Clarkesville First United Methodist Church · class into a literacy center complete with a chalkboard wall. The children are loving it! School started on Tuesday, August 16th, and

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Welcome

New

Members!

2

New

Ministry:

“Sole Mates”

2

Children and

Youth

Update

3

Lay Servant

Ministry 4

Food 2 Kids

is back! 5

New

Ministry:

Fleece

Blankets

6

GROW 7

GIVE 8

September

Calendar 11

Future

Facilities

Update

12

The Grapevine Clarkesville First United Methodist Church

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Exciting Expansion plans for CFUMC!

These architectural renderings of our proposed new Fellowship Hall are

subject to modifications. However, you can get the general idea of how the

new building will fit into our campus plan, connecting our main structures.

We are looking forward to this exciting new growth phase at CFUMC!

2

Upcoming Baby Shower: Please

join us for a drop-in baby shower on Sun-

day, September 18th for baby boy Oliver,

soon to be born to Amy (Alley) and Brent Oliver. The

shower will be given by friends and take place in the

Fellowship Hall from 2:00-4:00pm. Amy and Brent are

registered at Babies R Us, Walmart, and Target.

Connectional Ministry: This

month, on Thursday, September 22nd, is our Combined

Charge Conference Celebration for all Habersham

UMC’s. We will begin our

evening with a fall-themed

supper at 5:30pm in the Fel-

lowship Hall. We will be ask-

ing folks to sign up to bring

soups, chilis, cornbread, and

salads. Sign up sheets with be

available soon in the Church Office. Our Charge Con-

ference Celebration will begin at 6:30pm in the Sanctu-

ary. We hope you will make plans to attend this celebra-

tory event!

Pictured: the Hospitality Team assembled a

beautiful refreshment table following a great 5th Sun-

day Night Singing at CFUMC on Sunday, July 31st.

S o l e M a t e s : “ Sole

Mates” is a new ministry dedicated to the

walkers in our congregation. Men,

women, and children; power walkers or

strollers; all are welcome. Walkers will gather at Pitts

Park on Tuesdays at 8:00am, beginning on Tuesday,

September 13th. For more information, contact Willene

Keel, [email protected] or 706-691-9212.

For those interested in hiking longer distances

"in the woods", Linda Camp and Jennifer Boydstun in-

vite you to join them a couple of Fridays each

month. Bring plenty of water and a sack lunch. Coming

up:

September 23rd: Panther Creek Falls Trail, 7 miles

round-trip. Meet to carpool at Ebenezer UMC in Holly-

wood at 9:30am.

September 30th: Raven Cliff Falls Trail, 5 miles round

-trip. Meet to carpool at CFUMC Admin Building

at 9:30am.

October 14th: Location TBA

For more information, contact Linda Camp, 678

-232-9705.

Ladies Lunch Bunch: We meet each month on

the second Tuesday to enjoy great fellowship and

food. All ladies are welcome! On September 13th we

will be going to the moun-

tains for a day of people

watching, shopping, stroll-

ing, and enjoying lunch in

Highlands, North Carolina.

We will plan to leave the

church at 9:00am and

should return about

4:00pm. Come enjoy the fellowship with friends!

Please make your reservation by calling the Church Of-

fice by noon on Monday, September 12th.

Pictured: Our August trip to The Chophouse at

LaPrade’s on Lake Burton was a delicious success!

Je t s e t t e r s: Our Older Adult Ministry, The Jet-

setters, meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday at noon in the

Fellowship Hall for a covered dish lunch and program

or activity. Our Trip Around the World has been re-

scheduled for September. Beth Crabill will be our tour

guide and lead us through some fun activities to take us

"around the world" in less than an hour! Join us

on Tuesday, September 27th at noon in the Fellowship

FELLOWSHIP We invite you to be involved!

Welcome New Members! What a blessing it is to welcome new members into our congrega-

tion! Scott and Nancy Loftin, picture forthcoming, joined our church on

Sunday, July 10th. Scott and Nancy reside in Clarkesville. Phil and Ouida

Chambers, picture forthcoming, joined our church on Sunday, August

28th. They currently reside in Tallulah Falls, but they are building a home

in Clarkesville. Finally, we welcomed David Newey (pictured left) and

Larry Bussler (pictured right) into membership on Sunday, August 7th.

David resides in Demorest. Larry is the brother of John Bussler and re-

sides in Clayton. Please welcome these people into our church family!

