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Midweek Update: October 15, 2025 |
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A Church Re-Born
by Dr. Bill Clarke
In 2001 CFUMC entered into a partnership with Kaunas, Lithuania UMC to assist their
congregation to grow and strengthen their ministries to their community, Kaunas UMC,
along withal other protestant churches were closed for 50 years during the Soviet
occupation of Lithuania. The church properties were returned to their congregations and Kaunas church began re-opening in 1995. CFUMC members have made 4 mission trips to Lithuania, as well as 3 additional smaller trips to share their ministries with them.
A group from CFUMC now meets on a yearly basis with other partner churches and representatives from the Lithuania churches to learn about their ministries .We have also received Lithuanian pastoral visits over the years. In addition, several CFUMC members and staff meet for on-line Bible studies with the Lithuanians on a quarterly basis. Should anyone desire to join this group please contact Bill Clarke at janebillclarke@earthlink.net
You are invited to join us for Generosity Sunday which is Nov 9th. This is an opportunity for our church to draw the circle wider and see where God will lead us. Plan to attend our Generosity Sunday service and stay for our catered celebration luncheon following the service!
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DID YOU KNOW?
In the early 1980’s Shelby McAden, church program director and Peggy Lassiter, church member had the idea that FUMC should provide a weekday preschool program. Marilyn Comfort was hired to develop a program and serve as director and teacher. First United Methodist Preschool (FUMP) opened to the community in 1984. Its mission is to provide an affordable, quality program for the community at large. Additionally, it awards scholarship to families caught between qualifying for public preschool and being able to afford private preschool.
We’re excited to announce that we will be celebrating the 100 year birthday of Charlottesville UMC and our 2025 Consecration Sunday on the same day in early November!
We are collecting stories to share around these celebrations. Do you have a story to share? Contact Rex at rexhickman@comcast.net or Carolyn at carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org. Thank you!!
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Traveling Tiny Jesus
Pick up a tiny Jesus or two today on your way out of worship and take Him with you as you travel through life! If you go on vacation, place Him in your photo! Let us see the places you visit! (Truthfully, don’t we always want to have Jesus by our side?)
Share your photos with Carolyn and we will share them here!
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Wild Church
Are you seeking a welcoming community to connect with in nature?
Join us on the Sacred Way, where we come together to worship and celebrate the Divine amidst the beauty of the outdoors. We meet outside several times a month to hike together.
Each gathering begins with a brief reflection and prayer before we embark on our holy hikes. All ages are invited to participate.
To stay updated on our Sacred Way, Wild Church offerings, click here.
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The beneficiary of our ONE THING MINISTRY for the month of October is “All Blessings Flow”! ABF is a local service organization that provides care items for over 8000 people in need each year, giving out 35,000 items for those with medical needs. These items range from wheelchairs to walkers to disposable gloves, etc. Here are some easy to purchase items:
- Individual packages or by the case:
- Disposable bed pads wipes (large or small)
- Gloves (for caregivers ~ M, L, XL)
- Incontinence pads (the thicker the better!)
- Gently used equipment or new equipment "Please note... Rollator walkers (can be found on Amazon for as low as $60)*
- Wheelchairs and knee scooters
- Bedside commodes and raised toilet seats
- Shower chairs, tub benches, tub and toilet safety rails
- Canes and crutches
- Reachers, sockaids, long handled shoehorns
- Bathwipes, gloves, bed pads
- Adult briefs and pullups
- Heating pads, foot spas
- Nutritional drinks, tube feeding supplements
- Ostomy supplies
- BP machines, nebulizers, wound care supplies
- Hospital beds
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The Hinton Ave Clothes Closet (The Church of the Good Shepherd) is currently looking for more specific items for fall/winter:
Women: hats, gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, jeans, fleece/joggers, scrubs, sweaters, coats (clothing in all sizes). Shoes (no heels, please) - sneakers, casual, boots - all sizes
Men: gloves, hats, scarves, socks, underwear, t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts/flannel/collared shirts, jeans, khakis, fleece bottoms/tops, other casual pants, scrubs (clothing in all sizes). Shoes (sneakers, boots) - all sizes
Donations are to be made Saturdays from 10am-12pm.
