Growing in faith through small groups

Our goal is to offer faith-based opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and enrichment. To this end, we work with other ministry teams to develop and expand programs to offer depth and understanding to everyone’s spiritual journey. We are not limited to age-specific groups, but collaborate with other ministries to provide meaningful activities for personal faith growth. We encourage your suggestions for programs and activities. For more information, please call LeRoy Hatcher, Director of the Family & Life Ministries at 689-5175 ext. 111 or e-mail at lhatcher@fountaincityumc.org.

Ministry Opportunities 2010

Parenting Ministries

• Book Studies
• Chip Ingram materials
• Home Grown Faith –David Lynn
• Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
• Parenting philosophy and skills with Love and Logic
• Weekend workshops and seminars

Parent/Child Relationship Development & Family Enrichment

• Educational and career planning
• Family Activities — day trips, game nights, movie nights, pool parties, storytelling
• Financial University, Dave Ramsey
• Parent/Child relationship building
• Parent/Child Studies–Baptism and Confirmation
• Scouts

Marriage Enrichment

• Developing Family Faith
• Fireproof Your Marriage
• Love Dare
• Parents’ Night Out
• Worship

Physical & Social Growth

• Aerobics, basketball, bridge
• Co-ed volleyball, church league co-ed softball
• Dance for Joy
• Day Trips–baseball games, Cumberland County Playhouse
• Knitting and More
• Pool Parties
• Support Systems — AA, Bariatric Support, Divorce Care, Grief Share, Weight Watchers
• Yoga

Service Opportunities

• Activity planning and leadership
• Driving church bus for activities and day trips
• Helping with hospitality for various activities

Group Descriptions

Alcoholics Anonymous (Serenity Group)
AA (Serenity Group) meets weekly from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, in the AA Room. Although all other activities are subject to the church’s inclement weather policy, the AA group will meet at their scheduled times. For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at the church 689-5175.

Aerobics
The Aerobics Class meets from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Multi-purpose Room. Exercises are low impact and the classes are open to all. Cost is $1.00 per session per person. For more information contact Billie Duncan at 922-7285.

Bariatric Support Group
The main objective of the Bariatric Support Group is to offer an opportunity for persons who have undergone bariatric surgery–or who are considering the surgery–much needed support regarding lifestyle changes in order to have a successful outcome after having this procedure. The group meets the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. Contact Sandra Hatcher at 687-9180 for more information.

Braves Games
This summer we will travel to Atlanta to see the Braves play San Diego. These trips are always fun and largely unpredictable. In the past we have had as many as three generations from one family take the trip. We meet at the church and leave around 7:00 a.m., eat breakfast at Shoney’s in Chattanooga, and arrive in Atlanta around noon. Game time is 1:00 p.m. Cost for the day trip includes the breakfast bar, a ticket to the game, transportation, and travel hospitality. Our next trip is scheduled for Thursday, July 22. Space is limited. For details call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Bridge
The Bridge Club is open to all who enjoy playing bridge for recreational purposes. The games began as a small group at one table and have grown to the point that it is not uncommon to have as many as five tables of players. Some of the members travel twenty or more miles to play with the group. For additional fun, participants are asked to bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy a fellowship meal together. The Bridge Club meets the first, third, and fifth Tuesday of each month in the Senior High Room. Meetings are from 10:00 a.m. until l:00 p.m. Call Mary Simpson at 687-4595 for more information.

Church-wide Picnic
The annual church-wide picnic is held the third Sunday in September. This year the picnic is scheduled for September 19 from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Lee and Susan Iglehart’s farm (maps will be provided). This afternoon and early evening event is filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing while in the background the grownups can be heard as they are involved with their own games. The food is excellent and later we set aside time for outdoor singing and worship. This is a great time for fellowship and a way to get acquainted with new members as well as renew old friendships. For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Co-ed Softball
The FCUMC softball team participates in both a spring and a fall league sponsored by the Knoxville Department of Parks and Recreation. Games are played at Caswell Park one day a week during the season. This year the spring league begins play the week of April 5 and continues into early May. The fall league runs from early August through September. The team is open to anyone eighteen or older. In recent years, the team has held a cookout at the end of the season for all members as well as their families. Sign-ups for the team are schedule the month prior to the beginning of the season. There is a participation fee of $20 and the cost of a team shirt is $10.For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Cub Scouts
Scouting programs play a very important part in ministry to children and youth. Through participation in Cub Scouts, young boys experience and are taught many essential life skills as they grow to be “physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight”. Our pack has grown to consist of approximately 50 active scouts. We hope to start a Boy Scout Troup next fall so our older Cubs can continue their scouting experience with the expansion of the program. Membership is open to all boys interested in participating in the wide variety of activities offered through scouting. The Cub Scouts offer numerous opportunities for service, fellowship, and individual growth. In addition to the activities offered primarily for the Cubs throughout the year, there are many opportunities for families to join in the fun and adventures. The Cub Scout Pack sponsored by FCUMC meets regularly on Monday evenings. For more information contact LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Cumberland County Playhouse
Two trips to the Cumberland County Playhouse are planned for 2010: “Tennessee USA” is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is scheduled for Saturday, November 20. We meet at the church; departure times vary depending upon curtain time at the Playhouse, but we do try to return home by dark. Cost includes a delicious meal at a Crossville restaurant, the price of the theater ticket, and transportation. For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Dance for Joy Groups
Dance for Joy Groups offer an informal introduction to dance for kids of all ages that begins in kindergarten and continues through high school if desired. It is fun just to watch the younger ones as they dance and twirl around the floor; the joy shows in their smiles. The groups meet from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday during January through May and again in December. Sessions begin in late August and again in mid-January (basically during the academic year). One of the highlights of the winter session for the group is to attend a performance presented during the annual “Fantasy of Trees”, held at the Knoxville Convention Center. Regular meetings are held in the Fellowship Hall of the church. For more information contact Catherine Landry at 688-7564.

