Greetings from David Dear Fellow Ministers,
Wow! Who said that summer is a time to relax?! Things are happening at
the Big House! We have lots of opportunities to grow in new ways as we live into
some staff transitions coming on July 1:
Jennifer Cabaniss is moving from Director of Children’s Ministries to Director
of Student Ministries.
Kristi McClellan is adding to her role as Preschool Director and becoming our
Director of Children’s Ministries.
Jim Westmoreland is becoming First UMC’s “Pastor Emeritus” which is a
singular honor meaning he is available to us in ways he desires to be.
Tripp Hord will be the “bridge” in our partnership with First UMC, Bessemer
City, as he is their lead pastor and helps us as Visitation Minister.
Saxon Scarborough is going to begin helping us with homebound visitation.
Carol Campbell, former Preschool Director and Administrative Assistant, is
moving away to pursue a job opportunity. We will miss her generous spirit
and grace.
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee has worked hard to allow us to grow in new
ways while using the gifts of the great staff we have. They are actively pursuing a
Director of Family Life Center and a replacement for Carol. Carol‘s last day was
June 29.
We do feel that we are continuing to keep our mission in front of us as we
seek to provide the best ministry we can with this congregation and community.
Please pray for all of these staff taking on new roles and changes. We covet your
prayerful support of our shared ministry.
We are excited about the new worship series happening in July: Worship
Through The Arts. Please invite others to come and be a part of this series:
July 3 – Galatians 6:1-6. We will talk about how we can see the picture of
God’s grace
July 10 – II Samuel 6:12-19. We will talk about how dance can glorify God
July 17 – Amos 8:1-12. We will talk about how we can put our gifts above the
glory of God
July 24 – Ashley Anne Lloyd preaching using Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85, Luke
11:1-13, and Colossians 2:6-19
July 31 – Jim Westmoreland preaching using Song of Songs 2:1-7
Please plan to be in attendance. Summer offers a great time to invite others to
worship with you!
I look forward to being in mission and ministry with you during the
month of July!
In Christ’s Service,
David
News @ First
Vol 45 ...Issue 7 ...July ...2016
The mission of
First United
Methodist
Church:
To see Christ in
every person
we encounter
and
demonstrate
to them
the love of God
and the
teachings of
Jesus.
Contact: Rev. David Christy
Senior Minister
704-864-4371 ext. 222
…Take Note…
Sympathy to: Bobby “Sokie” Dellinger, Donna and Dylan Phelps and Family on the death of
Donna Dellinger, who passed away June 13.
Porter McAteer and Family on the death of Louise Henson, who passed away June 13.
David Minges and Family on the death of Louise Minges, who passed away June 17.
Paxton and Peter Fayssoux and Family on the death of Margie Fayssoux, who passed away June 20.
Martha Burris and Meredith Pruitt and Family on the death of Jesse Adams, Jr. who passed away June 23.
Joy to: Andy Timmons and Lauren Refinetti, who were married June 4 by Rev. Dr. Jim Westmoreland.
Andy is the son of Dr. Ben and Lorna Timmons.
Just the numbers: Sunday Attendance June 5: 533
June 12: 373
June 19: 346
June 28: 375
Minister on Call Schedule:
704-915-5078 (call or text)
July 1-3: David Christy
July 8-10: David Christy
July 15-17: Tripp Hord
July 22-24: Ashley Anne Lloyd
July 29-31: Ashley Anne Lloyd
Wednesday Menus
July 27
Beans and Rice
Dinner
Reservations
are requested
for everyone
and accepted
until 5 p.m. on
the Monday
prior to the
meal via The
website, First
Connection
card, or by
calling the
office.
Cancellations
are appreciated.
July 13
French Dip
Dinner
August 10
Hotdog Dinner
CONNECT...
Jen Hatmaker’s Belong Tour Save the date: Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5, 2016
We know Jen as the author of several of our small group books “For the Love and “Interrupted,”
Now we have an opportunity to learn from her and see her in person. The Belong Tour exists to
inspire women to open your heart, experience connection and rock your purpose. When women
understand who they are and what they are capable of doing, they will change the world. Register
now with a $50 deposit ($100 total) by Wednesday, August 31. Contact Becky for questions.
NEW First Connections Center Many thanks for your patience during the transition from the former Hospitality Room
to the new "First Connection Center". Over the next few weeks, you will see a new
prayer station, a magnetic board for those who would like to store their name tags at the
church, and a "shining stars" area to display the activities of our youngest church
members. We will be asking church members to serve as hosts to guide those with
questions and to help with the coffee and cookies offered. Our goal is to have a place
for members and guests to meet and greet each other on their way to worship. Thank you
again for helping make the First Connection Center a vital part of Sunday morning.
