The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama June 1, 2016

Transcription

1 The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama June 1, 2016 Hope for Our World and Beyond A Note From Our Pastor A common topic in both the church and government is living in a world community. For the church, our concern is Jesus great commission to make disciples of all nations. For government, the concern is peace among the nations. Provoked by some very short-sighted political campaign jabs I heard candidates make against people of other nations, I decided to read a book my mentor and former Decatur First pastor, the late Rev. Tom Stephenson, gave me over ten years ago. The author is one of Tom s professors at Union Theological Seminary, the outstanding theologian and social interpreter Reinhold Niebuhr. The book is Discerning the Signs of the Times (Scribners Press, 1946). Niebuhr interprets world events and the evolving political climate during the immediate postwar period. I find the following most appropriate for my reflection in this newsletter. The previous century saw two world wars, with Germany surrendering in May and Japan in September of The United Nations had been established on paper. World Peace was the goal. Those were the times about which Reinhold Niebuhr sought discernment from the Bible. He recalled the scripture from Hebrews 11 of how Abraham went by faith looking for the land God would give him, but living in tents while he sojourned through the land for he looked for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker was God. Read what he says about the slim prospects of attaining world peace within decades or even centuries and what we can do about the inevitable frustrations that come with it: Every previous larger community of (humankind) has been held together party by forces of nature and destiny, by (kinship) and a common language, by geographic boundaries, common traditions, and the memories of common experiences. The universal community has only two minimal forces making for its unity. The one is the force of fear that failure to achieve unity will involve us in universal chaos. The other is the religious and moral sense of an obligation more universal than the partial loyalties which bind our national and imperial communities together Our era of historical development is therefore destined to experience both important realizations of hopes and equally significant frustrations. Some of the frustrations will be overcome in due time, though we are not the generation which will experience the significant fulfillment. We are therefore a generation which must have the spiritual resources to deal with the problem of frustration. It occurred to me as I read those paragraphs that no era before ours has faced the challenge we face to be at peace in the world community. Airplanes and telephones had connected nations when Niebuhr wrote in He could not have conceived what the internet would do to shrink our world so that we instantaneously and constantly see and can interact with people who disparage our beliefs, customs, expectations, and our understanding of God and goodness. That makes us angry. What can we do besides striking back? See the last sentence above: We are therefore a generation which must have the spiritual resources to deal with the problem of frustration. Equip yourselves through your church to be that generation for the sake of the world God loves. Hughey

2 Summer Events Planned for FUMC Make reservations NOW on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall! Make plans to join us for a lot of FUN this summer at FUMC! The Armor of God- This women s Bible study will be led by Marilyn Sykes, Vicki Dukes and Whitney Clemons on Monday nights at 6:00 in the Minister s Conference Room. Participants will need to purchase their own book prior to the first class on June 6. Women s Bible Study- Peggy Black will continue the Tuesday morning (10:00am) Bible study group. Cooking Class with Betty Sims- This class is now full. Yoga classes in room 250 (2 nd floor new building) will be led by Mollie Erickson (Meredith Matthew s sister) from 6:00-7:15 on Tuesday nights, June 28- July 26. The cost is $5 per person, per class. Bunco- Claudia Blake and Peggy Black will lead a Bunco game on June 7 and July 14 in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00. Wreath Making Class- Doug Maze will be leading a group and showing how to make a wreath on July 21 at 6:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Each participant will leave with a wreath! Prior to the class, you will need to meet at Hobby Lobby to buy your own supplies. Illustrated Faith- Meeting Wednesdays July 6, 13 and 20 at 10:00am in the Fellowship Hall, Susan Estes and Beth Green will be leading this class on studying scripture by journaling in your Bible and writing in the margins. Journaling Bibles can be purchased online or at Lifeway if you want to have a true journaling Bible for this class- although it is not necessary. Community Garden Update Last Tuesday, May 24, fifteen members of Decatur First met on the property of Bill and Suzie Wiley s TV/Radio station on Central Parkway and turned about 1,000 square feet of grass into a fertile community garden. On Wednesday, many of that same group met and planted over 150 plants and sowed approximately 300 seeds that will become productive plants. We bathed the project with prayer and sweat and dedicated it to feed the hungry in our city who partner with us to tend the garden and those who eat meals at community agencies around Ground Preparation on May 24 our city. See the wording of the sign (to the right) that we will post at the garden in English and in Spanish. Since last Wednesday, additional volunteers have signed on to help water, check on the garden, and assist in future workdays. Lindsey Faulkner is coordinating the volunteers and would be glad to add you as a member of our community garden supporters. You can see by the photos below that the garden is taking shape nicely. Our next workday will be Wednesday, June 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Planting and Sowing Day on May 25 Pea Sprouts, May 29

