THE FIRST WORD A publication of Ellijay First United Methodist Church February 2012 February Jeanine Eason... 1 Stella Weissinger... 2 Nancy Farnham... 3 Mary Anne Osborn... 6 Mary Sparks... 7 Jan Day... 8 Evelyn Aiken... 9 Ruth Ripley... 10 Kathryn Cates... 11 Kayla Valle... 11 Ashley Savage... 12 Marsha Vautrot... 13 Rhonda Hilliard... 14 Harrill Wood... 14 Colin Pfluger... 15 Sidney Mahan... 16 Kali Malham... 16 Sara Goforth... 17 Johnny Ledford... 17 Jennifer Vines... 17 John Mahan... 18 Susan Makant... 18 Nanci DuBarton... 20 Lisa Malham... 20 Kristina Smith... 20 Kathy Stephens... 20 Steve Ketcham... 21 Karen Vitelli... 21 Harmony Malham... 22 Ross Evers... 23 Danny Farnham... 23 Jodi Jones... 24 Joyce Pruett... 25 Jane Rippy... 26 Carol Cowan... 27 Steve Purvis... 28 Early March Birthdays Andre Healan... 1 Stan Cowan... 2 It is my pleasure to announce that Kerri Ann Lipscomb is our new Minister to Students. Kerri Ann will graduate from North Greenville University in Greenville, SC in May. Her training and degree is in youth ministry. She is a native of Winder, GA, and grew up in the First United Methodist Church in Winder. She will bring to our church a love for the Lord and His church as well as some exciting opportunities for spiritual growth and joy to the youth ministry. (See her photo on page 2) We are fortunate to have Bandy Fuller and Justin Lawrenz who are serving as our interim Youth leaders. They have been a part of this church and the youth ministry here for years. Thank you Bandy and Justin for your leadership! Please put the following dates on your calendars: Valentine-Dinner and Dancing-February 11 Scout Sunday-February 12 Stewardship Sunday- February 19 Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m. February 22 Palm Sunday- April 1 Easter Sunday- April 8 GRASP (Gilmer Relief and Service Project) June 6-10 Vacation Bible School-June 18-22 Subscribe Today to the North Georgia ADVOCATE Subscribe today to the North Georgia Advocate! The Advocate, a twice-monthly newspaper produced by the North Georgia Conference Communications Office, is a wonderful resource. In it you'll find local church stories of faith and discipleship, practical ideas for ministry, glimpses into lives of people who inspire our clergy and laity, news relevant to our conference, details on upcoming events, Sunday school lessons, and more. Plus, you'll receive the national United Methodist Reporter with every issue. What are you waiting for? Go to www.ngumc.org/ngadvocate to subscribe.
APPORTIONMENTS AND CHURCH GIVING One of the unique and defining factors of the United Methodist Church is that we are Connectional. One way we show this connection is through apportioned giving. Apportioned giving is a term which describes how the money you give to your church each week is divided and distributed throughout the United Methodist Church. Through you and your support of apportioned giving, we are able to participate in the ministry and mission of the United Methodist Church both locally and around the world. Welcome to our new youth minister, Kerri Ann Lipscomb. Kerri Ann will join us full time beginning May 27. Her email address is kerriannlipscomb@gmail.com. Please contact her and welcome her! UNITED METHODIST GIVING TRAVELS! We don t think of money as something that travels. It has neither hands to grip the steering wheel of a car, nor feet to traipse across the countryside. But, United Methodist money does move. It travels, and our apportioned giving system is the fuel. As United Methodists, we hold the map the ministry map a guide that shows the path of our benevolence. And through the direction of the Holy Spirit, we are able to chart new courses and forge ahead in ministry. Your giving travels from the collection plate, through your church doors, onto the pavement, and out into the world. Apportionments are fuel for ministry. Apportioned giving is a term which describes how the money you give to your church each week is divided and distributed throughout the United Methodist Church. Apportionments are fuel for ministry. They enable us to share the concerns of many people. When we work together as God s children and pool our giving, we are able to see the word apportionment not as a constricting budget item but as a vehicle bringing God s grace into our churches, our conference, and beyond. UMM Jan.25th. Breakfast for Supper fund raiser was very successful. Thanks to all