The Chimes - January/February

THE CHIMES F I R S T

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JAN/FEB 2021

WELCOME

from Senior Minister, Dr. Jay Cooper

Join us for worship

SUNDAYS | 8:45 & 11:00 AM

Each year when I flip my calendar to a new year, it takes me a few weeks to write the correct year on items such as checks and official documents. This year, however, I will have very little trouble doing so, because I have longed to wave goodbye to 2020 and ring in 2021. Although we continue to await the mass availability of a vaccine to the novel coronavirus, what a thrill that people are beginning to receive the vaccine. As Ed Reifenberg often says, “perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel this time is actually light and not another train coming at us.” That’s a nice analogy.

I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank you for practicing the spiritual disciplines of endurance and patience. Who would have ever thought that this pandemic would have lasted an entire year? You have faithfully supported FUMC with your daily prayers, creative presence (lots of Zoom calls), financial gifts, innovative service work, and your witness that light will always overcome darkness. Thank you. Because of your deep faith, the ministries of FUMC have not only survived but have thrived. Even so, the best is yet to come.

At the beginning of this new calendar year, it is wise to pause and set goals. I want us to do just that. Rather than setting New Year’s resolutions, however, let us renew our covenant together as the people called Methodists in Cloverdale Park. The three primary ways outlined within this edition of The Chimes help us do so through worship, study, and service. I have said all along that a revival is brewing during this pandemic. By committing to worship attendance once the vaccines are readily available and the pandemic subsides, we will witness the energy of the Spirit when God’s people gather together. We will deepen our faith by committing to studying God’s word in community. And I pray the innovative ways we are serving our community will only grow stronger. Worship. Study. Service. These are the areas where God will bless us to bless others in 2021, and I cannot wait to experience it all together. Until then, take a moment each day to pray John Wesley’s covenant prayer as we begin this new chapter together: “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen."

With Joy, Jay

2020

YTD

BUDGETED

GIVING

$3,427,600

2020

YTD

ACTUAL

GIVING

$3,631,905

Figures above represent the period of January-November 2020

www.fumcmontgomery.org

334-834-8990

In December, the FUMC Staff spread Christmas cheer by delivering yummy apple pies to Cloverdale Area Businesses!

We love our Cloverdale neighbors!

Are you small group and mission minded?

BE OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES.

For more information or to apply visit www.fumcmontgomery.org/careers/.

FACES OF FUMC

ART SULLIVAN, LORI KRAFT, & CAROLINE BISHOP

GWEN & NEAL WESTBROOK

MEMBERS SINCE 2019

Art Sullivan is a lifelong resident of Hope Hull. He has been an honorary member of FUMC for over 20 years but finally made it official. Commitment is certainly not an issue for him as he has dedicated 51 years of his life to teaching and 40 years to coaching.

He is proud to say that he began another year, August 2020 of teaching. This year he will be teaching Chemistry, Physiology and Biology at Lowndes Academy. I, Lori Kraft, am proud to call Art Sullivan, Dad and am very proud to call FUMC my church home.

My husband Tim, daughter Caroline Bishop and myself reside in Alpharetta, Georgia. We enjoy attending FUMC via online services but are very excited to return back. Caroline Bishop was baptized at FUMC by Dr. Karl Stegall in 1996. I can say without hesitation that I have been moved to tears on many occasions in the grand FUMC sanctuary. We’ve visited and attended many other Methodist churches closer to our home in Georgia but we’ve discovered that there is only one church home for us and that’s clearly First United Methodist Church of Montgomery.

MEMBERS SINCE 1989

After nearly 30 years of seeing the world with the USAF, we were at Maxwell AFB; back home in Alabama where our hearts and families were located.

We had never been members of a large church and were a bit skeptical, but on New Year's Day 1989, we joined FUMC. In the Seekers Sunday School Class, we found the small church fellowship we had always known. Soon we were immersed in Bible Studies, mission trips, Stephen Ministry, and church committees/work areas, connecting us to the larger body of Christ. How blessed we have been!

IMPACT RENOVATIONS

Have questions about our renovations?

FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/IMPACT

MUSIC MINISTRY

The addition to our United Methodist Hymnal, the Faith We Sing was published in 2000, and it contains a wealth of newer hymns with some powerful texts.

