FUMC YOUTH ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE

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1 A biweekly publication of First United Methodist Church July 8, 2015 issue Pastoral Staff Rev. Wade Cox Senior Pastor Rev. Grace Phelps Minister of Outreach and Program Care Staff Dr. Faye Beckett Congregational Care Kendy Erwin Hospitality Care Program Staff Sara Galyon Youth Ministries Charlotte Quinley Children and Nursery Ministries Dr. Bonnie Wright Director of Music Office Support Staff Sandy Burgess Administrative Assistant Holley Mills Morris Business Administrator Musician Justin Hanson, Organist Facilities Rebecca Paris Custodian Kenny Summers Maintenance FUMC YOUTH ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE Since its inception in 1988 and again every four years since 1991, the United Methodist Church s Discipleship Ministry has held a national conference for the youth of the United Methodist Church. This years conference, Youth 2015, was held in Orlando, Florida from June Four students from the youth ministry of FUMC, Covington had the privilege of participating in this years conference, a first for our church. Kristin Burgess, Brenna Grace Lockhart, Hannah Necaise and Amanda Phillips; accompanied by Rose Glanz (Grandma), Beth Lockhart and Sara, had an amazing time at this years event. The conference theme this year was Go On, and used Hebrews 6:1 as its central verse for the week. A normal day began with Bible Study, led by Rev. Sam Yun, a young adult pastor from California. We sang contemporary music, as well as hymns and began to explore John Wesley s Means of Grace, especially acts of Piety and acts of Mercy. After Bible Study, attendees split into interest based workshops. Students and adults attended two workshops a day from topics ranging from worship arts, creative writing, handling teenage depression, and exploring a call to ministry. With almost 5,000 conference attendees workshop space filled up fast and our girls eagerly grabbed seats early to ensure a spot in their chosen workshops. After lunch, students were free to explore the expo area, with exhibitors from General Board of Higher Education, mission organizations like UMCOR, a hallway full of colleges and seminary representatives, and fair trade vendors raising awareness for causes with items for sale. They also had time to hang out, go to the pool, or simply rest. We ate dinner together at our assigned time, and then went into small groups. Small groups were randomly assigned so students and adults were with other people from around the country. In these groups we participated in small group studies that explored, in more depth, those means of grace discussed in bible study. Nightly worship was a favorite of our girls. Lively and energetic music brought us into a time of truly passionate worship. The diverse nightly speakers brought interesting and thought provoking messages to the students, challenging them to Go On with these acts of piety and mercy. Our students commented more than once that they loved looking around the room and realizing there were almost 5,000 people singing the same thing, and that when they went home they would be part of their own Methodist church, doing very similar things that our girls would be doing, and that made them feel more connected to the greater body of the United Methodist Church. Part of our time together was spent doing youth group devotionals, though a series of devotionals provided by Devozine, the youth version of the Upper Room magazine. Each day a different person was to lead a choice of two devotionals. While the groups were only asked to do one a day, ours decided to do both each day, one at breakfast and one at lunch. They also commented that they would like to lead their own, without the adults, so each day they assigned different devotionals to be led by different students and met at breakfast and lunch together for a time of prayer, study, and discussion. continued on page 2, Youth 2015

2 Page 2 Page 2 THE FOCUS 07/08/2015 YOUTH 2015 (continued from front page) They were intent on making this a priority in their day, even if it cut into their free time, and the adult leaders were very impressed with their initiative and desire to be intentional about their study time together, even going beyond what was required of them. Overall this trip was an amazing experience for all who attended. Thank you to all of you who donated money, prayed for our youth, and continually support the youth ministry of FUMC Covington. In Christ, Sara Galyon, Youth Director HOLY COMMUNION FOR JULY Holy Communion will be celebrated Sunday, July 12 th. The offering will be designated to Grace Place United Methodist Church. The church is led by Rev. Diane Harrison who served as Program Director and Associate Pastor at Covington FUMC from Grace Place is located in the Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center. Grace Place UMC is the first prison-based mission congregation in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. Donations from area United Methodist churches make it possible for inmates to participate in Bible study, book club, crochet ministry and exercise classes. GUEST PREACHER, JULY 12 TH UMW CORNER Rev. Drew Shelley, Senior Pastor from Crossville United Methodist Church, will be our guest preacher Sunday, July 12th. Drew grew up in Covington and at Covington FUMC. In 1999, he enrolled at Tennessee Technical University and graduated with a Master s Degree in Civil Engineering in Drew then began his studies for a Master s of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. Drew served Munford United Methodist Church as Director of Student Ministries for three years before his first appointment to Cookeville First United Methodist Church as the Associate Pastor. Drew served at Cookeville FUMC for several years before becoming Senior Pastor at Crossville UMC in June Drew is married to Shannon, who earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry. Drew s FUMC family include his parents, Van and Pam Shelley; his grandmother, Bettye Shelley; and his brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Emily Shelley and baby, Peyton Jayne. Women in Action will meet Friday, July 10 th at 4:00 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 412 Alston Circle, Covington. They will be helping the children make bead bracelets. Come join the fun! Ruth Circle will meet at noon on Monday, August 10 th at Old Town Hall Café for a no host lunch.