- Your Nurture Ministry Team
VBS Volunteer Meeting
Monday, July 25, 5-6:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center Conference Room.
Dinner provided 5-5:30 p.m. and meeting 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Childcare will be provided. RSVP to [email protected] by Sunday, July 24.
Contact: Becky Greene
Director of Spiritual Formation
704-864-4371 ext. 227
United Methodist Women-Faith, Hope and Love in Action
Summertime Opportunities
Camp Sunshine July 4-8 at Crowder’s Ridge
Find time in your summer schedule to be a part of this summertime experience with “our children”. Children,
who are, perhaps for their first time, enjoying a week of fun and games.
Volunteers are wanted and needed - part of the day, all day, everyday.
July 22 – Mission U at Pfeiffer College
There will a group attending a one day overview session. If you are interested in attending, please contact Bethe
Rogers or Jane Smith. Cost is $40, including lunch. Advanced registration is required.
Vacation Bible School - July 31-August 3 – 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Bruce will need help with food preparation, serving the snack meal, and cleaning up afterwards.
If you can help any or all of these evenings, please let your circle leader know.
After Sunday Sermon Luncheon Fundraiser – Sunday, August 28.
This Sunday lunch will be the 3rd and final for this year.
If you have not tried the delicious Sunday Lunch, please do so.
All UMW fundraiser funding goes to missions-women and children-locally and globally.
Tickets will be available soon.
Friendship Connections-Where Friends Connect and Reconnect
Time is flyin’. Summertime and plans are in full swing for “friends” to reconnect in September at Friendship
Connections.
Save the Date: September 15, 11 a.m. in the Family Life Center.
Let’s all plan to invite a friend to be a part in connecting with our friends.
A single rose can be my garden, a single friend, my world. (Leo Buscagli)
First Friday Hot Dogs
Friday, July 1, 2016
12-1 p.m.
In the First United Methodist Church parking lot at the corner of Main and Oakland.
Hot Dog, potato chips, drink, cookie!
$3 or pay as you can.
Sponsored by the United Methodist Men.
PLEASE COME-EVERYONE INVITED!
CONNECT CONT....
Our kids enjoyed a Wacky Wednesday adventure-
Bowling With Our Pastors!
Wacky Wednesday, July 13
Pool Party 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Drop off and pick up will be at the church.
Kids must RSVP to Jennifer by Sunday, July 10 for this activity.
Cost $5 and Preschool kids require a parent chaperone.
Wednesday Evening Fellowship
Wednesday, July 13, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Childcare provided and activities for M&M’s, FAITH, and FISH.
M&M’s, FAITH, and FISH will participate in a Mission Project for
the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, July 27, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Vacation Bible School
Ages 3–rising 5th graders
Sunday, July 31-Wednesday, August 3, 5:30-8 p.m., Dinner provided.
Please register online by Thursday, July 27 at
http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/fumcgastonianc/
Wacky Wednesday, August 10
Hickory Dickory Dock, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost $7 (Please note time
change from summer postcard). Kids must RSVP to Kristi by Sunday,
August 7 for this activity. Drop off and pick up will be at the church.
Preschool kids require a parent chaperone.
-Children’s Ministry
Contact: Kristi McClellan
Director of Preshool/
Children’s Ministries
704-864-4371 ext. 231
Cookies for Community Helpers
Mission Monday-
Fire Department
Mission Monday
Sheriff’s Department
Celebrate the Arts in July
-Music and Worship Arts
Ministry
Contact: Rev. Saxon Scarborough
Minister of Music
704-864-4371 ext. 233
FUMC Organist and Conference
Director of Music, Timothy Scruggs and
FUMC Brass (Stephanie Elliott, Zachary
Park, Bob Lowder & Les Dix) played at
Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska.
In June, our Men's Ensemble sang
and led worship at Cornerstone,
a substance abuse recovery center
in Gastonia.
To print this calendar, select print and choose page 7.
Newsletter articles must be submitted via email by 9 a.m. on the last Wednesday of the month prior to publication
for the following month. Email your submission to Amanda, [email protected]. Please note that articles
are at the Editor’s discretion due to limited space, run time, etc. Thank you for your cooperation.
Youth Happenings! Sunday School-The Greene House
9:45 a.m.–Praise Music and Gathering 10 a.m.–Morning Glow
10:05 a.m.–Sunday School: Confirmation 6th Grade, 7th & 8th Grades, 9th–12th Grades
Save the Date::
WOW: Week of Welcome for Rising 6th Graders: Monday, August 1-
Thursday, August 4
More information will be mailed out soon.
Youth Recognition
Chelsea Vale is serving on Church Council as a youth representative.
Jacob Hord served as a youth delegate at Annual Conference.
Thank you both for taking time to serve!
