Nov. 11, 2022
Shop for Good Market Update
Thank you, thank you to all who came by the Shop for Good Market last Sunday to purchase Christmas gifts and support local nonprofits. We raised $11,583 in ONE Sunday. Remarkable! Here is a breakdown of our success:
AR Hunger Relief Alliance: $640
Equal Exchange: $783
Esse Purse Museum: $1113.80
FUMCLR Communications: $284
FLAME: $1237.55
Habitat for Humanity: $700
Heifer International: $660
Literacy Action of Central Arkansas: $500
Village of Hope: $1857
The Pantry at Washington: $829
Pancakes for a Cause: $678
Methodist Family Health: $53
OMP: $805
Sew and Serve (UMCOR): $1399
Extra Collected: $43.85
Blooming Buddies Needed
Amaryllis bulbs are a beautiful and fun part of the holiday season. There is such joy in watching the plant literally grow and change on a daily basis. This year we are sharing this treat with some of our members who can no longer come to church. We’d like to double the joy of the experience by connecting someone who can come to church with someone who can’t. Thus, buddies are needed.

If you would like an amaryllis and would be willing to touch base with your partner a couple of times a week to compare the growth of your flowers, then I would love to hear from you! The project will last for the bloom cycle of the plant, typically 8-10 weeks. It is my goal to have the waxed amaryllis bulbs distributed to all participants the week before Thanksgiving. 
This is a simple way to add a touch of joy and life to your holiday season. For more information or to volunteer as a ‘buddy’ contact me, dhankins@fumclr.org Thanks! Donna
Ozark Mission Project Challenge
“We raised $515 towards a new ramp for OMP at the Shop for Good Market and have $485 to go. I know FUMC can hit this goal and be a sponsor. The church logo will be on all our summer 2023 shirts, and we'll tag the church in the ramp that's built once goal is hit.”-Bailey Faulkner, Executive Director

Help us complete the goal by sending in a donation marked OMP Ramp to the church office (723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201). We will send them one check from FUMCLR. OMP not only supports our neighbors in need of assistance around their homes, but it is a wonderful summer experience for young people to help build the projects.
Have you made your 2023 Commitment?
Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
Community Café to Open December 1
The First Cup Community Café will open again on December 1. The café is a safe place for our unhoused neighbors to come and rest during the harshest times of year (winter and summer). We offer WiFi, a phone, snacks, coffee, and a cozy place from 1:00-3:00 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We also apply for housing, Medicaid, and EBT benefits. We are looking to add a few more volunteers to our team. Volunteers help with coffee and snacks as well as be a face of hospitality and grace. Please contact Rev. Haley to learn more about the Café and ask about volunteering! 
South Central Jurisdiction Announces Rev. Laura Merrill as new Arkansas Bishop-Elect
The Rev. Laura Merrill, currently serving the Rio Texas Conference, has been assigned to the Arkansas Annual Conference as Bishop for two years, beginning January 1, 2023. 

Delegates elected Laura Merrill, age 59, at the South Central Jurisdiction’s meeting at First United Methodist Church in Houston, on the first ballot on November 2, 2022. She received 99 votes and needed 77 votes to be elected. 

Merrill was elected by the South Central Jurisdiction’s 160 total delegates, an equal number of United Methodist clergy and laity, from the 12 Annual Conferences forming the South Central Jurisdiction. 
Canvas Community Worship - Sunday’s at 5:30 pm
1111 W 7th St., 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.
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/
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
KIDS@FIRST
Three Things to Know This Week: 

1) Parent Bible Bootcamp will be offered on Sunday, November 13 at 10 a.m. in the First Cup Cafe. All parents are welcome as you learn more about scripture and how to incorporate it into the life of your family. 

2) We are back on FACEBOOK! Make sure you are following our Facebook page! You will find reminders along with some pictures of all that is happening with Kids@First! Here is the link to the page! Instagram is not too far behind! 

3.) If your family is looking for an opportunity to serve together, consider participating in Ingathering this Saturday. This is a United Methodist event gathering churches from all over the state. We do not have an official First Church group going, but you are still encouraged to participate as a family. Click here to find out more! 


Dates to know: 

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

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

December 
Sunday, December 4 at 10 a.m: Family Advent Fair 
The entire family is invited to a fun, interactive event where you can learn more about how to celebrate Advent at home! 

Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m.: Parents/Kids Christmas Party
Two parties in one night! Kids are invited to a fun and sweet party in the Gym! Parent's are invited to gather in the First Cup Cafe for a party of their own. 

Sunday, December 18 at 10 a.m.: Nativity Pageant 
Gather at 10 a.m. to get dressed and rehearse our super fun Christmas Pageant! The pageant will be a part of the 11 a.m. worship service. 

Saturday, December 24th at 12 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm: Christmas Eve Worship
All services will include carols, communion, and candles BUT our noon services will be particularly family friendly! 

Sunday, December 25- Sunday, January 8: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 
We will not be offering Sunday School during winter break.


FRIENDS & FAMILY
Congratulations
Congratulations to Nathan and Ellen Coulter on the birth of their son, James Nathan, on November 8th. Nate and Nathalie Coulter and Hope Coulter are the grandparents.
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.