http://craigduncan.net/wordpress open hearts, open minds, open doors Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:41:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Judy and I had the joy of having our daughters, their husbands, and our three angelic grandchildren with us for Christmas and the day after. On this Monday after Christmas, the walls of our house are just beginning to settle down a bit. There was much joy and ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/31/the-pastor-cornered-december-31-2008/ Each November on All Saints Sunday we remember those church members who have died during the year. What we affectionately call “Baby Sunday” is a partner to All Saints Sunday and is the day Fountain City United Methodist celebrates all of the new babies born into our church family during ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/2008-new-baby-celebration-sunday/ Committee chairs have received a letter asking them to meet prior to January 7 to take another look at their requests for ministry funding for 2009. With the unfortunate downturn in our nation’s economy, we find ourselves needing to reconsider some of our ministry proposals for the coming year. ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/committees-meet-to-readjust-ministry-funding-for-2009/ If you would like to serve our children and youth and have not received Safe Sanctuary training, please attend the training on Sunday, January 4, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 137. Please bring addresses and phone numbers for three references. The training takes about an hour, and childcare is provided. ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/safe-sanctuary-training-sunday-january-4-2009/ Impacting Ministry is a workshop sponsored by the Knoxville District of the United Methodist Church. To be held on Sunday, January 11, 2:00-4:30 p.m., sessions include: Latino Ministry, Mission Insight, Benevolence Ministry, Holistic Small Groups, Reaching 20/30 Somethings, Financial Peace University (led by our own Kelly Flatford), Children’s ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/impacting-ministry-2009-coming-soon/ The January focus for the Salt & Light special missions giving is Fran Lynch, who serves as a missionary in Alaska. Fran grew up in Holston Conference and is a Deaconness assigned as a church and community missionary in Alaska. She primarily works with the Willow Anvik ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/fran-lynch-%e2%80%93-willow-alaska/ Do you often find yourself saying, "I'm so busy" or "I just have so much to do"? It's easy to get overwhelmed with appointments, gatherings, to-do lists. But what are we really doing with our time? We're doing so many things, a little bit of everything, and yet it doesn't ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/30/wednesday-night-two-part-bible-study-%e2%80%9cshells%e2%80%9d/ If you are currently involved in one of the musical ensembles here at FCUMC, here is an overview of when those groups start back: Chancel Choir & Wednesday Night Children’s Groups will begin on January 7. Genesis and Youth Choir will begin on January 14. OffeRing and OffeRing II will begin ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/23/music-ministry-schedule/ Spring Scholarship applications are due in the church office by January 7. Forms are available for download, as well as in the church office. Applications must be accompanied by a current transcript. Thank you! http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/22/spring-semester-scholarships/ Though we sing “Silent Night” I have never found Christmas to be the quiet event that we read about in books and magazines. So far every Christmas gathering with family has left me wanting some type of electro-gizmo-techno-ditty that can suck juice out of every battery-powered-beeping-unnecessary-plastic-object within 20 feet. ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/17/the-pastor-cornered-december-17-2008/ http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/christmas-eve-services/ On Sunday, December 21, 1958, members and friends of Fountain City Methodist Church worshiped for the first time in its new sanctuary. This “new” sanctuary is the same beautiful sanctuary in which we now worship. We are grateful to all who made the sacrifices and were courageous enough ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/50th-anniversary-of-the-sanctuary-celebration/ 5:00: “Impromptu Nativity” Service; 11:00 Candlelight Service A prelude in music at 4:30 p.m. will begin our worship opportunities for Christmas Eve. The 5:00 service will incorporate our traditional “impromptu Nativity” and Holy Communion. Families with young children will especially enjoy this service. If your child would like to be ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/christmas-eve-holy-communion-services/ On Sunday evening December 21, at 7:00 p.m. the Chorale will present a program of Christmas music in the sanctuary, assisted by the Tollers handbell choir. The Chorale was initially organized in 1996 as an opportunity for choral singing for folks who were either unable to participate in Chancel Choir or ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/fcumc-chorale-presents-christmas-program/ Are you looking for after-school care for your teenager or know of someone who could benefit from an after-school program here at our church? Then look no further! We offer a unique program right here at FCUMC called The Net where students can come and relax, do their homework, and ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/attention-families-of-students-at-gresham-middle-school/ Sunday, January 4, 2009 Everyone who serves our children and youth must be Safe Sanctuary trained and complete a background check prior to serving. If you would like to serve our children and youth and have not received Safe Sanctuary training, please attend the training on Sunday, January 4, at 5:00 ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/safe-sanctuary-training-2/ Christmas Break Service Day Monday, December 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the church, and then we are going to Fountain City United Methodist Church Cemetery at Holbrook and Aster to do some clean-up. You will need to bring gloves, rakes, large pruning loppers and $2 for pizza. Youth Group Christmas ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/upcoming-youth-events/ That’s the title of the spring session of Monday Morning Bible study: Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed, Three Generations, Three Voices. Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed is a six session, seven-week video study of the life of David. Priscilla Shirer leads the first part, Beth Moore the second and Kay Arthur the last ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/three-generations-three-voices/ Help us spread the joy of God’s love with our community this Christmas. Members of FCUMC will be baking and delivering home-made cookies to people who are working at local businesses and hospitals on Christmas Eve. We need volunteers to bake cookies and bring them to the 5:00 ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/16/cookies-on-christmas-eve/ All children are invited to come celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Sunday, December 21. Children should meet at 9:45 in their regular classrooms and The Gathering. We will share a time of worship in Wesley Hall and return to our classrooms for a snack. If you are new to our church, ... http://craigduncan.net/wordpress/2008/12/15/baby-shower-for-jesus-2/