The mission of Arcadia United Methodist Church is to grow

as followers of Jesus, discovering and responding to the needs of our community.

A Word from the Pastor

Dear Arcadia Friends and Family,

           We’re well into the new year and if you haven’t made any plans to change the world --- I have some ideas. There are several things in the Bible that are assumed—things that are not specifically spelled out in the Bible that we should or should not do; actions against the will of God, even though not listed as such. These would be sins of omission and sins of commission; but sins just the same. Things that God probably never inspired the writers of the Bible to include because the people would not have the slightest idea what they were writing about and wouldn’t for thousands of years to come.

           One such topic and one I’m passionate about is creation care. Over the ages Christians have blown this off and forgotten about it. How we have forgotten this I have no idea. It’s in the very first book of the Bible and very specifically tells us we are to love and cherish God’s creation. But since it’s not worded that way, we don’t have to do it, right? Wrong.

           I’m big on taking the Bible as a whole to hear what God is telling us through scripture- Especially focusing on the teaching of Jesus - the gist of what we’re supposed to do and how we’re supposed to live. I don’t see how anybody can deny the unwritten command to take care of God’s most precious creation...and that’s--creation, all of creation.

           Proverbs 12:10 informs of righteous care for the needs of their animals. Deuteronomy 20:19 instructs against destroying trees unnecessarily during wartime. Isaiah 5:8 gives a warning against over-consuming land "house upon house, field to field". Revelation 11:18 points to the judgment of "those who destroy the earth". And there are many more scripture on creation care in the Bible

           Ok, what do we do? I’m the type of person who thinks that we all have the responsibility to do our part even though we can’t change the world by ourselves. Our grandparents advised, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. Contemporary folks say, “Reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle.” Let’s start with “reduce”. I think hard before buying anything. Not only is conscious consumption wise, but having fewer things allows your life to be less complicated.

           Reduce waste: It’s not too much trouble to cut open a lotion bottle and scrape the residue from the sides and bottom, (rubber spatulas are my favorite kitchen tool and I have all sizes and shapes). I don’t leave a trace of anything in a bottle, pan or bowl—it saves time and water cleaning them, too! I have significantly reduced energy, water, and my time by cutting down on the loads of clothes I wash. Spot cleaning and re-wearing are fine! Mom always told me washing clothes wears them out..... It’s recommended to wear jeans 9 times before washing! (I haven’t gone that far).

           Reuse: I try to buy everything second-hand--except food (but I’m not against taking restaurant leftovers home). It’s good to buy second hand; clothing, books, household items—anything. This helps the landfills, also. I’ve even bought second-hand dogs. That’s right, I’ve had two to three shelter dogs and a cat that just wandered up to the house (I’d never get a cat on purpose).

            Repair: Remember your mom or grandmother darning socks, repairing rips, ironing patches on pants? It’s kind of fun. I’m getting pretty good at super-glueing things back together and performing minor procedures on furniture. I’ve done several project that I’m proud of.... (however, there are a few that I would not have been happy if I’d had to pay for the work (just being honest).

           Recycling: this is the least effective of the 4 but has significantly cut down on our normal trash. My recycling can is much larger than my regular trash can. We can recycle at home, too. I use jelly jars over and over; I’ve got pantry items stored in mayo jars (partly to keep the mice out...just being honest).

           And here are generally good environmental suggestions: consolidate vehicle trips to save gas, wear layers and keep the thermostats down, take your own grocery bags to the store, don’t buy or use bottled water or other single use beverages in plastic, don’t use plastic straws, or single use items such as paper towels (I have plenty of rags) use handkerchief instead of tissues, cloth napkins instead of paper, cloth coffee filters instead of paper,(mom made me several from old sheets or something...)

           Do you turn lights off when you leave a room? My grandson wants to leave several lights on in his room, bathroom and hallway every night, this goes against the grain of all my raising. I have a clothesline that I use for drying some laundry. Have you contacted catalogue-sending companies to take you off their mailing lists? Have you requested paperless electronic mail? Have you cut back on and making paper copies? 

           What about here at church? Religious organizations should be in the fore front of creation care. We could/ should cut back on single use items such as disposable plates, cups, and flatware; for meetings, we could show visuals on a TV instead of making individual copies. (We’ve already cut back on the number of bulletins and newsletters we print).

           Like everything, it is a gradual process of change. My efforts could certainly be extended to do more and I’m working on it. We can all make changes to be more earth friendly. Every little bit helps. We can all do more to be good stewards of God’s greatest gift—creation.

Blessings, Pastor Sherry

An Opportunity to Serve

Friendly Visitors Information

According to the Purchase Area Development District Office in Mayfield, 60% of residents in long‑term care facilities receive no visitors. To help with this, the agency has revamped its Friendly Visitors program, which serves all 26 nursing homes in our area.

This outreach gives volunteers the chance to visit someone who might otherwise see no one at all. There is no required amount of time for each visit — your presence is what matters. A resident may ask you to water a plant, play cards, sit outside, watch TV, or simply enjoy a conversation.

Before beginning, volunteers complete a short application and a two‑hour training session. The commitment is one visit per month for one year. Over that year, you will offer companionship to someone who truly needs it, and both you and the resident will be blessed by the connection you develop.

If you would like more information or want to sign up for the Friendly Visitors program, please contact Angela Farthing at 270‑251‑6120 or angela.farthing@purchaseadd.org.

 Remember Our Shut-Ins: Please remember to send our shut-ins cards from time to time. Nell Hornsby has a new address: Stonecreek Health-Rehab Attn Nell Hornsby 4747 Allen Barkley Dr #111 Paducah, KY 42001. Parkview Attn Betty Hall #102 544 Lone Oak Rd Paducah, KY 42003.

