A Newsletter Publication of First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tennessee

September 12, 2012 | Volume 11 Issue 15 jacksonfumc.org

SEEKING GOD | KNOWING CHRIST | SHARING HIS LOVE

FIRST EDITIONFIRST EDITIONDOWNTOWN JACKSON

This Issue...

AT A GLANCE• Welcome New Staff Member• Adult Sunday School Opportunities

Page 2

• Celebrating the Laity by Dan CampPage 3

• Cumberland County Playhouse TripPage 4

• UMM Fall Fish Fry• Kids’ News

Page 5

• Getting Better Aquainted With Our Members: Grady Neely

Page 6 & 7

• New Art & Soul: Bead for Life• Youth News: Good News Everyone!

Page 8

• WEF Classes and Activities• WINGS Photos

Page 9

• Sunday Morning Sermon Topics Page 10

Celebrating Laity... Members in Action!

5th Sunday, September 309:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:00 a.m. Combined Worship • Sanctuary“This We Believe: Becoming the Body of Christ”

Dan Camp, preaching • Luke 23:13-25; Ephesians 4:1-16Kids Choirs Singing

Following worship come to the Gym for a Complimentary Brunch including: breakfast casserole, shrimp & grits, ham & biscuits, fresh fruits.Read more on page 3

FUMC Kids will lead the congregation in the Apostles’ Creed Sunday, September 16th in both services.

New Sermon SeriesSept. 16 - Nov. 11

“What do you believe about this?”

by David Hollis, Associate Pastor

Has this question ever been posed to you, maybe at work or in a social setting? Perhaps you felt uncomfortable or even nervous. I am asked routinely about what different religious groups believe, and I often wonder how much time we take to explore what we say we believe.

This Sunday we will be launching a new sermon series called “This We Believe.” The series is based on the words of The Apostles’ Creed which many of us have

repeated since we were children. But often we may not reflect on the profound nature of what we’re saying we believe and what that means for our lives with God and one another.

I hope you will meet this new series with excitement and invite others who wrestle with questions of belief. The next few Sundays would be a great time to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible) as we explore the connection of this profession of faith with Scripture and the tradition of the Church through the ages. As we face an ever-changing age before us, let us receive with joy these words of faith handed down to us and learn what God is saying to us today.

9:00 a.m. First Awakening

10:00 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

Find Us Faithful

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 2

WELCOME NEW STAFF!

Weekly Opportunities

Sunday, September 16 9:00 AM First Awakening Service 9:30 AM FUMC Apparel 10:00 AM Newcomer Class 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 5:00 PM Kid’s Who Care Club 5:00 PM “Current” UMY

Monday, September 17 10:00 AM Rebekah Circle Meeting 1:30 PM Staff Meeting 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball 6:45 PM Boy Scout Meeting 7:15 PM Men’s Basketball

Tuesday, September 18 7:00 AM Men’s Weekly Bible Study 8:00 AM Older Adult Ministry Training

Event 4:15 PM Zumba 6:00 PM Stephen Ministry Continuing

Education Meeting 6:30 PM Committee on Nominations

Wednesday, September 19 10:00 AM Pastor’s Bible Study 10:15 AM Invitation to Presence 12:00 PM Mid-Week Downtown Worship

Service 3:30 PM WINGS 3:30 PM WEF Open Gym 3:45 PM Girl Scout Meeting (Troop 43088) 4:30 PM FUMC Apparel 5:00 PM Wednesday Evening Fellowship

Dinner 5:00 PM Youth WEF Programming “The

Current” 5:45 PM Confirmation Class 6:00 PM Children’s WEF Programming

“The Backyard” 6:00 PM Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 PM WEF Programming 6:00 PM First Awakening Band Rehearsal 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir

Thursday, September 20 4:15 PM Zumba 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball

Friday, Sept. 21 & Saturday, Sept. 22 No Church Events Scheduled

Sunday, September 23 9:00 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Newcomer Class 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 5:00 PM “Current” UMY

Monday, September 24 1:30 PM Staff Meeting 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball 6:45 PM Boy Scout Meeting 7:15 PM Men’s Basketball

This isn’t Nick Nelson’s first rodeo at Jackson FUMC. When Nick was a freshman Bishop Scholar at Lambuth University in 2010-2011, he interned with the Current UMY, Jackson FUMC’s youth group. When Lambuth closed, Nick transferred to the University of Memphis main campus to continue his education. Now he lives with his family in Millington, attends classes at both the U of M main campus and Lambuth campuses, and works as the Assistant Youth Director here at Jackson FUMC.

