Athens First UMC E-Steeple Newsletter

(8:30) Jim Belger, Ann Brown, Paul Brown, Don Crews, Larry Deal, Hugh Larkey, Jim Lyons, Candler Meadors, Olan Moore, Bob Noble, Grace Rabek, Ken Reece, Keith Wilson,

(9:45) Chris Bostdorff, David and Jane Disney, Mark Ellison, Tom Milton, Sharon Milton, Marvin Reynolds, Al Rogers, Bill Trigleth, Dave Matthews

(11:00) Lee Brinson, Ryan Brinson, Nathan King, John Bateman, Claude Felton, Steve Greer, Mack Furlow.

Offering Stewards
Bob Booth & Charlie Grimes, co-chairman; Nat Belger, Charles Braucher, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III

February 6 is Scout Sunday

Faith has long been an integral part of Scouting. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts take pledges to be reverent in their lives and to serve God.

Athens First UMC has sponsored Troop 1 for over 75 years. I personally have been blessed by this support. As a Troop 1 Scout, I have been able to develop outdoor and leadership skills while strengthening my faith through Scouting's many religious programs. Along the way, I got to spend ten days hiking 80 miles at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and had the opportunity to attend the 2010 Centennial National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. I also have memories of many hikes in the North Georgia mountains, canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp, rafting rivers, rock climbing, and camping recently at Cumberland Island National Seashore. With the support of the ministers of Athens First, I have been able to earn all four religious medals for Cub and Boy Scouts. I want to thank the entire church family for supporting Troop 1 through your financial contributions to our fundraising efforts, and most importantly through your consistent prayers for us and our ministry. By supporting Scouting, you are helping to change the lives of young men and women in our community.

On Sunday, February 6, you can help Scouting give back to the community by donating at the end of each service to Our Daily Bread. Scouts of all types will be at each door collecting donations at the end of each service. This money will support this important ministry that feeds the hungry here in Athens.

Thank you and God bless you,

Tom Greene

Eagle Scout, Troop 1

Member News

Altar Flowers

The flowers on the altar, January 30, are given to the glory of

God and in loving memory of Harold and Ora Morris by her family.

In Sympathy

Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:

Evelyn and Jake Riley and family on the loss of her brother, Chuck Wyche, in Columbus, Georgia.

Elaine Brown and family on the loss of her son-in-law, Dave Brooks, on November 17 in Sugar Hill, Georgia.

Martha and Rick Parker and family on the loss of her mother in Memphis, Tennessee.

Kimberly and John Leffert and family on the loss of her mother, Polly Buffington, on January 19 in Lavonia, Georgia.

Bob and Melanie Covington and family on the loss of his mother, Doris Covington, in North Carolina.

New Members

We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Kevin and Rachel Florence, 115 Wells Drive, Athens, Georgia 30606.

Caryn Demarest, 490 Nacoochee Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601. (706) 614-9553.

Clay and Jill Maddox, 630 Southampton Circle, Hoschton, Georgia 30548. (706) 824-0168. Son, Luke, also joins as a baptized member.

Baptism

Lucas Clay Maddox received the Sacrament of Baptism on January 23 in our Sanctuary. Luke is the son of Jill and Clay Maddox.

Emma Leighton Limbert received the Sacrament of Baptism on January 23 in our Sanctuary. Leighton is the daughter of Stephanie and Jonathan Limbert.

Fellowship Announcements

Do You Know?

If you want to go to Costa Rica this summer for mission, do you know what is needed, or the dates? Come to an informational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 30 at Noon, in Hull Dining Room.

New Church Pictorial Directory

It is time to update our church directory! Each family who participates will receive one 8x10 color portrait plus a copy of the directory (your choice of traditional, compact, or disc). Appointments may be made online at our website, athensfirstumc.org, or at the church after February 3. The deadline to make your appointment is February 16. Photography sessions are scheduled for February 25 - 28, March 4 - 7, and March 11 - 14 and will be held at the church.

Bible Study and Learning Options

Preschool Registration for 2011-2012 this January.

See our website for dates and registration form.

Upcoming Bible Study Opportunities (click here)

Men Leading the Charge - led by Keith Wilson
The founder of Men's Leadership Ministries, Steve Farrar, calls men to accept responsibility for leading their families. This study challenges men to become spiritual leaders in their homes, churches and communities, and will help men understand the kind of men, husbands and fathers God wants them to be. Nine sessions, beginning Wednesday, February 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Suggested for married men.) kwilson99@charter.net; 706.549.2199

Book cost - $11.00

An Experiential Prayer Workshop for Women

This workshop will be held in Hancock Hall on Saturday, February 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The speaker, Angel Davis, has a passion to connect the body of Christ to the heart of God's love. Angel, a licensed clinical social worker and a board certified professional Christian counselor, will lead us in discovering our identity in Christ, exploring the transformational power of renewing the mind, and learning different methods to hear God's voice more clearly. The $20 registration fee covers lunch, breaks, and supplies. Registration is available through the church's web site, and the deadline is February 16. You may also contact Lynn Bryant for additional information or to register at Athens1stism@aol.com or 706-202-9017.

Seekers & SoJourners Study Group

This study group meets at 2:00 p.m. February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 3 and April 17. We listen and discuss material from the Journey Into Wholeness ministry. They show the rising connections between Humanity's Depth Psychology (Jungian) and Jumanity's Spirituality. According to Dr. Carl Jung, much is revealed through our Dreams and Synchronicities. Meetings take place at Laura D-H Chase's house. Contact Laura at 706-353-3685 for additional information.

UMW Mission Study of Food and Faith

All women of the church are invited to this study on Sunday, February 9 in Hancock Hall at noon (immediately following the 11:00 worship service). Lunch with be provided for a charge of $8.00. This study is on the many and varied roles that food takes in the living out of our faith through our church and our worldwide community. To make your reservation, please call Cookie at 706-543-1442 before
Tuesday, February 1.

Discipleship & Missions

Stop Hunger Now

We will be collecting quarters for Stop Hunger Now, January through March. Every 25 cents feeds one person. If you have been overwhelmed with World Hunger, you can now do something about it. Every person has at least one quarter he or she can give. Think about it: $1.50 feeds 6 people; $15 feeds 60 people; $150 feeds 600 people. You CAN do something about world hunger! All three months we'll be collecting money as the monthly Agape. Then, on April 16, we get to package all of the food, shooting for 50,000 meals packaged in one day! You get to take part! Bring your money to the reception area for collection during the week, or to the container in the narthex on Sunday morning.

Feeding The Hungery Locally
We currently have 4 open dates available for Souper Suppers. Will you prepare and serve a hot meal to our neighbors in the community? All suppers are on Thursdays from 5:15 to 6:30 in Hancock Hall. Open dates are: February 3, March 10, March 17 and March 24. If you would like to help, contact Glenda Greenhaw at ggreenha@yahoo.com or
706-769-2547.

Samaritan Counseling Center is Celebrating 25

years of service to the northeast Georgia Community,

and celebrating the leadership of its founding director,

Tom Camp, with a Gala Dinner program on February 17 in the Magnolia Ballroom of the UGA Center for Continuing Education. The evening will celebrate not only Tom's vision and leadership, but also the leadership of all those who have been so supportive of the center throughout its 25 years of service in the community. Attendees will gather at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 per person and can be purchased by sending a check to the Samaritan Counseling Center office at 455 N. Lumpkin St., Athens, 30601; by calling the Samaritan office at 706-369-7911; or by going to the Center website at www.samaritannega.org.

SCHEDULE