Issue 3 January 27, 2014 Church Conference Last March, the congregation voted to allow the Building Committee to proceed with commissioning detailed plans and specifications for the proposed renovation including a revised scope of work that would incorporate a new children’s space. Since that time the Building Committee has worked diligently with the Architects on detailed plans and cost estimates for the proposed scope of work and (with much agonized debate and prayer) has come to the following conclusions: It was extremely difficult to design (within reasonable cost constraints) a space that made allowance for our current breadth of programming for children. The proposed space might have been adequate for our current needs, but would provide little room for vision and growth. The detailed cost estimate for the proposed children’s space was twice our target allowance. A consensus was reached that the proposed children’s space should be tabled for the present, and we should return to a modified version of the original plan. To that end, the Building Committee will bring a new recommendation to the congregation at a Church Conference scheduled on March 30, at 11:45 am in the Sanctuary, that we return to a “remodeling” approach in the current children’s space. At this Church Conference, the membership will consider the detailed plans and cost estimates of the entire project including all proposed areas of renovation and remodeling, and will vote on proceeding to construction. In order for you to be fully informed, there will be three Town Hall meetings: Sunday, March 2 at 9:15 am—Wesley Hall Thursday, March 6 at 7:00 pm– Wesley Hall Sunday, March 9 at 11:45 am– Wesley Hall We will keep you informed through the newsletter, rendering & information boards, the web site, information sheets, and the Town Hall meetings. The Building Committee A “devoted” leader page 3 Taking a swing page 3 Studying the Psalms page 4 Blessings in a bag page 5 Want to get The Church Bell faster? Consider a “digital” subscription delivered right to your e-mail inbox! For details visit: www.1stchurch.org (under, Happening at 1st)
Transcript
Issue 3 January 27, 2014
Church Conference
Last March, the congregation voted to allow the Building Committee to proceed with commissioning detailed plans and specifications for the proposed renovation including a revised scope of work that would incorporate a new children’s space. Since that time the Building Committee has worked diligently with the Architects on detailed plans and cost estimates for the proposed scope of work and (with much agonized debate and prayer) has come to the following conclusions:
It was extremely difficult to design (within reasonable cost constraints) a space that made allowance for our current breadth of programming for children. The proposed space might have been adequate for our current needs, but would provide little room for vision and growth.
The detailed cost estimate for the proposed children’s space was twice our target allowance.
A consensus was reached that the proposed children’s space should be tabled for the present, and we should return to a modified version of the original plan.
To that end, the Building Committee will bring a new recommendation to the
congregation at a Church Conference scheduled on March 30, at 11:45 am in the Sanctuary, that we return to a “remodeling” approach in the current children’s space. At this Church Conference, the membership will consider the detailed plans and cost estimates of the entire project including all proposed areas of renovation and remodeling, and will vote on proceeding to construction.
In order for you to be fully informed, there will be three Town Hall meetings:
Sunday, March 2 at 9:15 am—Wesley Hall
Thursday, March 6 at 7:00 pm– Wesley Hall
Sunday, March 9 at 11:45 am– Wesley Hall
We will keep you informed through the newsletter, rendering & information boards, the web site, information sheets, and the Town Hall meetings.
The Building Committee
A “devoted” leader
page 3
Taking a swing
page 3
Studying the Psalms page 4
Blessings in a bag page 5
Want to get
The Church Bell faster?
Consider a “digital”
subscription delivered right to your e-mail inbox!
Getting together with friends for the BIG game is an American pastime. This Sunday, young adults (post college to 35-ish) are invited to Kelly and John Morgan’s House for a Superbowl party. Just bring a tailgate food of your choice. Wings will be provided. You are also asked to bring a non-perishable item(s) for the Food Connection. The gathering begins at
6:00 pm.
New at 1st!
PICKLEBALL Come to play or come to learn! Thursdays 7-9:30 pm Saturdays 9am-Noon Asbury Hall (gymnasium)
Devoted to fitness Each Tuesday night the sound of upbeat Contemporary Christian music blasts from speakers set up in Asbury Hall. At the head of the room, Jenny Horn leads a group in an exercise
routine where everyone moves their feet for the One who gives us motion. “I got involved in Devoted Fitness when Tonya Brinkley told me about it in the spring of 2010,” Jenny said. “(We) went to the certification workshop and (Tonya) and I started teaching at 1st UMC in August of that year.” According to Jenny, all the music is Christian and each class ends with a prayer. “In a typical session of Devoted Fitness, we do approximately 50 minutes of dance/aerobic exercise, which is an awesome workout!,” Jenny said. “Devoted Fitness has helped me achieve my personal fitness goals by being a full body workout for the body and the soul.”
Devoted Fitness Tuesdays at 6:00 pm in Asbury Hall
First class if FREE! Drop in rate is $5 10-class punch card available for $40
*Next week hear from a Devoted Fitness participant who has lost 30 pounds since starting the program.
Memorials & Honorariums
Memorial Fund In Honor or Memory Of Given By Betty Sessoms Heritage SS Class Betty Sessoms Jackie & Nancy Wilkins Betty Sessoms Jerry & Frances Hodge Marjorie McCammon Ernest & Anne Hand Joe Cunningham Friend Joe Cunningham Harold & Betty Bowman Robert Jackson Harold & Betty Bowman
Children’s Department In Honor or Memory Of Given By Joe Cunningham Robert & Marilyn Byrd
Welcome Table In Honor or Memory Of Given By Betty Sessoms Sally Gross Joe Cunningham Sara Margaret Depew Joe Cunningham Jean Blazer Jack Jackson Jean Blazer
Food Connection In Honor or Memory Of Given By Joe Cunningham William & Mary Taylor
Music Fund In Honor of Memory Of Given By Betty Sessoms Mike & Barbara Matzek
Trivia Nights Young Adults
February 5th & 20th 7:00 pm
Smoky Mountain Brewery
College Students February 11th
7:00 pm @ Smoky Mountain Brewery
Young Adult Sunday School 9:15 am Room 118
Current study:
The process of healing following a divorce or separation can be a lengthy and painful process. Building up support for yourself during this time can be a great healing tool. DivorceCare at 1st UMC offers that kind of support
The group meets Sunday nights at 6:00 pm in room 243.
