FEBRUARY 2018
CONNECTIONS
DUNWOODY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
UNLIKE ANY OTHER can pass without a full moon. It happens rarely, but this year happens to be one of those years. There will be no full moon this month. It last happened in 1999. Similarly, it is the only month that once every six years and twice every 11 years consecutively, either back into the past or forward into the future will have four full 7 day weeks. I don’t know if you have ever thought about it before, but February is unlike any other month of the year. There are many reasons for this, some you may know intuitively, but never ponder. For example, it is the only month of the year with less than thirty days, which of course, makes it the shortest month of the year. Valentine’s Day and President’s Weekend always occur during the month of February. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is also the last month of summer. (About now, the idea of warmer weather may sound very appealing). February is also unique for some reasons you may not know. For instance, after a quick search on Wikipedia, I learned that February is the only month of the year that
One of the interesting things to me is where the name February derived. The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum which means purification. Februa, the ancient Roman ritual for purification, was held on February 15. The reason I was taken by that, especially this year, is because in the Church Calendar, this year the Season of Lent starts on February 14. The Season of Lent starts the 40-day period, not including Sundays, that leads up to Easter. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy Saturday. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, charity, repentance, and service. O f te n d u r i n g L e nt , p e o p l e “give something up” or make a commitment to “do something
for others.” In a sense, it is a time of taking on a posture that makes possible the purifying of our lives through the love and grace of Jesus Christ. H e re a t D u n w o o d y U n i te d Methodist Church, we seek to help with that process in a number of ways. As we do each year, this year we will start the Season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service, during which there will be the imposition of the ashes. The service will begin at 6:30 p.m. We will also provide you with a Lenten Devotional Guide. The Lenten Devotional Guide is written by members and clergy of DUMC and is designed to guide you in reading scripture, reflecting on that passage, and then lead you in prayer. Personally, I have found this to be a very helpful tool in the observance of Lent. So, as I mentioned, February is unlike any other month of the year. However, this year, that can be especially so for those of us who are a part of the Church.
LENT STUDY Lent recalls times of wilderness and wandering, from newly freed Hebrew slaves in exile to Jesus’ temptation in the desert. God has always called people out of their safe, walled cities into uncomfortable places, revealing paths they would never have chosen. Join Rev. Josh Amerson in a study of Walter Brueggmann’s devotional guide, A Way Other Than Our Own, through this season of Lent. Gatherings will be at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, beginning Wednesday, February 21. Contact maryceleste.llaurador@dunwoodyumc.org for more information and to reserve a spot. 2 |FEBRUARY 2018
www.DunwoodyUMC.org
2018 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY, ESTIMATES OF GIVING NEEDED The 2018 Annual Campaign to support the ongoing missions, ministries and operations of our church is underway. Normally conducted in the fall, the 2018 campaign was postponed to avoid conflict with the recently completed Capital Campaign to fund sanctuary renovations. We are pleased to announce that Tony and Kelly DelCampo, active members of our congregation for more than 15 years, are chairing this year’s campaign. “The ministries and mission of our church take place because of the gifts each of us chooses to offer - our financial gifts as well as our time, service and talent,” Tony said. “These are the resources that fuel our vision to be a dynamic Christian community of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” When each member or household provides an estimate of giving for the year, the church can more accurately predict how much money will be available to support the operating budget. An estimate of giving card was mailed to each household. Please return the card to the church or complete your estimate online at www.dunwoodyumc.org/ estimate2018. Estimates of giving should be made by Sunday, February 25. Your support of the Annual Campaign does more than pay the power bill. It allows our ministries and missions to impact even more lives in new and exciting ways. Consider these examples: • 2,800 lunches are packed for needy children during the summer. • 2,500 area children participate in leisure ministry programs at DUMC. • 1,200 people attend community programs at DUMC such as AA, Perimeter Adult Learning, WWII Veteran’s Roundtable, Great Decisions and more.
WAYS TO COMPLETE YOUR 2018 ESTIMATE OF GIVING
• 36 community projects are completed during our Great Day of Service.
• Mail your card to DUMC to the attention of Jenny Carter, Finance Director.
• 5 domestic and international mission trips impact thousands across the globe.
• Place your card in the offering plate on Sunday.
• 2 families are provided a home through transitional housing.
