Dear Church Family,
I wanted to start with sharing some news from our staff. Our beloved Debbra Stolley has had to retire for health reasons. Debbra has worked at FUMC for 12 years and is dearly loved by staff and members. We honored her in worship this Sunday by creating this tapestry of our prayers and appreciation for her.
I am so sad to not be in ministry with Debbra, but I know you join me in supporting and praying for her as she takes care of her health. Thank you, Debbra for the love, care, concern and amazing ministry you’ve provided to our church family these past years. 
Here is the good ministry that we’ve offered to God and this community in the past week:
  • This Sunday was also Student Sunday and our young adults, college students, and youth led worship: providing music, praying, delivering the message and even eating dirt (watch the Contemporary Service’s children’s sermon if that piqued your interest) for the sake of sharing Good News. We are so proud of our young people and so delighted at the effort, time, and prayer they put into leading worship. Thank you, students!
  • Mercy Chefs honored our church with this lovely plaque. That’s another meaningful community partnership that developed in the pandemic. We provided our kitchen and hands to help and the provided the supplies, chefs and materials to provide 8,955 hot, gourmet meals to those affected by the Hurricane Hanna.
  • Speaking of Hurricane Hanna, did you know that there is still so much rebuilding and help that families need to recover? Our amazing Susan Hellums is leading our area’s Long -Term Disaster Relief Committee (LTDRC). This is a HUGE job, and one that Susan has been leading, every week, ever since July of 2020! The LTDRC has identified needs and they have funds to help. They are just waiting for Case Managers to oversee the matching of funds with needs. You can pray that we find case managers quickly so that the work of distributing funds can begin.
  • Here’s the final Hurricane Hanna info: A Mennonite Team is here to serve in rebuilding with us over the past few weeks. We are so very thankful for their service in our efforts. It’s such a beautiful thing when people of all churches come together to restore and rebuild. We are very thankful for this group and the long distance they have come to share their skills with those in need in our community. And thankful to Susan and her team for coordinating this!
  • We have such a special partnership with The Food Bank of the RGV. Susan just shared with me that the food bank often sends us free palates of apples, pears, cereal and other staples whenever they can, for FREE. The Food Bank has told her, “we just know FUMC is doing such good work for our community. We want to help you do even more.” WOW. What a testimony and affirmation to receive. I hope that warms your heart the way it does mine.
Here’s a few of the special worship services and events happening at FUMC in February:
  • Children's Inside OutReach Lenten Activities begin Sunday, February 21 during the 9:30 am worship service! Each Sunday during Lent children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join Lee Ann Clemons for fun Bible lessons, outreach projects, music, and more on the church lawn following Time for Children. Remember to wear your masks! 
  • Third graders are getting their Bibles this weekend at all three worship services (6:30pm Saturday, 9:30 and 11am Sunday). If you have a 3rd grader, be sure to let Lee Ann Clemmons know. We’d love to celebrate with you, either in person, outdoors, or online! Contact [email protected] for more info!
  • Outdoor Worship: THIS Saturday, February 6th at 6:30pm on the lawn. Bring your blankets (or chairs), wear your masks, and enjoy worship under the stars. We’re going to be doing monthly outdoor worship throughout the Spring on the first Sunday night of the month. But this first one is SATURDAY because Sunday is the SUPER BOWL. Now you can enjoy both, if you wish. 
  • Valentines Movie Night: Sunday, February 14th at 6:30pm on the lawn. God created us for each other, and we want to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetie. Grab a blanket, bring your masks, pack a picnic supper and join us on the lawn. The movie was selected by a congregation poll in the last letter and there is a land-slide victor: 50 First Dates! We hope to see you and provide a space where you and your sweetheart can enjoy a Valentine’s Day movie under the stars.


  • Ash Wednesday, February 17
  • Drive-Thru Ashes to Go, 7:30-8:30am (Parking Lot) Pastors will be standing along McColl Road. Just pull into the parking lot and we will pray for you and impose the ashes. 
  • Worship service (Sanctuary), 12pm Worship in the sanctuary: reflective and contemplative. Join us as we recall our own mortality and turn our faces towards Jesus on the 40 day journey of Lent (the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter). 
  • Drive-Thru Ashes to God, 5:00-6:00pm (Parking Lot) Pastors will be standing along McColl Road. Just pull into the parking lot and we will pray for you and impose the ashes. 
Some of you asked that we create a wish-list for items that FUMC needs. If you prefer in-kind giving, here are a few of the things that would bless our ministry: 
  • The thousands of pounds of food we move around have taken their toll on the carpet in the social room. It’s buckling so much that we’re concerned about tripping hazards. If you know anyone who is good with carpet and might help us stretch it out to make it last a bit longer, we’d sure appreciate the guidance. 
  • There is a group called Stephen Ministry that involves lay people in walking alongside others going through a hard time. It’s one of the best ministries I’ve ever been part of in a local church because it provides wonderful training that equips people in the church to care for those who have gone through a loss, divorce, or just need some extra support. I’d love to see Stephen Ministry get it started in our church. For that to happen, we’d need 2-3 people who felt called to get the training. We would find those training funds if we could first find the people God is calling to lead such a ministry. Let me know if you’d like more details, or visit the website: www.stephenministries.org 
  • We have two office spaces in the Education building that, in the recent flood, suffered damage and have some mildew and moldiness that we need to repair. If we could fix them up, our new Youth Director could have an office (instead of using the conference room). If you have skills or expertise to help, please reach out to [email protected]
Thank you, church family, for the love and kindness you show to all God’s children. You are the light of the world and you are shining brightly with God’s love.

Pastor Laura
First United Methodist Church McAllen | FUMCmcallen.com