REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP

A Peace-Full Thanksgiving

As we head toward Thanksgiving next week, many of us are looking forward to gathering with people we love… and some who are just a little harder to love. Holidays can feel like a pressure cooker and can also be a moment of evangelism for those who know you are a follower of Christ. What do I mean?

Though you cannot control who sits at the table, you can decide what you bring to it (emotionally, not the pumpkin pie). Preparation is a kind of spiritual power. You already know who will be late, who will talk politics, and who will stir the pot. Instead of wishing the day were different, you can decide to be different. 

Scripture gives us a helpful vision: “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Peace does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means refusing to let drama dictate your joy. 

So, what could Thanksgiving, or any Holiday gathering, look like if you lean into that passage? Ask questions that pull people toward gratitude instead of conflict, and be prepared to model how to do it:

• What is one unexpected thing you are thankful for this year?
• What is one thing you appreciate about the person sitting to your right?

Think of this way: what you tolerate, celebrate, and model will quietly set a new tone. What would happen if as you prepare the pumpkin pie, you also prepare how to be a bringer of peace, and ask God to help you reflect the light of Christ?

We all have family and friends who will be around the table that hope someone will set a new tone. Why not this year? Why not you?

I trust you can.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel,

Pastor Don

A Note From Our Finance Chair

As we come to the end of the year, I am both grateful and hopeful. Your generosity has carried Fountain City UMC through another year of meaningful ministry, and our Rooted & Renewed theme continues to show us that God is growing something good here.

Your gifts are a meaningful form of ministry that do far more than cover utilities and salaries. They assist missions locally and globally, support children and youth programming, help fund Celebrate Recovery, strengthen our Preschool, sustain our music ministry and provide Wednesday night meals. This is what it means to be Rooted & Renewed: our giving grows into real ministry and transforms lives.

The church’s financial year end coincides with the calendar and will be wrapping up at the end of December. You may have seen on the Fast Facts sheet that we are currently running a budget deficit, which is not unusual for this time of year. Many of us began the year with a prayerful intention on our commitment card. As the year progressed, some are right on track; others may be behind, and some even ahead of where they expected. As we close out the year, this is a good moment to ask: Where am I in my giving compared to what I intended? If you are unsure, our Financial Secretary, Ashley Garren, can provide a confidential giving statement.

Charitable deductions for nonprofit giving are expected to change next year, which may make it more advantageous for some households to give in the current tax year rather than waiting. Please consult your tax advisor. If a year-end gift is wise for you, I hope you will consider FCUMC. A strong December can help close the gap in our current budget and position us well for 2026.

In the weeks ahead, church staff and the Finance Committee will be working on a budget to present to Church Council for 2026. As part of this budgeting process, we will be evaluating our planned financial commitments for 2026 to determine how we can financially support our ministry next year. If you have not already, I invite you to prayerfully consider making a financial commitment for 2026. Commitment cards can be found in the church office or completed online. During all of last year’s commitment campaign, we had 14 first-time giving units/households make a financial commitment. This year, I’m excited to report that we already have 17 first-time givers/households. Another sign that something special is happening at Fountain City UMC. 

I hope you realize and celebrate how your generosity enables our church to continue its mission. Thank you for supporting all our ministries that make a difference every day. If you have any questions about church finances, please do not hesitate to contact me, Ashley Garren, Don or Rachel.

With gratitude,

Walden Buttram

Chair, Finance Ministry Team

SERVING OTHERS

Congregational Care Holy Communion Visits

At this time of year many people make special efforts to spend time with family. For some in our church who are homebound, this is an especially difficult season. Our Congregational Care Team takes Holy Communion to our homebound members once a month (if not more frequently). If you would like to help ensure our elder Saints received Holy Communion, we would love for you to come be part of the effort. Arrive at the church office Conference Room at 12:30 p.m. for instructions, the consecration of the elements, and group prayer before we head out two-by-two. Contact Kurt Wiberly for more information. 

If you are interested in selecting a senior from Beverly Park Place to help out with their Christmas wish list, please contact Sandy Morgan.

Winter Clothing Collection

We are requesting some items for our neighbors as we head into the colder months. Please bring new or gently used sweatshirts, hoodies and fleece jackets (M, L & XL) and place them in the designated bin in the missions collection area near the Gym.



Fountain City UMC is hosting a Community Meal this Saturday, November 22 at 5:30 p.m. The menu consists of chili with tamales, assorted chili toppings, slaw, beverages, and a variety of desserts. The hosts for this meal are the following FCUMC classes—Focus, Insight, and Women’s Thrive Group. This event is open to everyone in the church, our housed and unhoused neighbors, and anyone else who is HUNGRY. We have some great cooks so come and eat with us. All are WELCOME!

Great Job FCUMC!

We collected 96 bags of food and 52 gallons of milk that will help families, residents of a sober house and Fountain City Ministry Center. The families we met and prayed for were very grateful and told us some sad stories. The Missions Team and Community Action Team thank you very much!

If you know someone who could benefit from receiving a ticket for a free coat, please have them contact the church office at 865-689-5175 or have them drop by and pick up a voucher.

Tickets can be redeemed through December 6 at any KARM Store location.

Blessing Box Needs: 

• Shelf stable milk
• Fruit juice
• Granola bars
• Peanut butter crackers

Thank you for your continued generosity!

NEWS AND NOTES



Director of Food Services (Part-Time) Position Open

We believe sharing a meal can be one of the most powerful ways to share God’s love. We’re seeking a Director of Food Services who can embrace our kitchen as a ministry hub: where volunteers feel valued, guests feel at home, and every dish is prepared with excellence and care. The director will oversee food support for Celebrate Recovery (Tuesday), Fountain City Fellowship (Wednesday), and Hospitality Ministries (as needed), ensuring quality, safety, and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. This role includes menu planning, volunteer leadership, and coordinating food service for special events.

