Twenty people joined together on January 22, 2011 to build 72 feet of wheel chair ramps for people in our community!  Thirteen of these volunteers were from the new Aldersgate Sunday School Class!  Other Sunday School Classes represented were The Journey, Genesis, and Open Door!  Check out the pictures below!

Will Barksdale (The Journey), Brandon Vaughn (The Journey), Dustin Hays
Not shown: Emily Hays

Mike Rose, Amber Schacter, Ashley Tate (7th Grade), Jammie Wilbanks, Susan Tate, Brittany Tate (4th Grade), Brian Coons, Jake Truette, Cindy Carss (Genesis)
Not shown:  Gary Schultz, Troy Sims

Alan Ballard (Open Door), Patricia Stroderd, Tim Kramer
Not shown: Kevin & DeEdra Folmar

Join the Genesis Sunday School Class (meets in Rm 302) beginning January 23 for the study of Mary Poplin’s book, Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service. Mary is a former member of FUMC who was fortunate to volunteer with Mother Teresa in 1996. In this poignant, elegant, humble memoir, Poplin gives us far more than Mother Teresa or even another Mother Teresa story. She gives us instead the Jesus and the Christianity that operated through Mother Teresa. Poplin’s experience of finding Calcutta irrevocably changed her soul. Maybe it will yours as well.

For more information about the Genesis Class or this study, contact Cindy Carss (940-631-6967 or c.carss@yahoo.com).

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).

On September 12, 2010, the Genesis Sunday School Class, which meets in Rm 302, will begin Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s book, Overcoming Life’s Disappointments: Learning From Moses How to Cope with Frustration, that uses the story of Moses to teach how to overcome disappointments and frustrations.  Kris Tilker will lead the discussion.

The book costs $10.  For more information, contact the class president, Cindy Carss (c.carss@yahoo.com or 631-6967).

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.

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, members of the Genesis Sunday School Class (Karin Lerew, Rick & Nancy Orr, Luci Paris, Wayne & Jill Patterson), one confirmand (Millicent Paris), and Rev. Troy Sims participated in the Mt. Calvary UMC Power Meal to provide a meal for the less fortunate in our community.

Meatball sub sandwiches, chips, mixed fruit, cookies, and brownies was the very popular menu.

THANK YOU to all who provided a healthful meal for those in need!

After two years of diligently and successfully leading the Genesis Sunday School Class as the “Queen,” Jill Patterson conferred her powers on the new “Queen,” Cindy Carss, and “Princess,” Deena Haarmann.  Thank you to Jill for your hard work over the past two years, and thank you to Cindy & Deena for your willingness to serve!

Join the Genesis Sunday School Class as they begin the study of the Gospel According to Matthew on January 10, 2010.  As a guide, the class will use Justo L. Gonzalez’s book, Three Months with Matthew, which costs $12.

For more information, contact Cindy Carss – c.carss@yahoo.com.

The Genesis Sunday School Class will begin studying each of the 4 gospels on Sunday, August 9 at 9:30am in Rm 301 (of the Education Wing).  They will begin with the earliest gospel, Mark, and they will use Marcus Borg’s latest book, Conversations With Scripture:  The Gospel of Mark as a reference through this book.  This book will cost $11 and is available in the church office until Friday, August 7, 2009.  After that, pick it up in the classroom!

After this study is completed, they will begin Matthew, followed by Luke, followed by John.  Get in NOW!

For more information on the Genesis Sunday School Class, contact Jill Patterson: 691-1235.