On Wednesday night, Nick leads the high school boys’ small group, and on Sunday nights he assists with UMY programming. An avid lover of all things sports related, he also makes time to attend youth athletic events. Before coming to Jackson FUMC, Nick worked at Dulins Sports Complex in Cordova as an assistant manager, and regularly sacrificed his pride by working as a baseball umpire with Arlington Little League. He was the captain of his soccer team at Tipton-Rosemark Academy in Millington.

Nick’s home church is Bartlett UMC in Bartlett, TN. If you see him at church with a beautiful young woman by his side, that’s his girlfriend Ashley, who is a junior at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.

Be sure to say hello to Nick when you see him and welcome him to the Jackson FUMC family!

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES…

10:00-10:50 a.m.*

Followers Class “Why? Making Sense of God’s Will” a 4-week study by Adam HamiltonWhere is God when my prayers go unanswered? Where is God when the innocent suffer? Led by Betsy Dement

Family Life Forum Class“Making Life Matter” by Shane StanfordIn a world of fast-paced schedules and priorities, conversations about what makes for a life well lived are a rarity and a luxury. But what if the daily pace of life held in itself the way to make choices more significant?Meets in the Boy Scout Room • Led by Bill Hetzler

Disciple Sunday School Class “Defining Moments” a 9-week DVD Study by Andy StanleyMeets on the MezzanineQuestions? Contact Frannie Smith, Franniesmith@aeneas.net

* Meets at 9:00 a.m. on the 5th Sunday, September 30

NEWSTUDIES

Nick Nelson

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 3

Rebekah Circle MeetingSept. 15 • 10:00 a.m.

at the home of Tharon KirkCo-hostess: Mary Douglass

Pledge Service withFrances Pipkin

Note of Appreciation

“Many thanks for your prayers, cards and remembrances in the death of my son, Floyd Dodds.”

- Betty Betterman

Happy 90th Birthday!

Mona HicksSeptember 14

Dorothy DoakSeptember 29

Pat GoodpasterSeptember 6

“Celebrating the Laity!”

by Dan Camp, Senior Pastor

What does it mean to refer to someone as a “layperson” or a member of the “laity?”

The word seems to be derived from two Greek terms –“laikos” and “laos.” “Laikos” means “of the people.” “Laos” simply means “the people.” In the very first centuries of the Church (around 200 C.E.), Clement of Alexandria, a great teacher of the Church, began to use the term laikoi (a combination of both terms) to distinguish lay men and women from those set apart for the specialized tasks of governing, teaching and preaching. This distinction stuck. “Kleros” (another Greek term having its origins in voting) refers to those whose “lot” is to oversee the work of the Church. From this, we get our modern day term -- “clergy.”

So—a necessary division and distinction that began in the second century of the Church has continued and deepened. Perhaps gone too far. Today, we see an unfortunate and profound divide between the role of the clergy and the role of the laity in our Church. We (somewhat correctly) assume that pastors have gone to school and have some degree of professionalism and training beyond that of the laity. While this may be true to a degree and in some cases, it is a

very “slippery slope.” Because, without thinking, we can then move to the very unfortunate position of viewing ourselves as either professional or volunteer. (Lord, save me from ever viewing myself as a professional Christian!)

When we set up this kind of distinction, we are forgetting that Jesus has called each and every one of us –lay and clergy alike—to be disciples.

Unlike a volunteer, a disciple is not his/her “own boss.” Unlike a professional, a disciple (who is “set apart” for the role of clergy) is accountable to “the people.”

Join us Sunday, September 30th as we continue our exploration of The Apostles’ Creed. We’ll be looking specifically at Christ’s suffering “under Pontius Pilate” and the implications of that understanding for discipleship in a community that is only whole when we partner with one another.

It will be a great day in the life of Jackson FUMC—but only if YOU are present and ready to continue on your own journey of deepening discipleship.

