First United Methodist Church
121 Harrison Ave. SW
Camden, Arkansas
71701
870-836-6871
fumccamden@sbcglobal.net
Encouraging and equipping believers to make disciples through their loving service to all.

Sunday School at 9:30am
Al Rose & Wesley Class meet on the 2nd Floor
Ellen Horseman's Class meets on the 3rd Floor
Young Adult's, Children & Youth Classes meet on the 3rd Floor
Worship at 10:30am in the Sanctuary
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May Birthdays
Events this Week!
Wednesday @ 6:00pm - Food Pack Party (Fairview UMC)
Wednesday @ 7:00pm - Choir
Thursday @ 10:30am - Preschool Graduation
Friday @ 9:00am - Food Pantry
Sunday @ 9:30am - Sunday School
Sunday @ 10:30am - Worship
Sunday @ 5:00pm - Youth
Monday @ 9:00am - Food Pantry
Monday @ 2:30pm - Doors open to Great Hall
Monday @ 4:45pm - Sue's Table
Tuesday @ 9:00am - Food Pantry


This Weeks Sermon:

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Bits from Beth
May 13, 2026
Dear Friends:
Thank you to all those who made Mother’s Day and graduation so special. The potluck after the service was delicious as always. We have pictures on Instagram and Facebook if you are curious. We especially thank those who stayed afterward to help clean up.
The Food Pack Party is at 6:00pm on Wednesday night so come join the fun. No reservations needed. Come, and stay as long as you can!
Pastor Ryan, Lyndsey, and Emerson arrived Saturday morning to view the church, take notes on the parsonage, and to meet the staff and Leadership. Times have changed since churches all had furnished parsonages for the pastors. As pastors move, they may find that one appointment has a furnished parsonage and the next appointment has a housing allowances which means they have to go purchase furniture and appliances. The next appointment might be a parsonage again. With the average tenure at a church being 3-4 years, that can get quite expensive for the pastor. The conference changed parsonage policy several years ago to try and address the issues that arise. The Bachusses have bedroom furniture, a piano, and dining room furniture so we will be moving much of our furniture out of the parsonage. We are also doing kitchen renovations to add counter space and a pantry. If you have questions, ask any member of Leadership.
Speaking of Leadership, let me remind you how simplified structure works. Nominations puts a slate together of three people per year to serve three years on the Leadership Board. In addition to those with terms, they nominate a Lay Leadership, and a Lay delegate to Annual Conference. Both also serve on the Leadership Board. That makes a Board of eleven with the Pastor making twelve. Nominations selects one of those eleven to be the Chairman, one to be Treasurer, and one to be SPRC Chairman. The Board then elects the Trustee Chairman. Every year, three or four people will roll off and nominations will put forth more names. The nominations are elected by the Charge conference. Nomination seeks our most active member who have remain faithful to their vows of church membership in terms of learning, giving, serving, praying, and being present. We are fortunate to have two additional Annual Conference delegates, Larry and Ellen Horseman who serve as district representative. Ellen serves on the South District Board of Ministry, referred to as dCom. The Leadership Board meets monthly and since they handle most of the business of the church, attendance is a commitment.
Why did we go to simplified structure? We had many deaths in the congregation and the pool of people willing and able to serve has declined. Having multiple meetings of various committees meant that attendance was sporadic and it was hard to get things done on a timely basis. Finally, our old system operated outside of the Book of Discipline which is a no-no. We are finally operating within the guidelines of the Book of Discipline and wish to keep it that way! Are you interested in serving? Let your pastor know. Nominations will likely meet later this summer.
This week, our sermon will be from the Gospel of Mark. There are two stories in Mark about the healing of a blind man. In between those stories Mark features Jesus’ teachings on discipleship. Mark has told the stories this way for a reason. He knows the disciples just do not get it. They are still looking for something earthly and political. That is not what Jesus is offering. In Mark’s Gospel which ends with an empty tomb, the disciples never understand but we do. Everything we do as a church, helps us grow in our faith.
We have two 90+ birthdays this month. Judson Hout will be 91 on May 22nd and Dot Everett will be 97 on May 31st. We signed Dr. Hout’s card early so I could deliver it. Let’s not forget our treasured older members.
Grace and peace,
Beth




Announcement of New Appointment
Bishop Laura Merrill has announced her intention to appoint Rev. Ryan Bachuss as the pastor for Camden First United Methodist Church, effective July 1, 2026. We welcome Pastor Ryan, his wife, Lyndsey, and their daughter, Emerson, into our church family. Pastor Rtan looks forward to being in ministry with the faithful congregation at Camden First United Methodist following the retirement of Rev. Beth Waldrup.
Pastor Ryan has a Bachelor of Science degree from South Arkansas University and an Masters of Theology from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has served Little Missouri UMC, St. Paul/Adkins Memorial UMC in Malvern, and is currently serving at Huntsville/Presley Chapel in Huntsville, Arkansas. Lyndsey is a native of Bearden.
Ryan states that he is excited to walk alongside our church family as they work in the community through their various ministries. I'm also excited that there is a push to build the youth group and the children's programs.




First United Methodist Youth




Online Giving with Tithely:
We now provide you with the option to give your tithes and offerings online. You can make contributions to the General Fund, Capital Improvement Fund or the Mission Fund. It is quick and easy to setup. Click the button below to get started. If you have any questions please contact the church office for assistance.

Please let us know if you would like to volunteer for any of our missions. We can always use extra hands and feet and most importantly loving hearts.
February Food Pantry Volunteers


Sues table and food Pantry
First United Methodist Church has a program called Sue's Table that offers a free meal every Monday night at 4:45 pm . One plate per person no carry outs. We will start serving at 5:00pm. We also have a Food Pantry that is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9-11 am. Thank you.
Our feeding program participate in and distribute USDA TEFAP (emergency feeding assistance program). This organization is an equal opportunity provider and follows USDA nondiscriminatory policies .
We are a USDA distribution site
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Latest News...
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