In the summer of 2012, I led the youth choir in Allen (47 youth and adults) on our choir tour up north to Chicago, Illinois. We had to follow a very strict schedule with our bus driver while in Chicago to make it to all the destinations we wanted to check out. From dinner and down time at Navy Pier, to worship at the Chicago Temple (First United Methodist Church of Chicago), to seeing Millennium park and the giant reflective bean sculpture. Suffice it to say, I know how to be a tour guide so long as I have a driver getting us to and from our destinations. This image of tour guide is one I am adopting for the year 2020 in the church. As the pastor of our congregation, I will make sure we see the necessary sights and destinations when it comes to the holidays of the church. However, I need to know all the destinations we want to see together as a congregation. Do we want to invite our community to a pancake supper on Fat Tuesday? How do we want to improve the outward appearance of our facility? Is there something we have talked about doing but never have taken the time to develop a plan? You tell me where you want to go, where God is calling us to be, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure our bus gets there; I just need drivers and navigators so I can serve as your tour guide. When the Single Board model passed in December, we worked very quickly to fill the roster of leaders, knowing what would be needed to ensure success of the new model of leadership. Developing this image of Pastor as Tour Guide was something working in my subconscious that I put down on one of my many white boards. At our training for the Single Board Model, we filled out little busses with all the “destinations” we wanted to visit. You can check them all out in Wesley Hall. But some of those busses need drivers. Some of our drivers need navigators. And each of the busses represents a destination that we will arrive at together. But the calendar is not closed. Do you want to drive a bus to get our congregation to a destination that is not up on the board? Come talk to me! Is there something that has been discussed but never acted upon? Let me help develop a plan! With the leaders of our congregation, and you helping in so many different capacities, I’m excited about the energy and possibility that we have in 2020. There are new faces in our pews. There are new ideas being acted upon and generated. And I know God has placed ministries on our hearts that we can act upon; ministries that will enable us to live out our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Let’s get on the bus together! Grace and Peace, Pastor Adam

January/February 2020

NEWSLETTER

Life of the Church:

Weekly Meeting Schedule

Boy Scouts - Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm Cub Scouts - Mondays @ 6:00 pm

True Grit - Wednesdays @ 6:00 am Worship Planning & Staff - Tuesdays @

9:00 am

Church Calendar Items

Adult Choir - rehearsals Wednesdays at 6:45 to 8:00 pm. See Sharon Acker if you are interested in joining the choir

Faith & Family Wednesdays with Family Meal @ 5:30. Children & Youth

Activities. See church calendar for specific times.

Handbells - Joyful Sounds practice on Wednesdays @ 4:30, Beginner

Handbells on Sundays @ 2:00 pm Let’s Get Moving - Balance & Mobility.

Light chair/floor exercise - Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 10:00 am

Games Day - Cards/Dominoes Mondays @ 9:30 am. Covered dish lunch @

Noon The Piecemakers Quilting Group -

Fridays @ 9:30 with lunch. Contact: Jo Stow or Sarah Stock for details.

United Methodist Men - Men's Breakfast & Fellowship Meeting, 2nd Sunday of

each Month at 7:00 am. Contact: Bob Hargesheimer

United Methodist Women - Ladies Covered Dish Luncheon, 2nd Sunday of

each month at Noon Contact: Carolyn Maynard

Upper Room Prayer Group - 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 9:30. Come pray with us!

Special Events in January/February:

6th Annual Happy Birthday Churchwide Birthday Celebration with covered dish lunch. January 26th after 2nd service.

Northwest District Training - 2:30-5:00 Whaley UMC Gainesville.

Ladies Appreciation Dinner - February 9th, 5:30

February 19th Adam will be burning the ashes for Ash Wednesday service.

Please join him and the children for this special time.

Scholarship Pancake Supper Fat Tuesday Fundraiser - February 25th @ 5:00

Ash Wednesday Service - February 26th at 7:00 pm

Our Scout Troop is hosting a BBQ Fundraiser on February 29th. 5:00-8:00

Contact the church office if you have questions regarding any church related

activity.

Join us Sunday mornings as we journey through Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth. Jan 19th - Feb 23rd.