3 Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry, Vacation Bible School 2016 June 13th 16th from 9:00 a.m. - Noon VBS, the most exciting week of the summer, is just around the corner! Please make sure you have registered your children and invite your friends. The VBS registration table is in the hallway near the Fellowship Hall. You may leave forms in the basket on the table, in my box, or under my office door. We need your help for the decoration days listed below. We have jobs for all skill levels and would love to fellowship and work with you! Please see Alexia to receive your VBS Leader folder. VBS Decorating Work Days June 8th: 5:00-9:00 p.m. June 9th: 5:00-9:00 p.m. June 11th: 10:00 a.m. Noon & 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 12th: 2:00-5:00 p.m. Volunteers Needed: Sunday School Teachers/Assistant Children s Church Teachers/Assistant Contact Alexia: aclaborn@decaturfumc.org Upcoming Important Dates: June 8 th- 5:00-9:00 pm VBS decorating June 9 th- 5:00-9:00 pm VBS decorating June 11 th - 10:00am- 12:00pm & 2:00-4:00pm VBS decorating June 12 th - 2:00-5:00pm VBS decorating June 13 th - 16 th VBS 9:00am-12:00pm June 19 th - Donuts with Dad Sunday School Acolyte Information Sunday Morning Volunteers Volunteers for Sunday, June 5 th Sunday School Pre-school - Leigh Ann Blankenship, Jessica Mitchell K-5th Grade Lisa Earley, Assistant- Lou Underwood (Combined classes will meet in the K-2 nd Sunday School Room #207) Children s Church 8:45 Service Teacher- Alexia Claborn Assistant- Mary Elizabeth Booth 11:00 Service Teacher- Alexia Claborn Assistant- Lydia Matthews, Hunter Claborn Volunteers for Sunday, June 12 th Sunday School Pre-school - Leigh Ann Blankenship, Jessica Mitchell K-5th Grade Lisa Earley / Assistant- Ed Kirby (Combined classes will meet in the K-2 nd Sunday School Room #207) Children s Church 8:45 Service Teacher- Alexia Claborn, Assistant- TBA 11:00 Service Teacher- Alexia Claborn Assistant- Davia Newman Date 8:45 Service 11:00 Service June 5 Susan Floyd, Bristol Rayne Teal Nelson Earley, Christopher Reavis; Crucifer - Garret Buckner June 12 June 19 Mary Elizabeth Booth Bristol Rayne Teal Mary Elizabeth Booth Bristol Rayne Teal Mary Bibb Pylant, Mary Emma Harper Davis Roberts, Miller Roberts

