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Midweek Update
May 3, 2023 |
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Pastor Alex shares a hopeful vision of blessed unity and beloved community in a renewed, revived, and reclaimed Church. |
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Please come down to the preschool wing and enjoy our Art Show! |
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Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
Our regularly scheduled 2nd Fridays:
- May 12th
- June 9th
- July 14th
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and Saturday May 27th.
If you feel called to help build Habitat for Humanity homes, and have a great experience, please sign up.
Also, during the month of May is Faith Build. This is an opportunity for Faith organizations in the greater Charlottesville area to volunteer Wednesday – Saturday each week in May. If you are interested in helping during Faith Build reach out to Natalie Burgwin (434-233-4646) |
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Applications for Convergence 2023 are open! Randolph-Macon College's summer Youth Theology Institute on Faith and Science will be held July 18-23 this year. The event is open to students who are finishing their 9th, 10th, or 11th grade year in the next few months.
Please register by May 12 to ensure a space. Late registrations may be accepted but cannot be guaranteed.
The '23 Convergence theme is Food, Faith and Farming. We have a lot of exciting activities and experiences planned including:
- Field trips to Sophia Farm, Fitrah Farm, Shalom Farm and Babylon MicroFarm
- A special project with the Ashland Farmer’s market
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The Theology of Soul Food, a speech and cooking demonstration with author, James Beard award winner, and certified barbeque judge Adrian Miller
- Workshops on campus
- Planning and helping to lead worship at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church on the R-MC campus.
Cost to attend is $350. Financial Assistance is available if needed. All Convergence campers receive a $1,000 scholarship if they attend R-MC for college.
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HIKING GROUP
 Who's ready for a stroll along the river? Join us this Saturday, May 6th at Riverview Park, 1909 Chesapeake Street Cville, VA. We will meet up at 2:30pm for some fellowship and to get our steps in. This is a paved trail where kids can ride their bikes on or you can push a stroller easily. All ages and paces are welcome. Turn back anytime or race ahead. The route is 2 miles up and 2 miles back for a round trip of 4 miles. Looking forward to seeing you! Any questions or to let us know you plan to join us contact children@cvillefirstumc.org |
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Inviting all adults and all children (ages birth through rising 6th graders) to join us on the following Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 pm at Pen Park:
May 28, June 25, July 30,
and August 20th.
Rain location: Charlottesville First UMC, Fellowship Hall
Adults and children will meet in the upper parking lot grassy area next to the playground for games and fellowship. Youth will also be meeting separately in the lower parking lot on these evenings next to the pavilions and having their own scheduled activities with our Youth Ministries Coordinator, Dave Breslin.
Picnic Options: Pack your own dinner or email children@cvillefirstumc.org to let us know how many slices of pizza you want. Please bring your own drinks, a blanket or chair.
Looking forward to seeing you all on these evenings together. Invite your friends and be on the lookout to make some new ones!
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 You are invited to a breakfast to benefit Good News Jail & Prison Ministry on Saturday, May 6 at 9am, at Portico Church. Speakers include Chaplain Joseph Varaksa and Chaplain Richard Van Arsdale. Please make sure to register online. |
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Kid's and Youth Lunch
Join us for our next “Kid's and Youth Lunch” on Sunday, May 7th at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. The lunch will be potluck style and includes a craft activity after we finish eating. These lunches will take place on the 1st Sunday of each month. We hope you will save all the dates on your calendar this year and invite your friends! Children ages (birth-12th grade) and their adults/families are welcome to attend. If you are interested in volunteering to serve in our Children's and Youth Ministries, we would love for you to join us as well. Please RSVP by Friday, May 5th to help us prepare. children@cvillefirstumc.org |
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Church Softball League
The Charlottesville Church Softball League is back in full swing this spring with no covid restrictions.
Season starts May 6 and runs thru July. Games are played on Friday evenings at Darden Towe Park. The slow pitch league is open to men and women 14 years old or older. Anyone interested in playing on the FUMC team can contact Bill Owens for more information.
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Village School
Summer Camp for Girls!
Storyland Adventures
for rising 1st-3rd grade
Unleash your imagination this summer in an arts and theatrical camp inspired by favorite animated movie themes. Weekly camps are from 9am-1pm and are packed with acting, improv, singing, dancing, costume, and set design, ending with a creative showcase every Friday for family and friends.
June 19 – 23: Hug Time and Wild Hair June 26 – 30: Island Adventure
July 10 – 14: Casa Mágica
July 17 – 21: Ice Palace & Penguins
Visit villageschool.us for more information or email info@villageschool.us
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THE QUIET CENTER
An after-church gathering of, and for, those walking with grief who wish to share with each other their time and their presence and their prayers. Come any Sunday, starting this Sunday at 11:15 am in the Chapel or contact Rev. John at 703-887-7305 or by email at johnconway@vaumc.org.
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THE TASSELL SCHOLARSHIP
was established in memory of Patrick Wayne Tassell and is awarded to high school seniors who are members of Charlottesville First UMC and have demonstrated leadership and achievements in Scouting or Camp Fire. Scholarship awards of $1,000-$2,000 are paid directly to the institution that the awardee will be attending in the coming academic year. For more information contact Hu Shaffer, Charlottesville First UMC Scouting Coordinator. The Application form is available by contacting the church office. Applications must be returned by June 1, 2023, to be considered. |
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For our ONE THING MINISTRY for the month of May we will be supporting a ministry of the Virginia Annual Conference called
All God’s Children Camp.
