What’s Inside 2 Outreach/Christian Growth

3 Congregational Care/Christian Growth

4 Youth/Children’s Ministry

5 Vacation Bible School

6 Missions

7 Administrative/Financial

the Word A publication of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, Inc.

204 Sixth Avenue West, Hendersonville, 28739 828.693.4275 fumchvlnc.org July, 2015

That All May Know Christ, Grow in Faith and Serve Others

Counting the Days!

Jennifer and I are counting the days to the FIRST of July! We

both feel deeply honored – and most fortunate – to have

received this appointment from Bishop Goodpaster, Dr. Boggs

and the WNCC cabinet.

I have been familiar with First United Methodist, Henderson-

ville for many years for your excellence in worship and music,

your passion for missions and the creative discipleship for all

ages. Quite a few years ago, Jennifer and I had the pleasure

serving in a neighboring congregation, St. Timothy UMC,

Brevard. We always looked forward to our jaunts to the big

town of Hendersonville, and as we passed by your beautiful

facilities, one would remark to the other, “Wouldn’t it be great

if one day we were appointed there!” For the past month, I’ve

been joking with close friends in the ministry that with this

wonderful appointment, I have just won the “clergy

sweepstakes!”

Speaking of close friends in ministry. None are closer than

Dan Martin. To say that we “go way back” would be an

understatement. The summer before I entered seminary, I

had the great fortune of serving as Dan’s intern at Center

UMC, Yadkinville. For ten weeks, I learned from the cream of

the Methodist crop and –as you can well imagine – found

myself constantly “in stitches” from his great sense of humor.

Many nights that summer, Anne graciously prepared a much

needed home cooked supper for me as Duncan and made up

games in his playroom. (Parker was just a “gleam in the eye”

those days.)

Dan and I have stayed close over the years. I have applauded

from the bleacher seats as I have watched the innovative and

winsome ways he has led each one of his congregations. How

blessed you are for six years of transformative leadership from

our friend Dan and the remarkable team of ministers, staff

and lay leaders who have been

by his side. I feel especially

blessed. It is a rare gift to follow

someone in ministry who has

been both mentor and friend.

I am excited for you to meet my

closest of friends, my wife,

Jennifer. Jennifer is a daughter

of a UMC pastor. The “family

business” of ministry goes back

five generations on her moth-

er’s side. As the youngest of

four who felt called to different

pursuits, the joke was that she

was either going to have to be-

come a minister or marry one to keep the streak alive.

Jenner is a lover of nature. She taught me how to pull a camp-

er and to paddle a kayak.. And our favorite outdoors compan-

ion is our 160 pound baby boy (a hound dog named “Moses”).

You will soon discover why all my friends agree that I “married

up.” Jennifer is both smart and humble, driven, yet “laid

back.” She will spend her weekdays at three elementary

schools in Black Mountain where she is a School Psychologist.

She too is as much mentor as wife and best friend.

Along with Jennifer, I look forward to the years ahead. We are

indeed counting the days to our new life in Hendersonville

where we will no doubt acquire many more friends and

mentors along the way.

Godspeed,

Mark

Join us for a Reception

welcoming Mark and Jennifer Ralls

immediately following the 10:55

Worship Service on July 12 in the

Barber Christian Life Center!

Page 2

Women’s Retreat

September 25 – 27 2015

At Lake Junaluska, NC

3 Day Weekend $175 double room with roommate

$250 single

Saturday Only $50 includes lunch

“Finding Place” Experiencing God in the

Places of Spiritual Journey

Retreat Leader: Rev. Karen Appleby

Register online at www.fumchvlnc.org or pick up a brochure in the welcome area.

Visit our Facebook page for updates, pictures and fun at www.facebook.com/fumcwomensretreat

We want to start Mark and Jennifer Ralls' time at FUMC in a loving way. Please help us welcome our new pastor and his wife in July by participating in a "Welcome Letter and Gift Card" campaign. You can help by writing a card of welcome telling a little something about yourself and your family and/or donating a gift card to a local business or restaurant.

Letters and cards should be placed into an envelope marked “Welcome Ralls” and dropped into the mail slot of the Finance Office by July 8. They will be incorpo-rated into a Welcome Basket and hand delivered to Mark and Jennifer on their move in day. What better way for the Ralls to begin to learn about our church family and Hendersonville. In July, we will also be coordinating a “Meal Train” for the Ralls. Contact Anna Hicks, amhicks1217@gmailcom for more information.

Children’s Ministry News

Page 5

You Can Be a Blessing ~Teach the Children in Summer Sunday School On June 7, summer Sunday School began for the children, and will continue through Sunday,

August 23. For the summer, we are offering three combined children’s classes as listed below.

