930north August 2014

T R A N S F O R M I N G L I V E S B Y E N G A G I N G O U R M E M B E R S T O C E L E B R A T E A N D S H A R E G O D ’ S L O V E I N J E S U S C H R I S T

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

Rev It Up!August 2014

Summer Edition

Our life together

Welcoming Reception for

Rev. Pattye & her family

Labeling Invitations to Rev. Pattye’s Reception

Mission Day Camp: Planting Tomatoes at HOPE Ministries

Farewell Party for Rev. Brad & Rev. Susie

Rev. Pattye & Rev. Brady

Vacation Bible School childrenenjoying their recreation time

Senior Adult Luncheon at Triumph Kitchen

The Gathering: 5A New Christian Community

Who Do You Contact Now? 6

Meet Your Vision Lay Leaders 8by John F. Smith, Nancy Cadwallader, Gretchen Barnes, Bob Leitner, and Dan Reed

Awesome Biscuit Bread 12by Missy Shanklin

Congregational News 14

Calendar of Events 15

August 2014Table of Contents

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12

TheGathering!

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The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecc. 3:1).

Like many of you, I look forward to the summer months when the kids are out of school, the routine at work changes up a little, and I get to spend more time with friends and family. I must confess though, as the summer winds down I also experience a readiness to get back to school, back to work, and back to more regular routines.

The month of August marks the return to many things at First United Methodist Church. We’ll be celebrating Jump Start Sunday on August 17. This is when our children and youth begin their new grades in Sunday School. We’ll be handing out Bibles to our incoming 2nd graders August 10, Church Readiness is August 3, and the Gathering (our Wednesday evening program) will resume on August 20.

Sunday School and classes for all ages will also be gearing up

with renewed energy and I hope you’ll prayerfully commit to regular participation in these faith-growing opportunities. (For information about getting involved in Sunday School or other classes and groups call the church office or visit our Website.)

In this edition of 930 North, you’ll read about more ways to get involved as well as the progress being made towards our strategic Vision initiatives. I’m confident you’ll be inspired by what you see.

Just like natural seasons help the earth remain fertile and productive, cycles of rest and activity are good for us humans as well! I thank God for restful summer months – we need them. But I also thank God for busy times and things worth committing my time to. May God grant each of us the wisdom to know when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to get to it!

Yours in Christ,

From Rev. Brady Whitton Senior Pastor

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

To request to be added to our 930north Magazine mailing list, join our photography or reporting team, or to have information included in a future edition, please call 383-4777.

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h

9 3 0 N o r t h B o u l e v a r dB a t o n R o u g e , L A 7 0 8 0 2 2 2 5 - 3 8 3 - 4 7 7 7

Senior PastorRev. Brady Whitton

Associate PastorsRev. Katie McKay Simpson Rev. Pattye Hewitt Rev. Ann Trousdale

Editor/DesignerCaroline Tyler

PhotographersDanielle RosboroughThe Fifth Grade Media Team at VBS

About the CoverDuring the month of July, over 375 of children attended Vacation Bible School at FUMC. They experienced God in various ways, and became revved up for Jesus!

Looking for a mid-week pick-me-up? Look no further! Join your church family every Wednesday as we gather for fellowship, worship, scripture, study, Christian conversation and prayer.

We have recharged, renewed and revitalized our Gathering schedule, and we invite you to become a part of this dynamic new community!

Beginning Wednesday, August 20th, New Gathering Community schedule is as follows:

The Gathering: New Christian CommunityRecharge, Renew and Revitalize

August 2014 | 930 North Magazine 5

Enjoy a delicious meal (children’s menu available) and break bread with your church family in the gym (dessert is soft serve ice cream!) Only $5.00 per person, or $20.00 per family.

5:00-5:45pm

You will definitely enjoy our new format and engaging schedule! At the same time, you will be exploring your faith and deepening your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Don’t miss this fabulous mid-week opportunity for Christian community and conversation! Who knows, it just might be what you’ve been longing for!

Inspirational Music, Engaging Worship and Interactive Sermons in the Conference Center

5:45-6:30pm

Fellowship, Scripture Teaching, Christian Conversation and Prayer in the Ory Parish Hall*

6:30-7:30pm

* opportunities for nursery, children and youth are also available

6 930 North Magazine | August 2014 6 930 North Magazine | August 2014

Who do you contact now?