• Go online to www.dunwoodyumc. org/estimate2018.
• 650+ DUMC members are in Sunday School classes and small groups.
“The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that we are all part of the body of Christ, and we each have different gifts, ministries and activities,” Tony said. “By providing your estimate of giving, you are investing in our church and the programs that touch many lives right here in Dunwoody and beyond,” Every DUMC member is a vital part of our church. Your gift, regardless of the amount, will help us impact even more lives in 2018. Please prayerfully consider your estimate of giving for the Annual Campaign and complete it by February 25.
• Return your card the church reception desk. • Contact Jenny Carter, DUMC Finance Director, at jenny.carter@ dunwoodyumc.org or 770-5421670.
DISCOVER DUMC February 25, May 4, and 11, 9:55 a.m., Young Adult Suite. Discover DUMC classes are an introduction to our church and our United Methodist denomination. Your clergy staff answers questions about what we do, why we do it, what we believe, and how to get involved. During the 3-week class sessions, you will learn more about the church and its programs and United Methodist beliefs. Rev. David Melton and other church clergy and staff teach the series of classes. To sign up contact Valerie Pitrof at valerie.pitrof@dunwoodyumc.org or 770-542-1665. www.DunwoodyUMC.org
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER If you haven’t had supper with us before, we invite you to join us for wonderful evenings of good food and fellowship. Register for weekly Wednesday Night Supper on our website’s calendar page and click the “Wednesday Night Supper” link on the day you’d like to attend. Then click the “register” button at the top. You also have the option of making a weekly reservation via a pew card, email to foodservice@ dunwoodyumc.org or by phone 770-394-0675, ext 204. Weekly reservations are due by noon each Monday. Please do your best to adhere to this reservation deadline so there will be a meal prepared for you. The cost for Wednesday Night Supper is $8.00 for an adult meal, $5.00 for a child meal (ages 3-8) and family maximum is $26.00. Children under 3 eat for free. We look forward to seeing you!
SERVERS NEEDED FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER
Please consider volunteering your time as a server for our Wednesday Night Supper program. Serving shifts are from 5:25 p.m. – 6:05 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., one Wednesday per month. To volunteer or get more information, please contact Debbie Collins at debbie.collins@dunwoodyumc.org or 770-542-1663.
SANCTUARY RENOVATION LATEST PROGRESS AND STATUS Thanks to your generosity and the success of our capital campaign, we continue to make good progress on the Sanctuary renovation plans. An 85% complete set of design drawings was issued just before Christmas and is being reviewed by parties including the Building Committee, clergy, Worship Committee and consultants. A final set of drawings was expected at the end of January. The organ contract has been executed and the first payment made, so our new organ is beginning to take shape with Quimby Organ Builders in Missouri. We’ve also executed the contract with AcouStaCorp in New York for the fabrication of all the acoustic banners that will drop from the ceiling for contemporary worship. Also in January, we will sign up Vision Quest for all the audio, video and lighting changes that will take place during the renovation. It’s a busy and exciting time as we move towards our construction start date of May 14 this year. Please call or email Bob Preston, head of our Building Committee, if you have any questions or input on the renovation (770330-3412 or rpreston@theprestonpartnership.com). Contemporary Service Renderings
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Traditional Service Renderings
www.DunwoodyUMC.org
MISSIONS
TAKE ACTION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING DID YOU KNOW? The global market for child trafficking is more than $12 billion a year. The most common recruiting area is within a social circle. Atlanta was named by the FBI as one of 14 US cities with the highest rate of children used in human trafficking. Chris Cox, chair of Dunwoody UMC’s Human Trafficking committee, learned these facts and more when she was the Social Action chair for the UMW. She said, “Human Trafficking was the UMW Social Action project for 2016. I threw myself into the project and decided we needed to not only do something bigger than make ‘toiletry kits’ but we also needed to expand awareness to the community. In 2016, the church hosted the first Awareness Seminar to educate attendees on the extent and atrocity of human trafficking right in our neighborhoods. Though the UMW topic for the following year shifted to another cause, I did not let my interest in the issue end. Human trafficking is now a project supported by DUMC Missions with a committee comprised of passionate, enthusiastic members.” While the 2016 event was successful in that it educated attendees on human trafficking, an additional goal of the 2018 Human Trafficking Forum is to encourage attendees to take