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Fall has arrived, so you know PACEM is hiring! Please share our job postings with your network. We are. hiring supervisors (Shelter Managers) and operations staff (Shelter Monitors). Work experience or lived experience with homelessness, Substance Use Disorder and recovery, the legal system, and/or the mental healthcare system is preferred, but not required. I appreciate you spreading the word
Two Ways to Apply for PACEM Seasonal Positions:
- Apply through Indeed:
- Shelter Manager
- Shelter Monitor
- Review the attached job descriptions. Then send your current resume and a letter of interest to cindy@pacemshelter.org. The letter of interest can be in the body of the email or an attached document. It should be brief (2-3 paragraphs), highlight your experience, and help us understand:
- How your work and/or lived experience makes you a great fit to the position;
- What motivates you to work with PACEM and to work with people experiencing homelessness;
- Shelter Monitor: Whether your interest is primarily in the opening shifts or the overnight shifts. OR Shelter Manager: What nights you're interested in working.
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The Gathering Table
New Ministry Needs Volunteers
Third Wednesdays in Oct, Nov, Dec at 6pm
If you know, meet or see someone that could use a free community meal, fellowship and a supportive environment once a month, please pick up our invitations in the welcoming Center, to give to people in need.
The third Wednesday of each month, we will be serving food for these folks. The first one will be held at Aldersgate on October 15th.
If you would like to support this ministry by providing food for a meal, use our sign up genius link or contact Mary Hoggard at 615-785-1168.
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Women at the Well: New Study
Thursdays at 9:30am
The Women at the Well will study Josh Scott’s “”Bible Stories for Grownups”. This study will consider stories many of us read as children including Noah's Ark, the binding of Isaac, Jonah and the big fish, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Jesus healing a blind man, and the parable of the talents.
Scott reimagines these stories and opens new ways for us to understand these well known pieces of scripture in our current cultural environment. Join us in room 308 on Thursdays at 9:30am!
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Historic Video Showing
October 26th - After Worship
On Oct. 26, let’s gather in the Chapel after worship at 11:15am to view an historic video documentary of the 100 years of life in this building. Presented and narrated by Dr. Hu Shaffer, you will find out the history that brought us this far!
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Walk to End Alzheimer's
October 26th at noon
Our church is joining the Alzheimer’s Association and more than 600 communities nationwide in Walk to End Alzheimer's, the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research.
You can walk with us, donate, or share the cause to help bring hope and advance research.
Date: Sunday, October 26th, from 12:00 (12:00 Site opens/1:00 pm Ceremony/1:30 pm Walk Starts)
Learn more or join our team here.
Let’s walk together in love and faith for Alzheimer’s!
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Habitat Rake-a-Thon
Saturday, November 15th from 9am-1pm
The Habitat for Humanity Rake-a-thon is a fun, family-friendly event for people of all ages that raises funds and awareness for affordable housing in our community.
- In 2024, Habitat recruited over 500 volunteers who raked more than 100 lawns and raised $28,000.
- The 2025 goal is to rake at least 100 lawns and reach the fundraising goal of $40,000.
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"What's Your Biggest Question for God?"
November 1st from 10am-12pm
Come wrestle with that question in community with other seekers at Charlottesville First United Methodist Church on November 1, 2025, from 10 am to 12 pm. In this immersive two-hour workshop, you'll learn how strong questions lead to rich insights, and you'll practice identifying, probing, and refining the spiritual question most present in your own life. With a mix of personal reflection time, 1:1 conversation, and group discussion, "What's Your Biggest Question for God?" will show you how doubt and curiosity can combine to powerful effect.
Register for this free workshop on Eventbrite by Thursday, October 30.
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Visiting Friends - New Ministry
November 16th after Worship
Have I Got a Question for you!
Do you like people?
Do you like to see someone smile?
Do you like to be with someone who is glad to see you?Do you have an hour or so once a month to do what you like?
If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, please join us after worship of November 16 in the Chapel and find out about our newest ministry—"Visiting Friends”.
(If you can’t make our meeting, but are interested in this ministry, contact Pastor Alex or Pastor John.)
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Trunk or Treat
Sunday October 26th from 3-5pm
Our annual Trunk or Treat will take place the afternoon of October 26th. Please bring your friends!
If you are interested in decorating a trunk, please sign up here.
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Save the Date: Summer Youth Mission Trip
Save the date for the Summer Youth Mission Trip—ASP 2026 with Appalachian Service Project, happening June 7–13, 2026. Register now to reserve your spot at https://forms.gle/u3qovEi5pinLH9HE8.
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