The position is hourly and part-time. The director may also contract separately with inside or outside groups for events, using the church kitchen, as long as it does not conflict with church ministries.

Ideal candidates have experience in food service management, enjoy working with volunteers, and see hospitality as a calling. If you have a passion for food, faith, and community, we’d love to meet you. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Check out the job description and please apply today!

Come To Bethlehem Registration Is Open

Experience FCUMC's annual event celebrating the night Jesus was born. There will be new animals this year for our Bethlehem Christmas farm! This is a free event with dinner to kick off the evening as you begin your journey towards Christmas.

Register today!

The FCUMC Chancel Choir, Tollers, Youth Ensemble, and Fountain Voices are excited to offer our annual Christmas concert! This year’s program is full of favorite familiar carols played, sung, and rung in exciting arrangements. Come, Celebrate Christmas! We hope you will join us and invite your friends and neighbors.

Senior Adults! Join the FCUMC Chancel Choir for a Christmas luncheon in Wesley Hall on December 17.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. for an 11:30 a.m. meal prepared by Fountain City’s own Doug Shipman. Guest musicians for the day will be the Gibbs High School Ensemble. Cost is $7 per person. Contact Leslie Hill if you have any questions about this fun event! Register >>

Coming soon! A New Holiday Handout to share around town!! Your challenge while we wait for them to arrive is to be ready to share this door hanger in five different places!!

See a new QR code around the church? Take a minute to scan it and see what this helpful link can connect you to today! 

In order to inform our community about our wonderful Sunday School Classes, we are launching a Sunday School Promotional Video Initiative. We are asking each Sunday School class to film a 30-second video that covers the following: 

1. Name of your class
2. Room number
3. Age range 
4. One sentence description of your class

These videos will be posted on the church's Instagram and Facebook page! Please complete this form to select a date and time for Britney Barthol to visit your Sunday School class. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Britney. 

Poinsettia Dedications

As Advent season draws near, it brings us the opportunity to continue our Fountain City UMC tradition of honoring loved ones with poinsettia dedications. You are invited to make a dedication in honor or memory of family and friends. For $11 per dedication, your loved one will be honored or memorialized in our bulletin. For inclusion in the dedication list, please submit all requests by Monday, December 8, 2025. Thank you! Request a dedication >>

Hello Friends,

I cannot wait to experience walking in the footsteps of John Wesley with you in a Wesley Heritage Tour of England on November 4-12, 2026. This journey is such an incredible opportunity to reconnect with the history that makes our tradition so rich and meaningful.

Check out the details and register.

- Pastor Rachel

PRESCHOOL



Preschool Pajama Drive

FCUMC Preschool is collecting pajamas for children experiencing uncertainty. Join us this year as we collect new pajamas in sizes infant to adult through December 5. Our pajama drive will culminate in preschool-wide Pajama Days on Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday December 4. This year our pajamas will be donated to Fountain City Ministry Center.

FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES



Happy Thanksgiving to our three Fountain City Parks and Recreation children’s teams we have adopted. Next Monday we wish them a Happy Thanksgiving with the old fashion treat bags from church. Special thanks to David Hardin and Lee Iglehart for being our onsite greeters and assistants. 

Don’t be distracted by things of the world. Mr Ed Ripley appearing as an Anglerfish after a lesson on Jonah and distractions.

Calling all Fountain Kids families! Hang out on the Fountain Kids float for the Fountain City Christmas Parade on December 7. Step off is at 9 a.m. Children and parents can board the float at 8:30 a.m. at Gresham Middle School. The parade ends at Central High School.

Others can join us on the FCUMC front lawn to watch the parade. Bring your chair and your blanket and enjoy!

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Youth Christmas Party

Our Christmas party will take place on Wednesday, December 17 during youth group! We will play games, read the Christmas story, and have a white elephant gift exchange! If your student would like to participate, they are encouraged to bring a gift that costs no more than ten dollars. There will be extra gifts just in case there are students unable to bring one.

Young Adults

Sunday nights just keep getting better! The Young Adult group meets from 6–8 p.m. in a rotation of homes around Fountain City. Come for the conversation, stay for the community (and maybe the themed snacks). Connect with Pastor Rachel or another young adult to join the group chat and get all the details.

We’re diving into our new Advent read, The First Advent in Palestine! It will carry us through the end of the year, a perfect way to prepare our hearts (and minds) for Christmas.

Ministry Update & Fast Facts for October

Check out Fountain City UMC's Ministry Update & Fast Facts for October, 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 office@fountaincityumc.org or 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 November 23, 2025

THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Check out the November 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

November 22: Community Meal | 5:30 p.m.

December 1: Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) | 6:30 p.m. | Room 137

December 7: Come To Bethlehem | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

December 11: Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m. | Room 137

December 12: Movie Night & Food Drive | 6:30 p.m. in the Gym

December 13: Community Meal | 5:30 p.m.

December 14: Come, Celebrate Christmas Concert | 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary

December 15: Come, Celebrate Christmas Concert | 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

December 17: Senior Adults Christmas Luncheon | 11:30 a.m. | Wesley Hall

December 18: Church Council/Visioning Team | 6:30 p.m. | Choir Room

December 21: The Longest Night Worship Service | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

December 24: Christmas Family Nativity Service | 4 p.m. | Sanctuary

December 24: Christmas Contemporary Candlelight Service | 6:30 p.m. | Gym

December 24: Christmas Traditional Candlelight Service | 11 p.m. | Sanctuary

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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