Hymn No. 2128, "Come and Find the Quiet Center" is one of those new texts set to a familiar hymn tune.

The opening line of the hymn starts this way:

I have always loved the text to the choir anthem Within These Walls by Stephen Carracciolo, and it reads like this:

"Within these walls, the sound of praises, radiant alleluias rise. Ceaseless prayer and hymn ascending sweet as incense to the skies. Holy, holy, holy God, all Come and find the quiet center glory. Saints on earth and saints above join to bless the in the crowded life we lead, Lord of Love. Within these walls, a meal for sharing, find the room for hope to enter, tender alleluias rise. Bread and wine for celebration, find the frame where we are freed: hymns to praise the Crucified. Holy, holy, holy God, all clear the chaos and the clutter, glory. Saints on earth and saints above join to share the clear our eyes that we can see feast of love. Within these walls, a faith confessing, all the things that really matter, joyous alleluias rise. Songs of hope and revelation, be at peace, and simply be.

God’s own word and sign inspire. Holy, holy, holy God, all glory. Saints on earth and saints above speak of On Sunday mornings, as I sit in this majestic promise, sing of love. Within these walls, yet far beyond Sanctuary, I often think about this opening line. Our all, wondrous alleluias rise. Word and song and all lives are so busy, so filled from Monday to Saturday creation praise the Son of God, Most High! Holy, holy, with everything the world demands from us. And yet, holy God, all glory. Saints on earth and saints above it is when I sit in this Spirit-filled Sanctuary that I join to bless the Lord of Love." hear Dr. Jay Cooper’s voice at the beginning of the service pleading for all of us to “take a deep breath, Within these walls, the sounds of praises, a meal for inhale faith, and exhale fear.” This is the one hour in sharing, a faith confessing, wondrous alleluias rise, the week where the demands of the world are set saints on Earth and saints above join to bless the Lord aside, I can focus on my relationship with my Father of Love. Come and find your quiet center here in this in heaven, and I can “be at peace, and simply be.” In place where we join together in Word and song, this Sanctuary with this church body, this is where I embracing hope, and expelling fear, where we can be find my quiet center. at peace, and simply be. Come.

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/MUSIC

WEEKDAY CHILDCARE B L E S S I N G

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2020 has been an extraordinary year. Although COVID-19 brought our school year to a sudden halt and changed the way we live, we found opportunities to share hope. During this time, there was a growing need in our area. ECDC and First School have always supported the Common Ground After School Program with our Blessing Bags. The Common Ground After School Program helps glorify God by being instrumental in redeeming impoverished and under-resourced areas in Montgomery through spiritual and community development. This year, the program needed more support, and our parents and teachers delivered. As COVID-19 changed our world, the needs of Common Ground changed also. The program needed individual snacks for less contact and bottled waters because water fountains cannot be used at this current time. The program also needed many more regular sized sports balls of every kind for less contact. One of our families came in with five boxes of balls.

While we were collecting supplies, the ECDC and First School teachers were talking with our children about people who do not have some of the things that we have and how we can help others. The children also lovingly decorated bags in their classrooms. Each class then went to the gym to gather the needed supplies to put in their bags. As the children were filling their bags, the teachers were reminding them that their bags would be a blessing to other children. Both ECDC and First School teach our children the message of Hebrews 13:16, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.� The bags were delivered to Common Ground, and we are so thankful for the impact that our children could have in the community.

FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/FIRST-SCHOOL/ FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/EARLY-CHILDHOOD-DEVELOPMENT-CENTER/

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY H E L P I N G

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Parenting challenges are ever before us as we continue to navigate this pandemic. Children are counting on their parents to provide a sense of safety and security. They need lots of encouragement as they walk through these unprecedented times. Our children are watching and soaking in every lesson taught during a time when priorities are being realigned. Let us think about what is most important and build lives that reflect our Christian values. Together, we have an amazing opportunity and blessed responsibility to shepherd our precious children along life’s way, pandemic or no pandemic. FUMC is excited to partner with you in bringing up mentally and spiritually focused children in the way that leads to life eternal.