Facing the Ultimate Pain Sermon SeriesSeveral members have expressed interest in the recent two part Sermon Series on “Facing the Ultimate Pain, Part 1: The Death of a Loved One” and Part 2: “Only Hope”. If you missed these worship services or if you would like a copy, they are available online or for purchase for $5 each. As with all sermons, you can also watch or listen on the church website at jacksonfumc.org. Go to the Media tab and select Sermons. Questions? Contact Bobbie Mays at 422-4002 or bobbie@jacksonfumc.org

First Edition September 12, 2012

page 4

Weekly Opportunities

Tuesday, September 25 7:00 AM United Methodist Men Meeting

and Breakfast 4:15 PM Zumba 6:30 PM Evangelism Committee Meeting 6:30 PM Committee on Nominations

Wednesday, September 26 10:00 AM Pastor’s Bible Study 10:15 AM Invitation to Presence 12:00 PM Mid-Week Downtown Worship

Service 3:30 PM WINGS 3:30 PM WEF Open Gym 5:00 PM Wednesday Evening Fellowship

Dinner 5:00 PM Youth WEF Programming “The

Current” 5:45 PM Confirmation Class 6:00 PM Children’s WEF Programming

“The Backyard” 6:00 PM Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 PM WEF Programming 6:00 PM First Awakening Band Rehearsal 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir

Thursday, September 27 4:15 PM Zumba 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball

Friday, September 28 12:00 PM Brown Bag Bible Study 6:00 PM New Art & Soul - Bead for Life

Saturday, September 29 No Church Events Scheduled

Recomended Good Reads

Christian Classic Books for Purchase

“A Man Called Peter” by Catherine Marshall

“Nearing Home” by Billy Grahamas referenced by Pastor Dan in his Aug. 26 sermon

Visit the display table near the receptionist desk in the main lobby to purchase books.

NEW

$12

$14

Adult OpportunitiesContact Pam Jaco, pam@jacksonfumc.org, 422-4002

“Backward in High Heels”

“Golden Boy of the Blue Ridges”

“Big River” Winner of 7 Tony Awards

NOW PLAYING

Come enjoy two fun-filled days of plays

at the

Cumberland County

PlayhouseCrossville, TN

Tennessee’s Premier Professional Theater

October 25-26Trip Cost: $255/person (double occupancy) Deposit of $75/person due by September 28

To reserve your spot, call 422-4002 or go to jacksonfumc.org

Trip Includes: • Lodging at the Hampton Inn• Breakfast• Luxury Chartered Bus• Cheaper and easier than taking your own car• Boxed Lunch on Bus• 3 Excellent Musical Productions• Scenic Autumn Foliage

WEL

COM

E You are invited to FUMC Newcomer Classes

Who Are We?September 16, & 23 10:00-10:50 a.m.September 30 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Clayton Hall Conference Room

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 5

Prayer BreakfastTuesday, Sept. 25

7:00-8:00 AMBreakfast Donation $5

Clayton HallSpeaker: Dr. Robert Prosser

President of Bethel College

You’re invited

September Mission Focus:

WRAP

Wo/Men’s Resource & Rape Assistance Program empowers adult & child survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence to enrich the quality of their lives. WRAP collaborates with the community to achieve a violence free society.

September Mission Chest Needs: Toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, snacks for children, diapers

These items may be placed in the Mission Chests located in the church lobbies through the end of the month.For cash donations or gifts by check, please place in the offering plate or leave in the church office.

Printed copies, compliments of FUMC, are available in church lobbies. To receive as e-news, subscribe at memphis-umc.orgFUMC Kids’ News

Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Kids Who Care Club 4th& 5th grade service club. Meets 9/16 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the gathering room. Dinner Provided

Sign up for Parents Night Out, October 19th 5:30-8:30 $5. Medical Release Form must be turned in.

Sign up to volunteer in Round 2 of Children’s WEF! Only a 4-week commitment - Storyteller and Game Leader wanted!

The kids will be singing in the combined service, September 30th. They will have a final practice during the Sunday School hour and be brought downstairs.

UNITED METHODIST MEN & THE EVANGELISM COMMITTEEINVITE

ALL MEN, WOMEN, VISITORS, AND MEMBERS TO

The 2nd AnnualUMM Fall Fish Fry

Tuesday, October 9 • 6:30-8:30 p.m.at David and Laurie Horton’s Home

featuring the “OK Corral Band”

• Fish, hush puppies, slaw and trimmins’• Bring your favorite homemade desserts

to share!

To make a reservation, call the church office at 422-4002 or sign up at jacksonfumc.org.

Directions: 1490 Mifflin Road. Take E. Chester east from the Church and go about 3 miles to the intersection of E. Chester / Beech Bluff Rd. and Mifflin Rd. This is the intersection where East Trinity United Methodist Church is located. Take a right at the 4-way stop and go 5.5 miles to Horton Farms sign. American flag and driveway are on the right. Stay on the asphalt, drive for 1/3 mile and you’ll be there.