Adult Discipleship Path....................................................................................................................Cherri Johnson

Adult Spiritual Formation and Education............................Tamara Brabham

After School Enrichment Program..........................................................Caroline Tyler

America Street Service..........................................................................................Katie McKay Simpson

Baptisms.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................June Harvey

Births.......................................................... .............................................................................................................................................Danielle Rosborough

Budget.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Beth Fraser

Care Ministry...........................................................................................................................................................................................................Sandra King

Children (birth - 5th grade)......................................................................................................Rebecca Mitchell

Children Discipleship Path...........................................................................................Rebecca Mitchell

Childrens Choir.....................................................................................................................................................................Chris Rosborough

Children’s Programs.............................................................................................................................................................Fran Skipper

Church Calendar........................................................................................................................................................................................June Harvey

Contributions......................................................................................................................................................................................................Fifa Kissinger

Deaths................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Sandra King

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Many people call the church and are not quite sure who they need to speak with, this can help you

find the information you are looking for. To contact the church, call (225) 383-4777.

denotes the staff contact for a Vision initiativev

(Easter Walk, Fall Festival, HIGH 5, Vacation Bible School)

August 2014 | 930 North Magazine 7August 2014 | 930 North Magazine 7

Early Learning Center.................................................................................................................................................................ELC Office

E-News..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Caroline Tyler

Funerals.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................June Harvey

Getting Involved at FUMC............................................................................................................................................Becky Poor

Hand Bells................................................................................................................................................................................................Chris Rosborough

Health Concerns..................................................................................................................................................................................Paula Mercer

Improving Sanctuary Worship......................................................Lamar Drummonds

Magazine.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................Caroline Tyler

Member Engagement Team...........................................................................................................Becky Poor

Music for Worship, Weddings & Funerals........Lamar Drummonds

Off Site Worship..............................................................................................................Katie McKay Simpson

Prayer Team.................................................................................................................................................................................................Ann Trousdale

Reserving a Room...............................................................................................................................................................................June Harvey

Sanctuary Worship..................................................................................................................................Lamar Drummonds

Senior Adult Ministries............................................................................................................Danielle Rosborough

Small Groups..........................................................................................................................................................Katie McKay Simpson

Urban Mission Center..................................................................................................................George Ragsdale

Visitors.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Becky Poor

Website.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Caroline Tyler

Wedding Date Reservations.........................................................................................................................June Harvey

Youth (6th-12th grades)..............................................................................................................................George Ragsdale

Youth Discipleship Path.........................................................................................................George Ragsdalev

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(Knitting, Men’s Coffee, The Boutique)

8 930 North Magazine | August 2014

Meet The Vision Lay Leaders

The Vision of FUMC is being led by nine church members who are the Lay Leaders (being assisted by a staff counterpart). We invite you to learn a

little more about these people who are making our Vision a reality.

This is the first in a series, featuring your nine Vision Lay Leaders. The next series will run in the August edition of 930north.

What is the team currently working on?We are currently interacting with a local elementary school

to which will serve as our initial entrance to the community. The components of the program, as of today, will include academic as well as enrichment activities for the youth. In addition the program will have a strong parent component. Unique to the process is having parents of the students who will be participating in the program help provide guidance as to the design of the program. The current goal is to have between 30 and 40 students, as well as their parents actively engaged by the beginning of the school year.

What is your personal hope for the ministry?My personal hope is that this ministry will serve to enhance

the educational, cultural, spiritual and family well-being of both the students and their parents as well as the members of FUMC.

Where do you see this ministry in 5 years?I see this ministry serving as a model which can be

duplicated by other organizations and churches throughout the city, thereby increasing the impact of its mission.

John F. SmithAfter School Enrichment Program


What is the team currently working on?The Member Engagement Vision Team has been busy! The Lead Team has met several times

establishing goals and the entire Member Engagement Vision Committee has several projects in process. In full swing is a new Member Engagement Phone Team, which is tasked with calling and reaching out to members. This team will then funnel pertinent information to the Prayer Team, Ministers, or other staff members for follow up. We hope to soon have additional ways for the membership to identify prayer concerns and joys.

One exciting aspect of the Lead Team’s work has been researching and proposing a new enhanced computer data system for the entire church. (Hopefully by the time you read this we will be in the implementation stage). Also envisioned are multiple ways for members to record their presence in worship in addition to the regularly used paper attendance pads (mobile apps, facebook, etc.) Assisting Sunday School Classes and other organized groups with ways to improve their communications and track the attendance of their activities is also being pursued. A brochure of ministry opportunities at FUMC has been updated.

What is your personal hope for the ministry?My personal hope is that we shall continue to discover

opportunities to transform and engage all members while attracting new members.

Where do you see this ministry in 5 years?In five years we shall have an even more vibrant membership

that celebrates and shares in the diverse ministries of First United Methodist Church.

Nancy CadwalladerMember Engagement

and Care


What is the team currently working on?

