August 16, 2017 | Volume 16 Issue 8 jacksonfumc.org DOWNTOWN FOR GOOD
FIRST EDITION
A Newsletter Publication of First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tennessee
• How is it with your soul? • How are you growing in your spiritual life?
Choir Time! It is fall and kickoff time for choir rehearsals to begin! After several weeks of no rehearsals, choirs are set to resume the Fall rehearsal schedules: Sanctuary Choir Sanctuary Choir leads the music for the 11:00 a.m. worship services in the sanctuary. Rehearsals begin at the regular time, 7:00 p.m, on Wednesdays in the choir room located in the lower level of the building. Singers are needed in all voice parts; no auditions required. New anthems, as well as older more familiar anthems, will be rehearsed along with service music to enhance worship. Please consider joining the choir as we join our voices in praise and worship each Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings. Christmas Music Preparation for Advent and Christmas music will begin on the first Wednesday evening following Labor Day,
Read inside for more ways to: • Nurture your soul • Join a Bible study or class • Build relationships, participate, invite and serve others
• How are you serving others? • How are you sharing the “Good News?”
September 6. The first 30 minutes of each Wednesday’s rehearsal will be dedicated to rehearsing Christmas Music. Singers who wish to participate in Advent/Christmas Cantata are encouraged to come and rehearse for that service. Christmas Cantata will be presented this year on Sunday, December 10, at the morning worship service. An orchestra will accompany this cantata and all interested persons are invited to rehearse and sing with the choir. Some special rehearsals will be scheduled for Saturday mornings during the Fall for persons who cannot be present on Wednesdays. More to come on these special rehearsals! Prime Ringers FUMC is so blessed to have a full five octave of handbells plus a full set of Tone chimes to enhance our music offerings. Rehearsals are set to begin at 6:00 p.m on Wednesday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m. The Bell Choir room is located in the lower level directly across from the Sanctuary Choir Room. Ringers are needed to fill the vacancies. For those interested in ringing who may have never rung handbells, instructions will be given at ringer’s convenience. Contact Margaret if interested.
Children’s Choirs Check out our Worship Arts for Kids which will be meeting on Sunday evenings. Choirs, Rhythm Instruments, Dance, and Drama will be offered. See Children's Ministry Page or contact Jenni Thorn for more information. First Awakening The 8:55 a.m. contemporary worship leader, Beau Sage, is looking for singers and instrumentalists to expand the Praise Team which leads this service. Contact Beau and let him know if you are interested in being a part of this team. Rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings prior to the 8:55 a.m. worship time.
Music is a vital part of the worship ministry of FUMC. Find your place in helping to lead in one of our worship services by joining one of our choirs. There is a place for all to use your musical gifts! - Margaret Harrison Interim Music Director
8:55 a.m. First Awakening
Sunday 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
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2017-2018 Children’s Ministry Calendar Aug. 26 Sept. 16 Oct. 25 Dec. 6 Dec. 9 Jan.13 Feb. 10 Mar. 31 Apr. 1 Apr. 14 June 11-15
Parents Night Out, 5:30-9 p.m. Preschool Fun Day, 10 a.m.-Noon Fall Fest Family Advent Night Christmas at Linden Valley Preschool Fun Day, 10 a.m.-Noon Parents Night Out, 5:30-9 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt Easter Parents Night Out, 5:30-9 p.m. 38th Annual Music Day Camp June 25-29 Vacation Bible School July 21 Water Fun Day, 5-7 p.m.
Children’s Ministry
Jenni Thorn, Director of Children’s Ministry (jthorn@jacksonfumc.org) Search for “The Backyard - Jackson FUMC Children’s Ministry” on Facebook
Saturday, Aug. 26 5:30-9:00 p.m. $6/child, $20 family max.
jacksonfumc.org Space is limited!
The Backyard
Sunday Mornings 10 a.m. Sunday School 8:55 & 11 a.m. Children’s Church
All are invited to a “Cokesbury Hymnal Sing-Along” Sunday, August 27, 6 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1050 N. Parkway, Jackson. Bring your old Cokesbury hymnal and come sing together favorite traditional hymns! Stay for cookies and punch afterward.
