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Midweek Update
September 18, 2024 |
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This week, Pastor Alex Joyner joins us from the balcony - a new perspective to worship and a shout out to those who sit up there each Sunday. This Sunday, Alex will continue his sermon series on the Book of James.
This week we will focus on Book Four and James' desire for wisdom and to build a community that reflects the Kingdom of God. We hope you join us Sunday to hear more.
Be sure to check out the other events below as well. |
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A Service of Death and Resurrection
Saturday, September 21 at 11am
A service of Death and Resurrection for Patricia C. Garnett will be held on Saturday, September 21 at 11 AM in the sanctuary of Charlottesville First UMC. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Patricia was a faithful member and served for 16 years on the First UMC staff, first as administrative assistant and then as the facilities manager.
As her obituary says, “She found great fulfillment in being part of the church community and helping with the church's missions, including Bread and Blessings, providing shelter for the homeless during the winter, and the preschool program.”
She is survived by her husband, E.N. Garnett, Jr, a sister, Carolyn Page Simpson, and a large family.
Her full obituary can be read here.
The service will be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing at this link.
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IMPACT House Meetings
IMPACT is our local, interfaith ministry that is currently focusing on social injustice in the areas of safe, affordable housing and efficient public transportation in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Three House Meetings will be held this week in order to take the feedback and concerns of community members to help build our annual plan for addressing these issues with local government staff and elected officials.
If you have stories or experiences to share about injustices you have experienced or witnessed pertaining to affordable housing or public transportation in our community, please join us at one of our meetings.
House Meetings are also a place to learn more about IMPACT generally and to hear about how you can participate in encouraging our elected officials to advocate for this important social justice work.
Upcoming IMPACT House Meetings:
- Sunday, September 22 at 8:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Contact: Cindy Remington
- Sunday, September 22 at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact: Paige Lindblom
- Monday, September 23 at 6:30pm in Room 208. Contact: George Batten
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Living As God's People
Sundays Starting September 1st
This fall we will be following a theme each week during our children's time and Sunday School.
This Sunday our curriculum will focus on God caring for the earth
. We will read Psalm 104.
We welcome you to join us throughout the fall as we continue to Live as God's People.
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September One Thing Ministry
The One Thing Ministry for the month of September is for the Ivy Creek School.
This month we will be collecting chips, Cheezits, popcorn, pretzels, etc. (Big bags are fine!) for the Ivy Creek School which is a therapeutic, separate day school that serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade whose emotional and behavioral needs require smaller classes, increased teacher to student ratio, and counseling services.
Questions? Contact Carolyn McGee carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org
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Creative Worship
Wednesday, September 25 from 6-7pm
God is a creative God— He created the whole world! Join us as we honor Him by getting creative in our worship.
Creative Worship is back on a monthly basis— the fourth Wednesday of each month, join us to explore a verse together, make art connected to it, and sing a worship song. Next Wednesday, Sept 25th from 6-7pm in Fellowship Hall, we are going to make collages with photos of things that bring us joy inspired by Nehemiah 8:10– “The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength.” Everyone is invited, no matter what age or level of artistic talent you have!
Let’s worship together!
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Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 27th from 3-5pm
Join us for an afternoon of fun in the Charlottesville First UMC parking lot! Please reserve your parking spot on our signup genius if you’d like to decorate your trunk and pass out treats. Invite your friends! All ages are welcome!!
Contact connect@cvillefirstumc.org if you have any questions.
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Stephen Ministry is Returning to Cville First UMC
Saturday, September 28th at 10am
Stephen Ministry is coming back to Charlottesville First UMC! Stephen Ministry is a laity-based ministry that provides high-quality, one-to-one, Christ centered care to people in our church family and the surrounding community that are experiencing life's difficulties.
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to offer emotional and spiritual care for folks dealing with a wide range of issues. Stephen Ministers are congregation members who receive extensive training from Stephen Leaders to offer Christ's presence to people who are hurting. Stephen Ministers have one care receiver at a time and meet with their care receiver once a week for about an hour.
Want to learn more about being a Stephen Minister? Then come to our informational session on Saturday. September 28, at 10am in room 308 where you will be able to meet and talk with those who have been trained as Stephen Ministers.
Questions or more information? johnconway@vaumc.org, or carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org
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Isaiah Fiore Hoelzer
Craig & Hannah Hoelzer have welcomed the arrival of Isaiah Fiore Hoelzer, born September 10 and weighing in at 8 pounds 11 oz and 20 3/4 inches. Welcome Izzy, from your Charlottesville First family!
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Movie Night Volunteers Needed
We’re having a movie night that is so much more!
Rachel’s Haven began as a dream to provide supportive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It’s also a dream to build a supportive community for individuals and their families.
The first event in building this dream is a free showing of the movie
Despicable Me with pizza and snacks provided.
If you’re interested in participating contact Paige Lindblom for more information about how you can help.
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Our Current Gallery Artists
Welcome to Candida Franklin, our current artist to exhibit in the CFUMC Gallery.
In speaking with Candida, I learned that she likes to get to the heart of things and is most at home communicating in the abstract. She prefers artistic content that depends on intrinsic form rather than realism and believes that we are at our most perceptive when we use our heads and our hearts. She is inspired by the colors and forms in nature and by other artists working outside of the lines.
Candida is originally from Philadelphia, PA and her Grandmother was a great painter! Candida is an abstract expressionist. She says, there are no limitations, there are no rules, but her art is always personal.
Come see this beautiful exhibit and meet Candida! More info, candidafranklin@gmail.com
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Having Trouble Logging Into Realm?
Are you getting ‘invalid credentials’ on your device when you try to login to Realm?
You can use this document to help troubleshoot the issue. There are directions for both Android and iOS/Apple.
Sorry for any inconveniences you may be experiencing. You can always use www.onrealm.org from your phone’s browser or a computer browser. If you are having other access issues, please send an email to financialsect@cvillefirstumc.org.
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A Solar Project Update
The solar project construction has progressed over the summer. Although we had initially hoped for a September 1st completion, it seems we still have a few weeks to go. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to navigate the parking situation.
Thanks to Fred Schneider for the signs!
The on-site church representative is Keith Davis. Please direct questions or comments through Keith. If he is not available,contact Dave Wheatley, Bill Owens or Guy Moffat. Any directions or questions for the contractors should be directed to one of these CFUMC representatives.
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HAUMC Clothes Closet
The clothes closet is currently still operating out at 750 Hinton Ave, lower level off parking lot, every Tuesday from 10am-1pm. Donations accepted during these hours of operation.
We are currently in need of clean/gently worn summer apparel: ladies/women's shorts, jeans, underwear, socks; men's shorts, jeans, short sleeve shirts, t-shirts, underwear, socks; and infant/girl/boys clothing. We need all of these items in a variety of sizes. We also accept household items such as sheets, blankets, towels, kitchen items (dishes, pots/pans, utensils, small appliances).
If any questions on the above, please contact karenlapps@yahoo.com or seek me out after Sunday church services.
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Love INC Cville
After rent and utilities, the most requested need is for furniture. Love INC Cville is desperately looking for volunteers with vehicles to pick up and deliver furniture that has been donated to Love INC for distribution to our neighbors in need. Without the ability to deliver the furniture, large amounts end up in the dump instead of going to those who desperately need it.
To inquire about how to help, message Raymond Klein, Executive Director of Love INC at raymond@loveinccville.org .
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Have Something to Share?
Did you take photos at a recent church event?
Did you get together with friends and snap a selfie?
Do you have an upcoming event that you want to invite others to?
Please consider sharing your snaps and events with me (Erica Gregory) so I can post to our social media pages! We have so many amazing things going on, and this is a fun way to spread the word.
Just email coms@cvillefirstumc.org with a little blurb about the photo or event.
And be sure to "Like" us on Facebook to follow along!
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PACEM 2025
CFUMC will be hosting our unhoused neighbors in partnership with PACEM February 8 - 21, 2025.
Please mark your calendars and contact Jon Scheumann for more information please contact jonscheumann@gmail.com or 434-422-1749.
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Just the Book You Were Looking For!
Looking for a new study for your small group? Visit our curriculum library, just to the left of the stage, at the back of the Fellowship Hall.
The room will be open every Sunday and during the week by appointment with carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org If you are interested in starting a small group and need some assistance or ideas, see Carolyn! |
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AV Training
Would you like the opportunity to be trained on our AV (Audio Visual) equipment? We would love to have some new folks who might be interested to go through this training and then sign up as a substitute for worship and other events!
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Thank You For Your Continued Support to Loaves and Fishes
One of the many ways that CFUMC fulfills its mission is by serving people who are hungry, in part through the financial support and volunteers we send to serve at the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
Here's a recap of what was accomplished in August:
- 2,908 total households
- That is an average of 161 households receiving groceries on each of the 18 distribution days in August.
- 11,226 individuals:
- 36% aged 0-18; 53% aged 19-59; 11% aged 60+
- Roughly 8% of households last month were first-time visitors, and approximately 37% of our clients visited us twice in the month.
So, if you are ever wondering where your donations go, rest assured that more than just the utility bills at church are being funded! Thank you all for such generosity, and please consider making a donation via their website so that we can continue to support our community through Loaves and Fishes.
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Women at the Well
Thursdays at 9:30am
On Sept. 12, we will begin our study of “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans. This author describes faith as less of a club to belong to and more of a current to enter into. Her ideas are both comforting and slightly terrifying and really….isn’t that what faith really is?
Come join us, and fall in love with God all over again! |
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Redemptive Compassion Class
Thursday, October 3 at 7:00pm
Working with people in need is one of the great challenges before the Church. If you find the following questions unsettling, the Redemptive Compassion class is for you:
- Why do so many of the commonly-used methods seem so ineffective in reducing or alleviating on-going need?
- Why have good intentions to help others produced such devastating results?
- Is the crippling lifestyle in which thousands find themselves trapped all that God desires for them?
Redemptive Compassion is a biblical exploration of how God has called us to wholistically love and serve our neighbors in need. It is a 7-week in-person course that uses a book and videos. This course is a great resource to help us change how we address need, as we learn how to build resources within people, not just give resources to people.
Our teacher is Jeff Cale from Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC). He is a graduate of Bridgewater College and Liberty University and has been the Transformation Coordinator for Love INC for the last three years.
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Monday Grad Chats
Mondays from 12-1pm
Are you looking for a space to connect with other graduate students who are a part of UVA's Progressive Christian Community?
Join us every Monday starting September 2nd from noon to 1pm for a free lunch at Wesley at UVA and a discussion on a topic of interest.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
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Adult Fellowship Group
Sundays following Worship
Beginning July 14th, please join us to explore what it takes to live the courageous life Jesus offers us, guided by a book and DVD by Tom Berlin, “Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith”.
For further details, contact Pat Graham Annew41@outlook.com. |
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Young Adults Group
Every Second Sunday
Join this new small group for anyone in their 20’s and 30’s. We will be sitting together during the first of the month church luncheon, and then meet every second Sunday after church for a Bible study and discussion. Can’t wait to connect with you!
Contact Madison McManners. |
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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.
Our Tuesday morning group is starting a study this week of this book: “Why did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?”. It is by Brian McLaren and in this book he seeks to answer two questions:
- Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths?
- Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own?
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Faith Seekers Class
Sundays 8:45 am
New Study: The After Party Project Course
The purpose of this study is to reorient Christian thinking about politics in an effort to heal political divisions in the church and cultivate key Biblical virtues like humility, kindness, and hopefulness in Christian political engagement.The After Party equips viewers to reorient their hearts on the person of Jesus such that our status as beloved sons and daughters of Christ comes before any partisan identity. This study is by Curtis Chang, David French, and Russell Moore and will include videos and discussion each week.
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Faith Explorers
Sundays at 11:15 am in Room 208
Beginning August 11
The Faith Explorers Class will be studying “Faith and Politics”, a series of timely presentations which will include
Each topic will include two lectures. We welcome all who may be interested in learning some new information about how our faith sustains us during these difficult and confusing times. Contact Bill Clarke at janebillclarke@earthlink.net for more information.
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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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UVA Learning Programs
UVA's Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is offering a series of online learning programs on topics such as Microagression, Introduction to DEI, Introduction to Implicit Bias, Introduction to Difficult Dialogues, Introduction to Equity, and more!
These are great opportunities to engage with our community and educate ourselves on issues of inequality. Click here to learn more about their offerings and to register. |
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Caring Writers
The Caring Writers are a group who enjoy sending cards and letters to those who are homebound, feel isolated, or just need to know that someone cares. The commitment is to send a card or letter to two recipients per month.
If you are interested in becoming a Caring Writer, please contact George Batten or Maurya Batten. You can also contact either of them if you know of someone who would enjoy being on the recipient list. |
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Music Ministries
Our Music Ministry includes choirs, bands, instrumental ensembles, and soloists of both traditional and contemporary sounds. There is no shortage of ways to praise God through music, and everyone is invited to explore the gift of music, even if you are just singing along in the congregation!
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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.
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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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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