August 2017
Shepherd's Voice
Monthly Newsletter
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Worship with us each Sunday,
8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary and
11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Family Life Center.
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Meet our Newest Staff Person
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Christine Barfield has been a member of the MPUMC community for 26 years. Christine has worked with Mountain Park UMC Preschool for twelve years. She and her husband Ted have three boys Christopher (married to Lindsey), Alexander (Graduate student at UGA) and Ben (Engineering student at Georgia Southern). Now an empty-Nester she has a passion for rescue dogs. In her free time, you can find her running, hiking or kayaking with her husband.
Christine's vision for Mountain Park UMC Preschool is to invite the community to get involved with the Pre-school and as a result of participating in the Pre-school, those families would then unite with Mountain Park in ministry to the world.
She will be introduced as the Mountain Park UMC Preschool Director in the August 6th worship service. We invite you come and meet Christine and other Mountain Park UMC Preschool teachers.
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Church Conference Parsonage
Resolution Updat
e
The MPUMC Board of Trustees recommended to the Called Church Conference held on July 30, 2017 to sell the parsonage. During our "Holy Conferencing" moment, 196 members of the Mountain Park UMC congregation voted on the recommended resolution from the trustees. By a vote of 149 (to sale) to 41 (to rent), MPUMC members voted to sale the parsonage. The Board of Trustees are now tasked with the work of creating the policies for selecting a realtor, and setting a price point for the sale of the parsonage.
Another Called Church Conference meeting will be scheduled to vote upon a resolution for the price of the parsonage once a buyer makes an offer on the parsonage.
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Lunches of Love -
Sports Day and Community Party 2017 - Thank You!
We were able to have 50 dozen brownies donated with watermelon and
600 slices of pizza. Thanks to your donations we were able to organize balls based on request by each family. All of the balls, Frisbees, and hula hoops have been sorted and bagged, ready to be delivered to each of the neighborhoods!
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Family Promise - Become a
Volunteer Coordinator
We believe in supporting families of all sorts including homeless families looking to improve their lives. Family Promise meets that need and our church helps by hosting these families (along with a network of other churches) periodically throughout the year.
In order to make this happen, it takes coordination of volunteers to help get bed rooms set up, meals prepared, fellowship time scheduled, and more. We could really use your help in strengthening our commitment to and connection with these families each year. It doesn't have to be one person but a team of individuals who are passionate about serving in this way.
If you're interested in learning more, you can reach out to our current Volunteer Coordinator,
John Grovenstein, who will shepherd you throughout the process and answer any questions you might have.
Additional details are provided below:
- Attends a one time 6 hours training class conducted by Family Promise
- Attends a monthly 2 hour nightly meeting at the Family Promise campus in Lawrenceville.
- Attends and assists with several special events such as a coordinator appreciator dinner and the bed race.
- Assists with Mountain Park volunteer recruitment, scheduling and support
- Serves as the primary liaison between between Mountain Park and Family Promise
- In the late spring coordinates with family promise, the church staff and primary volunteers regarding potential Mountain Park host dates.
- Coordinates with the pastors , Ed and other staff as needed regarding publicity, volunteer recruitment, fund raising, space issues etc.
- Welcomes guests, at a Sunday orientation meeting letting them know about our facilities and rules that are specific to our church
- Oversees host week solving issues that may come up involving facilities, volunteers and guests.
- Insures that Mountain Park hosts are aware of and follow family promise program guidelines
- Keeps volunteer guides, postings and emergency contact lists up to date.
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MealTrain Opportunities
One of the best ways to let people know we care is by providing a meal in the midst of transition. Whether it's recovery or new beginnings, we can offer these families our support! Click the link below to learn the family's needs and when you can schedule to bring a yummy dinner for them to enjoy.
The Rutherford Family
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United Methodist Men Breakfast at IHOP
We encourage men of all ages to join us for breakfast at IHOP located at 4205 Stone Mountain Highway every Monday morning at 8:00 am. If you have questions or need further information contact Mr. Robert Kopp.
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Speaker: Kelly Claudon
Sign up begins Sunday, August 13, in the Gathering Room
Cost: $75.00 (Includes Dinner Friday Night)
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Stephen's Ministry is Here for You!
As school prepares to start and you are sending your children off to college, your heart is aching and you are experiencing deep and earnest pains of loneliness and despair. You are afraid of what the future holds and struggling with the idea of being an empty-nester. You are excited about the possibilities of growth for your child, and at the same time, you do not want them to leave home. A Stephen Minister would be honored to walk beside you, to pray with you, to listen to you and show God's love during these complicated transitions.
This Ministry is confidential so everything that is shared is never repeated. Please feel free to contact the Stephen Ministry referrals coordinator Sallie Schroeder at
salliels7@bellsouth.net or one of our Ministers.
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There are still slots available for MPUMC's Pre-school. You can follow the link to register your children from ages 12 months through 4 years of age (
Register now for the 2017 school year).
