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 Christmas in July
Christmas in July is back again! We had such great success from last year's event, we decided to bring it back with two options:
- From July 14 through 29, we will collect new, unwrapped toys for our annual Student Ministries Breakfast in December. Please bring your toys to one of the blue tubs located in the main church office and on the student ministries' floor.
- It is time to start packing our United Methodist Christmas Shoeboxes. These boxes (not real shoeboxes) are provided by UMCOR for local churches to pack with assorted toys, products, and coloring books that are sent overseas to our missionaries in the fall. They distribute the boxes to children within their communities at Christmas.
We have a list of suggested items, coloring books, and shoeboxes in the missions' office. Stop by to pick up your supplies and start gathering your gifts, flip flops (every box has to have a pair of them), and toys. This year, we hope to pack more boxes than ever. If you, your family, Sunday School class, or small group would like to pack these together, then contact Rachael Hayes ( [email protected] / 769-0143) to let her know how many boxes to reserve for you. Filled boxes have to be in the Missions office by Tuesday, September 2.
Let's make a child's Christmas morning even better in another part of the world by spreading a little "Christmas Cheer" here in July.
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July Mission Minute
This July, we would like to highlight our mission partners that aid and support the homeless in our area. We work with three different organizations through actions, giving, or both: First Light, Interfaith of the YWCA, and Family Promise of Birmingham. All of these organizations have been partners with VHUMC for a long time. We have several Sunday School classes involved with helping, serving, and volunteering with each group on a monthly basis. You can visit their websites for more information on how you can help with daily needs or support some of their bigger fundraisers.
Family Promise of Birmingham, that we just hosted in June, is having their fundraising event on July 18 at Brookwood Village. If you are interested in being a part of this, would like tickets, or donate an auction item, please contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected]) for more information. You will not want to miss this event!
We also serve the homeless by making PB&J sandwiches each winter when the warming stations open downtown. This group has grown from two volunteers to over fifteen in just a few months. If you are interested in making sandwiches next winter, watch for our social media posts for ways to make an impact with our homeless community.
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 Fall Disciple Bible Study Class
Register today to join over 100 VHUMC members in learning more about the Bible. We are offering 12-week classes that cover either the New Testament or the Old Testament. Each class is offered three times each week with readings to be explored and discussed during the 75-minute gathering. If you want your book early, pick one up in the church office to get a jump on reading, learning, and living the Word! For questions, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136).
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Want a Stronger Marriage/Relationship
Register for the upcoming Marriage/Relationship Night at VHUMC on Friday, August 16, from 5:30-9:00 pm. Childcare is offered on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to register early! Come hear from internationally known speakers and marriage therapists and laugh with comedian Michael Jr. as you learn the fundamentals of a sound relationship, honoring one another, and honoring God. Registration is $20 per couple and includes a boxed dinner for each adult. Spread the word, this is slated to be a fun-filled and inspirational night! For questions or further information, contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]/ 769-0136).
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 Promotion Sunday
Promotion Sunday is August 11! Be on the lookout for a postcard from preschool or elementary ministries to let you know which class your child will be in for the 2019-2020 school year. We will all meet in our new rooms on August 11. Hope to see you there! |
Third Grade Bible Registration
It is a tradition at Vestavia Hills United Methodist to give a Bible to our third graders each year. This year our Bible presentation will be during the 11:00 traditional worship service in the sanctuary on September 8.
If you are a member at VHUMC, or feel that VHUMC is your church home, we want to make sure that we have your child listed to receive a Bible. We would also like to personalize each Bible by adding your child's name engraved to the outside cover, but we will only be able to do that if you provide us with the information we need by August 4. Please take a moment to click on the link to let us know what name you would like printed on your child's Bible.
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New Evening Fitness Classes 
New evening exercise classes
will
be
starting soon in the Lighthouse!
- YogaFit emphasizes sports science and alignment principles, as well as the ancient traditions of Yoga. Bringing Yoga to everybody in a safe, accessible, and adaptable way, YogaFit allows for a full range of fitness levels, age groups, and health conditions while maintaining the essence of the traditional practice.
- Ready to experience results you can both see and feel? D1 Training's Boot Camp program will push you to your limits. No matter your skill level or experience, this program is designed for anyone looking to get fit and feel good. All you need to do is show up and bring your dedication -and we'll take it from there.
If you are interested in either class, please contact Alli McGill (
[email protected]).
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Prayers for Our Students
Over 300 students and 100 volunteers will take over our building for Discovery Weekend, August 2-4. This will be a time for the students to grow their faith in Christ and build relationships before heading back to school.
Prayer is a critical part of this special weekend and the congregation is asked to lift up our students in their prayers. The Discovery Prayer Room will be located in room 204 and open all weekend with resources to pray scripture-based prayers for our students. There will be prayer stations set up for contemplation, a letter writing station, and on Saturday morning we will post a picture of each student attending on the walls so each can be prayed for while seeing their faces in a quiet setting. The students love coming in, seeing their pictures, and praying for each other.
To make this all happen, we need a number of volunteers to serve in pairs for two hours at a time during the weekend. Volunteers will pray for the students on their own, lay on hands and pray over all of the speakers, give direction to those entering the room for prayer, and monitor the water features, music, and open candles in the room.
We hope you will consider taking part of this opportunity to impact the lives of our students.
