Newsletter 2023 Vol. 1, No. 3

Pastor's Messag

Have you ever faced a seemingly impossible task? The book of Nehemiah is a wonderful resource for how communities come together to face such challenges. Here’s the backstory- the situation in Jerusalem was desperate. Following Jerusalem’s destruction in 586BC, the city laid in ruins for centuries. Then, a new ruler grants the Jewish people permission to rebuild their home. But the work stalls and stalls again. The task is colossal and as if that wasn’t enough, whenever the people start,theycomeunderattackfromenemies.

Nehemiah, 800 miles away, feels God is calling him to help. He prays. He plans. He speaks to the king. God opens a door: the king gives Nehemiah permission to return home and help his people rebuild.

In the summer of 445 BC, Nehemiah stands before the ruins of Jerusalem. He’s one man with timber, a handful of soldiers, and the king’s permission. But the task is still way beyond him. One man,evenonegreatmanlikeNehemiah,cannotrebuildJerusalemalone.

But Nehemiah didn’t think he could do it alone. He knew it would take everyone. So he calls them all, rich and poor, young and old, to start with the wall, and to work together. In ancient times, walls were key to safety and security Without a wall, the population was vulnerable to attack, destruction, and plunder. To rebuild the city, Nehemiah has the people start with the wall that will keepthemsafe.

Chapter 3 is one of my favorites in the book even though it’s just a very long list of names. Uzziel was a goldsmith. Hananiah a perfumer. Rephaia was a leading town official. Eliashib, a priest. Chapter 3 records the names of people from various levels of society and those of different ages and backgrounds. Men and women. Locals and out of towners. Families with kids. Old men. People withroughhandsandthosewhohandshadneverliftedastoneintheirlives.

What a beautiful list! You may never call it your life verse or ask your family to read it at your funeral, but this scripture shines with beauty because it shows us the importance of community. No God-sized dreams become reality without a community.

Community... family... is at the heart of our church. We are a faith family, for all, serving all. Being here means standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters. They do what they can. We do what we can. And together, the world changes.

It’s not all on your shoulders, my friends. But what piece of God’s work in this community is yours to accomplish? What piece of the renewal depends on you?

When each of us work shoulder to shoulder, we will accomplish together what none could accomplish alone.

Rev. Laura Heikes

McAllen FUMC Lead Pastor

Youth Ministries

Our youth are not having their weekly meetings this but they haven't stopped getting together! eadership team has planned activities and roughout the summer for all students grades 6-12--a trip to the zoo in , a trip to SPI, bowling, and something eam! We're trying to let all of the parents now about these opportunities, but if we , please call the office at 956-686-3784 or r Jon at jherrin@mcfirst.com

Are you as amazed as I am at all of the opportunities we have here at McAllen First UMC?? With our Sunday class opportunities during the Common Hour (10-11am), small groups that meet during the week, and even on-line opportunities, we provide a place for any and all who want to go deeper in the life of faith. If you haven't found the right place for you, or if you have an idea for a new group or Bible study, please let us know: office@mcfirst.com

Discipleship Ministry

McAllen FUMC Associate Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jon Herrin

Children's Ministry

Our Food Truck Vacation Bible School Program commenced on June 26th and chefs of all ages were encouraged to be On a Roll with God and turn to God as the provider of their daily needs. Students visited engaging stations throughout the morning and participated in music, arts and crafts, recreation, and science. Students were also able to dive deep into God’s word through our Bible story station. It was a blast! Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers that made this event possible.

Our Children’s Ministry is excited to share that we will be hosting an art camp. Camp heART will take place July 31st- August 3rd from 8:30 AM- 12:30PM. Camp heART offers children from 3rd grade- 9th grade the opportunity to be instructed in a variety of art forms, music, painting, crochet, creative writing, jewelry making, and culinary arts. Each day begins with a devotional about God’s love and the importance of serving others. Students will attend three art courses daily where they will be encouraged to explore their creative side and develop their artistic talents.

We are so very grateful for all of those who currently volunteer and serve in the children’s ministry. Working with children is such a joy! If you would like to assist with any of our programs for children, let us know. If you have time to give and a heart to serve, we can find a role for you!

Andrea Ibanez Director of Children Ministry

FUMC Day School

FUMC Day School is currently having their summer camps. Our little campers have had weeks filled with water adventures, prehistoric play, and had a Dinosaur Dance Party. We are still enrolling for our upcoming school year. Call us for more details

Jennifer Bizzel Director of FUMC Day School

Rio Texas Annual Conference 2023

This was my first time as a delegate to The Rio Texas Annual Conference and the experience was very positive. Any time I had a question or needed help, folks were so kind and gracious. There are many ministries within our conference and it was great to see he work being done. For example, Blair Thompson White offered a session on ways the church is working within communities oday to address the needs of various neighborhoods. Much effort s being made to look at creative ways to serve today. From the worship to the polity to the sharing with others, I felt blessed to be a part of it! Makes me proud to be a United Methodist."