who attended. Fellowship was great. We rechartered and UMM membership cards will be given out shortly. We managed to get the stall down and moved and did some work at the scout hut getting the fireplace fixed, thanks Sid. Feb. 7th. Prayer Breakfast IHOP 8:00AM. Please try to attend and bring someone with you. If you want to bring someone up for prayer, let me know and we will do so. Feb. 29th A one in 4 year event. We will have to do something special for our Wed. night FUEL, maybe leaping pancakes! January 22 Christopher Beckwith If my giving travels, where exactly does it go? Good question! When you give to your local United Methodist Church, your giving is divided into many pieces, and travels to many different places. 91.6% of your giving stays in your church The largest part of your giving (91.6%) stays in your church, supporting and upholding its ministry and mission. 2.4% of your giving goes to the General and Jurisdictional Church Funds A smaller portion of your giving (2.4%) travels to fund ministries in the Southeast and around the world through the General and Jurisdictional Church Funds....World Service Fund...Ministerial Education Fund...Episcopal Fund...Black College Fund...Interdenominational Cooperation Fund...Africa University Fund...General Administration Fund...Jurisdictional Mission and Ministry Fund 6% of your giving goes to support the ministries of the North Georgia Conference And finally, another part of your giving (6%) travels to support the ministries performed by the boards, committees, commissions, agencies, and the staff of the North Georgia United Methodist Conference....Ministerial Support...Administration Fund...Retired Ministers Pension and Insurance...Conference Benevolences -Camping Program -Connectional Café -Connectional Ministries Office -Disaster Response -Action Ministries -Board of Laity...Capital Funding...Higher Education and Campus Ministry...New Church Development...Simpsonwood
SUNDAY Each Sunday 1st Sunday 8:45 a.m. Early Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship 5 p.m. Bell Choir 6 p.m. Impact Youth 8:45 a.m. Communion 11 a.m. Communion ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS 1st Monday 6:30 p.m. Administrative Council Meeting March 5 2nd Monday 6:00 p.m. UMM Dinner & meeting Fellowship Hall Only when called 4th Monday 11:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl Workshop 2/27 Each Tuesday 11 a.m. Adult Bible Study BYKOTA CLASSROOM 1st Tuesday 8 a.m. UMM Prayer Breakfast/Meeting at IHOP, Back Room 2/7 3rd Tuesday 11:30 a.m. UMW Noon Circle 2/21 6:30 p.m. Prayer and Worship Service 2/21 1st Wednesday 5 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, BYKOTA CLASSROOM 2/1 5:45 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting 2/1 Wednesday 5 p.m. Youth Choir practice 5:15 p.m. Grace Notes 5:30 p.m. MID-WEEK FUEL Fellowship supper sponsored by church 6:00 p.m. Youth IMPACT 6:30 p.m. Adult and Children Groups 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal 1st Thursday 11 a.m. Joy Circle 2/2 2nd Thursday 11:30 a.m. Single Ladies Lunch 2/9 groups. FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS Wednesday, February 1 and Wednesday, February 29 5:45 p.m. Volunteers are urgently needed in all positions at Faith, Hope, and Charity Recycle Store A NOTE FROM THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE SUNDAY, February 26, 9:15-9:45 am Blood pressure screenings in the office. Come by for a free check. If you know of anyone who is home bound or in the hospital, please call the church office so one of our team members can make a visit.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MEDICAL VISITS How can we get the most from our visits to our Medical Care Provider? Whether you are going to your family Physician, Nurse Practitioner or a new health care provider, preparing for this visit is crucial. If you are going to the doctor for the first time you will need to provide a comprehensive accounting of the following things: - Medical history -Medications you are taking, doses and how often you take them. -Any hospitalizations and ER visits -Allergies -Current medical problems -The reason for your visit Remember, medical providers only have about 15-20 minutes to spend with a new patient and 10-15 minutes for established patients. This time includes asking you all their questions, performing a physical examination, determining a diagnosis, prescribing