FUMC FOUNDATION“Life insurance is a way to make a larger gift to the Church than you might otherwise be

able to afford. Consider naming the church as a beneficiary of an insurance policy.”

To learn more about FUMC’s Foundation and Planned Giving, contact Jim Scott, Chairman. 668-4775 or e-mail patandscotty@aeneas.net

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 6

Getting Better Acquainted With Our Membersby Bobbie Mays

“Smiley” was his nickname in high school. Today, seldom does one ever see him without that congenial grin, smile or hearty laugh!

Grady Eugene Neely and his younger brother, George F. Neely, Jr.( the one on the Jackson-Madison County School Board) were raised on the family farm near Jackson by mom, Bernice Powell Neely and dad, George F. Neely. Named for his mother’s favorite brother, Grady, who was shot down during WWII ending up in a concentration camp, “little Grady” was called, Gene so as not to confuse the two. Life on the farm was wonderful… “we grew and raised most everything we ate. My playmates were the black children who also lived on the farm.” He learned about gardening and barbeques by watching and helping. There were frequent family gatherings each week, one of which was always on Sunday afternoon.

His dad, though, made it clear to his sons, that while he didn’t mind farming and all the hard work that went with it, he did not want either of them being farmers. Neither parent had attended college but there was no question about the boys not going…it was expected! Grady went to Union his first year, transferred to UT Martin his sophomore year so he could major in agriculture and in his junior and senior years, he attended UT Knoxville. In 1965, he graduated with a BS and went on to graduate school for two more years earning his MS in Agronomy. Having learned of someone who worked with the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) in Cincinnati, OH, Grady followed up on a job lead. While still in school at UT Knoxville, he was asked to go to Atlanta for a physical and interview at the USPHS Communicable Disease Hospital. He passed both and had a job as a USPHS Commissioned Officer waiting for him following graduation.

Packed and excited, he drove to Cincinnati to begin his career with the National Air Pollution Control Administration studying air pollution effects on vegetation. In January, 1968 Grady was asked to go to Penn State for training in a new area of air pollution effects. These classes involved all aspects of air pollution including instrumentation, engineering, meteorology control systems and plant effects. He still has not forgotten those snowy wintry months when he attended classes with seventeen other newly appointed officers from all over the country, eight hours a day, five days a week.

Returning to Cincy for one week, he was then assigned to Chattanooga, TN for ten weeks. His responsibilities at the TNT Plant included collection of plant effects data from nitrogen dioxide pollution for presentations

at court hearings. He was then asked to work in the Philadelphia, PA area where he spent ten weeks conducting a sulfur dioxide plant effects study. It was here that he reconnected and stayed with a good friend and fraternity brother who lived in New Jersey. In a government car, (no radio or air conditioner!) he commuted 100 miles daily. In the winter of 1968, he returned to Cincinnati where he worked until being assigned the next summer to Helena, Montana. Reflecting on the experience, “living on a ranch in a bunkhouse with five others from North Carolina was great…with a highlight being those home cooked meals provided on Saturdays by the ranchers’ wife.” At the end of their five month stay, as a “thank you,” the group pooled their money and bought her a new dining room table.

In August of 1970, as a part of a twenty member team, Grady was transferred to Raleigh, NC continuing to work as a US Public Health Service Officer with an assignment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researching air pollution effects on crops and forests. From the knowledge and experience gained in air pollution agricultural field research, this group was transferred in 1973 as a team to Corvallis, OR, working at their own facility on the campus of Oregon State University. It was here that Grady finally “stayed put” and remained for twenty-five years until his retirement from the USPHS in 1998 with thirty-one years of service.

With a successful career that took him from one coast to another and many places in between, Grady enjoyed many adventures, experiencing some wonderful friendships. But, there were also some emotional and difficult times never to be imagined. At the young age of 58, his mother, with whom he was so close, died unexpectedly. When he received the phone call of her untimely death, he was distraught and heart-broken. Grieving, he managed to make the necessary arrangements to fly home the next day.

