or at the Ministry Center. September What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Gifts? September Spiritual Gifts Defined September Talents and Resources September Individuality October Dreams October Experiences October Stewardship Look for additional information on these special opportunities throughout this issue of the Open Door. By God s grace, let us commit to make strides in our Christian discipleship in this new year. Grace and peace, The Staff Parish Relations Committee announces that Mona Lamb is the new Office Manager. Effective August 25, Mona will be scheduling events and fielding questions related to the various ministries of the church. Be sure to stop by the office and welcome Mona. Her hours are Monday thru Friday, 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM. She fills the vacancy created when Pam Bosch moved in July.

2 On On September 6th and 7th we are going to celebrate Ministry Expo as we kick-off the ministry year. All ministry teams and groups at FUMC are encouraged to set up a display table and share the information of your ministry with others. You can register and reserve a Ministry Expo table online at church website at or stop at the sign up table in Gathering Place. Serving from the Heart is 8-Week small group Bible study that helps participants find their spiritual gifts and talents for service. The class starts in the week of September 7th. You can sign up online at the church website at or you can stop at the sign-up table in the Gathering Place. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Won Lee at wonlee@fumcva.org. Now you can send an E-Card Invitation to your families and friends. E-Cards include an information of our church s worship services and other church events. You can add your personal message in E-Card also. In order to send an E-Card, please visit our church website at org and click Connect in the upper course menu. And you will see Evite button on the left side menu. Click Evite and follow the instruction shown in the page. Have you noticed the same faces in the kitchen for coffee hour week after week, month after month, year after year? It is time for some new energy and enthusiasm. Training will be provided along with a blessing! Call Mary Jordan at or sign up on the plea for volunteers on the table. 2

3 SPECIAL DATES D o you have the heart and passion for children and youth who have special educational and developmental needs? FUMC is seeking persons who are able to teach and assist with the Special Needs Sunday School classes. For more information, please contact Rev. Henry (Hank) McCaslin, Pastor of Congregational Care at , ext 22; ; , or henrymccaslin@ fumcva.org. O n Sunday, August 31, we will start the school year off right by asking God s blessing on our students, teachers, coaches, bus drivers, administrators, etc! Bring your backpack to church with you for the Blessing of the Backpacks as a reminder that God s love and grace goes with you to school. 3

4 Are you ready for the return of Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinners? Mark your calendars for September 10 and join your friends for yummy food and a chance to meet new friends in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. When you decide that you don t want the evening to end, stay and help clean up! The first step is to sign up each week BY MONDAY on the bulletin board outside the church work room, in the Gathering Space or by contacting Lisa Earnesty at earnesty@verizon.net. Standing reservations will be accepted. If your plans change, please call the office and cancel your reservation so that we can maintain an accurate count for food shopping and preparation. Adults - $6, Children - $3 for 3-12, Under 3 is free, Families - $25 Tickets will be sold for take-out meals Micah needs you! by Jean Himmel, FUMC Representative to the Interfaith Community Council, School Dressing Days sponsor This year s School Dressing Days event was a great success. We provided 1,147 children with a new school outfit (jeans and a shirt or a dress, as preferred), new socks and underwear, a backpack, school supplies based on their grade, and toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and other items donated by the Fredericksburg Food Bank). The children selected from a large collection of gently used jackets, coats and hoodies and from a smaller selection of shoes, some new, some used. The items were donated by generous congregation such as FUMC and many others or purchased with money from the Interfaith Community Council (ICC) budget and financial donations. Hundreds of volunteers make this event possible including those who come to preregistrations and to the event itself as translators. We thank all in FUMC who donated items and/or money and served as volunteers on event days, taking families around to the various stations or working at those stations to keep the inventory neat and available. by Bob Bos, FUMC Micah Representative Micah Ministries often hears from individuals or groups who want to help with the great things that are happening in work with our homeless neighbors in need. Here are just a few suggestions for things you can do to get involved in our ministry to people experiencing homelessness. To sign up or get more information, contact Lori Yelverton atlori@dolovewalk.net or540/ x11 4

