|
LIFE UP CLOSE
The good news is that the circus is back in town and the bad news, of course, is that it won't be coming back. We know now that Ringling Brothers, et al, are shutting down the circus after almost a  century and a half. Declining ticket sales, some pressure from animal rights groups, and, I hear, the video game industry have made the Greatest Show on Earth unsustainable.
I remember the first time we took our boys to see the circus. We went to the Omni (precursor to Phillips Arena), paid exorbitant prices for front-row seats, and munched cotton candy a few hundred feet from the action. Ringling Brothers is circus refined, sterile, and perfectly timed. Gunther Gabel Williams tamed a few lions and we watched exotic animals, matched horses, and daredevils from around the world. But in my heart of hearts, I thought the boys were a little disappointed.
A few weeks later the Kiwanis Club of Fayette County brought a traveling circus to town. It was a threadbare operation, set up in an old revival tent on a back lot near a grocery store. There was none of the glamor of the Omni, none of the lights nor music. We sat on wooden benches and saw far less exotic animals. We saw lines in the faces of performers, patches on costumes, and a thousand days of hard living in the eyes of those who paraded by us.
But the boys loved it! This circus was alive and close by! Apparently in the mind of a five year old boy there is greater joy in touching an old llama than in viewing a raging lion from a distance! Those little fellows sat in the middle of the action, tasted the dust, smelled the animals, and heard the straining of the performers.
Life is like that, I think. It is better lived up close. Sometimes we need to be close enough to hear the frustration, whisper the prayer, and perhaps dry the tears. Then, we are more than observers. The dust sticks in our throats, the cries are ours, and the sensations are real.
There is always plenty of room near the front, near the action. There is always room near our children and youth, near our sick and troubled. There is room near your friends who need a kind word, a supportive shoulder, and the blessing of a prayer.
We talk about those things here each week and there's a place for you.
And I'll see you this Sunday.
|
|
Join us for Ash Wednesday worship services
on March 1 at noon at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Restore to Glory!
At present, our outstanding debt on Restore to Glory!, our major renovation project, is $112,000. Our hope is to have the debt completely erased by April. Please check to see if your pledged commitment is up to date, and please consider an extra gift to RTG!
The Blanket and Shawl Ministry will meet next Thursday, March 2 at 4 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Join us on Sunday, March 5 to meet Steve English,
our missionary partner from Guatemala. He will be available to greet people after the 9 a.m. service on the Bridge and will have lunch with us in the Library at 12:15 p.m. RSVP to Michelle Paracha at
michelleparacha@mariettafumc.org
(Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
MFUMC is working with Park Street Elementary to strengthen the science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program there. Volunteers will work with table groups of children who are using either the Scientific Method to conduct experiments or the Engineering Design Process to create useful products. You will coach them and then help them generalize learning from the activities through discussion. Kids love adult participation and it helps the teachers maximize the value of the time spent. We need two or three volunteers for some shopping excursions and organizing materials by class the week of March 6-10. This will be for 2-3 hours and we can plan the time around your schedule.
Click here for more information and to volunteer. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Men of the Church:
- Night at the Hawks: Join us to cheer on the Hawks on Thursday, March 16. Tickets and information are available at mariettafumc.org/hawks
- Men's Adult Basketball League: Join our team that will play in the city's league on Wednesday and Thursday nights beginning March 22. Learn more at mariettafumc.org/bball (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
A Closer Look begins Sunday, March 19 and is for visitors and new members who want to learn more about MFUMC and membership. It meets for five weeks in the Parlor at 10:10 a.m. Find out more and register at www.mariettafumc.org/closerlook. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
The Beverly McCrary Circle will collect men's and women's new socks and underwear for MUST Ministries March 5-19. Look for collection baskets by elevators.
Inspired Yoga and Wellness
will bring all-new Yoga classes to FUMC Monday evenings beginning March 6 from 6-7:15 p.m. All classes are suitable for beginners and advanced levels (must be 18 or older). All classes combine a Christian theme with breath work and movements of the body. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Children's soccer registration is open!
Fuse Sports is a faith-based, family friendly sports league for children ages 3 (by 9/1/16) through 5
th
grade. The season is from March 12 to May 7 and all practices and games are one hour on Sunday afternoons. Cost is $50 per player with $10 coach and $5 sibling discounts available. Visit www.mariettafumc.org or e-mail
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
for more information.
Little Lambs Children's Consignment Sale at Marietta First United Methodist is March 9-11. Preview sale March 9 from 2-8, $5 entry fee; Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., many items half price on Saturday.
Click here to visit the Little Lambs Web site to consign or volunteer and shop early!
Congregational Care volunteers needed!
Are you willing to visit a homebound member of our congregation once a month? We provide flowers and you provide friendly conversation. Our list of members needing care keeps growing. Join us in this important ministry. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Cornerstone, a gathering of Young Adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s, meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
Support Groups are available here at the church for a variety of concerns: grief, caring for a loved one with dementia, addiction, or other needs. Visit
www.mariettafumc.org/support for meeting times and details. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Interested in MFUMC's history? Helping in our Archives is a great way to learn (and help preserve our past). Please contact Milli Robinson at
millirobinson@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7857 to volunteer.
We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)
|
 |
|
Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress?
Visit its Web site
, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about
how to donate or make your pledge.
|
The Church Council will meet next Monday, February 27 at 7 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. by reservation ($10). To make a dinner reservation, contact Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813.
|
|
Connect Through Table Fellowship
|
Wednesdays at
5:15 p.m.
in the Family Life Hall
$6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11)
February 22
Baked Chicken, macaroni and cheese, assorted vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- same as adults
March 1
Breaded pork chop or Grilled chicken, roasted butternut squash, vegetables, pineapple cheese casserole, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- Hamburger or cheese burger, tater rounds, gogurt, salad bar, and dessert
March 8
Dinner in the Reception Hall
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, salad, rolls, and desserts
Kids- Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, peas, salad, rolls, and desserts
March 15
Corned Beef or Grilled Chicken, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, green beans, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- Hot dog or corn dog, tater rounds, fruit, salad bar, and dessert
|
|
|
For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,
visit www.mariettafumc.org/events.
Ethiopia Mission Trip
Through February 25
Youth Mission Spaghetti Luncheon
Sunday, February 26
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Family Life Hall
Mike Smith, ext. 7808
mikesmith@mariettafumc.org
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 1
Meet Our Missionaries: Helen Roberts-Evans
Wednesday, March 1
4:30 p.m.
Wesley Dining Room
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
Men of the Church Serve
Supper at The Extension
Thursday, March 2
6:30 p.m.
Away
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
Confirmation Sunday
Sunday, March 5
Meet Our Missionaries: Steve English
Sunday, March 5
On the Bridge (following 9 a.m. Worship Service)
At lunch in the Library (12:15 p.m.)
Reception for Becky Sawyer
Sunday, March 5
After Both Worship Services
Family Life Hall
3rd Through 5th Grade Bible Study
Wednesday, March 8
6:30 p.m.
Room 324
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
Little Lambs Children's Consignment Sale
March 9-11
Family Life Hall
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
Children's FUSE Soccer Begins
Sunday, March 12
1:45 p.m.
Park on Polk
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
Daylight Saving Time Begins
(Spring Forward!)
Sunday, March 12
Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheon
Wednesday, March 15
Noon
Reception Hall
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
loriethridge@mariettafumc.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
