SPECIAL NOTICE - LEVEL CHANGE
COMMUNITY LEVEL - HIGH, MASKS REQUIRED on Sun, July 10th
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Calling All Kid’s Sunday School Teachers
If you are interested in being a part of the spiritual journey of our youngest disciples, consider coming to our informational meeting on Sunday, July 24 at 10 a.m. in the First Cup Cafe. This is an important opportunity to fulfill your baptismal promise to love and teach the children of our church. The commitment is flexible and the lessons are preplanned. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Brittany. If you are ready to RSVP, here is the link: https://fumclr.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/45/responses/new
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2 Retreat Opportunities for Spiritual Renewal
R3 Retreat: Rest, Rejuvenation, and Resilience
Autumn in the Ozark Mountains
R3 is a retreat to experience rest and rejuvenation while building skills for resilience. While there are several opportunities in life for the first two R’s, rest and rejuvenation, building the third R, resilience, helps people avoid spiritual burnout and emotional exhaustion. This retreat led by David Freeman and Mary Jane Cole will provide an opportunity to experience all three R’s. There will be time each day for light hiking or walking in some of the most beautiful spots in the Ozark Mountains (White Rock Recreational Area and Devil’s Den State Park). The combination of rest, meaningful conversations, and exploring God’s creation will increase capacity for resilient and wholehearted living.
To sign up or get more information, contact David Freeman ([email protected], 501-372-2256 ext. 204)
Dates: September 19-21
Location: Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Cost: Single occupancy room=$375 per person, Double occupancy room=$275 per person (Includes lodging, transportation, and most meals.)
Registration Deadline: July 24
Spiritual Renewal and Hiking Retreat in Sedona, AZ
We are pulling together a group for a week-long retreat in Sedona, Arizona in February 2023. The retreat will feature daily hikes among the beautiful red rocks and vistas of Sedona along with sessions of educational insights and meaningful conversations. The whole experience will inspire joy and meaning and lead you toward more authentic and wholehearted living. All hiking abilities and experiences are welcome. For more information, contact David Freeman ( [email protected], 501-372-2256 ext 204). |
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Special Called Charge Conference
We will hold a special called Charge Conference meeting as part of the July 19th Board of Stewards meeting at 6:00 pm in the Unity classroom. The agenda will be to set and adjust some of our clergy compensations. A Charge Conference is a special designation for a church board of stewards meetings to handle certain business items. They are open to the entire congregation.
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Welcome Shannon!
After a national search, the Music Ministry Search Committee and the Staff Parish Relations Committee are pleased to announce Shannon Rooky as the new Associate Director of Music and Worship Arts. Shannon was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and she is thrilled to join the FUMCLR staff.
Shannon has held positions in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado conducting choirs, musically leading worship services, serving as a section leader, and teaching children's music and handbells. She has also performed with several professional opera companies such as Opera Theater of the Rockies, Opera Fort Collins, and Opera in the Rock. She is passionate about music education and disability accessibility. Shannon has a B.M. in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Colorado State University. She enjoys hiking, board games, and sewing in her spare time.
Shannon's first day will be July 11th; great things are in-store for our music ministry! Welcome, Shannon!!
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We're looking for nursery staff!
We are looking to expand our childcare team! We are looking for caring nursery workers who are available to work on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Rev. Brittany ([email protected]).
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New Text Messaging List- Do we have your cell phone number?
In today’s busy world, we know everyone has their preferred method of communication. To make getting news, updates and other goodies easier—First Church is creating a Text Communication List. Please provide your cell phone number below so that we can make sure you are on our list. No worries, you will be able to unsubscribe at any time. Texting is an easy and quick tool to stay informed! Click to send your cell phone number!z
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Last Tuesday we had a group do some good work at Recycle Bikes for Kids, repairing and cleaning bicycles to be given to children that need them. Even with some tough, rusty pieces, and a bit of frustration, the group got the job done. After lunch we were able to go to Gardner UMC’s food pantry and made 120 sacks of food, with multiple canned items, rice, cereal, etc. to be handed out to folks later that week. Getting that done in less time than expected we are able to do a bit of work at the church.
Sunday, we headed down near Arkadelphia to float the Caddo River. It was a mostly peaceful float, once we got going, and we were able to enjoy nature (plus some colorful characters on the river) before the storms rolled in. A few sunburns were had before we ravaged Waffle House for a late lunch.
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Greetings from Seattle! I am currently attending the national convention of the American Guild of Organists and am having an absolutely splendid time. The week has been packed full of remarkable recitals. At the end of these concerts, when the performer is receiving their ovation, they will frequently gesture to the organ as one would to an accompanist. The crowd will then dutifully rain plaudits on the instrument to show their appreciation of the artistry of organ building.
It's an important reminder that no recital is truly solo. All music is collaboration-- with an instrument, with a composer, with an audience, and with history. To act as though a concert is accomplished only by an individual is ignoring, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the work of countless generations of other artists. The simple act of acknowledging the organ at the end of a recital shows that the performer understands that they are part of something greater than any one person.
"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." Though I doubt Carl Sagan would love the idea that he's been quoted in a church newsletter, he is absolutely correct in this point. All labor is collaboration, and as Christians we know that our primary collaborator is God. God is the context for all that we do. God is the composer of the music of our lives. As we move through this next week, let's not forget to stop and acknowledge him.
James Stanley
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During the 9 am and 11 am services kids, ages three through grade 5 will be invited to come to Children's Church. After the Children's Moment, kids will head to the children's area to continue worship and learn in ways that are more accessible to them. Children will head back to the worship space during the final song of the worship service.
Family Movie Night, Friday, July 15 at 6 pm
Come to the gym for a movie on the big screen. The movie is being voted on by the kids on all Sundays leading up to the big show. We will provides some favorite movie snacks. Feel free to bring blankets, pillows, chairs to be most comfortable!
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Sympathy
To the friends and family of Amy Claxton who died on June 28th.
To the friends and family of Patsy Frost who died on July 3rd.
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Praying for YOU!
Months of separation and isolation have left us all feeling disconnected. To overcome that, we’re searching for all kinds of ways to enhance people’s sense of connection to one another and the church as a whole. That process begins with prayer. Each week, we’ll be listing about 20 names in the newsletter for you to pray for during the week. Over the next several months, we’ll be working our way through the church roll (backward alphabetically) so that everyone is lifted in prayer. You may not know these people personally, but that doesn’t matter. Praying for someone by name is a powerful way to experience a connection beyond physical distance. We’ll be connected by the Spirit and the power of praying for one another.
July 4-10: Georgia Bell, Mattie, Asa, Ian, Courtney, Jospehine, Pat, Diana, Brandon, Claire, Timothy, Gwen, Karen, Curtis, Collin, Will, Matt, Patty, Henry, Mary Katherine, Joan, Jean, John, Renee, Craig, Marian, Claire
July 11-17: Judith, Kristin, Linda, Bob, Lesley, Justin, Beau & Tag, Yvonne, Greg, Susan, Kyla, Luke, Keron, Lori, Lucy, Harper, Reese, Donna, Linda
July 18-24: Lindsey, Rosina, Mariyln, Gene, Katharine, Kate, Olivia, Marcia, Karen, Joyce, Estella
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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 [email protected].
■ 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.
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Being good neighbors to make Little Rock a place where children THRIVE. |
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