5 Every woman of the church is invited to become a member of United Methodist Women because when women come together for missions, amazing things can happen. The theme for 2014 is A Calling for this Time. Won t you join us to find your place in United Methodist Women? Please call Carol Kuty at or Pat Blosser at if you have questions about our supportive community of women. The organized unit of 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. Another way for you to support missions is to purchase and use FUMC note cards. Packages of 10 note cards with envelopes, featuring a pen and ink drawing of our church by Jack Burnette, are on sale for $5.00 each by United Methodist Women. The cards are located in a basket at the Charlotte Street entrance. Please place cash or a check in the provided envelope (also located in basket). Money from the sale of FUMC note cards is used for?. If you completed the blank with the word missions, you already have the heart of a United Methodist Woman! A Place of Grace God s Greatest Gift All young women are invited and encouraged to participate in the annual UMW Young Women s Event which has been designed especially for women ages This year s theme is A Place of Grace God s Greatest Gift, led by Mary Jane Rawley, Virginia Conference UMW Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator, and her daughters, Rebecca Wright and Jennifer Hildebrand. September at United Methodist Conference and Retreat Center in Blackstone Cost: $75 (Financial support is available. Contact UMW treasurer Jean Himmel at dhimmel1@cox.net.) Brochures on the UMW bulletin board (in the hallway just to the right of the Parlor) Registration deadline: September 12 5

6 Disciple IV, Under the Tree of Life is a 32-week Bible Study that speaks to both the heart and head and carries the readers through the climax of the message and the completion of the promise found both in the Old and New Testaments. The first 16 weeks of Disciple IV Old Testament studies, are on the Writings Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, and Daniel. The Writings include all the books not in Torah or the Prophets. The second 16-week New Testament studies include an 8-week study of the Gospel of John; a 3-week study on 1, 2, 3 John; James; Jude; and finally a 5-week study on Revelations. Each week s classroom study will last approximately 1½ hours. A sign-up sheet is available on a table in the Gathering Place. Online registration is also available at www. fumcva.org. For more information, please contact John Bass, Disciple Bible Study has developed an updated version. It s called Disciple Fast Track. In this new Disciple Study, Fast Track maintains the integrity and principles of the original 34-week Disciple I study but has been modified to meet the needs of people who cannot commit to a 34-week study. It is not a replacement for the original model. It is simply another option. The class meets for a total of 24 weeks (12 in the Old Testament, 12 in the New Testament) and each weekly group session is 75 minutes. A sign-up sheet is available on a table in the Gathering Place. Online registration is also available at www. fumcva.org. For more information, please contact Vera Stevens, Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 You are the body of Christ! Thank you for the wonderful responses to the need for Sunday School teachers. We still need individuals to commit to teaching in our first grade class. It can be a team of people. We also need substitutes for all classes. PLEASE contact Shannon Bolick at storyshan@hotmail.com if you have questions or would like to learn more. We need you! We are looking for individuals interested in working in Sunday School with children and youth who have special needs. If you are interested in receiving training to help, please contact Shannon Bolick or Pastor Hank. We are still in need of someone to lead our storytelling workshop for the upcoming unit on The Ten Commandments which runs from September 7 October 5. We also need shepherds for second, fourth, and fifth grades. Materials are provided. Contact Shannon Bolick. Children move up to their new Sunday School classes on Sunday, September 7. Everyone should go straight to their new classes at 9:45. Second graders will come up to the top floor to Rotation Station. Sixth graders will go to the sixth grade Sunday School class. 6