If you know of a church member in the hospital, please contact Jan Kelley, 422-4002 or jkelley@jacksonfumc.org to help us with congregational care.
Worship Arts for Kids (W.A.K.) Starts Sept. 10 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Sundays, 5 p.m. Preschool-1st grade Tracks: • Angel Choir • Creative Crafting 2nd-5th grade Tracks: • Agape Choir • Drama Parents may also register their children for rhythm or liturgical dance which will meet on the 4th Sunday of the month. If you register your children for WAK, it is of the utmost importance that they attend rehearsals as much as possible to be prepared for all performances.
3rd - 5th graders
2017/2018 Kickoff Sunday, Aug. 20 3-5 p.m. Andrews Chapel Children’s Ministry Mission Statement Discipleship starts with children. At Jackson First United Methodist Church, we believe lifelong discipleship should be the outcome of our children’s ministry. To achieve this, we will intentionally model what discipleship looks like through prayer, scripture, small groups, accountability, works of mercy and evangelism. As children complete 5th grade and move to Confirmation, they will SWING: Seek God, Worship Him, Invite Others, Navigate Scripture, Grow a stronger Prayer Life. It is our prayer that this will ignite a passion in families to grow deeper as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ.
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Adult Sunday School Classes 2017 • 10:00-10:50 a.m. Class #/Name
Ages
Class Leaders
Level
102 Good Goats
18-40s
Brian Taylor & JV Thompson
Lower
104 Abundant Disciples
35-60’s
Sally Rainey & Frannie Smith
Lower
108 Women in Christ
35-60s
Beth Bates & Jane Ramer
Lower
109 Genesis
55-70s
Bud & Patty Hamilton
Lower
110 Laura Russell Tri-Mu
65+
Patricia Kuykendall
Lower
111 Friends In Faith
35-60s
David Camp, Les Jaco, & Gregory Stuart
Lower
112 Dick Nunn
65+
Mike Butler & Barbara Weaver
Lower
114 The Well
18-40s
David & Marilynn Eblen
Lower
117 Upper Room
35-60s
Mike McCarty & Ed Hare
Lower
118 Religion For Life
55+
Ray Bryant & Debra Owen
Lower
119 Family Life Forum
55+
Bill Hetzler & Dave Shires
Lower
120 Wesley Fellowship
65+
Henry Harrison & Herron Morris
Lower
320 Followers
18-40s
Wanda Scanlon & Betsy Dement
Upper
Join a class! Worship Planning: Looking Ahead to December This year, the calendar falls into the situation where the First Sunday of Advent doesn’t occur until Dec 3rd, one weekend AFTER Thanksgiving break. As a result, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on Sundays. Given the high expectations of a choir cantata, the Service of Lessons and Carols, and Christmas Eve services (in addition to the Sunday morning service that falls on Dec. 24th), the following schedule for December 2017 was approved by Church Council. • Dec 3: 8:55 a.m. First Awakening and 11 a.m. Traditional Worship service with Holy Communion • Dec 10: 9:30 a.m. Combined worship service Christmas Cantata • Dec 17: 9:30 a.m. Combined worship service 6:00 p.m. Carols and Candles 7:00 p.m. Reception • Dec 24: 9:30 a.m. Combined worship service, Christmas Eve services at FUMC (4:30 PM) and Andrews Chapel (6 PM). • Dec 31: 9:30 a.m. Combined worship service • Jan 7th: Epiphany Sunday, 8:55 First Awakening and 11 a.m. Traditional Worship services, with Holy Communion (resuming regular worship service schedule) This is a rare occurrence - but we think it is a creative way to deal with the challenge of the holiday season building on the theme of “A Down Home Downtown Christmas”.
Men’s Ministry Tuesday Morning Bible Study Grow and learn… Come when you can…
Dave Bratcher, leader 7-7:50 a.m.