action. The 2018 Forum will include keynote speakers Amanda Guili from the FBI and Mary Frances Bowley, executive director of Wellspring Living, and an open dialogue will be encouraged. Co-chairs Diane Crouch and Lee Smith have designed the evening to include texting Q&A and information/ action tables from various organizations throughout Atlanta. Attendees will be invited to sign up to volunteer at future outreach programs and will walk away with a clear idea of how they can combat human trafficking. Co-chair Diane Crouch said, “Creating awareness and education is the first step to solving a problem. Human trafficking is happening right here. It is not in some distant land or other side of Atlanta. We need to take action.” The committee plans to take interest from the forum and channel it into a year of programs designed to fight Human trafficking. Cox said, “Our hope is that our church community stays involved, helping to minimize the effect of trafficking in our community and also helping the young people that become victims.” Join us for the Human Trafficking Forum, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Childcare is available with advance reservations. Please contact Asheley Bumgardner at 770-394-0675 Ext. 101 or Asheley.bumgardner@dunwoodyumc.org with questions. www.DunwoodyUMC.org
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MISSIONS (cont.) NEW FOR 2018: CAC COLLECTIONS ARE CHANGING! In an effort to get the Community Action Center more of what they need, donations to the CAC will now be made on a quarterly basis. Once per quarter, brown paper bags – along with a list of the CAC’s urgent needs – will be available outside of the Sanctuary. Members are encouraged to take a bag, fill it with the requested pantry items, and bring it back the following Sunday to designated collection points. Details to follow in the bulletin! Contact Asheley Bumgardner at 770-394-0675 Ext. 101 or asheley.bumgardner@ dunwoodyumc.org with questions.
2018 INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS See the world like you have never seen it before with our international mission program! 2018 brings two opportunities to participate. The first team will travel to Costa Rica from July 28 - August 4 and a second adult team will travel to Guatemala from August 18 -25. These are two wonderful and exciting opportunities to follow John Wesley’s proclamation that “The World Is My Parish.” Join us as we minister to our parish! If you missed January’s informational meeting but would like to participate in a 2018 International Mission trip, contact Asheley Bumgardner at 770-394-0675 Ext. 101 or asheley. bumgardner@dunwoodyumc.org.
2018 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILD Join us as we build our 28th Habitat for Humanity house in a one week “blitz build.” Volunteers are needed from April 19 – 21 and again from April 25 – 28. All church members are welcome and groups are encouraged! Ask your neighbors and 10 co-workers to join us! Contact Samantha Faklaris at 770-3940675 Ext. 136 or samantha.faklaris@dunwoodyumc.org for more information.
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www.DunwoodyUMC.org
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY SPARK - FEBRUARY THEME: THE SWEET SHOP! Get your sweet tooth—and your heart—ready for a super sweet month filled with the good news that JESUS LOVES EVERYONE! It’s going to be one, huge, sugar overload, not because of candy but because Jesus’ love is just that big and sweet! Contact Katie McCann at katie.mccann@dunwoodyumc. org with questions.
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Woman at the Well John 4:1-30 Jesus loves everyone.
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The Unloved Woman John 8:2-11 Jesus loves us when no one else does.
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Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 Jesus loves us even when we do something wrong.
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Peter’s Denial and Restoration Matthew 26:31-35,69-75; John 21:15-17 Jesus never stops loving us.
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PLUGGED IN! - FEBRUARY THEME: “REWIND: KINDNESS DESERVES A REPLAY” God was kind to us even when we didn’t deserve it. Even when we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. Because of God’s great love for us, we can be kind to everyone. Jesus personified kindness in the way He lived and interacted with the people He met. But, as we read the Gospels, we find that Jesus didn’t just model kindness. He commanded it. By treating others the way we want to be treated, we live out the way Jesus taught us to live. Contact Megan Batcheller at megan.batcheller@dunwoodyumc.org with questions.
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Key Question: What does kindness look like? Bottom Line: Be kind to others because God is kind to you.
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Key Question: Have you ever received unexpected kindness? Bottom Line: Be kind to people who are overlooked.
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Key Question: When is it hard to be kind? Bottom Line: Be kind to your family and friends.
