Bits from Beth

May 6, 2026

 

Dear Friends:

There is a lot going on right now in our congregation so I’m using headers to keep it organized and clear.

Pastoral Transition - Mike and Price Murphree, Jonathan AcAllister, and Wade Green came to the parsonage Wednesday morning to help my brother, David, pack four U-Haul pods that will transport most of my furniture and personal items to Colorado. We are removing these items to make room for needed updates in the parsonage. Our Leadership Team has approved up to $20,000 in necessary improvements but will continue to evaluate as we move closer to the end of June. Many people assumed that updates were made when the tree fell on the den and master bedroom ten years ago but we were only able to repair the damage and replace the master bedroom furniture.

 

The Bachuss family will be visiting the parsonage this Saturday and we will take careful notes on what furniture will be added or taken away before they arrive in late June. There may be some backyard workdays in June since no major updates were done when the remaining trees were cut down a couple of years ago. We do love trees but it was determined that we were in danger of having more trees fall on the house especially those that were already beginning to lean. Some of you might have noticed the damaged mailbox. The new mailbox finally arrived and should be installed this week.

 

Preschool – Amanda Reynolds has served as our Assistant Director of Preschool for many years. A few years ago, she decided not just to begin teaching out children’s Sunday School class but also became a spiritual director in our Preschool. We are so grateful for her service. Last week, she left her position as assistant Director to take a fulltime position with Knox Electric. We know how fortunate they are to have her! We will miss her smiling face Tuesday through Thursday! Kyla Pace will become the Assistant Director in the Fall. Our Preschool will hold its graduation and close its 2025-26 school year.

 

Celebrations - On Saturday, our church was full with the celebration of the marriage of Claire Mosley to Mac Wagner. We have once again sanded and stained the front doors. This Sunday we began my last sermon series on the texts that have meant the most to me over my 27 years in ministry. Next Sunday we celebrate our Seniors and our mothers. Here are our Graduates: 

High School – Dalton Dobbins, Jenkins Dobbins & Helen Pope

           College – Adam Mosley (University of Arkansas)

 Other – Judson Wolfe from Smackover High School, grandson of Gail Wolfe.

 

Generosity - Thank you for your continued faithfulness. April was a wonderful giving month and we are now just a few thousand dollars from attaining our goal of being in the black when our new pastor arrives. Thanks to your generosity, our ministries continue to be fully funded. We will have another Sue’s Table giveaway on the 11th & 18th of May. If you have items, please do not bring them until Sunday afternoon, May 10th. We will be having our Mother’s Day/Seniors Potluck after worship.

 

Storm Damage - Last week we had a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) chainsaw team come to remove trees and debris around homes in our area after the storm on Sunday morning, April 26th. They were able to stay on the third floor, use our showers, and our kitchen. VIM teams are part of the local church work with UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief. These volunteers came from different parts of our states, led by Rev. Brad Moore who is currently the Senior Pastor at FUMC in Clinton, Arkansas. If you are interested in being a part of a VIM team, please let us know and we will make certain you know the dates for upcoming training.

 

What is next! – Pentecost is Sunday, May 24th! Remember to wear red! Our Leadership Team & SPRC will provide more information on my last Sunday, June 14th, and Pastor Ryan’s arrival in the last week in June. While you may have had pastor’s leave the final Sunday before a move, most pastors and leaders recommend at least a one-week period where you are preparing to receive a new pastor and two weeks if it is a retirement.

 

Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 3rd, was Bereaved Mother’s Sunday. Our prayers are always with the mothers who have buried at least one of their children. This Sunday, let us remember that mothers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Many of us grew up with more than just a birth mother. We have surrogate mothers who were neighbors, teachers, aunts, and church ladies. We also recognize that not all women have successfully conceived and carried a pregnancy to term. This day is difficult for many of them and we lift them up in our prayers, as well.

 

Food Pack Party - Fairview United Methodist Church has invited us to join them on Wednesday, May 13th at 6pm, for a “pack shack”   food packing ministry. We have done this twice in our Great Hall, first with a city wide ministry and then with a District Ingathering. This is a great experience for the whole family.  Fairview is hoping to recruit 30-40 volunteers. 

 

Grace and peace,

Beth