News from Marietta FUMC for February 23, 2016

BIG FEET (and little feet, too)

I have never visited the store but for years have read about Friedman's Shoes in downtown Atlanta. A number of years ago those folks found their niche in the Atlanta

shoe market and began to stock large sizes. And I mean large sizes! Their website advertises that the store has IN STOCK sizes from 7 to 22! Obviously, among the clientele visiting the store has been the athletes who come to town. I've read of entire teams traveling to Atlanta that would go together to Friedman's (according to a recent newspaper article, the only customer they were unable to fit was Andre the Giant, who required a size 24). Basketball player Dennis Scott, who played at Georgia Tech, said that one year he spent almost $200,000 on shoes at Friedman's! In its heyday the store featured a "skins room" displaying shoes made from ostrich, alligator, and other exotic skins.

But as popular as Friedman's was, things change. The advent of online shopping made other options available and the store does not do the business it once did. The "skins room," for instance, is now bare.

When I read and hear about businesses like that finding their niche and tending to their clientele, I always think about the church. Our clientele covers a large, large segment of our culture. And our clientele is determined not by size or athletic ability but by the yearnings of the human heart and the human mind.

I enjoy scanning the announcements in the bulletin on Sunday morning. I don't read all of them to you during the announcement period before worship, but I call your attention to them. I am always amazed at the myriad of ways that one can be "connected" and live out his/her calling here as a child of God. Short-term mission trips can take us around the world and across the country. Volunteer opportunities help us feed the poor and to minster to the needy and to those who are alone, most often right here in our own neighborhood. We can live out the gospel with infants and children, with youth, adults, and the elderly. We can teach or learn in small groups. We can find those with similar theological and political
opinions, or engage in conversation with those who see the world and the nature of God in a completely different way than we. And even if we cannot be present for those acts, we can pray for our church and its mission.

In short, we do not have a defined clientele. Anyone who is a child of God is one with whom we will communicate, share to gospel, and hold accountable to the basic tenets of the faith and of human integrity. It's a big world, but the list of human needs is simple. We all need God and we all need each other. Acknowledging those needs is the start of living a faithful, fruitful life. And your church will help you.

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News

Lenten Lecture Series. Join us as we continue our Lenten series led by our four ministers on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 256. Pre-registration not required (Erin Kimbrel, ext. 7813).

A Closer Look is a class for visitors and new members who want to discover more about the mission and ministry of Marietta First United Methodist. The class begins Sunday, March 13 at 10:10 a.m. in the Parlor and runs for five weeks. Register on the church Web site or through the church office. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Volunteer to help with our Habitat for Humanity build on Saturday, March 5 or Saturday, March 19. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope by building affordable housing. You can help by volunteering to build or provide breakfast or lunch. You may sign up online at www.mariettafumc.org. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Save the date for the 2016 Global Great Day of Service: Saturday, April 30, with breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by Communion. This service project is perfect for all age groups and a great way for our church family to serve together. We will pack meals from 9 a.m. until noon through Stop Hunger Now, which provides food and life-changing aid to the world's most vulnerable communities. To sign up, please click here. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Handel's Messiah Study: Lent, Easter and Beyond. Fred Finzer will be leading a 4-week class beginning March 7 that looks at the music, themes, and use of scripture in Handel's Messiah. Contact the church office to register for the class. The class meets each Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. in room 303 (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840).

A Grief Support Group offers help and healing to those experiencing loss. Our next group will begin on Wednesday, March 9 and will run for 6 weeks from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Parlor. For more information or to register, contact Rev. Elaine Wilder at ext. 7826.

Our Blanket and Shawl Ministry meets the first Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. This group knits prayer shawls for our church and community. All are welcome. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Little Lambs Children's Consignment Sale returns March 10-12 here at MFUMC. Volunteers are needed, and consignor registration is open. For more information, visit www.li-lambs.org. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Registration for Glisson Grow Day Camp at FUMC is open! Dates are June 6-10 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The camp is for children who have completed K-5th grade. Register at www.growdaycamps.org. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

The senior adults will take a trip to Gibb Gardens in Ball Ground, Ga., on Thursday March 10. We will depart at 11 a.m. and pause for lunch on-site at the garden. The cost of the trip is $22 plus lunch. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Fuse Soccer. Registration for our most popular sport is open. The season for ages 3K through 5th grade begins March 13 and ends on May 15. Click here to register. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

The 3rd-5th grade Bible study continues on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 324. Fellowship with friends and explore the books of the Bible. For more information or to sign up, contact Kelly Duncan at ext. 7812. All are welcome, so invite friends!

Help prevent hunger in our community. Volunteer at the food pantry of our community development partner, the Center for Family Resources in the Mansour Building. Shifts are available on Thursdays and Fridays. To sign up or for more information, please contact Michelle Paracha at michelleparacha@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7803.

We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking getting to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

This Week

This Sunday, February 28, the director of Camp Glisson will visit our church to provide information about summer camps. Children ages rising 2nd through 12th grade may attend overnight camp at Glisson. Lightseekers will host the presentation at 10 a.m. in Room 252, and Kindred Spirits will host at 11 a.m. in Room 251. There will also be a table with brochures on the bridge.

Join the senior adults in visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this Thursday, February 25 to view the vast array of orchids. We will depart at 10:15 a.m. from the Polk Street lot. Cost is $21 plus lunch. RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

All men of the church are invited to an oyster roast this Thursday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Justin and Beth Gilland, 945 Mountain Brook Lane, Marietta GA 30064. Enjoy food and fellowship and find ways to get connected. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Help restock the MFUMC food pantry during the month of February. Collection bins are located at each elevator. (Forrest Cate, ext. 8906)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper

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

February 24

Chicken and dumplings or grilled chicken, corn, baked apples, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- Baked Chicken leg, dumplings, green beans, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Save the Date

Thursday, February 25