4 Mission Moments This month the agency spotlighted on our Local Missions Bulletin Board is the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Alabama. Our church staff was able to tour their facility when we took a tour of several agencies sponsored by United Way. Boys and Girls club offers programming for children in a positive, guided environment. One young lady from our local clubs won a Boys and Girls Club sponsored speech contest and travelled on to compete at the state level. What a great life skill she s learned through the clubs! My favorite room in one of our local clubs is a fantastic kitchen set up for learning. Young people can learn how to cook fresh and healthy meals there at the club. The kitchen is state-of-the-art, and it is a great environment that the kids are always excited to use. The Boys and Girls Clubs address many issues in the life of the young people in our community. They feed children during the day. They provide a supportive environment in which the children can learn valuable life skills and habits. The leaders also build relationships with the children and their families that can last a lifetime. Contact Shannon Booth if you would like more information on how you can volunteer at the Boys and Girls Clubs. Shannon Booth Director of Outreach Patrick s Musical Notes On Sunday June 26th at the 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services, the Decatur FUMC Choir and Worship Team will present Sweet Land of Liberty by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse and Camp Kirkland. The cantata will consist of songs such as The Star Spangled Banner, This Land is Your Land, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, How Can I Keep from Singing, Salute to the Armed Forces and much more. There will be a special tribute to the late Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Morrow Albert who valiantly served with United States Air Force for numerous years. We hope that all who are able will attend this wonderful celebration and pay tribute to the brave men and women who defended and continue to defend our freedom. First Grace Child Development Center News Summer Day Camp started Tuesday, May 31st. Summer Day Camp items needed: If you would like to donate new or used items for our school age summer day camp, please contact Laura at Flag Football set Water Balloons T-Ball set Big Floor Puzzles Hula Hoops Barbies Jump Ropes Board Games Small bean bags Marvel Super Hero Figurines :30 a.m. - Registration 7:00 a.m. - 15K starts Graduation for our 4K was on May 19 th at 6:00 in the Church Sanctuary. Graduates were (Alphabetical Order) Macklyn Averitt, Michael Wyatt Bibb, John Grayson Childers, Parker LePage Harris, Ella Elizabeth May, Elliott Scott Reischman, Everett Grayson Winkler, and Madelynn Wood.

5 Youth Dates Sunday, June 5 10:00 Sunday School 5:30-7:00 p.m. Tribes at Eastwood Elementary Thursday, June 9 12:00 Youth Lunch Bunch to the Brick Sunday, June 12 10:00 Sunday School 5:30-7:00 p.m. Tribes at Eastwood Elementary June 13- June 16- Vacation Bible School Wednesday, June 15 6:00 p.m. Discovery Training Summer Lunch Bunch The youth group will meet on select Thursdays throughout the summer to go to lunch (bring your own money) and return to the church for a time of prayer and devotion. We ll leave the church at 12:00 and parents can pick up at 1:30. June 9- The Brick June 23- Food Fite July 14- Gridiron Aug. 4- Moe s BBQ Summer Dates Lunch Bunch- June 9, June 23, July 14, Aug. 4 TRIBES- June 5, 12, 19, 26 and July 10, 24 SH Discovery Training- June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 27 Mission Trip- July Discovery Weekend- July TRIBES starts June 5! TRIBES is a recreational outdoor program inspired by SURVIVOR where teams compete in weekly challenges to earn points throughout the summer. We will have 4 TRIBES made up of Jr and Sr high youth, 1 adult male captain and 1 adult team mom. There will be a total of two challenges each week. Challenges involve everyone, so everyone s gifts are needed! June Eastwood- Three Ball & Kickball Stampede June 12@ Eastwood- Big Stop Ball & Tic Tac Race June FUMC- Hungry Hippos & Pin Ball (or curling ) June Walter Jackson fields- Knockerball & Big Ball Soccer July John Underwood s Yard- Slip and Slide Kickball July Libby Neill s Pool- Pool Tubes & Synchronized Swimming *In case of rain, TRIBES will be held at FUMC in the Fellowship Hall. Check the youth Facebook Page for location changes and what your TRIBE may need to bring each week! DISCOVERY WEEKEND Save the Date! The youth will have Discovery Weekend July 29-31, 2016! This year s theme is Discover God s Gifts: Baptism, Communion & Prayer. This weekend is for all youth who have completed 5 th -12 th grades. The Senior High will help lead the 43 hour spiritual formation weekend for the Junior High at FUMC. The Prayer Service, for the entire church, will be Saturday night, July 30 at 7:30pm. We hope everyone will be here to support our youth and their families! Discovery invites the entire church family to live out its Baptismal covenant of surrounding these children with a community of love and forgiveness so they may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. We invite you to join us as we all discover what God has in store for us through the Discovery weekend! Sumatanga Summer Camp 2016 Join us this summer during one of over 50 summer camping opportunities, and together we will discover what it means to have a Fearless Faith. From Day Camps, short term overnight camps, residential events, and intergenerational camps, we've got something that is perfect for you! Come and experience hiking, swimming, group games, gaga, crafts, vespers, Bible study and worship. Opportunities for canoeing, the giant swing, Alpine Tower, interaction with the horses, archery, fishing, and MORE exist for many of the camps as well. Check us out online at for more information about all of our camps. We can't wait to see you this summer at YOUR SUMATANGA!

