Written in a humorous, accessible style, Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt: A Theological Survival Guide for Youth, Parents, and Other Confused United Methodists, is an easy-to-understand guide to the kinds of theological questions many United Methodists ask.  Those participating in the study will better understand our unique brand of Christianity as United Methodists in light of the understandings of those from more theologically conservative traditions. The book makes one appreciate Wesleyan theology and practice while respecting other traditions.

Join the Exodus Sunday School Class for this study in Room 301 (of the Education Wing) at 9:30am.  They have just barely gotten underway with the study, so it is NOT too late to join in on the fun!

For more information about the Exodus Class or this study, contact
Lindsay Greer (lindsay.greer@hotmail.com or 940-691-1236).

In an amazingly fun event on February 27, 2011, we shared in fellowship, food, and even friendly competition in order to make a difference in our community and beyond as we took part in the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bowls Chili, Stew, & Dessert Cook-Off!  A total of $3,849.20 was raised to benefit our four primary missions initiatives:

• 40% PowerPaks 4 Kids = $1,539.68
• 20% Texas Ramp Project – $769.84
• 20% Faith Mission – $769.84
• 20% Imagine No Malaria – $769.84

This greatly exceeds 2010′s proceeds of only $2,460!

One of the things that may have been the catalyst for the great response was HOT DOGS!  It was so good to see so many families there since their kids would have something they’d like to eat!  We’ll do this again in the future!

Now, I’m sure everyone wants to know the winners in this great event!  Yet, this could not have been done without the amazing participation of EVERYONE – those who cooked, decorated, and even ate.  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!

Winners are as follows:

Chili

1. White Chicken Chili by DeEdra Folmar
   Winning a gift card to Logan’s Roadhouse!
2. Chili by Rev. Paul Goodrich
   Winning a gift card to Chili’s!
3. King’s Chili by Donovan & Kathie King
   Winning a gift card to Chili’s!
4. Chili by Sue Sperry
   Winning a gift card to Taco Casa (donated by Taco Casa)!

Stew

1. Bee’s Stew by Paula Moore
   Winning a gift card to the Hibiscus Cafe!
2. Stew by Carl & Delaine Wiersema
   Winning a gift card to Olive Garden!
3. Pozole by Gene Newton
   Winning a gift card to Luby’s Cafeteria (donated by Luby’s)!
4. Stew by Kristian & Tammy Kowing
   Winning a gift card to Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant (donated by Hunan’s)!

Dessert

1. Banana Pudding by Kristian & Tammy Kowing
   Winning a gift card to Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream!
2. Brownies by Noros & DeeAnn Martin
   Winning a gift card to Gidget’s Sandwich Shack (donated by Gidgets)!
3. Brownies by Margee Adkins
   Winning a gift card to Gidget’s Sandwich Shack!

Sunday School Classes Making the Most Money

1. Aldersgate
   Winning 4-weeks of teaching by Rev. Troy Sims
2. Bi-the-Way
3. Exodus

Best Table Decorations (see pictures below)
(voted on by Missions Committee Members)

1. Aldersgate Sunday School
   Winning 3 bags of gourmet coffee!
2. Children’s Sunday School
3. Keystone Sunday School

First Place Decorations - Aldersgate Fire Truck Theme with Fire Hydrant & Dalmation -

Second Place Decorations - Children's Sunday School - Heavenly Hot Dogs -

Third Place Decorations - Elegance by the Keystone Class -

Do you have pictures of this great event?
Share them with Rev. Troy Sims!

The generosity of our church showed through again during the recent food drive to benefit Interfaith Ministries.  A total of 1,113 lbs. of food was delivered today (November 23) with the help of some great volunteers (Pat Deal, DeEdra Folmar, Paul Goodrich, Gene & Elizabeth Newton, and Troy Sims).  Keep in mind that this does not include the food that our children have been collecting.  That will be delivered next week.

Coinciding with (and helping to fuel) this food drive was a friendly competition among Adult Sunday Classes.   For three years running, the Bi-the-Way Sunday School class won!  In second place was Exodus Class followed closely by the Win-Some Class.  Congratulations!

Check out the pictures of some of our workers from today:

The Children’s & Adult Sunday School Classes of FUMC are each taking part in a food drive to benefit Interfaith Ministries.  The Adults began a competition among classes on Sunday, October 31, 2010.  Here are the current stats:

The first number is the number of items collected.  The second number is “pro-rated” based on the number of members in the respective class.  Check back each week to see how each class is doing.

The Children begin their drive on November 7, 2010, and each week they are looking for different items that are of special need by Interfaith.  Here is what children should bring each week:

• November 7:  Pork ‘n’ Beans
• November 14:  Peanut Butter
• November 21:  Jelly
• November 28:  Canned Fruit

For more about the Adult Food Drive, contact Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229).