3

Children and Youth Ministries Our children's Fall events are about to kick off! All children, age 4-

5th grade, are invited to join us for Messy Olympics on Wednesday, Au-

gust 31st! We are going to have fun and get really messy, so make sure to

wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Invite your friends! The follow-

ing week, on Wednesday, September 7th, Faith Quest resumes for the Fall!

Children will gather to learn Bible stories each Wednesday night through

teaching, activities, and music. Parents, please come to a meeting on Sep-

tember 7th from 6:30-7:00pm in the Children’s Wing to learn about

changes and updates to our Wednesday night programming.

The Children's Ministry will begin using a check in/out system for

each child to further ensure our children's safety. Parents be on the lookout

for specifics, and thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The youth are back in school, and our Wednesday and Sunday night

youth group meetings are back in full swing! The youth went to Georgia Joe's,

located at the Old Mill, to play laser tag on August 13th. It was a lot of fun!

Coming up on Saturday, September 17th, the youth will have Color Craze! Stu-

dents will take socks filled with powered paint and play a dodgeball/capture the

flag type game that will leave everyone covered head to toe in assorted colors. Students should wear clothes they

can get dirty. Invite a friend! Times will be announced soon, but the location will be the field behind the church.

Pictured: the youth are grateful to the Jennings for hosting us at their pool on Sunday, July 31st. We enjoyed great

fellowship together and a delicious meal, prepared by the Brooks and the Jennings families.

Brian Butcher, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries

Save the Date!

Children’s Faith Quest starts

Wednesday, September 7th

Youth Color Craze

Saturday, September 17th

“Halloweenie” Luncheon and Fall

Festival

Sunday, October 30th

Trick or Treat on the Square

Monday, October 31st

Hall. Meat will be provided,

but please bring a side dish

or dessert to share. Pictured top, in July,

the Jetsetters enjoyed a de-

lightful magic show from

Adam Trotman. In top pic-

ture, Guest Cody locks hand-

cuffs on magician Adam

Trotman for an escape trick.

Pictured bottom, guest Jack

Foster assists magician.

Sunday Night Fellowship: We meet

weekly at 6:30pm at different local restaurants. It’s in-

formal fellowship at best. Buy your own meal, sit wher-

ever you’d like, and get to know others in our church

family.

September 4th Yakimono

September 11th KFC (Cornelia)

September 18th Zaxby’s (Clarkesville)

September 25th Pizza Hut (Cornelia)

United Methodist Men: The

United Methodist Men will gather on

Thursday, September 1st at 7:00pm in the

Fellowship Hall. This month’s program

will be Duncan Hughes, Director of the Soque River

Watershed Association. Tom Chesnick will prepare our

delicious meal.

Our UMM gather every Thursday morning at

7:30am at Crossroads Café in Clarkesville for food

and fellowship. This is a great way to start your day!

United Methodist

Women: Our UM Women would

like to invite you to visit a UMW Circle

and enjoy the fellowship of other

women united in mission:

Kite Stribling: Meets monthly on the 1st Thursday at

2:00pm (September 1st at the home of Barbara Kirk-

land). Contact: June Givan

Hearts of Grace: Meets monthly on the 1st Sunday at

5:30pm. Contact: Lisa Nicholson

Morning Joy: Meets monthly on the 2nd Monday

for socializing at 9:30am with the program to begin at

10:00am (September 12th at The Connection; This

month’s program will be Pat Foster, leader of the

Tuesday AM Prayer Group, and Pastor Brian Butler).

Contact: Gloria Armstrong

Friends in Faith: Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday

at 7:00pm (September 20th in the Admin Building).

Contact: Brenda Waters

Save the date! Our Church wide

Meals Committee together with the Children’s Minis-

try is hosting a “Haloweenie” Luncheon on Sunday,

October 30th at noon in the Fellowship Hall, follow-

ing the 11:00 service.

4

Lay Servant Ministry Courses for Fall 2016 Lay Servants partner with clergy to extend Christ’s message in the church and community through leader-

ship in small groups, stewardship, evangelism, worship, etc. Before enrolling in an Advanced Course, you must

have completed the Lay Servant “Basic” Course. The following advanced courses are approved as 4 of the 6 re-

quired courses for those seeking certification as Certified Lay Speaker. They are also recommended for Certified

Lay Servants as a ’broadening experience’. If you qualify for an advanced course, make sure you inquire about

registration before the class is full! Registration for the October classes closes September 17th; registration for

the November classes closes October 21st. Registration information is available in the Church Office.

