REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. RACHEL COLLINS, PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP

A Week of Learning in Nashville!

Our office staff enjoyed an incredible week of learning and inspiration in Nashville! Our minds are full of ideas—both specific to Realm (our church management software) and general ministry insights related to hospitality and generosity.

We’re excited to bring back what we’ve learned and begin implementing new tools and strategies in 2026. Some of the exciting updates we’ll explore include:

• Volunteer scheduling, skills, and interest tracking
• Church calendar enhancements
• Stock and crypto giving options
• Check-in kiosks and name tags
• Digital guest connections
• Tap tags for giving—and much more!
• Database cleanup and management
• Online merch store

Stay tuned for upcoming Realm training classes that will be held during Fountain City Fellowship in January. These sessions will help everyone get comfortable with the old and new features and tools as we move into an exciting new year of ministry together!

Yeehaw from Nashville!

Chad & Ashley

Did you know????

Welcome to a new segment called "Did you Know!?" Check out this spot for details that will appear every now and again about some cool things and some serious things in the life of the church.

Did you know??? that the Church Council is meeting this coming Monday (10/24) at 6:30 pm? 

It is!

Did you know???that anyone interested in the mission and ministries of the church can come and be part of the church council meetings?

You can! 

We hope that you will come in a spirit of curiosity, hope, and good faith. There are lots of details that go into the work of the Church Council- such as approving budgets, oversight of trustee building management, and even wrestling with some heavy topics like missional tension.

Did you know??? that while anyone seeking the good of the church body through a spirit of curiosity and hope can come to the meeting not everyone can vote? 

While anyone can share their perspectives, only persons that are nominated and elected through an official process that happens each fall can vote on matters of the council.

 So why come? It is still so important for the council to hear from you!

Why are we telling you this now? 

Your pastoral leadership is aware that there is some tension around missions and ministries here at FCUMC. This is a chance for us to engage in conversation together, as well as focus in on developing a framework for why we engage in mission as a church community. There is so much for us to share in together and we hope to do that well... and keep getting better at doing it!

Did you know that Pastor Don and I can’t wait to see you in worship, in discipleship groups, and yes, even at the church council meeting? Let’s be about being the church that Jesus has described for us to be. 

See you soon! 

Pastor Rachel

Come to church on Wednesday nights for great food and fellowship! The fellowship meal begins at 5:30 p.m. and classes follow at 6:30 p.m.

Our newest classes are Mandalas, Candles & Prayer, and Adult Confirmation. Please check out our website to learn more about all of the programming options available.

October 29 Menu: Chicken pot pie, peas, fruit salad, and rolls. A light meal of baked chicken tenders with mixed steamed vegetables will also available. 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

Community Meal | Tomorrow Night!

5:30 PM in Wesley Hall

The Community Outreach Team is moving forward with some planned events this fall for our neighbors. We are excited to announce we are hosting a Community Meal on October 25. 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!

Winter Clothing and Food 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.

We are also asking for Sunday School classes to collect grab and go foods such as pop-top cans of spaghetti, mac & cheese, ravioli, chili, granola bars, and canned fruit. These food items can be left in classrooms for collection. Thank you for your support of our community outreach!

Please bring your gently used or new coats to our missions collection area near the Gym and place them in the designate bin or to any KARM store and mention you are with FCUMC. We will receive Coats for the Cold tickets based on our donations which we will give to those who are in need of a coat this winter. These tickets can be redeemed November 17-December 6 at any KARM Stores location, where neighbors are invited to shop with dignity and personally select the coat that best fits them. Last year, more than 9,000 coats were given to our community through God’s provision and the prayers of His people.

NEWS AND NOTES



Building on the successful joint Laity and Clergy Holston Conference Retreat at Pipestem, led by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, we aim to foster further collaboration between our laity and clergy. We invite your laity and clergy to "This Works Ministry Summit," November 14-15, 2025. 

We are very fortunate to have the outstanding leadership of Reverend Dr. Laceye Warner from Duke Divinity School and a group of practitioners engaged in transformational ministry within their Appalachian ministry settings. 

The registration fee is $30 for 1.5 CEUs and Advanced Lay Servant Certification. The summit will be available in person at Rural Retreat United Methodist Church in Virginia. Register >>

FOUNTAIN KIDS & FOUNTAIN LITTLES



Oakes Farm • Tomorrow, October 25 at 10 am. 

Due to bad weather last Saturday, we have rescheduled our visit to the pumpkin patch at Oakes Farm for this Saturday. Meet at Oakes Farm entrance for your ticket. 

Pumpkin Party • October 29

We're having a Pumpkin Party during Fountain Kids Club from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29. We will have games, magic, fun, and treat bags. It’s party time! 

Fountain Kids Outreach

Fountain Kids will assist Fountain City Sports and Recreation with their basketball Meet and Greet on November 2 at 1 pm. (This is a change from the previous date of October 25.) Our community is blessed to have over 500 children registered and we are looking at possibly 1,000 in attendance at the meeting. We will greet and show the love of Fountain City United Methodist children’s ministry to our community!

YOUTH MINISTRY

Confirmation classes meet on Sundays at 3 p.m. leading up to Confirmation Sunday on November 16 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to share in this special time with our youth!

ADULT MINISTRY

Singers and Seniors Had a Wonderful Day Trip

Thanks to everyone who make the trek with us to the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA to see Anne of Green Gables the Musical. What a wonderful time of music and fellowship!

Find Comfort for the Season with Surviving The Holidays

November 12 | 10 a.m.

Surviving the Holidays, a seminar on managing grief in the midst of the holidays, will provide support & practical tips for facing holiday challenges after loss. This 2-hour event will give you coping strategies to navigate the challenges of the holiday season without your loved one. Register >

Ministry Update & Fast Facts for September

Check out Fountain City UMC's Ministry Update & Fast Facts for September, 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.

THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Check out the October 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

October 24: Painting Party | 4 p.m. | Gym

October 25: Oakes Farm Pumpkin Patch | 10 a.m.

October 25: Community Meal | 5:30 p.m. | Wesley Hall

October 27: Church Council Meeting | 6:30 p.m. | Choir Room

November 4: Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) | 6:30 p.m. | Room 210

November 17: Church Council Meeting (Charge Conference) | 6:30 p.m. | ONLINE ONLY

November 18: Finance Committee Meeting | 6:30 p.m. | Room 210

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

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

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

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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