Winter 2017 Newsletter “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
KIDS WITH PURPOSE Kids with Purpose is a children’s Christian mission program open to all children in the community in grades K – 5. Children tie Biblical teachings to hands on works of service. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 until 7:30 from January 11 until Easter. We usually meet in the lower level classrooms (preschool area), but occasionally travel off property for different mission projects. Rachel Burner is the director of our program and would love to have adult helpers. We have two teachers per grade level as well as extra helpers for different projects. There is a way for everyone to help. Please contact her if you have questions or would like to participate at
[email protected]. Kids with Purpose strives to: •
Bring faith to life through simple acts of service in God’s name.
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Teach how God calls us to serve and how we can respond.
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Define mission NOT as something we DO, but as WHO WE BECOME in response to God’s call.
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Develop children’s awareness of those in need.
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Cultivate and nurture qualities of compassion, kindness, respect, responsibility, and stewardship.
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Build and strengthen community.
UPWARD BASKETBALL We have 180 children participating in our Upward Basketball program. Teams of children in kindergarten through sixth grade practice either on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays. On Saturdays there is no place more lively and exciting than FUMC as all teams have their weekly games in Kobler Hall. Come and cheer on your favorite players, make some new friends, listen to an inspiring devotion, and eat some tasty treats to support our youth ministry mission trips. Games go from 8:30am until 4:30pm. For information about the program or to be on the email list for next year’s program, contact Mark Earnesty at
[email protected].
YOGA Did you know we offer yoga at FUMC on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 10:45? All you need is a yoga mat, a pair of yoga blocks, an old beach towel, and a necktie. The nursery is available with advanced notification. No previous experience is needed. For more information or to register, contact Libby Wasem at
[email protected].
ACOLYTES AT 11:00 Are you interested in being an acolyte at our 11:00 service? Would you like to carry the light of Christ into our worship service and out into the world? Heather Mosely and Don Becker are looking for more acolytes for the 11:00 service. Contact Heather at
[email protected] if you would like more information.
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION Our weekday preschool program has opened registration for the 2017 2018 school year. Registration forms and details about classes being offered for ages 2 - 5, tuition rates, and age requirements are available on the preschool page of the church website. Forms are also available in the church on the preschool bulletin board near the courtyard doors. For more information or to schedule a tour, email
[email protected] or call the preschool office at 540-899-3172.
TUTORING AT HUGH MERCER FUMC has launched a Homework Helpers program for children in need of tutoring and English language practice at Hugh Mercer Elementary. Volunteers will work with groups of 3-4 students in first or second grade to assist them with their homework on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 3:15 until 4:30. If you are able and willing to help and love these kids, please contact Sandy Howson at
[email protected] or 373-4704.
WESTVIEW ON THE JAMES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Once again this year the Wayfarers Sunday School class and the United Methodist Men would like to offer children from FUMC the opportunity to attend Camp Westview! They will be offering two scholarships for young people ages 7 – 17. If you are interested, please pick up an application from the church office, the children’s ministry office, or the youth ministry office and return it to Carol Knott. The deadline for applications is Sunday, March 19, 2017. Scholarship recipients will be asked to write about their experiences at Westview on the James to be shared with the church family upon return. To find out more about Camp Westview on the James, visit www.westviewonthejames.org.
SHROVE TUESDAY Get in the mardis gras spirit! Come to FUMC for the United Methodist Men’s annual pancake dinner on Tuesday, February 28.
ASH WEDNESDAY On Wednesday, March 1, FUMC will host an Ash Wednesday service. Come enter into Lent with the administration of ashes during services at noon and 6:30. There will be no KWP on this night so that families can participate in the service together.
SNOW CLOSINGS Check before you come! Announcements of the church closings are posted on Facebook, www.fumcva.org, Fredericksburg.com, or radio stations B101.5 and 1230am.
ROTATION STATION Children in grades 2 – 5 get the opportunity to live the stories of the Bible through hands on activities in what we call Rotation Station. We focus on one story or Biblical concept for five weeks. During that time, the children explore different aspects of the story each week as they participate in music, storytelling, science, media, games, art, and cooking. Teachers for some of the units are still needed. Materials and curriculum are provided. Workshop leaders plan one lesson and teach it four times to different children. Shepherds commit to five weeks and serve as a helper for the teachers and a friend to the children. Please see which unit you are interested in helping with. The units remaining this school year are: •
“Jesus Is Baptized” – January 8 – February 5
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“The Lord’s Supper” – February 12 – March 12
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“Easter People” – March 19 – April 30 (not on April 9 or 16)
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“Forgiveness” – May 7 – June 4
You can sign up online to help with rotation, or other children’s ministry events at http://tinyurl.com/fumckids2016.
PALM SUNDAY Children are invited to process with palm branches at the beginning of every service on Palm Sunday, April 9. Please meet in the narthex at 8:20 or 10:50 for the traditional services and at 9:35 in the Gathering Space for the contemporary service. There will be no Rotation Sunday School on Palm Sunday, so children should plan to sit with their families after the palm procession.
EASTER SCHEDULE •
Sunday, April 9 – Palm Sunday: Services on Sat. 5:30, Sun., 8:30, 9:45, 11:00
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Thursday, April 13 – Maundy Thursday
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Friday, April 14 – Good Friday: Holy Week Reenactment Experience
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Saturday, April 15 – Holy Saturday service
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Sunday, April 16– EASTER Services at 6:45, 8:00, 9:30, and 2 services at 11:00 (Note time changes) Easter Breakfast Youth Fundraiser – 7:00 – 11:30 (All proceeds go to youth mission trips.) Easter Egg Hunts 9:00, 10:30, 12:00
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VBS 2017 is right around the corner! This year we are following Paul’s journey through Rome. Children who are rising kindergarten through sixth grade will meet Paul in ancient Rome during the week of June 26 through 30 from 9:00 – 12:00. As always, we need a ton of helpful hands to make VBS the wonderful success that it is. Immediate positions looking to be filled are: Music Director, Games Leader, an actor as Paul, Head Shopkeepers, and Tribe Leaders. Our shops this year will be: carpentry, architecture, wreath making, leather-working, metal-working, scribe, and toga shop. Please email our VBS director, Jillian Murrat at
[email protected] for more information. Registration will be available in March.