3 07/08/2015 THE FOCUS Page 3 Bread of Life Feeding Ministry Update June 2015 Thanks to everyone who served and donated to the Bread of Life food pantry in June! We are fortunate to have another food source for fresh fruit and vegetables through the Society of St. Andrew, which is a non-profit, faith-based gleaning organization. They build relationships with large food farming operations so that their teams may go behind the mechanical harvesting equipment and glean good product left behind. A mission team of youth from San Antonio, TX harvested 1,200 pounds of squash from a farming operation in Ripley, TN for our third Saturday pantry patrons. We look forward to more fresh produce through SOSA! June 2015 Year-to-Date Households served: 243 (Covington) 408 (Covington) 175 (Munford) 342 (Munford) 352 (Total) 770 (Total) Individuals served: 800 (Covington) 1,303 (Covington) 571 (Munford) 1,164 (Munford) 1,371 (Total) 2,467 (Total) Volunteers serving: 175 persons served at least once Pounds of food: 12,290 (MSFB) 60,745 (MSFB) 200 (Kroger) 2,690 (Kroger) 5,325 (Wal-Mart) 23,890 (Wal-Mart) 1,200 (donated/purchased) 6,580 (donated/purchased) 19,015 (Total) 9.5 tons 93,995 (Total) 47.0 tons Cost of food: $ $6, Cost per pound: 5.2 cents 7.4 cents Average cost per household: $2.81 for a distribution of food in June Attendance in food pantry worship: 335 persons

4 Page 4 THE FOCUS 07/08/2015 JULY 8 TO JULY 31 July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 19 Bobby Bailey Colyn Rogers Sue Jones Grace Phelps Bryan Elzie Liv Maxwell David Owen Sara Myers Jeff Nix Laurie Anna Cooley Jason Lindley Myrna Myers Liam Chind Kasen Racine Maddie Smith Daniel Flanagan Natalia Haley Will Turner Callie Winberry Sara Gangaware Stephen Smith July 20 July 21 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Dot Greggs Tommy Cheairs III Jax Nix III Chad Smith Susan Smith Mike Morrison Emily Richardson Benjamin Smith Lynne Fisher Andrew Hughes Jack Owen Jack Henry Simpson Sydney Smith Edith McBride Monica Rejaei Charlotte Chind CUBA MISSION TRIP So, you ve thought about going on a short-term mission trip, but you never signed up. Well, we have room for you on this trip to Cuba! Tom Rogers will be leading a mission trip to Cuba in April, 2016 (exact dates to be determined). We will be assigned a Cuban UMC Church to partner with during this short-term mission trip. We may be asked to help with a construction or renovation project at the church. You can expect to participate in worship and Sunday school. Depending on the needs of the local church and community, there may be opportunities to lead worship, teach Sunday school, or participate in other activities. No experience, or Spanish language, necessary! For more information, please contact Tom Rogers at: nliberty@aol.com or Blessings in Christ, Tom

5 07/08/2015 THE FOCUS Page 5 PROMOTION SUNDAY Promotion Sunday will be held August 2 nd and is an exciting day for the children being promoted to the next grade in their Sunday school classes. Children entering third or fourth grade will receive a Bible from their church family. If you have or know of a child attending FUMC and entering third or fourth grade, please call Charlotte Quinley at or cquinley@covingtonfumc.com with their name by July 10 th. CHILDREN S MOVIES Each Wednesday in July at 9:45 a.m., children will meet at Cineplanet in Atoka for a free children s movie. Please contact Charlotte Quinley, for more information. Workers MorningSong July 12 Charlotte Quinley and Jack Owen July 19 Charlotte Quinley and Amanda Phillips Traditional Service July 12 Jennifer Leyvas and Beth Lockhart July 19 Jenny Lazure WORKERS MorningSong July 12 Kathleen Burk and Lauren Smith July 19 Sharman Coley and Katelyn Stewart Traditional Service July 12 Margaret Chind and Leah Beasley July 19 Phyllis Richmond and Alyssa Burgess DISCOVERY PARK A children s event is planned to go to Discovery Park in Union City, Tuesday, July 21 st. Please meet in the church parking lot that morning at 8:30 a.m. For more information, please contact Charlotte Quinley, or cquinley@covingtonfumc.com.

