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Midweek Update: October 29, 2025 |
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Give, and it Will Be Given to You
by Beth Reitz
I have found over the years the more I give in service, the more I am given in return.
I volunteered to teach the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School. In order to teach the lesson, I had to read and research what I was teaching each week. I learned so much about the Bible because I had to be one step ahead of the kids in my class.
My goal for the children was to learn the books of the Bible. At the end of the year, the children stood in front of the Congregation and recited the books of the Bible. They did a great job and I was so proud of them. And guess who else learned the books of the Bible-Me!
I was blessed to mentor these wonderful children and I was given so much more in return.
You are invited to join us for Generosity Sunday which is Nov 9th. This is an opportunity for our church to draw the circle wider and see where God will lead us. Plan to attend our Generosity Sunday service and stay for our catered celebration luncheon following the service!
It is important that you RSVP whether or not you are attending. There will be RSVP cards available on Sunday during the service or you can click the link below to RSVP.
God has blessed us so that we can bless others. Give and it will be given to you.
Come and see where God will lead us!
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DID YOU KNOW?
In August, 1947, a church parsonage to house our church pastor and their family, was purchased. The property, located on Evergreen Avenue cost $12,000. At age 64 it was in need of extensive renovation and the decision to sell the property was made by members at a called Charge Conference in March of 2004. It was sold in August, 2004 for $450,000. Rather than purchase a replacement the Charge Conference decided to provide a housing fund for the pastor with funds invested from the sale.
We’re excited to announce that we will be celebrating the 100 year birthday of Charlottesville UMC and our 2025 Consecration Sunday on the same day in early November!
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Traveling Tiny Jesus
Pick up a tiny Jesus or two today on your way out of worship and take Him with you as you travel through life! If you go on vacation, place Him in your photo! Let us see the places you visit! (Truthfully, don’t we always want to have Jesus by our side?)
Share your photos with Carolyn and we will share them here!
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Wild Church
Are you seeking a welcoming community to connect with in nature?
Join us on the Sacred Way, where we come together to worship and celebrate the Divine amidst the beauty of the outdoors. We meet outside several times a month to hike together.
Each gathering begins with a brief reflection and prayer before we embark on our holy hikes. All ages are invited to participate.
To stay updated on our Sacred Way, Wild Church offerings, click here.
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Advent Devotional Books
Do you have a short story or devotional that you could write for our Advent Devotional book?
The theme for the Advent Season this year is “This Little Light of Mine”. Every year we have created a sweet book to include the experiences and memories of our fellow church family. Just jot down your story about “light" and in what way it shines in your life and add a prayer and scripture - or let me add that for you!
Just send your entry and any questions to carolynmcgee@cvillefirstumc.org. Deadline for submissions is Nov. 16.
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The Hinton Ave Clothes Closet (The Church of the Good Shepherd) is currently looking for more specific items for fall/winter:
Women: hats, gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, jeans, fleece/joggers, scrubs, sweaters, coats (clothing in all sizes). Shoes (no heels, please) - sneakers, casual, boots - all sizes
Men: gloves, hats, scarves, socks, underwear, t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts/flannel/collared shirts, jeans, khakis, fleece bottoms/tops, other casual pants, scrubs (clothing in all sizes). Shoes (sneakers, boots) - all sizes
Donations are to be made Saturdays from 10am-12pm.
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For the month of November we will be collecting *NEW* socks for Cville Sock Love. This successful ministry was founded and is still currently run by two of our young adult congregants, Lily and Lindsay Simpson.
Needed are warm, basic socks for adults and versatile socks for toddlers and school-aged children. The socks will be distributed to area shelters, soup kitchens, PACEM guests, and many of our under-resourced individuals and families in our area. Congratulations! Last year, our congregation contributed nearly 900 pairs!
Let’s fill up the Sock Love box! Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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Could you link to this in the Midweek Update next week? The intro could say:
Did you know that Charlottesville First has a partner church in Kaunas, Lithuania? The Lithuanian United Methodist Church held it’s annual conference last month and here’s a newsletter describing what God is doing there. |
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"What's Your Biggest Question for God?"
November 1st from 10am-12pm
Come wrestle with that question in community with other seekers at Charlottesville First United Methodist Church on November 1, 2025, from 10 am to 12 pm. In this immersive two-hour workshop, you'll learn how strong questions lead to rich insights, and you'll practice identifying, probing, and refining the spiritual question most present in your own life. With a mix of personal reflection time, 1:1 conversation, and group discussion, "What's Your Biggest Question for God?" will show you how doubt and curiosity can combine to powerful effect.
Register for this free workshop on Eventbrite by Thursday, October 30.
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Stockings for UVA Patients on Christmas Day!
November 2nd at 11:30am & November 13th at 9:30am
Can you sew or iron? If the answer is "yes "then let’s meet on November 2 in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 to take part in creating these stockings.
Another sewing/ironing opportunity will be November 13, at 9:30am. We don’t have to create all 550 stockings, but let’s put a dent in that number!
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PACEM Winter Housing at
Soujouner's Church
November 4th -17th
CFUMC is partnering with Sojourners United Church of Christ during their hosting of the men, November 4 – 17, by providing meals and volunteers.
Sojourners has stepped up to fill a gap in the PACEM Men’s schedule, but this is a faith community smaller than CFUMC and they need our help to make it happen. We know the workload hosting PACEM brings, so let’s show our love and demonstrate God’s mercy by lending a hand to our friends at Sojourners.
Click here to go to volunteer sign-up page: Sojourners PACEM 2025
Thank you, Jon Scheumann, 434 422 1749, jonscheumann@gmail.com
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Historical Hike
Saturday, November 8th at 10am
Wild Church has a 100th Anniversary hike you don’t want to miss! Join us for a hike through Methodist history in downtown Charlottesville on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10 am.
Beginning in the CFUMC parking lot we’ll walk 2.25 miles past the sites where Methodist churches once stood. At each site we’ll pause to learn a little about the site and to give thanks for the witness offered there.
The trip will include an opportunity for lunch at Otto’s on Water Street which overlooks two of the former sites of First Church. An easy hike over rolling hills on sidewalks.
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Generosity Sunday
Sunday, November 9th after Worship
You are invited to join us for Generosity Sunday which is Nov 9th. This is an opportunity for our church to draw the circle wider and see where God will lead us. Plan to attend our Generosity Sunday service and stay for our catered celebration luncheon following the service! It is important that you RSVP whether or not you are attending.
There will be RSVP cards available on Sunday during the service or you can click the link below to RSVP.God has blessed us so that we can bless others. Give and it will be given to you. Come and see where God will lead us!
Click the link to RSVP. Come and see where God will lead us!
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Habitat Rake-a-Thon
Saturday, November 15th from 9am-1pm
The Habitat for Humanity Rake-a-thon is a fun, family-friendly event for people of all ages that raises funds and awareness for affordable housing in our community.
- In 2024, Habitat recruited over 500 volunteers who raked more than 100 lawns and raised $28,000.
- The 2025 goal is to rake at least 100 lawns and reach the fundraising goal of $40,000.
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Visiting Friends - New Ministry
November 16th after Worship
Have I Got a Question for you!
Do you like people?
Do you like to see someone smile?
Do you like to be with someone who is glad to see you?Do you have an hour or so once a month to do what you like?
If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, please join us after worship of November 16 in the Chapel and find out about our newest ministry—"Visiting Friends”.
(If you can’t make our meeting, but are interested in this ministry, contact Pastor Alex or Pastor John.)
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Bake Sale - Coming Soon!
CFUMC Annual Bake Sale is coming up! Pies, cakes, cookies, all kinds of treats, just in time for Thanksgiving!
All baked goods can be brought in on the morning of Nov. 23. Portico Cafe will take place in the Fellowship Hall along with the Bake Sale.
All proceeds will benefit Bread and Blessings, our Monday lunch program for our underserved neighbors.
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The Gathering Table
New Ministry Needs Volunteers
Third Wednesdays in Oct, Nov, Dec at 6pm
If you know, meet or see someone that could use a free community meal, fellowship and a supportive environment once a month, please pick up our invitations in the welcoming Center, to give to people in need.
The third Wednesday of each month, we will be serving food for these folks. The first one will be held at Aldersgate on October 15th.
If you would like to support this ministry by providing food for a meal, use our sign up genius link or contact Mary Hoggard at 615-785-1168.
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First Sunday Lunch & Christmas Program Announcement
Sunday after Worship
Join us this Sunday after worship for the Youth and Kids Lunch in the Fellowship Hall! All children (birth–12th grade) and their families are invited to join us for pizza.
We’ll share details about our Christmas Eve 5 pm performance of "Michael Mouse"—kids and youth can attend a story reading to learn how to participate, with direction from Erica Gregory and Kevin White. Carolyn McGee will also teach a song for kids and youth to sing with the Magnify Choir in December.
We look forward to seeing you!
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Save the Date: Summer Youth Mission Trip
Save the date for the Summer Youth Mission Trip—ASP 2026 with Appalachian Service Project, happening June 7–13, 2026. Register now to reserve your spot at https://forms.gle/u3qovEi5pinLH9HE8.
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