When he boarded the plane and sat down in his assigned seat, sitting next to him was a

Memorials & Honoraria

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Miriam Muma (Sister of Rev. Dan Camp) Ray & Liz Bryant

Dora Jane Ross (Wife of Toby Ross) Willie & Fran Chandler Jane P. Rhodes Dale Polley Lina & Joe Ellis Lina & Fred Bowyer Doris & Jack Naylor James & Sharon Matthews

Floyd Dodds (Son of Betty Betterman) James & Sharon Matthews Gregg & Amy Mitchell

Mary Anne Newmon (Mother of James Newmon) Upper Room Sunday School

Ed Spencer (Husband of Frances Spencer; Father of Fran Chandler & Mary Claire Hancock) The Grailyn Brooks Family (Pastors’ Fund) Betty Lee & John Quinn (Capital Improvements)

Kathie McIver (Daughter of Peggy Taylor; Sister of Beth Henry) Brenda Alexander (Altar Guild)

Helen BaudoWade ThomsonBamby ZimmLinda Boggess HawsBo BlackfordDixon Corum Betty Lee & John Quinn (Capital Improvements)

IN LOVING HONOR OF

Elizabeth Hubbard – 100th Birthday The Grailyn Brooks Family (Pastors’ Fund) Brenda Alexander (Building Fund) Martha Jaco Jake & Joan McInnis Alicia Franco

Anne & Jim BoswellGrailyn Brooks Alicia Franco

Grady Neely

Sympathy to• Luke Woodruff and family in the death of his

stepfather, Daniel Carroll. • Toby Ross and family in the death of his wife,

Dora Jane Ross. • Phillip Ryan and family in the death of his

cousin, Andrew Cooper. • Rev. Dan Camp and family in the death of his

sister, Miriam Muma. • Pat Goodpaster and family in the death of

her sister, Glenna Popp. Glenna is also the aunt of Bobbie Mays.

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 7

nun. They exchanged pleasantries and then he quietly and sadly shared about the news of his mom. Calmly, she said, “God bless you.” Something amazing happened when he heard those words. For the rest of the four hour trip, there was little conversation. But immediately, Grady felt God’s presence and a sense of calm and peace…one that he had never before experienced. “That was a God moment!” He knew everything was going to be alright.

There have been other God moments for Grady. In 1970, he was married; in 1976 he was divorced. As he dealt with being single, lonely and not wanting to date that first year, he knew something else was missing from his life. With his mother having been a strong Christian woman and a Sunday School teacher for many years, Grady grew up regularly attending church. But he had gotten away from church life. “I always felt that the Lord had given me a good life. Having gone through my painful divorce, which was my first major problem in life, it was through that trying time, that I again became active in church.”

Recalling the wonderful influence of his mom on his life, he also feels blessed through the gift of another special person. Grady’s own mom knew she was dying and prior to her death, she told his dad that he needed someone in his life after she was gone; that he couldn’t live alone and that he should marry someone like “Marie Johnson.” In 1979, Grady’s dad married Marie Hall Johnson, a fine Christian woman, the mother of four children who had been widowed for several years. Grady said, “many people have a hard time getting someone they love once, but he’s been blessed twice with two moms!” Grady is so grateful and appreciative of his step-mom whom he loves and admires so much. She also happens to be Jim Holmes’ cousin.

While in Corvallis, Grady was invited by a young minister and his wife, to attend the College and Singles class at church. He chuckles (rather laughs) as he was the oldest in the group! Out in Oregon, folks are quite adventurous and absolutely “love and live outdoors.” Naturally, so did Grady. So river raft trips, camp outs and Friday night volleyball games were the perfect activities to attract college students and other singles to church functions. His active participation grew to the point that he decided to host a church wide West TN BBQ! Recruiting volunteers to help build a large BBQ pit using concrete blocks for the base with expanded metal sheet across the top, and burning charcoal in a barrel, twenty 18 lb hams were prepared and barbequed all night. Mmm…mmm! Can’t you just smell and taste it? He even concocted his own sauce and together they served a W. TN BBQ with all the fixins’ to nearly 150 people!

It was in 1985 that a couple from church had been “nudging” Grady to meet a good

Grady Neely

Christian lady named Elizabeth who had recently moved to the Corvallis community to teach gifted children. One morning, while Grady was sitting at McDonalds thinking about his friends’ comments, he told himself, “Guess, I’ll get up and just go see that lady!” When he approached the entrance to her apartment, the screen door was shut so he could see and smell not only the fabulous cooking aroma from steaming vegetables but that she was actually watching a baseball game… two good signs! From that day on for the next two years, they saw each other daily and on July 25, 1987 they married. Grady encouraged Elizabeth to return to school where she obtained her Master’s degree in Gifted Education at the University of Oregon. She also taught and furthered her education at Oregon State University in 1993 earning a PhD in Education with an Emphasis on Developmental Psychology.