PCM Sunday (Every First Sunday)

Food items may be placed in the box at the back of the sanctuary. These food items are badly needed. We collect anytime, but especially the first Sunday of the month.

To view the 2025 Impact Report for PCM, click here.

 The UWF will host a spaghetti lunch after church on February 8. The menu will be spaghetti, salad, French bread, and dessert. Donations for missions will be appreciated. We also will be signing Valentines for Morgan and PMS staffs. 

GOOYA has added a prayer box to their efforts to be a positive Christian influence for the PMS kids. There has been a very positive response to this effort with many children asking for prayer and our church spending time praying for these requests during Congregation Care time at the end of the service.

Thank You Bob!

On behalf of everyone at Arcadia, I want to extend a great big “Thank You” to our Head Trustee, Bob Fesmire, who has been busy with the reality of keeping an aging building and multiple properties running. Along with his “trustee” sidekicks (pun intended), in 2025 he navigated the long process involved with the sale of the Ramona Drive property, made sure equipment and maintenance were running smoothly, and made sure that Arcadia’s properties were properly insured in case something bad should happen. 

So, you might ask, exactly what is a Trustee? United Methodist trustees are responsible for managing, maintaining, and supervising all local church property, equipment, and investments, as outlined in The Book of Discipline. They ensure property insurance is adequate, manage risks, oversee the use of buildings, and handle gifts. Key duties include annual inspections and reporting to the charge conference. In other words, they handle the practical business of the church. 

So, when it comes to being “Trustee”, Bob certainly is an example of being dedicated to that position. I don’t want to forget to also say a big “Thanks!” to our other Trustees, Perry Lofton, Carl Fisher, Larry Hammond and Ann Assad for their support in keeping Arcadia in working order. It’s a big job. Food for thought, if you would like to serve as a Trustee, please let Pastor Sherry know so plans can be made for next year’s appointments. Again, Thanks, Bob!

Annet Lofton

Board Chair

Opportunity to Assist with Our Services

We are taking names of people that would like to help with Scripture Reading or Acolyte. Please sign up in the back of the church.

Do You Have Calendar Items to Post?

There is a large calendar in the Disciples Room, and dates for using the church facility must align with the free time on the newsletter and big calendar. This might include class or family reunions, weddings, special group activities, etc. See Pastor Sherry for more info.

Just a Note: At church in the coming year, let’s be better stewards for the earth and more Creation Care conscious. Avoid single use items, especially bottled water, and using the copy machine. Thanks, Pastor Sherry

Thoughts from the Corner Box 

What Can I Do, Where Do I Go



I always think of February as the month of love, but today… not so much. Jesus asked us to love one another as He has loved us, but did He know how hard that would be? Did He realize I don’t see eye‑to‑eye with some people on much of anything? How does He expect me to love them? I don’t know how He expects that to happen — but I’m pretty sure He does.

Now, you may find this hard to believe because I certainly do, but I am not always right about things. The way I think, the way I see things, the way I want things to be… it isn’t always right either. It really plays havoc with my ego when I have to admit that my “best ideas” sometimes have holes. I know I’m right — and if others don’t see it, well, that’s on them for not being as smart as I am.

Oh wow. Listen to me. How can I expect anyone to love me when I’m so full of myself that it spills over into everything I say and do? Who do I think I am? Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” I never realized that in my ego‑wrapped world, I might come across as thinking I’m more significant. I only wanted people to see things my way — the “best” way.

But here’s the truth: I’ve exaggerated a bit. I may start out thinking I’m right, but by the end I’m usually beating myself up for not standing up for myself. I’m a pleaser. I let someone else’s ego flatten mine. Romans 12:16 reminds us, “Live in harmony with one another… Never be wise in your own sight.” Harmony takes humility, but it also takes courage.

So if I want to change — to see others’ needs, to hear wisdom, to let my love for the Lord spill out instead of my ego — what do I do? Where do I go?

Well, as the old gospel song says, “Where can I go but to the Lord?” That should not be a question. That’s the answer. The only place I can go to change myself, to find refuge from the world I’ve created in my own head, is to God. The One who created me can reshape me into who I want to be. Heaven is my goal, but my time here matters too. Jesus teaches us how to live on earth, and if we live that way, heaven will take care of itself.

I know this: kindness breeds kindness. It ripples. It grows. It leads to love. So in February be kind to one another and let’s really turn this into the month of love — love for one another, love for ourselves, and most importantly, love for the Lord.

And don’t forget the words of John Lennon, all you need is love… love is all you need

Sandra Mayhugh, February 2026



³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ^{Matthew 22:37-40 NIV}

Welcome Visitors

The Disciple Now Committee has a new bag to give visitors that come to church. It will contain a letter to them from Sherry, a newsletter, an Upper Room, the history of the church, and a dozen cinnamon rolls. We are asking the ushers, or anyone available, to see that a visitor receives a bag. The frozen rolls are in the freezer in the furnace room.

Prayer Requests

• We pray for Sandy Mayhugh.
• We pray for Melanie Mathis who is having vision problems.
• We pray for Shirley Mollett with COPD.
• We pray for Janet Farmer who is recovering from a collapsed lung.
• We pray for Carl Fisher's Mother who has a newly diagnosed medical issue.
• We pray for Bob Fesmire and his family on the passing of his brother-in-law.
• We pray for our Church.
• We pray for those unable to attend with us: Nell Hornsby (Stonecreek 111), Betty Hall (Parkview #102)
• We pray for those who serve in the military:



 Pastor: Sherry Golightly, Certified Lay Minister   

Church Telephone:              270-442-3313

Pastor’s Phone:                   270-210-1698     

       Music Director: Gaye Fisher                  

Church Contacts and Information

Email: arcadiachurch@yahoo.com          

Webpage: arcadiaumc.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PaducahArcadiaUMC