whatever treatments are necessary and documenting all of this in your medical record. Here are some tips to expedite the visit. -Stay focused and specific. Avoid conversational detours. Avoid self-diagnosis. -Answer questions honestly and completely. Be able to describe symptoms as to severity, when the symptoms started and any triggers that brought on the symptoms. -Take responsibility for meeting your health goals. Perform necessary self-examinations whether it is regular breast exams or testicular exams. If you are unsure how to perform these self-exams, ask the practitioner for instruction. These activities could save your life by leading to early detection of suspicious lumps, swelling or pain. Make sure you understand what the medical provider says and recommends. Don t be afraid to ask questions and take notes if necessary. If you have trouble remembering, bring a friend or family member to help you listen to the medical treatment plan. Finally, make sure that you understand what the follow-up will be, further testing or any return appointments. Submitted by Katherine Meyer, RN A SEASON OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP Will NOT be held this month. Instead we encourage everyone to attend the Ash Wednesday Service and enter the Season of Lent with fresh eyes and an open heart.
Sam Morris Jerry Ray REMEMBER WEDNESDAY NIGHT FUEL FUEL FOR THE BODY 5:30 PM FUEL FOR THE MIND AND SOUL 6:30 P.M. Our own parish nurse, Tamra Acree, was featured with her picture and life story in a faith community book called The Faces of Ministry, 20 years of Ministry. It was published by Bay Care Health Organization in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The Bible verse she added was from Isaiah 40:31. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! Gilmer County Food Pantry children s snacks, baby food, soups, sugarless food for diabetics & the usual, such as canned meats, fruits, & vegetables, paper products, diapers. Cash donations always help, too. Voices for the Chancel Choir You will enjoy preparing music for our church. ADULT VOLUNTEERS for youth programs (set up, clean up, help keep things running smoothly) Food/monetary donations to Ben Barrett freezer for those in emergency need of food. Volunteers are needed for Children s Church and Nursery once every 3 months. Craft, lesson, and snack are provided. Contact Marianne Evans for details. The church STILL needs a CDL licensed driver for our church bus on various occasions. Compensation is negotiable. Please call Bill Johnson at (706) 636-4496 if interested. Support is needed for frozen food for the freezer in the Ben Barrett Sunday School classroom. You may donate frozen dinners or money to the class and they will purchase the food. This food is given to those in immediate need of something to eat. At our last meeting, John Rathbone made a presentation regarding the needs for sound improvement in the Sanctuary. A proposal to spend up to $ 2500.00 for a sound board and a wireless hearing system for the hearing impaired was approved contingent upon raising the funds. JOY Circle appreciates the generous donations supporting their Warmth for Seniors appeal. The only items needed now are men s and women s pajamas. Youth group is requesting donations of the following items: canned soda, chips, cookies, or Little Debbie cakes. Items can be placed into the labeled tub outside the Fellowship Hall. A proposal to build a sound station in the Fellowship Hall was deferred until more information could be gathered. Howard Baker presented two proposals to replace the windows in the Fellowship Hall and the Education Building. The bid of approximately $21,000 from CRS was approved contingent upon raising the funds. Security Cameras and kitchen Needs were assigned to Ross Evers to investigate and report back to the Trustees at the February Meeting. Sunday 9:45 Sunday School 6 p.m. IMPACT Wednesday 5:30 FUEL supper 6 p.m. IMPACT YOUTH
SWEETHEART DINNER Saturday, Feb. 11th 6-8 pm Join us for a special evening of dinner and dancing with music provided by E. B. Reece. The three-course meal includes: salad, stuffed shells with homemade meat sauce or marinara, green beans almandine, and decadent desserts. Tickets may be purchased in the office or from Marianne Evans. The cost is $20 per couple. Only 20 tickets are left to be sold, so hurry to buy yours now!!! Nursery is provided at no cost. June 6-10 GRASP June 18-22 Vacation Bible School February 26 ~ The next BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING at 9:15 Volunteer for a committee, visit our homebound members, participate in some of our many activities. You will be blessed. Volunteers Are Needed! Children s Church A craft, lesson, and snack are provided. This is done on a rotation basis for once every three months. That is only 4 hours a year to assist in this important ministry. Contact Marianne Evans if interested. Wednesday Night Supper Feb. 1st at 5:30 pm Menu: Sausage, Red Beans and Rice, Salad, Muffins, Assorted Desserts. Kid s Menu: Grilled Cheese and Chicken Noodle Soup - Sponsored by the Preschool. Cost: $6 for adults, free for children under 12 years, $18 family maximum. Volunteers are needed to provide supper for the youth on Sunday evenings. There is a sign -up sheet located on the bulletin board by the youth room. Any individuals, SS classes, or Circle that would be interested in providing a meal for approx. 25 people on Sunday nights may contact Barbara Talbot for menu suggestions or other information. Youth group is requesting donations of the following items: canned soda, chips, cookies, or Little Debbie cakes. Items can be placed into the labeled tub outside the Fellowship Hall. The next Administrative Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 5 at 6 p.m. All committee chairs are encouraged to attend. The Finance Committee is meeting on February 1, at 5:45 p.m. and on February 29 at 5:45. Audio Ministry continues to need volunteers If you have a musical ear and like to work with audio gear, you are needed to serve on a rotating basis. Please contact John Rathbone at 706-889-2038 or www.dirtcheep@ellijay.com. March Newsletter Deadline The deadline for submitting articles or information for the February newsletter is Monday, February 27 Anything received after that date will be included in the April newsletter. JOIN THE CHOIR! Join the fun! Noon Circle meets the 3rd Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Joy Circle meets the 1st Thursday at 11 a.m.
A SEASON OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE February 22, 2012, 6:30 p.m. Will NOT be held this month. Instead we encourage everyone to attend the Ash Wednesday Service and enter the Season of Lent with fresh eyes and an open heart. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES CROSSWALK will complete their study of the book, ASKING GOD YOUR HARDEST QUESTIONS and then make a decision about a NEW focus for the Lenten Season. Join us for discussion and prayer as we seek to meet Christ at the CROSSWALK. HELPING HANDS is studying On the Threshold of Grace by Don Haynes. Our class supports the following: Gilmer County Food Pantry, Murphy-Harpst Children's Center, Gilmer Christian Learning Center, and Kids Kottage with monthly contributions and other special needs when funds are available. CORNERSTONE is studying Romans. The class has monthly social gatherings and support many causes such as the Gilmer County Food Pantry, Angel Tree, Kids Kottage and The March of Dimes. BYKOTA is studying On The Threshold of Grace, a study of Wesleyan heritage and theology. The author, Donald Haynes, writes Wesleyan Wisdom, a favorite column that appears in the United Methodist Reporter and often discusses grace in the Methodist Church. BEN BARRETT is studying Max Lucado s When Christ Comes. DO YOU HAVE A NAME TAG? If so, please remember to wear it each week. If you do not have a name tag, please contact the church office and we will make sure you get one. They are helpful and allow us to get to know each other! SCOUTING NEWS Jan 28th was a caving trip to Crystal Caverns. About 30 scouts attended and spent the night in the caverns. Mud was everywhere a boys heaven. We told them to expect to throw away the clothes they used in the cave! Feb.12th is Scout Sunday. Troop and Crew 402 will be present. As last year, we are asking everyone to bring canned goods for the food pantry. Feb 23th to 25th. Ship trip to Charleston. The troop and crew will spend two nights on board. Camp cards sales are ready to start and will include local establishments. Crew 402 had a hospice presentation and some members are volunteering. Their last meeting was at Tam s where they organized themselves for Winterfest. Winterfest will be in Gatlinburg on the 3rd to 5th. of Feb. They are also planning a spaghetti fund raiser for sometime in April.
FUEL STUDY OPPORTUNITIES (Wednesday nights at 6:30pm) ADULTS will use the following schedule through Easter: Feb. 1 and 8 Prayer Feb 15 What is Lent? Feb 22 Ash Wednesday Service Feb 29 March 28 BACK BY REQUEST Tales From the Madhouse This BBC video series is set inside the crumbling walls of a dilapidated Victorian sanatorium. Five mysterious characters (we will study four characters not visited last year) reveal their secret stories to the visiting camera. The five are linked by one unifying and crucial event in their lives: each of them has had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth in some way an experience that has left an indelible mark. Each character brushed with Jesus but most missed the moment. They touched the light then lingered in the shadows. They were offered freedom but made friends with their chains. Now they are haunted by the memory of what was and what might have been. Here is an acclaimed series that opens up the Scriptures, the story of Jesus, and Easter week in a fascinating way. The inhabitants of our madhouse all struggle with the meaning of Jesus Christ for them and our world. We invite you to do the same. After all, does it not make sense to look at the one who exposed us and our madhouse world as no other ever did before or since? And does not whatever sanity we possess prompt us to take a long look at the one who has done more than any other in history to give people life, meaning, health, hope, and love? The purpose of this series is to look at the lives of those who were stopped on their journey through life, and encountered Christ and then (in most cases) turned to go another direction. They went their way, lived their lives, tried to cope, but couldn t put away that one person for the rest of their lives, nor the thought of the opportunity they may missed. Thus the programs provoke us to consider where that other direction may have led. It provides an opportunity for seekers to stop, to take some steps back, and perhaps take a new look. Financially speaking, 2011 was a challenging year for Ellijay First United Methodist Church. Many thanks to Ross Evers, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Tom Rippy, Treasurer and all the members of the Finance Committee for all their hard work throughout the year managing the church s money. In 2012, I will chair the Finance Committee and John Davis will assume the role of Treasurer. The church ended 2011 with all the bills paid except for apportionments, which was approximately 70% short of budget. Clearly, we have some work to do in this area. It is our goal in 2012 to try to pay our apportionments monthly as the funds are available. However, January has been a slow month for contributions. Budgeted income for the month was $47,748 but actual contributions were $36,830. So, you can see we are already running short. Each week the Church Bulletin will include the YTD budget and YTD actual giving. I urge everyone to be mindful of our responsibility as Christians to support our local church and its ministries. Martin Luther astutely observed, There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the mind and the purse. When we experience this conversion of the purse and give generously of our finances to the Lord s work, we make the best investment possible and investment with eternal dividends. The Bible speaks of tithes and offerings. The tithe should go to the support the church. Offerings should go for other situations. You should have received your 2011 Giving Statement by now. They were mailed out the second week of January. If you have not received yours, have questions or concerns, please let me or John Davis know. It is my intent to have a short article in First Word each month with a few details on how the church is doing financially and keep you updated on any financial news. Please keep our church in your prayers and may God bless you in all you do. Paul Compton, Chairman Finance Committee
Ellijay First United Methodist Church Student Ministry (6-12th Grade) MEET Christ, KNOW Christ, LIVE Christ February 2012 Weekly Schedule Sunday 9:45am - Sunday School 11:00am - Worship 6:00 - IMPACT Wednesday 6:00 - IMPACT Groups Youth Ministry Contact Leanne Love 706-273-9121 pllove1@hotmail.com Youth@fumcellijay.org www.impactellijay.org IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW.. Every Sunday: Sunday School We will be discussing topics that were selected as a result of a group decision: Creation, Free Will, Predestination, Old Testament Prophets, and more! Join us at 9:45am and BRING YOUR BIBLE!!! Be sure to watch our FACEBOOK page IMPACT - for announcements regarding all youth activities! IMPACT Join us each Sunday night at 6 p.m. for food, fun and fellowship. February 5 Super Bowl Activity Every Wednesday 5:30 p.m. FUEL Supper followed at 6 p.m. by FUEL for the Mind, Soul and Spirit SAVE THE DATE: June 6-10 GRASP (Gilmer Relief and Service Project) Food For Sunday Night Youth - Approximately 25 youth meet on Sunday evenings and have dinner as part of IMPACT youth ministry. If you can provide food for the youth, please sign-up on the calendar located in the hall outside the youth room. Questions? Contact Barbara Talbot (706)635-5880. Youth group is requesting donations of the following items: canned soda, chips, cookies, or Little Debbie cakes. Items can be placed into the labeled tub outside the Fellowship Hall.