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1. Build the self-worth of your children to know who they are in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:10) 2. Ask God for help with your daily routine. (Proverbs 16:9) 3. Check in with your children about how their day went. Listen and learn. (Proverbs 1:5) 4. Seek peace in the midst of any storm. (Isaiah 26:3) 5. Let your children know you are always there for them no matter what. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) 6. Build relationships with your children. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) 7. Be proactive and steadfast. (1 Corinthians 15:58) 8. Allow distractions when kids need relief from feeling hurt, scared, or upset. (1 Peter 5:7) 9. Monitor and contain your own anxious feelings when your children are nearby. (John 16:33) 10. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. (Galatians 5:25) 11. Remember God's strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) 12. Practice grace with your children. (Ephesians 2:8) 13. Have family fun and laugh together. (Proverbs 17:22a) 14. Pray with your children daily. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 15. Study God's Word as a family. (Colossians 3:16) 16. Be the light of Jesus before others. (Matthew 5:16) 17. Abide and bear fruit. (John 15:5) 18. Base your perspective on what is unseen. (Colossians 3:2) 19. Seek Jesus with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) 20. Live to please the Lord. (Colossians 1:10) 21. Teach your children to be Godly. (Proverbs 22:6)

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/CHILDRENS-MINISTRY

YOUTH MINISTRY

One of the best pieces of advice that I have ever received came from my favorite author, Bob Goff. Bob said that Thursdays are for giving things up. His encouragement is to give up one new thing every Thursday. I’m not sure why he picked Thursday, but I love it. In my opinion, giving up something doesn’t have to be painful - it can bring vast amounts of freedom and joy. So my 2021 challenge is to give up something each Thursday.

What will you start with? Here are my top 10 ideas of things to give up each Thursday in 2021: 1. Give up talking negatively about yourself. Each and every one of us is made in the image of the most High King. We are fearfully and wonderfully made! We are smart, amazing, and perfect in the Lord’s sight.

We are his sons and daughters. So Thursday, give up talking about yourself in any other light.

2. Give up complaining. Ok, ok, I know I said it doesn’t have to be painful to give something up, and giving up complaining could be a little painful, but I challenge you to try it. You will be shocked at how much better you feel if you go a day without complaining.

3. Give up 10 Instagram accounts. If you follow an account that doesn’t build you up and bring you joy, unfollow it. It is so amazing for your mental health to unfollow accounts that make you frustrated, less than, torn down, or that simply don’t bring you joy.

4. Give up one cup of coffee (ok or Diet Coke). Replace that caffeine with water. While I love a cold Diet Coke from McDonalds probably more than any of us, adding water into your daily routine goes so far for your body and mind.

5. Give up 15 minutes a day of screen time. It might be texting, Netflix on the iPad, or TikToking. Whatever it is, take a 15 minute break. Just sit in a quiet space, go on a walk, have a face to face conversation, and get back to me on how much it improves your attitude.

6. Give up 30 minutes a week. Take that 30 minutes to spend time with Jesus. Get in the Word, spend time in prayer, or listen to some worship music. Just take that 30 minutes to build your relationship with Jesus.

7. Give up a meal. Take one meal on Thursday to feed someone else. Maybe it’s going through CFA for breakfast only to hand your meal to the homeless person on the corner, or maybe it’s taking your dinner hour to serve at a shelter. You will be fed in an incredible way when you give up a meal.

8. Give up a grudge you’ve been holding on to for a long time. Sometimes you’ve been holding on to something painful for so long, you almost forget why you are even hurt. When you decide to let go, it can be so freeing. Try it.

9. Give up perfectionism. It’s not always a bad thing to carry the trait of perfectionism, but try to remember that we are only made perfect and complete in Jesus. We can’t do it on our own and should let go of that expectation.

10. Give up the lie that you are not enough. You are more than enough. You are worth more than you could ever imagine. You are loved by the creator of the universe. You are His prized possession. Believe it and give up any thoughts that point you in a different direction.

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/YOUTH-MINISTRY

ADULT MINISTRIES ADULT MINISTRY

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This past November, I was thankful to be a part of the “Women and the UMC” forum organized and sponsored by our church’s creative Church and Society Work Area. I spoke alongside talented female colleagues, and over the course of the conversation, we discussed the history of women’s ordination in the UMC, our involvement in suffrage, our theology that makes space for both women and men to be pastors and leaders in our churches, and where we go from here.

