The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama May 23, 2018 Something Borrowed, Something New When the founder of Methodism read devotional material that was helpful to his own spiritual growth, he had it reprinted. Plagiarism was not a great concern for John Wesley. For instance, the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer that begins, I am no longer my own but Thine; put me to what Thou wilt; rank me with whom Thou wilt was originally part of a Puritan covenant renewal service. It was popularly used among Methodists and circuit riders distributed it without even a footnote of credit to the originators. In Wesley s era, imitation was the best form of flattery. Then one day a writer realized that others were profiting from his ideas. The concept of intellectual property was born. Lawmakers and courts got involved. Laws were made forbidding the use of others ideas, words, music, images, sounds and aromas without the express written permission of the owner of the material. Copyright infringement cases to be tried fill court dockets. At the same time, we have developed computer technology capable of finding and copying almost any form of intellectual property. Someone thanked me for one of my sermons and said it reflected many hours of study. I accepted the affirmation. I had spent several hours preparing it. I also used many thoughts from others who likely worked longer developing each idea than I did on the entire sermon. It was a collaborative effort of the Biblical writers, writers of commentaries, and other reflections and sermons on the topic. I have to say that I wrote the sermon with et. al. a Latin phrase meaning and others. I do not credit all contributors to my sermons because I do not blame them when someone disagrees with something I preach. I only include in sermons thoughts that I believe are true testimony to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I can say after I preach, This I believe. I watched a video clip of one of my favorite writers, Wendell Berry, who offered a warning about our information search engine world. You can type any subject into a window on a computer screen and the search engine often accesses thousands of websites and documents related to it. What could be wrong with that? Berry says that this information dump can rob us of the ability to be reflective, to meticulously research a topic in volumes of library books, and to take the time to think critically about the subject and to develop our own ideas on it. It s so easy and quick to copy and mimic what someone else thinks that we don t reach heart-felt convictions anymore. We merely repeat something we Googled. Since I Googled the Berry video, I stand convicted and have stopped long enough to reflect on it. Anselm, the 11 th century Archbishop of Canterbury in the Roman Catholic Church, boasted that he had never had an original thought. This was to contrast himself with a theological opponent named Abelard, a younger French Theologian, who had developed the exemplary theory of the atonement, which differed from previously development orthodox atonement theories. I believe it is important to know the origin of ideas we adopt as our own and give credit where credit is due, while at the same time realizing and celebrating that no one else has lived in our time, place, and circumstances to apply and contextualize those ideas the way we do. Jesus words about telling parables applies to us: Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old. (Matthew 13:52) --Pastor Hughey, et. al. The church office will be closed on Monday, May 28 for the holiday.
Last Sunday was a very special day in the life of our church. We celebrated five seniors who graduated this week and now they turn their focus to a new season in life. I ask each member of the church to pray for these families and students as they make their transitions to colleges within our state. Also, I wanted to recognize two students for their achievements this year. The first student, Susan Floyd, earned Valedictorian honors for Decatur High School! The second student, Lydia Matthews, was named Oak Park Middle School s Student of the Year! Congratulations to both of these students not only for their work this year but all the work up to this point. Your church family is very proud of you! Thanks, Patrick Finley Pastor of Discipleship and Youth 256.355.0277 (Office) 205.515.3615 (Cell) pfinley@decaturfumc.org Urban Acre Community Garden These photos were taken at our church s community garden, The Urban Acre, on May 21. You can see how the plants and seeds planted in April and May are developing. Some of the cool season crops, like lettuce, are ready to harvest now in small quantities. We expect squash and zucchini to bear fruit in June and tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables in July. Contact the church office if you would like to help with the church s garden.
Church Prayer List May 23 Edition 5:30 a.m. - Registration 7:00 a.m. - 15K starts June 2, 2018 Ladies, The Tuesday Morning Women s Bible Study will begin a new book by Max Lucado called Life Lessons in John. May 29th will be our first lesson. If you would like a book, I will be happy to order for you; just let me know. My email is peggy.black@hotmail.com, and my phone number is 256-616-5373. The cost is $8.50. We would love to have you join us each Tuesday, but if there are days you have to miss, don t worry. We all have those! Perfect attendance stars aren t given! Peggy Black Hilltoppers Kathy Archer needs volunteers to serve on a committee to help plan trips for the Hilltoppers. If you are willing to serve, please contact her at (256) 412-8520 or by email at archk1@bellsouth.net. Please keep Kathy and Steve Armstrong in your prayers on the death of Kathy's father, Herman Beasley. Praise for the May 17th birth of Luke Nolan Schemmel to Kate and Derek Schemmel of Jacksonville FL. Relative from our congregation are grandparents Caroline and Rick Sanders, great-grandfather Dick Williams, and Aunt Carrie, Uncle Andrew and cousins Katherine and Virginia Hart. Mike Schubert Becky and Ken House Bill Dunivant Margaret-Anne Crumlish, daughter of Shirley and George McCrary, undergoing cancer treatment at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX Eric and Laverne Armstrong Marion Spivey has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Marion is a friend of Betty Ann Mitchum. Libby Sims Patrick, daughter of Bill and Betty Sims Steven and Hilary Blakely Mitzi Walker, cancer Diana Walker, cancer (Perry Walker s daughter-in-law) Dick Williams James Thrasher Joyce Smith, Mayo Clinic Judy Coon LaVerne Dollahite Dot Oliver Ronald Matthews Beth Roberts Wesley Patrick Alice Ackley Deborah Stewart Marian Sittason Kerry Hawkins Kyle St. Clair, broken arm (son of Jonathan & Abby) Jonathan and Shelby Creekmore 256-355-5555 We have been awarded the Pre-K grant. Registration is now open. Please call 256-214-3584 or email firstgrace@decaturfumc.org for more info on how to register. Church Cookbooks We have church cookbooks for sale in the church office for $5.00. These make great gifts!