Basic Course

Instructor: Rev. Paul Garner

This course is required prior to attending any other Lay Servant Ministries Course. It offers guidelines

for the best practices in mission and ministry in the church and community, the role of laity and spiritual

gifts, and discussion of the early Methodist Movement.

The following classes are scheduled for Saturdays, November 5th and 12th, 9:00am-3:00pm at Gainesville

First UMC (2870 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville):

Advanced Course—”Go Preach”

Instructor: Chris Austin

Advanced Course—”Polity”

Instructor: Janet Sligar

CFUMC Preschool “Rooted in faith, growing in love”

CFUMC Preschool hosted an Open House on Thursday, August 11th. The children were able to meet their

teachers and see their new classrooms. The Hospitality Committee provided refreshments for the children and their

parents. We are so grateful for their help!

The Good News Sunday School class generously gave up some space so that Pre-K could have a bigger

classroom. Mrs. Karen and the children are thrilled with their new classroom. We converted the former Pre-K

class into a literacy center complete with a chalkboard wall. The children are loving it! School started on Tuesday,

August 16th, and we had a great first week! It was very hot on the playground but thanks to the mission team we

now have a shelter that will provide much needed shade. Thanks so much to Jerry Medlock and his team for our

beautiful shelter. We are so grateful for a generous and supportive congregation. The love and support we receive

from you enables us to share the love of Jesus with our children.

We have a few openings in the three's class and Pre-K, and we are in need of a volunteer on Wednesdays in

our two's class. If you are interested, please call Susan Weidner, 706-499-1224, or email the preschool at

[email protected]. Please continue to keep the CFUMC Preschool in your prayers! Susan Weidner, Director CFUMCP

5

SERVE We lend a hand in our community!

Food 2 Kids returns for Fall 2016 Here we go! The 2016-20 17 school year has begun and so has our Connectional Group’s weekend feeding

ministry for the students! CFUMC is delivering bags of food, supplied by the Food Bank, for the month of Septem-

ber. Our next turn will be in March, so if you’d like to deliver this fall, contact Jennifer Boydstun, Director of

Community Ministries, in the Church Office. It’s an experience where the blessing far outweighs the work. You

can also support the ministry financially. It costs $275 per year to feed a child, but any donation amount is most

welcomed!

Also coming up, you can help support “Backpack Buddies” of White County and Habersham County Food

2 Kids by bringing a new jar of peanut butter to the White County vs. Habersham Central varsity football game on

Friday, September 2nd at 7:30pm at the WCHS Warrior Stadium. Look for collection bins at the ticket gate. All

peanut butter donated will go toward food credit with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Collection baskets also

located on the Church campus through Sunday, September 4th. Thank you for your support!

You are the wheels of Jesus, feeding our hungry school children. Keep on rollin'!

Drivers for September:

September 2nd: Beverly Harvard; Marjorie Waters; Jerry and KK Medlock; Elizabeth Pratt

September 9th: Charlie and Mary Walker; Linda Camp and Sandy Stryker; Linda Angel

September 16th: Willene Keel and Bonnie Devereaux; Marcia Martin

September 23rd and September 30th: open

Nursing Home Visitation: Join us at the

Habersham WEST Nursing Home at 5:15pm monthly

on the third Monday night (September 19th) and the

Habersham EAST Nursing Home at 5:15pm monthly

on the fourth Monday night (September 26th) for sing-

ing and fellowship with a sweet group of folks. For

more information, please contact Sandy Shell or call the

Church Office at 706-754-2677.

Stephen Ministry: Stephen Minis-

try is grounded in Jesus’ command to love

one another. Through one-to-one caring and

confidential relationships, those who are hurting receive

the love and care they need to support them. Monthly,

Stephen Ministers gather with their Stephen Leaders for

supervision and continuing education. This month the

Stephen Ministers will meet on Monday, September

12th, 6:00pm, in the Connection, room C-16.

For more information or a confidential referral

to a Stephen Minister, please call Stephen Ministry

Team Leader, Ron Waters, or the Church Office.

Meals On Wheels: Our church has

delivered meals for one week each month for

30+ years, and we are the only church in

Habersham to make this commitment each

month. A big thanks to our August drivers! Our Sep-

tember drivers will be Edwin and Linda Smith.

