Children s Forum is coming! Nov

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1 With you on your journey Volume 39 Issue 20 September 24, 2015 The Art of Neighboring will take on a broad perspective at First Church in November as we host the national Children s Ministry Forum of It is an honor to have been chosen from United Methodist churches across the nation. The design team credits the selection of First Church to our church s passion and energy for children. Children s Ministry Forum is a conference for clergy and laity in large United Methodist congregations. It is sponsored by Discipleship Ministries, the Large Church Initiative, and the United Methodist Publishing House. This event offers opportunities for worship, spiritual renewal, continuing education, fellowship, networking, and support. The hope is that participants will leave feeling renewed, energized, and equipped to be more effective leaders in ministry with children and their families. Locally, the Arkansas UM Foundation awarded thirteen full grants to Arkansas children s leaders so they could afford to attend. To read more about our speakers and workshop presenters, go to: There you will find a few of our own First Church staff, Rev. Donna Hankins-Hull, Pam Snider and Lesley Andrews, listed as workshop presenters. As we near this event, it s time to prepare the church. Just as we prepare for company in our homes, we hope everyone will catch the excitement by tidying up their classrooms and other spaces in the church. Virtually every single square foot will be buzzing with activity and learning. We need people to greet, provide a warm First Church welcome and help our guests navigate our building. On November 17, 18, and 19th, there will be worship and prayer, keynote speakers, 5 pre-conference seminars, 80 learning workshops, and ample opportunities for networking and getting to know Little Rock. On Wednesdays, tours through the community will be offered, as well as our church, the Arkansas United Methodist Museum, FUMC stained glass windows, and our unique Wesley Walk. If you are willing to offer your smiling face for a two hour shift please go to: com/go/20f0f4ea4ac2ba7f58-childrens to sign up. If you have questions or want to help in other ways, please contact Pam Snider at psnider@fumclr.org or call the church office. Pam Snider, Director of Children s Ministries Children s Forum is coming! Nov Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas IN THIS ISSUE: NEWS Want to learn more about Journey Groups? KIDS@FIRST LiNK Leadership - Oct. 4th YOUTH Register Now for Refuge 2015 November 6-8 MISSION & OUTREACH Communion Fund October 4th 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. firstunited methodistchurch DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

2 CHURCH CALENDAR: September 27th- October 10th Sunday, September 27th 8:30 am - First Light (Chapel) 9:00 am - First Word (Cokesbury Center) 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - First Tradition (Sanctuary) 12:15 pm - Cottage Meeting (First Cup Cafe) 5:00 pm - First Youth (Youth Studio) Monday, September 28th 12:00 pm - UMW Faulkner Circle (Fellowship Hall) 5:30 pm - First Word Band Rehearsal (Cokesbury Center) 6:00 pm - Meditation Group (Prayer Room) Tuesday, September 29th 7:00 am - Tuesday Study Group (Rm 204) 9:00 am - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 9:30 am - AR United Methodist Museum Opens 5:30 pm - East Side Alanon Family Group (Rm 205) 6:30 pm - UMW Sarah Circle (12 Highland Cove) Wednesday, September 30th 9:00 am - CDC Chapel (Chapel) 5:30 pm - Center Street Ringers (Rm 250) 5:30 pm - SWAG (Youth Studio) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Rm 258) Thursday, October 1st 12:00 pm - Thursday Bible Study (Rm 204) 1:00 pm - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 7:00 pm - Ensemble Rehearsal (Betty Deislinger s Home) Saturday, October 3rd 11:00 am - 4 pm - Main Street Food Truck Festival/Blessing of the Animals 1:30 pm - John Slaven Memorial Service (Sanctuary) Sunday, October 4th 8:30 am - First Light (Chapel) 9:00 am - First Word (Cokesbury Center) 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - First Tradition (Sanctuary) 12:00 pm - LiNK Leadership (Cross & Flame Cafe) 5:00 pm - First Youth Monday, October 5th 5:00 pm - Staff Parish Relations Committee (Rm 209) 5:30 pm - First Word Band Rehearsal (Cokesbury Center) Tuesday, October 6th 7:00 am - Tuesday Study Group (Rm 204) 9:00 am - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 9:30 am - AR United Methodist Museum Opens 3:30 pm - FirstArts 5:30 pm - East Side Alanon Family Group (Rm 209) Wednesday, October 7th 9:00 am - CDC Chapel (Chapel) 5:30 pm - Center Street Ringers (Rm 250) 5:30 pm - SWAG (Youth Studio) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Rm 258) Thursday, October 8th 12:00 pm - PALS Journey Group (First Cup Cafe) 12:00 pm - Pastor s Bible Study (Rm 204) 1:00 pm - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 3:30 pm - FirstArts 7:00 pm - Ensemble Rehearsal (Schallhorn s Home) NEWS & EVENTS United Methodist Women s Faulkner Circle Monday, September 28th at Noon in the Fellowship Hall Bring a brown bag lunch and gather in the Fellowship Hall at 12:00 noon for a mission study. Our study this year is Latin America: People and Faith which provides an invaluable overview of the richness of Latin America--the land, people, and culture, especially for us on the North American continent. If you want a copy of the book, it can be purchased for $10 at United Methodist Women - Portal or by calling United Methodist Women s Sarah Circle Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 pm home of Michelle Peek, 12 Highland Cove We will have dinner, and our speaker is Rev. Emily Matheny, Elizabeth Small s sister, and her topic is Seeds of Hope. Here she tells why she chose this topic: Recently, I had an opportunity to travel with a small group to Israel and the West Bank. Our purpose was to visit Holy Places and to abide with Palestinian Christians at Bethlehem Bible College, where we were a part of the faith community and had the opportunity to attend lectures and share meals. We also got to visit Hebron and other sites in the West Bank that are generally not frequented by tourists. I choose the title Seeds of Hope as a way of lifting up the witness and work of people at the Bible College who are giving voice to Christian principles of peacemaking in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances. They are truly being the hands and feet of Jesus. All women are invited to come and hear Rev. Matheny. Call Carol Sherer at if you are able to attend so enough food will be prepared. Race for the Cure - October 10th This year s Race for the Cure is Saturday, October 10. While we usually have a church team, I d like to invite everyone to join Red, Webb, & Blue this year. As the 2015 Honorary Survivor Chair, I am hoping to raise as much awareness as possible and have as large and diverse a team as possible. We ll also have cool, long sleeved t-shirts for only $10 extra. Please follow the link below to register, as we walk for all of our members who are survivors and in memory of those we have lost, with the goal of finding a cure. Thank you. Kathy Webb

3 NEWS & EVENTS Want to Learn More About Journey Groups? Are you feeling drawn to be a part of a Journey Group? Is God tugging on your sleeve to take this step of faith and commitment? Journey Groups are small groups of people that share the journey of life and faith together through building relationships, growing in discipleship, and serving others together. A pilot group of people who want to try out a Journey Group for 6 weeks and perhaps facilitate and build a new group is starting September 28th. If you are interested in finding out more about this group, contact David (dfreeman@fumclr.com). Visit our website at fumclr.org/journeygroups and watch Lanie s story! FIRST YOUTH Sunday Night Youth 5:00-5:35 Snack Supper 5:45-6:15 Large Group (Balloon Balloza) 6:20-7:00 Break-Outs (7-8th Confirmation- Salvation/ 9-12th Grade - The Art of Neighboring) Refuge November 6-8 Refuge is planned diligently, keeping in mind all aspects of what make an event a meaningful one. The ACCYM had a mission to provide an opportunity for the younger generation to be familiarized with the connectional events of Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministries. It is an opportunity for the Junior High youth to enjoy a meaningful yet exciting weekend that s suited for those wishing to indulge themselves in the best that we have to offer. Besides, who doesn t like to get away from the ever eventful school life for a while? This is their chance to relocate their hearts, minds and souls where they should be focusing - on God, devoid of any distractions of daily life. Refuge is open to youth in grades 7th, 8th and 9th. During the event, they will be taking part in all sorts of activities - from worship to small group/large group games, from zip lining to hiking and from horseback riding to cliff hanger swing - Refuge has something for everyone! For more information and registration go to refuge/. Please contact Austin Hubbard, Director of Youth Ministries with questions- ahubbard@fumclr.org Applications are open for the BOOYA Team! BOOYA stands for Becoming Our Own Young Apostles and is our youth leadership team. We dream, plan and implement all things related to youth while growing as servant leaders. Students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to pick up an application from the Youth Studio. If you have questions or want to learn more about the BOOYA Team, contact Austin ahubbard@fumclr.org. Thursday Nights for 4 Weeks - Starting Oct. 15th at 6 pm in Room 209 Coloring for adults is the latest stress-reliever. Yes, it is true. People are catching on to the magical, mood-lifting power of this erstwhile childhood pastime. There s a new world of intricate, beautiful coloring books aimed at helping adults escape from the stress of busy lives. These books contain paisleys, botanical, animals, enchanted forests, and mandelas (symbols used that represent wholeness). Coloring is an easy way to downshift from a busy life and calm down. While other hobbies might relax you, coloring offers complete absorption. It engages both sides of your brain in that it s both creative and tactical. The creativity comes from envisioning the color selection and how it will play throughout the piece, while the tactical involves applying your decisions to the artist s design. Both keep your right brain from taking over and wandering where it wants. It is impossible to worry about anything when your mind is completely engaged. Coloring brings you back to a simpler time, it s a chance to sit and be mindful...and at the end you get a beautiful result and a sense of accomplishment. During the sessions, we will color and create as a group while at the same time learning and practicing the spiritual discipline of mindfulness. This group time will also be a place of sharing and building bonds with one another - think old-fashioned quilting bee. We will also learn and discuss the significance of color and how specific colors can color our mood. Whatever in your life needs soothing...color your way to calm. For more information or to register, contact Mary Jane Cole at mjcole@arumc.org. WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS September 27-18th Sunday after Pentecost: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 October 4-19th Sunday after Pentecost: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-169:30-37

4 October Sunday School God Promises to be with us. All the families of earth will be blessed because of you. Genesis 12:3 Toddlers PK 3rd 4th 6th Abraham and Sarah Abraham, Sarah, Lot, Isaac, Rebekah Exodus, Judges Using Our Talents, Calling, Courage, Trusting God Preschool Chapel You are invited to 9:00 am Wednesday chapel for CDC students and church preschoolers. Stay-at-home moms, dads and friends are invited to attend with their 3-5 year olds. Our chapel is located on the 2nd floor. LiNK Junior Leadership Where preteens Lead others to be INspired by Christ and to Know God s love for them. Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity. 1 Timothy 4:5 Our new LiNK s are on the move! They recently completed a spiritual gifts assessment and are expressing their interests in serving our church. They will meet as a group on the first Sunday of each month from Noon 2pm, starting on October 4th. LiNK will focus on experiencing growth in Christian awareness, on and off campus service, and a growing understanding of God s great love. CDC Fall Carnival and Spaghetti Supper Thursday, October 8th from 5-7 pm Everyone is invited to the Child Development Center for the annual Fall Carnival and Spaghetti dinner. Sit, eat and enjoy the carnival or take your spaghetti to go! There are activities/ games for kids of all ages as well as special guest appearances, and a silent auction! The carnival is a fundraiser to support Staff appreciation by the Hearts and Hands organization. If you wish to donate items to the silent auction or volunteer your time to serve at this worthy event, please contact Sandra Farr (sfarr@childdevelopmentcenterlr.com.) Family Pack - $25 (2 adult meals, 2 child s meals, and 10 tickets for activities) Adult Meal - $8 Child Meal - $4 Tickets - 4 for $1 (most activities