Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

John 14:27 NRSV

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB

We have been through some difficult times.

Many things have occured over these last couple of years.

Meetings have been held.

Discussions shared.

Monday night First United Methodist held its vote with 265 ballots cast. 149 votes for disaffiliation, 116 votes to remain a United Methodist Congregation. However, the vote did not reach the 2/3 majority needed to disaffiliate. Our feelings and emotions run the gamut. I understand that many of you are disappointed. You have my prayers. Many of you are relieved that this church will remain United Methodist. My prayers are with you also. And my prayer for all of us is for God’s grace and mercy to be poured out upon us all.

When I arrived here three months ago, I was amazed at the activity and multiplicity of ministries that this congregation provides. As I learned the history of this church and heard your individual stories, I could see God’s handiwork in this patchwork quilt of faith. But what emerges as the comoon thread in all your stories was most all of you came to be a part of this church not because of a denominatioin affiliation, but because of the ministry and fellowship of this community. What God has built here is very special. Because in the midst of ministry, fellowship, worship and study you are one people. God’s people. Political, idealogical, or any other difference did not prevent you from coming together to glorify God and minister to this community. This is what being the Church is all about.

As your pastor, my commitment to you is to see that this never changes. That what God has established continues. That the community and spirit that drew you to this place continues to glorify God. THEREFORE, I extend my hand and commitment to all of you, regardless of where you stand, to join me in continuing the fellowship and ministry of THIS church to THIS community and beyond to the Glory of God!

We may not all agree on the issues, but let us join our hearts and hands in glorifying God through service, worship and fellowship.

To God be the Glory,

Pastor Jimmy

Wednesday Night Bible Studies are meeting at 6 pm.

The youth and childen (MYF and Jr MYF) will meet in the downstairs

of the MAC.

Adults will meet in the Fundamental Room (below the fellowship hall).

All volunteers for the BBQ should report to the MAC kitchen at 9:00 am on Friday.

We can always take last minute volunteeers. If you find yourself with free time this weekend, please come and help out.

We need baked goods to be sold at the Bake Shop during the Fall Festival. You may bring any baked goods to the church and leave them in the MAC dining room on October 12th during church hours (9-3). Please include a note if your item/items includes nuts.

October 18: Bingo for Books at 3:30pm in the MAC.

(Due to an overwhelming response, no more books are needed at this time. Thank you for your generosity. )

October 28: Trip to Byron Herbert Reece Farm for

Concert by Jayna Jennings

Click Here to sign up

 For more information, please contact Pam Jordan at 706-897-3188

CALLING ALL VETS:

We would like to recognize our Veterans in the month of November. If you are a veteran, please send us a picture of you in uniform, with the information of what branch, date of service and years of service. Please email all this info along with your picture to Ingrid at iengle@firstmethodistblairsville.com. Deadline to submit is October 31st.

The Morning Glory Circle is taking coat donations for their annual coat give-away in November. Coats of all sizes and which show little wear are needed. You may drop off your donations in the closet across from the MAC desk.

We have quite a collection of unclaimed eyeglasses and thermos bottles. If you are missing one, please check the MAC desk and claim yours.

FOUND: a pair of keys on a keychain marked “Gloria” were found in a donated purse.

Hello to all of our friends a family from Emmanuel!

For those who are not familiar with Orphanage

Emmanuel, it was started by David Martinez (and his wife Lydia) after David had a vision from God to, “Go and take care of My children.”

What an incredible experience that must have been for David, and what an incredible experience it is for us to get to be a part in God’s much greater plan!

Emmanuel currently has around 250 children of all ages, a few staff who grew up here themselves, and a handful of volunteer staff, who much like our family, came with a volunteering team and heard God calling them to serve here!

I come to you all today with such a heart for Emmanuel and to ask for your prayers! We know that God will continue to provide for His children here, as He has since it began. However, all of the staff at Emmanuel are currently wearing two hats. Because there are not many long term volunteers, it is difficult for them to assign duties and tasks out to the volunteers that are here. Please pray for the staff here, that they do not get weary & that they continue to see God’s provision in their lives here at Emmanuel. And pray for future staff & volunteers, that they can hear God’s call on their lives when He says, “Go!” We know that there is great power in prayer, and ask that join us in praying for Emmanuel daily!

