MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
I would like to update you on a recent change to our Weekday Ministry Program in response to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.
Our Weekday Ministry consists of three programs:
• Mother’s Morning Out (1 and 2 yr. old’s)
• Wkday Preschool (3 and 4 yr. old’s)
• After-School Care Program (K-5th grade)
Like all childcare centers across the nation, COVID-19 has caused a significant increase in costs, particularly the need for more staff to allow for smaller groups. Most childcare centers have also seen a dramatic decrease in enrollment among school aged children as families have opted for virtual school, hybrid programs, or homeschooling during the pandemic.
After reopening this fall, our After-School Program has not returned to the enrollment levels needed to sustain itself financially. After surveying the other childcare centers in the community, all of which also had lower enrollment in their After-School Programs, it was determined that the supply of open spots far exceeds the current need in our community. As a result, the Weekday Advisory Board approved the decision to close our After-School Care Program with no immediate plans to reopen.
At the same time, there is a growing need to expand the capacity of our Mother’s Morning Out Program and extend the operating hours of our Preschool. These programs have returned to healthy enrollment levels and we feel that we can support more families looking for care for their young children.
Closing the After-School Care program, while disappointing, does allow us to immediately refocus our attention on expanding the other two programs of the Weekday Ministry. We also would hope to reopen the After-School Program as the community need for such care rises in the future.
I want to commend our director, Jamie Steadman, and her staff, who have worked under enormous challenges, all while keeping our children safe and happy.
I invite you to continue in prayer for all our schools, childcare centers, teachers and staff who are on the front lines of educating our children in these unprecedented times.
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND WORSHIP |
It is important to pre-register for worship attendance. This pre-registration helps our staff to prepare our facilities each week and expedites the Sunday morning check in process upon arrival.
We are currently offering our one hour 9AM Traditions and 11AM Connections in-person worship services on Sunday mornings. We will also continue the online pre-recorded service at 10AM. You can access the online service through our website or facebook page whenever convenient to your schedule.
Each in person service still requires a reservation as we continue to abide by attendance guidelines with limited seating arrangements.
The 9AM Traditions service has increased attendance to 200 while the 11AM service is currently offering seating for 110 people. During the check-in process and service masks and social distancing will be observed.
To be able to operate under the current COVID guidelines / restrictions we need to know in advance who will be attending our services. This registration process enables us to:
- Ensure we remain within the room’s capacity restraints.
- Comply with record keeping so that we can undertake contact tracing if required.
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 9AM SERVICE |
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE 11AM SERVICE |
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Winter Sunday School Materials
Cokesbury Sunday School materials for Winter (December-January- February) have arrived and ready for pick up!
If your class is meeting on-site, the books are in your Sunday School classroom. For everyone else, books are available for pick-up at the church office! Please take one from the clear tote located outside the office door and make sure that you secure the box top for weather protection.
If you would like to visit a Sunday school class in-person or via Zoom please contact Sharonda to get connected to a group.
Please be reminded that we are continuing to operate under the guideline principles recommended by the CDC and the United Methodist Conference for small gatherings which includes social distancing and the use of face mask when indoors.
On-Site Sunday School
Discovery Class
E-205
Leader: Beverly Oliver
Sundays, 10am
Hybrid Sunday School
Hybrid classes offer both in-person and Zoom options.
Beginnings
Sanctuary Parlor
Leader: Pam Stuart
Sundays, 10am
The Differents
The College Hut
Leaders: David Langston and Sandra Rushing
Sundays, 10am
The Redwoods
Leader: Jonathan Pennington
Sanctuary Parlor
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
The Upper Room
E-203 (Fellowship Parlor)
Leader: Tim Waltman
Sundays, 10am
Virtual Sunday School
Faith and Fellowship
Leader: Anna Prestwood
For more information about classes- on-site, hybrid or virtual-
please contact Rev. Sharonda Medina, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at [email protected] or at (601) 924-6671.
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YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY / DEC 13
The youth will join together in celebrating Jesus on 12/13 from
4-6p. Our time together will consist of a message and an exciting game of White Elephant gift exchange!
- For White Elephant, each student will bring something from around the house (with parent permission!) and wrap it. This leads to more exciting, interesting, and funny gifts without the need to purchase anything new!
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Email Jamie Steadman to schedule an interview.
Note: Interested applicants may interview for one or both opportunities.
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SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE OPPORTUNITY |
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JOIN THE MEDIA TEAM!
We want to hear from
you and what your interests are!
Contact Tom Edwards
or Debb Tubb
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SUNDAY MORNING MEDIA TEAMS |
Expanding our reaching through online services has been a blessing and a challenge. We are so thankful that because of your generosity we were able to upgrade our technology in order to begin a production process for online worship.
Our mission in this expansion is to continually lead people into a new or growing relationship with Jesus through the use of our technology resources and technical gifts. We will continue to seek how to best serve every ministry with our technology in order to accomplish this mission.
We are desiring to build a media team that will begin training to assist with the Sunday morning livestream and production. If you are gifted in the areas of technology, photography, video production we would love for you to consider offering your skill set to a team. However, no previous experience is needed to participate - just a willing heart and interest in learning.
As this need for online worship continues to grow we want to invite those who are interested in continually striving to develop a servant's attitude and heart, to serve on Sunday morning rotations, understanding that participating on this media team is a public ministry and an act of service unto God while accomplishing the mission of First United Methodist Church.
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SHARE YOUR REQUEST
Our church continues to serve our congregation and community during this season. If you have a prayer request or if you, or someone you know, has a need complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.
Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.
Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570
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November 2020
November 1: $28,631
November 8: $22,315
November 15: $14,133
Total Giving: $65,079
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October 2020
October Giving: $82,788
Other Income: $6,264
Total Income: $89,052
Oct. Expenses: $109,396
October Deficit: ($20,343)
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2020 Year to Date
Through October
YTD Giving: $849,895
Other Income: $86,460
YTD Total Income: $936,355
YTD Expenses: $1,043,134
YTD Deficit: ($106,778)
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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Missed last week? You can catch up online! |
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The Voice is our weekly update for the latest announcements, ministry activities and event information at First United Methodist Church.
Want to know more about us? Head on over to our website, Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. If you missed last week's sermon, you can catch up by visiting our sermon archives. See You on Sunday!
We are so glad that you are interested in the ministry of First Methodist Clinton!
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PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
If you have an emergency need or need to speak
with a pastor please feel free to call.
Pastoral Care Number: 601-460-0570
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Submitting information for The Voice:
All content submitted is subject to approval and editing. Thank you for your cooperation!
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