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First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly E-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
July 31st, 2016
Title: What Love Looks Like
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The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Schedule
Listen for updates on new communion schedule!
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An Important Letter From Our Bishop,
Our Global Council on Bishops
and Your Pastor
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United Methodist Episcopal(Bishop) Symbol
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Dear Church,
Last Sunday in worship, I announced the election of Holston Conference's own, The Reverend David Graves as a newly-elected Bishop of the United Methodist Church. David has been appointed episcopal leader (Bishop) of the Alabama-West Florida Conference and will begin his official duties there on September 1, 2016. The Holston Conference just announced Tuesday, the interim appointment of Bishop Richard Looney to Church Street UMC in Knoxville, Tennessee, David Graves' previous appointment. We are so proud of David and wish him every blessing in his expanded leadership in our national and global United Methodist Church.
At the same time,I also presented a letter from Holston Conference Bishop, Mary Virginia (Dindy) Taylor about both David's election and the recent Western Jurisdiction of the UMC election of our first openly practicing homosexual bishop, the Reverend Dr. Karen Oliveto. As I announced on Sunday, it just happens that I know both David and Karen personally, David from Holston Conference collegial relationship and Karen from twice-weekly on-line UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry coaching classes in which she and I both participated, January-March of this year.
While many applaud Dr. Oliveto's election as a breakthrough for the UMC for what they consider decades of institutional exclusion of gay, lesbian and transgender individuals from the full ministry, leadership and fellowship of the church, others point to its direct violation of our current rules of the United Methodist Church as outlined in the UMC Book of Discipline and thus in violation of our covenantal relationship with each other. Given our continued division on this issue, the May 10-20, 2016 General Conference of the UMC voted to form a globally-representative commission to study all issues of sexuality as it concerns the UMC. The hope is to avoid a split in our overall church. In the words of Bishop Ough, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, "We have a strong bias toward unity, reflected in our consecration vows," Ough's statement said of his fellow bishops. "We are open to unity being defined in new, innovative ways."
This appointed commission will begin meeting early Fall with a special called General Conference slated for early 2018 to consider a way forward on all matters related to sexuality for the UMC. Since that time, several U.S Methodist Conferences have elected to vote their conscience on these matters by proceeding with the ordaination of gay and lesbian pastors and allowing their pastors to perform same-sex unions without penalty of church trial. Prompted by this and the recent election of the Reverend Dr Karen Oliveto in the Western Jurisdiction, the global Council on Bishops have just released a series of statements to which you can find links below.
As your pastor, I am committed to transparency on these matters. This will include apprising you of official correspondence received from the Holston leadership, provision of additional information from recognized United Methodist news sources as well as personal pastoral visits (as requested) in your homes, Sunday School Classes, small groups, in my church office, at Blackbird Bakery or a local restaurant! We may also find that our newly organizing Educational Task Force around these issues may be a helpful for individuals and as a church-wide resource. Listen for more details around our task force in the coming weeks.
To be sure, this issue is complex. It is my prayer that regardless of our opinions on these matters, we will each commit to greater understanding and holy conferencing on how our decisions will affect the global, national, and local UMC as well as individuals both within and outside the church walls. Let us equally commit to the responsibility and privilege to pray for our global episcopal leadership and for the newly forming representative panel tasked to discuss the matters which divide us at present. The work before both will be challenging!
Finally, let us not lose sight of our mission as a United Methodist Church "to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." It is our unequivocal spiritual compass.
To access resources that I passed out in worship this Sunday, click on the links below
Profiles on both newly-elected Bishops:
Below is the official Council on Bishops (COB) Statement about the recent Western Jurisdiction election of The Reverend Dr. Karen Oliveto
Below is the latest letter from the Council on Bishops regardiing plans for the newly-elected commission on sexuality
Partners in Present and Future Ministry,
Michelle
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Cooperative Mission
Update from the Field!!
Our Cooperative Youth Mission Team has just returned from a week of mutual mission and learning at Jubilee Project in Sneedville, Tennessee, Hancock County.
What an incredible adventure!!!
First UMC was represented by John Mack and Pastor Michelle along with
1. Max Hanson 2. Sidney Hanson 3. Mason Large 4: Finley Large 5. Kyler Hunt and 6. Marcus Hayes. We joined pastor Liz Hamilton from Addilynn UMC and 7 of her youth. For most youth present, it was their first mission trip ever! What an honor to be part of such a formative time in the spiritual and social development of our teens.
Below is a collection of photographs, documenting but a snippet our work and our play. Thanks to Julie Blanton for masterfully compiling them! After school's beginning, we plan to offer a Powerpoint presentation complete with a light meal and youth participation to connect you with our work AND to talk about ways First UMC can be more involved both with Jubilee Project and other area missions. We hope you will join us!
