REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP

As we celebrate 200 years of ministry, we look to the future with deep gratitude for the roots that shaped us. Fountain City United Methodist Church began in what is now Fountain City Park as a camp-meeting site where music and worship drew people to Christ. That heartbeat still defines us today as lives are transformed through worship and discipleship. This makes me excited for us to step boldly into our bicentennial moment!

As I have said before, I am humbled to serve as your pastor again, and especially at this moment in our history. When I first pastored here (2002–2010), Fountain City was a bustling suburban church in an affluent community. Today, our context looks similar, but also different. We are living in a community that faces challenges similar to those found in more urban settings. There is a visible increase in unhoused neighbors, a growing international population, and many large homes are being converted into multi-tenant houses. But this is not the first time our community has been transformed over our 200 years. We know how to do this because our mission and focus remain the same. We are called to meet people where they are with the irresistible grace of Christ and help them grow to be disciples and live transformed lives. 

If space and permission allowed, I could tell a hundred quiet stories that did not make the history book, and that are too personal to share on a Sunday morning or in this article. Stories where our people chose to give dignity where others gave disdain, where we lifted the vulnerable and shepherded one another back into the arms of a gracious God. In those stories, we recovered the weak, valued the vulnerable, and walked with the weary, the child, and the elder saint. We are a people who know following Christ rarely means choosing easy; it means choosing faithful.

We were a church, are a church, and are becoming a church that holds diverse theological views together. That interdependence helps faith flourish. The body is at its best when the eye does not tell the hand, “I have no need of you.” 

I feel history will remember this as a polarized time for our nation and world. Whether the cause was a pandemic or just the swirl of shifting geo-political powers, we have been here before, and our Christ-centered testimony remains clear and simple: restoration can surpass retribution, hope can defeat despair, and the power of the resurrection is for all. This is the bold and radical message of the Gospel that reaches across the millennia. 

Our worship styles have changed since brush-arbor days, but the mission has not. In this bicentennial season, we eagerly embrace our Methodist heritage of social holiness and personal piety. We are a church in the heart of Fountain City with a heart for Fountain City, committed to making a difference for those who have been here for decades and those walking through our doors for the first time. 

Revival often appears where hard work intersects with the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit. I sense God stirring among us. I am honored to serve in this moment. Let us carry forward the faith, courage, and love that have defined Fountain City UMC for 200 years, trusting that the best is yet to come. 

In Christ,

Pastor Don

Food Serving Assistance Needed on September 14

Bicentennial Sunday is almost here! On Sunday, September 21 we’ll gather for one combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. (wrapped up before noon). Right after, enjoy a free Panera lunch (sandwiches, chips, cookies, and water) with gluten-free salads available.

To make it smooth and welcoming, we need ten volunteers (more are welcome). Pick a spot: setup, serving lines, food runners, or clean-up. Volunteer by calling the church office at 865-689-5175 or meet Chris Hurst, FCUMC Director of Food Services, at the Welcome Center between services this Sunday, September 14. He can provide more details. Meal pickup will be in the main hallway. Seating will be in Wesley Hall, the Gym, and nearby classrooms as needed. Bring your family, bring a friend—let’s celebrate 200 years together!

Homecoming Concert This Past Sunday

“Healing!”, “Just what I needed!”, “Inspiring!”, are just some of the comments people shared after they experienced the Homecoming Concert last Sunday. Did you miss it? Check it out! Be inspired! 

Fountain City Fellowship on Wednesday nights is calling! Join for a meal and stay for a class. Whether you are a long-time member, new to the congregation, or visiting for the first time, you are welcome here and will find a way to connect with others. Learn more about adult classes on our website and make plans to attend!

Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal • 5:30 p.m. in the Gym

September 17 Menu: Pork chops w/garlic & cream sauce, roasted potatoes, peas, and mocha cake. Register >>

• $5 for adults
• Kids and youth eat free

No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Please register those attending so we may be good stewards of the church's finances and reduce waste. You can register on the FCUMC website, in the notes section of a pew pad or by calling the church office at 865-689-5175. Registration closes at midnight on Tuesday.

SERVING OTHERS



An Invitation to Lead and Serve

The word church means gathering, and at Fountain City UMC, we have ministry teams and committees who gather regularly to carry out the holy work of ministry. Most leadership roles are on a 3- to 4-year rotation, and our Nominations Team is now prayerfully discerning leaders for teams starting in January 2026. Final recommendations will be presented to Church Council in November.

We need your help.

You can join the process by:

• Praying for our Nominations Team and those being considered
• Completing a self-nomination form or nominating someone else
• Encouraging others to do the same
• Reaching out with ideas or questions to your pastors or a nominations team member

Self-nominations help us connect people to ministry where they can serve with joy and impact and help overcome the challenge of knowing the giftedness and interests of all who call this their church home. While submitting a form doesn’t guarantee placement, your interest will be considered for all appropriate roles. Forms are kept on file for two years. To be included in this year’s cycle, please submit by October 1.