Rebecca Villarreal

Every year, delegates from each of the churches in the Rio Texas conference gather to vote on administrative matters, appoint committee members, share successes and celebrate together, brainstorm waystoaddresschallenges,learnfromspeakers,andprayandworshiptogether.

At the beginning of June, we gathered in Corpus Christi. It was a great opportunity to learn from one another and celebrate the work of the church. We got to learn about some innovative ministries of differentcongregationsinyouthandyoungadultprogramming,outreach,education,humanitarianrelief, and fellowship. FUMC McAllen was featured as an example because of our missions and outreach to the communitybothintheRGVandinMexico!

We also got to learn about organizations we support as a conference such as UMCOR, the disaster relief program of the UMC that provides vital services in times of need (including after the storm we experiencedinAprilthatdamagedsomuchpropertyintheValley.)

Additionally,welearnedaboutfindingpurposeforministry,developingleadershipskills,andmeetingthe needsofourcommunityinpowerfulteachingsessionsledbyDr.BlairThompson-White.

Unfortunately, we also needed to address a fracture within our conference Over the last year, a minority of congregations have chosen to leave the UMC, and we began the conference with a peaceful vote to release them from our conference and to pray for their future ministries outside of the UMC. Though it was a sad loss, everyone was respectful and wished one another the best while moving forwards in different directions. As remaining churches, we focused on healing and on the many opportunities we have to work together as a conference, despite sometimes having differing opinions, to make an impact across Texas. As one speaker wisely noted, “Jesus called only 12 disciples into a life of ministry and from thosedisciplescameeveryChristiantoday.”

Ihavebeenblessedtoattendseveralconferencesandeachonehasbeenanenrichingexperience,butthis oneinparticularleftmefeelinghopefulforfutureofthechurch.

CatherineDiSanza

Mission & Outreach

Mission Service Project was a great success this year, although a little different than past years This year 9 teenagers from FUMC and St. Mark UMC partnered together with sponsors and Keep McAllen Beautiful to repair and paint a home for a single lady in need Thank you to all those who helped to make that happen! It is such a meaningful experience for these youth!

Manna Food Pantry served over 110 families during our June distribution. There have been several families stopping by the Office for emergency food these past weeks! Thank you for those serving in the Food Pantry to distribute the food. Our dates for distribution are the 3rd Monday of every month from 4:00 – 6:00 p m (water, tents and shade provided)!

“Hands and Feet” service opportunities have been wonderful We offer many different opportunities to serve Some of the things we do are pack food bags for our monthly Food Pantry, inventory underwear and items for the CC Humanitarian Respite Center, help to prepare for Vacation Bible School, write caring notes to those who are sick or need a cheering word, pack hygiene kits, and many other service activities for our church and community If you do not have a regular Sunday School Class or just want to join us to help with a specific project come on over to the Overflow West off the Sanctuary from 10:00 – 11:00 a m on any Sunday

Mornings in Mission On Wednesday, June 21st we visited Faith Ministries in Reynosa and had a blessed time with children and families. The next one will be July 13th to Vamos Tamaulipas Elementary School to celebrate the graduation We will be scheduling more mornings soon! If you are interested in going with us, just let us know!

We have many opportunities for you to serve Contact office@mcfirst.com or sign up on the next page and send to our office 4200 N. McColl Rd. McAllen, TX. 78504

The downtown Paleta Distribution continues to be a blessing to us and those we serve! Last distribution was at the McAllen Respite Center. People were happy that our church came to visit them as their neighbor. Our next paletas will be at our church on August 13th Ice-cream Sundae Sunday! This fundraiser will be run by our Youth Group after the 11 am. service.

Susan Hellums Mission & Outreach Coordinator

GiveyourtimetoGod’sworkinthischurchfamilyandourcommunity

Please fill this form out and send it to our office, thank you.

Name: Tel:

CampheArt(July31st-August3rd)

Sundaymorningchildren’schurch 9am 11am

J.A.M.ClasscommonhourSunday10am

Ushers/Greeters Sunday 9am 11am

AudiovisualSunday 9am 11am

ServeCommunion1stSunday 9am. 11am.

Fellowshipteam(CommonHour10am.)

WordonWednesday(3:30-5:30pm,kids)

Landscape(mowing,weeding,planting)

Photographer

Officehelper

Music(vocal,instrument)

Prayerteam(emailteam,prayershawl)

Other

Email:

Notewriters(toshut-insandsick)

Hospital/Shut-invisitor

Communiontoshut-ins

Foodpantry

FoodMinistry(Caring&Emily'sMealCooking/Delivering)

CarePortal(Organization/Delivery)

Youth(Wednesdaysandspecialevents)

Offeringcounter(Monday9am.)