Did you know our sanctuary is equipped with The Loop Hearing Aid System. If you

have any questions or need help, see Dusty Luton, Ricky Acker, or Mike McLendon.

Single Board Model - 2020

Administrative Name Ministry Name Board Chair Mark Pike Ministry by age - 3 Lay Leader Rick Simmons Children Sharon McLendon Lay Delegate Danny Anderson Youth Clay Luton Lay At Large* Kristen Burris Adult TBD SPRC (3) Sue Abernathy - Chair Historian Barbara Bailey

Jackie Bollinger Missions Kim Hickman Chuck Cox Nurture TBD Finance (3) Corey Fletcher - Chair * Scholarship Kyle Maynard Welcom Morgan Chandler Hackney Staff Trustees (3) John Morgan - Chair Music Sharon Acker Dusty Luton Worship Carol Pike Robin Hildebrand Youth Director James Farmer Children's Director Shelby Finley Administrative Assist. Bridget Hoenig

The Administration Side of the Single Board handle matters of Budget/Finance, Staff/SPRC, and Building/

Trustees individually and will report all business to the Single Board during regular meetings once a month.

The Ministry Side of the Single Board meets quarterly unless needed more fre-quently. This function group of the Single Board is responsible for creating and

fulfilling the programs of our mission field. Each Function Group of the Single Board will communicate and bring forward any business to the Single Board meeting.

Nominations Committee * Scholarship Committee Chair, UMM rep,

Pastor: Chair Jim Hoenig UMW rep, Finance rep.

Sadie Hackney Kyle Maynard Pastor

Susan Vardell Cox Ken Kniss

* - Not appointed by Nominations Committee

Single Board Update By: Mark Pike, Single Board Chair for 2020 We are looking forward to an exciting year and some dynamic changes in our church structure. Let me say, after being a member of this church for over 50 years, I as many of you had some reservations about changing our administrative model to a new Single Board Model. After being involved in the planning to bring the board model to a vote during the last 9 months I am convinced it is the future for FUMC Whitesboro. Working together more efficiently will no doubt better enable us to serve our community and our Lord. We will continue to update the congregation of the Single Board progress and any decisions that were voted on. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact me or Pastor Adam. We will be more than happy to answer you. I encourage all of you to attend the Single Board Workshop during the Northwest District training in Gainesville this Sunday the 26th.

-Mark Pike

Memorials & Honorariums

Memorials & Honorariums unless noted otherwise, go to the Memorial Fund. The Memorial Fund is used for items for our worship & sanctuary.

The following is a list of other giving opportunities:

* Adult Choir Fund * Benevolent Fund * Building Fund * General Budget

* Memorial Garden * Oakey Hagood Memorial Youth Scholarship * Special Children’s Fund for Camp * Youth Scholarship

If you have any questions, please contact the church office or a member or the Finance Committee

WE LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have an article, picture or item of interest to share in the Newsletter, please

email your information to: bridgethoenig@whitesborofumc.org by the 3rd Wednesday of the

month.

In Memory Of: Given By: In Memory Of: Given By:

Shirley Strong Suzanne & Johnny Greear Shirley Strong Sharon & Ricky Acker

Terry Stearns Sharon & Ricky Acker Shirley Strong The Maynard Family

Larry Clausen Sharon & Ricky Acker Shirley Strong Charles & Carol Brown

Shirley Strong Bridget & Jim Hoenig Shirley Strong Carleene Cason

Shirley Strong Barbara Kennedy Terry Stearns Suzette Strong

Elvina Kendon Suzette Strong Shirley Strong Evelyn Bomar

Shirley Strong Rita & Billy Mangrum Oakey Hagood Kenneth & Delores Lockmiller

Shirley Strong Mary Ann Ferguson & Marcy Barker Shirley Strong Jim & Kay Thomas

Shirley Strong Gwen Grady Terry Stearns Gwen Grady

Shirley Strong Peggy Brunner Shirley Strong Bob & Betty Hargesheimer

In Honor Of: Given By: In Honor Of: Given By:

Pastor Adam & Maridyth Spore The Strong Family Opal Barr Kloppers Family

The Adult Choir Carol & Charles Brown The Handbell Choir Carol & Charles Brown

Ricky & Sharon Acker Suzette Strong Mike McLendon Suzette Strong

The Strong Family

Sarah Stock

Betty Watson

Gene Paul Williams

Roylene Winchester

Sondra Visser

Dolly R. Yeargan

Homebound

*military

Lucy Hill

Cheryl & Larry Jones

Jane Killam

Inez Leach

Tom Leach

Penni Luton

Bernice Maloney

Bob Bollinger

Beverly Brown

Betty Chilcutt

Carl & Mary Francis Garrison

Becky Hagood

Mary Harris

Mary Louise Hensley

Billy Mangrum

Diane Moran

Michael Nealon

Christopher Palmer *

Reagan Faith Parker

Marlyn Penrose

William Ramsey *

When all else fails, when there are no words, there’s always prayer. Fulfilling our role and spiritual practices, as Christians we believe in prayer and gladly lift up our loved ones.

If you would like to meet with us, join us the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month.

A Message of Thanks…

The Staff would like to thank each of you for your generosity at Christmas. The Christmas gifts from the church and congregation were very much appreciated. Looking forward to another year serving our church family. God bless you all. Pastor Adam, Bridget, Shelby, James, Sharon, Justine, Carolyn, Shannon

“Let’s Get Moving!”

Chair and/or Standing Exercises Targets Balance, Strength and Flexibility

Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 in Wesley Hall

Please dress comfortably! Absolutely FREE and EVERYONE is Invited!

For more information contact Lenora Garrison, Susan Cox or call the

church office.

Northwest District Local Church Leadership Training

Sunday, January 26th

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (2:30-3:00 Gathering and

Registration) Whaley UMC, Gainesville

701 Rosedale Gainesville, TX 76240

Register with District Office is Childcare is

needed. Contact Brady @ 940-767-6621 or 800-497-8163 or email:

nwdistrict@nts-online.net

Hope you make plans to attend. There are several great workshops offered

this year.

Upcoming

Events

Stay Connected

Visit the church online calendar for

other events & activities.

Call the church office to sign up for

weekly email reminders from the

church office.

www.whitesborofumc.org

Join the ladies of the UMW for a evening of fun!

Friday, February 21st

The Ardmore Little Theater presents:

Hello Dolly musical & dinner. Tickets are $15 each RSVP Melissa Knight by January 31st.

Via email or phone mewcmc@yahoo.com (903) 821-0757

Sunday Mornings 8:15 & 10:30

Facebook Page: FUMCWhitesboro

We will meet at the church at 4:00 pm

and carpool. It will be lots of fun, hope

you can join us!

Wedding Congratulations to: Matt & Brandi Pike

May God bless you and your life together!

Join us February 25th for a pancake supper.

Proceeds will benefit our Youth Scholarship Fund

Do you know????

Just over just the past 7 years (2019-2013), between the Youth, Oakey Hagood Memorial, and the Mona Sullivan Scholarships over $30,000 has been awarded to

our students. Records show that we have scholarship recipients dating back to 2002.

That’s a lot of support for our young people in the church and Whitesboro community. We would not be able to do this successfully year after year if it were

not for YOU. The Scholarship Committee invites you to a Pancake Fat Tuesday Fundraiser

dinner to help raise money for our scholarships this year.

THANK YOU for your generous support of our Youth as they continue their education.

Attention High School Seniors

and College Students

Watch for more information on how to apply for the

scholarships offered by the Church and UMW.

Applications will be posted soon.