Who qualifies for leadership?

• Faithful church membership (not just attendance) who support FCUMC with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness
• A life reflecting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
• Have evidence of fairness, compassion, and a heart for all God’s children
• A commitment to our mission: Making Disciples. Changing Lives

Self-nominate or nominate someone else >>

Questions? Contact your pastors or one of the Nominations Team members: Melissa Charles, Gail Clift, William Hunley, Lucy Kron, Carolyn Latham, Misty McComas, Kim Meade, Carol Sewell, Pam Walker.

Blessing Box Needs:

• Water
• Individual cereal packs
• Canned spaghetti 
• Spaghetti noodles
• Fruit cups
• Chunky soups

Thank you and God bless the giver and the receiver!

Wesley House’s Masquerade Ball • October 3, 2025

This beloved event is a powerful opportunity to uplift the children and seniors Wesley House serves every day. The Wesley House Masquerade Ball is an elegant, black-tie evening designed to bring Knoxville’s community together in support of a powerful mission. Held annually, the event features fine dining, live entertainment, and a festive masquerade atmosphere. More than just a celebration, the ball serves as a major fundraiser to support Wesley House’s year-round programs for children and seniors in underserved neighborhoods. To purchase tickets, check out the Wesley House website.

NEWS AND NOTES

Bicentennial T-shirts For Sale

In honor of our bicentennial year, we have commemorative t-shirts for sale! Long and short sleeve t-shirts will be available for purchase this Sunday, September 14 and next Wednesday, September 17.

Payable by card, cash or check. Sizes include adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL. There are limited youth sizes available.

• Short-sleeve shirts $15 (+$2 for 2XL/3XL)
• Long-sleeve shirts $20 (+$2 for 2XL/3XL)

Be sure to pick up one of these limited-edition shirts in celebration of 200 years at Fountain City UMC!

Visit our Bicentennial Celebration Hallway

We have a hallway dedicated to our rich history located across from Entrance 3 near Wesley Hall. This month we highlight United Women in Faith!

Stop by and check out the memorabilia of FCUMC's United Women in Faith throughout the years. You will see historical prayer guides, information about UWF circles and lots of photos. There is even a newspaper clipping from the 1940's of the four oldest members of the Missionary Society of the church!

This Sunday, Rev. Jim Dougherty will guide us through the sweeping history of Fountain City UMC, making history come alive from our earliest days to where we are now. His engaging teaching will follow the history booklet he recently compiled and highlight the faithfulness that has carried this church for 200 years. Come for the stories. Stay for the inspiration. Bring a friend, and your whole class if you like! All ages welcome!

Join the celebration on Sunday, September 21 at 10:30 a.m. for one worship service honoring 200 years at Fountain City UMC. A free celebration meal follows. Please register for the meal here or call the church office at 865-689-5175. Registration is not required but will certainly help in our planning. Don’t miss this great opportunity to worship together and connect with friends from across the years!

As part of our 200th celebration, we’ll be capturing photos and brief videos in worship and around the church to share the joy of the day on our website and social media. If you prefer not to be photographed, you can sit in the Sanctuary transept on the piano side (a no-photo zone). If you see your name, image, or likeness used in any communication and want to opt out or to request removal of any image, email us at spirit@fountaincityumc.org. Thank you for helping us celebrate well!

Share Your Living Letter for our 200th!

As we celebrate two centuries of ministry this month, we are gathering your stories! Email mystory@fountaincityumc.org by Wednesday, September 17 and include photos!

Need a prompt? Try one:

• Tell about a time you experienced a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) at church, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control.
• Who first welcomed you, and how did that shape your faith?
• When did God meet you through worship, a small group, Celebrate Recovery, a mission trip, Preschool, Warming Center, or the choir?
• Share a moment FCUMC served with you in the spirit of Acts 1:8 to be a witness.
• Write one sentence to future generations, your short “living letter,” about what you hope FCUMC remains known for.

Please include your name, your connection to FCUMC, and the approximate year of your memory. By sending, you grant permission for us to share your story online and in print. Let’s give thanks together and keep living the letter of God’s love.

This Sunday, September 14, we will gather for our annual church picnic at the Iglehart farm. Every year, the Igleharts graciously welcome us to their home for some games, fellowship and a delicious barbecue meal! The address is 6161 Edmondson Lane. If you are interested in a ride to the picnic from the church, a bus will be leaving at 4 p.m. Meet in the parking lot on Hotel Rd. Thank you, Cheryl Shular, for driving the bus!

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Doug Shipman and his crew will provide the barbecue. Bring some lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and any outdoor games you want to play. There will be an inflatable for the kids! As always, the picnic is free for our church family to enjoy!

