We will have only one Sunday worship service at 10:00 a.m. through Dec. 31, 2017. Sunday School will be at 9:00 a.m. Spread the word! The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama August 16, 2017 Five Year Ministry Plan Presentation Sunday Evening On Sunday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m., I will present the goals the church staff and I propose to drive a 5 year ministry plan for our church. All members of existing ministry teams are urged to come to this covered dish supper meeting and I invite all who would like a preview of what is to come to attend. Our church purpose is Discipling our church to cultivate a legacy of Gospel inspired servant leadership. Our purpose projected over the next 5 years gives our Beyond the Horizon Storyline: In the next 5 years Decatur First United Methodist Church will plant the seeds of God s Word and cultivate the Good News of Jesus Christ into the lives of 3,000 children, teenagers, and adults in the Decatur area. We recognize that isolation and having no one to talk with about life s struggles is a widespread condition experienced by people outside and inside the church. We believe our church has within its tool house the means to address spiritual struggles and stimulate healthy growth in relationships. Through small groups focused on lifelong growth in discipleship we will cultivate environments to build friendships and increase trust, vulnerability, and hope that are invaluable for dealing with life s difficult problems, crises, and transitions as we age. Within 5 years we will see 100% of our membership capable of participation involved in small groups in and outside the church. In 2018 we will open a greenhouse where leaders are trained to be planted throughout the church and community. These servant leaders will take the most effective tools and methods of their greenhouse experience to graft into existing small groups and plant new small groups in the church and community. This cultivation of discipleship through all the seasons of life will make fertile ground for bringing friends and acquaintances into a deeper walk with Christ characterized by healthy habits and relationships. We will multiply the touch of our church in Decatur by 300%, from an estimated 1000 today to 3000 in the year 2023. Audacious Goals for fulfilling our purpose: 1. Create and define the processes and outcomes for discipleship at DFUMC. * Create a team that explores definitions and process through reading, best practices, and speed learning to define format and content. * Open Greenhouse for germinating small group leaders * Communication of the strategy to the congregation to enlist leaders and participants 2. Engage the external community by expanding our touch and reach by 300% * Identify de-churched and un-churched groups in our area and develop venues outside the church and ministries inside the church where we connect them with the Gospel where they are. * Learn and share all we can about the most challenging problems faced by people in our external community in the Decatur area and discover how our small group structure can address them. * Expand our touch through existing ministries and Faith Promise Partners 3. Engage our church family to get 100% of the congregation capable of participation taking next steps in our church discipleship process * Communicate discipleship process and outcomes and educate congregation about next steps * Develop a system and rhythm of celebrating and encouraging next steps taken * Make next step journey a central part of church membership training God is doing a new thing in and through our church to bring hope and healing to God s children in Decatur. I am thrilled to be your pastor as we refine, launch, and implement God s plan. Yours in Christ, Hughey
First Fellowship Resumes August 23 First Fellowship Wednesday Supper Volunteer Sign Up Our Fall semester for Wednesday Night Fellowship Suppers begins August 23rd. We have a great time in the kitchen. Please consider signing up again for this semester! If you have never done this, it is a great way to learn what it takes to run the kitchen. Many hands make light work; but really, it never feels like work we have so much fun! Past year volunteers that request the same jobs are very welcome but we still would love to hear from you. Thank you. Please email Deb Graham at gra2418@gmail.com or text her at 281-757-5272. There is also a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall. We will need help with: 1. Setting up the Fellowship Hall prior to our 5:00 p.m. supper. This entails wiping down the tables, setting placemats, and flowers 2. Getting the ice chests ready for the Iced Tea and Lemonade station 3. Setting up the dessert table 4. Setting up the salad bar items 5. Setting up plates, silver napkins etc. 6. Cookie baking on Wednesday morning 7. Iced tea and Lemonade prep, usually done Monday or Tuesday 8. Serving the iced drinks during the meal 9. Cash table 10. Runners in kitchen for various needs during the hour prior to and during supper 11. Clean-up crew following supper, usually finished by 7:00 p.m. This entails running dishwasher, bringing dirty plates and utensils to the kitchen, drying, sorting and putting away of all kitchen tools following supper. Our first two meals (Aug. 23 and Aug. 30) are going to be catered by J.W. Steakhouse! On Aug. 23rd, our meal will be their ever popular Kabobs with all the trimmings. No reservations required! The meal will start at 5:00 p.m. Here are the Adult Wednesday night class offerings available to you. Please sign up for these on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall. Classes start at 6:00 p.m. Mayberry Bible Study by Stephen Shelton, Led by Rev. Charles Boling, Seekers Room A note from Rev. Boling: "I have had a 'love affair' with "The Andy Griffith Show" since the 1960s. This Fall my class will be using the Mayberry Bible Study for nine weeks. Showing an episode each night, we will be using one word to highlight the Biblical principle such as trust, pride, etc. found in the show. The Wired Word, Led by Various Adults, Minister s Conf. Room Science and Religion, Led by Ken House, Upper Room Young Women s Bible Study, Led by Weety Vickery and Sandy Reynolds, Courtyard Conf. Room FUMC 101: Our History, Led by Wylheme Ragland, New Community Room Women s Bible Study, Led by Marilyn Sykes, New Dimensions Room Stay tuned for more details about Children s Choir/Classes. New Member We are pleased to announce that Suzanne Turner joined our church on August 13. She transfers to us from Westminster Presbyterian Church. Her address is 4402 Autumn Leaves Trail SE, Decatur, 35603. Welcome! The Urban Acre Community Garden Progress Report If you would like to help with The Urban Acre either by physically working in the garden or through donations to defray expenses, contact our pastor Hughey Reynolds at hreynolds@decaturfumc.org or minister of outreach Shannon Booth at shannon@decaturfumc.org. We will include you on the email list to receive notifications of workdays and garden updates. You can also find us on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/theurbanacre/ We have harvested 927.5 pounds total since July 1
Shannon Booth, Director of Outreach and Evangelism 256-221-0348 Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels needs volunteers. Most routes take from one to two hours. A great way to make this easier is for a Sunday School Class or a Small Group to take on a route for a day of the week. This allows individuals to volunteer monthly (or less frequently if there are more volunteers). There are routes available in Decatur and Hartselle. Meals on Wheels is a wonderful opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ to members of our community who may feel lonely and marginalized. Please contact Shannon if you would like to volunteer shannon@decaturfumc.org Coin Drop First Grace is having a coin drop to support Joel and Caitlin Rath. Joel is the son of Darlene Rath who is a 4-K teacher in First Grace. Joel and Caitlin are headed to Zambia with Overland Missions. They need help with their plane tickets. If you see a jar, drop in a few coins to help send them to share God s message of hope with the people of Zambia. The coin drive will end Sunday, September 3. We have invited Joel and Caitlin to be a part of our next GIC, and we look forward to getting to know them! Meeting for Mission Committee There will be a Mission Committee meeting Thursday, August 24, at 5:30 p.m. This will be an exciting and important meeting as we begin planning our next Global Impact Celebration! Thank You Note from The Committee on Church Cooperation Dear Dr. Reynolds and the Urban Acre Gardeners, Thank you so much for your generous donation of lovely squash from the garden! Our needy clients are well cared for as a result of compassionate churches like FUMC. We value your partnership in our ministry to the needy and homeless in our community. Church Prayer List August 16th Edition Praise for the August 9th birth of William Sellers Oletti to Anna and A.J. Oletti. Big brother is Reed and big sister is LouLou. Grandparents from this congregation are Bobbie and Keith Skelton. Clyde Sasser, recently discharged from hospital Sherrill Altice, triple bypass surgery, Huntsville Hospital, August 4. Unspoken Staff Transition Don McClure, grandfather to Daryenne Eads Vicki Dukes, broken ankle, compound fracture recovery LaVerne Dollahite Dot Oliver Alice Ackley James Graham, grandson of Deb and Pete Graham Cathren Bonds (Mom of Sherrill Altice) Terry Johnson (Sandy Reynolds first cousin) Prostate cancer Jerry Daniels, cancer (Alexia Claborn s father) Judy Coon Jean Elliott Joanne Wheat Deborah Stewart Katherine Johnson Yvonne Michaels, kidney cancer Barbara Agee, year 12 of Alzheimer's disease Please fill out a prayer card found in the pew pockets or email your prayer requests to aquinn@decaturfumc.org for publication in the next newsletter.
Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry 256-606-8646 A big thank you to Stefanie and John Underwood for hosting our Back to School Water party! We had a blast! ACOLYTE SCHEDULE Aug. 20, 10:00 a.m., Bristol Rayne Teal & Mary Elizabeth Booth Aug. 27, 10:00 a.m., Miller Roberts & Davis Roberts Sunday Morning Volunteers Volunteers for Sunday, Aug. 20 th Sunday School 9:00am Pre-school Room #215 Leigh Ann Blankenship K 2 nd grade Room #207 Carrie Hart Assistant- Alexia Claborn 3 rd -5 th Grade- - Room #306 Betty Ann Mitchum Assistant Viva Teal Children s Church 10:00 Service Teacher- Alexia Claborn Volunteers Needed 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. Volunteers for Sunday, Aug. 27 th Sunday School 9:00am Pre-school Room #215 Jessica Mitchell K 2 nd grade Room #207 Mary Ila Ward 3 rd -5 th Grade- - Room #306 Betty Ann Mitchum Assistant Viva Teal Children s Church 10:00 Service Teacher- Carrie Hart Assistant- Callie Ondocsin Thank you for sharing God s word and his love with our children! 256-355-5555
Host Families Needed Members of our congregation have a unique and important opportunity for outreach. Tom Winkler, who attends Decatur FUMC with his family, is the head coach for the Point Mallard Ducks. They are looking for host homes for players. They currently need three or four more homes. What a wonderful opportunity to pour into the life of a young man and share God s love through your hospitality. Players arrive September 1, so they need to find these young men homes as soon as possible. Below you will find Tom s message and contact information. You can also contact Leigh Ann Blankenship. She is a member of our congregation who participates in the hosting program. Worship will be at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday through December 31, 2017. Please refer to the brochure in the church office for details. The Point Mallard Ducks Junior Hockey Team is looking for host families for the 2017-2018 season. We have players ages 16-20 coming to Decatur from all over the world and the United States that need a stable and welcoming home during the season. If you would like to know more about this incredibly important program, please call or e-mail Ducks Head Coach, Tom Winkler, at 256-529-9007 or twinkler@totalpackagehockey.com Church Picnic at the Greene s Farm Rescheduled Join us on Sept. 10 from 5:00-7:00 for a church wide picnic at Jim and Lise Greene s farm (4516 County Road 400 Hillsboro, AL 35643). Each family is asked to bring a picnic dinner to feed their own family along with a blanket and or chairs. This is not a potluck picnic. We will have Ed Nichols as our guest to play guitar and lead us in songs. This will be a great time for our church family to celebrate the end of summer and start of school. In case of rain on that day, check Facebook for plans www.facebook.com/ DecaturFirstUMC Women's Sunday August 20, 2017 Celebrating the Women of First United Methodist Church Your News Wanted Please let the church office staff know about news that happens to you. Include anything you d like to share with your church family. Shared joy is multiplied. What would you like to see in this newsletter? Write it down and submit it before Tuesdays at 3:00. If you choose to e-mail, please use address aquinn@decaturfumc.org. Thanks! New Ministry Goals Supper Meeting Sunday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall All ministry teams (not just chairs) are invited to attend this meeting. This took the place of the planned Council on Ministries meeting previously scheduled for August 15. Members of the church are also invited for the unveiling of the goals that will guide our ministries for the next five years. Please RSVP and bring a potluck dish.
Upcoming Events Five Year Ministry Plan Presentation Sunday Evening Sunday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall (details front page) Membership Committee Meeting, Monday, August 21 at 5:00 p.m., Courtyard Conf. Room Tuesday, August 22, 10:00 a.m., Women's Bible Study, Courtyard Conf. Room Tuesday, August 22, 5:00 8:00 p.m., Stewardship Meetings, Courtyard Conf. Room 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 Wednesday, August 23, 5:00 p.m., First Fellowship Resumes Wednesday, August 23, 6:00 p.m., Choir Practice Thursday, August 24, 6:30 a.m. UMM Bible Study Resumes Minister s Conf. Room Thursday, August 24, 7:30 a.m. UMM Breakfast at City Cafe Thursday, August 24, 5:30 p.m. Mission Team GIC Meeting Minister s Conf. Room Please place label here Hughey Reynolds, Senior Minister, hreynolds@decaturfumc.org Charlie Elliott, Custodian Tommy Davis, Interim Music Director Melissa Wiley, Housekeeper Cindy McCulloch, Finance Secretary, cmcculloch@decaturfumc.org Wayne Keller, Accompanist Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@decaturfumc.org Cindy Brigman, First Grace Director, firstgrace@decaturfumc.org Alexia Claborn, Director of Children s Ministry, aclaborn@decaturfumc.org Ruth Moyers, Organist Shannon Booth, Director of Outreach, shannon@decaturfumc.org Upcoming 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. Sunday, Aug. 20 Only one service at 10:00 a.m. Women s Sunday Sermon: Forgiven Genesis 45: 1-15, Rev. Hughey Reynolds Sunday, Aug. 27 Only one service at 10:00 a.m. Sermon: Offer All Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28, Rev. Hughey Reynolds Find Us On Social Media Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/decaturfirstumc Scheduled To Serve August 20 Acolyte: 10:00 AM-Bristol Rayne Teal & Mary Elizabeth Booth Ushers: 10:00 AM- Mike Ward, Drew Ward, Jim Riant, Gerald New, Jack Ozier First Fellowship Wednesday Night First Fellowship is our Wednesday night ministry. Dinner is served from 5:00-6:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Children s ministries start at 5:30 and youth ministries start at 6:00. We have several Adult Small Group options for this semester! Please consider signing up for one of the following classes being offered. Our first two meals (Aug. 23 and Aug. 30) are going to be catered by J.W. Steakhouse! On Aug. 23rd, our meal will be their ever popular Kabobs with all the trimmings. No reservations required! August 23 Volunteers Money Table: Mary & Tom Earley Clean-Up: Diane & Billy Hudson Karen & Charles Taylor