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Bible Bearer, Acolyte and Crucifer Training
 We love for the Cross, the Word of God, and the Light of Jesus to be carried into our worship services by our children and students! If your child or student would like to serve as a bible bearer, acolyte, or a crucifer, we invite you to join us on Sunday, August 11, for training in the Sanctuary at the following time:
- Bible Bearers (1st-2nd graders) - 3:00-3:45 pm
- Acolytes (3rd-5th graders) - 3:45-4:30 pm
- Crucifers (6th-12th graders) - 4:30-5:00 pm
We hope that you will encourage your child or student to participate in this special ministry! If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).
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 8th/9thGrade ASP Recap
Recently 46 of our eighth and ninth graders along with 16 adults traveled on our first of two ASP summer mission trips. Our team worked in Jonesville, VA on a variety of projects including flooring, siding, and deck/stair repair. Words and pictures cannot adequately convey the impact our students and adults experienced from our homeowners and the way in which God moved throughout the week. The theme for the week was "Be the Peace" and each day we reflected on how God's peace or Shalom impacts our life and how we can be the peace for others. Check out the link to see a small video about our trip or visit our Thrive Student Ministries Facebook page to see all of the pictures. For more information about Thrive and our volunteer opportunities please contact Jeremiah Stone ([email protected] / 769-0135).
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 Do You Shop on Amazon
Did you know that when you shop on Amazon, you can make a portion of your purchase become a gift to VHUMC? It is very easy: log into your Amazon account through smile.amazon.com and then shop as you normally do! The first time, you will need to choose "Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church Foundation." Then, every time you log in this way, Amazon will process a donation to the General Fund of the church. It really is that easy. Please contact John Sweeney ([email protected] / 769-0101) with any questions you may have.
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Livestream Volunteers Needed 
Do you have a desire to serve VHUMC and help bring the message of Jesus Christ to those outside of the church walls? We are excited to announce that VHUMC will begin Livestreaming our traditional worship services very soon! We will begin by streaming the 11:00 traditional service, with the 8:30 and 9:45 am services soon to follow. In order for this effort to be made possible, we are very much in need of volunteers to operate the Livestream equipment during Sunday morning worship services. Volunteers will be trained in advance with plenty of learning time before operating the equipment. We hope you will consider volunteering to help VHUMC in this exciting new endeavor to help bring Christ's message to the Vestavia community and beyond! Contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected]) to sign up or ask questions.
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 Verify and Update Your Profile
VHUMC uses a wonderful, robust database to track information about each of our members. It has bank-level security so you have to log on to your profile to see your information and church activity. We invite you to log on to https://vhumc.infellowship.com/ for the following:
- Update your profile, including your picture. Please be sure we have your cell number.
- Access our online church directory. Access is only to those who have "opted in" under the privacy settings.
- See current groups to which you are involved.
- Sign up for new classes and groups.
- Check your donation history and schedule online giving.
- Register for events and see your past registrations.
We appreciate your assistance as we try to update your information and make our communications with you more streamlined and targeted. If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136).
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 Fall Registration for COA
The Conservatory of the Arts is now enrolling students for our fall session which begins the week of August 19. If you do not see a class you are looking for, please email Ellen Bryant ([email protected]).
Private lessons include: brass instruments, guitar, percussion, piano, stringed instruments, voice, and wind instruments.
Classes include:
- Regular Art - Thursdays at 4:15 (Students who have finished K - 3rd Grade)
- Advanced Art - Tuesdays at 4:15 (Students in Grades 3 - 8)
- Photography - Tuesdays at 6:00 (High School students through adults)
- Children's Theatre - Thursdays at 3:30 (Ages 8-10 years)
- Girls Theatre - Mondays at 4:30 (Ages 11-14)
- Showstoppers - Tuesdays at 5:00 (Ages 8-12) and 6:00 (Ages 13-18)
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Upward Flag Football and Cheer Registration
 Upward Flag Football and Cheer registration has begun! This league is for boys and girls K4-4th Grade who want to play flag football or cheer and learn the basics of the sports experienced in a Christ-centered atmosphere. Practices will be once a week on either a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evening starting the week of Sept. 2. Games will be on Saturday mornings starting on September 14. The cost is $105 per participant and includes uniforms. The league also offers multi-child family discounts.
You can register online at the link below or in person at the VHUMC Lighthouse. We are looking forward to seeing your family participate with us this fall! For any questions about the league or season, please contact Miles Erbe ([email protected] / 769-0134).
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Let's Be Good Neighbors
It is exciting to see our parking lots fill up on Sunday mornings and people parking on the streets to attend our worship and Sunday School meetings. If you find it necessary to park on the street, please be careful not to park on our neighbors' grass. We appreciate their patience with all the cars and do not want to damage their yards in the process.
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Ongoing Outreach
Food Pantry
Food Pantry is needing monetary donations to help pay for monthly orders from the Community Food Bank. Donations are greatly appreciated and should be payable to VHUMC marked for Food Pantry. Thank you so much!
Oak Mountain Mission
Oak Mountain Mission needs volunteers. Do you have a day every week that you could help them by working in the warehouse, clothing rooms, linen room, or pantry? Visit the mission and see if this is something you would enjoy. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. Call 685-5757 for details.
Kids Stand for the Homeless 
The 2nd annual Kids Stand for the Homeless is going on now through August 31 to benefit Church of the Reconciler, one of our mission partners. Plan your stands now and sell whatever you want: lemonade, cookies, or even garage sale items. Pair up with friends at church or in your neighborhood, just limit your teams to 10 people each. All money collected needs to be turned in to Church of the Reconciler by check, Paypal, or credit card through THEIR website. Make sure to note "Kids Stand" in the memo or description. The winning family or team will receive an ice cream party at Big Spoon Creamery. Last year our Agape Sunday School class won!
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