6 Page 6 THE FOCUS 07/08/2015 ONE WORSHIP CAMP MEETING Sunday, August 2 nd, we will have One Worship service at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary with a potluck lunch to follow in the Christian Life Center. The service will be in the old "Camp Meeting" format with the singing of lots of old time favorite hymns! You are invited to dress casually as you might when attending camp meeting worship. Submit your favorite hymns by calling Rev. Grace Phelps, or gphelps@covingtonfumc.com. CLC OPEN FOR WALKERS AND RUNNERS Starting Monday, July 13 th, the Christian Life Center will be open for walkers and runners during the following days and hours: Monday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Tuesday: 7-9 a.m. Thursday:11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday: 7-9 a.m. Thanks to those who have committed their time to make this possible. If you would like to help with this effort, please contact Grace Phelps, or gphelps@covingtonfumc.com. If there are more church members willing to be here to do their walking, the CLC can be open more hours to the community.

7 07/08/2015 THE FOCUS Page 7 YOUTH NEWS Our summer weekly programming is as follows: Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings 3 rd Floor of Education Building. Mexican Mondays: Most Mondays we will meet at 1:00 p.m. at El Presidente in Covington, where we gather and fellowship with each other over some queso and soda or tea. The youth ministry pays for the chips and queso and sodas. Please bring money for lunch if you'd like to eat. Wednesdays: Youth Group 6:00-7:30 p.m. We will meet under the awning at the handicapped accessible entrance of the church and have a time for games, snack, and a lesson. Mission Trip Youth will be traveling to St. Louis for a mission trip July 19 th -23 rd. Youth will leave from the church at 8:00 a.m. on the 19 th. There will be an informational meeting Sunday, July 12 th, at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For more information on any event listed, please contact Sara Galyon, or sara.r.palm@gmail.com. CONGRATULATIONS! Rebecca Paris celebrated 10 years of employment as the FUMC custodian on July 5 th. Rebecca has shared many of our milestones in the last ten years. She has celebrated with us during our weddings and children s births as well as grieved with us during funeral services. Rebecca is a member of First Assembly of God in Covington and she considers FUMC her church as well. Her address is 1740 Crutcher Road, Henning, BACKPACK BLESSING AND FALL PROGRAM KICKOFF Wednesday, August 12 th, there will be a church wide kickoff for all Wednesday evening programs coming this fall. Information will be provided about activities being offered for children, youth and adults. Bring your backpacks and join us at 6:00 p.m. for a Backpack Blessing, food, games, songs, fun and fellowship. Please RSVP by Monday, August 10 th to Sandy Burgess at the church office, sburgess@covingtonfumc.com, or call , if you plan to attend.

8 Page 8 THE FOCUS 07/08/2015 SAMARITAN STORIES: A woman who has raised three children visited the church in 2013 in dire straits. Through the next few months, she lost her residence, moved her children in with family and friends and entered a homeless shelter. Since then, she has moved to an apartment and the two older children have graduated from high school. She visited the church seeking help with her utilities this week. She had a gap between her previous employment and her current employment. With the provisions of Round UP, her utility bills were paid. Thank you for your support of the Bread of Life program which enables this woman to continue moving forward. A woman who has been down on her luck came to the church in need of food. For many years, she lived at a budget motel because her only income was a small disability check. A year ago, she shared that she had stage 4 lung cancer. Over the last year, she has undergone chemo, radiation and surgery and was praising God that she was now in remission. She said, I know the Lord s got something he wants me to do, otherwise, I would not have survived. She is rejoicing in restored health and giving all the praise to God. What a testimony! ROUND-UP UTILITY ASSISTANCE REPORT June 20 through July 2, 2015: CES: 18 interviews Approved 4 households totaling $ Declined 14 households totaling $ CGWS: 6 interviews Approved 4 household totaling $ Declined 2 households totaling $ HOMEMADE BAKED OR CANNED GOODS NEEDED Kendy Erwin, the hospitality coordinator, wishes to share your culinary skills with new visitors to the church and to those returning home from the hospital or medical rehab. If you love to cook, this is an excellent opportunity to share your gifts with others. Kendy is requesting your extra or overage canned items such as salsa, pickles, jellies, jams, etc. OR your baked goods such as breads and cookies. The hope is to share one of these items with the family when she visits their household. If you wish to help with this, please contact Kendy at the church office at or on her cell at

9 07/08/2015 THE FOCUS Page 9 ATTENDANCE AND GIVING June 28, 2015 July 5, 2015 MorningSong - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - MorningSong Offering - Traditional Worship Offering $2, $3, Morning Song - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - Morning Song Offering - Traditional Worship Offering $3, $6, SAMARITAN FUND 2015 TOTALS # of Awards June 20, 2015 through July 3, 2015 Amount Type of Assistance 0 0 Bus Ticket 0 0 Food 6 $ Lodging 0 0 Miscellaneous 5 $ Rent 18 $ Utilities 2 $ Vehicle Gas 31 $1, Totals # of Awards January 1, 2015 to Date Amount Type of Assistance 2 $ Bus Ticket 1 $ Food 112 $ 7, Lodging 8 $ Miscellaneous 20 $ Rent 154 $ 7, Utilities 19 $ Vehicle Gas 316 $16, Totals Children: Senior Adults: Adults: Total Individuals: Fixed Income: Lost Jobs: Children: Senior Adults: Adults: Total Individuals: Fixed Income: Lost Jobs: As of July 3, 2015 Samaritan Balance: $1, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