One other BIG announcement: Emmanuel is preparing for Christmas because it takes at least a month for items to reach us from the states! If you would like to send cards, gifts, or other necessities for Emmanuel or for our family, you may do so! Items need to arrive at the address below before the deadline date of October 28! You can mail them, deliver directly from an online store, or deliver to the address in person. Please contact them first if you plan to show up. If you are sending items for the Orphanage, you may address them to the office. If you are sending them to our family, please address them to April Southern so that they can be sorted without being opened.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and your support! If you need a warm place to visit for Thanksgiving, our home is always open.

The Southern Family (April, Zayden, Zoey and Micah)

MAC Walking Track Hours…

Monday-Thursday 9 am - 3:00 pm

Pickleball Schedule!

The Blairsville Pickleball Club now plays on Tuesdays from 12:00pm till 3:00pm. Everyone is welcome! Join us!

Fitness Classes For You!

“Ladies Exercise”: Led by Lisa Toups. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 - 10:00 am in M-30.

“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.

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.

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

• SPECIFIC:
• Mark Beam - recovering from rotator cuff surgery
• April & Clint Blackmon - Clint has cancer
• Lyric Brogden’s friend Lu Millsaps - cancer diagnosis
• Joyce Byers’ sister-in-law Shirley Kelley - had a mastectomy
• Shirley Cobb’s 2nd cousin Laurie Mulloy - undergoing chemo/radiation
• Shirley Cobb’s niece Renee Cegelis - health issues with her lungs
• OASIS instructor Rachel Driskell - diagnosed with lung cancer
• Jack Dugger - health issues
• Mitzi Gasaway - breast cancer, taking treatments
• Christine Golden - abdominal cancer
• Cheri Hulke’s son Scott - health issues
• Nancy Hussey’s sister Debbie Wilfert- cancer treatments
• Kitty Jones - reoccuring cancer
• Jeanee and Jerry McJilton’s brother- cancer has returned
• Shannon Miller’s mom Wanda Pickelsimer
• Patty Norwood’s son, Ryan-serious colon problems
• Patty Norwood’s sister, Jan-lung problems
• Carrie Parker’s newborn daughter Vera having heart issues
• Brittany Payne - still having seizures
• Jeannie Pickerill’s granddaughter Kyla Bauer- has a second bout with cancer
• Teresa Price’s grandson Isiah Arrant-long term recovery from burns
• Linda/Jerry Roberson- both have continuing health issues
• Nikki Schuknecht - successful surgery, continued prayers for recovery
• Avis Shaw’s sister Mildred Elkin
• Glenda Taylor - recovering from eye surgery
• Zach Thompson - search for stem cell donor
• Brenda Turner - heart issues

HEALTH ISSUES and CONCERNS:

• Bill Bender
• Marjorie Bowron
• Alex Box
• Mike Brandenburg
• Joyce Byers
• David Cline
• Shirley Cobb
• Jack Dugger
• Jesse Eady
• Christine Golden
• Jana Howe
• Wayne Jones
• James Jordan
• Linda McClarnon
• Leura Mollnhauer
• Elaine Neuhaus
• Ray Norwood
• Niki Owrey
• Jeanne Pickerill
• Jerry Roberson
• Carol/Norm Rogers
• Avis Shaw
• Fritz Simonsen
• Sue Stewart
• Zach Thompson
• Carol Warren
• Roy Whitelock
• Sharon Willits

IN NURSING HOMES and ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES:

• Jim Arthur - Stonehenge Assisted Living, Building 2, Room 5
• Polly Conkle - Blue Ridge Assisted Living
• Richard and Shirley McGinnis - Brasstown Manor Assisted Living
• 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.

A Note from Your Finance Team THANK YOU!!!

………………………… Received…………YTD Received

October 1st……….$24,500…………..$624,471

October 8th……….$ 9,807……………$634,279

Please continue to remember your Church in your legacy trusts & wills - that gift is also greatly appreciated!

Pastor Jimmy Hood……………………………………………………………… jimmy.hood@ngumc.net

Pastor Mack Riley………………………………………………………………….. mack.riley@ngumc.net

Evelyn Ueltzen……………………………………………………….. blairsvillefumcevelyn@gmail.com

Deidra Gilbert………………………………………………………….. blairsvillefumcdeidra@gmail.com

Jeff Bauman…………………………………………………………………………………jbauman@yhc.edu

 First United Methodist Church of Union County

938 Highway 515 Blairsville, Georgia 30512

(706) 745 2073

Rev. Jimmy Hood, Pastor

Church Website: www.firstmethodistblairsville.com

Email: blairsvillefumcevelyn@gmail.com

      We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation!