First Church Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2017
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First Church Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2017
S AT U R DAY, M A R C H 1 6 , 5 : 3 0 P M I N T H E S A N C T UA RY
Discovery Weekend at First Church has proven to be an indescribable experience. The best way to convey the meaning of the weekend is to first explain its purpose. Discovery Weekend was created to allow students to experience the love of God through Scripture, connecting with one another, and through feeling the love and support of their church family. The main goal behind the weekend is to place senior high students in a servant leadership role in which they plan and implement the entire weekend.
You are invited to the Discovery Weekend church-wide prayer service in the Sanctuary
on Saturday, March 16 at 5:30pm. One of the best parts of every Discovery Weekend is
when our church joins in prayer to support the faith journey of our junior high students.
Everyone in attendance will join in as we surround these students with love and support
as every youth will be lined up individually and prayed for by the church. We hope you
will make a point to be present with us.
On Sunday, March 17 you are invited to join us for combined worship in the Loft as we show our youth how much we love them. In a world that constantly sends our youth messages of needing to earn acceptance and love, we want to remind them that we love and support them just as they are - no matter what! The theme for Discovery Weekend is THE BODY. As our youth finish experiencing the weekend you are invited to come together to pray, sing, and celebrate that they are an integral part of THE BODY here at First Church. Please be present on this Sunday to show our youth how important they are to our church family and how much we love them.
On Sunday, March 3 our youth will host a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for Discovery Weekend from 9:00am -10:30am in the Large Dining Room. Breakfast will be served for a suggested donation of at least $10 per person and will include pancakes, fruit, sausage, coffee, and juice. In order to help build stronger relationships with Community Church Without Walls our youth will all be spending the night at Urban Ministry’s Walnut Grove facility this year which comes with added cost for the weekend programming. All funds from the breakfast will help support the important work of our Discovery Weekend. If you cannot make the breakfast but would still like to donate, please visit our online giving page and select the “Discovery Weekend Donation” fund from the drop down menu.
DISCOVERY WEEKEND PRAYER SERVICE
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, COMBINED WORSHIP AT 11:00AM IN THE LOFT
Everything from funny and silly skits to deep and meaningful talks, the senior high students have their handprints all over the weekend. Junior high students are loved on, placed in a role of importance, and prayed over for the length of the weekend by senior high students and adult volunteers. What transpires is simply beautiful. Junior high students are left feeling accepted, included, and a part of a wonderful youth group after a life-changing experience. We hope you’ll join us for this year’s Discovery Weekend THE BODY March 15-17!
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 9:00AM - 10:30AM | IN THE LARGE DINING ROOM
Merriam-Webster defines “to let go” as relinquishing one’s grip on someone or something. Lent is a spiritual season in which we intentionally practice letting go. We seek to remove our idols, our temptations, our obsessions, and our egos that often compete with a life connected to the One who embraces us all. Richard Rohr writes that “authentic spirituality is always on some level or in some way about letting go...Once we see truly what traps us and keeps us from freedom we should see the need to let it go.” In Jesus’ own life he practiced letting go, removing entrapments, relinquishing control, and moving towards death in a way that brought new, abundant life! During our Lenten sermon series we will follow Jesus’ path to the cross that required letting go and contemplate our own path as we trust in the resurrection that awaits.
L E N T E N S E R M O N S E R I E S
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with repentance and fasting. It is a time to reflect honestly on our human condition and our world. On Ash Wednesday people are invited to wear the sign of the cross on their forehead as a symbol of their acknowledgement that we are mortal and that we have sin in our lives. Yet, even in this outward sign, Ash Wednesday points us towards the Good News that we journey toward all of Lent - that Jesus’ love redeems our brokenness and removes our sin.
You are invited to join us for one of our Ash Wednesday services on March 6 as we mark the beginning of Lent, contemplate our own mortality, and repent of our sins. We will have a 12:00pm service in St. John’s Chapel and a 6:00pm service in the Sanctuary
You are invited to attend First Church 101 in the Parlor. We will begin on Sunday, March 3 from 9:45am-10:45am and meet for four weeks, ending on Sunday, March 24. This class is open to anyone who is interested and will introduce you to the teachings and membership commitments of the United Methodist Church and of First Church as well as help you learn more about all of the opportunities to worship, grow, and serve. We invite you to come to as many as classes as you can—even if you can’t make all of them! Refreshments will be provided. Come and join us for an opportunity to connect more deeply at First Church. For more information or to register for the class, contact Katie Gilbert at Katie@ firstchurchbhm.com.* PALM SUNDAY
SUNDAY, MARCH 10 | LETTING GO OF SUCCESSDeuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Luke 4:1-13
SUNDAY, MARCH 17 | DISCOVERY WEEKEND Combined worship in the Loft
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 | LETTING GO OF JUDGEMENTIsaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, Luke 13:1-9
SUNDAY, MARCH 31 | LETTING GO OF PRIVILEGEJoshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 | LETTING GO OF ESTEEMIsaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, John 12:1-8
SUNDAY, APRIL 14 | LETTING GO OF EXPECTATION*Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Luke 19:28-40
MARCH 6, 12:00PM IN THE CHAPEL – 6:00PM IN THE SANCTUARY ....................................................................................................................................................................................
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GOD OF THE BIBLE | LED BY REV. STEPHANIE ARNOLDSundays, March 10 - April 14 (with the exception of March 31), 5:45pm-7:00pm
at First Church in the Parlor
God of the Bible is a five week study designed to explore expansive language – the names, images, and ways God has been revealed to us in Scripture. Exploring both common and less known passages, we hope to chal-lenge participants to strengthen their personal relationship with God by removing barriers of human limitations from our understanding of who God is.
ENNEAGRAM | LED BY LYNN ELGINMondays, March 18 – May 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm
at Clarus Consulting (2201 5th Ave S)
This is an 8 week study of the Enneagram which is an ancient system that identifies nine different personality types and serves as a roadmap to self-understanding and spiritual growth. You will learn what the Enneagram is, how it works, and what it has to offer. We will use resources from the Narrative Tradition of Teaching of the Enneagram which demonstrates the 9 personality types, their struggles, dilemmas, strengths, and paths for spiri-tual development. Each week we will have time to discuss and learn together in community about ourselves, our relationships, and our journey toward discovering and sharing the Divine in each of us.
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON | LED BY REV. KATIE GILBERTTuesdays, March 5 – April 9 (with the exception of March 26), 11:45am-12:45pm
at First Church in the 2nd floor Conference Room
In 2018 Katie Bowler, a professor at Duke Divinity School, published Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved to chronicle her diagnosis and life with stage IV colon cancer. You are invited to bring a brownbag lunch and join us as we use Kate’s book as a guide to consider the lies we’ve been told to help us deal with grief and death. Together we will work to strip away these certainties to discover that although life is hard, it can also be beautiful in a way that is never has been before.
FILM AND THEOLOGY | LED BY REV. MATT LACEYTuesdays, February 26 – April 2 (with the exception of March 26), 6:00pm – 7:30pm
at the Gilbert-Lacey home (Crestwood)
Over the course of 5 weeks we will consider 6 different films (listed below) and what they have to teach us about our faith. You will be invited to watch the film before each week’s gathering (we can help you find the films) and then come together to discuss and debrief.
We will consider the following themes and films:
Redemption and Forgiveness The Mission (1986), directed by Roland JoffeEvangelism Silence (2016), directed by Martin Scorsese
Grief and Suffering 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), directed by Martin McDonough Grief and Suffering The Darjeeling Limited (2017), directed by Wes Anderson
Sin and Evil Babel (2006), directed by Alejandro González IñárrituThe meaning of Christ The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), directed by Martin Scorsese
POD SAVE THE FAITH | CONVERGE YOUNG ADULTSTuesdays, March 12 - April 16, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
at First Church in the Blue Room
The joke goes, “How do you know someone listens to a podcast? They tell you about it!” Well if you are the per-son that is constantly telling people about your favorite podcast, this is the small group for you. Every Tuesday from March 12 - April 16 at 6:30 pm you are invited to join in with the Converge Midweek group of young adults on the 3rd floor of the office building as they talk about podcasts and faith. Each week folks will be invited to lis-ten to a podcast that focuses on one of First Church’s six priorities: creating inclusive community, doing justice, practicing hospitality, embodying diversity, asking tough questions and being authentic. Each Tuesday evening we will discuss the themes of the podcast as they relate to our faith.
EXPLORING THE PASSION NARRATIVES | LED BY REV. DAVID COMMERMondays, March 11 - April 8, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
at Fair Haven (1424 Montclair Rd.)
We all agree on what the Bible says. What we all don’t agree on is what the Bible means. But no need to fret about it, for when it comes to the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth, not even the gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) say the same thing, much less mean the same thing. How is that? What did it mean in biblical times and what---if anything---does it mean for us? This 5 week Lenten study will explore what the four gospel writers say about the last week of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem and how they say it. How do the gospel stories agree, where do they tell their story differently and contradict? (spoiler alert: it happens a lot).
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We hope you will plan on participating in at least one of our Lenten study groups listed below. To sign up to participate, please visit our “coming up” tab at www.firstchurchbhm.com.
LENTEN SMALL GROUPS
We are thrilled that Katherine Mullen is joining our staff as the Loft Worship Leader. Katherine is
completing a graduate degree in church music at Samford University and has a degree in Music
Education from LSU. She has experience leading worship in churches, on youth retreats, and on
campus. But more than her degree, Katherine’s passion and thoughtfulness about worship will be
a wonderful addition for us at First Church. In speaking of worship in her application, Katherine
wrote, “I envision worship to be a space where those created by God can glorify God's diverse and
beautiful Kingdom through the local church. I have a passion for exploring culturally-conscious
worship and pursuing the picture God has set for us in Revelation 7. From race to socioeconomic
status to sexual orientation, I believe it is my job as a minister to ensure the church is engaging
those worshippers on the inside of the church as well as those who might be on the periphery
who have been made to feel disenfranchised by the church.” Amen and welcome Katherine.
Children who have completed kindergarten through 4th grade are invited to join us this year June 17 - 21. On Monday through Thursday we are together from 8:45am – 1:00pm. On Friday children stay all day, from 8:45am – 7:00pm, to prepare and practice for our closing celebration. Lunch will be served daily. The cost for each camper is $35 and scholarships are available. You may register campers on the First Church website under the “Coming Up” tab.
It takes over 100 volunteers to facilitate this week-long camp and we need your help. Please consider donating your time to help make ARTS Camp 2019 a great success! If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit our online giving page and select the “City Kids Arts Camp Donation” fund or mark “Arts Camp donation” in the memo line of your check. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, contact Linda Thorne at [email protected].
May we each use the tools that we have to facilitate healing within ourselves, each other, and the people of Bir-mingham. May we be a family for the lonely, a safe place for the hurting, and a table for the uncertain.
- Jon Andrew Castleberry
May we continue to seek justice for all while also loving and serving each other well. - Emily Castleberry
We will continue to lean in to the difficult decisions and challenges. That we will do those things that are loving and continue to live an authentic life and be that beacon of light and love in our community.
- Emily Kelly
NEW MEMBER PRAYERS FOR FIRST CHURCHAs we seek to be an OPEN place for ALL my prayer for First Church is:
WELCOME KATHERINE MULLEN
ARTS CAMP is an action-packed week of
fun, music, movement, and visual arts enhanced with
interactive Bible stories to help campers learn about the
diverse nature of God’s kingdom.
TUESDAYS:6:30pm - Young Adult Small Group
WEDNESDAYS:4:00pm - Prayer Shawl Knitters
5:30pm - Youth Bible Study6:30pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
FRIDAYS:~ Church Office Closed ~
6:45am - Men’s Prayer Breakfast
SUNDAYS:8:30am - Traditional Worship
9:45am - Sunday School11:00am - The Loft & Sanctuary Services
5:15pm - Youth Bible Study
March 15 6:30pm - Discovery Weekend
March 16 9:00am - Discovery Weekend 5:30pm - Discovery Prayer Service
March 17 9:00am - Discovery Weekend 9:45am - First Church 101 11:00am - Combined Service (In The Loft)
March 20 11:30am - Garden Club
March 24 9:45am - First Church 101
March 26 6:00pm - Staff Parish Commitee
March 11 6:00pm - Executive Council
March 19 6:00pm - Trustees
March 3 9:00am - Pancake Breakfast 9:45am - First Church 101 11:00am - Combined Worship (In The Sanctuary)
March 6 7:45am - Reconciler Breakfast 12:00pm -Ash Wednesday Service 6:00pm -Ash Wednesday Service
March 10 9:45am - First Church 101 12:00pm - Safe Sanctuary Training
MARCH CALENDAR
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Are you planning to volunteer or work with Discovery Weekend or Arts Camp? Are you hoping to work in other ways with our children and youth in 2019? This training is for you! We need all those that can possibly attend this training to please register and be present on March 10 to help us abide by our Safe Sanctuary policy.
What does it mean to be a Safe Sanctuary Church? First Church, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, follows a policy that sets standards for the supervision of First Church children, youth, and vulnerable adults in our care. Our next training will be on March 10 at 12:00pm in the Large Dining Room. Immediately following worship, we will provide a light lunch. The training will last from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Please register via our church website or by contacting Peg Thompson in the Church Office at 205-254-3186.
Childcare for preschool - 5th grade will be provided upon request. If you have any questions please contact Linda Thorne at [email protected] or Jonathan Goss at [email protected].
We are thrilled to have Dolores Hydock, renowned actress and story performer, who lives in Birmingham present a family-themed program entitled
“Don’t Make Me Come Back There: Stories of moms, dads, and the ties that bind”
All are welcome! Please make your meal reservation (cost $10 per person) by contacting Terri Glasgow at 967-5565 or [email protected] no later than Monday, April 1!
518 North 19th Street • Birmingham AL 35203205-254-3186 • www.firstchurchbhm.com
FIRST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM STAFF
Senior Pastor: Stephanie York Arnold
Pastor: R.G. Wilson-Lyons
Minister of Invitation: Katie Gilbert
Minister of Youth & Young Adults: Jonathan Goss
Minister of Children & Church Events: Linda Underwood Thorne
Minster to the Grieving: Herb Williamson
Organist: Cathy Shelton
Design: Blake Hobbs
Choir Director: Patrick Evans
Loft Worship Leader: Katherine Mullen
Office Administrator: Peg Thompson
Maintenance Supervisor: Ron Dates
Nursery Director: Ginger Gambill
Wedding Director: Betsy Pate
Executive Director of Early Learning Center: Robin Pate
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