3 & 4 year olds 2 Teachers Needed Room G-17

K, 1st & 2nd Grades 5 Teachers Needed Room G-14

3rd, 4th & 5th Grades 4 Teachers Needed Room G-16

Summer Sunday School for our children is in need of your help! We are asking for you to sign up for ONE Sunday. There are

11 available classroom slots to help team teach. The summer curriculum is pre-planned and very kid friendly. All materials will

be provided. No experience is necessary. Please prayerfully consider signing up for one Sunday with this important Church min-

istry.

Please contact, Leslie Merrill, 693.4275, email: leslie@hvlfumc.org or Kyndal Norman, email: klnorman84@gmail.com if you

would be willing to team teach for one Sunday this summer.

Your support and care for the children of our church and this ministry is very much appreciated!

In Memory of Jack Johnson

Dale and Ann Buckner

John and Betty O’Brien, Jr.

For the Roy Johnson Class

Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Betty Strzykalski

Paul and Betty Rosenbusch

For the Memorial Fund

In Memory of Jack Swanson

Paul and Beverly McClanahan

For the Memorial Fund

In Memory of Isabel Harrell

Passages Sunday School Class and

The Weekday School Staff

For the Weekday School

Scholarship Fund

In Memory of Wesley Stepp

Mr. and Mrs. William E. Penny

For the Hunger Fund

Mary C. Wilson

For the Memorial Fund

In Memory of Dorothy McKeown

Karl and Betty Moody

For the Memorial Fund

In Memory of Marcia Rumbaugh

Helen M. Palmer

For the Memorial Fund

In Memory of Carol Farinai

Richard and Caroline Geiger

For the Wilma L. McAllister

Memorial

In Honor of Lee Harney

Paul and Gloria Jones

For the Memorial Fund

In Honor of Jim Webb

Rev. Ed and Marge Heard

For the Weekday School

Scholarship Fund

Contact Information for Reverend Dan

West Market Street UMC West Market Street UMC

302 West Market Street Post Office Box 870

Greensboro, North Carolina 27401 Greensboro, North Carolina 27402

Mail is received at both addresses

dmartin@wmsumc.org Phone: 336.275.4587

Church Directory If you have not made a appointment to

have your picture taken for the new

directory please call 866.557.2253

We will have 2 days in July to be an-

nounced.

If you have received your pictures and

have any questions regarding the

photos or frames please call

866.724.3907.

UMW Meetings

Executive Officers

1st Sunday - Monthly as scheduled

9:30 AM Library

Esther- 3rd Tuesday (Sept-May)

10 AM Roy Johnson Room

Contact: Dottie Franz 696.9015

Grace- 3rd Wednesday (Aug-June)

7 PM Homes of Members/Various

Locations

Contact: Anne McClintic 775.1241

mcclintics@gmail.com

Lydia- 2nd Monday (Aug-June)

6::30 PM Room 117 (Gettman)

Contact:

Betty Kay Brookshire 674.3415

Karol Reed 890.0163

karolreed@gmail.com

Miriam- 3rd Wednesday (Aug-June)

7 PM Room 203 Library

Contact: Tish Blair 551.9281

tblair66@hotmail.com

Ruth- 3rd Monday (Aug-June)

10 AM Room 117 (Gettman)

Contact: Gloria Paul 693.3371

(If you have questions about a Circle

please contact the circle leader. Each

Circle is responsible for publicizing

meeting times/events as applicable.)

Page 3

Notes from the Spiritual Formation Team

Spiritual Formation can happen any time, anywhere. Yet, we assume that one of the most expected place and time for our

formation is on Sunday morning in worship. In fact, worship through our liturgy means “the work of the people” and we want to

give it our best effort. We want the intention of our hour together to be formational in our worship and praise to God in great

thanksgiving.

We come. We pray and sing. We listen and learn. We share. We use all our senses if possible. And now, at our traditional wor-

ship services we are even more intentional to what we see. A new Worship Arts Team will often put together displays and vi-

gnettes in worship to deepen our experiences and understanding. The primary purpose to have our new Worship Arts Team is

to:

Enhance the experience of God’s presence, worship and prayer

Add a multifaceted dimension to the worship time

Guide the congregation to the message, scripture, theme or season

Help everyone worship God in more intentional ways

Be transformative

We hope you look to the visuals, those put up by the team and those that are always part of our sanctuary and worship

spaces, as added practice to your worship. Often there will be a statement in the worship bulletin bridging the design concept

Save the Date

Spiritual Formation Weekend October 9-11

The Spiritual Formation weekend with guest speaker Phileena Heuertz has been

rescheduled. Phileena has spent her life in social justice work among the world’s

poor. A member of the New Friar movement for nearly 20 years she and her hus-

band Chris served with Word Made Flesh in more than 70 countries building com-

munity among victims of human trafficking, survivors of HIV and AIDS, abandoned

children and child soldiers and war brides. Author, spiritual director, public speak-

er and retreat guide, Phileena is passionate about spirituality and making the

world a better place. With a rare gift for communicating the dynamics for the inner

life, Phileena gracefully guides others toward interior growth and bringing harmony

too their outer life.