Youth Mission Trip
Youth Mission Trip to Boston, MA: July 16–23
(Please keep our youth and volunteers in your
thoughts and prayers). Several items requested by
the Old West Church in Boston are Lowe’s gift
cards, gas grill, tower fans, paint brushes for
stained glass windows, paint rollers for painting
bathrooms, power strips, adapters. These items
can be used, but will be left in Boston. Please
bring to Becky’s office. Thank you!.
Youth Ministry
Contact: Jennifer Cabaniss
Director of Student Ministries
704-864-4371 ext. 223
RUN A MARATHON!!
Help the youth on their mission to the city of Boston, MA
July 16—23, 2016. BOSTON STRONG!
$1-$49: Starting Line
$75-$99: Heart-
Break Hill
$150 and up: BOSTON STRONG!!!
$50-$74: Marathon
Sports
$100-$149: Finish Line
You may place your donation in the offering plate,
designating it for the “Youth Mission Trip,”
mail to FUMC, PO Box 218, Gastonia, NC 28053,
Attn. Becky Greene, or donate online,
www.fumcgastonia.org by Sunday, July 10.
THANK YOU!
Gaston Hospice Bereavement Services Presents:
Summer time Series. Join us for our new summer series designed to
help you:
Explore
Connect
Create
Open to anyone in the community ages 10-90 who has experienced the
death of a loved one.
Fridays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 1-Movie and Popcorn
July 29-Wish You Were Here
August 19-Catching the Sun
September 16-Say What You Need to Say
Come to one session or come to all four. For more information and to register, please call 704-861-8405.
Gaston Hospice-258 E. Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28054.
Blood Drive Results
We had 27 appear, 5 deferred, 2 Double Red Blood Cells, and we collected 24 units that will impact 72 local
lives and that is wonderful! Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Blood Drive.
Parish Nurse Ministry
Contact: Lisa Marisiddaiah
Parish Nurse
704-864-4371 ext. 256 or 704-750-5472
You Can Be Confident!!
Events and
News... Welcome New Members
Wednesday Evening Fellowship
For The Summer Months
(In the Family Life Center) July 13-Fire, Police, EMT Recognition
July 27-Beans and Rice Mission Night
August 10-Hot Dogs and Hymns
Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.
Programs 6:15-7 p.m.
Please make meal reservations by the Monday prior at 5
p.m. Thank you, and we hope to see you this summer for
a time of fellowship and food!
Movie Night at 162 East
Friday July 15 from 6-8:30 p.m.
NOW SHOWING: BALTO (a true American hero, who is
also a sled dog) at 6:45 p.m.
We will be enjoying family fun with hot dogs, popcorn,
family movie in the theatre, games in the lobby, including
SET, scrabble and cornhole. Bring a blanket or beach chair
if you want to be more comfortable in the Theatre.
162 East will provide hotdogs, milk, soda and popcorn.
Families are asked to bring a side dish, condiment, or
dessert.
Please RSVP to Lyn Anderson 704-258-6553 or
[email protected] by Tuesday, July 12.
Simon Ntow
Mike Pendleton
Karen Braddy
Photo Not Available
Tuesday, October 30 5:15 a Salvation Army Bkfst
6:30 a First Risers
7 a Cardiac Volleyball, Gym
10 a Sit n’ Knit, Hospitality Room
10 a Staff, 201
Wednesday, October 31
8 a First Risers
9 a Morning Workout, Gym
10 a Jim Westmoreland Bible Study
5 p Fall Carnival, FLC
6:30 p Chancel Bells
7:30 p Chancel Choir
Published monthly at
190 E. Franklin Blvd.,
Gastonia, NC 28052
(USPS 198-720).
Periodicals postage paid
at Gastonia, NC.
POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to
Newsletter of First
United Methodist
Church, PO Box 218
Gastonia, NC 28053
First United Methodist Church
PO Box 218
Gastonia, North Carolina 28053
James Westmoreland, Pastor Emeritus Rebecca Greene, Director of Spiritual Formation
Aaron Prillaman, 162 East Worship Leader
Lisa Marisiddaiah, Parish Nurse
Eddie Ingram, Pastoral Psychotherapist: 704-375-5354, x411
David Christy, Senior Minister
Tripp Hord, Minister of Visitation
Kristi McClellan, Director of Weekday Preschool/Children’s Ministries
Susan Lisle, Music Associate
Dave Davis, Business Manager
Program Staff
Ashley Anne Lloyd, Associate Minister
Saxon Scarborough, Minister of Music
Jennifer Cabaniss, Director of Student Ministries
Timothy Scruggs, Organist
Bruce Tindall, Director of Food Services
STAY CONNECTED...
First United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Gastonia, NC 28053
Phone: 704-864-4371
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fumcgastonia.org
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