News from Marietta FUMC for March 11, 2014

RESTORE TO GLORY

Last Monday evening the Church Council approved a proposal from the Board of Trustees that we undertake a project to "spruce up" and update the marvelous complex Sam's Picture that we call home. In recent years that Board had done a masterful job of establishing a time line for the many repairs and updates that fifty- and thirty-year-old buildings require. Emergency needs, however, exhaust the budgeted funds almost every year and we have not made the progress we had hoped. This year the Board decided to truncate the schedule, package the work projects together, and give this congregation an opportunity to "Restore To Glory" at 56 Whitlock Avenue!

The specifics of the plan are not yet finalized (and the congregation will have opportunities for input) but will include refurbishing the Family Life Hall (new flooring, new tables and chairs, new sound baffling, new stage curtains), the Reception Hall, the Sanctuary (new pews, new lighting, new flooring), the narthex, and the Lower Room. The plan will refurbish all the restrooms with new countertops, low-flow toilets, etc., and all the elevators. We plan to replace the church vans with mini-buses, upgrade signage, upgrade the sound and IT systems, and install a new security system. A large item on the list is replacing and refurbishing all the HVAC units in every building.

The final cost of Restore To Glory will be in the vicinity of two million dollars, certainly a workable figure for this congregation. Current plans are to undertake the Family Life Hall first, then worship there for the weeks that refurbishing is taking place in the sanctuary.

The Finance Committee is charged with raising the funds for the program and will have a report for us soon. We will also announce the "town hall" meetings when we in the congregation will have input in the planning. Keep this marvelous program in mind as we focus our attention on the great importance of the PLACE where we worship and from which we proclaim the gospel to the world.

I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Join us for an information session about our upcoming mission trips and learn how you can be a part of a team. All information sessions will be held at 12:30 p.m. in room 201-B (located at the rear of the media center), except as noted. Visit the Global Missions page at the MFUMC Web site for details. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Peru, Nov. 7-14, A medical mission trip that will also include projects such as Bible School and construction. Information session: Sunday, March 23. (Kathy Cadle)
Ecuador, June 20-29. Bible School and church construction with the Waorani people. Information session: Monday, March 24, 7 p.m., Room 220 (Hospitality Room). (Ed Payne: Evenings- 678-852- 4205)
Arizona, The week of June 7-14, Bible school and construction with the Tohono O'odham people. Information session: Sunday, March 30. (Sarah Bentley, 678-938-6805)
Tennessee, July 13-19, Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project). Home repair and summer camp. Information session: Sunday, April 6. (Fred Finzer, 810-241-5112 or pastorfred5123a@yahoo.com)

An Early Response Team has formed at Marietta FUMC. While this team is not a first response team or a recovery rebuild team, it does perform specific assigned tasks while establishing the presence of the Church after a disaster. Our team will have a table set up on the Bridge on Sundays, March 30 and April 6. Come by to receive information on how you can prepare your family in the event of a disaster or to obtain more information on getting involved with this ministry. Contact Janice Staton

(Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

A mission trip to Guatemala is forming to work with LaSenda children's home and school on improvement projects and teaching and ministering to students and residents. The trip is June 1-6. (Martha Lee Sanders, 770-428-8115)

Lenten Worship/Organ Recital with Arie Motschman.

Arie will be the guest organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran, 2922 Sandy Plains Road on Wednesday, March 19 at 12:05 p.m. The half hour organ recital precedes a 30 minute Lenten worship service. (Arie Motschman, ext. 7818)

"Swing Out Saturday Night," a new show hosted by the Dramatic Arts Team, is set for Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Tickets are $15 ($12 senior citizens) and will available on Sunday on the Bridge and at the Reception Desk. (Arie Motschman, ext. 7818)

Senior Adult Ministry will host a breakfast at Come and Get It on Wednesday, March 19 at 9 a.m. Bring two paying guests and eat for free! (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)

Register now for VBS and summer camps! Dates for VBS are Monday through Thursday, June 16-19. Summer camps begin Monday, June 2 and end Friday, August 8. Register here. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

A Parent's Night Out is Friday, March 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $10 for one child and $5 for siblings. Children from nursery to 5th grade are welcome. RSVP

by Wednesday, March 19. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

This Week

The Dementia Caregivers Support Group will meet tomorrow Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Youth will sponsor the annual Youth Mission Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser (complete with homemade sauce!) this Sunday, March 16 in the Family Life Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Choir Tour and the spring break mission trips. Tickets are $10, and donations are welcome. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Special Blessings Support Group meets Wednesday, March 12 at 4:15 p.m. in Room 259. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Family Night Supper is served at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

March 12: Country fried steak or grilled tilapia, mashed potatoes, pintos, sautéed kale, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Kids: Grilled cheese, tater rounds, apple slices, Jell-O, salad bar, and desserts

Save the Date

Special Blessings Support Group

Wednesday, March 12

Dementia Caregivers Support Group

Wednesday, March 12

Grief Support Group

Wednesday, March 12