ecclesia february 2016

FIRSTUNITEDMETHODISTCHURCH

SALISBURY, NCest. 1783

February 2016

fumcsalisbury.org

REMARKS

ECCLESIA: a Latin term, based on the Greek “ekklesia.” The original word in scripture would translate to, “assembly” or “congregation.” In Christian theology, ecclesia means a particular body of faithful people. We have titled our monthly newsletter ECCLESIA, to share stories of a faithful body of people: our church.

Have you ever noticed the kinds of situations that compel you to pray?

For many people, the high moments prompt shouts of “hallelujah” and “thank you, Lord!” It happens when we are made aware of exciting news, or even relief to a distressing circumstance. We are right to pray during such times!

For many others, the low moments bring us to our knees. When the wheels fall off the wagon, and despair arrives like an unwanted houseguest, we ask God for help, for strength, and even for intercession. We are right to pray during these times as well.

But what about life “in between,” those moments when we neither sing the blues nor dance a jig? If we pray to God during the highs and lows of life, then we ought to examine our prayers during the

seemingly tranquil times linking them all together. A sampling of these prayers may be tissue-thin, because an ordinary, ho-hum day too often drives us toward more entertainment, more consumption, or more work.

What if an ordinary Sabbath day led you to more prayer?

Our ministry theme, “RESToration,” invites us to take seriously God’s gift of holy rest. During January, we have reflected on the value and purpose of Sabbath – a weekly “Stop Day” – for the sake of living within the rhythm of God’s love. Our fast-paced lives long for peace and balance, and we move closer to experiencing this when we remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

In the season of Lent, “RESToration” will emphasize prayer. A life of prayer, firmly grounded in connection with God, stabilizes our otherwise chaotic life. How beautiful is a prayer emanating from a place of quiet Sabbath rest!

To help foster prayer and holy rest during Lent, I invite you to consider becoming a “Lenten Prayer Partner.” If so, you will commit to two things: 1) praying daily for your Lenten Prayer Partner and 2) asking weekly if he/she has kept the Sabbath. The purpose is to promote more intentional patterns of prayer while also holding each other accountable for remembering the Sabbath. It’s simple: contact the church office by Monday, February 8 at Noon to sign up; the church office will match you with another FUMC member and then notify you about who your Lenten Prayer Partner will be.

I’m looking forward to discovering how God will bring about ongoing restoration in our lives through prayer and holy rest.

Lenten Blessings, Pastor Mark

SAFETY SCHOOLFINANCES

FR IENDS

HAPPINESS

childrenWORKCHURCH F A M I L Y

D E B T

DEATHholinessHEALTH

EXERCISEFUTURE

ETERNITY

SLEEPWEATHERMEET I NGS

BILLSPOLITICSHOMEWORK

UNEMPLOYMENTCOLLEGE HOMEG A S P R I C E S

life

RESTORATIONrenewal. balance. discipleship.

Sign up through the church office for a Lenten Prayer Partner. In February we are emphasizing RESToration through prayer.

IN CHRISTKIDS FIRST

FUMC SALISBURY

Chilly Willy!!! Family Fun DaySunday February 21!It’s cold outside but it’s summertime inside at this awesome indoor water park in Charlotte. Check out their website: http://tinyurl.com/RaysSplashPlanet. We will meet at 2:00p.m. and head out for fun.We finish at Ray’s at 5:30 and stop for pizza on the way home. Cost per child is $10 (includes water park and pizza). Parents join in for free.Register today by text 336-460-0994 or e-mail [email protected], no later than February 14th. We will take the church bus, or you can drive separately!

Chill Out! UMW Winter Reading ChallengeOur challenge continues this month!! Don’t forget it’s not to late to join in the fun!

Here’s how it works: 1) Pick up a reading list sheet from the children’s ministry bulletin board to record all that you read.2) Visit the NEST and check out some of our newest books as well as older ones (books need to be faith-based—at least 7 books need to be from the NEST).3) Read as many books as possible from January to February. Those reading over 15 books will receive a COOL giftcard from Cold Stone (please return books as you finish so that others can check them out).4) Forms must be turned in to Pat McKim no later than February 28.

Pat McKimDirector of Children’s Ministries

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

What does LOVE mean?In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked church members to define LOVE in their own terms. Read their responses here and on the pages that follow...

“Love means to me that Jesus loves me and my family is together and we celebrate.” -Christy

Each month we are highlighting teachers from one of our childcare programs. This month, we would like to introduce you to Carrie Keith of the

Child Development Center and Kelly Smith of the three-year-old class.

