First

ConnectionNOVEMBER 2014

On the Cover: Trunk-or-Treat at First United Methodist Church,

October 12, 2014

First Connection is a publication from:First United Methodist Church of Alexandria

2727 Jackson StreetAlexandria, Louisiana 71301

(318) 443-5696www.fumca.org

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your Feedback, Questions, Comments,

Story Contributions, Photos, News or Ideas.

Senior Pastor: Rev. Donnie Wilkinson, revdonnie@fumca.org

Editor: Julie Bacon, jbacon@fumca.orgContributor: Bill Sumrall, bsumrall@fumca.org

A Word from Rev. Donnie.......................................1Meet Dylan Reed......................................................2New Members...........................................................5 Fall Fun Fest & Trunk-or-Treat...............................6 All Things New........................................................10Bless This School.....................................................11Nov-Dec Events Calendar......................................12Birthdays..................................................................16Kitchen Talk............................................................17

First

ConnectionNOVEMBER 2014

Contents

Our Mission:

Our Vision:

Our Journey:

Our Practices:

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Meet Friends. Meet God. Discover Life.

How will Alexandria be different because we have been here?

I’ve been mulling over this question time and time again for the past few months.

How will Alexandria be different? How will our community be better?

In what ways will this place we call home be more like the Kingdom because we have been here?

I started thinking about this question while doing some research on the history of First UMC for our All Things New campaign.

In my research, I was delighted to discover the deep and lasting ways God has worked through the women and men of our church to make Alexandria the wonderful place it is to live today. For 167 years, the people of First UMC have lived out their faith by creating and supporting ministries and institutions to meet the real needs of real people.

But I began to wonder what God might be wanting to do through us in the future. Looking ahead 33 years to 2047, the year we blow out 200 candles on First UMC’s birthday cake, what will not only we but all of Alexandria and the entire CenLA area, be celebrating?

In what concrete and tangible ways will Alexandria be a more compassionate, just and loving community because we have been here? I am excitedly looking forward to seeing for myself what our building and grounds will look like when we finish the projects that will refresh and renew the sacred space we worship in each week.

And, at the same time, I know that our church building is a tool Jesus wants to use to help Alexandria move forward, step by step, into God’s preferred future.

As we enter the final steps of our All Things New Campaign, I wonder what it would be like if we began to ask what God wants to make new in Alexandria?

I wonder what would happen if we continued praying, “Lord, what do you want to do through me?” not just as a means of discerning the sacrificial gifts we will make to help us achieve the goal of our campaign, but also as a means to discovering God’s dream for Alexandria?

Lord, what do you want to do through me?

Lord, what do you want to do through us?

Lord, how do you want Alexandria to be different because we are here?

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Donnie WilkinsonSenior Pastor

A Word From Rev. Donnie

November 2014 | CONNECTION 1

Rev. Donnie

Dylan ReedDirector of Student Ministries

2 November 2014 | CONNECTION

November 2014 | CONNECTION 3

He accepted Christ during a mission trip in Jamaica. “I went on a middle school trip to a beach camp ... with a group of middle schoolers and they weren’t really worried about worshipping and things like that,” he said.

“My prayer had been that God soften their hearts and kind of got to them that trip and the last night we went into worship, they had an altar call, or come to Christ night if you will, and I looked down and ... all six of them had raised their hands; they wanted to accept Christ into their lives,” he said. “And it was pretty powerful and that’s when I knew that that’s what God wanted me to be a part of and doing that.”

His father is in nursing, his mother is in banking and real estate, and his sister is a senior in high school this year. Dylan had planned to go into pre-med when he graduated high school.

Months after returning from his Jamaica trip, he realized his purpose was serving God through youth ministry. Dylan said he made sure his life followed a different course.

“I moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 2011 and I got hired on as a Youth Intern in First Methodist of Tuscaloosa

and it started there,” he said.

He is obtaining his education online through Liberty University at Lynchburg, VA, which, according to Wikipedia, is the largest Evangelical Christian university in the world, the nation’s largest private nonprofit university and 7th largest four-year university, and the largest university in Virginia.

“I have a couple of classes I need to get done that are a pre-requisite to seminary and I’m going to complete those through Liberty,” Dylan said, “then go into seminary, either through Center for Youth Minister Training (CYMT) program or possibly for the (United Methodist) Conference, I just haven’t decided yet.”

The Center for Youth Ministry Training was founded in 2006 by Brentwood United Methodist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee, and First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and its online mission statement says it “equips youth ministers and churches to develop theologically informed and practically effective youth

BY Bill Sumrall, Communications Assistant

Meet Dylan Reed, the 22-year-old Melbourne, Fla., native who is the new Director of Student Ministries for First United Methodist Church Alexandria.

¶ During Wednesday night’s “The Gathering” Oct. 8, 2014, Dylan shared his testimony with youth about accepting Christ, then discovering his calling after a missions trip. ¶ In a prior interview, Dylan, a lifelong Methodist, credited the early influence of his grandmother, a lay minister in Michigan. “She’s a pretty big reason I became a Christian in the first place,” he said.

