What is Faith Promise?

Transcription

1 With you on your journey Volume 39 Issue 6 March 12, 2015 What is Faith Promise? Faith Promise is our call to reflect on how we can give up something in our everyday budget to make room for giving to programs that serve to alleviate hunger at home and around the world. Since its inception in 1988, our church members have pledged money during the Lenten season annually on faith, trusting that he or she will meet personal pledge goals. In 2014 your contributions were distributed to Arkansas Foodbank ($1,500), Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance ($5,000) Arkansas Rice Depot ($1,500), First Presbyterian Stewpot ($2,000), Potluck Food Rescue ($1,500), Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church ($3,000) for Community Breakfast and Stone Soup, and to our own Food Ministries ($4,300). An additional $7,000 was given to UMCOR from 2013 and 2014 Faith Promise carryover balances (pledge money arriving after distributions were made). As I begin my personal reflection, I recall a trip to Jordan in the 1990 s that Anthony and I were invited to take, joining a group interested in better understanding the Palestinian issue in the Middle East. One of the unforgettable moments of the trip for me occurred during a visit to the home of a family in a Palestinian camp outside of Amman. We were conversing in the courtyard with a Palestinian woman who was expressing her anger toward Americans and about the Palestinian situation when a young boy appeared on a nearby rooftop and began to stone one of the members of our group. As the pea-sized stones began sharply striking our friend Mary, she began to cry. Our hostess s demeanor suddenly changed. Alarmed, she yelled at the boy, and our interpreter then shared her words of apology and concern that Mary was hurt. Mary, a minister, explained she was physically fine but was crying for all the children in the world who were growing up with such hatred. As the two women unexpectedly bonded, our hostess asked the six of us to stay for dinner. Our interpreter quickly shared that we should know, if she fed us that evening, she and her family would go without food because that was all they had. We were all moved by her invitation and declined as best we could without insulting her. IN THIS ISSUE: NEWS Board of Stewards Meeting Tuesday, March 17th KIDS@FIRST Easter Egg Hunt - April 4th YOUTH Register now Rock N the Lou! MISSION & OUTREACH Pancake Breakfast - March 15th 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. I don t remember our Palestinian friend s name, but I ve never forgotten her offer, her willingness to give up a meal for us. It was all she had to give. Faith Promise calls us to consider a sacrifice as it relates to our own lives. As you reflect on what you or your family would be willing to give this Lenten season, as is our custom, please consider pledging an offering to those who are hungry or who may be a meal away from hunger. Your gift can make a difference. May those who are hungry, Lord, always find food at your table. Amen. Becky Falkowski, SERVE Chair 723 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas firstunited methodistchurch DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

2 NEWS & EVENTS Board of Stewards Meeting Tuesday, March 17th at 6 pm Board of Stewards meets this Tuesday at 6 pm. We ll be in the Cokesbury Center. Each Ministry and Administrative team will be presenting their goals, accomplishments and needs as First Church ministers in This is an open invitation for you and your spiritual wisdom to join us. Tom Small, Board of Stewards Chair UPCOMING EVENTS: March 15th-28th For a complete listing of on-going, recurring weekly activities, please visit our online calendar at Sunday, March 15th 8-10 am - Pancake Breakfast (Fellowship Hall) 12:15 pm- SERVE Meeting (Rm 209) Tuesday, March 17th 4:30 pm - Stewardship & Finance Exe (Rm 234) 5:00 pm - Stewardship & Finance (Rm 210) 6:00 pm - Board of Stewards (Cokesbury Center) Wednesday, March 18th 12:00 pm - What s Hot in the Rock (Cokesbury Center) Monday, March 23rd 12:00 pm - UMW Faulkner Circle (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm - Meditation Small Group (Prayer Room) Tuesday, March 24th 12:00 pm - StewPot (First Presbyterian) 5:30 pm - FANN Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm - UMW Sarah Circle (1201 Eagle Point Drive) Wednesday, March 25th 12:00 pm - What s Hot in the Rock (Cokesbury Ctr) Thursday, March 26th 10:30 am - PALS Journey Group (First Cup Cafe) Church Directories - Available Now! Directories are now available! A minimum donation of $15 is appreciated. Donations above and beyond $15 will go towards the purchase of additional directories for New Members and Guests --so anything extra will be GREATLY appreciated! If you would like to reserve a copy, you may send in your donation to the church office - ATTENTION: LESLEY ANDREWS. What s Hot in the Rock? Come see what it s all about! Join us every Wednesday in the Cokesbury Center during Lent for a closer look at issues that impact the lives of those living and working in Downtown Little Rock. From safety to construction to revitalization and more, we invite you to hear speakers familiar with the unique needs of our Downtown community in a comfortable setting. Brown bag lunch provided! March 18 Where s our Trader Joes? Eddie Martin, Scott Schallhorn and Tim Grooms, Real Estate Attorneys March 25 Where will I sleep tonight? Chuck Levesque, President and Executive Director of DepaulUSA April 1 Is Little Rock a Hot Spot? Alan Simms, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau The United Methodist Women s Sarah Circle- Tuesday, March 24th, 6:30 pm At the home of Becky Falkowski, 1201 Eagle Point Drive. We will have dinner and a program. Since we were unable to meet in February because of the bad weather, we have invited Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families to provide our program, an organization working to improve the lives of Arkansas s children through effective public policy. AACF Development Director, Mallory Van Dover, and Outreach Director, Kerri Sernel, will discuss the work of AACF and will provide an update on how the issues impacting children and families are faring in the current legislative session. FRIENDS & FAMILY Sympathy To Chuck and Sara Hicks, following the death of Chuck s mother, Alice Hicks, on March 1st. To Jim and Cindy Warren following the death of Jim s sister, Janet Smith on March 11th. Congratulations Congratulation to Teacher of the Year for Jefferson Elementary - Nathalie Massanelli!