Carrie Keith My name is Carrie Keith and April of this year will be eight years I have worked for the CDC. I came to the FUMC Child Development Center after retiring from the Kannapolis City School System. I have two grown children, Heather Chipley and Brad Keith, and one granddaughter, Kayla. My husband of 40 years went to be with the Lord in February of 2014. The Lord has always blessed me by putting me in jobs with Christian people. I thank God for all He has done in my life and the things He has helped me through.

Kelly SmithBirthday: October 5th Husband: Rusty; Daughter: Brendan (20); Son: McGuire (15).Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, gardening, camping; and, I love animals!

I was born right here in Salisbury. I have always lived here except for the five years I lived at North Carolina State University. This is my tenth year teaching at First United Methodist Church. Before this job, I was a homemaker and a Vet Tech.

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M.O.M.S. (Moms on Mission Seeking) February 11, 6:30-8:00p.m.Calling all Moms of Infants and Pre-schoolers! Our purpose is to come together to share in small group study, share joys and struggles, pray together, and provide a place of rest and renewal so you can be restored to nurture and care for both your child and family. Bring another mom and join us in the Seeker’s class just down the hall from the sanctuary (enter on Church Street side at the right of sanctuary). We will spend time getting to know each other and you are guaranteed to laugh! We will watch a clip of the movie, Moms’ Night Out, and then you will receive your very own copy to take home. We will plan for the coming months and share in a short Bible study time based on a small group study called “Beautiful Mess: Motherhood for Every Moment.” If you would like to order this book ahead of time, the cost is $10.

Bring a Friend! Please contact Pat McKim for childcare if needed and to reserve a copy of our study book.

M.O.M.S. GROUP

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OUTREACH

YOUTH MINISTRY

Briana McLeodDirector of Youth and Media

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10th. Often, we are told that we must “give up something” for Lent, but we rarely know why. That “something” we give up regularly becomes soda, chocolate, coffee, or other nonessential, but much enjoyed, aspects of our lives. Many of our students here at First, though, have always had a deep understanding of the value of Lent: one of our girls gave up talking about her favorite college basketball team for the entire season of Lent; one of our boys gave up cursing. Those are success stories. In giving up constant chatter about a favorite team, one can learn that, while sports are great fun, they don’t have everlasting value compared to walking with Jesus (John 10:10). In giving up cursing, one can heed Jesus’ teachings, that it is not what goes into our mouths but what comes out that defiles us (Matt 15: 1-11).

What if this year, 2016, the Salisbury Youth took on a different, even deeper challenge for Lent? You see, the forty days of Lent are to be a time of preparing our hearts, minds, and even bodies, for the coming celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Instead of giving up, let’s take on something that will fill our hearts and souls and bring us closer to Jesus in his walk to the cross.

All 6th-12th graders and their families at First United Methodist Church, even those who don’t regularly attend youth, are invited to a 40 day challenge starting on Ash Wednesday. I will have copies of An (Extra)ordinary Easter: 40 Days of Devotions for Lent/Easter, by Stephen Ingram, for everyone, and I invite you to challenge yourselves to do a devotion per day (except Sundays) leading up to Easter Sunday. This year, let’s leave the “giving up” of the nonessentials to New Year’s Resolutions, and let’s take on daily, faithful study, with the hope of drawing closer to Jesus, and forming lasting, holy habits.

“Love is knowing that someone cares.” -Bob

What does LOVE mean?

Check out @salisbury_youth on Instagram and Twitter!

1831—The first Methodist church in Salisbury was organized with 13 members.

NOVEMBER 3, 1832

TThe first church was dedicated. Five days later, on November 8, 1832,the Rev. Charles P. Moorman officiated at the marriage of Miss Adelaide

Clary, one of the 13 original members, and Mr. William Rowzee. This waspossibly the first wedding in the church.

This drawing (RIGHT) is the late Gordon Senter’s concept of how the firstchurch may have looked. He based his sketch on contemporaneousdescriptions of the church building in the local newspapers,the Carolina Watchman andWestern Carolinian.

HERITAGE MOMENT

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Advertisement in the Western CarolinianMonday, November 5, 1832: page 3.

John C. Palmer and his wife, née Mary Ann Hampton,were charter members of the First Methodist EpiscopalChurch of Salisbury. They later moved to Raleigh.