Page 4

Graduation On Thursday, June 4th, our 66th graduation took place at

6pm in the Christian Life Center. Twenty-seven children

entertained a large audience with songs and actions about

Creation, Noah and Moses. Diplomas were awarded.

Our graduates will be attending Mountain Community,

Atkinson, Saluda, Edneyville, Mills River, Bruce Drysdale, Etowah,

Dana and Hendersonville Elementary Schools. Our best wishes,

love and prayers go with them.

Camp Funshine Camp Funshine, a preschool half-day camp begins on Monday, July 6th, and will operate for five weeks ending on Thursday,

August 6th. Entrance age is 12 months. We offer classes for Toddler/Twos, Threes, Fours and Pre-K. As in the past, our

curriculum will be based on the book of Genesis-- God’s beautiful creation is so available to us in the summer. Our day camp

will celebrate the blessings of nature, family and church through music, crafts, indoor and outdoor fellowship.

If you are fortunate enough to be hosting your grandchildren this summer for a few days or a few weeks, you may need some-

thing for the little ones to do. So, why not bring your preschool–age grandkids to Camp Funshine! All you have to do is

choose the week(s) you want by signing up in the preschool . Registration fee is $10; tuition is $68 a week.

Back to School… Regular school begins on Tuesday, September 8th with an Open House on Thursday, August 22nd.

Sunday, July 5

ALL YOUTH Movie Night ~ DO YOU BELIEVE?

6pm-8:30pm

A movie, pizza, popcorn and drink with a great group of

people. Bring $2 for pizza. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

Monday, July 13-18

Middle School Virginia Mission Trip

Please keep our students and chaperones in your

prayers this entire week!

Wednesday, July 24

All Youth and Church Missions Ice Cream Social

At 6:00pm, come enjoy an ice cream sundae and

listen to our students share their experiences on

the Kentucky and Virginia mission trips.

Church members are invited to attend!

Sunday, July 26:

All Youth Tubing: French Broad River

12:45-4:30pm

$12 for afternoon tubing with friends!

Coming up in August

6th Grade Youth Orientation

Sunday, August 3, 3-4:30pm

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Hendersonville, NC

Permit No. 35

CAR-RT SORT the

WORD First United Methodist Church

Hendersonville

204 Sixth Avenue West

Hendersonville, NC 28739

(828)693-4275

www.fumchvlnc.org

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday 8:30-5pm

Friday 8:30-1:30pm

Sunday Worship Schedule:

7:00 a.m. Chapel open for prayer

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

(Sanctuary)

9:30 a.m. SONday Praise! Worship

(BCLC)

10:55 a.m. Traditional Worship

(Sanctuary)

9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

9:00-10:45 a.m. Hospitality Coffee

11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

CHURCH STAFF

MINISTRY STAFF

Mark Ralls, Senior Minister, 828.674.5938

Christy Sharp, Associate Pastor, x103

Annie Fritschner, Minister of Visitation, Ext. 106

Colleen Schnitzer, Director of Youth Ministries, x109

Leslie Merrill, Dir. of Christian Education

& Children’s Ministries, x105

Tammy Heatherly, Childcare Coordinator

Michael Brannon, Director of Music, x112

Julie Hora Williams, Director of Jubilee Handbells

Kelli Mullinix, Director of Praise Worship, X136

Deborah H. Kirkman, Dir. Of Weekday School x110

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Rick Stewart, Church Administrator, x131

Caroline Easley, Financial Officer, x130

Gloria Summey, Office Administrator, x100

Deb Harris, Outreach Coordinator, x101

Lou Reeves, Food Service Director, x114

Sherry Lindsey, Sexton, x108

Denny McWilliams, Sexton , x108

Richard Brown, Sextons, x108

Wayne Monroe, Security, x135

Care Line - 828.702.1454

August Word Article Submission

Deadline: 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Memorials and Gifts of Honor

This month Austin and Carol Watson

will be visiting our Amani Athi (Peace)

Working Group in Kenya. This group

of 113 children in 30 families has

been together for a year and a half

ans are halfway through their three year process. We will see the projects they are

working on to provide income for their families. We will visit their homes. We will

hear their stories of life before ZOE and what has happened since they joined ZOE.

Most especially, we will represent you to them. We will provide the face of a con-

gregation that has cared for them through your contributions and your prayers.

They know of First UMC only as a name of a group of people who are providing

resources so they can receive education, training, tools for gardening and busi-

nesses. Through our visit they will learn more about who we are and why we care

about them. While we are gone, we will post to the church’s Facebook page what

we are doing. Please check it out. This fall, we will share with you the stories from

our group. For more information about our groups, click on ZOE on the Missions

page of the FUMC website. To donate to ZOE, write a check to FUMC with ZOE in

the memo line.