Grady and Elizabeth agreed if she could find a job within 600 miles of Jackson, that would fit in with Grady’s plan to eventually return to the family farm in Jackson. In 1994, Elizabeth was hired as an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. Grady retired in 1998 and joined her there. But in May, 1999, Nashville, TN became their home. Elizabeth became the Director of Professional Development for the Tennessee Academy of School Leaders for principals and superintendents in the State of TN, a position she held until 2001.

For Grady, drawing on the invaluable work experiences, workshops and training he had over the years at EPA enabled him to do what he loves so well…helping others. Through cultural training, he learned “that people are afraid of what they don’t know…if you study and learn about cultures, you find there are many similarities in cultures and religions.” That knowledge has helped Grady understand and appreciate others. As a Field Research Operations Coordinator for the Ozone Team for 18 years, he helped manage the 5-Year National Crop Loss Network with universities and national laboratories across the country to assess atmospheric ozone effects on crops and forests. This research was used by Congress to establish air quality standards protecting crops and forests in the U.S. While his dad didn’t

want him to be a farmer, he always wanted to help farmers. Today, he knows his dream to do that has been fulfilled!

Feeling led to return to the Jackson area after living all over the USA for more than thirty years, Grady is enjoying this time in his life. In 2001, he and Elizabeth built their home on the family farm (Grady’s grandmother’s farm in a location where his mother wanted to build.) When they first moved back, Elizabeth, who was working as an Associate Professor at Union University until 2005, was invited to a Bible Study at FUMC which she really enjoyed. Together in 2002, they joined Jackson FUMC and soon after joined the Sanctuary choir through the invitation of Donna Overstreet.

Needing a new challenge, Elizabeth worked as an Associate Professor at Ole Miss in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education from 2005-2009.

Elizabeth has been at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, since 2009 serving as the Chair of the Educational Leadership Department and continues to enjoy her work. She hopes to retire in a couple of years returning to Jackson to the family farm and FUMC!

So what all does Grady do at FUMC? For starters, he’s a volunteer kitchen helper each week for Wednesday Evening Fellowship (WEF) and each month for First Friday Forum and Adventures in Learning, preparing food, setting tables and cleanup. He’s also the one smiling great big as he collects our money for those meals! Following training to become a certified bus driver for the church, he has been a bus driver for several youth mission trips and other groups. He spent more than 50 hours in training to become a Stephen Minister; he also started and served as the Jobs Coordinator, a ministry the church had three years ago, to help those without work find employment. He, along with Tharon Kirk and Frank Lawrence, started the Jackson Community Gardens, working with UT Agricultural staff and the City of Jackson; each Sunday you’ll faithfully find him singing in the Sanctuary choir and of course that means he’s been in choir practice on Wednesdays. As Sue Harvey shared in her e-mail recently, “he’s one of the best evangelists we have. He invites folks to come to our church everywhere he goes… and they do!”

Grady doesn’t know what plans God has for him in the future. What he does know is that he has a passion for helping others! The joy is obvious. He is “sunshine” to many families and individuals going beyond just inviting…he reaches out, genuinely caring for others, offering encouragement, hope, and a listening ear. Absolutely, Grady Neely is all about generous hospitality! And living his life by the Golden Rule: ”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 8

New colors, new styles!Place orders at display

table in Disciple Hall

Sunday, September 169:30-11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, September 194:30-6:00 p.m.

Cash or checks acceptedMake checks payable to

FUMC designated “Apparel”

WantApparel?

Greeters for Sunday, September 16Bill Hetzler, Heath Rabun, Pete & Nancy McLemore, Bill & Becky Baxter, Linda Seely, Daryll & Jenny McGuire, Bruce Maley, Ernest Lawrence

Greeters for Sunday, September 23Bas & Amy van Buuren, Scott & Crystal Pate, Jeff & Joyce Speight, Missy Harrell, Roger & Rebecca Smith, Denise Stuart, Hunter & Suzanne Welles

If you are unable to greet, please find a replacement.

Greeters

Youth News & Events

Current Fall RetreatSeptember 29-30

Fall Creek Falls State ParkCost: $50 /person

Sign up at jacksonfumc.orgDeadline to sign up is September 23

GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE!