TThe Methodist and Presbyterian Churches have both had new pulpits erected, more in accordance with the tasteof the day. They too have severally passed through the hands of the painter. The pews of the Methodist

Church have taken on blue—those of the Presbyterian a rich variegated color in imitation of what the Painterstyles English Oak. The pulpits and inner walls, of each, are pure white; and the neat paling fences of their enclosures haveassumed the same beautiful garb. —Carolina Watchman, November 11, 1847.

When the brick Methodist Church was erected in 1857, "the large framedbuilding" was rolled back about ten feet in the rear of the new building.On Wednesday, November 23, 1859, the old church “burnt to theground.” —Carolina Watchman, November 29, 1859.

SEPTEMBER 24, 1831

TThe Methodists purchased for $100.00 from Dr. Isaac Burns½ Lot No. 12 in the Great West Square of Salisbury, excepting

fifty feet adjoining Lot No. 4 and ten feet on the East side “for thepurpose of keeping open a lane.” —Rowan County Deed Book 31: 425.

HERITAGE MOMENT

DANNY’S DISH

Each month, check back for a new recipe from our Midweek Meal Coordinator, Danny Hunt. If you want to try these tasty creations, join us on Wednesday evenings at 5:30!

Cranberry Salad

1 small box lemon Jello dissolved in 1 cup boiling water1 can whole berry cranberry sauce1 cup chopped pecans1 small can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, drained1/2-1 teaspoon orange zest1 orange peeled, sectioned, and broken into pieces. No pith.

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a mold or bowl. Refrigerate until set.

LENTEN ADULT SEMINAR

24 Hours That Changed the WorldWednesdays, February 17, 24, March 2, 9, 16, and 236:30 pm – 7:15 pmThe Seekers Classroom

No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this Lenten journey, Jeff Insley will guide you through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. Each class will feature a video segment and lesson, following closely the book, 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton. To reserve your copy of the book ($15), contact the church office by Wednesday, February 3. You are still welcome to participate in the class even without a copy the book.


“Love is giving of one’s self to another without expecting anything in return. It is the greatest feeling a human can have!”

-George

Save this Date: Saturday, April 16, “A Day of Serving”

On this day members of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury will gather for a special day of Giving. Opportunities are planned for everyone to have a part.

One of the major events will be a food packaging project for STOP HUNGER NOW.

We will be set up in the church fellowship hall for the morning. Teams of volunteers will assemble measured amounts of rice, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix that includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packages. These meals are shipped throughout the world to support school feeding programs, orphanages, and crisis relief. The food is stored easily, transported quickly and has a shelf-life of two years.

A group of 40-50 volunteers (all ages) can package 10,152 meals in about two hours. I have seen groups produce as many as one million meals at a single event. The STOP HUNGER NOW organization provides all ingredients, supplies, gloves, hairnets, boxes, and takes care of deliveries. (Check it out: www.stophungernow.org)

Last year, STOP HUNGER NOW packaged over 200 MILLION meals. Over the last 10 years, this organization has distributed over 235 million meals and aid to 71 countries. They responded to crises in Liberia, Sir Lanka, Ukraine, Haiti, Panama, Armenia, Afghanistan and India. They support sustainable development projects in Haiti and Uganda. They have opened new locations in India, New York City, Nashville and Peru.

WOW! That’s something I hope you want to join, but how much will this cost? Each package costs $.29 to produce and feeds 4 people! If we want to sign up for the minimum number of meals is 10,152, we need to think about raising about $3,000 to cover expenses. For the record, this organization pledges that 87% of all funds raised are used for purchase of supplies.

So, please save this date: APRIL 16, 2016 on your calendar now. In addition, I ask that you put a jar or box on your family table and consider making regular donations of $.29 each time you share a meal. Mark any donations to FUMC for Mission: STOP HUNGER NOW. Between now and April, we can raise the needed fund and maybe more to help STOP HUNGER NOW.

In Christ,

Taffy Jordan Missions Team Chair

MISSIONS MOMENT

To learn more about STOP HUNGER NOW, visit www.stophungernow.org!


“Love is forgiveness, patience, understanding, and passion. Always being there for someone, even when they don’t want you there.” -Megan

Welcome, Christine Maloney!

Come visit the church office between 8:30 am and 2:00 pm, and you will find our church’s new Administrative Assistant, Christine Maloney.

Christine is a talented person with lots of administrative assistance experience, especially in school settings. Christine is originally from Long Island, New York and recently moved to Salisbury four years ago. And she’s a Methodist!

Christine looks forward to meeting you and helping our church’s mission of making and nurturing Christian disciples through the presence and power of God.

