Oct. 28, 2022
Dear FUMCLR,
 
This Sunday is Generosity Sunday. You should have received a Commitment Card in the mail recently. I hope you have spent time in prayer discerning what your gift to FUMCLR will be in 2023. You're invited to bring that card to worship this Sunday. You will have an opportunity to place that card on the altar or chancel representing that your financial giving is not just a gift to the church but truly an act of faith and commitment to Christ.
 
To deepen your prayerful discernment, last Sunday I shared our church's new Vision Plan in worship which details what God is calling FUMCLR to be and do in the next few years. If you missed worship, here is a link:
 
Then on Sunday afternoon, we held a Church "Town Hall" Meeting where we shared the current landscape of FUMCLR and the UMC and what is required of us if we are to fulfill our Vision Plan. This discussion included information about our proposed 2023 Budget. If you missed that Town Hall, you can watch a video of that here:
If for some reason you did not receive a Commitment Card or can't locate it, there will be cards available this Sunday. Or you can fill yours out online here:
 
As I shared last Sunday, God is calling us to help individuals, our church, and the community of Little Rock move from surviving to thriving. This vision requires a full faith commitment of every one of us, including our financial generosity. Join us for Generosity Sunday as we make this commitment together.
 
Gratefully,
David 
COMMUNITY LEVEL - LOW, MASKS RECOMMENDED on Sun, Oct. 30th
CHURCH DIRECTORY TIME! Pictures for three more Sundays!
Friends - it's been too long since our last church directory! After so many requests, we are finally gearing up for a new one! Lesley will be in the courtyard taking directory photos from 10-11 am and 12-12:15 pm! Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
Grief Expressions- A Creative Way
to Engage with Grief and Loss
Sundays, November 6th and 13th,
Noon – 3 pm, Lunch provided
Join us for a creative arts activity to honor whom or what you have lost. While the source of our loss varies, all can benefit from the opportunity to engage with our grief in a creative and transformative way. The afternoon will include lunch, prayer, experience based workshops in journaling and art therapy. Artistic experience or ability is not required to participate and enjoy the workshop, just the willingness to create. All are welcome. Please rsvp to the church office by Nov 3rd, 372-2256. If you have questions, see either Donna Hankins, dhankins@fumclr.org or Mary Jane Cole, mcole@fumclr.org. We look forward to this special space and time to acknowledge, create and honor together! CLICK TO REGISTER!
Nov. 6, 8 am – 1 pm in the Gym
Don’t miss the chance to shop for Christmas gifts as you support 18 nonprofits and First Church missions from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov 6. From jewelry and purses to custom-made linens and First UMC branded items, there are hundreds of choices. Take a fun family photo and choose a child to sponsor for Methodist Family Health. Stop by to make donations to your favorite nonprofit in honor of your friends and family. Then enjoy a pancake breakfast to support Washington Elementary projects and pack some school supplies! Choose from 18 different booths of nonprofits and First Church missions to Shop for Good from 8 am to 1 pm Nov. 6. In the Gym:
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
  • Camp Aldersgate 
  • Central Arkansas Library 
  • Child Development Center 
  • Teacher Support
  • Equal Exchange
  • Esse Purse Museum
  • Family Christmas Photos for The Pantry Backpack Ministry
  • FLAME
  • FUMC Swag
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Heifer Project
  • Literacy Action of Central Arkansas
  • Methodist Family Health Angel Tree (waiting on confirmation)
  • Our House 
  • Ozark Mission Project
  • ancake Breakfast for PAWS (Washington School Projects) 
  • The Pantry Backpack Ministry
  • Sew and Serve
  • Village of Hope for Uganda
Canvas Community Worship 
Sunday’s at 5:30 pm
1111 W Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201
As we turn our attention to the new Church vision God has placed before us, we seek to build a stronger relationship with our unhoused and near homeless neighbors. We can best do that by building relationships with organizations assisting neighbors. Canvas Community, just down 7th street, helps our unhoused and near homeless neighbors meet their basic needs and work towards their goals. We want to build a stronger relationship with Canvas Community and join the good work of loving our neighbors well. We invite you to join us on Sunday nights at 5:30 pm for a unique worship experience with our unhoused neighbors.
Church Women United 
Central Arkansas South 
World Community Day Celebration
CWU will have its World Community Day Celebration at our church, FUMC LR, on Friday, November 4, at 10:00 am in the Chapel. World Community Day began in 1943 and was one way that Church Women United show their passion for prayer, peace, justice, and reconciliation. The speaker will be Anna Beth Gorman, who in 2016 became the Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. Everyone is welcome to come.
We have started sorting school supply donations for the UMCOR Kits. We need more supplies!! We have a goal of 100 school kits, and we aren’t there yet. Take the provided list while you shop, and bring your donations to Church. You can place them in the “donation” baskets around the building. Mark your calendar to pack the bags with us on Sunday, November 6. Email Rev. Haley at hjones@fumclr.org with any questions.
The Pantry on Wildcat Way Funding Needed!
The Pantry, formerly known as Backpacks for Kids, is our weekend food ministry with our partner school Washington Elementary. The Pantry provides weekend food bags for all families at the school. That’s 340 students! Our team packs the bags at the school on Monday’s at 1:00pm. FUMCLR also financially supports The Pantry, and we need help. It costs $5.00/bag for 340 students. That’s $1,700 a week! Can you sponsor a student for a month? Can you sponsor 5 students for a month? You can donate to The Pantry by submitting your donation to the Church.
$5.00—one student/week
$20.00—one student/month
$100—5 students/month
Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry Thank You
Since Camp Aldersgate is 75 years old this year, the goal for the Fish Fry was to raise $75,000. Guess what! They exceeded the goal and raised $76,000. Thank you First Church for your contribution of vans and drivers and for selling 97 tickets totaling $1,840. We love supporting our Camp Aldersgate!!
Next 200 Birthday Club - New Members
In honor of your birthday or the birthday of a loved one, give a dollar for each year of life. Your entire gift will go to the Perpetual Endowment Fund helping us reach our Next 200 goals. You can place your gift in the envelopes available in the sanctuary pew racks or contact Sonja Taylor-Larkowski (stlarkowski@fumclr.org, 501-372-2256 ext. 209).
Congratulations to new Birthday Club Members:
Nancy Foster
Joe Roddy
Mary Lou Rasco
Mary Davis
Bill Sherman (in memory)
Carole Sherman
Marcia Caplinger
David Smith
Joy & Lynn Rockenbach
Pat Lile
Sam Smith
Kay Burton
Linda Deloney
Evan Hankins-Hull
Bill Owens
Ingathering is a great service opportunity for individuals, families, and small groups at the Arkansas Food Bank. When you sign up for a volunteer slot, you can expect to sort food items and build food boxes for Arkansans. You can find out more information here: https://arumc.org/ingathering/
KIDS@FIRST
Parent’s Night Out
Friday, November 4, from 5:30-8:30 pm
Drop your kiddos off with Rev. Brittany and our childcare staff as you enjoy a night off! We will have a night full of fun and surprises for your kids! However, please sign up ahead of time to have enough helpers.

Sunday, October 30 at 10 am - Kids Area
All kiddos are invited to wear their Halloween costume on Sunday, October 30! We will be trick-or-treating and having all kinds of Halloween fun during Sunday School. This will be a silly and fun Sunday that your family won’t want to miss! 

More November Dates
Sunday, November 6 at 10 am: Family Sunday School
Enjoy the pancake breakfast, Christmas market, and UMCOR service opportunity. 

Saturday, November 12: Ingathering
This is a family-friendly mission opportunity at the Arkansas Food Bank. 

Sunday, November 13 at 10 am: Parent Bible Bootcamp
While this is for our 3rd and 4th graders’ parents, all parents are welcome to learn more about the Bible and find ways to incorporate it at home. 

Saturday, November 19: 3rd and 4th Grade Bible Bootcamp
This is a fun, full-day retreat at Ferncliff! 

YOUTH
On Sunday the 30th we will have the first ever FUMC Halloween Cupcake bake-off. Come on the 30th and bake Halloween inspired cupcakes, that will be judged by esteemed members of our congregation on taste and design. There will be prizes. Hope to see you all for our Sunday nights activities.
FRIENDS & FAMILY
Sympathy
To the family and friends of Rev. Rebecca Boggan, following her death on Tuesday, October 18.

To Stark Ligon and family following the death of Marianne on October 6th.
5 WAYS TO GIVE
Following are ways you can give your tithes and offerings:

■ Mail: You may still mail to the church office.
723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

■ Bank Draft: Contact our Finance Director, Sonja Taylor Larkowski by phone at 501-372-2256 Ex. 209 or email stlarkowski@fumclr.org.

■ Online: Visit fumclr.org/give to give by credit card or ACH.

■ Church App: Click Give in the church app. To download text FUMCLR App to 77977. Or search for FUMCLR in your App Store.

■ Text: Text FUMCLR to 77977. Follow instructions in reply.
Being good neighbors to make Little Rock a place where children THRIVE.