Our initial meetings have allowed input on what this structure will look like. We have identified the core elements of the path to include:• An onramp for newcomers or members who are new to the faith• Education components on core Methodist beliefs and practices• Some connectivity / cooperation with Sunday School classes• An intention to engage in a small Wesleyan-type small group• A regular focus on “doing for others” and serving in ministry

What is your personal hope for the ministry?I am excited to be participating in this developmental

process that will key into our mission statement of “engaging” and “transforming” our members and our culture. My desire is to undergird our congregation with a strong spiritual foundation of discipleship that is prepared to share the love of Jesus Christ and minister in His name to our neighbors.


The vision is to create a transforming opportunity to move students from the

concrete facts of faith to abstract experiences with Jesus.

What is your personal hope for the ministry?To create a curriculum for our youth that will flow and build

on each other from year to year. A curriculum that will teach the students not only the concrete facts about our faith but also a way to apply it in their lives today.

Gretchen BarnesYouth Discipleship Path

Bob LeitnerAdult Discipleship Path


If you would like to be involved in The Vision of FUMC, please contact the FUMC front office (225) 383-4777.


Our current work includes the selection of a name for the ministry, defining the scope of

the mission at start-up and the search for a suitable location where we can house volunteer workers and materials. We hope that, by the time you read this, a name will have been selected so that we can begin marketing the project to meet our goal of having actual repair work begin next spring.

What is your personal hope for the ministry?This ministry gives FUMC the opportunity to do so many

good things at the same time. First, we will offer our young people, together with many others from around the country, the chance to learn and develop the gift of service to others while having experiences and forming relationships that will last a lifetime. At the same time, those young people will be doing valuable work improving housing in our City. Through our mission, we will form new and valuable relationships with our neighbors. And, as a bonus, we get to showcase Baton Rouge to our visitors.

Where do you see this ministry in 5 years?Startups are risky, but, if we succeed, we will accomplish the

goals I mentioned above for hundreds of young people each spring and summer and dozens of other volunteers year-round. They will be working on perhaps 20 homes per year, making themselves better people and Baton Rouge a better place to live.

Dan ReedUrban Mission Center


I am not really sure I remember the first time we ever walked through the door of the First Methodist Church here in Baton Rouge or even how long ago it was but I do remember the first time our family came to The Gathering on a Wednesday night.

I grew up in a small town with lots of small churches, and attending on Sundays was not a family event. The church bus would come pick up my brother, sister and myself every week. Attending church, as an adult was something that was held to holidays and special events and most of the time my husband and I would attend different churches. So when our family moved to Baton Rouge in the fall of 2011 one of our main family goals was to find a church we both liked and attend as a family- together- consistently.

After several visits to different types of churches with various worship styles we finally agreed that we liked “the Methodist church down town.” With any creation of a good habit or

breaking a bad habit the rule of thumb is consistency, either keep doing it or continue not to do it. So early January of 2013 I guess as a New Year’s Resolution kinda thing we said “Family! Time to get up and go to church!” Well of course the girls loved it, as I knew they would. Children are such a miracle in themselves so naturally they would be drawn to unconditional love, fellowship, music and Sunday school crafts!

But with most good intentions we just kinda fell off the radar with attending, then summer came and went, school started back up and attending worship on Sundays didn’t seem to be making it on the weekend plan. When I heard of America Street and a band was involved.... I was very excited and love the different style and I truly could feel my heart opening to the message of God. I look at my girls and I know I am looking at His grace but I still feel like a little girl in a very big house that I always get lost in.

A dear friend of mine, Nila Schwab, was with me on a mommy/daughter trip to Houston to celebrate our girls’ birthday. We got on the topic of church, God, struggles that we face as a mom/wife/friend/daughter, and she said, “You should really come on a Wednesday night! It’s so much

by missy

shanklinAwesome biscuit bread


fun and it’s really laid back and the classes are smaller than Sunday School. I think you would really like it. ..No pressure but, I’m tellin ya.. you would really like it. I might even win an iPad if I bring the most people but I would want you to come regardless because you will just love it!” If you know Nila you can hear those words in her voice and it’s definitely something Nila would say.

It was a great meal, a wonderful service and we all helped decorate Christmas ornaments for the church. After the service the son from another family looks up at his mom and says, “Hey mom, I really like this church! They have awesome biscuit bread!” He was referring to a fresh baked loaf of bread, served at communion.

Well, we were hooked! Next thing I know we are rescheduling our Wednesday night activities so that we can attend every week. And even a time or two, when I personally could not make it, the girls would beg me to start calling Mrs. Nila, Rebecca Mitchell,

Cherri Johnson or Becky Poor to see if they could take them or bring them home. Blake and Izzy LOVE coming so much that when there has been that rare occasion that we couldn’t make it, they break down in tears because the thought of missing is more that their sweet souls can bear. It has been wonderful for my husband and me, too. We finally have a place were we feel like we are home, a place that has been so incredibly supportive and accepted us with open arms, a place were we see people that we can call family.