6 Upcoming Events 6/5, Noon, Discipleship Team Meeting, Courtyard Conf. Room 6/5, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Youth Tribes at Eastwood Elementary U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Decatur, AL Permit No /6, 6:00 p.m., The Armor of God Women s Bible Study, Minister s Conference Room. 6/6, Worship Team Practice, 6:00 p.m. 6/7, 10:00 a.m., Women's Bible Study, Courtyard Conf. Room 6/7, 5:00 p.m., Finance Meeting, Minister s Conf. Rm 805 CANAL STREET N.E. DECATUR ECATUR,, AL PHONE (256) FAX (256) /7, 6:00 p.m., Bunco Game, Fellowship Hall 6/8, 5:00-9:00 p.m., VBS Decorating Work Day 6/8, 6:00 p.m., Chancel Choir Practice 6/9, 7:30 a.m., UMM Breakfast, City Café 6/9, 12:00 Youth Lunch Bunch to the Brick Please place label here 6/9, 5:00-9:00 p.m., VBS Decorating Work Day 6/11, 10:00 a.m. Noon & 2:00-4:00 p.m., VBS Decorating Work Day 6/12, 2:00-5:00 p.m., VBS Decorating Work Day Dr. Hughey Reynolds, Senior Minister, hreynolds@decaturfumc.org Charlie Elliott, Custodian Patrick McCormick, Director of Worship, patrick@decaturfumc.org Melissa Wiley, Housekeeper Beth C. Green, Minister of Discipleship, beth@decaturfumc.org Sandy Callahan, Food Manager Cindy McCulloch, Finance Secretary, cmcculloch@decaturfumc.org Wayne Keller, Accompanist Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@decaturfumc.org Laura Vines, First Grace Director, firstgrace@decaturfumc.org Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry, aclaborn@decaturfumc.org Ruth Moyers, Organist Shannon Booth, Director of Outreach, shannon@decaturfumc.org Upcoming Worship Services (8:45 & 11:00 AM) VISION STATEMENT: Growing in Christ, Sharing God s Love through Inspiring Worship, Empowering Ministries Equipping Persons for Ministry, Promoting Well-Being Sunday, June 5, Rev. Hughey Reynolds, preaching 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. A Background for Serving the Lord Galatians 1: Sunday, June 12, Rev. Hughey Reynolds, preaching 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. The Value of a Good Heritage I Kings 21: 1-21 Scheduled To Serve June 5 Acolytes: 8:45 a.m. - Bristol Rayne Teal, Susan Floyd 11:00 a.m. - Nelson Earley, Christopher Reavis, Crucifer Garret Buckner 8:45 a.m. Ronnie Dukes, Norman Roby, Mike Boozer and Jolly McKenzie 11:00 a.m. Mark Maloney, Greg Clemons, Ken Chandler, Judson Davis Find Us On Social Media Like us on Facebook: