Seymour United Methodist Church Jason Gattis, Pastor March 2017 Words from Pastor Jason... Staff Highlights - Michelle Hurton You probably do a better job than I do in saying thank you to the staff at our church. Or, you may feel that you don t say thank you enough. If so then your feelings would coincide with mine. If I said thank you every single day it would not be enough for what our staff does for SUMC. So, over the next few months I am going to use this space to highlight each of our staff members and encourage you to join me in saying thank you. This month s highlight is Michelle Hurton, Director of Family Ministries and Outreach. Michelle s work at SUMC goes back to not long after joining the church and becoming the Children s Director. She has a heart for children which is why her field of study was in psychology that included additional work in child development and educational psychology. As things evolved and changed within the structure of the church so did her job and responsibilities. Having a passion for missions as well, she moved from children s ministries to mission and outreach, directing the church s mission efforts and exploring opportunities for SUMC to make a difference within the community. Her work led to the start of our annual Back to School Blowout and continued management and growth of the Faith Promise Fund and it s Gifts for the Christ Child fundraiser. Michelle can be found at the church five days out of the week (Sunday-Thursday) coordinating and teaching children s Sunday school classes, M&M s programming (Wednesday evening children s classes), and nursery care, leading women s Bible studies, attending community and county task force meetings, exploring new mission opportunities, and meeting with people looking for benevolence assistance. Outside of what you see, Michelle offers wise advise in staff meetings, challenges ideas to make sure they align with our mission, and is a fun loving presence at outings. Not every church has someone like Michelle. The ones that do certainly see the benefit. The ones that don t have a big hole that needs to be filled. Thank you, Michelle, for all you do. We are certainly a better church and a better staff because of you. Jason
Upcoming.... Soul Sisters Soul Sisters will not have their traditional meeting in March. We will be serving the meal for Recovery @ Seymour on Thursday, March 9 at 6:00 pm. All are welcome at Recovery @ Seymour. We hope to see you there. Join us for scrapbooking Friday, March 24th from 4:00 10:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Men of Faith You are invited to join us Friday, March 10th at 7:30am at Connie s Kitchen in Seymour. Contact Thomas Hill at 607-6689 or thomashill@att.net for more information. Is Read More on your list of things you d like to do this year? Has it been on your lists before? Out to Lunch Book Club is a fun way to get yourself off Facebook and to hold yourself accountable to the goal of reading more quality literature. Plus, these next two books are MUST READS!!! Join us 2 nd and 4 th Tuesdays at Noon. Locations vary, so text or email Rebekah at RebekahHill@Comcast.net. March Book... an Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff April Book... Praying Circles Around the Lives of Your Children by Mark Batterson Grandparents as Parents announces Night Support and Education Group March 8, from 5 7 p.m. at First Baptist Downtown Knoxville (transportation provided by CAC with reservations by March 1 free parking at church). Free dinner at 5pm for grandparents and children by FBC (dinner reservations by March 1) Support Group program begins at 6:00 p.m (free childcare). Program presented by Legal Aid of East Tennessee: Legal Issues Related to Grandparents as Parents. Bring questions as we partner to find legal answers and solutions. RSVP by March 1 by calling 865-524-2786 or email donna.lewis@knoxseniors.org. Page 2