10 Page 10 THE FOCUS 07/08/2015 MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES In Memory of Nina Bradshaw Anderson Good Samaritan Fund by Bill and Ann Carlisle Good Samaritan Fund by Skip and Kendy Erwin Good Samaritan Fund by The GO Class, FUMC Good Samaritan Fund by William and Pam Pierce Christian Life Center and Good Samaritan Funds by King and Judy Rogers Good Samaritan Fund by Martha Jo Glass Smith Christian Life Center by Stephen and Kaye Smith Christian Life Center and Good Samaritan Funds by Hugh and Brenda Waits In Memory of Ann Enzor Good Samaritan Fund by Carolyn Beasley Cotton Good Samaritan Fund by Tom and Shirley Bready Worship and Choir Fund by The Chancel Choir, FUMC Worship and Choir Fund by Skip and Kendy Erwin Good Samaritan and Worship/Choir Funds by Ferd Fisher Good Samaritan Fund by The GO Class, FUMC Good Samaritan Fund by Christopher and Sara Gangaware Good Samaritan Fund by Cathy Lewis and Gloria Lewis Worship and Choir Fund by Bernie Liles and Gary Liles Good Samaritan Fund by Leonard and Brenda Moss Good Samaritan Fund by The New Beginnings Sunday School Class, FUMC Worship and Choir Fund by Jim and Beverly Smith Christian Life Center by Stephen and Kaye Smith Good Samaritan Fund by Ed and Marie Timberlake Christian Life Center by Ted and Carolyn Turner Good Samaritan Fund by Walter and Camille Whitley In Honor of Marsha Greenwood Good Samaritan Fund by Cathy Lewis and Gloria Lewis In Memory of Nancy Lindsey Good Samaritan Fund by Wayne and Carole Hughey Good Samaritan Fund by Tommy and Denise McDow In Honor of Peggy Portis Good Samaritan Fund by Cathy Lewis and Gloria Lewis In Memory of Jessica Royer Good Samaritan Fund by Tom and Shirley Bready (continued on page 11)

11 THE FOCUS 07/08/ /08/2015 Page 11 MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES (continued from page 10) In Memory of Bill Scruggs Christian Life Center by Walter and Camille Whitley In Memory of Nels Tanner Good Samaritan Fund by Ed and Marie Timberlake In Honor of Hazel Townsend Christian Life Center by Stephen and Kaye Smith Billy Anderson Donna Beard Inette Bennett Mary Jane Billings Tom Bready David Buchanan Penne Bomar Campbell Don Chastain Clara Conley Bobby Coulston Phronia Dailey Billy Dycus Mike Fleming Joan Gilliland Rebecca Harrison Linda Holt Carole Hughey Ricky Hunt Mykle Johnson Jean Jones Greg Knox K. D. Laxton Lori Butler Lindley Peggy Massey Edith McBride Lauren Moody Charlie Moss James Neely Bobby Pace Dot Peyton Dave Seagrave Buddy Smith Camille Thompson Jimmy Turner Tripp Turner Ashley Whaley Bart White Jo Wigington Dr. Barney Witherington III Martha Yarbrough COUNSELING Counseling is available for individuals or couples. Fees are based on ability to pay. Faye Beckett, D.C.C. Doctorate in Christian Counseling, Master of Science in Psychology. For appointments call the FUMC office , ext. 19. Cindy Pease, M.H.S.P., Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified. For appointments call the FUMC office , ext.18.

12 Page 12 THE FOCUS Morning Song SERVICE OF PRAISE 8:30 A.M. AT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. UPPER ROOM PRAYER SCHEDULE July 12 MorningSong Service Volunteers Needed July 19 MorningSong Service Ray and Janice Newbill July 26 MorningSong Service Volunteers Needed Traditional Service Bo and Kathleen Burk Traditional Service Phyllis Richmond Brenda Wrather Traditional Service Sandra Naifeh Nancy Peeler A BIWEEKLY PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 145 W. CHURCHC COVINGTON,, TN (901) HURCH AVENUE JULY 8, 2015 MISSION STATEMENT OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Leading Others to Christ, Learning to Be Disciples, Loving through Service. WEBSI TE: NGTONFUM C.COM EMAI L: CO VI NGTONFUM C@CO VI NGTONFUM C.COM