NEED A TAG LINE HERE · Director of Music Ministry. Tom Edwards. Worship Leader. Kathy Fisher...

OUR CHURCH IS THRIVING | 1

N E E D A T A G L I N E H E R E

2 | FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH / CLINTON, MS

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MISSIONS

WAYS TO GIVE

4WORSHIP

6AGE LEVEL MINISTRIES

11FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Contents


“This is an exciting time in the life of our church. We are grateful for your generosity that makes it possible for our church to be in ministry and mission to our city and across the world.”

- Rev. Dr. Ricky James

At First United Methodist Church our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As a community of faith, we seek to express the love and grace of God through the work of our ministries to those in our community and those beyond our walls.

This is an exciting time in the life of our church. We have a growing worship attendance, new staff joining our team, more small groups forming, and many young people preparing to make their profession of faith through Confirmation. Our church is thriving!

We are grateful for your generosity that makes it possible for our church to be in ministry and mission to our city and across the world. In these pages, you will see the pictures and read the stories of how your giving is changing lives in our community. We hope this will inform and encourage you to prayerfully consider your part in continuing to support these vital ministries.

God has so richly blessed each of us, and you have shared those blessings. Thank you!

Rev. Dr. Ricky JamesSenior Pastor

Rev. Sharonda MedinaSpiritual Formation Pastor

Rev. David Steveline Membership Care Pastor

Tommy Steadman Director of Music Ministry

Tom EdwardsWorship Leader

Kathy Fisher Director of Weekday Program

Sarah Kate GriffinDirector of Kids Ministry

Hunter LacefieldDirector of Youth Ministry

Marti MayDirector of College and Career Ministry

Renee NeblettDirector of S.E.N.I.O.R.S Ministry


The weekly worship service can be the front door where people learn more about who we are as a church. This is also where we get to know people, hear where they are on their spiritual journey, and help them take their next steps.

We believe the most effective way for us to love our neighbors is to continue to create authentic worship experiences and discipleship opportunities within our community that focus on meeting specific needs.

We would not be able to have this Sunday experience without the countless hours and dedication from our volunteers and staff each week.

As we begin a new chapter in the life of First United Methodist Church, may we give thanks to God for His faithfulness that brought about the stories behind the numbers of 2019. That same faithfulness has guided the saints of this community for over 180 years. May God’s faithfulness continue to endure for generations to come.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

2019 BUDGET BREAKDOWN

WORSHIP $18,708.00

MUSIC $10,000

COMMUNICATIONS $22,975.00

STEWARDSHIP $3,000.00


WORSHIPTRADITIONSOur Traditions service honors the best of Christian worship throughout time as we pass on our traditions to new generations of believers.

Worship of God is the primary act we do as believers and is a primary avenue that we have to share the Gospel with future believers. Our average attendance for both worship services is 406 and continues to increase.

CONNECTIONSThose attending the Connections service experience the best of new and emerging trends in Christian worship as we seek to make connections with those seeking God in our community. One distinction of this service is the utilization of multimedia to visually create an atmosphere to encounter God through a digital canvas. Your generosity is assisting in building creative arts for our congregation and church community.

MUSICWe are grateful for the investment of time, talents, and resources to allow our music ministry to flourish. Our music ministry has been given the opportunity to attend workshops and training, invite guest musicians, and equip others to experience God’s love and mercy through a powerful music program. The music ministry bridges multiple age ranges from the Cherub Choir to Senior Adults.

COMMUNICATIONSLike any organization, our church must be effective at communicating its message. The most important message, of course, is the message of The Gospel. Methods of communicating our ministry programs, initiatives, activities, service projects, and events that support the goal of reaching people for Christ and helping them grow toward Christ-likeness is all because of your commitment to giving.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

CONSIDER YOUR PART


Our College and Career Ministry offers students and young adults a small group setting where they can build a community, grow their faith and, ultimately, become better disciples of Christ. I have witnessed the many ways this ministry impacts the lives of our group members, but one story from the last year stands out.

To see a new student, Jenna Miller, join the group about halfway through the spring semester and watch how warmly she was welcomed, how quickly relationships were built, seeing her receive support and encouragement, and find healing from a difficult time in her life was watching God at work first hand!

Our “adopt-a-student” program has been a highlight for Jenna this semester. The member family that is investing in her life has brought an even deeper sense of belonging for Jenna to our community of faith. Knowing that our mission as a church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, I have witnessed this process in Jenna as she is now a youth small group leader. It has truly been a blessing witnessing how God has worked in Jenna’s life through the College and Career Ministry and how He is working through her life.

- Marti May, Director of College & Career

SEEING THE DIFFERENCE


KIDS MINISTRY $17,854.95

YOUTH MINISTRY $41,053.88

ADULT MINISTRY $7,500.00

COLLEGE MINISTRY $2,500.00

EDUCATION $25,400.00


KIDS MINISTRYAt Vacation Bible Camp 2019, we had over 60 volunteers of all ages leading over 200 kids in our church and in the community. This year, one of our leaders told a story of a girl that “gets it.” She said she knew Jesus, and it was so evident. Following that conversation, the child chose to make a public affirmation faith and was baptized! VBC is an opportunity to share the Gospel in a concentrated week with energy, love, and truth. We are thankful for this time and others times in Kids Min that our kids “get it.”

YOUTH MINISTRYOur youth meet Sunday Nights to share a meal, worship together, and have real conversation in small groups. Tuesday mornings we meet at Chick-fil-a to pray and fellowship together. The second Saturday of each month we participate together in a service project in our community! All of these scheduled times together are an investment in each student’s walk with Christ not only in their current stage of life, but also for their future development as an adult.

