First. Connections. November New DS to Preach November 10

Transcription

1 First Connections November 2013 New DS to Preach November 10 Rev. Kathleen Overby Webster, the newly appointed district superintendent for the Roanoke District will be our preacher at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on November 10. Following that service, she will preside at the Annual Charge Conference for First United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall. A light lunch will be provided. All are invited to attend; however, only members of the Church Council are voting members of the Charge Conference. Rev. Overby Webster is a native Virginian. Her home church is Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, and she is a graduate of Stafford County High School, the College of William and Mary, and Duke Divinity School. She has served in a variety of ministry settings across the Virginia Annual Conference including: the Greensville Charge in Emporia, Forest Grove UMC in Ashland, McGaheysville UMC in the Harrisonburg District, as District Superintendent of the Staunton District, and most recently at Asbury UMC in Harrisonburg. Rev. Overby Webster has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Committee on the Episcopacy, and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration. She is married to Rev. Harold Webster, Jr., a retired elder in the conference. She is the mother of Joel, stepmother to Cherise and Harold III, and grandma to Michael, Tyler, and Liam. You will want to be on hand to meet our new District Superintendent on November 10. What Is Charge Conference? The United Methodist Church is a connectional system. No local church exists independently, but all are linked and connected in a system of mutual support and accountability through district, annual conference, jurisdictional conference, and general conference. According to the laws of the United Methodist Church as set forth in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2012), at the local church level, the charge conference is the basic unit in the connectional system. The voting members of the charge conference are the members of the Church Council along with retired clergy affiliated with the church. The date for the Annual Charge Conference is set by the district superintendent, who is the presiding officer. The primary purpose of the charge conference is to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt goals recommended by the Church Council. Charge conference provides an opportunity to review the ministry of the church over the past year and determine the direction of the church in the coming year, including the election of church leaders and the adoption of the pastors salaries. For several years, First Church s charge conference has been held as part of a cluster with four other churches. This year, our new District Superintendent, Kathleen Overby Webster, has decided to hold separate charge conferences for all the churches in the Roanoke District. Though this is a lot more work for her, it does provide the opportunity to focus on the mission and ministry of First UMC. Our Annual Charge Conference is scheduled for Sunday, November 10 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All members and friends of First Church are welcome to attend, though only Church Council members and retired clergy may vote. A light luncheon will be served, and if you would like to be included, please call the Church Office ( ) by November 6 to be included. Make plans now to attend and learn where we are and where we hope to go next year as the Body of Christ in this place and in this time. Hope to see you there. Yours in Christ, Steve