Downtownpaletaoutreach

MorningsinMissiontoMexico(Wednesdays)

Biblestudyleader(onlineorin-person,onoroff-site)

CallingMinistry(callinghomebound,sick,others)

Artist

Upcoming Events and Serving Opportunities

July 17 Food Pantry Distribution

Church Campus on the South building, 4 - 6 PM

July 28 Youth Birds and Beach in Brownsville Contact: jherrin@mcfirst.com

July 24 Beginner Sign Language Contact: trompeggy@gmail com

July 24, 31 and August 7 Monday 6 - 7 PM Overflow East

July 31 - August 3 Kid's Art Camp

Contact: children@mcfirst.com

POP-UP MARKET Come one, come all to the monthly Trustee fundraiser held in the front parking area of the church Our outdoor market which helps the trustee budget for repairs and maintenance on our beautiful campus There are an assortment of vendors and the bonus of a petting zoo and local merchants from our community We can all help support and create an income flow for the trustee repair budget on behalf of Roger Stolley and our church. We hope you can come out and enjoy our next Market in August. Stay tune!

August 9 Youth Something Incredible...or IncrediBOWL

Contact: jherrin@mcfirst com

August 13 Finding God in Pets & Sundae Sunday, after 11 AM service

August 20 Finding God in Across the Border

(Photo Booth 10 AM - 1 PM, Backpack Blessing)

August 20

School Supply Backpack Assembly

August 21 Food Pantry Distribution

Church Campus on the South building, 4 - 6 PM

August 27 Finding God in a Beach Breakdown

(Paleta Sunday, Common Hour)

September 3 Finding God at the Zoo (Taco Truck, 12pm)

September 10 Finding God in a Rage Room

(Pancake Breakfast, Common Hour)

September 18 Food Pantry Distribution Church Campus on the South building, 4 - 6 PM

It has come to our attention that a link on our website redirected to the wrong email. We've fixed it and if you ever need to contact the church office, please email: office@mcfirst.com

Sunday Fellowship & Bible School Classes

Children & Youth

Fun, multi-age Bible story, fellowship for children ages three - 5th grade. Every Sunday 10 - 11 am in the Koinonia Room. Contact: Andrea Ibanez children@mcfirst.com

J.A.M. Jesus and Me Kids' Godly Play

Every Sunday during the 9 am and 11 am worship services. For all 3 year-olds - 5th graders. Room 201 in the Education Building Contact: Andrea Ibanez children@mcfirst.com

W.O.W. Word on Wednesday Student Ministry

All 3 year-olds through 5th graders are invited for a fun bible lesson, activities, and music. Every Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 pm. We are now on Summer break and will commence on September 6th. Contact: Andrea Ibanez children@mcfirst.com

For young people in 6th - 12th Grade. We gather for fun fellowship and Bible study. If you need more information contact: Pastor Jon jherrin@mcfirst.com

Adult Friendship Class

We study contemporary issues and learn to incorporate the teachings of Christ into our lives in Social Room East (South Building) Contact: dclark23459@gmail.com

Trinity/Aldersgate Class

Adults of all ages "Come, See, and Experience!"

Keystone Room (South Building)

Contact: scrain@atlashall.com

Open Door Class

We are studying 1st and 2nd Thessalonians The study book is entitled Keep Calm and Carry On by Levi Lusko All are welcome. Room 209 (Education Building)

Text: Donna 714 - 981 - 1519

McAllen First United Methodist Church 4200 N. McColl Rd., McAllen TX. 78504

www.fumcmcallen.org Tel. 956-686-3784

Email: office@mcfirst.com

McAllen First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church

@fumc mcallen

Support Groups

Parkinson's Support Group

We welcome people who are impacted by Parkinson's Disease. We gather to learn, encourage and equip one another on their journey. Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2:00-3:00pm in Social Room East Contact: holbecto@yahoo com

Alzheimer's Support Group

If you are caring for a loved one or you are dealing with Alzheimer's, you are invited to gather for support and fellowship. Every second Tuesday of the month, 2:00-3:00pm Koinonia Room (South Building).

Text Donna Gibson: 714-981-1519 for more information.

Special Needs Support Group

In this support group, families come together to offer support and encouragement as they face the challenges of caring for children with special needs Contact Donna Gibson by texting 714-981-1519 with any questions.

Women's S.E.E.D. Group

Share - Encourage - Exhort - Disciple

Every Tuesday 11 AM - 12 PM in the Koinonia Room

S.E.E.D. Group (Evening)

Share - Encourage - Exhort - Disciple

All are welcome Every Tuesday 6 - 7:30 PM Contact: anthonyjmicheletti@gmail.com