June 2011

518 North 19th StreetBirmingham AL 35203 www.firstchurchbhm.com

ConnectionsFirst Church Newsletter

an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP, GROW, and SERVE

Devastation and Response

Grace and Peace,

Over a month has passed since the tragic storms hit Alabama. Seeing the devastation in person is much more difficult than seeing pictures. While no one can undo the damage and heartbreaking loss that many of our brothers and sisters have experienced, we are called as followers of Jesus Christ to respond with concrete signs of love and care for our neighbors. I am pleased to share that the First Church family has responded beautifully, thus far. I am also pleased to share that the whole United Methodist Church has responded very well, too.

Many of you chose to give money through UMCOR, knowing that your money would go directly to aiding the victims and not get eaten up in administration costs. First Church has sent more than $12,000.00 directly to UMCOR for tornado disaster relief, and that doesn’t count the number of members who gave through the conference website.

Many of you were there on a Sunday afternoon as we put together over one hundred UMCOR Emergency Packs. Many of you brought items to be delivered to Pratt City, Pleasant Grove, Tuscaloosa, and Williams, Ala-bama. Many of you have been aiding through “hands-on” assistance to those needing help with tree removal and debris cleanup. Some of you were on UMCOR Disaster Response teams and were in the hardest hit areas of Alabama.

Our initial response has been good and our plans for future assistance are coming together. First Church’s Col-lision Student Ministries Mission Trip has been moved from Orlando, Florida, to Alabama. We are also looking at having a team of volunteers work in a heavily impacted area in Alabama during the month of August. We will continue to be a place for donations to aid in the relief effort while that is needed.

Thank you all for your giving spirit.

YOU TOO CAN MAKE YOUR MARK AT CITY KIDS ARTS CAMP

WHAT IS CITY KIDS ARTS CAMP? An action packed week for elementary kids featuring music, move-ment and visual arts enhanced with interactive Bible Stories from

the Gospel of Mark. All have a blast while discovering how their gifts can make a positive difference in our world.

HOW CAN I HELP? Contact Linda Underwood

Linda@firstchurchbhm.com or 254-3186 ext. 115 she will give you details on:

Volunteering to work during the week (even for just an hour)Donating school supplies or cash for UMCOR school bags

Then COME TO FRIDAY NIGHT’S CELEBRATION (June 17, 6:00pm)!

You’ll love seeing our sanctuary filled with the city’s children!

City Kids Preschool Camp is a week long Preschool Camp with age appropriate Bible Stories, Music, Craft, Snack and Games. The children will learn about “Doing God’s Work” through recycling. The resource people are First Church Staff and Volunteers.

The Theme of City Kids Preschool Camp is “Doing God’s Work” with a recycling emphasis. Each day the children will experience a theme related Bible Story, Music, Craft, Snack, and Games. The Camp will start on Monday, June 27th and end on Friday, July 1 with a demonstration for parents and friends. The demonstration will be at 12:00 in the Loft Area in our education building.

INFORMATION CONTACT:Linda Underwood

Linda@firstchurchbhm.com / 205-254-3186 ext. 115

For those who wish to join in a more intimate setting you are invited to come to the chapel after our 11:00am worship services. We will offer a short time of joining into the membership of First Church Birmingham by promising to support it through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

If you are interested in learning more about joining First Church

please contact: Rev. Stephanie Arnold

stephanie@firstchurchbhm.com (205) 254-3186

“WHAT BROUGHT YOU to First Church? What keeps you coming back?” After a flavor-ful Greek dinner last week, about thirty people settled in the Loft reception area to share with one another. The Members in Ministry Team organizes Getting to Know Us Dinners periodically throughout the year to allow time for regular visitors and new members to become acquainted with clergy, staff and team members. Participants included: Darrell Culpepper, Amanda Hawkins, Jacque Manner, Lori McAuley, Tom Owens, Marylyn Pettit, Katherine Ricks, Katy Smith, Mandy & Chip Stack with their children Liam & Isabella, Adam Williams & Linnea Larson-Williams, and Keith & Laura Wilson. Many thanks to the Members in Ministry Team and the staff who offer the hospitality and effort to make these dinners part of the welcoming work of First Church.

First Church is sending 14 folks to Panama July 2 -10. Please help support this team and our church by making a donation to the team or by coming to Dinner Under The Stars. We thank you for all your support...we couldn’t do this trip without each and everyone of you! Please begin praying that this trip will build relationships that demonstrate the love of God with our friends in Panama and here at First Church.

MISSION TRIP TO PANAMA

Ogle the cityscape, enjoy virgin cocktails and feast at a candlelight four course meal on First Church’s rooftop. Relax and relish in a meal prepared just for you as live music fills the night air. You will not want to miss the opportunity! Tickets are $75 per person or $450 for a table seating of six.

Menu: Strawberry Pecan Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing,

Rustic French Bread Sausage, Tomato and Arugula Fettuccine, Lemon Glazed Pound Cake, or Chocolate Ganache Cake.