Caregiver Support Group: A caregiv-

ers support group will meet at 3:30 -

4:30pm on Wednesdays at the Habersham County Sen-

ior Center in Demorest, If you are caring at home for

an aging relative, come and discuss experiences, chal-

lenges, and solutions. If you are using or plan to use

outside resources, local experts will provide guidance as

to planning, services available, and care options. Please

join us in this discussion, no charge, facilitated by Foot-

hills Counseling Service Details, 706-754-5155.

CommUnity Thrift: Recent

gifts to the community include CFUMC

Building Fund, $1950; Sharing & Caring,

$400; $125 to each of our 13 county schools’ Coun-

selor’s Funds to assist students in need as the school

year begins.

We love all our volunteers! A special thanks to

those who share the duties on Saturdays! Our volun-

teers for September Saturdays are: September 3rd - ?;

September 10th, Marcia Martin, June Givan, Bobbie

Martin, and Margo Brady; September 17th, Margo

Brady and ? ; September 24th, Jennifer Boydstun and

Margo Brady. If you see a “?”, we need some volun-

teers! Contact Jennifer Boydstun, Director of Commu-

nity Ministries, in the Church Office, or go by the store

to sign-up. Thank you for supporting CTS with your

prayers, donations and purchases!

6

Help us update our Military Wall of Honor We hope you have enjoyed the Military Wall of Honor located in the Connection Ministry Center. It is our

purpose to display how proud we are of all those Active Duty service members and Veterans who are part of or

connected with our Church Family. We encourage you to pray for them as we do in our Tuesday Morning Prayer

Group. Their service protects our freedoms and way of life. We are a grateful church!

It is time to update, and we need your assistance. We have been a growing church, adding many new mem-

bers. If anyone fits one of the following categories and is not currently included on the Military Wall of Honor,

please provide us with their information.

Active Duty Service Members: If you, your son or daughter, grandchild, nephew or niece are currently on

active duty, please provide their name, email, or address. We will send them a letter asking for information

like that currently displayed on the Wall of Honor.

Veterans: Please provide the following: Branch of Service, Rank, Name, Number of years served, Over-

seas Duty Stations, email or phone number.

Deceased Veterans: If your father, mother, son, or daughter was a veteran that has died, please provide the

same information as listed above for the veterans. If you only know the name, that is enough to add their

name to the Wall of Honor.

You may leave your information in the Church Office or you may submit it to Sandy Stryker by email,

[email protected], or by mail, 135 Maize Mill Path, Clarkesville. We appreciate your time and effort to help

us with updates.

CFUMC Prayer Group

New daytime class to begin on Monday, October 3rd! Jean Hulsey will lead this hands-on workshop on

Mondays at 10:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Participants will learn to make no-sew fleece blankets for a truly wor-

thy cause - the children at the Murphy-Harpst Centers. Murphy-Harpst provides round-the-clock therapeutic care

for Georgia's most horrifically abused children so that they may heal and grow in a safe environment. Upon arrival

at the center, children receive a fleece blanket to physically wrap them in warmth and comfort. Murphy-Harpst is

excited that we will be providing for this element of care. If you would like to make a donation to purchase fleece,

you may note your donation "Blanket Ministry". If you would like to purchase fleece, please contact Jean Hulsey

for exact requirements. Please join Jean in October, on Mondays "as you can", for fellowship and blessings as we

bless the children at Murphy-Harpst!

NEW Fleece Blanket Ministry

Meals on Wheels needs your help! If you can

volunteer for 3 mornings/ year, 10:00-11:30am, this

will enable the other drivers to split up the

week. Please help us continue this much needed ser-

vice in the Clarkesville area.

Prayer Gatherings Tuesday Morning Prayer: Our Prayer Group

has a lovely room in The Connection Ministry

Center, room C-17, and our group meets

every Tuesday at 9:30-10:30am. Come and join this

wonderful group of prayer warriors! God loves a pray-

ing church!

Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry: A new fel-

lowship/outreach group began September 13th, 2012,

at Clarkesville First United Methodist Church. Ladies

with an interest in knitting and crocheting have since

met weekly to make prayer shawls, hats, and scarves.

Their handiwork has blessed hearts on a military base

in Afghanistan, been dispersed globally through United

Methodist Women, warmed people of the Redbird

Mission Conference in Kentucky, enveloped children

of The United Methodist Children’s Home, and com-

forted many folks right here in our community.