To learn more about the Jubilee Project and their vital outreach ministries to the people of Hancock County, click on the link below.
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Anderson Elementary School Supply List
Just 4 days before school begins and many kids will be without needed school supplies! So help us support our friends at Anderson Elementary School!
Supply lists are in the narthex
or click on the link (above the bus) to print one
If you prefer make a donation and we will shop for you!
(See Julie Blanton or Pastor Michelle)
Return your donated supplies to the narthex by
Sunday, July 31st!
We plan to deliver them the next day,
August 1st.
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ATTENDANCE FOLDER KEEPERS
Person who can come to the church sometime Monday through Thursday to refill the attendance folders used in worship and take them to the sanctuary for the ushers to distribute on Sundays.
BULLETIN FOLDERS & WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
One or more people who can come to the church on Wednesday or Thursday when bulletins are ready to be folded. You will be notified when they are ready.
Persons who can answer phones, do some filing for the pastor, and perform other easy office tasks when needed.
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Current Sunday Morning Schedule
(Listen out for any updates after July 31)
9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m Sunday School for All Ages
10:45 a.m. Chapel Prayer, Reflection and Holy Communion
(posted schedule)
11:00 a.m. Joint Worship Service, Sanctuary
Come find your
'true north' with us,
Sunday mornings!
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Pot Luck Picnic and Worship Conversation
IMPORTANT UPDATES!
Date: Sunday, August 7
Time: 4:30 p.m-7:00ish p.m.
Location: Strader Farm
Address: 338 Brookwood Drive
Bring your
favorite picnic foods
and potluck dishes and enough to share; we'll provide the paper products and drinks
(tea, lemonade, water)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
1. Haul tables on Sunday afternoon, August 7 after church to Strader farm
2. Set-up and clean up at Straders on Sunday
(Monday, haul tables back to church)
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"Pay It Forward" Campaign
How are you doing with your cards? Need more?
Replenish your supply this Sunday!
Listen in worship for exciting
"Pay it Forward" Stories !
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." ~ John 13: 35
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Books for Anderson Elementary
Let us introduce you to 6 books of hundreds collected for local schools in the Holston Annual Conference by the Holston Conference! Dr. Alan,Gorrell, lay delegate of First UMC, selected these particular books to gift our own partner school, Anderson Elementary!
On Monday August 1, we will take these books, along with your gift of school supplies, to Anderson School. Tell Michelle or Julie Blanton if you want to join us!
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Juniper Fiona Preptit
has arrived:
6 lbs, 9 ounces and
19 inches long
Proud parents are
Jamie Elizabeth and Manes Preptit
and Big Brother, Atticus
Proud Grandparents are
Leferne and Melila Preptit
Congratulations to one and all!
(Juniper is wrapped in Mommy's wedding dress in upper right panel)
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You are cordially invited to the Golden Anniversary of
Richard
and
Suzanne Rollins
Saturday, August 6
1:00 p.m-4:00 p.m.
First UMC
in Tankersley Hall
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Bristol Food Pantry
Monday, August 1,
1:00 p.m-4:00 p.m.
Joneen Sargent (August)
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Our generous giving helps to provide healing & hope for a brighter future by sharing the love of Jesus with children & families struggling with life's challenges.
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Upcoming Birthdays
Aug 9: Brenda Estes,Alan Lewis,
Pam Neal
Aug 10: Adam Graybeal
Breanne Hubbard
Aug 12: Jessi Spangler
Aug 14: Fred Kilday, Adam Wells
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Anniversaries
Aug 3: Ron & Dorothy Carmack
Aug 4: Bob & Ellen Mueller
Aug 5: Ray & Kathy Feagins
Aug 6: Richard & Suzanne Rollins
Aug 12: Dale & Sue Dietz
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Calendar & Events Schedule
Week of July 27-August 2
Wed, July 27th: 7:00pm- Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, July 28th: 6:30pm- Yoga with Jean
Friday, July 29th: 5:30pm-Belly Dancing-yoga room
6:30pm-Belly Dancing-yoga room
Sunday, July 31st: 9:30am-Sunday School For All Ages
10:45am-Chapel- Prayer, meditation, communion
11:00am-Worship Service-sanctuary
6:00pm-Finance Committee
Monday, August 1: 1:00pm-Food Pantry Volunteers
6:00pm-Belly Dancing-Yoga Room
Tuesday, August 2: 8:00am-Men's Prayer Group
6:30pm-Yoga with Joe
To make changes or additions to the calendar
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Our Vision-
Building A Community Where Anyone
Can Become
A Deeply Committed Christian
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First United Methodist Church of Bristol 