...all six of them had raised their hands; they wanted to accept Christ into their lives...

ministries.”

“I would love to, at some point, become an associate pastor somewhere,” Dylan said, but until then will be in youth ministry, “whether it’s for two years or 30 years.”

His plans here for First Church’s student community involve growth. “We’re going to have growth. There’s lots of room for growth and program improvement,” he said. “We’re going to do a lot of service projects. I’m big on missions and service projects.”

Dylan plans to meet with parents Nov. 2 after the church’s Celebration Event.

“We’re going to have a parent orientation and an informational planning meeting ... I’m going to have multiple choices for mission trips this upcoming summer and a couple of different service projects and we can kind of map out together how we want it to look,” he said.

A junior high retreat is set for Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 at The Wesley Center in Woodworth and a church lock-in

event is scheduled for Nov. 15 to Nov. 16.

This is Dylan’s first time in Louisiana.

“Yes, I’ve never been to Louisiana, New Orleans, anything like that,” he said. “The only things I’ve seen from Louisiana were ‘Duck Dynasty’ and ‘Swamp People’ and Alexandria seems a bit different in a good way. I had my resume out on websites and I’d seen the (job) posting. Before I did any of that, I would always pray, asking God that if He wanted this door to be open, just open it and if He didn’t want it to be open, just close it.”

His first day at FUMCA was Oct. 1.

The Rev. Donnie Wilkinson, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church Alexandria, said, “Both as a pastor and as a parent of a youth, I’m very excited to have Dylan on First Church’s team. He shared with me his vision for the program and plans for the next several months and I’m sure our youth and our church will be tremendously blessed through his ministry.”

You may contact Dylan at dreed@fumca.org

4 November 2014 | CONNECTION

November 2014 | CONNECTION 5

First Church welcomes new members!

Cathy Grant and daughter Madeline Grant joined Sunday, September 21.

Bill Morris joined Sunday, September 21.

David & Candi Leonard joined Sunday, September 21.

John & Katie Dyke and sons Will & Ben joined Sunday, October 5.

Harper & Hallie Evans, the twin daughters of Trey & Crystal Evans, were baptized Sunday, October 12.

Fall Fun Fest &Fall Fun Fest & Trunk-or-TreatThe Weekday Children’s Ministry annual Fall Fun Fest was Sunday, October 12th. A great turn out experienced pulled pork barbeque sandwich dinners, silent auction, games, cake walk, costume contest, and Trunk-or-Treating across Jackson Street in the church parking lot. Thank you for supporting the event!

Trunk-or-Treat&

Gratitudecurrent sermon series:

October 12 - November 16

Sacrificial Giving (Celebration Sunday)

Let Your Light Shine

Commitment Sunday

NOV 2

NOV 9

NOV 16

Children’s Choir Sings @ both 11am services the following Sunday’s:

November 16 December 14

Children’s Choir practice

Wednesday evenings @ The Gathering, 6-7pmemail Elizabeth, egarvin@fumca.org for more details

First Kidz - Children’s Choir

8 November 2014 | CONNECTION

NOV 2

NOV 9

NOV 16

upcoming sermon series:

November 30 - December 24

November 2014 | CONNECTION 9

First Kidz Christmas MusicalDecember 14, 5:30p in the Fellowship Hall

First United Methodist Church has begun a capital campaign to raise funds to restore and renew the gift of our church building. This is our church, and this is our time to partner with God to restore and renew this beautiful place of prayer and spiritual growth so that a new generation can experience the transforming power of God’s love.

All Things

New Timeline

10 November 2014 | CONNECTION

Lord, what do youwant to do through

me?

November 15 Church-Wide Prayer Vigil

November 16 Commitment Sunday

We will formally present our personal three-year commitment

pledges for the campaign.

November 2 Celebration Sunday

During a fellowship dinner, we will celebrate the life

of First United Methodist Church. The Celebration is open to the entire church

family.

December 7 Announcement Sunday

We will celebrate the successful completion of the campaign and

thank God for speaking to each member of our

congregation.

November 2014 | CONNECTION 11

As I think about what we will be doing those days, our capital campaign slogan keeps popping in my head “All things New: Lord what do you want to do through me?” 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” I keep envisioning L.S. Rugg looking shiny and clean after the project is complete and how it will be ‘a new creation.’ This passage continues to say in verse 20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though

God were making his appeal through us.” What a great way to represent God’s love by cleaning and making new the front entrance of an institution we’ve partnered with for more than a decade. What does God want to do through you?

If you are interested in participating or donating tools to help with this project, please contact Clara Woolf at the church office.

BY Clara Woolf, Director of Hospitality & Service

Bless this School is a three month service project for L.S. Rugg Elementary for October, November and December. Three days over the next three months will include projects such as pressure washing the front sidewalks and steps leading to the front doors of the school on October 25th; weeding and pruning shrubs in the front beds on November 22nd; and pruning the trees in the front beds December 13.

