FUMC Words for Wednesday: 07-13-2022

07-13-2022 FUMC Words for Wednesday

One last word on the Ten Words

We finished our series on the Ten Commandments this past Sunday. All along the way, I had this poem by Andrew King with me. It is titled, THE TEN WORDS, and I share it as one last reflection on Exodus 20.1-17.

This is a moment of new creation:

blast of a trumpet and fire and smoke

and the people gathered at the foot of a mountain,

Moses on the summit, receiving words:

words that are beacons, words that cast shadow,

words that are firesparks struck from stone,

words that are trumpet, calling to silence,

words that will echo through ages to come,

words that are the beating heart of a covenant,

words of requirement, words that are gift,

words that are bones in the body of a people,

words that are blood flowing into their veins,

words that are power, spoken to weakness,

words that are freedom because they are fence,

words that challenge us, words that summon us,

words that are song for a life-long dance,

words that are dwelling place, words of foundation,

words that are law, given in grace,

words that are signposts, words that are journey,

words that are a pathway pointing to peace.

This is a moment of new creation:

blast of a trumpet and fire and smoke

and we are the people at the foot of a mountain

and we have these words, our heart for their home.

Have a blessed week.

Grace and Peace.

Don

News from the Church Council:

At the scheduled Council meeting on July 11, 2022, the Church Council voted to consider further as a congregation disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. This was not a decision to leave the United Methodist Church. Rather, this was a decision to learn more about the subject and process of disaffiliation and what it would mean for this congregation. As noted in last week’s newsletter, the congregation will be invited to any discussions and presentations regarding disaffiliation. Notification of any such events will be shared two weeks in advance. More details will be provided as they are available.

Dates: July 24th-27th

Times: Starts with supper at 5:00, ends at 7: 15 pm

Registration forms are available at the narthex and MAC desks or you may register your child by email:

blairsvillefumcstan@gmail.com

An email has been sent to those who need a background check. Please be sure to get this done asap.

To volunteer, contact Mason Schuknecht @ jar0514@hotmail.com

The Usher Team needs additional people to serve in the 9:30 Contemporary service. The month of October is open and training with a regular on the usher team will be provided. See Charlene Cook in the back of the MAC before or after the service or call her at 904/699-1790 with questions. Thank you for considering this service opportunity.

Our prayers and sympathy go out to Janice Walters-Taylor whose husband Rob passed away Friday morning. He was a decorated war veteran and retired as a Captain with the Air Force Reserves. Visitation with the family will be Friday at Cochran Funeral Home from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. A service will be held Saturday at their residence of 480 T J Christian Lane at 10:00 am. All are invited.

We are in need to volunteers to help teach these little ones. If you’re interested, please contact Mason Schuknecht @ jar 0514@hotmail.com.

We are still looking for teacher and aide positions to be filled for the upcoming school year. Perhaps you are looking for a part-time job with little ones or perhaps you know of someone else who would be perfect for this job? Please help us pass this information along.

If interested, please contact the preschool director:Heidi Hall @ (260)750-6468

There will be a CPR class offered on Saturday, August 13th at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall. Class is limited to 20 students. A sign up sheet is in the narthex. Cost is $20.

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The Parish Nurses have items to lend to the membership.

These items include:

Wheelchairs

Walkers, both regular & rolling

Bedside Commodes

Shower Bench

Canes

Note: We do NOT lend crutches

Supplies which can be given away:

Incontenence supplies

Gloves

Covid tests (limited amount)

Face Shields & N95 masks (limited amount)

Calling All Registered Nurses!

The Parish Nurse program is looking for RN’s to join our program. Please contact Diane Kolb at 706.487.9764 for details

Orphanage Emmanuel Update

If you are interested in joining the team, we will have an information meeting

TONIGHT at 6:00 PM in the conference room. Please join us even if you are mildly interested and come with as many questions as you wish. We’d love to have others be blessed by this experience as much as we have been blessed.

Joe & Kim Tatman @ 2jtatman@gmail.com

Please stop by and say a prayer over these quilts. Tying a knot lets the receiver know that people care and that we have prayed for them.

Shelley Taylor - breast cancer has metastasized to bone and lymph nodes. She is a friend of Deidra Gilbert’s and sylist at Navaah Hair Salon.

Gayann Clay – B cell lymphoma

Leslie Davis - bladder cancer

It’s Our 6th Annual…

“Backpack 2 School Bash”

Saturday, August 6th 10am - 1pm In the MAC!

Last year this Community event provided backpacks and school supplies for over 400 children in Union County. FUMC of Union County helped provide many of those backpacks. This year our church is again collecting primary aged (kindergarten - grade 2) backpacks as well as general supplies on the lists attached to the purple drop off boxes located in the MAC lobby and Sanctuary narthex. COLLECTION BOXES ARE OUT! Thank you in advance for helping provide needed school supplies for children and families in Union County. If you would prefer to donate directly to the event you can drop your donation off in the treasure chests and label it for “Backpacks”. Any questions on how you can help further call Tricia Wallace at 229-402-9361…PARENTS: Registration has begun!