Clayton Hall Conference Room
For Men of All Ages
Coffee & Conversation
Thursdays, 9-10 a.m. Room 117
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Justice Jail in Memphis. Over Labor Day weekend that year, she helped move inmates into the new facility. Kathy, a computer programmer, was one of two females on a team of ten who worked with the Shelby County Automatic Tracking System (SCATS) training deputies in charge of computers, a position she held for seven years.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
by Bobbie Mays Director of Communications
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Kathy Hunt Abrams was born in Huntsville, AL. Growing up with her sister, Karaleigh and brother, Ed, she is the third generation of her family to live in the same house she has lived in three different times. Home is where the heart is… just outside Huntersville, TN! Ties to that community and Andrews Chapel Methodist Church go back five generations for her family. Kathy’s greatgreat granddad Dougan was the Sunday School superintendent in the 1920’s. Her great-grandmother and grandmother were members of the Missionary Society also at Andrews Chapel. Both Kathy and her daughter, Jennifer Collins (also daughter of Kathy’s first husband, Mark Collins) were baptized there. In May, 1992, Kathy and her second husband, David Abrams were married at Andrews Chapel. Kathy graduated from Lambuth College in May, 1981 with a degree in data processing. Shortly after graduating, at the age of twenty-one, she began her first job in the newly built Criminal
Between 1988-2003, Kathy worked in other computer programming jobs in cotton divisions at Dunavant Enterprises and Cargill in Memphis. Through a twenty-two year career as a programmer, Kathy witnessed and experienced major changes in computer operations. She watched her work environment move from a room kept at 60 degrees filled with several large, bulky computers to one in which the same level of work could be handled from a smart phone. Those times were good but Kathy was ready to do something different. In 2003, she was recruited as an interim math teacher teaching at Germantown, Cordova and Arlington High Schools for three years. One of Kathy’s greatest loves is animals, having grown up on the farm with dogs, pigs, cows, horses, gerbils, hamsters, barn cats, chickens and yes, even a duck! What better place for her to work then, than the PetSmart PetsHotel which she opened in 2006 in Memphis, working her way from part-time to manager where she was employed until 2013. Four years ago this month, Kathy and David moved to Jackson, TN. David retired after forty-four years as a homebound teacher in Memphis City Schools. With his retirement, the opportunity to be “back home” for Kathy was just too good to pass up. Her mother, Lynn Overton Hunt Wood who grew up in Jackson and is married to Harold Wood still resides here. In the summer of 2013, Andrews Chapel had just become a part of Jackson First United Methodist Church, perfect timing for Kathy to return to the place she loves and to be near her family.
Kathy currently serves as the worship leader at Andrews Chapel. She is also the Wedding Coordinator both at Andrews Chapel and Jackson FUMC. Her desire to help others through missions outreach is evident by her involvement as Mission team secretary, the “Great Day of Service” assistant coordinator and as the past coordinator of Operation Inasmuch project at Andrews Chapel working with the Jackson-Madison County fire department placing free smoke detectors in homes in the Huntersville community. She is also an active member of Lydia Circle. Kathy is not known to “let grass grow under her feet” and already wants everyone to know now about the next Great Day of Service, April 21, 2018! If you participated this year, you were one of more than 150 volunteers serving in our community. If you didn’t participate, you won’t want to miss out in 2018! She is also happy to talk to anyone interested in weddings, both at Andrews Chapel and FUMC. Outside of the church, Kathy works a few days a month at PetSmart in Jackson and fosters small dogs for rescues in the area until the FurBabies are adopted. Whether serving the needs of others or caring for animals, Kathy quietly goes the extra mile to give of her time unselfishly. Her commitment to her church, family and community are a testimony to her faithfulness to God and as a servant in Christ.