2 Children s Ministries Tricia Givens Time for Compassion As you plan for the upcoming holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, try to use this time to teach your child compassion for those not as fortunate as they are. Thanksgiving is a great time to take food to the food bank or send a card to a lonely person or even have a person for dinner, who may live alone. It is a time to exemplify for your child ways to love and serve others. Christmas is a time when the lists are being made of all the I Wants! Have your child make a list of ways they can help too. Examples are collecting toys, coats, or food for the needy. Have them help you do an angel off an Angel Tree or take Christmas to a family in need. These moments will leave a lasting impression on your child and you! Some of our best Christmas memories were when our family helped a family in need and delivered those items at Christmas time. If you are having a Christmas party for your child, instead of all the silly gifts for children to exchange, have them bring a gift for a child in need and deliver them to the Rescue Mission or the Toys for Tots. Make the up coming seasons a time for reaching out and touching others in need, as a family event. The gift of compassion is a gift that will carry your child far through life and in their faith walk. Wesley Kids and Tweens We will meet on Sunday November 3 rd at 5:00 pm in the chapel. We will be going through the neighborhood (Langhorne Place) leaving bags for food collection for the Food Pantry. We are doing this along with several other churches. Children will be ready to be picked up at 6:00 pm in the chapel. Open House for the First Floor November 3 rd, 10:00 10:30 a.m. Please come to your child s Sunday school class and hear about what they are learning. Note this is for children s classes on the FIRST FLOOR. Children s Ministry Volunteer of the Month This month First Church recognizes Ben and Meg Crew. Ben and Meg teach the first and second graders on Sunday morning. hey give of their time each Sunday to the children of our church. We appreciate their dedication to the children of our church. They are a blessing to children s ministry. The book, Seek and Find in the Bible, has been placed in the children s ministry library in their honor. Kid s in the Spotlight This month First Church recognizes Maigen Burton. Maigen is the daughter of Melanie and Andrew Burton. She sings in the chorister choir and plays in heavenly bells. Maigen loves her dolls, horses, scouts and her friends. She has an endearing smile and is a joy to be with. Thank you Maigen for making a difference at First Church. Parent Class November 17th Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter Vicki Courtney explicitly spells out a message that every parent should specifically say to their daughter. Her troubled past brought her to a place where she finally found Christ and watched her true purpose in life unfold. She realized how many girls are all searching for the same acceptance she was, but in all the wrong places. She can relate to their plight as she drives home a message to parents that now is the time to talk to your daughter. Now is the time to make sure they understand God s Grace and that He has a purpose for them. Do not wait till it is too late. Vicki Courtney is recognized world wide and I was blessed to have been able to hear her speak in person. She has a great message for parents. Please join me on November 17 th (Sunday evening first session ) at 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. in Key 73. Sign ups for the book and the class will be at the main office, Welcome Center, or outside the Pathfinders class. You may also call Tricia Givens # , ext 15. December 8th - Fellowship Sunday Children s Christmas Pageant at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Congregation Candle Light Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. (Ham, Beans, Potatoes and Dessert) Remember to set your clocks BACK 1 hour on Saturday night November 2nd!

3 United Methodist Women Rita Olson, President Monday, November 4, 2013 FUMC-UMW Executive Board will meet. Check the bulletin for time and place. All UMW Board members are encouraged to attend. All ladies of the church are welcome to join UMW. Come join us at one of the following meetings. Naomi Wray Circle #5 will meet Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in room 112. Lorraine Gribbens Circle #9 will meet Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Stephanie Hunt will speak on her mission experience with UMVIM. This month s mission project will be Prison Ministry; Christmas cards and stamps. Response Readers: Be sure to check the church bulletin announcements for the Response Readers dates in November and December. The dates may be adjusted because of the holidays but we will continue to Think, learn, live and give, the action words in Response Magazine. All are welcome. Other activities of interest: Saturday, November 2, 2013, 8:30 a.m.: Annual District UMW Prayer Breakfast, Northview UMC. The topic: Careers in Church Service (including women) Speakers will be New District Superintendent, The Rev. Kathleen Overby Webster, President of Ferrum College, Dr. Jennifer Braaten, and Vice President for Intuitional Advancement, Kimberly Blair, who will speak on the Roll of Chaplaincy Program at Ferrum College. UMW Reading Program Report This year 12 UMW members participated in the Reading Program and 7 will be receiving a certificate for completing a Reading Plan. Dee King completed Plan III, reading 15 books. Margaret Martin completed Plan II, reading 10 books. Others completing Plan I, which is 5 books, were Margaret DuBois, Tammy Montgomery, Ann Sparger, Margie Mills, and Lynn Lautenschlager. Five others read at least one book. If anyone is interested in participating in the Reading Program, information and books are in the Ladies Lounge. Or, they may call or Margaret Martin, , mamartin45@aol.com. Church and Society Judy Coffman & Sue Williams DID YOU KNOW that the Methodist - owned Church Center, directly across the street from the United Nations, is celebrating its 50 th birthday! For a half-century, the Church Center has welcomed the grassroots voices of the United Nations, prayed with them and provided hospitality and meeting space. United Methodist Men Bob Haupt, President UMM Program, Monday, November 18, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up on the UMM bulletin board located across from the elevator. All men are welcome! Men s Bible Study, Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. in conference room 116. UMM Book Club will meet on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in conference room 116. United Methodist Men s Annual Pork BBQ Dinner will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2013 in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Included is pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, cole slaw, and a roll. Dessert will be provided by Circle #5. (not included) Eat in or take out. Tickets may be purchased from any UMM member or through the church office for $8.00. S.K.Y. (Seniors Keeping Young - 55+) Tom & Connie Sixbey Meetings: Thursday, November 21, Business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. with a potluck luncheon at 12:00 noon. Please bring a dish, homemade or store bought. Program: Karen McNew from WSLS - Health Issues December 12, 2013: A Christmas Program by Reid Carter. Bring a unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. Trips: November 24: Green Memorial - A song for St. Cellia s Day, Green Memorial Choir plus Baroque Orchestra, 3:00 p.m. December 8: Roanoke Children s Theatre, A Little House Christmas, Dumas Center, 3:00 p.m. December 14: Attic Productions of It s a Wonderful Life, 1:30 p.m. If there is a change in time or cost for an event, those signed-up will be contacted. It is best to check the SKY board periodically and to sign-up early. Bakers Needed! Share one of your Thanksgiving pies with the Food Pantry. Bring to College Lutheran Church on Tuesday, November 26 from 7-9 p.m. or Wednesday, November 27 from 7-9 a.m. To sign-up call # or karenadams@collegelutheran.org. (apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, sugar-free pies, pumpkin rolls)

