Rev Dr. Michelle Moris
A Principled People: The Community of All Creation
We will look at aspects of our care of creation in our Social Principles in light of the very first set of instructions God gives to humanity – to be stewards of all of the earth.
A Special Note About our New Series
Starting this Sunday, we will spend five weeks looking at the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. The Social Principles are found in our Book of Discipline, which is our organizing document for being a United Methodist Church. The Social Principles are the aspirational positions of the church on a number of issues. We say aspirational because we recognize that we live in a very complicated world and we lack both the fullness of the reign of God on earth and the full wisdom to always know what is right in every situation. As we journey through this series, we remind you that full agreement with all of the Social Principles is not a requirement to be a United Methodist. We welcome questions and disagreement on such things in our church. It is how we all grow in faith and love for one another. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Michelle or Ray for further conversation.
DATES AT A GLANCE
Youth Summer Calendar Meeting - Sunday, April 21
Living Our Faith Speaker: School Superintendent Dr. Debbie Jones - Wednesday, April 24
Earth Day Fair - Saturday, April 27
Senior Recognition Sunday - Sunday, May 5
Baby Shower for Kristin Wells - Sunday, May 5
Urgent announcements
Living our Faith Speaker Series
To coincide with our sermon series on our Social Principles, our church will be hosting significant figures in our community to give one-hour talks on Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. in Hines Hall, beginning April 17. Our speaker for this week, April 24 will be Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debbie Jones. Please make plans to come hear from and to learn more about celebrations and
Eclipse Glasses Collection
Bring your eclipse glasses to church this Sunday. We will collect them to send to kids in the next eclipse path of totality. Recycle the joy!
Family ministries
Third Grade Bibles
We will be presenting all of our 3rd graders with Bibles on May 12th in both The Gathering and the Traditional Services!
Laser Tag at Modern Mission
On Sunday, May 19th, we invite our 5th through 12th grade students to join us at Modern Mission for laser tag! This will function as a last hurrah for our 6th grade students, but also a way to connect these rising 7th graders to the youth group they will be joining this summer. Make sure to get your child signed up early so that we can be sure to have enough room! Sign up here.
Senior Recognition Sunday
Senior Recognition Sunday is May 5th. If you are or know a graduating high school senior who we need to recognize, please reach out to our youth director, Kristin Wells, by Sunday, April 14.
Youth Summer Calendar Meeting
As you may know, our youth director, Kristin Wells, will be out on maternity leave for most of the summer. She will need extra volunteer support to make sure the 7-12th grade program runs smoothly. If you are someone who can help support this effort, please join us for a summer calendar meeting Sunday, April 21st at 10am in the youth area. Bring your personal calendar so that you can sign up to help with specific events!
Family Ministry Camping Trip
Families, mark your calendars! School will be out and we want to celebrate "family" style with you.
We will be camping for 2 nights at Devil's Den, and having our own Children First worship together. Sign up here!
Wonderfully Made
Wonderfully Made is a Christ-focused sexual education class for our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, led by Ms. Allison and Ms. Lexie. Please mark the dates on your calendar if you are interested in your child attending this class. Cost is $10. Sign-up here!
VBS Signups
Vacation Bible School will be here before we know it, and this year we wanted to put a Methodist focus with it! We are teaching about Jesus through the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which is a four-way approach to answering questions about Christianity. We will be using Lego, blocks, puzzles, and more to create ways for our children to feel growth in their own faith.
*Ages that can attend are 3 years old by August 1, 2024, through rising 6th grade.
Sign up here to enroll your child or to be a volunteer!
community events
90s Party! Jam to some unplugged 90s tunes while we raise money for EQUIPPED NWA.
EQUIPPED is a non-profit that aims to level the playing field by providing student-athletes, grades 7-12, with equipment and resources through school partnerships. We envision a future where EQUIPPED has cultivated relationships with all schools in Benton and Washington counties, dedicated to fulfilling the equipment requirements and resources of every student-athlete in need.
Beer & Hymns brings people together to raise our glasses, raise our voices, and raise funds for organizations that change the world.
Earth Day Fair April 27
Join us for our community Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 27 on the Green Space (or Hines Hall if it is raining) from 9a-12p. Activities include mastering the art of recycling, meeting environmental experts, and discovering the magic of nature! Make plans to stop by!
Also, if you would like to volunteer to help, contact Johnna Kosnoff at Volunteers will be needed from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
announcements
Earth Friendly Ideas Competition
Our Environmental Care Team wants your help identifying things we can do to help our church be more earth friendly. A prize will be given for the best idea - you get extra points if you agree to take the lead (or work with our team) to implement the idea.
Ideas must be submitted by May 5, 2024. Our Confirmands will announce the winners on Confirmation Sunday, May 19. Click here to submit your ideas.
New Flyfishing Group Starts Sunday, April 21
Love flyfishing or interested in learning? Want to see how that peaceful practice connects to the Gospel? Plan to show up at Lincoln Junior High this Sunday, April 21 at 2 pm where Bill Fernandez will guide you through this holy discipline. Contact Bill at 479-659-2837 with any questions!
Info about Social Principles and General Conference
On Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28 during the 10 a.m. Sunday school hour, Pastor Michelle will be available in Hines Hall to answer any questions that you may have either about General Conference (our main denominational legislative meeting occurring April 23-May 3 this year) or our Social Principles, which we will be preaching about in our church for 5 weeks. The United Methodist Church will be in the national media for the next few weeks, so please come to this space if you need more information about what is happening.
FAQs about General Conference
Recently, our Bishop and delegation to the General Conference put together an FAQ about our upcoming General Conference. Click here to find that document.
Fun Fridays Update
All Fridays, except the First Friday of each month, there will be games in the Gathering Room from 1:30-3:30. Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage and if you choose, a snack to share. If you have a game you’d like to play please bring it. Hope to see you at Fun Fridays!
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