FirstȱThingsȱFirst

February 2015

The FUMC Newsletter is going Green What does “going green” mean? Every month the FUMC “First Things First” newsletter is cre-ated, printed and mailed to almost 500 households. In an effort to reduce the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter we are now offering you the following choices in how you receive the monthly newsletter. Choice #1: Go to the marionfumc.org website and click on the link to view the newsletter. Choice #2: We will send you the newsletter by email. Choice #3: We will mail you the newsletter. What do you need to do? Over the next few weeks there will be a form in the Sunday bulletin that we need each household to complete. Just check the appropriate box letting us know how you would like your newsletter deliv-ered. Place the form in the offering plate. You can also call the Church Office or send us an email letting us know how you would like to receive your copy of the monthly FUMC newsletter. We will officially go paperless with the April edition of the newsletter.

2015 Altar Flowers If you would like to place flowers on the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one, please sign up on the Altar Flower

Chart across from the Church Office.

FirstȱThingsȱFirst Monthly Newsletter

(formerly The Methogram)

Done In A Day There are projects at FUMC that need volun-teers to complete them. We need you. Most of the “Done In A Day” projects only require time and elbow grease! Look for the “Done In A Day” project sheets posted outside the church office and outside the sanctuary. This months projects are at the old parsonage across the street from the church: x� Install plastic on all windows. x� Install new locks on the exterior doors.

Done In A Day projects completed in late December and January: x� Third floor hall way looks great with the old

wall paper stripped and the walls prepped and painted.

x� Fence installed to protect the new heating unit on Cherry St.

x� Sidewalk repaired at the middle church en-trance.

x� Chapel stained glass window removed for repair and window temporarily covered.

x� Stained glass window is being carefully scraped, reglazed and repaired.

x� Window frames in the kitchenette and wom-en’s rest rooms on the 2nd floor were re-paired, sanded and painted.

x� A full length mirror was installed in the women’s rest room on the 2nd floor.

x� The tables, chairs and toys in the nursery were cleaned.

x� A flat screen TV was mounted in the parlor. Thank you to the volunteers who tackled these projects. We really appreciate all your hard work, time and willingness. Your commitment to these projects not only saved the church the cost of having these projects done, it showed your love for this beautiful church.

Feb 11 Sam & Sara Musick 48 years Feb 14 Jared & Tasha Mullins 14 years Feb 15 Terry & Harriett Hitchcock 45 years

Thank you for the cards, prayers and meals when I was sick with pneumonia. Your love and caring means so much to me. Please be patient with me as I get stronger every day. Lisa Moore

There has been a lot going on at the Food Pan-try. 2014 was a busy year. On average we have given 160 boxes of food per month. Our busiest months are November & December when we give about 200 boxes out. We are still storing the food we purchase at Russ Hauvers building, next to the Farm Bureau office. We hope to find a permanent location where we can both store the food purchased weekly and hold the Food Pantry. Please keep this dream in your prayers. Every Monday, Norman and Gene Walker go to the Feeding America warehouse in Abingdon to pur-chase pallets of food and to receive USDA food free of charge. Gene Walker has been providing his truck and trailer to load and deliver the food weekly. Bill Gordon and Alvin Crowder meet Norman and Gene at the stor-age building to help unload. Also James McNeil has been providing one of his furniture delivery trucks monthly to load the packed food boxes and bring them to the church. After many months of searching Nor-man Brown found a box truck to purchase and use for the Food Pantry. At the same time the truck was locat-ed a contribution was made to the church and the Church Council approved using this contribution to purchase the truck for the Food Pantry . We now have a box truck to use for the loading, unloading and haul-ing needed. Blessings keep coming. In December we ap-plied for grants from Royal Mouldings Inc., Food City and Wal-Mart. Each grant was approved and we re-ceived: $ 300.00 from Royal Mouldings $1,600.00 in gift cards from Food City $ 750.00 from Wal-Mart Walmart also continues to hold food drives through out the year and daily they give the Food Pan-try fresh produce to give to the community. Please remember these businesses as you make purchases. We are very thankful for their support of the FUMC Food Pantry and the community. We also want to thank the Blue Ridge Job Corp for their support by providing volunteers from their stu-dent body. Three to four young ladies give their time every week to help serve the folks lunch at Food & Fel-lowship. Theses young ladies have also helped on a moments notice when we needed to serve a family after funeral services. They come with smiles on their faces ready to work. Thank you ladies. Along with the generosity mentioned above, the FUMC Food Pantry has also received donations of non

-perishable food from Smyth County Community Hos-pital, The Wellness Center, General Dynamics , Mt. Carmel UMC, Davis UMC and Walkers Creek Chapel. FUMC Food Pantry is growing because of the commitment of this church to reach out to the hungry in Marion and Smyth County. Every month volunteers help to pack boxes, load and unload boxes. The volun-teers also help on Food Pantry day by reaching out to the folks who come to FUMC needing food. For some of the folks who come to the FUMC Food Pantry this is the only time they step inside a church. Our volunteers represent the body of Christ. It is their smile and friend-liness that welcomes them to God’s house. Each per-son is invited to attend church and/or the many activi-ties going on at FUMC. It is our hope that not only do we feed their bodies with the food we provide but to also feed their spirit with the love of Christ. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. I John 3:18 Thank you to the many volunteers who have helped in 2014 and the many more who will serve in 2015. Your service to the community and to this minis-try is appreciated more than you know.

