REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP

On Monday, August 25, FCUMC Preschool opened the doors on a new school year. It is our 61st year serving FCUMC and the wider Knoxville community. This year, we welcomed 104 children from 96 families. We now have many students whose parents (and even a grandparent!) were FCUMC Preschool students and two of our Preschool teachers are former students. 

What a pleasure it is to greet the children as they run through the door, eager to show off their new light-up sneakers or Bluey backpack. I’m always amazed at how much a three-year-old can grow over the summer months! Some things may change, but our commitment to the best practices of early childhood education has not. Just this week, we were evaluated by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and scored a perfect 100! In July, our National Accreditation was renewed for another five years, continuing our tradition of accreditation first begun in April 2000, by Director Susan Todd.

This is my 19th year at the preschool (my 7th as Director), and it is a joy and privilege to be a part of such a well-loved, long-standing ministry at FCUMC. We sometimes find family in unexpected places. I always close my first letter to new families with “welcome to our Preschool family”. Family is how we as a staff experience FCUMC Preschool.

Regardless of what we might be experiencing personally, we know that when we come through these doors, we’ve entered our “Happy Place” where we are supported, loved, and comforted. We strive to give that experience to our preschool families as well, realizing that we are not just serving the preschooler, but the whole family. 

We thank you for welcoming these families to FCUMC for the past sixty years!

Alycia Truett,

FCUMC Preschool Director

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 10 Menu:  Hash brown casserole, green beans, salad, and lemon bars. 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.

Gresham Prayer Partners

We are still in need of prayer partners for Gresham Middle School. To participate in this ministry, we ask that you pray for a specific staff person daily, send a short note of encouragement once a month, and give a $10 gift/gift card at Christmas. If you are interested in taking a prayer partner, please call the church office at 865-689-5175 or Kim Meade at 865-599-7992 for details.

Community Warming Center Meeting 

September 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall 

Partner churches will gather for a next steps meeting (regardless if the warming center is on property or not). Erin Read will be present to provide updates on City/County decisions and offer input on next steps. Who will be in the room: partner churches, organizations (volunteers welcome too), and other supporters of the Warming Center 

Blessing Box Needs:

• Canned corn and green beans
• Peanut butter
• Chunky soups
• Canned spaghetti and noodles
• Cereal packs individual servings
• Fruit cups
• Snack crackers

Thank you for supporting the Blessing Box!

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 during Fountain City Fellowship on the Wednesday nights of September 10 and September 17. They will also be available on the Sunday mornings of September 7 and September 14.

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!

United Women in Faith is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in and support of mission and outreach projects at local, national, and global levels.

Our unit is made up of four circles (groups):

• The Ruth Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in Room 137. Please contact Ann Hunley or Betty Dougherty if you would like more information.
• The Sarah Circle meets on the second Tuesday of every other month at 1 p.m. in Room 137. Please contact Sarah Greene if you would like more information.
• The Wesley Circle meets at night or on weekends as announced. Please contact Becky Ripley if you would like more information.
• The Lydia Circle is new this year and meets the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. in Room 138. Please contact Chelsey Kent for more information.

ALL ladies are encouraged to join any circle or unit meetings/activities! We look forward to seeing you!

On September 14, 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 help us plan for the meal by registering here or calling the church office at 865-689-5175. 

Have a friend you know is coming? Let us know, and we will include them as well! Don’t miss this great opportunity to worship together and connect with friends from across the years!

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.

The Chancel Choir will present a concert this Sunday at 3 p.m. celebrating our musical heritage. We will be joined by some singing saints of decades past, as well as some former music staff members. We will also have a youth choir reunion.

Special guests include Sonny Melton, Andrew Duncan, Sheree Beeler, Krista Marine Wright, Sarah Holloway, Kathryn Paden, and Betsy Castleberry. If you would like more information on rehearsals or details, contact Leslie Hill, Director of Music Ministries.

Mark your calendars! On 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!

FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES



Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!

At Fountain Kids Club on Wednesday nights, we are learning about heroes of the Bible who won battles by following God's word.

Perseverance and a no-quit attitude when God is leading. The walls of Jericho came down as Joshua obeyed.

Next week parting the Red Sea. Kids are soaking it up like sponges! 

This Sunday, September 7 is Communion Sunday. We will not have 11 a.m. Fountain Kids Bible Experience.

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 in Realm.

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 meeting for their next project for Thursday, September 18 at 11am with lunch at Panera Bread. All are welcome to join!

Wednesdays, August 6-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.

Ministry Update & Fast Facts for July, 2025

Check out Fountain City UMC's Ministry Update & Fast Facts for July 2025 which includes worship attendance, Ministry Minute Stories, and a Year-To-Date Financial Snapshot. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 865-689-5175.

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.

Bulletin for Sunday, September 7, 2025

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 7: Homecoming concert at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary

September 8: Warming Center next steps gathering at 6:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall

September 9: Nominations & Leadership Development Committee at 6:30pm in Room 210

September 11: Stewardship Committee Meeting at 6:30pm in the Office Conference Room

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 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

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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