During the conversation, I shared a story of my friend Christina who is an associate pastor at a United Methodist Church. She serves alongside a female senior pastor, and one day, a little boy in the church said, “Mommy, I think I might like to be a pastor when I grow up. But I don’t think I can do that.” The mother asked, “Why not?” The little boy replied, “Well, don’t you have to be a girl to be a preacher?” This made us chuckle. But it also makes us realize how what we experience shapes our view of the world. He thought he could not be a pastor because all he had seen was female clergy. This is the opposite of the story that we usually hear of young women who feel a call to ministry but don’t recognize it, because they have never seen a female pastor lead before. My prayer is that girls and boys alike in this church who hear a call to ministry will be able to envision what that might look like and have a community of support to help them hear and discern their call.

I encourage you to help our children and youth identify and use their gifts for ministry. Sometimes, that might mean you let them know that they are a good teacher or speaker. Other times, it might be connecting them with an adult who is a seasoned teacher who can mentor them, because you see those gifts in them.

Maybe, it is pulling them aside and thanking them for noticing the person who was feeling left out. Please don’t underestimate how important your encouragement can be in helping our children and youth discover and use their gifts for God’s glory. Disciples make disciples, who make disciples for the transformation of the world. Let’s do that together. If you would like to watch the full conversation, you may check it out here on YouTube: https://bit.ly/WomenAndUMC

WOMEN AND THE UMC Onward Toward Perfection Panelists:

Moderator:

Rev. Dr. Olivia Poole Bria Rochelle Rev. Gillian Walters Dawn Wiggins Hare

Mary Catherine Phillips

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/ADULTS

ADULT MINISTRIES 50 PLUS MINISTRY

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It’s no secret that staying active benefits your health. For starters, physical activity can help you reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes, and I don’t need to go into how agility can benefit anyone. But it’s been harder to get out and do exercise outdoors. I’m so glad that we have our exercise group, which was recently led back to life by Leona Stemple.

Some days, it’s especially hard to get out and do anything physical. On those days, I invite you to flex your mind muscles. Play a game of solitaire, fill out the crossword from the newspaper, or read a book. Isolation is so dangerous, and it’s hard to avoid these days, but I’m glad to highlight some of our amazing small groups here. I’ve mentioned the exercise group and now I want to point you in the direction of our fabulous Book Club. Under Kate Blanton’s leadership, it has now been meeting for over two years. The group has turned the pages and had wonderful discussions on twenty-nine books now.

Book Club has chosen January’s book to be The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop, by Fannie Flagg. Kate Blanton said, “I like the fact that the Book Club has allowed me to meet with and learn about the families of our members, as well as share sorrows, joys, books, some laughs, and occasionally a tear with each other. Even when I haven't particularly enjoyed one of our selections, I love hearing the others’ opinions. It amazes me how a dozen people can read the same book in the same month and have so many different take-aways from it.”

This year, I invite you to get involved with Book Club, our Exercise group, the In Stitches group (Knitting, stitching, crocheting), the 50 PLUS work area, or a small group to share your meaningful ideas. Whatever you do, remember to preserve your health, physically and mentally.

Book club: 30 books and counting

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/50PLUS

ADULT MINISTRIES FUMC IN THE PAST

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The first recorded need for a full-time counselor at our church is found in the Trustees’ minutes from the mid-1980s. In 1986, with humble beginnings in a small classroom on the second floor of the Children’s Building and a single employee, the First Methodist Counseling Center provided professional counseling services to church members and River Region residents through 1997.

Dr. Paulette Thompson, as Chair of the Vision 2000 committee in the 1990s, acknowledged that a large number of FUMC members still affirmed the need for a Christian Counseling Center. But the visioning process also identified one of the major priorities to be a need to select an umbrella counseling organization that was highly respected across the United States.

The Denver-based Samaritan Institute®, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help churches start or maintain counseling centers, met that criteria. In October 1997, the First Methodist Counseling Center incorporated as the Samaritan Counseling Center, Inc. to become a non-profit organization under the Alabama Nonprofit Corporation Act, complete with a Board of Directors.

The original Mission Statement read:

The Samaritan Counseling Center has been at 2911 Zelda Road since 2005.

As the center began to grow in staff and clientele, it received a big boost when Dr. Karl Stegall solicited a $500,000 gift from Richard Cloud for the purpose of purchasing the present building on Zelda Road.

