In Action, May 2023 : simplebooklet.com

23A Note From our LeAd PAstorThis season of ministry is incredible. There is so much new life in our church that we wake up every day excited at what is to come. One area we are devoting a great deal of time to is Conrmation. We are building a brand new model that will start in August 2023 and end in April 2024. It will include many teachers and guides with the central goal of helping our students grow in their love of God. The Conrmands will also take a trip in May 2024 to Washington DC to see and experience our Methodist roots. Below is part of the letter that we will be handing out to parents at our Parent’s meeting on May 7th. We are intentionally building a Conrmation ministry that students and families will be excited to share with their friends and families. We see this as a foundational ministry at Smyrna First for years to come. The Discipleship team, clergy and sta are working hand in hand to help our students grow in their faith and understanding. “Both Conrmation and Baptism are part of an ongoing, lifelong process of sanctication, whereby we are shaped into the image of Christ. The word “Conrmation” literally means “to make rm one’s faith.”Through the Holy Spirit, God is at work in the life of the person — preparing, justifying, sanctifying, and empowering. The Conrmation Ministry is one piece of the lifelong process of discipleship. Conrmation is closely tied to Baptism, but it is neither the completion of Baptism nor the second half of Baptism. Instead, it is the individual’s rst public armation of their baptismal covenant and their personal response to divine grace.The response of faith in Confirmation involves the entire person, including:1. REPENTANCE: Turning from sin and toward faith in God.2. CONVERSION: The lifelong process of transforming more fully into the image of God. 3. DECISION: Receiving God’s grace and committing one’s life to G o d.”If you are interested in being part of this team, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know. There are few greater moments than sharing in the life of our students as they take their rst step forward as followers of Christ. I know you will join with us in praying for and supporting our students and leaders. In the hollow of His hands, DerekRev. Derek Porter Lead Pastoru

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4When I look back on the past 18 years of my life, despite all the changes that come with growing up, there’s been one constant, Smyrna First. From Sunday School, VBS, acolyting, conrmation, youth group, God’s Light, and now being Co-President of the youth choir, these opportunities have helped mold me in the person I am today. This church has always been special for my family. It’s the church where my mom grew up, the church where my parents got married, the church where I sat with my grandparents each Sunday, and the church where my brother and I were confirmed. This church has built the foundation of my faith.My earliest memories in the church are from Sunday School. Each Sunday, I would sit with my friends as we were taught about the Bible, at the time we denitely treated our time together as a hangout rather than an opportunity to deepen our faith. Although, as time went on, our conversations became more in depth, our time together more valued, and our faith was certainly strengthened.As I was growing up, one of my favorite things about our church was going to the homecoming concerts each summer and seeing God’s Light sing! I knew that one day I wanted to be just like all of them! I remember my very first God’s Light rehearsal, I was so nervous yet so excited to finally be old enough to join. Participating in God’s Light has aorded me incredible opportunities! Not only have I traveled much of the U.S. to sing and witness God’s love and grace, developed lasting friendships, and served as a leader, but most importantly, built my personal relationship with God.One of the most amazing things about Smyrna First is the desire to support our youth. We have never been more supported, prayed for, and encouraged than we are now. Knowing that our church congregation stands fully behind the youth as we develop our relationship with God, makes all the difference. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for the leaders of our church who go out of their way to advocate for the younger generations. Looking back, I realize it’s the congregation and sta that have devoted their time and resources to allow the children of the church the continued opportunities to learn about Jesus and surround them with love.If I could leave one piece of advice to the elementary and middle schoolers, it would be to GET INVOLVED! Go to youth, volunteer at VBS, join God’s Light, and stay active in the church! I know that as I graduate and start this next chapter of my life, I will always have a home at Smyrna First. I will miss so much about this church, the people, the opportunities, and especially ghting for the special place on the pew without a button.A High SchoolSenior's Perspectiveby Sydney Riggins4