Birthday Celebrations! We d like to wish the following individuals a HAPPY BIRTHDAY in the month of March. 1 Justin Finchum, Amanda Corallo 4 Sharon Davis 5 Shirley Ellis, Peter Corallo 6 Shelly Hosler 7 Hallie Lynch 9 James Lynch 10 Chester McInturff 11 John Patterson, Jr., Harry Switzer 12 George Hyfantis 13 John Bawcum, Andy Whisler 15 Nicholas Gioioso, Cleigh Armbrister 16 Bill McCann, Doug Newport, Tanya Magness, Terry Thiel 17 Michael Moser, Tim Stafford, Joyce Wooliver 19 Seth Bell, Ginger Jackson 21 Miranda Pratt 23 Jeri Whisler 26 Jason Gattis 27 Lisa Garren, Paul Terranova, Matt Johnson 28 Amanda Crawford, John Patterson, III If your birthday was not listed in the appropriate month or date, please contact the church office to make sure we have your correct birth date. We d like to honor you during your special month! Discovery March 18, 2017, 10 am- 4 pm Ministry can look many different ways. Do you feel called to be a pastor in a church? A youth minister? A worship leader? A music minister? Children's minister? A missionary? Older adult minister? The possibilities are endless! In the United Methodist Church you can choose to be ordained or to be a lay person in ministry. Holston Conference knows that your calling is a big deal and we want to support you along the way! Discovery is a one day event to help youth explore that calling. Throughout the day you will hear from people in various aspects of ministry and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more. There will also be time spent in worship to listen to what God is saying to you. Bishop Taylor will be with us to share about calling and to encourage you! Regular Registration Due March 6 $10 To register, fill out the Standard Registration Form found on the Holston Conference website http://holston.org/ministries/youth/programs/discovery/ and mail it to: Discovery PO Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701 Page 3
VBS Volunteer Meeting is Sunday, March 26th at 4PM in Room 209, followed by Safe Sanctuary Training. Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they re lovingly crafted by God. Spark creativity with interactive decorations and experiences. Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School transforms our church into a place buzzing with excitement! Please make every effort to attend this volunteer meeting if you are interested in volunteering in any capacity with Vacation Bible School this year. Staff t-shirts will be handed out to volunteers on a first-come first-serve basis and refreshments will be available. If you are interested in volunteering with VBS or any other children or youth ministry opportunity and have not had a Safe Sanctuary Training in the past two years, this training is required. For more information on volunteering for our Maker Fun Factory VBS, please contact Michelle Hurton at 573-9711x11 or mhurton@seymourumc.org. Operation Christmas Child This month we are collecting items to make sewing kits and tool kits for our shoe boxes! These donations are needed: Sewing Kits: Thread, needles, thimbles, small scissors and scraps of fabric which can be cut into squares, small spools of yarn and small sized knitting needles Tool Kit: Screws, nails, screwdrivers, small sized hammers as lightweight s you can find, plastic or wood model car kits, paint trays, brushes, and stickers to decorate car kits Thank you! Questions? See Robyn Robb Quality Crafts March collection items for ages 5-14. Page 4
Wednesday, March 1 Join us in the Fellowship Hall for dinner or stop by and pick up dinner for the family. We will be serving between 5:15-6:00 pm. Hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes, and dessert. Donations help the Youth pay for upcoming activities. New Arrivals in Your Church Library DVD: John the Gospel of Light and Life by Adam Hamilton, includes Leader Guide, Youth Guide and 3 books Fiction: Oklahoma Wedding by Cathy Hake, Kelly Hake and Jennifer Johnson Non-Fiction: In the Beginning (Genesis) Bible Series The Life Giving Home Experience 10 Curses That Block the Blessing Christmas-The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (an Advent for Adults) When God Comes Down (an Advent for Adults) Growing Your Church Through Evangelism and Outreach Faith: Living a Spiritual Life Setting Boundaries With Adult Children The Best Yes Knowing God Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus, The Radical Road to the Cross, includes Leaders Guide and 3 books My thanks to Joyce Terranova for processing these materials for you to check out. We need your donations of newer books with copyrights from 2015-2017, Thank you! My prayer for you in 2017 is to read, study and learn all you can about our God. Blessings, Robyn Robb Thank you Page 5
