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Midweek Update
January 3, 2024 |
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Pastor Alex gives us our first update of 2024, and many exciting things are coming to CFUMC! Our wonderful Christmas season will be drawing to a close with this week's Epiphany Sunday Celebration, so join us on Sunday evening to "De-deck the Halls" and take down our Christmas decorations. Old projects are getting a new shine in the New Year, and we're excited to discuss the future of Rachel's Haven and our solar panel project in the Town Hall on January 14th. |
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New Class: Reimagining the Ignatian Examen
Begins Thursday, January 4th, 7:30-8:30 pm
There is a new class starting soon! We will be meeting on Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:30 over Zoom to reflect upon the book "Reimagining the Ignatian Examen" by Mark E. Thibodeaux.
Rev. Dr. Laura Holmes and Lara Upton will be co-leading our time together. We will meet for 6 weeks, and our last class will be on February 8th.
The class is open to anyone who is interested, and we hope you will join us! Click here for more information on the spiritual practice of the daily Examen, and contact connect@cvillefirstumc.org for the Zoom link. |
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If you purchased a poinsettia in honor of a loved one, be sure to come by and pick it up! |
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Young Parents Small Group
Sunday, January 7th
The newly-formed Young Parents small group will begin a 6-week study of "Reckless Love" by Tom Berlin.
On Sunday, January 7th, anyone interested can meet at the Children and Youth First Sunday Lunch in the Fellowship Hall, and we will proceed from there! |
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De-deck the CFUMC Halls
Sunday, January 7th at 4:30 pm
Join us in the "un-hanging" of the greens this Sunday! Lots of hands make the job so much easier! We will end our evening with pizza for all, so we hope to see you there. |
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Support Needed for Loaves and Fishes
Did you know that Loaves and Fishes is the largest free food source in the greater Charlottesville area? Unfortunately, as 2023 comes to a close it is clear that the need for the food they provide is only increasing.
Donations have not kept up with demand, and the food pantry predicts that they will need to purchase 43% more food in 2024.
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Help with GSAC PACEM Hosting
Saturday, December 23rd - Saturday, January 6th
In response to an upset to the PACEM hosting schedule, Good Shepherd Anglican Church (GSAC) has committed to hosting PACEM at Hinton Avenue starting on December 23rd. GSAC is the start-up congregation that is in the process of purchasing the Hinton Avenue facility.
Several GSAC Members volunteered during CFUMC's hosting of PACEM, and we would like to return the favor by volunteering to lend a hand and to spread the word of GSAC's act of mercy.
We are asking two things: first, follow the links below and sign up to volunteer. Second, forward this email to people and organizations you know encouraging them to volunteer.
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January One Thing Ministry
For the first two weeks of the New Year, our One Thing Ministry will benefit the Haitian workers who will be working side-by-side with Dave Wheatley and his crew, who are traveling to Ft. Liberte in Haiti to continue construction.
If you would like to donate to the cause, please put "One Thing Ministry - Haiti" in the memo line of your check.
During the last two weeks of January, the One Thing Ministry will be collecting diapers (of all sizes) to keep at the church to hand out to those in need. |
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CFUMC Great Rivanna Trail Challenge
As part of their Great Rivanna Trail Challenge, the CFUMC Hiking Group will hike the first section of the Rivanna Trail, from Riverview to VFW and back (about 4 miles) on Saturday, January 13th, at 1:00 pm. More information about parking, difficulty, and future hikes will be added soon.
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Human Relations Day
Sunday, January 14th
Human Relations Day calls United Methodists to recognize the right of all God's children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with one another.
This is a church-wide Special Sunday, with offerings benefiting neighborhood ministries and community advocacy. We hope that you will join us in worship to celebrate our love for one another! |
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Town Hall to Review Rachel's Haven and Solar Project
Sunday, January 14th at 11:15 am
Updates on two important projects will be presented at a church town hall to be held on Sunday, January 14th, at 11:15 am in the sanctuary (following the morning service).
Rachel's Haven is the name for a project to provide affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults. The project was a dream of the former Hinton Avenue Church, which originally intended to provide space on the site in part of the church's educational wing. With the recent sale of the building, the project is taking a new form with new partners. Further details will be offered at the Town Hall.
A planned addition of solar panels to the Charlottesville First building has a major new update as well that will require a decision on its future. You can read about the update here. We will be asking those at the Town Hall to give feedback on the project through a straw vote. The Church Council will be voting on the proposal the following night. |
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C'ville Youth Collective
Sunday, January 14th, from 6:00-7:30 pm
The C'ville Youth Collective will be gathering at Aldersgate UMC on January 14th from 6:00-7:30 pm for a Coffee House Hour! We will enjoy dinner from Vocelli's, get to know each other more during coffee house time (yes, there will be some Starbucks involved!), and wrap up with some great music.
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February Faith Build
February 2024 (Date TBD), from 8:45 am-3:30 pm
Come together with members of our congregation and other faith communities to help build homes for our Habitat Partner Families!
This is an annual event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville which is designed to be a great learning experience and service opportunity for all ages. We will be inspired to "Love Thy Neighbor" by building interfaith understanding and strong community networks.
If you are interested in participating in this year's Faith Build or if you have any questions, reach out to Natalie Burgwin. |
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Spring Plant Sale
Spring may seem like a long way off, but we are already planning for our second Plant Sale! Lots of volunteers made last year's event a resounding success, and we solicit your help in making this one happen.
If you are interesting in planning, helping, growing, or donating, please contact Cindy Poots Remington at 434.242.7563 or mspoots@gmail.com. |
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Cruise Study of Paul
Pastor Alex has updated information and a new video about the Mediterranean Journeys of Paul cruise scheduled for October 7th - 14th, 2024. Stops will include Rome, Naples, Palermo, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Athens, with plenty of time on board for optional classes on Paul and all the fun of the Voyagers of the Seas ship.