Please enjoy these photos from Muffins with Moms. Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry 256-606-8646
Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry 256-606-8646 Sunday Morning Volunteers Volunteers for Sunday, May 27th No Sunday School due to the Holiday Weekend. Children s Church 10:00 Service Teachers- Alexia Claborn Volunteers for Sunday, June 3 rd Sunday School 9:00am Pre-school Room #215 Leigh Ann Blankenship Assistant- TBA K 2 nd grade Room #207 Barbara Ashwander Assistant- TBA 3 rd -5 th Grade- - Room #306 Betty Ann Mitchum Assistant Viva Teal Sunday School Children s Church 10:00 Service Teachers- Carrie Hart & Tara Jones All Hands On Deck! Please join us the week before VBS to help transform our church to be Shipwrecked & Rescued by Jesus! June 4 th -9 th VBS Decorating Days Monday, June 4 th 9:00 am-12pm (Childcare available) Tuesday, June 5 th 6:00 pm-9:00 pm Wednesday, June 6 th 9:00 am- 12pm (Childcare available) Thursday, June 7 th 6:00 pm-9:00 pm Friday, June 8 th 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm Saturday, June 9 th 9:00 am-12pm Volunteers We are looking for Sunday School Teachers / Assistants, Children s Church Teachers / Assistants and First Fellowship Volunteers. Please contact Alexia if you are able to volunteer in any of these areas. The best way to contact me is by email, text or call at the following. aclaborn@decaturfumc.org and cell 256-606-8646 It s our favorite time of the Year! Vacation Bible School - June 11 th 14 th 9:00 a.m. Noon Please make sure your children and their friends are registered. You may pick up a registration packet in the welcome center or register online at https://vbspro.events/p/events/decaturfumc. The deadline to order VBS shirts is May 31. Thank you! The VBS team is so grateful for all of the items that have already been donated. This is a huge help in making VBS a huge success and within budget. There are some more donation opportunities still on our board and it s not too late! Dates to Remember: June 4 th -9 th VBS Decorating Days June 11 th -14 th VBS 9am- 12pm June 17 th - Donuts with Dad during Sunday School hour Acolyte Schedule May 27th - LuLu Underwood June 3rd Mary Emma Harper, Bristol Rayne Teal
Upcoming Events No UMYF, Happy Office Closed Monday, May 28 for Tuesday, May 29, 10:00 a.m., Women's Bible Study, Courtyard Conf. Room Wednesday, May 30, 6:00 p.m., Choir Practice Thursday, May 30, 7:30 a.m. UMM Breakfast at City Cafe Saturday, June 2 Mountain Mania (details this newsletter) 805 CANAL STREET N.E. DECATUR ECATUR,, AL 35601 PHONE (256) 355-0277 FAX (256) 355-2241 www.decaturfumc.org U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Decatur, AL 35601 Permit No. 226 Hughey Reynolds, Sr. Minister, hreynolds@decaturfumc.org Patrick Finley, Minister of Discipleship & Youth, pfinley@decaturfumc.org Tommy Davis, Music Director Daryenne Eads, First Grace Director, firstgrace@decaturfumc.org Cindy McCulloch, Finance Secretary, cmcculloch@decaturfumc.org Wayne Keller, Accompanist Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@decaturfumc.org Ruth Moyers, Organist Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry, aclaborn@decaturfumc.org Melissa Wiley, Housekeeper Upcoming Sunday Worship Services PURPOSE STATEMENT: Discipling our church to cultivate a legacy of Gospel-inspired servant leadership MISSION STATEMENT: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ who become servant leaders for the transformation of our church, our homes, our city, state, nation, and world. Scheduled To Serve May 27 Acolytes: 10:00 - LuLu Underwood Ushers: 10:00 a.m. - Steve Armstrong, Jim Ridgeway, Kin Copeland, Sage Copeland, Jimmy Sykes Sunday, May 27 - Only one service at 10:00 a.m. Creator, Redeemer, Perfecter John 3: 1-17 Rev. Hughey Reynolds Sunday, June 3 - Only one service at 10:00 a.m. Called to Tell It Like It Is 1 Samuel 3: 1-21 Rev. Hughey Reynolds The church office will be closed on Monday, May 28 for the holiday.