3 Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 4th - 4-5:30 pm Camp Aldersgate, 2000 Aldersgate Road A light snack supper will be served after the hunt! KIDS@FIRST March Sunday School Marching into spring, join us as we learn about: Toddlers Jesus Said Follow Me Preschool Parables and Stories of Jesus Grades K- 2 Parables and Stories of Jesus Grades 3-4 What is Lent? Grades 5-6 Feed the Hungry Kids Lenten Journey Mar. 15 Scavenger Hunt! Find the symbols of Lent hidden in plain sight! Parents: Please help your child at home learn the song If I Were a Butterfly at watch?v=o6wevbhtl9o. Children to lead worship at 11:00! Mar. 22 Create a Passover Meal to take home and use over and over. Learn the meanings of the foods eaten at Jesus last meal with his disciples and how you can use those foods to remember Him. Mar. 29 Palm Sunday Create your own Holy Week in a box and use it this coming week to stay close to God. Donations Needed: We are creating a Godly Play classroom for our children. This educational room will house hands-on depictions of the Bible stories from the Old Testament New Testament. We are looking for wicker or plastic serving trays to help in our organization. If you have any on hand that are in good shape, please consider donating to our children s area. Save the Dates: April 4 Easter Egg Hunt (4:00-5:30 pm) Camp Aldersgate. All ages. A light snack supper will be served after the hunt. Contact Julie Diamant (jmdiamant@yahoo.com) to sign up to help. May 10 Children First, child led family worship honoring our mothers (9:45 am in chapel) NEW June Experience the Rock Camp (8:30 am-4:00 pm) Grades 5-6 June VBS (8:30-11:30 am) PreK 4-6th grade June Music Camp (12:30-4:30 pm) Grades 2-6 August Bible Boot Camp (Friday 5:00 pm-saturday 4:00 pm) Grades 3-4 Preschool Chapel Wednesdays at 9:00 am. Stay-at-home moms with preschoolers are invited to join our CDC children in worship!

4 MUSIC & WORSHIP First Word Happenings Sunday, 9 am in Cokesbury Center March 15th Guest Band The Smittle Band March 22nd Guest Speaker Dante Shelton Holy Week Music Preview! Holy Week preparations began back in January within the music ministry. We are so very honored to share the gift of music with our congregation on these most wonderful days of the church! First Light will have a soloist on Palm Sunday and a wonderful ensemble of singers sharing inspirational music in honor of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. First Word will be doing a Super Palm Sunday featuring the Music of Jesus Christ Superstar. We invite you to get in the spirit of the day and dress the part. More information to come! Easter Sunday will be filled with outrageous Praise music to rejoice! First Tradition Palm Sunday will be filled with music of celebration of the blessings of Christ. Chancel Choir will be singing in procession and Center St. Ringers will join on hymns! Chancel Choir will also be sharing Mack Wilberg s arrangement of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It is truly an amazing piece that reflects the sentiment of the day! Easter Sunday will be a full orchestra and 70 singers proclaiming the resurrection! Music will be Worthy Is The Lamb and Amen from Messiah and Regina Coeli by Mozart. We will end the service with the traditional Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. It will be a day you will not soon forget! I can t wait to see you for Palm Sunday and Easter! God Bless You! Kyle Linson, Director of Music and Worship Arts MEMORIAL & HONORARIUMS In Memory of Rev. Maurice Webb, Sr. by Dr. Travis & Anita Tunnell, Delano & Lynette Black, Margaret Whillock, Sarah James, Jan Roberts, Nate & Nancy Allen In Memory of Jay Jones Mabel Harris Webb (Faith Promise), Craig & Nancy Wood, Bud & Janet Jones Easter Flower Memorials & Honorariums In lieu of purchasing Easter lilies for Easter Sunday, we are asking members to make contributions to two funds (FirstArts Scholarships or Child Development Center Bo Adair Fund) of First Church. The contributions can be made in memory or in honor of loved ones and friends whose names will be listed in the Easter Sunday Bulletin. To make your contribution, please call Kassandra or Kat in the church office at Deadline is Monday, March 30th. You may also fill in the card in the bulletin on Sunday, March 15th, 22nd, and 29th. In Memory of Bill Bowen by Sarah James, Terry & Mary Lou Rasco ( FUMC Youth), Jan Roberts In Memory of Bill Gulley by Mimi & Joe Hurst, Jr., Austin & Joanie McCaskill, Craig & Nancy Wood In Memory of Irene Feild by Craig & Nancy Wood In Memory of Paul Holt by John Churchwell (Music Fund)