7 The Heritage Committee is sponsoring a trip to see one of the oldest structures in Virginia related to Methodism on Saturday, September 13. The Old Brunswick Circuit Foundation is hosting an open house at the Edward Dromgoole House, the only remaining Virginia conference circuit rider home. The house is located in Valentines, Va., near Lake Gaston. The open house will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a talk by the Reverend Michael H. Browder, Ph.D., on The Cradle of Methodism. The cost is $10 and includes transportation and lunch. Transportation will be by church bus, leaving at 8 a.m. and returning at approximately 5 p.m. If you are interested in going, please contact Margaret Mock at or church.archives@fumcva.org. The class focus is Christian decision-making as we strive to apply our beliefs to our daily challenges. What is a or the Christian answer? Why and why not? Why do individual class members, from a Christian perspective, look at the same question yet not arrive at the same answer? How do they square their answer with Christian belief? How do class members reconcile different answers? For additional elaboration about this new, stimulating, discussionbased, Sunday School class, contact moderator Bill Blaine at (540) or billmac23@erizon.net. It s time for a new Preschool year! This summer, we have been PRESCHOOL Fredericksburg, Virginia working with staff, parents, and our Facilities Manager to improve our safety and emergency plans for our students. The Preschool area of the church has undergone extensive cleaning, and these improvements will enhance these spaces for our preschool students and for Sunday School classes, as well as for other groups who use the church building. We have been busy decorating the classrooms, setting our class rosters, and preparing for a new group of students to join us for an exciting year ahead! We look forward to reconnecting with our returning students and welcoming new students and families also. We still have openings in our classes for four-yearolds, so invite your friends or families to join our preschool community this fall! Please contact the Preschool Director, Becky Patrick, in the Preschool Office ( ) or via at preschool@fumcva.org for more information about the wonderful preschool program at FUMC! FREDERICKSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7