Billy Mangrum 01-Feb Kyle Maynard 12-Feb

Zalenka Brannan 01-Feb Rachel McCoy 13-Feb

Brim Brockmueller 02-Feb Creede Slater 13-Feb

Larissa Burch 06-Feb Gregg Miles 14-Feb

Christian Goedecke 06-Feb Mark Pike 14-Feb

Anna Kate Goedecke 06-Feb Will Pelzel 14-Feb

Mya Gillum 14-Feb

Maddie Acker 08-Feb

Linda Powers 09-Feb

Melissa Knight 09-Feb

Kaitlyn Garrison 10-Feb

Leigh Gardenhire 12-Feb

Annabelle Pelzel 25-Feb

Bridget Pelzel 25-Feb

Chloe Pelzel 25-Feb

Kevin Knight 02-Jan Rachael Farmer 10-Jan

Jerry Dickson 03-Jan Chuck Cox 10-Jan

Gregg Hickman 03-Jan Wanda Dooley 10-Jan

Paige Stock 04-Jan John Hosp 11-Jan

Mary Wardlaw 04-Jan Emily Stegall 11-Jan

Sue Hildebrand 06-Jan Carleene Cason 14-Jan

Mike Erwin 07-Jan Cathy Glasgow 14-Jan

Janis Williams 07-Jan Moe Knight 16-Jan

Caleb McCoy 07-Jan Will McCoy 19-Jan

Cade Strange 07-Jan Gus Bain 20-Jan

Lauren Hartless 10-Jan Channing Hickman 21-Jan

Morgan Garrison 22-Jan

Sharon Acker 22-Jan

Dusty Luton 23-Jan

Farley McLendon 23-Jan

Joe Abernathy 24-Jan

Susan Cox 27-Jan

Kristen Burris 28-Jan

Rod McCutcheon 28-Jan

Shelby Stegall 29-Jan

Mary Turner Hensey 30-Jan

Jim Thomas 06-Feb

A Message of Thanks…

I just want to take the opportunity to Thank you for the many calls, cards, texts, and hospital visits during the time I was in the hospital. Your kindness means the world to me and Cheryl. God bless you all, Larry Jones

A Message of Thanks…

Thank all of you that took time to help me during my time in the hospital. Thank you so much for your help with my house as well. I am eternally grateful for the prayers and support since Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to getting back to a full schedule at work. Tom Leach - new cell # 940.372.6364

Register now and pay your $50 deposit to receive the $50

EARLY BIRD discount

Attention Parents: It’s time to register for camp.

We picked the C-2 camp for our Children’s Camp dates.

We will host a children’s fundraiser to raise money to help with the cost of camp.

Please see Shelby Finley or call the church office with questions.

Starring in the children’s Christmas play.

“How the Grinch found Christ in Christmas”

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped with

refreshments, decorations, and to the parents for getting the

kiddos to practice. A special note of appreciation to

Michelle Luton for organizing our Children’s Christmas Program year after year.

Wednesday Night Faith & Family Fun.

Children’s Activities start at 6:00 after the Family Meal.

Please see Shelby Finley for any questions or to register

your child.

Google it….

When did Children's Sunday school start?

It is important to realize that Sunday schools were originally literally schools:

they were places where poor children could learn to read. The Sunday school

movement began in Britain in the 1780s. The Industrial Revolution had resulted in

many children spending all week long working in factories. Christian

philanthropists wanted to free these children from a life of illiteracy. Well into the 19th century, working hours were long. The first modest legislative restrictions came in 1802. This resulted in limiting the number of hours a child could work per day to 12!

This limit was not lowered again until 1844. Moreover, Saturday was part of the regular

work week. Sunday, therefore, was the only available time for these children to

gain some education.

Good News Sunday School class Christmas

Gathering Celebrating our Girls of 1939

Friday Piecemakers Quilting Group

Christmas Gathering

Advent Brunch Fellowship

UMW gave gifts for the volunteers at

Your Neighbors House

Faith & Family Dinner

Just a few of the many memories made with our church family this past December.

Our beautiful Sanctuary. Thank you to everyone

who helped decorate for advent, and then took it

all down. We appreciate you so

much!

Wesley Hall by Barbara Bailey, Church Historian

(written January 2020)

In 1953, a new educational building was erected where Wesley Hall now stands. In 1958, Mr. and Mrs. Hall Noland gave an old military barrack from Camp Howes which had a covered walkway between it and the Sunday School building. This building was the first Wesley Hall. As a young teenager, I can remember belonging to Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) in this building where we would meet and have activities there. With Rev. Glyn Rives leadership and with generous donations from members and friends of the church, the education building and Fellowship Hall were planned and built in 1978. The Fellowship Hall was renamed Parker Center in August 2005. The old Sunday School building, which stood behind the Sanctuary, where Wesley Hall now stands, was used by the SNAP center

