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REV. DON HANSHEW, SENIOR PASTOR

REV. CHASE CRICKENBERGER, ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Prayer Changes Things

General Conference will be held April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, NC. I invite you to be in prayer during this season and to specifically sign up for a 30-minute segment during the 48 hours prior to General Conference as well as throughout General Conference. Sign up here.


During your designated time, please find a quiet place at your home, work, or outside to pray. The theme “And Know That I Am God" is from Psalm 46. Prayerfully read and meditate on this scripture passage, reflecting on ways that you, our local church, churches throughout Holston Conference and the United Methodist Church can more faithfully "be still and know that I am God."


I also invite you to pray for our delegation. These are good, faithful leaders in our Conference who represent the wide depth and breadth of who we are in the Holston Conference: Amanda Onks, Rev. Amy Sumrall, Anne Travis, Becky Hall, Rev. Caleb Frazier, Rev. David Graybeal, Dawson Kitts, Del Holley, Donna Mosby, Rev. Dr. Josh Kilbourne, Rev. Kim Goddard, Rev. Kristen Burkhart, Rev. Lauri Jo Cranford, Rev. Dr. Mark Flynn, Rev. Mary Thompson, Nate Roark, Rev. Paul Seay, Rev. Dr. Randy Frye, Reagan Kelly, Rev. Sarah Varnell, Rev. Sharon Bowers, and Rev. Wil Cantrell.

 

Need Other Prayer Ideas?

  • Pray that all we do will be done in love.
  • Pray that we may all conduct ourselves with mutual respect.
  • Pray for discernment as decisions are made. 
  • Pray for our bishops who will be presiding during the Conference.
  • Pray for the worship teams and leaders who guide the delegation's work.
  • Pray for the staff and volunteers in Charlotte, NC who will be serving us while we are there.

 

If you wish to pray with the daily schedule or keep up with the current news, please use these resources for updated information: 

General Conference Agenda & Schedule

Advanced Daily Christian Advocate

General Conference Home Page


As always, if you have questions about what you hear happening before, during, or after General Conference, feel free to reach out. I am glad to speak to you, your Sunday School class, or Small Group. Thank you for participating in this prayer vigil as we, across Holston, pray together for our leaders and our denomination.


In Prayer Beside You,

Pastor Don


P.S.

Looking for other ways to increase your prayer life? We have printed additional Prayer Booklets and placed them throughout the building. Pick up one for you or a friend the next time you are at church!

Meet Rachel Collins

At the 2024 Holston Annual Conference, the Rev. Rachel Collins will be ordained an Elder in Full Connection and then arrive to serve as Associate Pastor of Fountain City UMC. Rachel comes to us in her third appointment transferring from the delightful New River Circuit (the same circuit where Pastor Don grew up) and as Assistant Director of the Wesley Foundation at Radford University. Moving with Rachel is her companion dog, Khaleesi, and Balinese cat, Caesar. Leesi is a friendly face as she makes the rounds with Rachel in many situations. 


Rachel completed her seminary studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in 2021. As 2017 graduate of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. She completed a certification through the United Methodist Committee on Relief as a Certified EarthKeeper and focused on Eco-theology in Seminary. Rachel has a particular passion for food security ministries and believes it to be one of the areas where faith communities can make an important community impact. 


Rachel relishes the various duties of an elder, finding that creative worship and faith community building are some of her favorites. Rachel is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Tony and Susan Collins. She also has four brothers, and nine nieces and nephews. Rachel enjoys hiking, camping, growing things, baseball, reading, and cooking, particularly baking. Rachel’s first appointed ministry was on staff at Burks UMC in Hixson, and she is excited to be a part of a vibrant team in ministry again. Rachel shares, “I look ahead to all that God will work in our midst with a great deal of joy and anticipation as I serve alongside Rev. Hanshew. I am happy to get to know you, and to be a part of the faith community at Fountain City!”

Easter Eclipse 

This Easter we "eclipsed” our most recent highest worship attendance since COVID, with 718 present! What a beautiful day to celebrate our Risen Lord! 


That was thoughtful! 

A volunteer who helps us follow up with first-time guests recently made a phone call. The guest enjoyed worship, the community, and the hospitality she experienced and told the volunteer, “This was so thoughtful for you to call!” Way to go volunteer, and way to go FCUMC for being such a welcoming place!  

Last Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal This Semester

April 17 • 5:30 PM


Fellowship Meals in April are free! However, please register so we can be good stewards of our church finances and reduce waste. Online registration closes at midnight on Tuesday. Please note that there is separate registration for classes and activities. Register for meal.


Menu: Pork loin, mashed red potatoes, peas, coleslaw, hummingbird cake

Light Meal: Baked chicken with mixed vegetables

Kids: Hamburgers & fries

Meals include an entrée, sides, a dessert and a beverage.

NOTABLE NEEDS

Serving Others



Hands On Mission Project

The Tennessee Valley District of the Holston Conference has been asked to put together 400 Food Buckets for the 2024 Holston Annual Conference Hands-On Mission Project. For details and the supply list, check out our website.

Blessing Box Needs:

  • Individual cereal servings
  • Fruit cups 
  • Tuna pouches
  • Canned corn and green beans 
  • Juice boxes or pouches
  • Canned spaghetti sauce
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Water
  • Shampoo
  • Deodorant

Thank you for caring about our neighbors!