Bill Sistrunk, chair of the Board of Trustees at FUMC at the time, gave oversight to this new location of the Samaritan Counseling Center with the clear understanding that the church would own the property, and the Samaritan Counseling Center would not have to pay any rent. This was a tremendous boost for the Samaritan Counseling Center in serving its clients simply because it relieved the Samaritan Counseling Center from being overwhelmed with any “The Center is an expression of the love of God through a overhead from the rental or leasing of space. ministry of helping people under stress. It offers the following services: counseling, educational programs, Our Samaritan Counseling Center now has 16 and consultation for pastors and other professionals.” professional counselors and a lawyer on staff. The center has maintained its national accreditation with Our center used a team approach of ministers, The Samaritan Institute® since 2002, thus assuring therapists, and physicians to achieve this mission, high clinical and administrative standards. with a sliding scale payment method to help all people in the River Region area that sought assistance As Dr. Stegall reflects on the longevity and success of with stress-related problems. the center, he notes that, “FUMC has literally poured tens of thousands of dollars into the Samaritan

By April 1998, the need for two counseling offices and Counseling Center across the years in an effort to a reception/waiting area was high, and Parker provide excellent counseling services for people Narrows, a church member and architect, drew up across the River Region. This Samaritan Counseling plans to modify a portion of the Children’s Building Center is just one of many outreach programs second floor near the Tower Class. Norris Building designed for others that FUMC has initiated through Company submitted a bid for the modifications, and the years.” the work was completed in time for the Center opening in the Fall of 1998.

For more information and a full list of services, visit the website at https://tsccenter.org.

RESPITE MINISTRY 3

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The Respite Ministry has focused on 3 Steps to an Attitude of Creative Indifference for care partners during these challenging times: 1. Awareness. Immediately go to your computer or notepad and write down what is upsetting you.

2. Acceptance. This is a difficult step, because it requires a caregiver to accept who their person was and what their life was like before the illness is in the past.

3. Action. There are two parts to this. The first step is to determine if a problem you are facing has a solution. If it does, you need to make a plan, execute it, and move on. But if it doesn't, and sometimes that is the case in caregiving, the action step is to choose whether to obsess over it or release your emotional attachment to it.

Respite has grown more creative with ministry over the past few months, and what feels like a new tradition was born on December 2, 2020. Respite purchased 60 3ft Christmas trees and asked volunteers to adopt a tree and decorate it for a family living with Alzheimer's or in a challenging situation. The call was met immediately, and all 60 trees were adopted in two days. Volunteers decorated and brought back the trees to Cloverdale Park on December 2, 2020 to take a group photo, sing, and pray over the trees. Then volunteers delivered trees all over the River Region to Respite's families spreading joy and the love of Christ. Watch out next year, because this has become an instant Christmas tradition.

It was a joy to receive this dear Christmas tree, and also to see the joy in those who made it possible. - Pat Franklin

The beautiful Christmas tree from Respite means love and hope to us. Love from all the amazing volunteers and hope from the lights that make his bedroom a brighter place during our journey. We love it and know we are not alone. Thank you all!! - Priscilla Tubbs

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/RESPITE-MINISTRY

MISSIONS MINISTRY

By Claire Smith

Thank you for caring for the children in our community. With your support this holiday season, we helped Santa Claus provide for 150 children and give them the hope that only comes with the true meaning of Christmas. We provided presents for 49 children through the Family Sunshine Center and 101 children through the Christmas Clearing House.

Some of you worked with your Sunday School Classes; our youth worked with their small groups; some adopted a family for their family; and others provided financial support for our missions committee and staff to shop. We had families from one child to families with seven children. Although Santa couldn't provide all of the tablets and hover boards that made the lists this year, remote control vehicles, bikes, Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls, and baby dolls were a plenty. We are so thankful to those who helped shop and deliver to our adopted families this year. It has been a blessing to hear the thanks from the families we have met as gifts were distributed.

Merely a week before Christmas, we partnered with the Society of St. Andrew to bag potatoes for families alongside our friends from Mercy House, Community of Hope, Love Loud Montgomery, Metropolitan UMC, Woodland UMC and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Tallassee will all be sharing potatoes with those they serve. Many other agencies will be contacted to pick up potatoes that we bag for their clients this holiday season.

The over 30 bags of coats and cold weather clothing you donated were distributed through Mercy House and River City Church. Many people are wearing warm coats and hats due to your generosity.

