The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of ...

[Pages:6]The Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, Alabama

August 7, 2019

Greetings Church Family! Toby Chastain, Associate Pastor

I have enjoyed my first few days on the job, and Ragan and I have felt so warmly welcomed by our congregation. I am looking forward to the ministry opportunities that lie ahead. I am especially excited to experience my introductory FIRST FELLOWSHIP on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. Since this is just around the corner, I have made some investigation into what to expect. Here is what I have discovered so far:

? FIRST FELLOWSHIP will run from August 21 until November 20.

? Our primary theme for this fall is Spiritual Disciplines.

? Sandy and Hughey Reynolds will be leading a class entitled Falling, Staying, and Growing in Love--A Class for Couples.

? A Young Women's Bible Study will continue and will be led by Weety Vickery.

? Lisa Earley will be leading a course on the fourth book in the Sensible Shoes series.

? I will be teaching a course entitled Habits That Feed the Soul, where we both learn about AND experience spiritual disciplines that are life giving.

? For those who want to participate in a study and not be late to choir, we are offering Footsteps of Jesus in the Gospels a study beginning at 5:45 p.m. and led by Charles Boling and Mark Heard.

? Speaking of our choir, don't forget practice starts at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Tommy Davis, our choir director, has assured me that ALL are welcome to join!

? Of course, we will have a delicious meal at 5:00 p.m. prepared by Deb Graham and our First Fellowship volunteers.

? There will be more information to come on our website, social media, email, and during Sunday morning worship.

As you can see, it is going to be an exciting fall. I hope you will join us. Our Wednesday night gatherings are not just about gaining spiritual knowledge, but they are also times for us to check in with and encourage one another.

Don't forget that this Sunday, August 11, 2019, I'll be preaching in our 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning service. I'm going to be sharing a bit about my call to ministry, what it means to be an Ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and exploring what the Bible has to say about servant leadership. I hope you will come and bring a friend.

Toby

You're Invited to the 9th Annual Homer Christopher Fish Fry

The United Methodist Men (UMM) invite you to this year's fish fry on Wednesday, August 14, starting at 5:00 PM and ending at 6:30 in the Wesley Fellowship Hall. Tickets are on sale now: ? Weekdays in the church office. ? Sunday, August 11 in the main hallway between the sanctuary and

the fellowship hall. ? In most adult Sunday School classes ? From several dozen men of the church who have tickets to sell.

We encourage you to purchase tickets in advance so we can estimate attendance, but a limited number of tickets will be available the evening of the fish fry. Tickets are $10 for each diner including children. There is a $30 family maximum for a parent or parents with minor children under age 18. Hope to see you next Wednesday! Billy Hudson, UMM President Ken Chandler, UMM Fish Fry Coordinator

Parenting Seminar led by Carol Ozier at Sykes Place on Bank Street

There will be a Parenting Seminar led by Carol Ozier on Monday, August 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Sykes Place on Bank Street. Carol is a certified Parenting Coach with John Rosemond and has been involved with families throughout her career. She has served as both a Board Member and an employee of PACT. She currently leads a Parenting Class for the System of Schools in Decatur. Registration is available on the FUMC website. Carol will discuss a variety of parenting challenges including how to be your child's parent and not their friend; the tendency toward "helicopter" parenting in our society; and how to have a successful school year with your child. Please register by calling the church office or online: event/lets-talk-about-parenting-with-carol-ozier/

New Members

We are pleased to welcome Jerry and Janet Johnson into the membership of First Church. They transfer to us from Central United Methodist Church. Their address is 55 Jackson Way, Decatur, AL 35603-5168.

Jerry's email is johnson1262@ and Janet's email is janetljohnson55@

Please join us in welcoming them!

Reception for Toby and Ragan Chastain

On Sunday, August 18, we all have a chance to greet and welcome our new Associate Pastor, Toby Chastain and wife Ragan at a reception in the Fellowship Hall following worship.

Toby's church email address is tchastain@ so feel free to extend greetings to him!

First Friends

First Friends will meet on Thursday, August 22 from 1:002:30 in room 250 of the New Wing. We hope you will join us for fellowship, fun, and food!

Safe Sanctuary Training

? Monday, August 12 ? 6:00 p.m. ? Fellowship Hall

Church Cookbooks

We still have an abundance of our Church Cookbooks available for purchase. You will find these in the Church office for only $5.00 each. Pick one up today!

Sunday Flower Dedications

We have several dates available for Sunday Flower Dedications. Please contact the church office or send an email to aquinn@ for more information.

Church Prayer List August 7

Please fill out a prayer card found in the pew pockets or email your prayer requests to aquinn@ for publication in the next newsletter.

El Paso and Dayton Shooting Victims

Death of Virginia King on July 24th

Death of Larry Wallace on August 1st

Alice Mae Brackin, Ragan Chastain's grandmother

Nita Tutwiler

Bonnie Lindsey

Jeanne Smith

Bill Dunivant

Dorothy Woodruff

Cindy Geddes

Cathy & Luke Slaton

Jean Elliott

Nancy Ensey, Mary Earley's sister

George McCrary

Van Windsor

Joyce Fuller, broken hip

Phyliss Schmidbauer

Stephen Coulter, leukemia

Claire Browdy, job search

David & Marilyn Harris

Mike Schubert

Ruth Beasley

Laverne Armstrong

Jane Blake

Dot and Burl Oliver

Susan Baughn

Ed Taylor

Nita Lawrence

LaVerne Dollahite

Libby Sims Patrick, daughter of Bill and Betty Sims

Lisa Sims Wallace, daughter of Bill and Betty Sims

Judy Coon

Bill & Bettye Dennis

Kerry Hawkins, cancer

Martha & Robert Long

Bob & Mary Alice Johnson (friends & neighbors of Mary Jane Sasser. Bob has Lymphoma.)