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Women’s Ministries Susan Crocker, Director of Women’s Ministry, scrocker@jacksonfumc.org
Women's Fall Bible Study by Angie Smith
Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
FUMC Library, Books $13 on Amazon Please have at the first class
Register at jacksonfumc.org
Sept. 5, 19, 26, and Oct. 3, 10, 17,24. (NO meeting Sept. 12)
Saints & Symbolism in the Gardens Dixon Gallery Memphis Day Trip
Sept. 13 • 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Private garden tour, lecture and lunch all included for $35
Sign up at jacksonfumc.org
Between Friends Book Club 11 a.m. at the Baker’s Rack September 20 “Before We Were Yours“ by Lisa Wingate October 18 “Wednesday Sisters“ by Meg Waite Clayton
Late Summer Specialties: Cooking Class Thursday, Sept 21 2:30-5:00 p.m. FUMC Kitchen
$35 for the class and enough to take home for family dinner! * Limited to 12 and the classes fill quickly. There is still time to enjoy the last of the garden's delights. Whether you are a "shopper" or a "grower", these recipes will make use of those remaining seasonal crops. You will work side by side with other students and chef Andrew Boks to create and sample some delicious dishes and take the rest home for dinner.
Lydia Circle will resume September 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Beverly Denton, 133 Princeton Place. Light snack, study, and prayer…women of all ages are invited!
First Edition August 16, 2017
Memorials & Honoraria IN LOVING MEMORY OF WOODY FORBES Lina and Fred Bowyer Jerry and Florence Hornsby Rebecca and Dale Tuttle Liz Willis Joe Nip and Sandra McKnight Ray and Liz Bryant May Scott Ken Marston Anne Barker (Music) Gayle Crocker Ernest and Ann Lawrence (Music) John and Sally Everett Hunter and Suzanne Welles Sam and Peggy Pearson David & Janis Fite (Media) CHRIS HOLT (Esther and Greg Milam’s son) Paul and Doris Eubanks (Music) Anne Barker (Music) Ernest and Ann Lawrence (Youth) Gayle Crocker ROSEMARY DENTON (Brad Denton’s mother) FUMC Staff David and Cyd Teague Chuck and Mona Miller John and Debbie Shires Hunter and Suzanne Welles Mark and Debra Owen James, Debbie and Hannah Newmon JOHN W. HULME Asylee Hulme JANICE LOWE (Liz McCracken’s mother) FUMC Staff Ernest and Ann Lawrence CHARLES (CT) GRAVES (Glynn Graves’ brother) FUMC Staff Hunter and Suzanne Welles Ernest and Ann Lawrence (Youth) BRENDA CONNOR (Bethany Brown’s mother) Debbie and John Shires BRET ANDERSON (Adam Anderson’s brother) FUMC Staff JILL ANN GUNSHEFSKI (Jacki Hoveskeland’s sister) FUMC Staff
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Senior Adult Ministries
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 “Illusions, Delusions or Reality… What is it?”
Show and Tell by Dr. Larry Ray
Program 11:00 a.m. | Luncheon 12:00 p.m. Clayton Hall | $7.00 per person
For reservations, contact Barbara Barker, 668-4435 or bbarker157@aol.com by 12:00 p.m. Sept. 12 Adventures in Learning 2017-2018 SAVE THE DATES!
March 16 Humorous Talk (details to be determined)
October 20 Dr. David Forbes and son, Noah “A Musical Celebration”
April 20 Madison Academic Chorus Lindsey Patterson
November - No Program
May 18 “Find Your Wild Side” Tennessee Park Ranger
December 8 “Music of Jubilate” Margaret Harrison January 19 “Scams, Schemes, and Swindles” Lindsey Balthrop, TN Department of Consumer Affairs February 16 Scenes of TN Wildlife and How to Make Good Pictures on Cell Phones, Robin Conover, writer and photographer
Special Events Sunday, November 12 Senior Adult Appreciation and Recognition Sunday Sunday, February 18 Lunch at Chandelier and Chamber concert at St. Luke’s
"Some Helpful Reminders" 1. Our programs are open to everyone 55 and older. You do not have to a member of FUMC to attend. 2. The programs are normally the third Friday of each month at 11:00 AM. We also have special events. 3. Reservations are required.