Planning Has Begun For Our

2022 Fall Festival!

Yes! We are back and, as always, help will be needed! This year’s Fall Festival dates are Friday, October 7th & Saturday, October 8th. Call Stan at the church office or email at

blairsvillefumcstan@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of this important outreach event. Crafters, we are counting on you to help us with your homemade items as well as everyone who puts away Jams and Jellies for the Country Store. We will also be back with our Bakery, Candy Shoppe, Silent Auction, Treasure Sale, and Clothing Sale. Mark your calendars! Remember… all proceeds from our Festival go toward retiring our MAC debt. Everybody has a part to play! Start working now!

MAC Walking Track Hours…

*** Monday-Thursday 8am - 3pm ***

Play Pickleball! The Blairsville Pickleball Club is playing in the MAC on Tuesdays from 8 am until noon and Thursdays from noon until 3pm. Everyone is welcome! Come join us!

Fitness Classes For You!

“Tai Chi”: Led by Pat Tomzyck. Meets Tuesdays at 8:00am in room M-0 (First floor). Cost is $5.00 per class. Bring a mat!

“Christ-Centered” Yoga: led by Pat Tomzyck. Meets Tuesdays at 9:00am in room M-0 (First floor). Cost is $5.00 per class. Bring your own yoga mat.

Summer Line Dancing Classes

Classes offered…

*LOW BEGINNER… 9:15am-10:00am For those new to line dancing.

*HIGH BEGINNER… 10:00am-10:45am Mastered the basic dance steps?

*INTERMEDIATE… 10:45am-11:30am Experienced dancers only.

Classes will meet in the MAC gym and are suitable for all ages!

No pre-registration needed. For info contact Rita at

vckids2001@yahoo.com

Please Help Us at the church by keeping us informed of any sickness or procedures that you or any of our family members may be experiencing. You may contact Pastor Mack for your prayer requests at mack.riley@ngumc.net or call the church at 706 745 2073.

Prayer Concerns and Celebrations:

Please help us keep this list updated by notifying the office of any changes.

SPECIFIC:

Jim Arthur- diagnosed with lewy body dementia
Jan Boland’s sister June Gesch - in hospice care at Stonehenge
Kirby and Marjorie Bowron’s niece Laura Hansen - cancer
Diane Brackett - recovering from shoulder surgery
Kathy Brandenburg- recovering from knee replacement surgery
Tom Bunten - recovering from pacemaker surgery
Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - had a mastectomy
Don Cruce - recuperating from shoulder surgery
Jack Dugger - recuperating from covid pneumonia
Christine Golden - taking chemo treatments
Maggie Guerrier - recuperating from kidney transplant
Bruce Johnson - recuperating at home
Mike Lewis- recovering from car accident
Maria McGlen - still recuperating from fall
Jeanee and Jerry McJilton’s brother- cancer has returned
Louise McTaggart - recuperating from knee replacement surgery
Allie McTureous - has COVID
Leura Mollnhauer - fell and broke her hip / health issues
Patty Norwood’s son, Ryan-serious colon problems
Patty Norwood’s sister, Jan-lung problems
Jeanne Pickerill -several concerns - requests prayer
Teresa Price’s grandson Isiah Arrant-long term recovery from burns
Avis Shaw - had a fall, is home recuperating
Avis Shaw’s niece Gail Craft - had surgery
Avis Shaw’s sister Mildred Elkin
Sue Stewart - taking treatments for leukemia
Lois Ward - in hospice care - mother of Teri McGinnis
Carol Warren - back pain
Dennis Wetzel- back surgery and recuperating at the Gobin’s home
Karen Wise’s mother Margaret - in hospital with heart issues

HEALTH ISSUES and CONCERNS:

Jim Arthur
Marjorie Bowron
Mike Brandenburg
Shirley Cobb
Jennifer de la Montagne’s mom and dad
Jack Dugger
Kathy Heyer
Wayne Jones
James Jordan
Greg Lane
Hugh Lee
Elaine Neuhaus
Ray Norwood
Rose Oberlin’s mother, Letha
Jerry Price
Jerry Roberson
Norm Rogers
Ron and Pauline Taylor
Carole Thompson
Roy Whitelock
Sharon Willits

IN NURSING HOMES and ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:

Mike Bryant - UC Nursing Home
Joan Chiras - Pruitt Health Nursing Home, Blue Ridge
Polly Conkle - Blue Ridge Assisted Living
Richard and Shirley McGinnis - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
Nisia Redgrave - Chatuge Nursing Home
Lois Ward - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living - under hospice care

If you haven’t signed up yet for online giving, it’s as easy as going to our website (firstmethodistblairsville.com), scrolling down on the front page and hitting the online giving button.