FUMC Terrell

January HEADlines: Happy New Year and Welcome to 2012!

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9

As we begin this new year together, I have three simple requests for you.

Please read the following comments gathered from the November Neighborhood Chats held in homes around Terrell, think about them, and pray for God’s guidance as we seek to be a faithful church in this new year. What are God’s priorities for us? Where is God taking us?
Read over the names of the 2012 Leadership Roster and pray for our leaders and their teams as they begin their ministries and missions.
Attend the Planning Retreat, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, in the Fellowship Hall, and/or pray as we seek God’s wisdom for our congregation.

It is a high privilege and honor to be your pastor and I look forward to our time together this year!

NEIGHBORHOOD CHATS

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

November 2011

Comments from five chats with a total of 57 participants.

Words used to describe our church (several used more than once):

Family, welcoming, accepting, warm, caring, unique, open, supportive, changing, inspiring, traditional, loving, friendly, diverse, homey, sanctuary, unity, Sunday School, willing, comfortable, changed, grounded, deep roots, familiarity, beautiful, outreaching to our community, extended family, home away from home, cozy, comfort, ritual, sameness.

What attracted you to First United Methodist Church, Terrell? (listed in random order)

Grew up United Methodist
Wanted kids to grow up in the church
First UMC is a church where multi-generations attend together
Children and youth programs
Beautiful sanctuary
Feeling of belonging
Sunday School class connections: party, Thanksgiving dinner
Preacher
High school kids all came here
Methodist Day School
Children’s minister
Friendliness
Life long members or grew up here
Traditions
Caring people
Well-behaved children
Invited by friend
Found church on Internet
Cared when family was in need
Generosity of members
Friendly
People
Supportive of you when needed
Church works together well on focused projects (i.e., roof)
New roof that doesn’t leak
Website

Our hopes and dreams (listed in categories)

Provide a church where young families feel welcome
Need to “step up to the plate” to help younger families
Appreciate the work that Joyce Lewis and Joan Hunt are doing with younger families
Be accepting of changes that may be needed to attract youth and young adults
Provide support for young families, like providing childcare for date nights
Check with Family Matters class to see what would help them
Consistent and energetic leadership for children’s classes
Need more emphasis on Wednesday night for youth
Need teenagers and parents of teenagers in the church (40-50 year olds)
Be relevant to youth’s lives
Be attractive to youth
A church where kids can be involved
Work with other churches on coordinating youth programs/collaborate
Youth needed
Sports Teams like volleyball and softball for young adults
Basketball teams for children
Work with the Ministerial Alliance to create/promote sports

Emphasis on Community

Church should be a second family
Feel like a big family that is not commercialized and is more accountable to each other than just being a “pew filler”
Intergenerational events—break down barriers
Have small groups that meet monthly to foster community (supper clubs, etc.)
Have coffee and cookies available in the Fellowship Hall between Sunday School and worship
People are seeking support and companionship, a support system
Foster community through Sunday School classes
Opportunities for sharing and growth through small groups as well as fellowship on Sunday mornings
New people involved
Foster ownership of the church and involvement in decision making
Invite new members to be part of the church structure

Outreach to visitors

Follow up with our visitors
Make sure updated brochures are at the Chamber of Commerce
Train ushers about handing out visitor packets
Put a page in the registration book with church information
Have an updated website

Communication

Email church members weekly with church information
Email the newsletter and/or put it on the website
Continue the phone tree and texts to communicate
Continue to improve our communication efforts through email, the website, and phone tree as we seek to keep members informed and involved
Need pocket sized directories

Concern for the elderly

A church where we continue to care routinely for our older members
Help elderly around their homes with chores
Have a communion rail offering to fund helping the elderly
Find out who might need help getting to church
Make church more accessible to handicapped
Televise worship services in the Fellowship Hall for those who can’t get in sanctuary
Homebound visited regularly, maybe take Sunday tapes to them

Facilities

Family Life Center that includes sports facilities (3 different groups)
May need more land
Too many entrances so nowhere to gather before and after worship service
Talked about old hospital across the street – not really feasible (2 groups)
Concerned that sanctuary will not be attractive to younger persons
Share the building with outside groups
Can’t hear the sermon all the time or the choir

Spiritual Growth

Teach basics of faith (prayer, UMC beliefs, Bible) so that when individuals face challenging situations they have a firm foundation
Bible study classes
Train leaders and mentors
Where we teach the basics of faith so that as our children and youth grow to face challenging situations they will have a foundation on which to lean
Provide mentoring and leadership training
Create relationships
Support the Will Graham revival in March (hosting breakfast, could train as counselors, need funds, expect thousands, many could visit church—Terrell was picked because of Labor for Your Neighbors and community cooperation)
Bible study that links scripture to lives
More Bible studies

Worship

Blended worship that appeals to more generations
Familiar hymns balanced with new ones
Prayer cards in the pews
Appreciate Eric’s music leadership

Change our image

Have a focus

Chat Quotes:

“FUMC feels like a big family where you are not just a ‘pew filler’ and we are more accountable to each other.”

“We are traditional in the sense that we are grounded and have deep roots as a church. That sense of comfort is something we can offer to persons seeking a church home.”

Keith’s Goals and Dreams

Develop a gift-based ministry

At the end of the chats, Keith handed out the “STRIDE Guide” and “Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool,” as well as 2011 First UMC Nominations list.

Better understand who we are as United Methodists and how our giving and apportionments works.

Keith also distributed brochures on The United Methodist Church, Why Give, and How Apportionments Work, along with a DVD about ministries supported by apportionments.