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Mission Corner
SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
August Mission
Aspell Recovery The Aspell Recovery Center in Jackson, TN is one of three chemical addiction treatment programs designed to serve the needs of the indigent addicted population in a 20 county rural service delivery area of West Tennessee. No person is refused the program simply because the individual cannot pay. The vast majority of men and women admitted are socially and economically impoverished and unemployed. The program seeks to provide hope and help for individuals in this gripping despair and helplessness of their illness. Over 250 people will present at Aspell each year in search of avenues to lead better lives. More than 85 people receive some level of service from Aspell on a daily basis. Today Aspell employs over 40 committed and passionate individuals including 5 licensed professionals and 18 volunteer board members whose mission is to provide the highest
Memorials & Honoraria JOLENA FISHER (Robert Curlin’s aunt) FUMC Staff ELEANOR BAXTER (Bill Baxter’s mother) Beth Bates NORMA McCARTY (Mike McCarty’s mother) David and Cyd Teague Jacki Hoveskeland
quality care and treatment. Aspell is now a recovery living community located on over 5 acres in mid-town Jackson. In the past 8 years Aspell has tripled its annual budget from $450,000 to $1.6 million.
Aspell Recovery is changing lives!
Help share the love of Christ for people in need. During August, bring these items and place in the Monthly Mission crib in the main lobby. • disposable razors • shaving cream • tooth paste • tooth brushes • deodorant • shampoo
Contact: Paula Butler (pbutler300@gmail.com) or Becky Sadowski (beckysadowski@hotmail.com)
ROSEMARY and TIM CARTER (Brad Denton’s sister and brother-in-law) John and Debbie Shires SAMUEL McLEMORE Lina and Fred Bowyer BOYD FLEMING Ken Marston EDDIE CRAWFORD Lina and Fred Bowyer JACK PIERCEY (William Piercey’s father) Hunter and Suzanne Welles Jason and Jamie Sullivan The Tennova Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary BETTY SUE HARTSFIELD (Jerry Hartsfield’s mother) Hunter and Suzanne Welles ZITA ABRAMS (David Abrams’ mother) FUMC Staff KENNETH BINGEMER (Alice Eblen’s brother) Hunter and Suzanne Welles Jackie Rheney Jacki Hoveskeland Emma Lee Bond
The Department of Justice states, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” Will you give one hour a week to help a child learn to read? Training/Retraining • Thursday, September 7 10:00-11:30 at West Jackson Baptist Church • Monday, September 11 5:30-7:00, First Baptist Church
BRETT DENTON (Brad Denton’s brother) John and Debbie Shires
JOSEPHINE MURPHY Hunter and Suzanne Welles Beth Bates The Dick Nunn Sunday School Class
Save a child to save a family to save a city.
JOE DAVID CASEY Mark and Debra Owen ELAINE WARD Mr. and Mrs. Waring Hazlehurst
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Calendar of Events Calendar subject to change. Please call the church office, 422-4002 or check the calendar at jacksonfumc.org
Tuesday, August 29 Sunday, August 20 Friday, September 8
8:55 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM
First Awakening Service Sunday School Traditional Service Kids Who Care Club Jubilate
Monday, August 21 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 5:30 PM ARM Board Meeting 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball Tuesday, August 22 7:00 AM Men’s Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Planning 6:00 PM Children’s Ministry Team Meeting Wednesday, August 23 8:00 AM TN River District Operational Team Meeting 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 11:30 AM Rotary Club Lunch Meeting 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM First Awakening Rehearsal Thursday, August 24 9:00 AM Coffee and Conversation 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball 7:00 PM Pickleball Friday, August 25 5:00 PM Room in the Inn Saturday, August 26 5:30 PM Parents Night Out Sunday, August 27 8:55 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 4:00 PM Jubilate 5:00 PM Youth Small Groups Monday, August 28 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball
Dressing Downton Abbey Cheekwood Day Trip 7:00 AM Men’s Bible Study 4:30 PM Girl Scout Meeting