4 I C O N N E C T I O N M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E I M P A C T Y O U T H M I N I S T R Y

5 Memorials Finance Committee Report Sam Carter, Finance Chair For Period: September, 2013 Average Attendance: 364 Operating Fund Monthly Offering Received: $75,296 Monthly Offering Budgeted: $58,358 Year-To-Date Offering Received: $566,041 Year-To-Date Offering Budgeted: $584,395 Building Fund Monthly Offering Received: $7,768 Yea-To-Date Offering Received: $187, Campaign-To-Date Offering Received: $499,424 In memory of Joe Thomas, Sr. by Danny & Jean Wheeling, Emily Daniel, Mike & Lynn Woods, Brenda Lipscomb, Roanoke Regional Home Builders, Lee & Lainy Wilhelm, Charlie & Judy Phillips, Kerry & Libby Gillispie, Jim & Joyce Holtman, Boyd Isley, Cabell & Shirley Brand, Frank & Julia Chapman, John Rocovich, Van & Barbara Gresham. In memory of Jay Craig by Emily Daniel, Mike & Lynn Woods, Bill & Carol Jean Nunnally, Brenda Lipscomb. In memory of Michelle Walker Hurst by Danny & Jean Wheeling, Bill & Carol Jean Nunnally. In memory of William Copenhaver, Sr. by Elanie Bailey, Rod & Dianne Furr, Van & Barbara Gresham. In memory of Faye Stevens by Archie & Carrie Pugh, Mike & Lynn Woods. Honorariums In honor of Allan Davidson by the S.K.Y. Group. In honor of Ashley Montgomery by the S.K.Y. Group. Sympathy To Martha McClure and family in the death of her mother, Peggy Wade, who passed away September 26, 2013 in Fairfield, VA. To Bill Copenhaver and family in the death of his father, William B. Copenhaver, Sr., who passed away October 6, 2013 in Lake Wales, Florida. To Beverly Bray and family in the death of her aunt, Virginia Thompson, who passed away October 16, 2013 in Ashland, VA. To Mary Jane Wall and family in the death of her brother, Paul Taylor, who passed away October 17, 2013 in Salem, VA. New Members Ken & Shirley Beadling who transferred from St. Andrew by the Sea UMC, Hilton Head, SC, on October 27, Jane & Ashburn Kirby who transferred from Tabernacle UMC, Greensboro, NC, on October 27, 2013 Michael & Erica Pennington who came from Mason Cove Church of the Brethren, Salem, VA, on October 27, Welcome to the First United Methodist Church Family! Operation Inasmuch 2014 Mark your calendars now for May 3, 2014 to participate in Operation Inasmuch. Our goal this year is to not only motivate our church, but to invite others to join us!!! If you would like to help serve on the committee, please contact Judith Painter at or at # Wesleyan Preschool Jane Butto, Director The days are turning cooler and there are so many interesting things to learn about in the changing of seasons - falling leaves, busy squirrels and rainy day fun! One Pre-K field trip this month will be walking to Snyder Nursing Home to sing for the Grandmas and Grandpas that reside there. The children also created artwork to share with the residents. Some of our classes will be going to Kroger s for a behind the scenes tour. This is in conjunction with our unit called All about Food. We will be learning about sharing with others this month and being thankful for our blessings. The preschool will be doing a Food Collection for the Food Pantry. Our Pre-k classes will also be having their annual Thanksgiving lunch with a guest. The children will be making Stone Soup to share and will sing some Thanksgiving songs for their guests. We are thankful for our family, friends and our school! Happy Thanksgiving!