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Key Question: How can you be kind to people you don’t get along with? Bottom Line: Be kind to people who aren’t kind to you.
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VBS 2018 PREVIEW PARTY/FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Friday, February 23, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Young Adult Suite. It’s a VBS “Rolling River Rampage” 2018 Preview Party and Family Movie Night featuring Pocahontas! Join us for the fun! Attention Consignment Sale volunteer shoppers: You can leave your kids with us while you shop, then join in the fun once you’re done! Contact Megan Batcheller at megan.batcheller@dunwoodyumc.org with questions.
www.DunwoodyUMC.org
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY (cont.)
YOUTH MINISTRY SENIOR PICTURES Attention parents of high school seniors. It is almost time to recognize our soon-to-be graduating class! As part of that, we need their senior pictures by March 23, 2018. Please send your senior’s picture to Karen Bass at karen.bass@dunwoodyumc.org.
CONFIRMATION WINTER RETREAT March 2-4, Lake Junaluska Cost: $225, Register by February 11, 2018. We hope all of our confirmation students will join us on this annual retreat put on by The Foundation for Christian Formation at The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. The foundation does a wonderful job of making the retreat fun while leading our students through an understanding of the role confirmation plays in a lifelong process of following Jesus.
REGISTER FOR OUR SUMMER MISSION TRIPS High School Summer Mission Trip - July 15 - 21; July 22 - 28. The high school youth will be traveling to the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to serve people in this rural community. They will be able to serve through minor home repair projects or a day camp program with local children. Each are an integral piece of the community. Cost: $350. Sign up at dunwoodyumc.org under Youth Ministries. Middle School Summer Mission Trip - June 17-22 in Birmingham, AL. Join us as we take a journey to the city of social justice and change. We will be participating in urban ministry as well as learn about the culture of this city. Cost: $250. Informational Meeting Sunday February 11, 9am or 11am. Sign up at dunwoodyumc.org under Youth Ministries. 8 |FEBRUARY 2018
www.DunwoodyUMC.org
YOUNG ADULT HAPPENINGS
College Kickback Successful Christmas Party for College Kickback!
After Hours A Minister, Rabbi and Muslim discussed the role of tradition and holidays in modern religion at #AfterHours.
GraceTime #GraceTime enjoying a song in the air at the Green & White Banquet!
55+ MINISTRY VALENTINE DINNER Join us Tuesday, February 13 for a Va l e nt i n e d i n n e r a n d a s p e c i a l performance of the Rat Pack featuring Dr. Pat Sallarulo as an incredible Frank Sinatra tribute artist. With him will be two other great tribute artists, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by the show. Cost is just $20. Last day for payment is Monday, February 5. To register and pay go to www.dunwoodyumc.org/55+, or contact Mary Ruffin at mary.ruffin@dunwoodyumc.org, or call her at 770-394-0675 x112.
SUPPORT GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal”. An Irish headstone The Grief and Loss support group meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in Room 253. This group is designed to help those who have lost loved ones, no matter when that might have occurred, navigate the ups and downs of grief in a confidential caring manner. Contact JoAnn Akers with questions, akersjoann@gmail.com or 678-352-8334.
DIVORCECARE BACON #BACON (Brothers In Christ) monthly meetup at Moondog Growlers
Potluck Enjoying our potluck breakfast while Rev. Melton leads class on the history and making of the Bible. www.DunwoodyUMC.org
DivorceCare is a small group which lends support to those who have gone through a divorce, are going through a divorce, or anticipate going through a divorce. DivorceCare for Kids runs concurrently in Room 241 for children ages 5-12. Please contact Cathy Wright for more information or to register at 404-509-6656 or kd111649@gmail.com. Free nursery is available by calling Usha Raghavan, Nursery Director, at 770-542-1645.
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WOMEN’S MINISTRY WOMEN OF GRACE DINNER The annual Women of Grace dinner is Monday, February 26. Our guest speaker is Anne Beiler, the creator of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Anne’s professional success was forged after years of depression following the death of her daughter. Join us as Anne discusses her memoir, Twist of Faith, and shares her personal journey with us. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seat sales begin on Wednesday, January 31 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. outside the Fellowship Hall and on Sundays starting February 4th from 9:45 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. outside the Parlor. Contact Barbara Giametta, giametta@bellsouth.net, 770671-9813 with questions.
LIVING AS A COVENANT COMMUNITY UMW MISSION STUDY Wednesday, March 7 and March 14, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Wesley Room. “Living as a Covenant Community” is a UMW mission study and will be facilitated by Rev. Kathy Brockman. Our responses to God’s covenants will guide our lives towards greater compassion and openness and will enhance understanding of how God works with us, in us, and through us. For more information contact JoAnn Akers at akersjoann@gmail.com.
47TH ANNUAL UMW GREEN & WHITE BANQUET United Methodist Women is a supportive, inclusive Christian organization where women grow spiritually, make friendships that last a lifetime, and serve their community. The Green & White Banquet is a time when all the UMW circles at DUMC get together. On December 5, 2017 We enjoyed homemade desserts, meeting new friends and celebrating each other while supporting Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center.
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MEMORIALS FOR DECEMBER IN MEMORY OF:
Lewis Brinson – Ms. Jae Oden Phineas Haq – Dunwoody High School Cross Country Booster Club Sam Harrell – Mrs. Diane Grant, Mrs. Kay King John Hewitt – Mrs. Gail Jones Eugene Houser (father of Sarah Greer) – Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brown David Jager – Mr. and Mrs. Rip Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Weltlich, Mrs. Gail Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitley, Mr. and Mrs. Olen Akers Ralph Martin – Crusaders Class, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Preuit Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John Frankhouser, Mrs. Claudia Frankhouser Richard Martz – Mrs. Gail Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitley Jo McLean – Ms. Teresa Anne McEuen, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Chancy, Ms. Lynne McLean, Mrs. Elva Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Sims Hawkins, Mrs. Ellen Fox Pruett Morrison (father of Cindy Morrison) – Ms. Kathryn Yancey Mike Noel – Mr. and Mrs. Lessely Noel Jeffrey Osborne – Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Mathis Alex Parr (son of Shelly and Doug Parr) – Mr. and Mrs. Jack Whitley, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lane III John Petersen – Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Petersen David Reid – Mrs. Gail Jones Janet L. Smith – Mr. Jeffrey Smith Marlyn and Mary Jane Thompson – Mr. Joshua Hatfield Thomas Thompson – Mrs. Gail Jones Nanalie and William Warlick – Mr. James Warlick William M. Wedding, Sr. – Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Wedding William M. Wedding, Jr. – Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Wedding
IN HONOR OF: Rick and Laurie Amerson – Mr. and Mrs. Tim Amerson Margaret Edwards – Mr. George Mitchell, III Sarah and Charlie Greer – Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brown Jan Houser – Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brown Linda Miller – Mr. Thomas Purcell Richard Thayer – Mrs. Jean Pride Samuel Joseph Wright – Mrs. Florence Fortenberry
www.DunwoodyUMC.org
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DUNWOODY Dunwoody United Methodist Church 1548 Mt. Vernon Road GA UDunwoody, NITED M E T30338 HODIST CHURCH
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAI D Atlanta, GA Permit No. 3607
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
EASTER LILY MEMORIALS ORDER AN EASTER LILY IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE TO BE DISPLAYED DURING WORSHIP EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018. The deadline to order is Sunday, March 4, 2018. The cost is $10 each. Visit our website: dunwoodyumc.org/orderlily to order and pay online. You may pick up your Easter Lily on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Contact Mary Ruffin at 770 394-0675 ext 112 or mary.ruffin@dunwoodyumc.org. In Memory/Honor (please indicate) Of:____________________________________________________________ By:____________________________________________________________ Of:____________________________________________________________ By:____________________________________________________________ Of:____________________________________________________________ By:____________________________________________________________ # of Easter Lilies:______ Amount Enclosed:_____________
Clergy and Office Numbers Rev. Dan Brown Senior Pastor Rev. Josh Amerson Associate Pastor Rev. Kathy Brockman Associate Pastor Rev. Jenna Kennedy Associate Pastor Rev. David Melton Minister to the Congregation Rev. Sonny Walden Minister of Music Church Office: 770-394-0675 E-mail: mail@dunwoodyumc.org Website: www.dunwoodyumc.org Prayer Line: 770-671-8239 Email: prayer@dunwoodyumc.org
Minister After Hours 770-542-1667
In case of an emergency such as a death or critical illness.