This is a weeklong overnight camp for children ages 7 to 12, with an incarcerated parent. Campers have an opportunity to participate in all the physical activities the camp has to offer such as boating, swimming, hiking, archery, music, crafts, and Bible study, along with a conflict resolution/self-esteem-building class. All God’s Children Camp provides a week of sanctuary for children who face so many challenges in their lives such as economic poverty, temporary living conditions, loneliness, low self-esteem, violence and drugs while working to break the cycle of incarceration. All God’s Children Camp is a place where children learn they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and they are truly ‘somebody’! This is a wonderful way to honor the children whose mothers are incarcerated and to give the incarcerated mothers the gift of knowing their children are loved.
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 Watch the video to witness how Christ makes a difference in children's lives through All God's Children Camp
Below are the items needed for one camper. Let’s see how many campers we can support!
1 fleece/micro-fiber blankets,
1 pillow,
1 twin sheet set,
2 towels,
1 beach towel,
1 poncho,
1 mesh laundry bags,
1 toothbrush,
1 toothpaste,
1 washcloth / puff,
1 comb,
1 deodorant
$5 to help cover water/pool shoes
Thanks in advance
for your bold generosity!
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WOMEN AT THE WELL
The Thursday morning (9:30am) Women’s Bible Study that meets in
room 308 has begun a new study called:
Called, Hearing and Responding
to God’s Voice. All are welcome.
carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org
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Youth ages 6th-12 grades and their parents may contact Dave Breslin,
Youth Ministry Coordinator,
to be added to the youth email list.
Volunteers needed! We are seeking several caring adults who would like to help out with our growing teen community. Please contact Dave for more information. |
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May Youth Group Schedule:
May 7...Youth Group, 10-11
District Youth Night of Worship at Aldersgate UMC, 5:30-7:30
May 14...Youth Group, 10-11
May 21...Graduation Celebration during the service
End of the Year Pool Party and Parent Gathering, 1:00-3:00
May 28...Youth Group, 10-11
Pen Park Fellowship Night, 5:00-6:15 |
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FAMILIES OF GRADUATING STUDENTS (high school, college, graduate school), our annual graduation celebration will take place on May 21st during the service. We would love to celebrate your graduate!
By MAY 14th, Please send Dave Breslin:
- Graduate's name, school level, and school where he/she is graduating from
- A recent picture to be shared during the service
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR GRADUATE DOES
NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT
FOR US TO CELEBRATE THEM! |
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We need you!! Are you available to help out this summer with Vacation Bible School? We are looking for volunteers as we get ready for VBS the week of July 31- Aug 4th from 9am-12pm. The number of kids we can host here, at Charlottesville First UMC, is all dependent on how many volunteers we have! Please let us know your availability: children@cvillefirstumc.org |
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The Faith Seekers Class (Room 208 on Sundays at 8:45am) is studying “End Times : Practical Heavenly Mindedness.” As described in the introduction, scriptures from the Old and New Testament help us to “view time as a gift and not as a resource to be managed." All are welcome to join. |
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Congregational
Prayer Time
Tuesdays at 12:30pm on Zoom
Meeting ID: 882 7977 8844
Passcode: 968327
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 NEW MEMBER CLASS
Interested in finding out more about Charlottesville First? A new member class continues today, following the morning service at 11:30 AM. Meet some of our staff and leaders while learning about our vision, structure, beliefs, and United Methodist background. We’ll have an option to go out for lunch together each week. Email office@cvillefirstumc.org if you would like to attend or for more information. |
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Handbell Rehearsal - Sundays 6-7:30pm
Choir Rehearsal - Tuesdays 6-7pm |
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Wednesdays at 2:30 in the Gathering Space.
Reservations are required to attend these classes - $10 per class. Please reach out to Lara Upton to reserve your space. We hope you can join us! See you there!
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Clothes Closet
DONATIONS to Hinton Ave UMC clothes closet:
Hours of operation: Tuesdays from 10am-1pm We are looking for children to adult sizes, spring/summer clothing. Please make sure the clothing is gently used, clean, stain-free, and in good repair. Also accept some household items (e.g., sheets, towels, small appliances, dishes, pans). Email for info. |
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Would you be interested in helping with communion preparation?
Help is needed to prepare communion on the first Sunday of every month and special holidays. This would involve working with another experienced team member to set-up and then clean up after communion. The set - up process is currently done on Sunday morning before the service and would take about 30 – 45 minutes. Clean-up after the service takes about 20 minutes. Each team member does this once every three to four months depending on how many people are on the team. Questions and info? Contact Evelyn Kessler at eckess@mindspring.com or 434-971-7329. |
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Contact Teri Guertler
if you need a prayer quilt for someone going through a difficult time, or if you would like to help in the creation of the prayer quilts. No experience necessary.
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Assistance for Ukraine
UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #982450, is collecting funds for humanitarian assistance.
You can donate directly online or designate "Ukraine relief" on your checks made out to FUMC |
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Called Annual Conference May 6, 2023
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On Saturday, May 6, 2023, a Special Annual Conference via Zoom Webinar will convene to consider the ratification of 64 local churches that seek to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church over matters of human sexuality using Paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline.
The Disaffiliation Reporting Guide includes the agenda for the Annual Conference session, the list of 64 disaffiliating churches and their statistics, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about disaffiliation
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Council of Bishops:
"Let's Love Church Again" |
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East Ohio Conference Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, Council of Bishops president-designate, anoints new Arkansas Conference Bishop Laura Merrill at a worship service for welcoming new bishops. The class of 17 new bishops is part of what gives church leaders hope for navigating a way through church disaffiliations toward a brighter future for The United Methodist Church. Photo by the Rev. Todd Rossnagel, Louisiana Conference. |
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“The future of The United Methodist Church hinges on our ability to deeply pray that God will give us the strength and the courage to do what we must, what we have been called to do all along,” preached Council of Bishops president Thomas J. Bickerton, who also leads the New York Conference. Read story |
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