8 S.O.K.S. Camp was a huge success this year, and would not have been possible without the support of so many at FUMC. We provided lunches for up to 80 children each day, then traveled to Holy Cross campus in South Stafford for a wonderful concert by Spike s Band River 432, indoor basketball, Dance Team, open gym activities, and one day a MAGIC Show! At the end of the week the campers produced a Talent Show for their families at Heritage Park! The children ranged in age from preschool to middle school and were fed physically, spiritually and emotionally THANKS so much! The many organizations, Sunday school groups, and individual donors who made this possible include: The Wayfarers, S.W.I.M. Team (many thanks to Dorothy Burton for the extra shopping!). In addition, many volunteers served during our week: THANKS to Maddie and Henry Counsell, Sarah Earnesty, Carter Garrison, Alanna and Gerry Madigan, Emily Calvert, Gwen Reilly, Elizabeth Rhodes. If someone was missed, please know that your help with this ministry was appreciated! Together FUMC made a difference in the lives of so many! 1 Corinthians 12:4: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit is given for the common good. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. All proceeds from this tournament will go to support the work of the CCC and the Honduras mission effort. Sponsors and players are encouraged to sign up by September 8, Call or to mkindred@umw.edu to request a brochure with full details. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Shotgun Start at 11:00 a.m. All players receive a golf and cart, free range balls, gift bag and post-tournament dinner. The format is Captain s Choice. The lowest gross score will determine prizes after 18 holes. Ties will be settled with a chip off on the putting green. A banquet will be held at the country club immediately following the tournament. Visit for more information on the Campus Christian Community. CANDLE BURNING 2014 The major emphasis of United Methodist Women is support of mission to women, children and youth around the world. One of the ways of raising funds for mission work is the Candle Burning program. This gives individuals an opportunity to donate to mission while honoring friends or loved ones. Our unit has been opening up this opportunity to the entire congregation and you have always responded very generously. The following list shows gifts given in honor of or in memory of individuals or groups in IN HONOR OF: IN MEMORY OF: Our wonderful FUMC Pastors and Staff...Anne Riordan Daisie Allman...Nancy Swift Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Masilamani, Alice Blain...Nancy Swift Robert Blaemire...Donna Blaemire his parents...dr. & Mrs. Stanley Masilamini Marsha Danuser... Janine Kuty Ethel Born...Mary Jordan Marjorie MacKenzie...Sue Lewandowski Brenda Goodpasture...Mary Jordan Tokiko Blaine... Bill Blaine Richard and Loraine McConnell...Janet Willard Our granddaughter, Caroline Hale, My aunt, Virginia Carpenter...Jean Himmel Mary G. McKinney... Alice Blain on her high school graduation... Charlotte Edge Elaine Carver... Janine Kuty Brad Monroe...Betty Monroe Alberta Hickman...Joanna Reynolds Betty Coon... Tanya Broyan Bev Parks... Ronda Worcester Alberta Hickman...Nancy Swift Caroline & Lindsey Coffman...Baxter, Taylor & Ginny Keith My mother, Juanita Conn Perkins... Nelda Mohr Carol Kuty... Janine Kuty Elizabeth Cover... Janine Kuty Dr. & Mrs. V. Ramaswami, Janine Kuty...Carol Kuty Robert Denham... His Mother, Susan Denham Rouse her parents...dr. & Mrs. Stanley Masilamani Becky Louter, Deaconess...Sue Lewandowski Our son, Jeffrey...Elizabeth and Stuart Heflin Ruthanna Ramsey...Ken Ramsey Sean, Evan, Maddie and Sam, My Mom and Dad...Dan Himmel Our Mothers...Elaine and Bill Rhodes our grandchildren...henry and Janet McCaslin Chris Kuty...Carol Kuty Nan Smith...Virginia Smith Trish Perry...Virginia Smith Chris Kuty... Janine Kuty Emily B. Standerwick... Alice Blain Our children and grandchildren...elaine and Bill Rhodes Elizabeth Hibner... Staci Hibner-Noakes Marion White...Nancy Swift Lucy Willard...Janet Willard My mother, our grandmothers and Dorothy...Sandy Howson In addition, one or more families contributed anonymously and generously to the Candle Burning offering. The Fredericksburg United Methodist Women thank all the donors to this effort. A total of $1, was given and at 60 cents per second pays for 37 minutes of mission work around the world. Therefore, the mission candle will be burned for 37 minutes at the unit s General Meeting on October 3,

9 The Monday Morning Bible Study meets from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 210 on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month (unless the church is closed). Women of the Bible 52 Bible Studies for Individuals & Groups by Jean Syswerda is our current study. We are discovering much about Biblical women we know and those we hadn t heard of. In the process, we find they weren t so very different than we are. God uses each of us in special ways. Every week is a fresh lesson, so join in whenever you can! To order a book, arrange for babysitting or if you have further questions, call Ann Braz at There will be no class on Monday, September 1, due to the Labor Day holiday. Class resumes September 15th with a look at Gomer. Looking for a way to make connections with a small group? Consider joining the Contemporaries Sunday School Class! We meet in room 210 at 11:00. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Fanya Morton at morton_family@cox.net Hope you can join us! We are continuing the Every Man a Warrior Bible Study series designed to help men succeed in life. Check out the display in the Gathering Space of Kobler Hall or contact Bill Hammen at bghammen@verizon.net or (H) or (Cell). You are invited to join us for a three-week class where you will discover answers about our denomination and our church in a friendly and fun environment. Newcomers Class is designed for those who are new to FUMC or those who consider membership. There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk. Online registration is also available at the church website at Any questions? Please contact Pastor Won Lee (wonlee@fumcva.org or x15). Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., room #210 September 10 th Talk with Dr. Brenda Biler September 17 th What Does It Mean to Become United Methodist September 24 th Becoming FUMC Family Used Adult Sunday School study books have been organized for your use. A sample copy of each book and a list stating the number of copies available is in the Church Library. You may borrow the sample copy to preview by signing the form available in the Library. Please return the sample copy to the box for returns. The books are available: To borrow for class use and then return To preview before ordering new or used books You may request use of these books by notifying the Church Office. Donate your used Sunday School Study books to the collection. Just bring them to the library. 9