Food Pantry

FEBRUARY CIRCLE MEETINGS

SUNDAY, February 1 Hannah 4:00 PM

TUESDAY, February 3 Esther 11:30 AM Country Club Sarah 7:00 PM Deborah Armstrong

WEDNESDAY, February 4 Martha 10:00 AM Delores Boehm Ruth 11:30 PM TBA Virginia 10:00 AM Church Parlor

THURSDAY, February 5 Deborah 7:00 PM Church Parlor

TUESDAY, February 10 Grace 7:00 PM Church Parlor

February FUMY Supper ~ Deborah Circle

We need help through out the month packing food boxes.

If you would like to volunteer in the FUMC Food Pantry please call the church office or give Norman Brown a call at 782-5680.

FUMC February Food Pantry

Thurs. Feb. 19 Lunch @ 11:15am Pantry begins @ 1:30pm

Jackie’s Contact:

Cell : (276)759-4279 E-mail: jackie@marionfumc.org

Christmas Project Report This year’s Christmas Project Served 12 families and 37 children! In addition to gifts for their children, each family re-ceived a box of food and household cleaning items. FUMY would like to thank everyone who made donations to-ward this wonderful out reach to our community! It is only by working togeth-er that we are able to offer Christ to the families we serve.

Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)

Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 17

5:00-6:30pm Fellowship Hall

Enjoy pancakes, sausage or bacon & choice of drink.

Donations will go toward the Youth Summer Mission Trip 2015.

Summer Mission Trip 2015 Where are we going next?

Salt Team Meeting: Sunday, Feb 1 - 12:30-1:30p.m.

Very important meeting to decide location of next mission trip! All SALT TEAM MEMBERs and anyone else who wants input please plan to attend!

FUMY (First United Methodist Youth) Shirts for Sale FUMY is taking orders for shirts with this logo.

We even have a version that adds “alumni” below the design if any of you former FUMY members out there are interested! Money is due when you order and turn around is pretty fast! Taking orders for Shirts: Hoodies = $29 Crew Sweatshirts = $26 Long sleeve Tee - $16 Tee shirts = $12

If you are interested in purchasing a shirt or hoodie please contact Jackie.

Congratulations Katy Raynor!!!

FUMY member & winner of the Smyth County Spelling Bee.

First United Methodist Children’s Ministry Mission Statement

Children S.M.I.L.E.

S- serve God M- make a joyful noise I- involve themselves in Christian activities L- love God E- each day, PRAY!

by Ginger Moore Children’s Director

During January and February the children at the Jesus and Me program are learning about loving our neighbors - including those we dis-agree with. Jesus taught us through the story of the Good Samaritan that by loving our neighbors, even those with whom we have conflict, others will see Christ’s love in our lives. The children are also making cards and deliv-ering cookies to our local volunteers!

FUMC Children’s Ministry Calendar of Events Sunday, Feb. 1 @ 4:00 pm Informational Meeting about church musical , Camp Ahistadi & VBS

Sunday, Feb. 15 Children sing at 9:45 & 11:00 services.

Upward Basketball Games every Sunday at 2:30 Blue Ridge Job Corp Gym

VBS 2015: July 27-31 Wednesday After School Snack Schedule Jan. 21: Pretzels/Yogurt

Jan. 28: Graham crackers/Carrot sticks

Feb. 4: PB & J sandwich on wheat/ Apple Slices

Feb. 11: String Cheese/Grapes

Feb. 18: Animal Crackers/Bananas Feb. 25: Pretzels/Yogurt

Get ready to tell the story of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

through awesome music... and LOTS OF FUN!!!!

You may even get to play kazoos!

Parents Organizational Meeting: Sunday, Feb. 1 at 4:00 PM in the Choir Room (across from the nursery).

We will be going over the details of the show and giving out the rehearsal schedule.

We will also be going over additional information about Camp Ahistadi and VBS 2015.

Spread the Good News! We want to spread the excitement just a little bit more! If you would like to order a Jesus and Me t-shirt for your child to wear to school on Wednesday’s, on special outings and to special activities with the church, please send $8 in an envelope to Gin-ger Moore with the size of T-shirt for your child and your child’s name. We’ll accept orders until Feb. 4th. Please make checks out to FUMC. Thanks!!!!