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Faith Seekers Class
Sundays at 8:45 am
Come join this adult class in room 208 at 8:45 on Sunday mornings. We will be discussing Pastor Alex Joyner's book, "A Space for Peace in the Holy Land: Listening to the Modern Israel and Palestine". It explores the background to the current conflict and profiles Israeli Jews and Palestinians who are working for peace.
The e-book is available on Amazon for $4.99, and it is available for free for Kindle Unlimited.
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Faith Explorers
Sundays at 11:15 am
The Faith Explorers class (Room 308 at 11:15) is reading Diana Butler Bass’s book, Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. The book is about introducing people to shifting religious demographics and to propose how communities of faith might rethink some basic issues about their identity, practices, and theology. The thesis is that certain forms of “religion” always end, often challenged by emerging cultural forms of spiritual experience and engagement, and that such endings are usually the beginning of some new and unexpected awakening. |
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The Adult Fellowship Group invites you to join us
Sundays at 11:15 am in Room 208
This class recently began a new study entitled: “Questions God Asks” from the Life Guide Series (Larsen and Larsen, authors).
The book is available through Amazon, or you can contact Carolyn McGee to obtain one.
So… grab your coffee and goodies from the Portico Café and come on in!
All are welcome! Questions? Contact Pat Graham.
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Men’s Bible Study!
Tuesdays at 8:00 am
Meeting at Wegmans at Fifth Street Station, we are continuing with fellowship and a concentrated study. All men of every age are invited.
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Interested in Reading?
Pastor Alex's book,
A Space for Peace in the Holy Land: Listening to Modern Israel and Palestine, can be purchased as an e-book on Amazon for $4.99.
If you are not a Kindle reader, simply purchase the book as if you were (so that the publisher will be paid) and we will print a physical copy for you here in the church office.
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Caring for God's Creation
If you are like me, the coming of the new year inspires me to purge items from my home, including clothes. While there are many responsible organizations that will take used clothing, what do we do with textiles that can't be donated? Check out this article from Wirecutter to learn about how to donate and repurpose your items. |
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Love INC Volunteers Needed
At the Love INC (Love in the Name of Christ) office, the need for volunteers is ongoing throughout the year.
We are currently in need of volunteers who are willing to come to the office and work in our storeroom by organizing and sorting the items. The goal is to free up space so that we can utilize the storeroom in a more efficient manner.
In addition, we could use a few people who could volunteer to help with answering phones on a regular basis. There would be a period of training involved.
Please call the office if you would like to volunteer at 434-977-7777. |
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Estimate of Giving Card
If you think you missed your chance to contribute to our missions and ministries after Consecration Sunday, it's not too late!
We hope you will continue giving through the church. Your pledges will help CFUMC in our mission to love the whole city, love the city whole, and start it right here! |
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Enjoying the food and fellowship at Portico Café after worship?
Thanks to those who recently gave monetary contributions for Portico Cafe - we have enough funds for coffee and creamer for the next couple of months, so you won't see the donation jar any time soon!
We will continue to host Portico Cafe outdoors as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees and not raining. Otherwise, it will be held in the Gathering Space. Look for hot chocolate and tea to be offered in December, along with coffee and all the goodies so many of you generously provide.
Email Lisa Hanrahan if you want to sign up to bring treats. A sign up sheet is also available by the coffee area. The success of Portico Café depends on the generosity of church members to help or contribute food! |
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Rainy Day Blues?
“Love the City” umbrellas will be left at the Front and Welcome Center entrances for all to borrow and then return on rainy days!
If you would like to purchase an umbrella to support our Nurture Ministries and our CFUMC Vision of
“Love the City," they are $20. Put “umbrella” in the memo line of your check. |
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The Quiet Center
Sundays at 11:15 in the Chapel
The Quiet Center is an after-church gathering of, and for, anyone who wants to know more about grief’s journey. The sessions are “stand alone,” to join anytime and as often as you wish, to explore the many faces of grief and to share with each other our time, our experiences, our presence and our prayers.
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Congregational Prayer Time
Now Tuesdays at 12:00 pm on Zoom
Meeting ID: 882 7977 8844
Passcode: 968327
If you are interested in praying for our church and community, be in touch with Carolyn McGee for the link. |
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Charlottesville was recently named one of "The 15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S." by Outside. Visit the article here and scroll down to the 5th photo to see a beautiful view of the downtown area, including the First UMC steeple, representing the whole city. |
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Gallery Artist: Mae Stoll
There is new art being displayed in our upstairs gallery by local artist Mae Stoll! She is celebrating the end of her third year of painting and is excited to share this small sampling of her work with us.
She has had an exciting year of participating in multiple exhibitions and art shows, and of course, creating new work. After a late-in-life art “awakening”, she has embraced an “eclectic” style, and still mostly fascinated by landscapes.
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Clothes Closet
Donations to Hinton Ave UMC clothes closet:
Hours of operation: Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
We are looking for children to adult sizes, spring/summer clothing. Please make sure the clothing is gently used, clean, stain-free, and in good repair. Also accept some household items (e.g., sheets, towels, small appliances, dishes, pans).
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Assistance for Ukraine
UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #982450, is collecting funds for humanitarian assistance.
You can donate directly online or designate "Ukraine relief" on your checks made out to CFUMC. |
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Prayer Quilt Ministry
Contact Teri Guertler if you need a prayer quilt for someone going through a difficult time, or if you would like to help in the creation of the prayer quilts. No experience necessary.
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