10 The Outreach Pantry is open Monday through Friday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. We always need hot and cold cereals, pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, jelly (grape/strawberry), powdered milk, rice, soups, bread, canned fruits, canned meats and meat, baby formula and diapers. Monetary donations may also be made by writing Food Pantry in the memo section of your check. Please check expiration dates. We cannot give out expired items, nor can we give out medicines. Contact Ed Sielski at with questions. You will notice signage in the Charlotte Street and Princess Anne Street parking lots stating Sheriff s Office Parking Only. The FUMC has partnered with the City of Fredericksburg Sheriff s Office for parking Sheriff Deputy s vehicles Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only. Because of this partnership the parishioners of the FUMC are able to use the parking lot between the Fredericksburg City Hall Building and the new Courthouse Building located on Pricness Anne Street on Saturday and Sunday. Are you feeling a quiet nudge, a nudge to get out of your ruts and routines? Take a risk and Be You, Bravely. Choose the extraordinary and live deeply by joining us in MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers). MOPS exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers (birth to 5 years) to realize her full potential as a woman, wife and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Fredericksburg MOPS meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday mornings from October-May. Registration is open but childcare spots are limited so don t wait! We are also always looking for caring, loving and dedicated volunteers to staff our childcare rooms. Please consider giving just two hours a month to this great ministry! Contact Allison Xanthopoulous at or FMOPSSTEERING@GMAIL.COM. Visit our website at for more information and forms. Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 10

11 COMMUNITY DINNERS have been served in the Fellowship Hall for seven years now! Each second Saturday, FUMC has hosted a dinner prepared in the downstairs, newly renovated Kitchen - free for the community. The fourth Saturday, Ebenezer UMChurch from Stafford has hosted the dinner and now, since April, there are dinners EVERY Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at our church. Due to extensive renovations at Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, area Presbyterians are hosting their dinners at FUMC. We are delighted with this arrangement. Preparation for dinner begins from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with set-up to follow and then dinner served at 4. What a great mission this is!!! Libby Wasem is now the organizer for FUMC and can be reached at lawasem@cox.net. Meals on Wheels (MOW) is a program that provides a cold noontime meal and a hot evening meal for individuals who are incapacitated and cannot obtain or prepare food for themselves, and do not live with someone who can provide these services for them. The delivery area is within a four-mile radius of the hospital. The MOW Program needs volunteers to serve as drivers! Drivers are part of a dynamic team that delivers meals to elderly or incapacitated members of the community. MOW is looking for a commitment of at least once a month but interested individuals may drive more often, if they so desire. Each driving run will take approximately two hours and is done using the volunteer s personal vehicle. Please join Team MOW in providing this invaluable service to the community! Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Fredericksburg, has scheduled a mission trip to Mexico for work at the Tree of Life Training Center. Additionally, we will celebrate Three Kings Day with the local Methodist Congregation in Tlancualpican. Northridge UMC in Northridge, CA, is partnering with us on this mission trip. We have partnered on previous mission trips with Northridge to both Mexico and Costa Rica. There are still openings on our Mission Team. The estimated cost is $1,800. For more information, contact Gary Gross at garlind68@verizon. net or FUMC mission team members Bill and Susanna Botts at (540) or botts2@verizon.net. Miss a service for any reason? Our pastors sermons available online!! Just go to our website at click on Worship on the top of the homepage, click on Listen to Sermons in the dropdown menu and then select the sermon you would like to hear. 11 Beginning September 29, a six-week series of sessions using yoga practice and dance techniques from different parts of the world will be offered at FUMC for adults (ages 18+) with cognitive or physical disabilities! These sessions on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. will provide a unique sensory experience. Register by September 15th for $60 ($75 after this date). Visit for more information.

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