FUMC Terrell News and Events

May HEADlines: General Conference seeks ‘vital congregations’

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:26:00 GMT

The last Sunday of May is Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate the birthday of the Church as described in Acts 2. Birthdays for us as individuals tend to be benchmarks when we consider how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. Remembering the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus when the first Christians received the Holy Spirit should make us consider if we are being faithful as the Church today.

For us as United Methodists, that consideration is going on right now at the General Conference meeting in Tampa, Florida, April 24 through May 4. This gathering takes place every four years to do the business of The United Methodist Church and set the agenda for our congregations for the next four years — and that includes us!

I have attended many General Conferences over the years, serving as a reserve delegate from Oklahoma in 1984 and covering the event as an associate editor for the United Methodist Reporter. I volunteered in the Press Room at the last event in 2008 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. I kind of miss the hub-bub of activity and meeting the movers and shakers of our denomination and the memorable experiences that inevitably happen at each gathering.

Once, immediately following a vote on the issue of homosexuality, a protester attempted to leap from the balcony before being grabbed and pulled back by the people sitting near her. When Bill Clinton was president, Hillary spoke to the conference highlighting the work of the United Methodist Women, as she was herself. And, there was a tearful moment when the bishop from Liberia spoke with passion about his war-torn country and how he had narrowly escaped death because of his attendance at the conference. To see the 1,000 delegates and all the support staff and volunteers doing God’s work at an international scale gives one a whole new perspective on what it means to be the Body of Christ alive in the world continuing the task begun at Pentecost!

I want to briefly share with you one segment of what the delegates will be working on over these weeks that directly relates to our life here at First UMC. It’s part of a larger study titled “A Call to Action” that addresses what it means to be a “Vital Congregation.” Creating Vital Congregations Vital congregations are the heart and soul of a vibrant and fruitful United Methodist Church.

Congregations are the places where new disciples of Jesus Christ are being made; where people grow by grace and are nurtured; where the Church bears witness to the gospel and engages in partnerships for works of mercy and justice in communities and the world. Since the time of John Wesley, organizing communities of people involved in experiencing the means of grace and serving others has been a centerpiece for the Methodist movement.

It is time to reclaim that focus in a new way and to encourage one another; to be accountable to one another; and to empower one another for greater effectiveness in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

There are many places across the worldwide United Methodist Church where this is already happening. More than 20,000 congregations in the United States and Central Conferences have set measurement goals in five common areas:

The primary use of setting goals and tracking results is to provide opportunities for reflection and conversation that will strengthen ministry.

The Importance of Metrics

Metrics can be useful tools to help gauge the health and vitality of congregations. Jesus lived and taught by the numbers. He withered a fig tree because it was not bearing measurable fruit. It had leaves, but not signs of vitality—fruit. Jesus taught about talents and that multiplying talents was a sign of faithfulness. The scriptures often included numbers—5,000 fed, 10 healed, 12 disciples made. Jesus said, “You will know them (disciples) by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:16).

Metrics are a resource to measure vitality and to set appropriate goals that move the congregation toward health and move The United Methodist Church toward achieving its mission.

Key Drivers of Vital Congregations

From the Call To Action Report:

Effective pastoral leadership including aspects of management, visioning and inspiration
Multiple small groups
Programs for children and youth
Mix of traditional and contemporary worship services
High percentage of spiritually engaged laity who assume leadership roles.

Every church, regardless of its location or how many people attend on Sunday mornings, can be a highly vital congregation. The more our UMC resources are aligned and parts of the Connection work together, the greater our fruitfulness and witness to the world. The proposed legislation is important because it gives us greater flexibility, accountability and responsiveness to meet the needs of congregations and mission partners around the world. There are already many resources available to help churches become more vital. Visit www.umvitalcongregations.org for more information.

There’s more about General Conference at www.umc.org. Come to the Pastor’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m., each Wednesday of May, for “An Introduction to The United Methodist Church” and a discussion on the work of the 2012 General Conference.