First Church is sending 14 folks to Panama July 2 -10. Please help support this team and our church by making a donation to the team or by coming to Dinner Under The Stars. We thank you for all your support...we couldn’t do this trip without each and everyone of you! Please begin praying that this trip will build relationships that demonstrate the love of God with our friends in Panama and here at First Church.

Listen Event -Sunday, June 5, 9:45am (in the large dining room): Kathy McMullen Associate Director for Greater Birmingham Ministries will share with us examples of situations an individual in poverty faces.

Learn Event -Tuesday, June 7, 6:30pm: At Stephanie Arnold’s home We will discuss “What would YOU Choose?” Make decisions that everyday families in poverty make like: Do you move to a cheaper but less safe neighborhood or do you work more hours leaving less time to be with your children in order to stay in your current neighborhood?

Serve Event - Saturday, June 25: - Community Gardens Spend a Saturday morning working in Greater Birmingham Ministries Community Garden with community members.

Listen Event -Sunday, July 10, 9:45am (in the large dining room):Ryan Hankins Executive Director of M-Power Ministries, will discuss with us the three areas that his ministry finds are most helpful in lifting someone out of systemic poverty.

Learn Event -Tuesday, July 12, 6:30pm: At Stephanie Arnold’s home We will discuss ”Does Working Work?” Even full-time employment does not guarantee a successful climb out of poverty. In this session, participants consider the lives of three working families who struggle to meet their basic needs, and understand how trends and changes in employment and wages affect the families who make up the “working poor.”

Serve Event (date tba): We will be working with M-Power in one of its three key ministry areas of Literacy, Education and Medical care.

JUNE

JULY

Gifts Receivedby First Church

TO THE MEMORIAL FUND

In Memory of Charles Hancockfrom Alabaster First United Methodist

Sara BakerPeggy BatchelerDorothy BroomRichard Buckner Jim ChalkerBerenice DendyLavelle DendyRetha DoroughJudee and Scott EvansJ. Robert HamillRalph JollyDonald and Joy Lewis RheaFirst Church Supper Club

In Memory of Robert Webster from Sara Baker

Ted CramerAnnie Ford and Glynn WheelerNora HardimanShirley and Larry LeCroyJerry N. SteelmanWynelle WardWesley Sunday School Class

In Memory of Melanie Phillpott VanWinklefrom Ed and Jane Landers

TO THE CHOIR FUNDIn Memory of Charles Hancockfrom Barbara and Ed Dismukes

In Memory of Walter Bakerfrom Retha Dorough

TO THE MISC. FUND TO THE YOUTH FUNDIn Honor of the 2011 Graduates

from Chuck HancockIn Honor of Robin Bakerfrom Terri and David Glasgow

Trina and Buddy Ramsey

TO THE BUS FUNDIn Memory of Charles Hancock

from Yvonne Small McKnightDavid SmallGerald SmallGlenda Small Torres

TO THE RADIO FUND

In Honor of Ted Cramerfrom Jim Chalker

In Memory of Mary Thompsonfrom Betsy and Larry Parton

In Memory of Charles Hancockfrom Nancy and John Holt

In Memory of Robert Websterfrom Nancy and John HoltIn Honor of Pat and Preston Lawley

from Shirley and Larry LeCroy

JUNE

June - 26thJoining Sunday 12:00pm

June - 27th - July - 1stCity Kids Preschool Camp

June - 1stYOUTH WEEK (Braves Game)

June - 2ndYOUTH WEEK

(Six Flags)

Supper Club - 6:00pm

June - 3rd - 4thYOUTH WEEK

(Lock-In)

June - 12th2nd Sunday Lunch - 12:00pm

June - 11thDinner Under The Stars - 8:00pm

June -7thLLS Learn Event - 6:30pm

June -5thLLS Listen Event - 9:45am

June - 23rdVincent-Bernhardt - 7:00pm

June - 19th - 24thYouth Mission Trip

June - 13th - 17thCity Kids Arts Camp

Gifts Receivedby First Church

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

firstCHURCH

BIRMINGHAM

firstCHURCH

BIRMINGHAM

an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP,GROW, and SERVE

518 North 19th Street • Birmingham AL 35203205-254-3186 • www.firstchurchbhm.com

If you have something you would like to put in the newsletter, or have any questions or comments, please email: Info@firstchurchbhm.com

Administrative Asst.Robin Baker

Membership SecretaryClaudia Burgin

Choir DirectorJim Cook

Senior PastorKeith Thompson

PastorAmy Parsons Vaughn

PastorStephanie Arnold

Food Service DirectorNonna Tindal

Financial Asst.Peggy West

Children’s DirectorLinda Underwood

CDC Executive DirectorRobin Pate

First Church Birmingham Staff

Sunday Schedule

8:45 - Beginnings Service (Service of Word & Table) (St. John’s Chapel)

9:30 - Sunday School

11:00 - The Loft (Modern Worship)

11:00 - Sanctuary (Traditional Worship)

5:45 - Collision Bible Study (Youth)

Loft Worship Blake Hobbs

Music DirectorMark Hayes

College / Young Adults DirectorKatie Gilbert

Youth DirectorJonathan Goss

Children’s Choir DirectorJane Holbert

Nursery DirectorGinger Gambill