Church Day at Camp Update
Church Day at Camp Update Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the FUMC Church Day at Camp on October 15. Camp Wesley Woods is rolling out the red carpet for us! Alongside the climbing wall and archery events, their camp staff will lead a full afternoon of fun. Join us for: – Candle Making in the Craft Cabin – S’mores around the campfire – A nature hike to a waterfall at 12:15 and 1:45 – Soccer – Basketball – Frisbee – Gaga ball It’s going to be a fantastic day of fun at camp for our church family. Here’s what we need you to do: – Call the church office to reserve a space for archery and the climbing wall. The events will be held at 12:15 and 1:45. – Register to let us know you’re coming. We will provide a hot dog lunch and want to make sure we have enough food for everyone. – Inform us if you need a ride on the church bus. The bus will depart from the church at 9:30 am and return from Camp Wesley Woods at approximately 3:15 pm. – If you prefer to drive, enter the following address into your GPS: 329 Wesley Woods Road, Townsend, TN 37882. This event is BYOC- Bring Your Own Chair. A folding chair will ensure your comfort. For more information, contact Pastor Denna at dhornby@fumcor.org.October 20 Sager Brown
Disaster Relief Supplies – Save Lives and Give Comfort
The Sager Brown Team is preparing to depart on October 28, so please contribute funds to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Sager Brown depot through our church. Your donation will help provide necessary supplies for hygiene kits and other kits. These kits are distributed to individuals and families affected by disasters. Ensure that our team can bring a significant amount of kit supply funds with them. Please send or bring your donation for this worthwhile project to FUMC with “UMCOR Sager Brown Kit” written on your envelope or a personal check marked for SB Kits on the memo line by October 22, 2023.
October 13 Sager Brown
Support the FUMC Sager Brown Team with Disaster Supply Donations
Donations are needed for the personal kits given to individuals and families in temporary shelters during a disaster. Our church’s mission team will be leaving for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Sager Brown Depot on Saturday, October 28 and returning on Saturday, November 4. While at the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot, they will work with other volunteers to assemble hygiene kits that are sent out in response to USA disasters. The cost of supplies needed for each kit is between $12 and $14. Please send or bring your donation to FUMC with “Sager Brown Kit” written on the envelope or a personal check marked for SB Kits on the memo line by October 22, 2023.
October 6 Sager Brown
Your Opportunity to Serve God through Disaster Relief Donations
As you are aware, the past year has seen numerous natural disasters, including the Maui fire, tornadoes in Southern and Midwestern states, and hurricanes Nicole and Idalia. Unfortunately, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)’s ability to respond to these disasters has been limited due to a reduction in financial support and the COVID-19 restrictions on Sager Brown’s disaster kit ministry. The United Methodist Church must take action by increasing the supply of kit parts and the production of disaster kits through the Sager Brown Depot. This is where FUMC comes in. We will be sending a mission team to work on disaster kits at Sager Brown in late October. You can join this team by donating to purchase supplies for the kits. The cost of the kit supplies ranges between $12 and $14 per kit. Please send or bring your donation for this important project to FUMC with “Sager Brown Kit” written on your envelope or a personal check marked for SB Kits on the memo line by October 22, 2023.
Community Meal Funding
Over the past few years, the Wednesday Community Meal has been funded independently from the church budget. The majority of our funds come from the Y-12 Federal Credit Union, but we also receive funds from other sources. Our goal is to expand our funding sources to reduce the risk to the ministry in case Y-12 FCU can no longer support us as generously in the future.
We kindly ask for your help with this matter. If you have any affiliation with an organization or private benefactor that regularly contributes to local charities or ministries, the Community Meal Team would appreciate the opportunity to speak with someone from such organizations about our ministry. Please consider this and reach out to George Murchio (georgemurchio@gmail.com), or Rev. Jenny (jcaughman@fumcor.org) if you know someone who might be interested in substantially supporting this vital food ministry.
Library Committee
The library committee has placed a few of their favorite Recovery books on the lower shelves to commemorate First Recovery’s one-year anniversary. You can easily spot them as they are displayed on top. Did you know we have a section dedicated to literature on Recovery? We invite you to come and explore it!
Denna Hornby to Youth
Rev. Denna Hornby to Lead Youth Ministry
The Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce that Rev. Denna Hornby will oversee and lead our youth ministry in the coming years. Denna, who has been serving our congregation part-time, will now be transitioning to full-time status to facilitate this change. Over the past year and a half, Denna’s enthusiasm for ministry and service has been evident to all. What some may not know is that she has a background in children and youth ministry. We are excited about this opportunity and invite everyone to support Denna in her new role.