Family Camping Trip
The Family Camping Trip for 2010 is scheduled for March 12-14. The location is yet to be determined; however, we usually go to a state or National Park campground that has all the outdoor amenities most folks enjoy such as hiking, biking, boating, canoeing and many other outdoor activities. We close the weekend with an outdoor worship service.For more information contact LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Jubilee Christmas Dinner
The Jubilee Christmas Dinner began eight years ago as a service project of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class. At the outset, the purpose of the project was to provide an opportunity for youth and families of the Jubilee Mission Project located in Sneedville, Tennessee, to come together and enjoy a Christmas Dinner prepared and served by the P&S class. Over the years the project has grown to require the support from other groups and agencies. In addition to serving a wonderful dinner, this event serves as an opportunity for the distribution of food baskets, blankets, and gifts for the young people. The Jubilee Christmas Dinner for 2010 is set for Saturday, December 11 (the second Saturday in December). For more information contact LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Knitters and More
The Knitters group started six years ago as a way for anyone interested to get together to knit projects for charity. We have made and delivered lap robes to our shut-ins and to some of our members in nursing homes, and have knitted hundreds of hats for Lost Sheep Ministries. From January to June we work on personal projects, take off for the summer, then in September we begin our charity projects. We welcome any and all interested in any kind of needlework such as knitting, crochet, embroidery, rug hooking, or bring your spinning wheel. Some days we bring a brown bag lunch or sometimes choose to go out to lunch together. Contact Patti Ball for more information at 925-4499.

Love and Logic for Parents
This program is offered in the fall and covers much the same material as the Love and Logic Workshop for Teachers, except it is geared more toward parents. The program is expanded into one session per week for eight weeks. Response from parents is great and their comments are very positive. Elizabeth Kose, Certified Facilitator, leads the weekly sessions. These training sessions are helpful for parents regardless of the age of the children.Call LeRoy Hatcher for more information at 689-5175.

Love and Logic Workshop for Teachers
A Love and Logic Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 30 in the Choir Room from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon in the Choir Room and the Fellowship Hall. Elizabeth Kose, Certified Facilitator, presents the workshop targeted for Sunday School teachers to introduce them to a variety of strategies as well as love and logic techniques which will enrich their teachings. Call LeRoy Hatcher for more information at 689-5175

Men’s Basketball — “Forty Plus”
The Monday basketball group was started for “Daddies” (hence the tag “40+) who, after having spent time with their new “young ‘uns” after dinner in the evenings, could run down to the church a net a few baskets. They meet in the Multi-purpose Room Mondays from 8:30 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Men’s Basketball (all ages)
The Thursday basketball group meets from 9:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. weekly. Note: Most participants of this group are not members of our church and a $1.00 participation fee is requested. For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Parenting Partners
The purpose of the Parenting group is to provide education and support in a partnership with parents and caregivers focused on the spiritual, social, emotional and physical development of children from pre-school to adulthood. Workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, activities, and group discussions are offered to assist families in providing a Christian environment that will lead children to realize their full potential. For more information contact LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Swim Party
Two church-wide swim parties are scheduled for 2010. Each party includes a “Gourmet Hot Dawg” meal with all the trimmings. These gatherings are an excellent time for family activities, birthday celebrations, Sunday School class socials and other events. The first party is set for Thursday, June 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the second is set for Tuesday, August 10 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Both parties will be at the Inskip Community Pool. To cover expenses, there is a charge of $10 per family. For more information call LeRoy Hatcher at 689-5175.

Volleyball for Co-eds
All are invited to come and play volleyball the third Thursday from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Multi-purpose Room. This gathering provides an excellent opportunity for parents and children (middle school and up), youth and grandparents, as well as others, to enjoy informal fellowship and sport activity. For more information call Lee Ann Johnson at 688-6269.

Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers meet each Monday from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. For more information call Lynda Nesman at 524-9865.

Yoga Classes
Hatha Yoga is not a religion, but an exercise for health and well being. (”Hatha” means health). Hatha Yoga is an excellent stress releaser and introduces relaxation techniques. Yoga promotes self-help by using a quiet time for meditation and prayer.
Two sections of Yoga are offered: one for the NET and another for adults. From time to time craft exercises for the NET are offered in place of Yoga; these craft activities help the participants to develop support systems by working together on projects. Yoga classes for the NET (limit of 10) are held on the third Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Yoga for adults (limit 6-12) is scheduled for Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Newcomers of all fitness levels are welcome as all participants will begin at the beginning and work according to their level.
For more information call Cheryl Warren at 689-2237 or cherylcwarr@yahoo.com.