Look at that brilliant star! Doesn’t that put you in the Christmas spirit? It’s a little early, you may think. However, our very wise participants from the intergenerational dogwood painting party in the spring asked if we could have another one with a Christmas theme. Of course, we can! 

As discussions grew and folks reflected on how busy it gets at the church and in their own lives after November 1, a common request came. Can we have a Christmas painting party in October? Yes, we can! It’s always a good time to get folks of all ages together for fellowship and creativity. Invite friends and neighbors for the Starry Sheep Painting Party! The fee is $25 per person. Registration opens September 14. 

FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES



We hope to see all of our Fountain Kids at the church picnic this Sunday! We will have an inflatable and lots of games!

Don't forget to sign up for the intergenerational painting party on October 26 as we create inspirational Christmas paintings! Registration opens this Sunday!

YOUTH MINISTRY

Our outing to Ijams Nature Center has been rescheduled!

Calling all 6th-12th grade students! Join FCUMC Youth for a hike at Ijams Nature Center on September 20.

We can't wait to get together and explore the beauty that God has given us.

Register Now >>

Confirmation classes for 7th-12th grade students will begin on September 21. We will meet on Sundays at 3 p.m. leading up to Confirmation Sunday. There will be no class on Sunday, October 5 due to Knox County Schools fall break.

We will have the Confirmation retreat on October 17-19. The cost of the retreat is $100. If you have questions or concerns about this fee, please reach out to Matt Randle.

Confirmation Sunday is November 16 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to share in this special time with our youth!

ADULT MINISTRY

Members of the Chancel Choir would like to invite our senior adults to join us for a fun outing. We will travel by coach bus to Abingdon, VA to see Anne of Green Gables: the Musical at the Barter Theatre on Thursday, October 23. 

$110 per person covers the cost of transportation, show ticket and lunch. There are only 38 slots available, so register soon! Registration and payment deadline is September 23. Contact Leslie Hill with any questions. 

Lunch Meeting at Panera Bread on September 18

Team Craft has scheduled a lunch meeting for their next project for Thursday, September 18 at 11 a.m. at Panera Bread. All are welcome to join!

Wednesdays Through November 5, 2025 • 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare, a friendly, caring group who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Join GriefShare on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Room 137. Register >>  Facilitator: Dixie Bopp.

CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS & CELEBRATIONS

Sydney McCarter, a Karns High School junior and FCUMC member, has big aspirations. She’s running for homecoming queen on behalf of the Special Olympics. Sydney wants to be a princess on the homecoming court this year and said she’s looking forward to wearing a princess dress and a tiara, not necessarily winning the homecoming crown.

“My family likes football, I love my school, and I want to wear a princess dress,” said McCarter. A comprehensive development classroom (CDC) student, McCarter is raising money by selling T-shirts and has earned about $1,500 so far, which she will share with Special Olympics.

You can donate to Sydney’s homecoming campaign which will help support inclusion, determination, and the spirit of the Special Olympics. Good luck, Sydney!

Read the article in it's entirety here. Scroll down towards the bottom of the Shopper News!

COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP ON SUNDAYS AT THE WELCOME CENTER

Stop by the Welcome Center before or after worship (8:00-10:45 a.m). and let us bless you! See you Sunday!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

8:30 a.m. Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Discipleship

11 a.m.Traditional Service in the Sanctuary

11 a.m. The Journey Contemporary Service in the Gym

Childcare and children's ministry is provided from 8:30 a.m. through the conclusion of the 11 a.m. worship services.

FOUNTAIN KIDS SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Fountain Kids Sunday School • 9:45 a.m.

Fountain Littles Sunday School • 9:45 a.m. 

Fountain Kids Bible Experience • 11 a.m.

Fountain Littles Childcare • 11 a.m.

THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Check out the September 2025 edition of The Spirit Newsletter.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Friday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

NEXT UP AT FCUMC

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

September 14: Church Picnic beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Iglehart Farm

September 17: Trustees Committee Meeting at 4:00pm in Room 210

September 20: Youth Ijams Outing from 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

September 21: Worship Service Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of FCUMC • 10:30 a.m.

September 22: Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) at 6:30pm in Room 137

September 28: Visioning Team Meeting from 2:30-5:30pm in Room 210

September 29: Nominations & Leadership Development Committee at 6:30pm in Room 137

October 23: Singers and Seniors Day Trip to Abingdon, VA

October 24: Painting Party at 4 p.m. in the Gym

Pastor On Call

After Hours & Weekends

When you need urgent pastoral care while the church office is closed, text or call 865-689-7894 to reach the

pastor on call.

Pastor Don's email:

Pastor.Don@fountaincityumc.org

Pastor Rachel's email:

Pastor.Rachel@fountaincityumc.org

Live-Streamed Worship Services:

11:00 a.m. The Journey Contemporary worship and 

11 a.m. Traditional worship

 are live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Our Tuesday night Celebrate Recovery service is live-streamed on the CR North Facebook page and available on YouTube after its conclusion.

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