With all the challenges people in our community are facing, I am proud to be a member of the caring congregation known as First United Methodist Church - Montgomery.

In addition to all of the presents we shared, FUMC also helped provide food and clothing for those in need this year.

WWW.FUMCMONTGOMERY.ORG/MISSIONS-MINISTRY

MEET THE 2021 FUMC STAFF

Dr. Jay Cooper Senior Minister jcooper@fumcmontgomery.org

Rev. Gillian Walters Associate Minister glwalters@fumcmontgomery.org

Dr. Jason Borders Theologian in Residence jborders@fumcmontgomery.org

Glenda Argo Director of Children's Ministries gargo@fumcmontgomery.org

Anne Chandler Administrative Assistant of Youth Ministries achandler@fumcmontgomery.org

Rev. Lucas Tribble Associate Minister ltribble@fumcmontgomery.org

Renee Norman Assistant Director of Children's Ministries rnorman@fumcmontgomery.org

Rev. Ben A. McDavid Minister of Congregational Care bmcdavid@fumcmontgomery.org

Luv DuBose Assistant Director of Youth Ministries ldubose@fumcmontgomery.org

Margaret Shanahan Assistant Director of Early Childhood Development Center mshanahan@fumcmontgomery.org

Claire Smith Director of Missions csmith@fumcmontgomery.org

Vicky Moore Director of Early Childhood Development Center vmoore@fumcmontgomery.org

Adrian Borden Bush Director of 50 PLUS aborden@fumcmontgomery.org

Beth Mantooth Director of First School bmantooth@fumcmontgomery.org

Daphne Johnston Director of Respite Ministry djohnston@fumcmontgomery.org

Laura Selby Assistant Director of Respite Ministry lselby@fumcmontgomery.org

Dr. James Seay Director of Music Ministries jseay@fumcmontgomery.org

Dr. Josh Coble Assistant Director of Music Ministries/Organist jcoble@fumcmontgomery.org

Kate Wheaton Director of Hospitality kwheaton@fumcmontgomery.org

Michelle Hawkins Food Service Supervisor mhawkins@fumcmontgomery.org

Drew Norman Facilities Manager dnorman@fumcmontgomery.org

Joe Pace Custodian

Felicia Crawford Custodian

Tina Hudgins Director of Finances chudgins@fumcmontgomery.org

Nancy Belser Administrative Assistant to the CFO nbelser@fumcmontgomery.org

Chris Echols Audio and Visual Coordinator media@fumcmontgomery.org

Leslie Shannon Database Manager lshannon@fumcmontgomery.org

Mary Frances Joseph Director of Communications mfjoseph@fumcmontgomery.org

Sidney Carol Barnhardt Administrative Assistant to the Associate Ministers sbarnhardt@fumcmontgomery.org

Ed Reifenberg Chief Financial Officer ereifenberg@fumcmontgomery.org

Anna O'Neal Assistant Director of Communications ao'neal@fumcmontgomery.org

Lillian Gilley Administrative Assistant to the Senior Minister lgilley@fumcmontgomery.org

FUMC DEFINITION OF STEPHEN MINISTRY: Stephen Ministry is a trained organization of laypeople to provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around the congregation.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE NOT COUNSELORS. STEPHEN MINISTRY IS A CONFIDENTIAL MINISTRY. They are trained Christian caregivers. Their role is to What a care receiver tells a Stephen Minister remains listen and care—not counsel or advise. Please do not confidential. Even in supervision, the names of care refer to them as counselors. receivers and specific details are never discussed.

STEPHEN MINISTRY IS A SUPERVISED MINISTRY. Stephen Ministers engage in twice-monthly supervision to ensure that they are providing the best quality Christian care.

STEPHEN MINISTERS DO NOT MAKE COLD CALLS. They are assigned only to people who ask/agree to receive the care of a Stephen Minister.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2416 WEST CLOVERDALE PARK MONTGOMERY, AL 36106 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

UPCOMING SERMON SERIES:

Us 1/10

R E A F F I R M

1/31

R E C L A I M

2/7

R E S P O N D

2/14

GENESIS 1:1-5; MARK 1:4-11 1/17

MARK 1:21-28

JOHN 1:43-51 1/24

JONAH 3:1-5; MARK 1:14-20

R E D E E M

R E L E A S E

MARK 1:29-39

R E C H A R G E

MARK 9:2-9