Important Dates
August 21, 2017 - Meet your teachers
August 22, 2017 - First Day of Pre-School
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Starting with this new school year, children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to participate in Worship in the Park during our 11:00 worship hour. There will be no Worship in the Park on August 6 and children are encouraged to stay in worship with their parents.
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Friday, August 4, we will meet at 7 PM to watch "Trolls"! The movie will be shown in The Park and are open to children and families! Invite your friends! Popcorn and lemonade will be available.
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Promotion Sunday and "Blessing of the Backpacks"
Sunday, August 6th during worship services
We will celebrate Promotion Sunday in both of our 11:00 services with a special "Blessing of the Backpacks."
Please have your school-age children bring their backpacks to be blessed in the services! We also invite all teachers to bring their planners to be blessed as well.
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SURGE will have its first meeting of the new school year on Sunday, August 27, at 12:15. This will be a time to have lunch, play games, participate in Acolyte training, and a short parent meeting.
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Wednesday Night Activities
Our Wednesday night activities will begin in September, so keep an eye out for communications about what we have to offer in the new year! We look forward to seeing you at the Back to School Sunday worship celebration!
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SCREAM Retreat - Save the Date
Friday, October 13th through
Sunday, October 15
The cost for the Scream Retreat is $185.00 per person. Additional details regarding the Scream Retreat will be published in the September newsletter.
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Pre-School Teacher Encouragement
Our Preschool teachers will be starting their pre-planning on August 14. Let's shower them with encouragement for this new school year! Please write your notes of encouragement and turn in to Rachel by August 13! (There will also be note cards and a drop off basket available in the Narthex and FLC for the next two Sundays). Thank you!
2017-2018 School Year:
Director:
Christine Barfield
One Yr Olds:
Suzanne and Jill
Two Yr Olds:
Kimberly & Gayla; Allison, & Patsy
Three Yr Olds:
Angela & Donna; Mary, & Michelle
Four Yr Olds:
Kathy & Kasey
Music:
Nikki
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2017/2018 Sunday School Classrooms
Nursery: E108
Preschool: E112
Kindergarten-2nd Grade: E113
3rd-5th Grade: E114
6th-8th Grade: Back Youth Room
9th-12th Grade: Main Youth Room
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Thank You For Supporting our Children & Youth
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Youth Parent Informational Meeting
There will be a Youth Parent Informational Meeting in the Youth Room following the 11:00 services for all parents of 6th-12th graders! Come find out more about our 2017-18 school year!
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Youth Back to School Pool Party
All youth in 6th-12th grades are invited to "Back to School" pool party, from 5-7pm, at the Woods of Parkview Pool, 1 Planters Drive, Lilburn. We will have pizza, drinks, and lots of fun! Drop off and pick up is at the Woods of Parkview.
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Crossroads Youth Sunday Night
All youth in 6th-12th grades are invited to "Back to School" pool party, from 5-7pm, at the Woods of Parkview Pool, 1 Planters Drive, Lilburn. We will have pizza, drinks, and lots of fun! Drop off and pick up is at the Woods of Parkview.
Additional Youth Activities
We officially start back with regular Sunday Night Youth Aug. 13th from 5-7pm.
If you would like to volunteer with our youth on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, or even Wednesday nights contact Josh Henley. Registration open for the Lock In, Sept. 8th-9th, and the Fall Retreat, Sept. 22nd-24th. Forms for those events are available.
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We've had a great experience with our first semester of small groups, and are looking to develop more groups! The expectation is to share a meal each week, have a time for fellowship and some sort of discussion (around the sermon that week, a book study, etc). If you're interested in finding out more about how to host in your home, lead a group (at your home, someone else's, or the church), or participate in a group, contact Rachel Hockman:
rachel.hockman@mountainparkumc.org or sign up in the Gathering Room or FLC on Sunday mornings.
In addition to our small groups, we will also be offering short term Adult Studies throughout the week starting in September at the church. Be on the lookout for sign-ups coming soon!
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Other Ministry Opportunities
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Food Truck Tuesdays
Tuesday, August 8 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Lilburn City Park
Food Truck Tuesdays has already officially kicked off for the summer! Get excited to see old and new faces alike!
Enjoy a variety of food trucks, live music, and fabulous people! Food Trucks Tuesdays will happen on the second Tuesday of every month.
Follow up with the list of trucks and more on their
Facebook Page.
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Mountain Park UMC Blood Drive
Sunday, August 6, 2017
8:00 am - 1:00 pm | The Park
Nearly one-third fewer blood donors give during the summer than during the rest of the year, due in part to schools - where blood drives are held and where new donors give - being out of session during the summer. Please consider giving to this worthy cause. To make a date to donate, visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code "mpmc". Donors will receive a $5.00 Target Gift card.
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Book Sale
We are still collecting books for the book sales. Please drop-off your books in the Church Office.
September - Book Sales
Wednesday Evening 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sunday Mornings
8:00 am - 11:00 am
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