Skeins of Love invites others to fellowship

with them and share in this caring ministry. All skill

levels are welcome. Yarn and instruction are avail-

able. They gather each Thursday at 10:00am in The

Connection, room C-11.

Clarkesville Soup Kitchen:

DATES TEAM CAPTAINS

2nd Tuesday Connie Wilbanks

3rd Tuesday Sue Trotman

4th Tuesday Elizabeth Pratt, Arthur Davis,

Brenda Sonafelt

5th Monday Phil and Peggy Brownrigg

5th Saturday Hearts of Grace Circle

♦To help at the Clarkesville Soup Kitchen, call 706-

754-6539 or the Church Office, 706-754-2677.

♦To help at the Cornelia Soup Kitchen, call 706- 968-

9954 to volunteer.

tel:706-754-6539

tel:706-754-6539

7

5:30pm Dinner Join us on Wednesdays at 5:30pm for warm fel-

lowship over a home-cooked, Southern-style meal pre-

pared by our friends at Chef’s Touch Bistro in Cornelia.

Our menu will be posted to our website on a weekly

basis, as well as included in the weekly bulletin insert.

Meal prices are as follows: Adults, $7; Kids, 12yrs-

under, $4. For more information or to make/break a res-

ervation, please contact our Church Office, 706-754-

2677. All reservations must be made by Monday at

noon by either filling out a pew card on Sunday morn-

ings and dropping it in the offering plate or calling the

Church Office.

We hope you will join us for dinner on Wonder-

ful Wednesdays at CFUMC!

6:30pm Discipleship Hour

Nursery and children gather upstairs above the Fellow-

ship Hall in the Children’s Department.

Youth (6th-12th grades) meet in the Connection Minis-

try Center for games and Bible study.

Music meets in the Music Room for Men’s or Women’s

Ensemble (meets on alternating weeks) at 6:30pm and

Chancel Choir for Men and Women at 7:30pm.

Adults Discipleship Classes resume Wednesday, Sep-

tember 7th! Dr. Brian Shelton will be teaching a class

entitled, “Kings of Israel.” For six weeks, this class will

introduce the Kings of Israel. It surveys the books of I/II

Samuel and I/II Kings, highlighting the historical situa-

tion of Israel, the personality of the kings, and the contri-

bution of Israel’s leaders as examples to the faith. The

only book needed is a bible with the Old Testament.

Liturgists in Worship:

September 4th Jeff Spivey

September 11th Lewis Hinely

September 18th Bruce Forbes

September 25th Don McLain

Coordinator: Michael Carroll

Children’s Church 9:00/11:00 Wor-

ship:

September 4th Candice Holcomb /

Linda Angel

September 11th Willene Keel / Paige

Spivey

September 18th Kelly Burgess

September 25th Candice Holcomb

and Katie Grady / Hotard Family

Coordinator: Kelly Burgess

Acolytes, 8:30/11:00 Worship:

September 4th Joseph and Mitchell

McGahee / Abigail and Audrey

Hotard

September 11th tba / Canon Brooks

September 18th tba / Maggie

Shelton

September 25th Joseph and Mitchell

McGahee / Madie Wilbanks

Coordinator: Sherrie Fry

Ushers:

8:30 tba

11:00 Jack and Frieda Powell,

Marjorie Waters

Altar Flowers:

September 4th Emmaus

September 11th Wilbanks and

Burkes

September 18th open

September 25th Jim and Marilyn

Watson

Evangelism Ministry Visitation:

September 4th Mary and Calvin

Wilbanks

This Month’s Service Volunteers

GROW Learn with us on Wonderful Wednesdays!

September 11th Beverly and Jerre

Harvard

September 18th Lynda and Dee

Petty

September 25th Annaclair and Jim

Kiger

Trustees Sunday Lock-Up:

Unlock: Frank Dean

Lock: Sylvia Hotard

Sunday Morning Fellowship

Breakfast:

FELLOWSHIP HALL (9:30am)

September 4th Jake and Emily

McGahee

September 11th Sandy Blake

September 18th Judy Nichols

September 25th Gail Burke

CONNECTION (8:30am)

Alison George and Jean Hulsey

Coordinator: Jean Hulsey

Josey Butcher, our Director of Communications and Evangelism, was recently named

Ambassador of the Quarter at a Habersham Chamber of Commerce Board meeting on August

12th. Josey has served as an Ambassador for the Habersham Chamber since January, repre-

senting our church at various functions in the community. Pictured: Board members Myra

Chandler and Bradley Crane present Josey Butcher with award.

