Associate Pastor Appointments to be Announced

On this Sunday, March 4, and on Sunday, March 25, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee will be announcing our new Associate Pastors to serve at First United Methodist Church. This allows them to coordinate with the churches that they are presently serving. We believe that both of these pastors will follow in the great tradition of outstanding associate pastors we have so loved and enjoyed. 

	Dr. Will Cotton

Due to a shortage of available clergy to serve our needs, both pastors will be coming from outside the Central Texas Conference. As you might imagine, going outside the conference meant competing with other conferences, so the process took some extra work. It also meant having strong coordination between Bishop Lowry and the bishop from the home conference of each pastor as well as their district superintendents.  The first associate will arrive on July 1 and the second on September 1.

What will we do in between? Preachers from inside our congregation and outside will be joining the rotation with me, including District Superintendent Brad Brittain and Bishop Lowry. Several of our retired pastors have offered to assist with pastoral care, funerals, counseling and other needs. Care teams of laypersons in our congregation will also be serving as visitors and callers for congregational care.

Administratively, staff members will be joining me in covering areas that our associate pastors would normally cover and laypersons will also be stepping in. I want to say thanks ahead of time for all those who will be offering. assistance and leadership during this time. My prayer is that we will be stronger as a church when this six months of prayer, preparation and serving together has concluded.

Sincerely in Christ,

Dr. Will Cotton

Senior Pastor 

Who gets a pie in the face this Sunday?

The results are in! This Sunday Jodi Marfell and Taylor Ory will get a pie in the face! Join us at 10:45 am near the Twin Oaks deck this Sunday, March 4, as we pie our Student Ministries staff! The students collected more than 7,000 items for the Backpack Project. With the help of the congregation, the church contributed more than 10,500 items that will go toward meals for students during Spring Break. Thank you to everyone that brought in items! Here is what we were able to achieve for our students:

• Enough crackers for a full week for our 1100 students with some left over.
• Almost 12 cases of individual cereals (we use about 20 cases a week)
• A full week's worth of proteins for our students.
• More applesauce than you can shake a stick at -- it's not counted yet.
• Enough ramen for a full week, and that takes 80+ cases.

Did you hear the Kids of the Kingdom Bells last Sunday?

Shari Sloane directs the First Church Children's Handbell group, Kids of the Kingdom Bells. These 3rd - 5th graders rehearse weekly and provide amazing music during worship. 

Bee a Ringer!

If you think your child might be interested in handbells, take a look at the upcoming summer Chime Camps. Lots of ringing and fun!

Can you spare few hours to help the church grounds and facilities look their very best during Holy Week and Easter Sunday? During the month of March, several 4-hour clean up shifts (9 am - 1 pm and 1 pm - 5 pm) will be offered to complete a variety of projects on the church campus. Sign up online or just join in the fun and fellowship by reporting to the Sanctuary foyer for your special assignment. How will you, your family, your small group, and/or your Sunday School class help First Church sparkle and shine this spring on Easter morning? Click for more info and to sign up!