FUMC Youth “The Current” 5:00-7:00 p.m.Sunday Nights during September

Friday, Sept. 28, 20126:00-9:00 p.m.MezzanineBuy jewelry and/or design your own!PreviewWednesday, Sept. 19 4:30-6:00 p.m.Clayton Hall Lobby

New Art & SoulEradicating Poverty One Bead at a Time

First Edition September 12, 2012 page 9

Come and be blessed... bring a co-worker or friend!

WeeklyWednesday Noon Worship Service

with Holy Communionin the SanctuarySinging • ScripturePrayer • Reflection

says about spiritual gifts, assess your individual gifts, talents, resources, and abilities, and participate with others in a group process to name and claim those gifts.

October 10-November 14

God and GadgetsLeader: Ben MitchellRoom: 114Everyone agrees that we’re living in a hyper-technological world. For some people, that’s a little bit of heaven. Other people want off the merry-go-round of faster and more powerful technologies. Where is technology taking us? This course will examine developments in information technology and biotechnology in light of Christian theology.

Leadership in the ChurchLeader: Dan CampBook Fee: $10Room: 109, GenesisFor the Christian, leadership is always defined by obedience to God and service to others. During our six weeks together, we will be reading and discussing a very helpful new book, Humble Leadership, by N. Graham Standish which deals primarily with leadership in a congregation. Certainly, however, the principles are transferrable to any organization.

observation. All that is required is an open heart and a willingness to learn and grow.

Our Invisible NeighborsLeaders: Janet Furness and others Room: 117, Upper RoomThis study is about the poverty crisis and what followers of Jesus need to know.

September 5-October 3

Survey of the Old Testament Leader: Kelvin MooreRoom: 119, FollowersUnion University professor, Kelvin Moore will guide you chronologically through sections of the Old Testament by examining the different types of literature such as law, poetry, history, prophecy, and wisdom.

Serving From the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and TalentsLeaders: Andrea Woods & Pastor David HollisRoom: 109, GenesisThis study assists participants in discovering their own unique gifts and talents for serving in the Way of Christ. During the five weeks of classes, you will study what scripture

Wednesday Evening Fellowship (WEF)Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Discover personal growth opportunities this Fall!

September 5-November 14

Grace Based ParentingLeaders: Allison Havercamp & Lee DriverBook Fee: $10Room: 118, Religion for LifeThrough fellowship, prayer, and sharing, this small group meets every week to learn from and spend time with other parents. Not another manual of impossible standards, Grace Based Parenting leads you to see ourselves and our children through God’s limitless tenderness.

Sacred Seeing....Becoming an Artist of the Inner Life Leaders: Jennifer Trently & Marilynn Eblen This course is offered twice. Session 1: Sept. 5th-Oct. 3rd Session 2: Oct. 10th-Nov. 14thRoom: MezzanineDuring each five week session, participants will examine the spiritual disciplines of: prayer, simplicity, study and community with the last class focusing on developing a rule for living. This class will aid participants in deepening their relationship with Christ by engaging all five senses and invoking their creativity through movement, poetry, collage and

WINGSWITNESS IN GOD’S SANCTUARY

The next issue of the First Edition Newsletter will be September 26If you have news to share, please send to bobbie@jacksonfumc.org by Sept. 24.

First Edition September 12, 2012

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDJACKSON, TENN.PERMIT NO. 116

jacksonfumc.org

Sunday Morning Worship

First United Methodist Church200 South Church StreetJackson, Tennessee 38301 Address Service Requested(731) 422-4002

A Stephen Ministry Congregation

A Safe Sanctuaries Congregation

Traditional Worship ServiceSanctuary • 11:00 a.m.

First Awakening Contemporary Worship Service Clayton Hall • 8:55 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

DOWNTOWN JACKSON

Sunday School

9:00 a.m.

5th Sunday Combined Worship Service“This We Believe: Becoming the Body of Christ”

Dan Camp, preaching • Scripture: Luke 23:13-25; Ephesians 4:1-16Sanctuary • 10:00 a.m.

Complimentary Brunch in the gym following worshipKids Choirs Singing • Celebration of Laity

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SundaySept. 16

SundaySept. 23

SundaySept. 30Combined Worship

“This We Believe: God”David Hollis, preaching • Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5; 2:4-9

“This We Believe: Jesus”Dan Camp, preaching • Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-5; Luke 1:30-33