CONFERENCE NEWS
Marion District Tornado Damage Assessment
Continues; Donations, Prayers Needed
Waynesville, N.C., Jan. 15, 2012 – Damages continue to be assessed for Wednesday’s tornadoes in the Marion District. Our Disaster Response team members are on the ground, working with the disaster management of the situation, and they are keeping us apprised of developments and needs. Our ERT teams are available if needed.
As with any disaster situation, we have offered our help. The Rev. Philip Cole, Marion District Superintendent, has sent word that financial support is needed to help with the recovery. Donations may be made online or checks may be mailed to Marion Tornadoes, WNCC Treasurer, PO Box 18005, Charlotte NC 28218. Please write “Marion Tornadoes” on the memo line.
We offer our prayers for those who lived through this damage and who now face the daunting task of rebuilding. Please continue to pray for them. Updates will be shared as they become available. –Pam Carter, WNCC Mission Specialist
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LEXINGTON DISTRICT NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
STOREHOUSE FOR JESUS - FEBRUARY ITEMS:
February -
- Ramen noodles
- Jell-O gelatin and pudding
- Cookies
- Saltines
- Feminine hygiene products
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Church Email Address - Fulton UMC now has its own email address. The email address is fultonumcnc@gmail.com. You are welcome to start using this email address immediately for such things as requests for prayer or a prayer quilt. This email will be checked daily by either Pastor Kirk or Charlotte Lamey. If you prefer to use Kirk's email for personal concerns, that email is also available - Kingtutt65@hotmail.com.
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Our Church Mission Donations - 2012:
$110.00 - Love offering given during the January L.A. Bridge Worship Service for the Davie Advocacy Center
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THE FULTON NEWSLETTER
February, 2012
Reflections on Faith and Christian Service -
In these times, it is so easy to identify the problems that surround us. Open a newspaper, turn on the cable news channels, talk to your friends or neighbors, and you can make a long list of problems very quickly. Start talking about church, and the list doubles. We know what the problem is, and we know who is causing the problem.
The real problem, however, is not in identifying the problem. The real problem is in developing a solution that works for everyone. How can you be a part of the solution? How can you work with others to be a part of the solution?
Since August, as two churches we have been exploring what some might call possibilities and what others might call a monumental waste of time. The problem has been easy to identify. We are spending more money than we are taking in. We can't borrow money like the federal government, and there is no agency out there that will bail us out, so we have to come up with a workable solution ourselves.
In two church meetings, you have voted on your preferences. Both churches overwhelmingly voted that the preference is to work harder at moving forward and growing.
As a reminder, here are the questions:
1. Every active member commit to evangelism training and stewardship education - $24.00 a month per person in increased giving at Elbaville and $19.25 a month per person in increased giving at Fulton and one new member per person at each church over the next 12 months.
2. Elbaville & Fulton churches merge to form one new church and every active member commit to support the merger and commit to evangelism & stewardship - $10.25 a month per person in increased giving and one new member every two years.
3. Add a third church to our charge.
4. Break up the existing charge and form new charges with other churches, Elbaville UMC and church "A" would share a minister. Fulton UMC and church "B" would share a different minister.
5. Cut salary and ministry spending to bring budget in line with giving and building needs.
The average score for each question is as follows, with "1" being the highest score and "5" being the lowest score. The amount of number one votes each question received is listed in parentheses:
Elbaville Fulton
1. 1.59 (19) 2.0 (11)
2. 2.82 ( 2) 2.25 (4)
3. 3.59 ( 3) 4.8 ( 0)
4. 3.33 ( 0) 3.4 ( 0)
5. 3.44 ( 3) 2.55 (5)
For both churches, option number one is the clear preference with the highest score and the majority of the "1" votes. I will ask the leadership teams from both churches to begin focusing on workable solutions that will help us grow as churches in our discipleship practices, our community outreach, and our stewardship. Stay tuned, pray, and be prepared for God to do great things through us!