All children ages 4 years thru 5th grade are welcome to join us on Wednesday Nights. We will devote the first 15 minutes of Wed. Nights to choir and music to get ready to praise God in a worship service. Starting January 18th, we will meet back up with Chadder (he gets a tune up!) and start a Sky adventure with him and learn that Everything is possible with God. If you have any questions please call Marianne! Don t forget dinner starts at 5:30 and kids under 12 eat FREE! Check bulletin for menu and call office for reservations as reservation are needed. No Wednesday Night programs for Feb. 22nd-Ash Wednesday Service Only We need volunteers for Children Church and Nursery! Our children are multiplying and we are averaging about 20 kids for children s church! What a blessing! With this many little darlings we need another adult helper every Sunday. We need to get about 12 more adults to be on the quarterly rotation so everyone only needs to commit once every 3 months! Please call Marianne if you can help with this ministry. Ms. Angel also needs more vol- Save the Date: June 18th-22nd VBS Preschool News Will Start Pre-Registration for Fall 2012 on March 1st! Let your friends and neighbors know! Children s Choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:30-6:45 We will start practicing to share our gifts with the congregation! We will start practicing bells also! The Kids Choir will sing during 11:00 service on the first Sunday of every month! Children First Preschool Ages 18 months 5 years 9:00 am 12:00 pm 635-FUMC (3862) We have openings in our 3 year old class! Keep saving Box Tops! Worth 10 cents each! We also collect empty ink jets! Please join us for Wednesday Night Dinner on March 7th for our Fundraiser Dinner! Thanks for your support! Thanks to so many for your kind and generous support of our preschool! PLEASE JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday at 9:45 AM Bright Beginnings Infant to 2 years Lord s Lambs ages 3 5 Delightful Disciples 1st - 5th grade Children s Church Volunteer Schedule for February Nursery Children s Church February 5 Daniele Deneka Melissa & Jessica Lawrenz February 12 Need Volunteer Youth February 19 Barb Parks Jacqueline Poole February 26 Need Volunteer Marianne Evans
WE HAVE A MISSION Welcoming-Worshiping-Nurturing-Sending Why does the church exist? According to Matthew s Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (28:19-20) Based on this Great Commission, our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. So the mission of our congregation is to make disciples. This is a four-fold task.... We could abbreviate our mission as one of welcoming-worshiping-nurturing-sending. From The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2008, pp. 87-88. For more information on Our Faith, please visit the UMC Web Site. Ellijay First United Methodist Church 75 McCutchen Street P.O. Box 472 Ellijay, GA 30540 Church: 706-635-2555 Fax: 706-273-2555 Pastor s Residence: 706-636-4991 Email: office@fumcellijay.org danny@fumcellijay.org youth@fumcellijay.org children@fumcellijay.org Website: www.fumcellijay.org Church Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday CHURCH STAFF The Reverend Dr. Danny Barton, Pastor Tamra Acree, Parish Nurse Charlie Bryant, Director of Music Pam Corbin, Custodian Gabrielle Cornett, Pianist Marianne Evans, Director of Children s Ministries & Director of Preschool Leanne Love, Youth Coordinator Angel Oncher, Nursery Coordinator Cheryl Smith, Organist Janet Tripp, Administrative Assistant