6 November 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunday Schedule 8:45am, GENESIS & Meditation & Communion 9:45am, Sunday School 11am, Traditional Service 7pm,Boy Scouts (every Monday) 8pm, AA Meeting (every Monday) 6pm,Cub Scouts (every Tuesday) 6:30am,Men s Bible Study (every Wednesday) 6pm,Girl Scouts (every Wednesday) 10am,Small Group (every Thursday) 5:30pm, Brownies 1 Office Closes at 1pm 8pm, AA Meeting (every Friday) 2 UMM BBQ 5-7pm 3 All Saints Sunday 10:30,Fellowship Time 5pm,Wesley Kids/Tweens 10 10:10, Children s Chapel FUMC Charge Conference 12:15/Fellowship Hall 4 UMW Board mtg. 6pm,Girl Scouts 6:30pm,Finance mtg. 7pm,Girl Scouts 5 FUMC Polling Site Election Day 10am,SKY Council mtg. 7pm, Church Council am,Circle #5 1pm, UDC 7pm, SAEM 6 12N,Preschool Staff mtg. 13 7pm, Circle #9 7 Preschool Vision Testing 8 Preschool Vision Testing 10am,Parlimentarians Newsletter Deadline pm, Creation Care mtg. 5:30pm,Parent Workshop 6pm,Girl Scouts 6:30pm, UMM mtg. 7pm,Girl Scouts 6:30pm,Finance mtg. 7pm, Shawl Ministry 7pm,Scout Troop mtg. 7pm,Troop mtg. 11:30, S.K.Y. 5:30pm, Brownies 7pm,Communications 24 Thanksgiving Sunday Office closes at 12N Preschool Luncheon Thanksgiving Day Office Closed 7pm, UMM Book Club 2pm,Response Readers Sunday Choir and Bell Schedules Monday Choir Schedule Heavenly Bells, 3-4pm Cherub Choir, 6-6:30pm Chorister Choir, 4pm JuBELLation, 4-5pm Youth Choir, 5-6pm Thursday Schedules Youth IMPACT Sunday Resounding Joy, 6:15pm 6:00-7:30pm Adult Sanctuary Choir, 7:30pm,

7

8 First United Methodist Church 125 West Main Street Salem, VA Periodical Postage Paid Salem, VA First United Methodist Church Staff Stephen G. Bray, Senior Pastor, Jeffrey L. Dorsey, Associate Minister Bobby J. Pickle, Minister of Congregational Care & Senior Adults, Patricia C. Givens, Director Children s Choirs & Children s Ministries, triciag@fumcsalemva.org Dale L. Foster, Youth Ministries Coordinator Jane M. Butto, Director Wesleyan Preschool, jbutto@fumcsalemva.org William G. Snyder, Director Sanctuary Choir Heather N. Mitchell, Director Youth & Handbell Choirs Judith C. Snyder, Organist Catherine C. Tate, Piano Accompanist for Children & Youth Allan Davidson, Contemporary Worship Music Director Mitzi J. Ferguson, Office Manager, mitzif@fumcsalemva.org Cindy W. Davis, Church Accountant, cdavis@fumcsalemva.org Butch & Genia Johnson, Sextons Roanoke District and VA Annual Conference Young Jin Cho, Bishop Kathleen Overby Webster, District Superintendent First Connections (USPS ) is published monthly by First United Methodist Church 125 W. Main Street, Salem VA * * FAX Website: / church@fumcsalemva.org Wesleyan Preschool: Periodical postage paid at Salem VA. Postmaster: Send address changes to First Connections, 125 W. Main St., Salem VA