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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October 4, 2024
Meetings this Week:
Sunday @ 3:00pm - Grief Group
Sunday @ 5:00pm - Youth at Roark Farm
Monday @ 2:00pm - Great Hall open
Monday @ 5:00pm - Sue's Table
Wednesday @ 6:00pm - Youth Bible Study
Wednesday @ 6:30pm - Handbells
Wednesday @ 6:30pm - Choir Practice
Friday - Feed Camden Fairview Football Team
Prayer List for October 1, 2024
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, our Church Council met following the worship service to discuss whether or not we wanted to move to simplified structure. There were concerns raised after the agenda was sent out and the Council took the time to discuss these concerns. At present, there are thirty people on Church Council. There were thirteen present. This is one of the reasons many believe this move is the right one, especially given that we have found having four Lunch & Learns to explore solutions far more effective than formal Council meetings. After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made and seconded to move to simplified structure. The vote was unanimous although it was noted that there were at least two no votes from members not present. Here is what the Discipline says about quorum and voting:
Quorum - The members present and voting at any duly announced meeting shall constitute a quorum.
The twelve member Council in 2025 will take the place of Church Council, Finance, Trustees, and SPRC. There will be a separate Nominations & Leadership Development committee that will likely meet four to six times a year. If you are interested in serving on this Committee let me know. You cannot serve on Nominations if you have a spouse on Church Council. We still have numerous ministry committees such as Hospitality, Discipleship, Children’s Ministry, Food Ministries, and Special Events. The Church Council will meet at least every month. With the exceptive of the Lay Delegate, Lay Leader, and retiring Lay Leader, each position will rotate every three years.
Friends, I work for our church but I also work for your next pastor. None of us are particularly excited about change. I wish COVID had never happened and we were still worshiping 155. I wish we had not had 47 deaths and ten couples retire and move away in the past six years. But change happens and if we do not adjust when it is right to adjust, your next pastor comes in handicapped by the decisions we put off. I would rather leave them in a better position than the position I inherited when I got here. For those of you who know Rev. Jim Cross, ask him about it. He followed me at Ashdown and he is still there!
With that aside, what God has been able to do here this past year is amazing. We have twice the number of people in Sunday school and Bible study than we did when I arrived in 2018. Our Food Ministries have strengthened our bonds with our neighbors. We are rebuilding our Children’s Ministries. We have also changed the way we do things because people have come forward to volunteer rather than wait to be asked. Our choir has grown and we have more people leading worship. We have reestablished the Thornton Lecture Series and are already working on something for 2025.
You have stepped forward to teach, to serve, to cook, to usher, to sing, to ring, to read, to pray, to organize, to visit, and to lead. When we sat down to work on Core Values, you were stunningly unanimous in how you viewed our church and what God was asking of us. Mission was your unanimous vote for our number one value.
Have a wonderful week!
Grace and peace,
Beth
Weekly emails go out every Tuesday and we also send out a Friday update. We also have word for today that is a daily devotional written by Pastor Beth Waldrup. Each day gives insight into the next Sundays sermon. If you would like to receive the weekly email or daily devotional via email please click this link:
This Weeks Sermon:
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The full worship service is broadcast on FM 97.1 on Sunday mornings at 9:00am.
Study Guide for Episode 4, Season 3
Study Guide for Episode 5, Season 3
Study Guide for Episode 6, Season 3
Each week we will watch half of an episode so we have plenty of time for discussion. If you miss an episode, you can watch it on Prime Video or come down to the church during office hours and we will load it for you!
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.
Doors for Sue's Table open Mondays @ 2:00pm. Come join us for games, fellowship, and a movie!
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...
Click on the weekly email, or Friday update button or the Sunday worship bulletin button above.
Please click on the links above for monthly YOUTH SCHEDULE, FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE and SUE'S TABLE SCHEDULE.
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Previous Sermons:
Previous sermons can be found on Libsyn. Previous worship services and Sunday school lessons can be found on our YouTube Channel. See the icons below: YouTube- Facebook- Libsyn