Tucker First UMC News
June 27, 2020
"Conversations Can Get Messy"


Rev. Gerald Varner, preaching
Sunday, June 28 @ 11:00 am

Online at tuckerfirst.org

YouTube Tip - stand up an be counted! Make sure you like the Sunday worship video. You might have to sign into YouTube to click the like icon.
Stay Up to Date With the Weekly Spotlight

Where is the weekly church bulletin insert, The Spotlight? You can access a pdf version of the Spotlight clicking on the spotlight image on the right. Then once you are on the web page, click the Spotlight download file.
Church Survey Results
Thank you for participating in the recent church-wide survey. The survey results to several questions have been posted on our website along with the latest case data from the Georgia Department of Public Health. You can view the information here .

Questions? Please contact Stephanie Shanholtzer at sshanholtzer@tfumc.org .
Opportunities to Volunteer
Where Are the Volunteer
and Service Opportunities?
The needs of our community and the activities of the mission committee are vast and due to the number of ads and stories, we have once again moved the mission messages to a separate email coming out this weekend.

Our mission team has many opportunities for you to volunteer through donations or in-person assistance. Whether you are staying at home or are comfortable getting out, there is an opportunity for you. The groups are listed below and you are invited to check out all the opportunities at www.tuckerfirst.org .
 
  • Lunch Buddy Volunteers – all volunteer slots filled! Thank you!
  • Make a Super Pack for Smart Lunch/Smart Kids
  • Appalachia Service Project – October 10 - 12. Volunteer for short mission trip.
  • NETWorks - Volunteers needed for inside and outside work
  • Wellroot “Read and Feed” donations needed by July 3.
  • Red Cross Blood Drive - Donors and volunteers needed on July 12
  • Supporting our schools – UMW school supply drive changes

Can't wait? Check out the volunteer needs for missions by going to:

Combating Anxiety During the Pandemic
In Paul’s writing in Philippians, he says “Do not be anxious about anything”. That’s hard, especially during these times.

Click on the image for an article that addresses fear and provides tips to for combating anxiety.
What Can We Do About Racism?
We recognize racism as a sin.

We commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.

We will work for equal and equitable opportunities in employment and promotion, education and training; in voting, access to public accommodations, and housing; to credit, loans, venture capital, and insurance; to positions of leadership and power in all elements of our life together; and to full participation in the Church and society.

What can we do?

Educate Ourselves- Resources can be found at NGUMC.org . and UMC.org. You can also click on the logo.


Watch the video series by the UMC General Commission on Race and Religion and read a follow up discussion from Bishop Lawson Bryan from the South Georgia Annual Conference. Act!-Give your time and money towards organizations working for racial justice.

Become an advocate for justice through the General Board of Church and Society ( www.umcjustice.org )

Connect with the United Methodist Women in their work for racial justice.

Use this Breath Prayer Exercise from Bishop Ken Carter of Florida.

Support Trinity Community Ministries in a new way - The men of Trinity House-Big Bethel are fighting so many challenges to make a change in their lives. They are housed in the old Hanley Funeral Home where Dr. King was prepared after his death. The air conditioning unit needs to be replaced at a cost $10,000. They are only a quarter of the way towards that goal.
The  Council of Bishops , the  General Commission on Religion and Race , the  General Board of Church and Society  and  United Methodist Women   invite you to join a Town Hall conversation on July 1 at  UMC.org/EndRacism , where we will take a deep dive into the true (and sometimes suppressed!) history of our nation and church. A panel of experts will dialogue with each other and with the audience as we engage key questions:

  • Are we telling the story of our nation's history from the perspective of the lion or the lamb? How has a culture of white supremacy and settler colonialism distorted our understanding of our shared past? What are the truths we need to learn—and the lies we need to un-learn—about US history?

  • What about our church ancestors? How and when have United Methodists furthered racist national projects and caused real harm? How and when have United Methodists showed up on the side of Jesus, justice and freedom for all peoples?

  • How might a careful look into this past enable us to build a more Gospel-grounded future together -- for the church, the country and the broader world?

This one-hour Town Hall will be moderated by General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion & Race Erin Hawkins with expert panelists Rev. Dr. Bobby McClain, Dr. Lisa Dellinger, Rev. Fred Day III, and Dr. Alison Greene to explore the history of the United States and the United Methodist Church, racial (in)justice and where God is calling us to go next.
Connect With Your Church Online
Online Opportunities For You to Stay Connected
Whether it is a word from our pastors, a Sunday morning worship service, a children's Sunday School lesson, or an online meet-up with our youth, you can find connections and inspiration online for these troubled times. Go to www.tuckerfirst.org and see all the opportunities available.
Each Tuesday at noon, Pastor Gerald will provide a devotion as well as general church information, prayer, and in-home activities suggestions.
You do not have to be a member of Facebook or the church Facebook page to view the Facebook Live event each Thursday at noon.
Conference Notes
As North Georgia UMC Conference leaders navigate planning for Annual Conference 2020 as responsibly as they can, they have determined that the organization cannot meet the needed safety measures that would be necessary to host an in-person Annual Conference in August. 

The Annual Conference will instead hold a virtual Clergy Executive Session on July 16 and a virtual Annual Conference Session on Saturday, August 29.

The virtual sessions will utilize a trusted online meeting and voting platform that will allow members to securely participate using an internet-connected device. The platform will also allow guests to view the Annual Conference session. A condensed agenda is being developed and will include only items before the Annual Conference that are essential at this time so that the session can be conducted in one day.
Conferences Delayed Due to Pandemic
Due to the pandemic, the following conferences have changed their dates.

General Conference | United Methodist Church | August 29 - September 7, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN,

Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference | United Methodist Church |
November 10 –12, 2021 | Lake Junaluska, NC.
Church Office Notes
Tell Us Something Good!
Are you celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary or other life event during this time of quarantine?

Though we cannot celebrate with you in person, we want to send you a virtual hug or high-five and share your good news with the congregation in upcoming editions of the digital Spotlight.

Please send us your good news by leaving a message with the church office at 770-938-3030 or emailing Stephanie Shanholtzer at sshanholtzer@tfumc.org.
Simplify Your Summer
Giving by Going Electronic!
You are doing a great job of being faithful in your giving to Tucker First. Thank you!

This summer, please remember to not let your church offering slip. Here is how you can give online and also setup reminders for your giving.

On the web: Use this link to get started


The Give+ app on your phone or other mobile device . Look for it in the App Store or Google Play. Setting up and making payments are quick and easy.

Text-to-Give at 833-488-6350 . Simply type in the amount you would like to give and you will be prompted on how to complete the donation.

Remember - you can always drop your offering in the secure mailbox in front of the church.
Follow Us on Social Media
We have a church twitter account - #TuckerFirstUMC

Check out these Facebook pages.

 
 
 
 
 

Additionally, the websites of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church ( ngumc.org ) and the United Methodist Church ( umc.org ) are great resources for messages and stories of hope.
Prayer Requests
How Can We Pray For You?
Our prayer ministry lifts your concerns in prayer. You can now submit prayer requests online at www.tuckerfirst.org or you may contact the church office at 770-938-3030 with your prayer request.
Prayer Requests for First Line Responders
Are you or someone you love working as a first line responder during this health crisis? Our prayer team would like to pray for you and your loved ones by name. Please send us these names by leaving a message with the church office (770-938-3030) or send an email to sshanholtzer@tfumc.org .
Tucker First UMC
5095 LaVista Road, Tucker, GA 30084
770-938-3030
In the wake of the pandemic, the church office is closed. If you need to drop your tithe off at the church, please use the locked mailbox in the front of the church. It is checked daily. All church staff receive an email notification when a voicemail is left on their office phone extensions, and they will still be available to the congregation by email. If you need their email addresses, you can find them on the church website at www.tuckerfirst.org .
Tucker First News is a publication of Tucker First United Methodist Church.