In Honor Of

Eric Albano Given by: Mike & Pat Albano Fund: Upward Soccer Given by: John & Lisa Moore Fund: Youth Christmas Project Maria & Richard Briscoe Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Kelley Brockman Given by: Bill & Linda Huber

Fund: Community Asst. Given by: John & Lisa Moore

Fund: Youth Christmas Project Sam Burkett Given by: Nan, Everett, Morgan Peake, Matthew & Tammy Given by: Katie, Suzanne & Wayne Burkett Fund: Building Jane Chitwood Given by Algie & Patsy Crouse Fund: Building Gywn Groseclose Given by: Patty Warren & David Halsey Fund: Preschool Garrett Rush Halsey Given by: Anonymous Fund: Garrett Halsey Virgil Miller Given by: Brad, Mark & Carolyn Miller Fund: Holston Home Robert & Ginny Simpson Given by: Nan, Everett, Morgan Peake, Matthew & Tammy Fund: Building

Sarah Staley Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry John Tate Given by: Bill & Linda Huber Fund: Food Pantry Charles Gwyn Thompson Given by: Anonymous Fund: Garrett Halsey James B. & Doris W. Warren Given by: Estate of Jimmy Warren Fund: Food Pantry Aiden, Sophia & Cordelia Given by: Mike & Pat Albano Fund: Youth Christmas Project Pat Albano & Linda Huber Given by: Lisa Moore Fund: GriefShare Norman & Lilly Brown Given by:

x�Beverly Derian x�Bill & Linda Huber

Fund: Food Pantry Helen Burkett Given by: Nan, Everett, Morgan Peake, Matthew & Tammy Fund: Building Nicole Albano Clark Given by: Mike & Pat Albano Fund: Youth Christmas Project Cub & Louise Cullop Given by: Billy & Jennifer Walker Fund: Food Pantry Jeff & Donna Cullop Given by: Billy & Jennifer Cullop Fund: Food Pantry

In Memory Of

Honorary and Memorial Gifts As of January 2015

Jeff & Donna Cullop Given by: Billy & Jennifer Cullop Fund: Food Pantry Tommy & Joyce Cullop Given by:

x�Nathan & Heather Staley x�Billy & Jennifer Walker

Fund: Food Pantry Patty & Gerald Hayes Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Courtney Keheley Given by: Mike & Pat Albano Fund: Youth Christmas Project Mr. & Mrs. Duncan McGregor Given by: Joe & Jeri Tate Fund: Youth Christmas Project El & John Saunders Given by: Patty Warren & David Halsey Fund: Rotation S.S. Renovation

Tim & Kelli Smith Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Aaron & Melissa Staley Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Denton Staley & Amanda Baxter Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Jessica Staley Given by: Nathan & Heather Staley Fund: Food Pantry Joe & Jeri Tate Given by: Patty Warren & David Halsey Fund: Rotation S.S. Renovation Marilyn Walker Given by: Anonymous Fund: Garrett Halsey Patty Warren & David Halsey Given by: Joe & Jeri Tate Fund: Youth Christmas Project

Praise God For Generous Giving In 2014! First United Methodist Church is so blessed. Thank you to everyone for their faith-ful giving to the church this past year. How better to demonstrate that if we put God 1st in our finances then we can trust in God’s faithfulness to meet all of our needs. Through your giving, FUMC was able to accomplish so much together for the kingdom of God. We met physical needs through the community assistance funds. We expensed $50,004 for benevolent causes. We met all requirements necessary for the “5 Star Church” recognition. This includes paying conference & district appor-tionments in full, giving to an international advance, a U.S. advance, UMCOR, and one conference advance. We met all of our budget needs by trusting that through God all things are possible. These numbers are possible because we had 264 households giving to our annual church budget. Of the money received 65% was from pledged income, 33% from non-pledged income and 2% from Sunday School giving and unidentifiable givers.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE Original Note Amount $379,000.00 Amount Paid as of 1/29/15 $156,919.00 Balance as of 1/29/15 $222,081.00 Outstanding Pledges $229,908.00 Monthly Payment Amount $ 6,104.72

I will continue to keep you updated monthly on the progress of our Capital Campaign. Again, thank you to all for your generosity. “Remember this: WHOEVER sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and WHOEVER sows gen-erously will also reap generously.” 2 C. 9:6

Counting Counting Counting BlessingsBlessingsBlessings

2014 Year End Giving: Year End income $537,991.00 Year Expenses $537,991.00 Balance $ 0.00

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Permit Number 29 Marion, VA 24354

info@marionfumc.org

www.marionfumc.org

(276) 783-5194 (telephone)

(276) 783-5195 (fax)

First United Methodist Church 115 S. Church Street Marion, VA 24354

Our Church Staff

David Woody (Ext 103) Pastor woody@marionfumc.org

Bryan Underwood (Ext 102) Worship Minister bryan@marionfumc.org

Denton Staley (Ext 105) Program Director denton@marionfumc.org

Jackie Wilson Youth Director Jackie@marionfumc.org

Ginger Moore (Ext 110) Children’s Director ginger@marionfumc.org

Lisa Moore (Ext 104) Business Administrator lisa@marionfumc.org

Teri McCall (Ext 101) Administrative Assistant teri@marionfumc.org

February 2015 Newsletter

Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)

Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 17 5:00-6:30pm

Fellowship Hall

Enjoy pancakes, sausage or bacon & choice of drink.

Please invite friends & neighbors.

Donations will go toward the Youth Summer Mission Trip 2015.