A SPECIAL WELCOME

FROM THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

The 2015 Annual Conference passed a petition which directed the Bishop to appoint a task force to collaborate with the Justice and Reconciliation Team in developing plans that “lead, model, resource, and cultivate” holy, healthy conversations across the conference. This forum is the first planned event in which participants will have the opportunity “to listen to one another, to listen for the promptings of God’s Spirit, and to discover new ways in which we can serve and be in ministry together in spite of holding different opinions about a number of issues” (from Bishop’s post-Annual Conference Reflections). On February 21, you are invited to join others in exploring ways in which small groups can engage in healthy conversations around issues of human sexuality. As a follow-up to the presentations and discussion, resources for small group studies will be provided in the hope that during the season of Lent, small groups will be formed for a 4-6 week study in which you put into practice what is modeled at the forum. Please save the date of February 21 for this important conversation. You are invited to join us at Pfeiffer University on the 21st from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

Laura Auten: [email protected]


“Love is something to care about other people and to be kind.” -Evan


“When a person’s welfare is the most important thing to you. You love your friends, your church, and ultimately God. At church we don’t always know everyone but we love them because they are sisters and brothers in Christ!”

-HarrietHarriet (right) and her friends Ross and Virginia

MIDWEEK MEDITATION

Contemplative Acoustic WorshipLed by Mary Alice McMillan & Justin Dionne

Wednesdays at 6:30

FUN WITH FOODfJoin us or

in February!LEARN RECIPES AND TIPS FOR HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS FOOD FROM:

Tuesdays in February at 2:00pm in the Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church

Leslie DunkinSALISBURY’S FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FEBRUARY 2“TASTY TWEAKS: HEALTHIER BUT DELICIOUS”

Betsy SeymourDAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

FEBRUARY 9BREAD-MAKING

D’Andrea LawsonCATERING FIRM DIVINE APPETIT

FEBRUARY 16HEALTHY APPETIZERS WITH A TWIST

Toi DegreeROWAN COUNTY FAMILY AND CONSUMER EDUCATION

FEBRUARY 23“MODIFYING RECIPES FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE”

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

2PM Bulletin Deadline4:30PM Novice Choir5:00PM Choristers5:30PM Midweek Meal6:30PM Go Fish!6:30PM Midweek Meditation7:30PM Chancel Choir

7:00 PM AA8:00 PM Alanon

7:00 PM AA8:00 AM Pinewood Derby Race

7:00 PM AA8:30 AM Worship Service9:45 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship Service2 PM Worship Committee5:30 PM Youth

9:00 AM Eve Circle10:00 AM “With these hands...”10:00 AM Naomi Circle5:30 PM Beginners Running Class6:00 PM Girl Scouts

10:00 AM Staff Meeting2:00PM Cooking Class6:00 PM SPRC

8:30 AM Worship 9:45 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship 5:30 PM Youth

10:00 AM With These Hands5:30 PM Beginners Running Class6:00 PM Girl Scouts

10:00 AM Staff Meeting2:00 PM Cooking Class6:00 PM Trustees Meeting

Ash Wednesday2PM Bulletin Deadline4:30PM Novice Choir5:00PM Choristers5:30PM Midweek Meal6:30PM Go Fish!6:30PM Midweek Meditation/Ash Wednesday7:30PM Chancel Choir

7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast6:30 PM MOMS Meeting7:00 PM AA8:00 PM Alanon

7:00 PM AA 7:00 PM AA

8:30 AM Worship Service9:45 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship Service5:30 PM Club 455:30 PM Youth

10:00 AM With These Hands5:30 PM Beginners Running Class6:00 PM CDC/ACS Board Meeting6:00 PM Girl Scouts

10:00 AM Staff Meeting2:00 PM Cooking Class


1:00 PM Congregational Care Meeting7:00 PM AA

7:00 PM AA7:30 PM Zoom Tube Flute Virtuoso Concert

7:00 PM AA

7:00 PM AA 7:00 PM AA

8:30 AM Worship 9:45 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship 5:30 PM Club 455:30 PM Youth6:00 PM Unity Service at First Presbyterian

7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast10:00 AM With these hands...7:00 PM AA8:00 PM Alanon

10:00 AM Staff Meeting2:00 PM Cooking Class6:00 PM Autusm Society Meeting

5:30 PM Beginners Running Class6:00 PM Girl Scouts Meeting

8:30 AM Worship9:45 AM Sunday School11:00 AM Worship 5:30 PM Youth


31 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 10:00 AM With These Hands10:30 AM UMW Board Meeting5:30 PM Beginners Running Class6:00 PM Cub Scouts6:00 PM Girl Scouts