Congratulations Josey Butcher!

8

Scan and Donate!

Online contributions are even

more convenient. Now you can

use your smart phone scanner

app to scan the code and make

a donation!

From the Desk of our Finance Chair: The financial state of the church remains strong. Income outpaced expenses in the month of July, and the

church recorded the highest level of giving it has ever seen for the month of July. The church continues to meet all

of its financial obligations from utilities to apportionments while maintaining healthy cash reserves in both our gen-

eral checking and restricted accounts.

The Finance Committee has started planning for the 2017 general budget. To properly plan for the 2017

budget, we will be sending out budget planning forms to the head of each committee within the church. Historically

this effort has given the church the ability to budget your gifts properly. The proper planning and use of your gifts

has allowed the church to balance our finances wisely and address needs as they arise. The finance committee will

restrict spending that exceeds the line item within the approved budget. We expect that the heads of the various

committees in the church will be fully aware of their budget and the needs they are charged with addressing in the

church. Emergencies do arise and the finance committee is committed to addressing church need, but we will main-

tain a healthy financial state.

The Future Facilities Fund continues to grow. Expect that fund to decrease in the next few weeks as the

church moves forward with replacing heating and cooling systems in the Connection. The expense will allow the

church to operate the Connection at a lower cost throughout the year while maintaining a very comfortable space to

worship, learn and teach. The church owes roughly $259,000.00 on the Connection building mortgage.

I continue to stress the need of the committee heads within the church to plan their budgets wisely. Long

range financial planning in addition to your gifts have placed our church in a very strong position. Your efforts

have allowed Pastor Butler to add staff and advance his vision for our congregation. The finance committee sup-

ports the vision of our pastor and congregation in full.

Your brother in Christ,

William J. Spivey

GIVE Thank you for your generous giving!

Clarkesville First United Methodist Church Staff

General Budget

Total 2016 General Budget: $565,682.00

Monthly Need (Avg Per Month) $47,140.17

Budget Offering thru 7/31/16: $314,165.00

Budget Expense thru 7/31/16: $299,119.00

Future Facilities Fund

Balance as of 8/28/16 $384,304.50

Ministers of Faith Our Congregation

Pastor Rev. Brian T. Butler

[email protected]

Director of Youth

and Children’s

Ministries

Brian Butcher

[email protected]

Director of

Evangelism and

Communications

Josey Butcher

[email protected]

Admin Assistant

and Community

Ministries Coordinator

Jennifer Boydstun, Deaconess

[email protected]

[email protected]

Music Director Paula Gibson

[email protected]

Pianist / Organist Don Griffin

Nursery Teresa Colvin and Marie Rogers

[email protected]

Volunteer

Receptionist Team

Linda Allen, Linda Camp, Pat Fenton,

Judy Forbes, and Beverly Harvard

Custodial, Main Campus

Custodial, The Connection

Maintenance

Ricky West

Carol Ann Rundberg

Ken Iossi

Preschool Staff Susan Weidner, Director

Linda Angel and Karen Taylor

[email protected]

9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your request to God. Philippians 4: 6

† Our condolences to the family of Bartow Rikard, who died August 1st. He was a long time Navy friend of Etsel Shell.

† Our condolences to the family of Mary Veal, who passed away on August 5th.

† Our condolences to Allison Owen on the death of her mother, Donna, on August 9th.

† Our condolences to Bill Merrick and family on the passing of his wife, Sue, on August 17th.

† Our condolences to Etsel Shell on the death of his cousin, Sandy Frazier.

† Recovering from surgery: Michael Carroll (at The Oaks for rehab)

† Relatives and Friends

Adam Rodriguez, son of Patte Rodriguez, severe weather related concerns.

Alyssa Brennan, granddaughter of Patte Rodriguez, recovering from wisdom teeth surgery.

Hannah Miller, friend of Michele Sheffield, 5 month pregnant and on bed rest.

Rev. Zach and Lee Farmer, Uncle and Aunt of Marvin Boone, Lee’s health is declining and he, a retired Methodist

pastor, is her caregiver.

† For new friends in Honduras, requests carried back by our mission team:

Sarah Guteris—her daughter and grandchildren are living with her which creates financial problems

Renaldo Fueres—family problems

Carlos Mendez—prayers for his family to stay united as they go through the process of starting a new business

† Our Stephen Ministry caregivers and their care receivers.