And, please pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to grow a faithful Church as we seek to be Christ’s body in the world.

Happy Birthday, Church!

Worship in May

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:09:00 GMT

‘THE SEVEN NEXT WORDS OF CHRIST’

May 6

Fifth Sunday of Easter and Holy Communion

Luke 24:13-34

May 13

Mother’s Day

Guest Speaker: Angie Cooper, Director of Children & Youth

Philippians 4:13, “I Can Do All Things In Christ”

May 20

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Matthew 28:18-20, “Go Into the World”

May 27

Day of Pentecost

Acts 1:1-11, “Wait for the Gift”

Need a Helping Hand?

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Need help with simple home repairs?

Need your yard raked?

Need transportation in the Terrell area?

Just call your friends at the Church Office:

972-563-6274

One more chance to RUMMAGE!

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:44:00 GMT

Our Rummage Sale benefitting Methodist Day School, 8:00 a.m.-1:00p.m., Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19.

Our images, showing volunteers from Girlfriends of Glory and Methodist Day School displaying the donated items, were taken at our previous Rummage Sale held on April 14 in the Fellowship Hall.

So you can definitely see how enjoyable they are!

Enough items were left that another sale has been set for 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 18-19!

If you have anything you would like to donate please drop it by the Fellowship Hall and put it on the stage.

Bring your friends and come shop!

Country Store set for October 13

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:35:00 GMT

Country store will be here before we know it and Jackie and I need YOUR help! We are very new to this and need all your great ideas and suggestions - we are trying not to take up so much of your time going to meetings and having discussions that really don't go anywhere.

Please help us by getting your ideas together and emailing or calling us to share your wonderful ideas and thoughts on what we need to do to make this the best year ever!

You can reach us at 214-864-8914 or by email, crich6262@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much,
Jackie and Christen Richardson

Boy Scouts prepare for camp

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:28:00 GMT

Your Boy Scouts have been hard at work trying to raise the funds to make it to Summer Camp.

Camp Fees this year have gone up by $15 per boy and $25 per adult not to mention what gas prices have done. Thanks to the church and the greater Terrell community's support of our Fish Fry we were able to get a lot closer to our goal ($3825 for 12 boys and three adults) but we do still have a ways to go!

It hasn't been all work, though, as we were able to get in a fishing/swimming trip to Cedar Creek Lake over the last month.

The fishing was a little slow and the swimming a little cold but the boys had fun just the same and vowed to do it again real soon.

UM Men gather for Breakfast

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:24:00 GMT

Our next breakfast will be at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, May 13, in the Fellowship Hall.

All men are welcome to attend.

Play Day sets May meeting

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:22:00 GMT

We had a great time at Adult Play Day in April visiting and playing games. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m.

We will be going to Dos Aces.

Bring games and a friend!

Dos Aces
300 W. Moore Ave.
Terrell, TX 75160

View Larger Map

Girlfriends of Glory set meeting - May 2012

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:14:00 GMT

The next Girlfriends of Glory dinner/meeting will be on Monday, May 7, in Fellowship Hall, 6:00 p.m. Please come join us for good fellowship, dinner, and a short meeting. Christen Richardson will be sending a reminder to those in charge of dinner.

Girlfriends of Glory and Methodist Day School held a rummage sale on Saturday, April 14. Both Girlfriends and MDS made a profit of $470. Thanks to all of you who participated in the sale and for your donations. Stay tuned for more information from Methodist Day School for another sale in May.

If you would like to donate more items, please contact Cory Provo at cepdesigns@sbcglobal.net.

Hope to see you in May!

Summer 2012 Sunday Morning Fun

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:25:00 GMT

FUMC offers 3 different Sunday School classes to kids ages preschool to 6th grade.

Our Preschool class offers a wonderful traditional class that has a new Bible discovery each week.

For our children Kindergarten to 4th grade we offer HANDS ON APPROACH to learning about the BIBLE. Each week we discover a new treasure either through cooking, drama or games.