5 FIRST YOUTH Starts April 26th! Faith and Film Small Group It is said that the Eyes are a window to the soul. Yet, there are many ways to take a peak inside the inner sanctuary of our hearts and souls through the various activities of our everyday lives and culture. Spirituality is seeing the sacred connections all around us. It is noticing the Holy in all things and developing awareness that the line between the sacred and the secular is wider than we imagine. One of these ways is through movies. Movies point to our deepest longings and struggles and invite us to consider the role of the arts in our spiritual lives. Finding meaning in movies is one of the ways to be awake and alert to what s going on around us. Movies, while not only a means of entertainment, also reflect our culture and respond to our life questions. Jesus was a storyteller who told stories to inspire, awaken us to truth, and challenge us. Movies are stories also. In seminary, I learned that one of our tasks as preachers is to hold the bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. The movie screen is another tool to hold in our hands alongside our faith story and to ask the question: What is the connection? First Church is pleased to offer a new special interest group, Faith and Film. Faith and Film s intent is to have discussion of our formal and personal faith journeys as we do, or do not, encounter them in contemporary movies. It is offered to anyone who wishes to explore their faith in a nonthreatening way by responding to how the medium of film speaks to us about everyday issues. We will be invited to explore themes and how they connect with our faith and life the light and dark, the joys and sorrows, the conflicts and celebrations. Watching movies together invites us into conversation. Faith and Film will be a monthly movie and popcorn night that features a different film each month. Each movie will be followed by discussion so participants can unpack the movie s insight together. We will view different types of films and the way in which the Christian message can be seen in them. Our first gathering will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. We will begin with the movie, Signs. Childcare will be provided. For more information, please contact Rev. Mary Jane Cole at or mjcole@arumc.org Rock n the Lou- (St. Louis Youth Tour) Registration is now open for our Youth Tour to St. Louis! So far the trip includes a Cardinals game, an overnight stay at City Museum, a tour of downtown St. Louis, and participation in worship at Concorde Trinity UMC. You can register online at fumclr.org/registrations or pick up a paper registration form in the Youth Studio. Your registration fee depends on how soon you register and your attendance! If you register before April 5th, your deposit is $25, after April 5th it s $75. The deadline to sign up is April 19th. Ozark Mission Project One of the opportunities our youth have each summer is OMP. This week long mission trip has always been a popular event not only with our church, but also with many other UMCs around the state. We have reserved 5 spots for Sr. High (current 8-12) for the week of June at the Hot Springs camp. We have also reserved 5 spots for the Sr. High camp in Jonesboro on July and 5 spots at the middle school camp at Wayland Springs on the We are asking that you register now for the week you would like to attend. We will reserve more spots if available when these fill up. If you are interested in attending a different week of OMP, contact Austin. There is a $50 deposit which will go toward your final payment. The total cost for the middle school camps is $215, and the cost of the high school camps is $250. As a fundraiser, $25 will be taken off of your camp fee for every new Kroger card link-up form you turn in. Limit 5 per registrant (that s $125 off!). Register online by going to fumclr.org/registrations.

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 Follow us! facebook.com/ The next issue of In the First Place will be published on March 26th, Submission deadline is March 23rd. Rock the Block is a focused neighborhood outreach approach that provides a path for residents, organizations, volunteers, and Habitat for Humanity to come together to assist our focus neighborhood, Baring Cross, residents with needed repairs, weatherization, safety, accessibility, landscaping, and beautification of homes and their neighborhood. If you would like to volunteer for Rock the Block, contact Anthony Falkowski ( Ex. 219 or afalkowski@ fumclr.org). This is a wonderful event! St. James UMC hosts a Family FunZone every year in conjunction with Rock the Block. So bring your kids, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and make a day of it! CRITICAL HOME REPAIR: Exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life, and safety issues or code violations. Accessibility modifications like a ramps, lever handles, door modifications Roof and porch repair WEATHERIZATION: Caulking, weather stripping, windows HOME PRESERVATION: Exterior work including replacement of materials for the purpose of maintaining good or sound condition. Siding repair and painting Driveway and sidewalk repair Landscaping and tree trimming