Wednesday, August 30 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 11:30 AM Rotary Club Lunch Meeting 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM First Awakening Rehearsal Thursday, August 31 9:00 AM Coffee and Conversation 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball 7:00 PM Pickleball Friday, September 1 4:00 PM United Methodist Men’s Rib Sale Preorder Pickup in back parking lot Saturday, September 2 No church events scheduled Sunday, September 3 8:55 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 4:00 PM Jubilate Monday, September 4 Labor Day Holiday Church Closed Tuesday, September 5 11:00 AM Seamless Bible Study 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball Wednesday, September 6 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 11:30 AM Rotary Club Lunch Meeting 5:30 PM Mission Team Meeting 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM First Awakening Rehearsal Thursday, September 7 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball 7:00 PM Pickleball
12:00 PM First Friday Forum
Saturday, September 9 No church events scheduled Sunday, September 10 8:55 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 4:00 PM Jubilate 5:00 PM Youth Small Groups 5:45 PM Confirmation Meeting Monday, September 11 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 6:00 PM SPRC Meeting Tuesday, September 12 4:30 PM Girl Scout Meeting 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball Wednesday, September 13 9:00 AM Parents Day Out 9:00 AM Munch and Lunch at the Dixon 11:30 AM Rotary Club Lunch Meeting 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 7:00 PM First Awakening Rehearsal Thursday, September 14 5:30 PM Senior Olympic Basketball 7:00 PM Pickleball Friday, September 15 11:00 AM Adventures in Learning Saturday, September 16 No church events scheduled Sunday, September 17 8:55 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 4:00 PM Jubilate 5:00 PM Youth Small Groups 5:45 PM Confirmation Class
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Net Difference
$
(40,700)
page 10 First Edition August 16, 2017
First Friday Forum
September 8
12-1 p.m. Clayton Hall Lunch Cost: $7/person Program: Lee Wilson, owner
of Jackson Escape Rooms, speaker. He will talk about his time on the TV show, “Hunted” and his escape rooms here in downtown. Church phone update We now have a new phone system. When you call 731-422-4002, you will hear a voice message letting you know you have reached First United Methodist Church, followed by office hours. If you are calling during normal business hours, or after hours, please press 1 then choose one of the following: Option 1 - Speak with a volunteer or leave a message with the front desk. Option 2 - Ministerial Assistant Option 3 - Operations and Scheduling Option 4 - Financial Information Option 5 - Communications Option 6 - Maintenance Option 7 - Staff Directory
Add an icon to your iPhone for jacksonfumc.org • Open the Safari Browser, go to jacksonfumc.org • Press the
icon.
• Select the icon “Add to Home Screen”
Youth News Open to 7th-12th graders
Christian Hesling, Youth Pastor (chesling@jacksonfumc.org) Search for “The Current UMY” on Facebook
Partner with Youth Ministry In my earlier years of youth ministry, I got the opportunity to co-lead a large group of youth on a field trip into the city. At the conclusion of the trip I asked the primary leader, “How do you think the trip went?” to which he answered, “Everyone survived!” Perhaps he had a deeper evaluation of the trip that did not come to the surface, but this response got me thinking about a deeper issue: purpose. If our goal for that trip was to keep the students alive, then we would have been more successful if we refused to do the trip at all! (This would have saved time, energy, and resources too)! It was this conversation that stirred me to think more deeply and more intentionally about not only how we do ministry, but more importantly “why.” Why are we spending money, using time, investing resources into youth ministry; what is the ultimate goal? Is it to entertain, is to spiritually edify, to make disciples, or to make great memories?
“why” for why we do lock-ins, why we do youth programming, why we go to RIFA, and why we occasionally will play ridiculous games (including putting masks on students and asking them to hit ping-pong balls with plungers). Now to clarify, this mantra and mission is not reserved for just the youth. Rather this is a commitment and a commission for the entire church since we all have a responsibility in the spiritual nourishment and raising of each generation. Therefore, I invite you to partner with the youth ministry as we all “seek Christ, serve others, and grow in faith through relationships.” That is why we are here, and that is where we are heading!