4th Annual Volunteer Ministry Center Golf Tournament

Monday, April 22, 2024

This tournament at Egwani Farms Golf Course will raise awareness and funds to directly benefit Volunteer Ministry Center! Great prizes await all contest winners, as well as awards for team scores. Register here >

NEWS AND NOTES

THE MORE YOU KNOW

Want to Play Pickleball?

It’s a great sport, and now it is happening at FCUMC every Monday throughout April, from 12-3 p.m. in the Gym. Come join a fun way to meet new folks in our church and community. No experience necessary! In our first week, we had nine participants, most of whom were newbies! If you don’t have a paddle and want to try it out, paddles will be furnished. We hope you can join us for some good fellowship, fun, and exercise. For more information, contact Woody Farrell at 865-207-3367.


PRESCHOOL



FCUMC Preschool registration for the 2024-25 school year is open for church members! If you are interested in enrolling your child in this nationally accredited program, contact Director, Alycia Truett. Classes offered and tuition details for the new school year can be found on our website.



FOUNTAIN KIDS



Vacation Bible School at FCUMC

Mark your calendars to register volunteers and students for Scuba VBS! We will have Preschool VBS for ages 3 & 4, and Elementary VBS for rising K-5th graders.


Scuba VBS will take participants deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. Registration will be available on our website and in Realm beginning April 15, 2024. You don't want to miss our Vacation Bible School, which a big hit every summer!

YOUTH MINISTRY



Congratulations Class of 2024!

We are excited to celebrate this important time with you. As part of our church family, we invite you to share some special Class of 2024 moments with us.


Graduate Information

We would like to recognize our graduates in the May issue of The Spirit newsletter. Use this link to submit your information by Friday, April 19. Don’t forget to add a photo at the end of the form!

Senior Banquet Sunday, April 28 at 5:30 pm

FCUMC Youth Ministry invites you to our annual Senior Banquet for graduating high

school seniors. Doug Shipman will cater the meal with a menu of Roast Pork Loin, Baked Potato, Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Mixed Greens Salad & a Cheesecake Bar for dessert! Special memories will be made and shared. Please bring your family and join us in celebrating the High School Class of 2024. Please RSVP by Friday, April 19.


We are looking for photos!

Please upload 3-5 pictures of your high school senior by Friday, April 19 for the Senior Banquet slide show. Include a baby picture, 2-3 school age pictures, and your favorite current/senior picture. Please email photos to Austin Weaver.


We would also like photos of graduating seniors during their time at FCUMC, especially while part of the Youth Group! Do you have any old Resurrection photos, Confirmation class photos, or mission trip photos? Check your iPhone storage, Facebook & Snapchat memories and send them our way! Please upload your photos here. We look forward to celebrating our Class of 2024 High School Graduates and hope to see you at the banquet. Seniors will also be recognized in 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, May 19.

June Mission Trip Registration Is Open

We have partnered with Praying Pelican Missions for our rising freshman and current high school students to serve in the Carolina district in Whiteville, NC from June 15-22. We will also assist a local church with their VBS and help a local mission agency with home repairs. During the week, we will have one free day and plan to go to the beach in Wilmington, NC. During the evenings, we will have devotions, small groups, and worship.


We will stay with Cross Roads Baptist Church in Columbus County, NC. Throughout the week, Praying Pelican will provide meals and options for recreational activities.

The trip is $200 per student which you can pay online, by check, or cash. Financial assistance is available if needed. Register for the trip! Complete the FCUMC Youth Ministry Participation Form with this link.


On Monday, May 13, we will have a parent/leader meeting to discuss further details about the trip, such as departure and return times, schedule, and what to pack. Please contact Austin Weaver at (423) 480-4961 or by email with any questions!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

  • 8:30 a.m. Traditional service
  • 9:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Discipleship
  • 11:00 a.m. Traditional service
  • 11:00 a.m. The Journey Contemporary service
  • Childcare and children's ministry will be provided from 8:30 a.m. through the conclusion of the 11 a.m. worship services.


FOUNTAIN KIDS SUNDAY SCHEDULE

  • Fountain Kids Sunday School • 9:45 a.m.
  • Fountain Littles Sunday School • 9:45 a.m. 
  • Fountain Littles Childcare • 11 a.m.
  • Fountain Kids Bible Experience • 11 a.m.


COFFEE & FELLOWSHIP ON SUNDAYS AT THE WELCOME CENTER

Join us before or after worship! Stop by the Welcome Center from 8:15-11:15 a.m. and let us bless you! See you Sunday!


Bulletin for Sunday April 14, 2024

THE SPIRIT NEWSLETTER

Check out the April 2024 edition of The Spirit Newsletter.


CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 

NEXT UP AT FCUMC

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

  • April 15: VBS Registration opens
  • April 17: Last Fellowship Meal of the Semester
  • April 28: HS Senior Banquet
  • May 13: Parent Meeting for Mission Trip
Visit our Website

Pastor On Call

After Hours & Weekends

When you need urgent pastoral care while the church office is closed, text or call 865-888-0192 to reach the

pastor on call.


Pastor Don's email:

Pastor.Don@fountaincityumc.org

Pastor Chase's email:

Pastor.Chase@fountaincityumc.org


Live-Streamed Worship Services:

11:00 a.m. The Journey Contemporary worship and 

11 a.m. Traditional worship

 are live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Our Tuesday night Celebrate Recovery service is live-streamed on the CR North Facebook page and available on YouTube after its conclusion.

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