PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS

If you were in worship Sunday morning then you heard Allen Krivsky's announcement concerning pastoral Sam's Picture appointments for the coming year. United Methodist ministers' appointments to their churches are reviewed annually by three entities: the minister, the Committee on Staff-Parish Relations in the local church (Mr. Krivsky chairs that Committee), and the Bishop and his Cabinet (the twelve District Superintendents).

Our Committee met and requested that all three of our ministers be returned for another year and both Rev. Wilder and I requested the same. Our desires were met by the Bishop and we will return for my twelfth year and Rev. Wilder's fifth. Rev. Farmer's request was that she was "willing," that she could return but "if something becomes available," she was available. Something became available: an offer from her home church, the St. James UMC in Alpharetta, and she will be returning home after Annual Conference. To give Rev. Farmer time to prepare for her move, her last Sunday with us will be this week, May 25.

Mr. Krivsky also announced that we will receive a new minister at Annual Conference. Brian Smith is from Gwinnett County and the Berkmar UMC. He is a graduate of Birmingham Southern and the Duke University Divinity School. He currently serves as the minister of the Cokesbury UMC in Hartwell. Rev. Smith's first Sunday with us will be June 22.

I hope you will be here this week to let Rev. Farmer know what her ministry has meant to you. There will be a reception for her in the Hospitality Room between the worship services and immediately following the 11:15 service. In worship, Mr. Krivsky will present a gift to Rev. Farmer from the church. Claudette, thank you for your time here and we wish you well in your ministry. You will always be a part of the FUMC family and we hope to see you from time to time.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

Restore to Glory!

Restore To Glory! is off and running with its own Web site. Click here to find out more information about the campaign, including this month's update , photos of the project's progress and how to donate or pledge to the campaign.

RTG! Trivia: MFUMC has put out 900 bales of pine straw in the last month. At 24 inches in length, they would stretch (placed end-to-end) the length of six football fields.

News

Marietta FUMC will be sending a mission team to Arizona, to work with the Tohono O'odham Native American tribe from June 11-18. Light repairs, block parties for the youth, and VBS will be the focus of the trip. Cost is $500. For more information contact Sarah Bentley at sbentley292@gmail.com or Forrest Cate at ext. 7806.

The College Sunday School class has begun for the summer and meets weekly in Room 255. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

We need your Legos! Starting Sunday, June 1, our children's Summer Sunday School program, Faith Builders: Building Faith Brick by Brick, will begin. If you-or people you know-have any extra Legos, please bring them to the FUSE box. Please note: we will not be using any Duplo blocks. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Our Guatemala Mission team is collecting items for its upcoming trip. Please consider donating socks, gummy vitamins, markers, pens, classroom wall clocks, deodorant, or muffin mix. Marked bins are around the church. (Forrest Cate, ext.7806)

The Beth Berman Circle is set to gather in the Hospitality Room at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21.

The Senior Adult Ministry will host a covered-dish lunch next Wednesday, May 28 at 11:30 a.m. in the Reception Hall. Singer Rodney Swain will be the entertainment. (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)

Join a mission team without traveling! International students in Marietta are looking for English practice, mentoring and friendship. The Global Mission Ministry Team is seeking volunteers to participate in casual English conversational round tables, offer English homework help, and give support and encouragement. (Sam Casto, 770-826-8650, samxcasto@gmail.com)

VBS and Summer Camp online registration is open! Visit the MFUMC Web site for details about the Summer of Wonders! There are many great camps for nursery, preschool, and elementary ages that will keep your kids entertained and growing in faith all summer long! Contact Kelly Duncan with any questions. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)

Volunteer registration for Vacation Bible School is now open. More than 300 children ages 3K to 5th grade (completed grades) will come together for "Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God" June 16-19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
As a counselor, you will play a critical role in helping children experience the power of God's love! There are many fun opportunities for involvement, and no teaching experience is necessary. If you enjoy working with children and have any time to spare (even just one day), the VBS staff will tailor a schedule that works with your availability and interests. The nursery is also available to care for younger siblings free-of-charge and is reserved only for counselors.
Please e-mail our volunteer coordinators, Karen Baudet and Christine Foster, by May 15th or indicate your interest in volunteering at the VBS registration link.

This Week

We will honor Rev. Claudette Farmer at receptions in the Hospitality Room (Room 220) this Sunday

following both worship services.

MFUMC is hosting a blood drive this Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall.

The church office will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Family Church Suppers are on hiatus until after Labor Day.

Save the Date

Beth Berman Circle

Wednesday, May 21

Farewell receptions
for Rev. Claudette Farmer

Sunday, May 25