In January 2017, a group of leaders, parents, staff members, and more sat down to prayerfully carve out the “why” of the Youth Ministry here at Jackson FUMC. We came to the careful and intentional conclusion that the Youth Ministry at Jackson FUMC “exists to seek Christ, serve others, and grow in faith through relationships in a community of lifelong disciples.” This became the firm
Art by Meredith Nye
page 11 First Edition August 16, 2017
Church Library News Although John Wesley was a well-educated and well-read man, he often described himself as a “man of one book.” That one book, of course, is the Bible. Wesley knew as well as we that the Bible is not one book, but rather a library of sixty-six texts composed long ago in societies vastly different from ours. His own pattern of disciplined and serious Bible study provides a model for how we can understand these often puzzling texts. Fortunately for us modern Christians the Biblical scholarship of the past two centuries gives us insights which Wesley might envy. And right here in our Church library we have volumes which contain some of the best of the most recent scholarship in such reference works as the Interpretation commentary series. There is one volume for each book in this series, written by such noted Biblical scholars as the late Dr. Fred B. Craddock, who authored the books on the Gospel of Luke as well as on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. According to the editors of this series, each commentary is written by “scholars who seek to create an interpretation which is both faithful to the text and useful to the church,” meaning US! A quote from Gerard Sloyan’s commentary on the Gospel of John gives some sense of the helpful insights which one finds in each of these volumes. Sloyan advises readers that his “commentary will not be an attempted reconstruction of the history either of Jesus’ day or of John’s day. It will be an attempt
Legacy Writing Workshop “Save Your Stories, Leave a Legacy” Thursday, Sept 21, 2017 Reference section of library to proclaim in our day the Jesus Christ proclaimed by John.” Knowing that this is what we encounter in both canonical and non-canonical gospels is useful as we seek to be faithful to the life and work of Jesus. Also in the reference section of our Church library is the multi-volume New Interpreter’s Bible as well as The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible which presents a short piece on almost every Biblical topic. All these reference works are located to the left of the large television cabinet on the north end of the library. We hope you will take advantage of these excellent works as you engage in disciplined and serious Bible study.
MISSIONS POSSIBLE METHODIST MEN’S LABOR DAY BBQ RIB SALE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
BBQ Baby Back Ribs $20/Slab Payment by cash / check to “First United Methodist Church” or order through the Jackson FUMC app. Pre-paid orders only. No walk up orders. Order Deadline: Monday, August 28, 2017 Pick up orders Friday, September 1; 4-6 PM in the Stop by the table in Disciple Hall on Sundays to place orders. Return card to John Yarbrough. back church parking lot.
9:30-11:30 a.m. Mezzanine
“Stories are a gift given by an elder to a younger person.” Velma Wallis, author. Do you sometimes wish you had written records of the stories you heard during childhood from parents, grandparent or other elders? Each person’s life story is as unique and as essential as the person telling it, and each of us has a rich storehouse of experience and memory that, when shared, can enrich both our families and the culture at large. Join Andrea Woods, a writer and former FUMC Staff member, for a monthly Legacy Writing Workshop, in which you will explore ways to harvest memory and create a lasting legacy through writing down the personal, vital stories that have informed your life. You don’t have to have previous writing experience! Anyone can do this! Simply show up with a yellow legal pad and your favorite pen or pencil. 3rd Thursdays Monthly, September 21, 2017- April 19, 2018 (excluding December) Contact: Andrea Woods andowoods@gmail.com
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
JACKSON, TENN. PERMIT NO. 116
First United Methodist Church 200 South Church Street Jackson, Tennessee 38301 (731) 422-4002
A Safe Sanctuaries Congregation A United Methodist Welcoming Congregation OR CURRENT RESIDENT
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Sunday Worship FUMC Downtown Services:
8:55 a.m. First Awakening • Clayton Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship • Sanctuary
Sunday, August 20
Sky McCracken, preaching • Matthew 15:21-28
Sunday, August 27
Sky McCracken, preaching • Romans 12: 1-8
Sunday, September 3
Sky McCracken, preaching • Romans 12:9-21
Sunday, September 10
Sky McCracken, preaching • Matthew 18:15-20
Communion
The next publication of the First Edition Newsletter will be Wednesday, September 13, 2017
The church office will be closed Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day.