† Our CFUMC Preschool ministry

† Missionaries associated with our church family: Jeff & Holly Higgins Robinson in Tanzania (Shari H. Collins), Petrit &

Meredith Kemp Lleshi in Albania (Rev. & Mrs. Tony Kemp)

† All men and women of the Armed Forces

† The leadership of our church and our government

† United Methodist Missionaries and Mission Centers we support:

Nancy Carew - missionary in Liberia

Rev. Chuck Jack - missionary in Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

Wallins UMC - small church on a circuit in the Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

Joy Center - Community Center in the Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

To make an addition or update to the prayer list, please fill out a Prayer Request card

in the pew pocket on Sunday morning, email [email protected], or call the Church Office.

P R A Y CFUMC Prayer Ministry meets weekly at 9:30am to pray in one accord as

requests are lifted up to the group. Prayers are for persons, church minis-

tries, and activities listed in the prior Sunday bulletin and for those request-ing non-published prayers. If you would like to be a regular part of this

group, come to the Prayer Room, C-17, in the Connection on Tuesdays.

PRAYER REQUESTS Join us in prayer for our Family of Faith

10

1 Kristy Thomson

2 Jinny Bussler

4 Clint Carey

4 Bob Washington

6 Maggie Chesnick

7 Dee Petty

8 Glad Simmons

9 Kirk Griffin

9 Amy Oliver

10 Margaret Ricketson

11 Sally Cougill

11 Russ Spangler

12 Grey Stratton

15 Phil Brownrigg

SEPTEMBER Birthdays and Anniversaries

We don’t want to leave you out! Submit your birthday/anniversary to

the Church Office if it is missing from our lists.

SHARE We share life together in community!

3 John and Cathy Steinhauer

3 Brian and Margaret Sutton

4 Tom and Maggie Chesnick

6 Brent and Amy Oliver

8 Garry and Lona Jansen

9 Charles and Gail Burke

9 Ron and Sally Cougill

10 Calvin and Mary Wilbanks

11 Jerre and Beverly Harvard

14 Jake and Emily McGahee

14 Brad and Mary Spearman

15 Mike and Audrey Kelly

24 Dale and Dale Daniel

24 Chris and Shelly Stratton

26 Chris and Jen Kafsky

27 Tommy and Kelly Burgess

29 James and Karen Bartlett

15 Judy Forbes

15 Mary Lipold

17 Gail Burke

17 Wesley Taylor

19 Sandy Blake

20 Calvin Huff

20 Kathryn Stribling

20 Bryce Tanner

21 Linda Budd

21 Ann Collier

21 Barbara Kirkland

23 Justin Holcomb

23 Lauren Partin

23 Esta Reynolds

23 Pat Stryker

25 Jerre Harvard

25 Danny Joslin

27 Shari Teague

28 Pam Carroll

28 Hannah Gale

28 Jennifer Jennings

29 Sheena Patrick

The Mailbox Dear Church Family, thank you so much for your gifts, support, attendance, and blessings on our wedding day.

We felt truly loved, and it meant so much to have you all there.

Eric and LeAnne Challenger

Dear Church Family, thank you so much for the cards, calls, emails, messages, thoughts, and prayers during my

Dad’s recent illness and death. We are never ready to give up a parent, but you have made mine bearable! I love my

church family very much and appreciate your support of me and my family. We also loved the meal you provided for us.

Blessings!

Paula Gibson

Dear friends in mission, thank you for partnering with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Through your gift, you are helping to provide humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupt life to

such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own. 100% of your contribution will go to supporting

UMCOR’s response to disasters in the United States. Thank you for partnering with us to “Be Hope” to those who des-

perately need it.

Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer, and Emily Miller, Associate General Secretary

Dear Church Family, thank you for making our Mom’s Celebration of Life so special. We appreciate all your kind-

ness, caring, and support.

The Quillen Family

CFUMC is a caring church. I have always heard this. And the past few weeks while I recovered from a tough case of

shingles I have had it proved to me many times. To all of you who expressed your concern with cards, calls and espe-

cially prayers, I want to say Thank You very much. I am finally on the road to full recovery and hope to be back to nor-

mal soon.

Katrina Staples.