THE CHURCH BELL Page 4
Looking ahead!
Jubilation 2014, a conference for older adults is set for April 27th—29th in Kingsport.
Adult Ministries Sign up for any event by calling 982-1273
or visit “Event Registration” at www.1stchurch.org
Craft Weekend
Come get crafty here at 1st UMC. The next Craft Weekend is February 7th (10-6) & 8th (10-3) in
At the “Playhouse”
A laughter filled look at the lives of five Southern women who became friends while on their college swim team.
February 4th (leave at 10:00am)
Next play: The Foreigner on March 18th
Set in a Georgia fishing lodge a shy young man pretends to be a man from an exotic foreign country that speaks no English. This allows him to overhear much more than he should. Cost is $40 (includes tickets and transportation) Registration deadline is March 11th.
Mighty Musical Monday A woodwind quintet from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra headlines this FREE February concert at the historic Tennessee Theater. Join in on the fun, February 3rd. The bus leaves the church at 10:45 am.
Biltmore Trip February 24th
Leave at 8:00 am Tickets are $39
While it may be cold and dreary outside, the spectacular surroundings inside America’s largest home are sure to help cure those winter blues. Come travel to the Biltmore Estate, tour the mansion and greenhouses for the low price of $39 per ticket. The deadline to register is February 16th.
Sharing your stories Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and to celebrate we plan on sharing wedding stories and pictures over the next couple of weeks. Whether you’ve only been married a few years or tied the knot over 50 years ago, send us a picture from your special day along with a few words about it. You can e-mail your pictures to:
[email protected] or bring them by the church office and we’ll scan them. The pictures and stories we receive will be shared online and a few of them will appear right here in The Church Bell.
A new “road” on the The Journey
As dozens of people continue learning how to achieve financial peace and create a lasting legacy, Recovery at Maryville is offering an additional Financial Peace University Course. It begins on February 1st at 9:00 am in room 243. Contact Al North for more information. Register online under “The Journey”
Study of the Psalms Tuesdays 10:00 to 11:00 Room 215
This study examines the 10 types of Psalms, why they were written, and how they were used. Throughout the study you will find kindred spirits as together we struggle to affirm our trust in God in the face of the ills of the world. *This precedes the Tuesday lunch for Seniors which is a free lunch to people 60+. Registrations needed for the lunch.
Sharing YOUR devotions
The Lenten season begins on March 5th this year. It is a time for both reflection and sacrifice. Throughout this “40-day” period we will be sharing daily devotions on the church website and social media sites. If you are interested in writing a devotion to use during this time please contact Brenda Carroll or call the church office at 982-1273. We are currently working on a set of guidelines for this devotional project. Keep watching for more details over the next few weeks and go ahead and think about ways YOU can contribute.
For more information on any of these events, please call Denise at 982-1273 or e-mail her at [email protected] .
What are your
Sunday, January 26th (Last Sunday) Preschool – 4th Grade Lesson– Jesus in the Synagogue Bible Verses— Luke 4: 14-30 Tweens How to treat others (the Sermon on the Plain)
children learning? Sunday, February 2nd (This Sunday) Preschool – 4th Grade Lesson– Jesus calls fishermen Bible Verses— Luke 5: 1-11 Tweens Forgiveness (the woman
www.growproclaimserve.com
THE CHURCH BELL Page 5
Got questions? Whether you are new to 1st UMC or just want to be more familiar with all the things that go on here, consider coming to the Orientation Coffee. This is a great time for you to learn more about the ministries of the church and get to know the pastors.
February 2nd in room 213 Following 10:30 worship
The Confirmation journey
Next month, 6th, 7th and 8th graders will begin the road to Confirmation. This is a time for learning more about the Church, what it means to be a member as well as more about Jesus Christ and what it means to follow him.
Right now there are eight young men and women taking this road on their journey of faith. They met this past Sunday evening (along with their parents) to start working on times and places to meet over the next few weeks. Confirmation Sunday is set for April 13th.
Count your blessings
Children are certainly a blessing and on January 19th, these kids and a few others turned the tables a bit.
During Kids Own Worship, they put together “blessing bags” which will be given to residents of Broadway Towers.
Supplies needed for crafting projects:
Small flat tins like ones containing Altoids Pint sized Mason Jars Starbuck’s Frappuccino bottles Just bring the supplies to Denise Johns or the church office.
VBS Date Change After considering some logistical challenges and scheduling conflicts, organizers of this year’s Vacation Bible School have decided to change the dates. This year’s VBS promises to be a true “adventure” for all who participate. Here are the new dates for VBS. Keep watching in the months ahead for more details on this exciting ministry!
Vacation Bible School (New dates) June 1st through June 5th
Registration time!
If you or someone you know wants to enroll a child in Wesley Day School in the 2014-2015 school year, be sure and be here at 1st UMC on Tuesday, February 11th. Registration begins at 7:00 pm, but you are strongly urged to arrive
no later than 6:50, since the doors will be closed at 7:00pm. All names will be chosen by random drawing.
For children in the 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes, the child must be that age by August 15th. 5-year-olds in the readiness class must be 5 by December 31st. If you have any questions contact
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