For our 5th and 6th grade students we offer GRAPPLE class. In the GRAPPLE class we talk about issues that TWEENS struggle with and how God wants them to handle them.

Weekly Bible Camps for Kids Summer 2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:17:00 GMT

Bible camps will be Monday mornings from 10:00 am to 11:30 a.m., during the Adult Bible Class, which will be led by Cory Provo.

Camp fees are $5 per kid or $10 per family each week. This is for children ages preschool to 4th grade.

Space is limited!!! Come by the Church Office to sign up.

June 4 Cake Decorating Camp

Kids will be decorating individual cakes to take home.

June 11 Messy Madness Camp

Do you have fun getting messy? You will love this camp. Experience being in the belly of Jonah’s whale, “plagues”, and lots more gross stuff. Campers will be having fun getting dirty for this camp.

June 18 Fun With Music Camp

Make instruments, learn to play music on the crazy boom whackers and learn some fun Christian songs and much, much more!!!

June 25 No Class this Week

Consider joining us for Vacation Bible School!

July 2 Underwater Adventure Craft Day

Campers will come together to discover underwater adventures and take home crafts.

July 9 Cooking Camp

Kids will be baking cookies for the firemen in Terrell. Campers will need to bring a package of cookie dough.

July 16 Science Camp

Campers will enjoy these AWESOME Science Experiments. Dress ready to get dirty.

July 23 Robin Good Veggie Tales Movie

Campers will enjoy watching this newly released Veggie Tale movie on the big screen, with popcorn of course.

July 30 Gardening Camp

God has blessed us with fertile land, water and sunshine. Bring garden gloves and hand shovel, and be ready to get dirty!

Merry Monday Movers

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:09:00 GMT

These are fun field trips for children of all ages and their parents. It is a great way for our kids to play with other kids and their parents to enjoy getting to know other parents.

Each field trip will begin around 11:30 a.m., right after the morning Bible Study Class for Adults. We will leave for our destination from the church, unless stated differently.

Bring a picnic lunch with you and enjoy a low-cost fun day with your kids.

June 4 Forney Spray Park

Head to Forney Water Park, bring a picnic lunch, FREE!

June 11 Blackberry Picking at Ham’s Orchard

Meet at church to carpool; eat hamburgers and ice cream outside (Dutch treat).

June 18 Surf and Swim, Garland

440 Oaks Street, adults are $7 and Kids less than 48” tall are $5. Hours on Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

June 25 Vacation Bible School

6:00 p.m. (continues through Thursday)

July 2 City Lake Aquatic Center, Mesquite

200 Parkview, $4 /person. You may bring a cooler. Hours are Noon to 8:00 p.m.

July 9 CICI Pizza and Cookies for Firefighters

We will leave church for lunch at CICI Pizza and afterwards we will deliver cookies to the firefighters. Please bring a package of pre-cut cookie dough. We will bake the cookies and deliver them after we eat.

July 16 Forney Spray Park

Bring a picnic lunch, It’s FREE!

July 23 Picnic in Park, Terrell

Bring your picnic baskets.

July 30 Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, Dallas

1462 First Avenue, 75210. Kids under 2 are free, kids 3 to 11 and seniors are $6, Adults are $8. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All activities are subject to change as needed.

Vacation Bible School 2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:02:00 GMT

June 24 - 28

Traditional VBS
Kids 4 years to 4th grade

Service Squad
5th and 6th grade

Dinner at 5:30 pm
VBS starts at 6:00 pm

Dare to GO DEEP with GOD!

Invite your friends!

**BACK THIS YEAR Tween’s Service Squad projects!!!

Children's Summer Camp at Bridgeport

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:46:00 GMT

July 17 - 21, 2012

For students who have completed the 3rd to 6th grade.

Registration forms are available online at www.bridgeportcamp.com/camp-schedule.

Back to School Bash

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:36:00 GMT

August 19, 2012
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Terrell City Pool

Bring towels, sunscreen, and snacks.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FRIENDS!!!

All ages are invited!!

IT”S FREE!!!