The point is, ask your friends to church! You never know where they are on their journey in faith- they just might come and never stop, and never underestimate the value of good bread.

Missy and Matt Shanklin, with daughters: Jordan, Blake & Izzy


Weekly Attendance

Welcome New Members!

Congregational News

Sympathy to the Families of...Mr. Roy McCoy Jr.

Week of Sunday, June 1Worship 1,120

Sunday School 349Total 1,469

Week of Sunday, June 8

Worship 983 Sunday School 291

Total 1,274

Week of Sunday, June 15

Worship 931Sunday School 262

Total 1,193





Financial Report

Celebrating the Wedding of...Miss Martha Kucharchuk to Mr. Bucky Kilbourne

Celebrating the Baptism of...Rhodes Steele son of Chris & Lauren LundgrenMichael James son of Reginald Haslom & Katherine RobillardAlec William son of Sean & Kelly Finan

As of 6/30/2014: Actual YTD Budget YTD VarianceIncome $ 1,744,085 $ 1,660,115 $ 83,970Expense $ 1,963,944 $ 2,025,225 ($ 61,281)Net Income ($ 219,859) ($ 365,110) $ 145,251

Celebrating the Birth of...Julia Catherine Daughter of Matt & Natalie ThomasLily Catherine Daughter of Jacob & Michelle Landry

Rev. Pattye, Jade, Ashley & Jim Hewitt

John & JennetteMontgomery

Kizzy Williams

Back to Schoolat FUMC

Join us as FUMC jumps into a new year of classes for you and your family! Visit www.firstmethodist.org

for more information about class offerings.

Weekly


Early Learning CenterAugust 4 & 5th - Students Visit New Classrooms August 6 - 8th - ClosedAugust 11th - Fall Session Begins

AUGUSTCalendar of Events

SUNDAYS 8:30 am Worship 9:00 am Café 930 9:40 am Sunday School 10:20 am Hospitality Coffee 11:00 am Worship 5:00 pm Youth (starting August 17) 6:30 pm Worship 6:45 pm Prayer Ministry

MONDAYS 9:30 am Prayer Ministry

TUESDAYS 9:00 am Knitting Men’s Bible Study 9:30 am Fit @ First 10:30 am Women’s AA 12:00 pm AA

WEDNESDAYS 9:30 am The Bible; Every Day 12:10 pm Worship – Chapel 4:00 pm Illness Support Group 4:30 pm Care Team 6:00 pm Woodland Ringers 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

THURSDAYS 9:00 am Thursday Group 10:00 am Widow’s Walk 12:00 pm AA

FRIDAYS 10:15 am Baby Bouncers

For more dates & events, visit our website:www.firstmethodist.org

August 4, 2014Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Romans 10:5-15Matthew 14:22-33

Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b

August 11, 2014 Genesis 45:1-15

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28

Psalm 133

August 18, 2014 Exodus 1:8-2:10Romans 12:1-8

Matthew 16:13-20 Psalm 124

August 25, 2014 Exodus 3:1-15

Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b

Monthly Lectionary

Texts

SUNDAY-8/3 9:40 am Newcomers’ Coffee 11:00 am Church Readiness (Sanctuary Service) 12:10 pm Service of Prayer for Healing SUNDAY-8/10 8:30 am Registration Extravaganza for Sunday School Classes in the gym (all ages) 11:00 am Second Grade Bibles (Sanctuary Service)

MONDAY-8/11 6:00 pm Church Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY-8/13 10:00 am Senior Adult Program and Luncheon 6:00 pm A Hot August Night Art show and hors d’oeuvres

FRIDAY-8/15 11:00 am Mission Team leaves for KenyaSUNDAY-8/17 - JUMP START SUNDAY 8:30 am Registration Extravaganza for Sunday School Classes in the gym (all ages) 9:40 am Children go to new Sunday School Classrooms! 5:00 pm Youth, The Big Event

WEDNESDAY-8/20 5:00 pm The Gathering Meal 5:45 pm Worship 6:30 pm The Gathering: New Christian Community

Special

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PA I DBaton Rouge, La

PERMIT 63

First United Methodist Church930 North Blvd.Baton Rouge, LA 70802Change Service Requested

Join us foR WoRship!sundays

8:30 am Sanctuary Worship9:40 am Sunday School for all Ages

11 am Sanctuary and America Street Worship

6:30 pm Ory Parish Hall Worship

Wednesdays12:10 pm Aldrich Chapel Worship

& Holy Communion

Nursery Care is available on Sundays from

8:15 am to 12:00 pm and from 5:00-7:30 pm

lvisit

www.FirstMethodist.org

for more informationfacebook.com/FUMCBR

@FUMCBatonRouge

930north August 2014

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