Marvelous Monday
Need a Roman Holiday?
Marvelous Monday Movie returns on October 2nd with Audrey Hepburn’s Oscar-winning performance in “Roman Holiday.” Join us at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to experience her portrayal of a modern-day princess rebelling against her royal obligations, as she meets Gregory Peck’s character in the Eternal City. The Adult Ministries Committee will provide plenty of snacks for you to enjoy while watching this film on our big screen.
Community Assistance Fund
Community Assistance Fund This Sunday
During our Holy Communion celebrations, we provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the Community Assistance Fund. This fund provides support to members of our community who need assistance with gas expenses for work or have received a utility cut-off notice. Please prayerfully consider supporting this important mission fund during worship this Sunday.
Pride Parade Details
Pride Parade Details
(It won’t let me upload the links, so I will put them on Teams for you. Flynn)
If you are interested in marching with our Social Concerns Committee in the October 6 Knoxville Pride Parade, please fill out the following form to let them know you are coming: [link to form]. If you would like to order a “Y’all Means All” t-shirt to wear in the parade, you can place your order here: [link to order]. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Greg Smith at smit92611@gmail.com.
Pride Parade with Links
Pride Parade Details
If you are interested in marching with our Social Concerns Committee in the October 6 Knoxville Pride Parade, use the following form to let them know you are coming:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WuzQceBEf0AI_pZeOoNfyUlj3_p2cl-szj1R5eGSZRw/edit
If you would like to order a “Y’all Means All” t-shirt to wear in the parade, you can order it here: https://tinyurl.com/2s38a5d9. If you have questions, feel free to contact Greg Smith at smit92611@gmail.com.
Statzer tree
This beautiful dogwood tree was generously donated in memory of Ed Statzer by a group of his friends from the Air Force. It is located in the flowerbed between the upper parking lot and the walkway from the street to the building’s double doors.
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Missing Goats
Sign up now for a great Senior Adult Luncheon!
We are excited to welcome the band “The Missing Goats” to our Wednesday, October 11 Senior Adult Luncheon. Led by our very own Steve Reddick, the band plays a mix of Irish, Scottish, and Americana Folk music. Our menu will include BBQ pork, coleslaw, red roasted potatoes, fruit, and a chess bar dessert, and it will cost $15. We now accept credit cards for payment. Call the church office at (865) 483-4357 to make your reservations by October 5. Please plan to join us for this lively and entertaining program.
Christmas Choir
Christmas Choir Rehearsals
Join us for Christmas Choir rehearsals starting on Wednesday, October 4, from 7:00-7:30 p.m. Rehearsals will continue every Wednesday until our concert on December 10. This is the perfect opportunity for those who can’t commit to singing every Sunday throughout the year. Come and be a part of uplifting spirits and sharing the beauty of music. This year, our Christmas Choir will be presenting the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. If you would like to join or have any questions, please contact Josh Sumter at jsumter@fumcor.org.
Fall Festival
First Church Family Ministries will host our annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 29, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on the front lawn. We will have Trunk-or-Treating, games, food, and more. Join us in your best Halloween costume and enjoy the festivities!
If you would like to volunteer or participate as a Trunk-or-Treat car, please fill out this form.
https://forms.gle/vof3t8erRvBtmkwx6
Blessing of the Animals
Blessing of the Animals
On October 1 at 1 pm, our pastoral staff will gather on the front lawn of our church to celebrate the annual Blessing of the Animals. This heartwarming event provides an opportunity for our beloved pets to receive individual blessings, prayers, and love. From dogs and cats to horses, frogs, lizards, snakes, and birds, all animals are welcome. Not only does this event bring joy and comfort to our furry and feathered friends, but it also connects animal lovers within our community. Come and meet other families whose lives are enriched by their animal companions. This event is held each year on the Sunday closest to October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who has always had a special love for animals. For more information, contact Mark Flynn at mflynn@fumcor.org.
Psalms
Many of us have a love/hate relationship with Psalms. Some Psalms, such as the 23rd, speak deeply to us and have provided comfort and deepened our faith. Others, the deprecatory Psalms, that pray for violence against others, can be disturbing. In addition, the language of the Psalms can be problematic – often archaic and patriarchal it can lead us to decide that the Psalms are no longer relevant to us modern-day Christians.
Rev. Jenny Caughman will be leading a four-week Sunday School class on the Psalms beginning on October 1. Come learn about the different kinds of Psalms and the theology behind them. Also explore new Psalms – not just new translations, but Psalms written recently. What is the modern person’s prayer Psalm? What is the value of writing Psalms? For more information, contact Jenny (jcaughman@fumcor.org).