Wednesday Shared Supper 5:15 pm You CAN memorize scripture. Do you know your address without pulling out your driver s license? Case closed. In Matthew 4, Jesus used Scripture to stand firm against temptation in the desert. He didn t pull out his pocket Torah and leaf through it until he found the verses he needed. He had them hidden away in his mind and heart, ready to use. The Word of God is powerful: during dark times, the Holy Spirit will call out verses to bring you wisdom, strength, and hope. But you have to hide them away first. Here is your: Memorizing Tip of the Month First Letter Prompt This is a great and super effective technique to use, especially with school age kids. Print only the first letter of each word on an index card with spaces between the words. Those first letters are the clues to the next words. After using this to recall the verse, you will be amazed at how quickly you will be able to say the verse from memory without the first letter prompts. Thank you to everyone who makes our meal possible! Cost remains $4 per plate, children 2 and under eat free, and the family maximum is $15.* Find the full monthly menu right here and the weekly menu in your Sunday bulletin. RSVP or Standing RSVP is required but no one is ever turned away so by all means, bring a guest! *Family maximum applies to immediate family only: head of households and dependent minor children. On the Menu this Month (FIVE Wed Nights this Month!!!) 3-1 Youth Fundraiser: Grill & Chill 3-8 Baked Potato & Super Salad Bar, Banana Pudding 3-15 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Green Beans, Italian Side Salad Bar, Garlic Bread, Carrot Walnut Poke Cake 3-22 Chili, Chips, & Cheese, Pizza, or Mac & Cheese, Side Salad & Toppings Bar, Sopapilla Cheesecake 3-29 BBQ Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Scalloped Blue Cheese Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Choice Roll or Bun, Side Salad Bar, Chocolate Cheesecake Pudding Pie Page 6 All Wednesday evening activities will follow this schedule: 5:15 6:00 pm Fellowship Meal 6:00 pm All group activities begin 6:00 pm M&M s for Children Childcare will be available until 8:00 pm
March 2017 Normal Sunday Schedule 8:45 AM Traditional Worship 9:45 AM Fellowship Time 10:00 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Fellowship Time 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship PDO = Parents Day Out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless otherwise noted on calendar. Normal Wednesday Schedule 6:00 PM Small Group 7:30 PM Praise Band Ushers 8:45 am Rick Gillespie & Gina Noles Paul Hartigan 11:00 am Bobby Davenport (H) Don McCartney & Joyce Terranova Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 26 27 Bible 28 1 3:450 PM Children's Chimes 4:30 PM Children's 6:30 PM Ash Wednesday Service 7:30 PM Praise Band 2 3 4 5 6 Bible 7 8 3:45 PM Children's Chimes 4:30 PM Children's 6:00 PM Small Groups 7:30 PM Praise Band 9 10 11 12 2:00 PM Order of Arrow Scout Meeting 13 Bible 14 15 3:45 PM Children's Chimes 4:30 PM Children's 6:00 PM Small Groups 7:30 PM Praise Band 16 17 18 9:00 AM Groundskeepers 19 2:00 PM Scout (Pack) Meeting 20 Bible 21 22 3:45 PM Children's Chimes 4:30 PM Children's 6:00 PM Small Groups 7:30 PM Praise Band 23 24 4:00 PM Scrap booking 25 26 4:00 PM VBS Meeting 27 Bible 28 29 30 3:45 PM Children's Chimes 4:30 PM Children's 6:00 PM Small Groups 7:30 PM Praise Band 31 1 Page 7
STAFF Pastor, Rev. Jason Gattis Associate Pastor, Rev Steve Pross Director of Family Ministries and Outreach, Michelle Hurton Director of s, Gaile Todd Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Steven Mees Director of Contemporary Worship, Amber Lloyd Director Parents Day Out, Susan Cook Organist, John Bawcum Administrative Assistant, Elizabeth Hubbs Jason Gattis, Pastor 107 Simmons Road P O Box 1488 Seymour, TN 37865 Phone: (865) 573-9711 E-mail: office@seymourumc.org We re on the web: www.seymourumc.com We are a church Don t forget to Spring Forward Set your clocks 1 hour ahead, Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 am!