12 November 2014 | CONNECTION

Nov. 2—Celebration Sunday, immediately following 11a worship, gymNov. 2—Youth Parent Meeting, 2p, youth roomNov. 7-9—Jr. High Retreat (6th-8th grade) @ Wesley Center, 7p, meet at church. More info at fumca.org/retreatNov. 15—Church-wide Prayer VigilNov. 15-16—Youth Lock-in, 2p, youth roomNov. 16—Commitment SundayNov. 16—Psalm Sunday, 6p, Tamp & Grind CoffeehouseNov. 22—BLESS THIS SCHOOL: Flower Bed Work @ Rugg, 8a-noonNov. 23—Christmas Cheer Tree is up...take a tag off the tree!Nov. 23—Family Advent Wreath, create one during Sunday School hour, Fellowship HallDec. 6—Advent Quiet Day, 9a-1:30p, 50/50 classroomDec. 7—Announcement SundayDec. 7—Christmas Cheer gifts due back at church wrapped & taggedDec. 7—Live Nativity, 6-8pDec. 10—Christmas Cheer sorting, 5p, gymDec. 13—BLESS THIS SCHOOL: Tree Pruning @ Rugg, 8a-noonDec. 13—Christmas Cheer delivery, 9aDec. 14—Christmas Cantata “Were You There on That Christmas Night?” - 11a, SanctuaryDec. 14—First Kidz Musical “The Christmas Cross” - 5:30p, Fellowship HallDec. 14—Psalm Sunday, 6p, Tamp & Grind CoffeehouseDec. 17—Last Wednesday Night @ Gathering for 2014Dec. 21—The Longest Night service… a service of healing and hope, 6p, SanctuaryDec. 24—Candlelight Christmas Eve services, 4p & 6p, Sanctuary

NOV-DEC Events Calendar

Counseling seRviCes

November 2014 | CONNECTION 13

more info online fumca.org/retreat

Jr. High Retreat: NOV 7-9

14 November 2014 | CONNECTION

November 2014 | CONNECTION 15

H2O items needed

November & Decemberfor

November: hand warmers, gloves/knit caps, fruit snacks

December: thermals, coats, snack cakesCollection boxes are located by the Library/ Fellowship Hall

Thank you for helping us

H20: Helping to Overcome Homelessness is a community mission project that provides instant, on-site services to the homeless or imminently homeless population. Food, clothing, housing options, haircuts and medical screenings are available at no charge. It takes place once a month in the Emmanuel Baptist Church parking lot in downtown Alexandria. More info online www.fumca.org/h2o

Next H2O dates:

Nov. 20 & Dec 18

16 November 2014 | CONNECTION

Novem

ber

Birthd

ays1Zeb MatthewsRob Wright

2Taylor AlbrittonMiriam BrownRay FombyShawne HornRichie Robinson

4Kathryn LeFleurRyan SpahnJohn Wingard

5Mackey BrewerSally CooperMichael HathornHazel Rau

6Diego QuesadaCarole Stafford

7Hop LaHoodJoAlice LeeWilliam Owens

8Lynn SwewllCarolyn Shine

9Tyler CurryCameron McKenzieLuke Miller

10Susan PeytonPaul White

11Mike Lombardo

12Genevieve HarrisPaul Smith

13Patrick Broadwell

15Nathan White

16Jane Ann CulpepperIrma Henry

18Fran GriffinJane JacksonJoy Wilson

19LaVerne CrumpRoger Maxwell

20Betty Ann Fillette

21Caitlyn DealJean HagemanMegan Urena

22Candy BrameMary HathornMike Lee

23Ken DanielLyn GoodinLisa Norman

24Foster HenselChuck SmithCourtney Wimmert

26Julie Goins

28Celeste Mobley

29Lisa BaronetVan Davidson

30Fran DavisStephen LeeFelix Thomas

Birthd

ays BY Wayne McConnell

Hello, it’s Fall. The leaves are turning colors, temperatures are moderating, and there are pumpkins! I love fall: a time of transition in the

garden and the kitchen.

The fall garden brings us beautiful cruciferous vegetables such as: kale, swiss chard, broccoli, mustard greens, bok choy, cabbages - all beautiful greens waiting to be cooked up in wonderful recipes. This is the season of soups, gumbo, stews and all things that help warm our bodies and souls.

FUMCA is receiving three shares of Community Sypported Agriculture (CSA) from Inglewood that will feature beautifully grown local produce from Inglewood

Farm. I will be cooking this produce and serving it to the Gathering dinner crowd in some form. Come join us and experience this wonderful treat (I’ll try and do it justice).

I will continue to cook a meatless meal on the third Wednesday night of the week. This is a move to help our planet and ourselves. If you would like to discuss this with me, just ask and I’ll be glad to “bend your ear.” The church is also a pick-up point for those who have purchased a CSA; it can be picked up Wednesdays between 3:30p to 7:00p (check with Wayne or Sherry in the kitchen).

That’s all I have for now - remember to give thanks for what you have, invite someone to break bread with you and yours, love all and serve all.

Kitchen Talk

November 2014 | CONNECTION 17

September 14, 2014September 21, 2014September 28, 2014October 5, 2014October 12, 2014

AttendanceChurch

271230263276313

Sunday School

110129129111117

Fall Fun Fest 2014