For more about the Children’s Food Drive, contact Rev. Lydia Pellikan (lpellikan@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272).

The 2010 Fall Carnival of Fun lived up to its name with many great features:

• Food made available to sell by the Bi-the-Way Sunday School Class;
• Photo booth provided by the Exodus Sunday School Class;
• Trunk-or-treating provided by great volunteers;
• Cowboy Football game available in the Fellowship Hall;
• Cakewalk and many other games and activities;
• Bounce House;
• Wonderful volunteers from the FUMC Youth and Adults; and
• MORE!

See the pictures here:

Members of FUMC and the Exodus Sunday School Class participated in the Bowl for Kids Sake benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Their bowling team, Real Housewives of Canyon Trails, won the “Best Team Theme!”

The team members included Shari Schultz, Susan Tate, Amber Schacter, Emily Hays, and Teresa Rose.

Thank you for your service in our community and CONGRATULATIONS!

A team effort went into the 36th Annual Senior Adult Luncheon to honor the senior citizens of our church for past and current support of our church.  The event began with a tasty meal of orange glazed chicken, rosemary potatoes, sauteed vegetables, a roll, and red velvet cake prepared by Bryan Press of Monarch Catering.

Then, Payton Beggs (a Junior at Old High) took the stage, wowing the honorees with her beautiful voice on old-time and modern country tunes.

Next, awards were given:

Potted Flowers:

Thanks to a generous donation of Tammy & Kristian Kowing of the Exodus Sunday School Class, someone at each table received a potted flower that served as the center piece for each table!

2009-2010 Sunday School Attendance:

• 100% – Harry & Evelyn Kinkead (Win-Some);
• 98% – Barbara Davis (Win-Some); and
• 96% – Ed Kuhn (All Saints) & Mary Leath (Fidelis).

J.B. & Joyce Barham Award for Dedicated Service to FUMC:

Mary Nell Taylor joined FUMC on September 19, 1954 and has been very involved in the Win-Some Class, Women’s Fellowship 4 (aka Creative Creatures), Library Board, Heritage Committee, and YES events.

Tom Golden joined FUMC on August 29, 1999 and has participated in and helped lead discussion in the 3rd Thursday St. Simeon Group. Likewise, he is serving his 3rd year as President of the Bi-the-Way Class where he leads / teaches classes and has gotten the class involved in the Annual Fall Food Drive and the Mt. Calvary UMC Power Meals.

This event would not have been possible without the following people:

• Tammy & Kristian Kowing (of the Exodus Sunday School Class) and their daughter Kelsey who decorated the tables;
• The FUMC Youth and Jeff Ginn who helped setup, serve food, and cleanup;
• Members of the Young Adult Singles of The Journey Sunday School Class who served drinks and helped cleanup;
• Members of the Genesis Sunday School Class who helped serve food, cleanup, and washed the dishes;
• Payton Beggs for providing the entertainment; and
• Bryan Press for the great food!

Check out pictures of this great event here:

What do you do when your Sunday School Class has too many people to fit in your current classroom?  You beg your friendly Sunday School Class across the hall in a larger classroom to switch with you!

The Exodus Sunday School Class graciously swapped classrooms with the Genesis Class since they had greatly outgrown their classroom.  SO, if you are looking for either the Exodus or Genesis Sunday School Class, please take note of the current room numbers:

Room 301 for the Exodus Class; and

Room 302 for the Genesis Class.

Join the joint Sunday School study of the Exodus and The Journey Classes beginning January 10, 2010 (and continuing throughout January).  This study to be led by Gant Grimes is called “Conversing with Atheists and Agnostics.”

With 1 Peter 3:15 as inspiration (Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you), the class will consider arguments often posed in discussion with those who believe there is no God or those who are not convinced that God exists.

For more information, contact Gant Grimes – gantgrimes@gmail.com.

Members of the Exodus Class (April Crutcher, Kevin & DeEdra Folmar, Kenneth & Lindsay Greer, & Shari Schultz) as well as three of their children (Preston Crutcher, Maverick Folmar, & Daniel Schultz) prepared, brought, and served a meal of spaghetti & meat balls, salad, breadsticks, cookies, and dessert bread for about 50 less fortunate people for the Power Meal at Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church here in Wichita Falls.

For those of you concerned about the young people of our day and age, take comfort in knowing that not only did Preston, Maverick, and Daniel WANT to be there, they worked extremely hard in setting the table and taking drinks and food to the people we served.

Next month, the Open Door Class will serve the meal on December 9.