Deborah Stewart

Marian Sittason

Eston Lovingood

Ronald Matthews

Joanne Wheat

Alice Ackley

Please fill out a prayer card found in the pew pockets or email your prayer requests to aquinn@ for publication in the next newsletter.

Find Us On Social Media

"Like" us on Facebook:

DecaturFirstUMC

Youth News

A couple of weeks ago, the youth had a lock-in here at the church, and we had a great time! We had 12 youth in attendance! Thank you to our volunteers who make all of our events possible.

School started back on August 7th. Please, be in prayer for our youth, children, teachers, and administrators for an amazing year!

Wednesday night Youth First Fellowship resumes August 21. Dinner starts at 5:00, and we will start youth at 6:00. Please contact Youth Minister Jonathan Creekmore for more information. youth@ or 662-736-0930

We continue to have Sunday night youth from 5:30-7:30! We hope to see everyone there!

Children's Ministry

We are happy to announce that starting on September 8th, our church will begin a new Children's Church! Children will be able to experience age appropriate worship and lessons. We are so excited! More details to come soon.

Communications

We are currently working on a new website that will be rolled-out at the end of this month! We will have an event to display and celebrate our new website. Please be on the lookout for dates for that event!

17th Annual Lucy and John Caddell Alzheimer's Conference

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Location: Epic Church 607 14th Street, SE Decatur, Alabama

"Be the Voice: Advocating for Your Loved One" presented by Lynda Everman

Caregivers, Family, Healthcare Professionals

Register today: annual-caddell-alzheimers-conference/

Or call 256-353-1160 (lunch provided)

Proceeds benefit the MHA Alzheimer's Program. The program provides educational programs, support groups, Project Reach scholarships for incontinence and nutritional

supplies, Music & Memory and family consultations for support and caregiving information.

Children's Ministry Volunteers

Sunday School Teacher Schedule (all kids are together in one class for the summer): August 11th Molly Ferrell

August 18th Jessica Mitchell

August 25th Carrie Hart

September 1st no SS, due to Labor Day weekend

Children's' Church Schedule:

August 11th Katie Caldwell & Anna Oletti

August 18th Calley Ondocsin & Davia Newman

August 25th Jessica Mitchell & Mary Malone

September 1st Jen Winkler & Ashley Ashwander

Bible Presentation for Rising 3rd Graders

Our rising 3rd graders will be presented Bibles during our morning worship service on Sunday, August 11th. Please contact Jonathan Creekmore at youth@ or 662-736-0930 if you have a 3rd grader and have not received an email.

Lake Day

We are planning a Lake Day for youth, children, and their families on Saturday, August 24th from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Oziers' lake house! It's going to be a great day of food, fellowship, and fun! Mark your calendars!

Tuesday Morning Women's Bible Study

The Women's Bible Study began a new Study book on Tuesday, August 6th. We will be studying Max Lucado's Life Lessons from Acts. If you are looking for a way to learn more about the Bible and God's plan for your life, we invite you to join this supportive, joyful group of women. Don't worry if you can't be there each Tuesday. You don't lose life points!

We meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Courtyard Conference Room. If you would like me to order a book for you, just let me know.

Peggy Black 256-616-5373

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@.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, August 11, 11:00 a.m. SPRC & Children's Team, Minister's Conf. Room

Sunday, August 11, 5:30 p.m. Ignite Youth Activities

Monday, August 12, 6:00 p.m. Safe Sanctuary Training, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, August 13, 10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study, Courtyard Conf. Room

Tuesday, August 13, 6:00 p.m. SPRC, Minister's Conf. Room

Wednesday, August 14, 5:00 p.m. Homer Christopher Fish Fry, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, August 14, 6:00 p.m. Choir Practice

Thursday, August 15, 6:30 a.m. UMM Bible Study - Courtyard Conf. Room

Thursday, August 15, 8:00 a.m. UMM Breakfast at City Caf?

805 CANAL STREET N.E. DECATUR, AL 35601 PHONE (256) 355-0277 FAX (256) 355-2241

U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org. Decatur, AL 35601

Permit No. 226

Hughey Reynolds, Sr. Minister, hreynolds@

Tommy Davis, Music Director, dr.tommy.davis@

Toby Chastain, Associate Pastor, tchastain@

Wayne Keller, Accompanist

Jonathan Creekmore, Youth Minister, youth@

Ruth Moyers, Organist, moyersruth@

Alyson Quinn, Church Secretary, aquinn@

Melissa Wiley

Cindy McCulloch, Finance Secretary, cmcculloch@

Kristin Green, Interim First Grace Director, firstgrace@

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."

Sunday, August 11 10:00 a.m. - Traditional Service, Sanctuary "Servant Leaders for Servant Leaders" Isaiah 1: 1, 10-19 Rev. Toby Chastain, preaching

Sunday, August 18 10:00 a.m. - Traditional Service, Sanctuary "Planting Good and Reaping Bad" Isaiah 5: 1-7 Rev. Hughey Reynolds, preaching

Ushers Scheduled To Serve

AUGUST 11: Gerald New, Jack Ozier, Norman Roby, Drew Ward, Ronnie Dukes AUGUST 18: Stan Davis, Larry Weaver, A.J. Oletti, Jimmy Sykes, Stephen Brown

256-355-5555 256-214-3584

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