1 2 3 4 510:00 AM Staff Meeting6:00 PM SPRC


7:00 PM AA8:00 PM Alanon

7:00 PM AA 7:00 PM AA

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1st James Johnson

2nd Rick Parker

3rd Elizabeth Summersett Arthur Swanson Leon B. Newman Gregory Mason Dean Crider Jack Heath Sutton Webb

4th Euna Rae Bullock Jennifer Johnson Caroline Clark 5th Rachel Buchanan Ken Hollar 6th Garrett Miller Earle Koontz Sandy Powell Sierra Braun

15th Nancy Webb

16th Robert Gainer Amelia Steinman Will Steinman Nicholas Peltz

17th Lauren Williams Emily Ward

18th Wesley Hartsell Melissa Thornton Elizabeth Whittington

19th Cecil Lewis Barbara Riggs Spencer West 20th Barbara White Dorothy Malone

21st Mel Smith Kaleb Robinson William Clark

22nd Warren Reynolds

23rd Greg Shuler Hannah Smith Schroeder Walker

24th Ruthann Melvin Jeff Matthews

25th Dwight Wilhelm, Sr. 26th Barbara Saleeby Carlton Stout Karen Pannebecker

27th Robert McGee Laura Koontz Hannah Lineberry

28th Faye Cline Debbie Kolkebeck Will Koontz

7th Roscoe Giles Edwin Koontz Roger Malone

8th Connor Conforti

9th Regina Faggart Lisa Zerger

10th Carole Young Deborah Insley Curtis Rusher Michael Anderson

11th Mary Sue Leonard Jacob Gillenwater

12th Keron Sherwin

13th Erma Scarlette Nora Cooper Ryan Anderson

14th George Noble Pam Morris

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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

ABOUT THE COVER

If you have been in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, you may have noticed the beautiful Quilted Liturgical Art Banners that line its walls. These banners were created by renowned artist Kerstin McDaniel, a native of Sweden and member of the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, NC.

The banner featured on the cover of this edition is the Lenten Banner, created in February 1997. McDaniel’s describes the banner in her own words:The main cross stands out sharply against the background of white representing purity and innocence. The black thief crosses are obscured by sin and pierced by the background. The mocking crown of thorns is three-dimensional. The nails and drops of blood are trompe l’oeil. There is darkness above and below, but a shimmer of hope around the cross.

Kerstin McDanielPhoto: Citizen-Times of Asheville

CHURCH STAFF

The Reverend Doctor Mark Conforti Senior PastorMrs. Becca Blackmon Business AdministratorMr. Matthew Brown Director of MusicMr. Murl Leazer Building SuperintendentMrs. Christine Maloney Administrative AssistantMrs. Pat McKim Director of Children’s MinistriesMs. Briana McLeod Director of Youth and MediaMrs. Betty Slife Lead Teacher of After School ProgramMrs. Lindsay Wineka Director of PreschoolMrs. Vicki Wood Director of Child Development CenterMs. Beth Yelvington Lead Teacher of Summer Camp Program

Phone Number: (704) 636-3121Fax: (704) 637-2933

Email: (firstname)@fumcsalisbury.org

The Methodist Connection (Adult Fellowship) reservations have been made for a Valentine’s Day Celebration Luncheon on Tuesday, February 9th, 12:00 Noon at the Blue Bay Seafood Restaurant, 2050 Statesville Blvd. Lunch will be dutch, and we’ll order from their menu with a variety of items offered including: various types of seafood, chicken, steak, spaghetti, hamburgers, salads, and more. Please plan to attend and bring an unsigned Valentine for a Valentine exchange. No reservations required. Also, please bring pencils or other school related supplies for the Isenberg School Children

A Service of Christian UnitySunday, February 28th at 6:00pmLewis Hall at First Presbyterian ChurchAll are welcome to this ecumenical worship service. The downtown Salisbury churches and its clergy leaders are coming together as a visible sign showing the unity of Christ’s Church. Plan to be a part of it!

Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson MassSunday, March 13 at 11:00amPresented by the Stanback Department of Sacred MusicFeaturing Lurline Richadson, Alden Pridgen, Matthew Arnold, Eric Powell, and Matthew Michael Brown

SAVE THE DATES

CONTACT US

ECCLESIAPublished by:

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH2 1 7 S O U T H C H U R C H S T R E E TSALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA 28144

ecclesia february 2016

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