In Christ's love and grace,
Kirk
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As Kirk mentioned, for those that attended the church meeting on January 22nd, the majority voted for Fulton to try to remain as an independent church and agreed to work toward that goal. For those of you who could not attend, we also need your support. In this day where so many have turned away from church, we all have to work together to reach our goals. We have to be there to support the church and its functions, not just monetarily. We also have to support our church by our prayers and reaching out to those who think they don't really need a church fellowship. For those of you who have been attending regularly, you know that we have made 2012 our "year of prayer" and we are focusing on praying for something each Sunday. Last Sunday, we all placed our hands on a pew and prayed for those of you who were not there and for those yet to come to church. If you can't attend on Sunday, please remember to take time to pray for Fulton!
Teresa
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2011 Financial Statements: The 2011 Financial Statements have gone out. If you have written a check for a donation and do not see it on your statement, you can still give that check to your Tax Preparer for credit. If you have any questions about your statement, please call the church office at 998-8117 - someone will get back with you.
Some 2012 Helpful Tax Tips for Contributions given to the Church:
1. If you would like credit for tax purposes, please make sure you pay by check or write your name on your offering envelope.
2. Per IRS guidelines, we are allowed to count any donation you make to the church but cannot count something you purchase from the church. If you make a purchase for the church (cleaning supplies, paper, donations to Poor Man's Suppers, etc.) please keep your receipts and give to Teresa Young, the 2012 Financial Secretary, as you donate. For 2012, we are trying to keep an accurate list as we go, but can only do it with your help.
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Fulton United Methodist Church Nominations for 2012
In considering the leadership needs of the church, the Nominations Committee along with the Administrative Council worked to simplify our leadership and committee structure. It was decided, that because the same people were on both the Administrative Council and the Finance Committee, to merge the two groups into one Executive Team.
For 2012 and beyond, the Executive Team takes on the administrative and financial responsibilities of the church. The Ministry team takes on the responsibilities of the mission, ministry, and outreach of the church.
Please pray daily for the church leaders as they seek to lead us forward, focusing on God's promises and possibilities for the church and the community.
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Please remember if you have a pastoral need, to contact Kirk at the church office - 336-998-8117 or at his home number - 336-998-4352. Often we assume he knows our needs or that someone has called him, when in fact, no one has let him know. If you have access to a computer, you can also email him at kingtutt65@hotmail.com .
Also, remember to keep up with us on our website: www.fultonumcnc.org for the latest sermons, listing of events, etc. We also have a direct church email: Fultonumcnc@gmail.com and we are on Facebook.
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* * * Our February - March Calendar * * *
Sunday, Feb 5 Souper Sunday Lunch - Vegetable Soup, Homemade Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Desserts
Wednesday, Feb 8 6:30 pm Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall on "James"
Saturday, Feb 11 6:30 - 10:00 pm Silver Ball (Advance UMC)
Sunday, Feb 12 Thunder Sunday - Bring your spare change to drop in the can for Missions
Sunday, Feb 12 5:30 pm Snack Supper - 6:00 pm LA Bridge Disciple Classes - 7:00 pm LA Bridge Contemporary Worship
Monday, Feb 13 6:30 pm United Methodist Women meet at the church - Kitchen clean up
Wednesday, Feb 15 6:30 pm Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall on "James"
Sunday, Feb 19 United Methodist Men - location to be announced
Wednesday, Feb 22 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, Feb 29 6:30 pm Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall on "James"
March 2 - 16 Kirk will be in Bolivia on a Mission Trip
Wednesday, Mar 7 6:30 pm Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall on "James"
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NOTE - Elbaville Senior Citizen's Club
All Senior citizens are invited to the meeting on February 7, 2012 at 10:00 am. Michael McDaniel will present a program of his gospel chalk art ministry. We will then enjoy a lunch of soup and sandwiches. The club meets the first Tuesday of each month. Check the dateline each month for program information.
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