11

Regular Sunday Morning Schedule*

8:30am Classic Worship Service—S

9:00am Celebration Worship Service—C

9:30am Fellowship Time—FH

10:00am Sunday School Hour (Children, Youth, and Adult Classes)

11:00am Classic Worship Service—S

September 1

7:30am Men’s Breakfast—Crossroads Cafe

10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry—C

2:00pm Kite Stribling UMW Circle

7:00pm United Methodist Men—FH

September 2

12:30pm Bridge Club—C

7:30pm Peanut Butter Drive for Food 2 Kids—WCHS

September 4—Communion

*Regular Sunday Morning Schedule

5:30pm Youth Worship Team Practice—C

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship—Yakimono

September 5—Labor Day Church Office Closed

September 6

9:30am Prayer Ministry—C

5:30pm Trustees Meeting—AB

September 7

**Regular Wednesday Evening Schedule

6:30pm Adult Discipleship Classes begin

6:30pm Children’s Ministry Parents’ meeting

September 8



September 9


September 11—Conference Wide Offering: United Methodist

Children’s Home Work Day Offering


5:30pm Youth Worship Team practice—C

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship—KFC (Cornelia)

September 12

9:30am Morning Joy UMW Circle—C

6:00pm Finance Committee—AB

6:00pm Stephen Ministry—C-16

September 13

8:00am Sole Mates—Pitts Park

9:00am Ladies Lunch Bunch—Highlands, NC


September 14


September 15


10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry-C

September 16 12:30pm Bridge Club—C

1:00pm Red Cross Blood Drive

September 17

TBD Youth “Color Craze”

September 18


2:00pm Baby Shower for Brent and Amy Oliver—FH


6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship—Zaxby’s

(Clarkesville)

September 19

5:15pm Habersham West Nursing Home Visitation

7:00pm Church Council—AB

September 20



7:00pm Friends in Faith UMW Circle—AB

September 21


5:00pm Grapevine deadline

September 22

7:30am Men’s Breakfast—Crossroads Café

10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry-C

5:30pm Charge Conference—S, FH

September 23 9:30am Sole Mates “Long Hike”


September 25


3:00pm Connectional Learning Event—Mt. Zion UMC


6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship—Pizza Hut

(Cornelia)

September 26

5:15pm Habersham East Nursing Home Visitation

September 27



12:00pm Jetsetters Luncheon—FH

September 28


September 29



September 30

9:30am Soul Mates “Long Hike”


Regular Wednesday Evening Schedule**

5:00pm Joybells

5:30pm Wonderful Wednesday Dinner—FH

6:30pm Summer Concert Series

6:30pm Children’s Class

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Ensemble Practice

7:30pm Chancel Choir

FH = Fellowship Hall C= The Connection S = Sanctuary AB = Admin. Bldg

Attention! Community use of facilities is not listed on calendar due to space limitations. To minimize scheduling conflicts, please

check your proposed date & time with the office’s main calendar before scheduling an event or meeting.

12

The Grapevine, September 2016

Clarkesville First United Methodist Church 1087 Washington Street, P.O. Box 365, Clarkesville, GA 30523

Office: (706) 754-2677 FAX: (706) 754-1276

Parsonage: (706) 754-5903

e-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Office Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday

Closed for lunch 12:30-1:00pm, daily

Return Service Requested

The Pastor’s Report

BY GABE HOTARD, GUEST WRITER

For quite a while, our church has recognized the need for a new and improved

Fellowship Hall. Our existing Fellowship Hall is simply no longer large enough for

church-wide gatherings, and we often are required to rent space for off-campus events.

The Future Facilities Committee has convened on numerous occasions over the last

several months to address this need and recently requested the District for permission to pursue a

fundraising campaign. As Chair of the Committee, I, on behalf of all of its members, am pleased to

announce the District has approved our request to initiate a fundraising campaign for the construction

of a new Fellowship Hall to be located between the current Fellowship Hall and The Connection Min-

istry Building. Our campaign will begin in the VERY near future, so please be on the lookout for in-

formation on a Leadership Rally, a Church-wide Banquet, Neighborhood Gatherings plus additional

opportunities to discuss this new project. This is a very exciting time as we prayerfully endeavor to

successfully advance the Church’s goals and missions.

Gabe Hotard

Chair of Future Facilities Committee

Clarkesville First United Methodist Church · class into a literacy center complete with a chalkboard wall. The children are loving it! School started on Tuesday, August 16th, and

Documents