to provide meals for Senior Citizens games and quilt making also took place in it. The leadership of the church soon recognized the concern that the current fellowship hall was barely adequate for church functions and inadequate for “all church” gatherings. Recommendations from the Loong Range Planning Committee to the Building Committee were to build a new fellowship hall to seat 250 people banquet style and create 4 classrooms in the new fellowship hall. Attention should also be given to the possibilities of the youth using as a gathering place. There should also be space which can be used by senior adults for gathering and recreation. In 1998, the SNAP center moved out of the building and we began a serious campaign to begin construction of a larger fellowship hall. The new fellowship hall, named Wesley Hall, was consecrated on August 12, 2001, while Dr. Roy Spore was pastor. Fast forward to now, January 2020, Rev. Adam Spore (son of Dr. Roy Spore) is the pastor. I am sure Wesley Hall has exceeded all the expectations of those who came before us had for it. Wesley Hall is used for many activities. Some of the events include Faith and Family Night every Wednesday during the school year, Club meetings, Wedding Receptions, Baby Showers, Anniversary Celebrations, Banquets, Luncheons, Exercise class, Quilting group, Senior Games day, Children’s Plays, Vacation Bible School, Family/Class Reunions and WHS Bearcats team meals. When the sanctuary was being remodeled, Sunday worship services were held there too. These are just a few of the many events Wesley Hall has hosted. Only time and the vision of our congregation holds what is in store for Wesley Hall in the future. The fellowship hall certainly has lived up to the words above the stage “A Place of Belonging”.

PO Box 370 * 122 S. Union Whitesboro, TX 76273

Tel: 903.564.3156

Website: www.whitesborofumc.org

Facebook Page: fumcwhitesboro Putting our FAITH * HOPE * LOVE * into ACTION

Stop by and see the new crosses added to the Honorarium & Memorial

Cross Wall

The Cross Wall supports our Benevolent Fund. If you would like to hang a Cross in Memory or Honor of a loved one, the cost is $20, forms are located in the church office. Crosses can be no

larger than an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper. *

2019 Missions January $311 January 2nd Mile - General Missions

February $420 February 2nd Mile - Your Neighbors House

March $157 March 2nd Mile - General Missions

$1081 30 Pieces of Silver—Benefitting Benevolent Fund

April $261 April 2nd Mile - General Missions

May $1193 May 2nd Mile - Summer Lunch Fund

June $342 June 2nd Mile - General Missions

$586 VBS Coin Challenge - Purchased books for Hayes Primary Students.

Lunches were provided for students throughout the summer, at the end of the program we provided lunch for over 110 students

July $718 July 2nd Mile - Project Transformation

Sunday School Classes Furnished meals for interns

Volunteers to read

August $646 August 2nd Mile - Back to School Supplies

September $474 September 2nd Mile - Snacks for Hayes Primary Students

October $217 October 2nd Mile -General Missions

November $606 November 2nd Mile - Dallas Tornado Relief

December $495 Whitesboro Ministerial Alliance Food Baskets

$2842 Enchanted Tree Donations for various Methodist Missions

Other Additional funding for Summer Programs

$3,300 Support given from Benevolent Fund for:

Gas and food gift cards; Rent Assistance; Help with Utilities

Hotel stays for displaced families; Help with prescription medicine

Write Way Prison Ministry

Wednesday Night Family Meal - providing dinner and Christian education for elementary children & youth age students as well as adults

Sponsored students to Camp Bridgeport

$2000 Youth Scholarships awarded for continuing education ($1,000.00 each)

Given by UMM and UMW Organizations

Numerous donations of food in shopping cart delivered to YNH 4 to 5 times per year

Numerous donations of peanut butter, jelly, snacks for summer lunch, and VBS

Christmas Gifts from UMM & UMW for Your Neighbors House Volunteers

$38,762 Conference Apportionments

$54,411 Estimated total of Missional Outreach

Your Neighbors House

Will gladly accept donations of

Personal Care Items:

Volunteers are always

needed

Use the Church Calendar to setup

text reminders and never miss

another meeting or church event.

Contact the church office if you

have any questions.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Children’s Activities every Wednesday at 5:45 - after Family Meal. Call the church office for more information and to register your student.