are 1 ticket some will be 2 tickets) MUSIC NOTES Children s Choir Parents! Rehearsals: Sundays 9:15-9:45 Children s Choir Room September 20, 27 October 4, 11, 18 Sing in First Tradition 11am October 18th Worship on Children s Sabbath Advent Rehearsals: Sundays 9:15-45 November 15, 22, 29 December 6, 13 and 20th Children s Choir Will Sing December 20th 11am First Tradition Service We are about to begin an amazing musical connection with the youth (Grades 7-12) from First, Pulaski Heights and Trinity UMC s. We are going to combine all of our groups into one large group and see what we can do together! Our first session will be Sunday, October 4th immediately after Church. We will bus our musicians to Pulaski Heights and eat lunch, rehearse from 12:30-1:15 and be done no later than 1:30 for 4 weeks in a row. We will sing at each church one Sunday at 9 am service in November. Trinity November 1st, Pulaski Heights November 8th and First UMC on November 15th! This will be an amazing experience, and we need HUGE parental support. Youth Music is so important, and the connection to other churches in the area will truly illustrate our new focus - the Art of Neighboring! PASTOR ON CALL September 27-October 3: Associate Pastor, Rev. Donna Hankins-Hull, dhankins@fumclr.org or Cell Phone: (501) October 4-10: Senior Pastor, Rev. David Freeman, dfreeman@fumclr.org or Cell Phone: (479) In case of pastoral emergencies, please use the contact information above. You may also reach the pastors in the office ( ) during the week, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

5 NEWS & EVENTS Two New Sunday Morning Groups Each of these classes will develop their own personality and we hope they will supply a new group name by the end of their first study together! If you have any questions, please contact Donna Hankins-Hull at dhankins@fumclr.org or Ex Practicing Our Faith - Room 308 on the 3rd Floor Practicing Our Faith, A Way of Life for a Searching People, is a series both for those seeking to jump start their faith and for committed Christians searching for ways to practice their faith more fully. Over the course of several weeks, the exploration of various practices is designed to help people envision a vital and authentic way of life. Topics such as hospitality, saying yes and saying no, keeping the Sabbath, and healing are among the practices that will be explored. Facing Change - Room 205 on the 2nd Floor Facing Change explores how we can face the changes in our lives, from the small to the monumental, from a faith-based, biblical perspective. The class will consider both how God is present amid change and how faith sustains us in the midst of transition and transformation. This series encourages people to find meaning and direction for their lives through the exploration of Scripture in a way that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Sunday, October 11 purchase online at MISSION & OUTREACH Communion Sunday Offering - Oct. 4th We assisted Charles in finding a job. This offering is a wonderful tribute to the work we do here at FUMC. Thanks to all of you for your continuing support. Anthony Falkowski, Director of Mission & Outreach MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS In Honor of the Flower Girls by Rev. James and Lillie Majors In Honor of Nancy Wood s Birthday by Tracy & Brynn Bagwell In Memory of John Slaven by Nancy & Craig Wood, Jeanne & Scott Schallhorn(Music Ministry), Rick & Melanie Ryals, Frank & Ann Wait, Fred & Sharon Ursery, Mary Ann Lee, Mrs. Austin McCaskill, Kay & Bill Allen, Tracy & Jay Van Dover, Martha Faulkner, Irma Jewell, Kathy & Rev. Chris Cooper, John and Pat Lile In Memory of Linda Wyers by Craig & Nancy Wood, Jeanne & Scott Schallhorn (Music Ministry), Martha Faulkner In Memory of Tom Wallace by Martha Faulkner In Memory of Jim Elvey by Martha Faulkner, Kathy & Rev. Chris Cooper Fish Fry Live Music The Good Earth Pumpkin Patch* Merchants Pavilion* Repicci s Italian Ice* Arkansas Game & Fish Mobile Aquarium family fun activities & much more! (*cost to participate) Tickets will be on sale at FUMC starting Sunday, September 27th! SAVE THE DATE! Harvest Festival October 25th, 3-5 pm Rush and Linda Harding s Farm Kanis Road

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, David Freeman ; 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 Follow us! facebook.com/ The next issue of In the First Place will be published on October 8, Submission deadline is October 4.