COLLEGE AND CAREER MINISTRYThe small group environment provides a constant source of support as we walk through life together - whether that be prayingfor each other, providing advice during the challenges, and celebrating the joys that life brings. Each planned event or gathering time empowers us to feel more confident to spread the Gospel to unchurched friends and co-workers.

ADULT & S.E.N.I.O.R.S. MINISTRYWe are grateful for the many generations before us that continue to be faithful and generous in their investment to the ministry of First United Methodist. This type of generosity allows us to engage in relationships through luncheons, Bible study, exercise classes, homebound communion and daytrips to explore our community. We are all called to serve and support regardless of age. Aging is a gift to the entire faith community and when we realize and act upon this aspect we will truly proclaim the ageless Christ present in our church.

AGE LEVEL MINISTRIESCONSIDER YOUR PART


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One main way we support the missions of the denomination is through our apportioned funds, a method of giving that proportionally allocates the churchwide budget to conferences and local churches.

For United Methodists this method of giving has become a strong, generous tradition.

Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone. In this way, each individual, each family, each congregation gives a fair share for the church’s work. We combine our prayers, presence, gifts and service to make a significant difference in the lives of God’s people.

As a church we have been sending teams to Belarus for over 15 years, Cambodia for work to end human trafficking, Costa Rica to provide free eye clinics and most recently to St. Thomas for hurricane relief. Your generous spirit of service continues to bless others in miraculous ways.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

SERVING OTHERS


CONFERENCE MISSION SHARES $140,111.00

DISTRICT MISSION SHARES $12,241.00

FIRST UNITED METHODIST MISSIONS

$83,150.00


MISSIONSUNITED METHODIST WOMENThe United Methodist Women members organize events which advocate on behalf of women, children, and the youth around the world. Service and mission projects are organized by each UMW Circle.

UNITED METHODIST MENThe United Methodist Men members organize events and raise scholarship funds to assist persons affliated with First United Methodist and desiring to attend a college or university in Mississippi.

LOCAL OUTREACHServing in our local and surrounding community exposes those in need to the outpouring of love by so many of our congregation. Our hands and feet have traveled to Eagle Lake to help flood victims, Mississippi Food Network to help feed the hungry, as well as Gravy and Grace to serve hot breakfast to the homeless in Jackson. We continue to partner with Methodist Children’s Home and the Billy Brumfield Shelter for homeless men.

GLOBAL OUTREACHGivers like you in our church create the ability to impact and influence beyond our local community. With your support, we’re partnering with other organizations, sending out global mission trips, which in turn helps bring awareness to additional ways that we can reach others with the love of Christ. Together, we make a difference in places like Costa Rica, Belarus, Cambodia, Nicaragua and St. Thomas.

CONSIDER YOUR PART


God has called us to live with radical generosity in light of the great needs in our community, in our nation, and around the world. Each of us should prayerfully consider how to respond.

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Luke 12:48

In the coming year, make it a goal to step out in faith and take the next step in your giving. Maybe that means giving for the first time... Maybe that means giving differently. Whatever the step that you feel led to take, we believe that God wants to move each of us to respond with thankful generosity.

MAKE GENEROSITY A PRIORITYIf giving / tithing is not part of your current budget, consider making it a priority to give of your first fruits to First United Methodist. Schedule reminders on payday; consider setting up an auto draft for planned giving.

ONE PERCENT CHALLENGEIf every family at First United Methodist gave just 1% more, we would easily surpass our budget goals and create more opportunities to share The Gospel with our congregation and our community. A small change in your giving can make a huge impact in the ministry of our church.

ARE YOU WILLING TO MOVE?In 2020, we are asking each of you to prayerfully consider taking the next step toward generosity.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITYLearn how generous giving can completely revolutionize your attitude and improve your finances, business and relationships. This class is offered periodically during the year.

WAYS TO GIVEWORSHIP DISCIPLESHIP MISSIONS

CONSIDER YOUR PART


OFFICE EXPENSES $41,300.00

BUILDING EXPENSES $155,335.00

SALARIES, TAXES, & BENEFITS $771,855.00

ANNUAL AUDIT $6,400.00

Methods For Giving • Sunday Morning Worship Offering

• Online Giving / Convenient & Secure

• Automated Bank Draft


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSOur church carefully seeks God’s guidance in determining and approving the allocation of each year’s budget. Our staff members are challenged and expected to be wise stewards of the budgets entrusted to them. Every dollar received or spent is accounted for through careful record keeping by our staff and through our annual audit.

0 20 40 60

STAFF

MISSIONS

BUILDING

ADMINISTRATION

KIDS & YOUTH MINISTRY

ADULT MINISTRY

WORSHIP & MUSIC

STAFF

MISSIONS

BUILDING

ADMINISTRATION

KIDS & YOUTH MINISTRY

ADULT MINISTRY

WORSHIP & MUSIC

57%

17%

11%

5%

5%

3%

2%

2019 YEARLY NEED

$1,357,584

2019 WEEKLY NEED

$26,1072019 YEAR TO DATE NEED

$1,096,494

2019 YEAR TO DATE COLLECTED

$955,858

DIFFERENCE

-$140,636

57% = 57 cents of a dollar

As we compile the information for this year’s stewardship campaign, we are encouraged to see the growth God has allowed and anticipate the impact of new opportunities to come. This growth is a testimony to the faithfulness of all who call First United Methodist their church home. Because you have invested your time, energy, talent, and money in our church, we are seeing more and more people connect to First United Methodist and taking next steps on their spiritual journey. Let’s Finish Strong and Set Our Eyes on Kingdom Goals for Next Year!

0 20 40 60


Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

P A I DPermit #47Clinton, MS

100 Mt. Salus Drive • Clinton, MS 39056

NEED A TAG LINE HERE · Director of Music Ministry. Tom Edwards. Worship Leader. Kathy Fisher...

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