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66About eight years ago, Chuck and I ventured into the world of teaching Sunday School (or Discipleship Group). We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, you see, we thought we would be doing the teaching. To our astonishment, we are consistantly learning from these kids.We are currently leading the 3rd through 5th grade class (or may be they are leading us). These kids know how to dig in and can tell you big picture Bible timeframes, detailed scriptural references and Bible stories galore. One student explained A.D. doesn’t mean After Death, as commonly thought, it means Anno Domini which is Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” Chuck and I are consistently astonished at your children. We have so much fun showing them places on the map we’ve visited in the Holy Land and acting out Bible lessons. It has been a fabulous adventure to know each of them and sharing their praises and prayer concerns. They are keeping us young with tales of YouTube channels and helping us through the empty nesting years. Estee and Marie have it set up so it’s a seamless process on Sunday mornings. The lesson is emailed to us early in the week. The printout is ready in the room along with craft supplies and a snack. They make it so easy for us to jump in and lead. And if we have to travel one weekend, it’s no problem getting another leader to take our spot. We really look forward to our Sunday mornings with your children. We Learn As Much As We Teachby Julie Lischer

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7As this crazy and scary world swirls around us, thoughts enter our minds as parents - “Am I a good parent?”, “Am I doing the right things?”, “Am I providing enough love?” and “Am I raising a good human being?” Take a deep breath and remember that parenting is hard and in our world right now, it is even harder. Here are ve tips that experts say can help guide us in raising children in the 21st Century:1. Know when to let go! It's a bittersweet reality. A major part of our job as parents is to even-tually become dispensable. We need to encourage our children to do things for themselves. We also need to teach them to think independently, solve their own problems, and believe deeply in their own abilities.2. Be a great Role Model. Values aren’t learned from a textbook or discussions about abstract concepts. Children learn values long before they have the ability to read about, or discuss, them. Rather, values are taught during the ordinary interactions of everyday life. If a child likes and respects you and your values, he/she will want to embrace them and make them his own.3. Show Endless Love. We show our love by being a steady, reliable, and attentive presence in a child's life. It means developing strong family rituals and enjoying idle, quiet moments. No skills in parenting substitute for a mother's and father's attentive and committed presence. There is nothing more mundane -- or sublime -- than being a good parent, nothing that makes us feel more vulnerable, and nothing that makes us feel more proud than knowing that, through our children, we have walked this earth and made a difference.4. Know how to say no. Many parents nd that it's tough to be rm with their children. They have trouble setting rules. They threaten but don't follow through with consequences. “'No television for a week,” a mom may tell her child in the afternoon, only to make an exception that very night. But the fact is, if we relinquish our parental authority, we are doing a disservice to our kids. When children are young, they crave limits. They seek real rules, not rubbery ones. But by the time they reach adolescence, kids who don't see their parents as authority figures begin to look elsewhere for a code of conduct. 5. Always make time for fun. Be a playful parent - one who always remembers how important it is to have fun with their kids. That doesn't mean, of course, that moms and dads need to be nonstop entertainers or amuse their kids every minute of the day. What it means is embracing the joy of a child's world and sharing it by being part of their play. As we race from one event to the next, we often underestimate the value of downtime. Simple play is deeply meaningful. Early games like peekaboo and hide-and-seek teach children about attachment. Fantasy play helps children explore who they are and who they want to be. Playful wrestling builds physical confidence. Tossing a ball back and forth teaches athletic ability, sportsmanship, and cooperation.by Linda Keeney"Am I a Good Parent?"

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84The Mission team met for one last devotional in the Nairobi home of Thomas and Merab Agutu. The devotional leader that night, had asked every team member for a one-word descriptor of the experience of the past twelve days. Foster had decided one word would not suffice. As we sat around and talked waiting to leave for the airport for our pre-dawn flight, like Foster, we all paused to reflect on what we had experienced on our Mission trip to Kenya. We had visited a slum where the packing boxes for the SERV International food donations were transformed into teaching blackboards for over one hundred students packed into a corrugated building. We had visited a baby orphanage in the City of Nakuru where abandoned babies were rescued from trash pits and cared for round the clock by a small contingent of angels. We had seen firsthand what it means to not have access to clean water as young boys and girls carted bright yellow five-gallon pails for miles to their homes. It is one thing to see an oft quoted statistic about one quarter of the world’s population not having easy access to clean water, and another to see it for oneself.We had funded and assisted in a two-day medical clinic for over 2,000 residents of Obaga, Kenya and the surrounding villages. We had met with the Jewels widows and their children and witnessed the opening of the tailoring school facility, complete with pedal operated sewing machine. We had interacted with the students at Dominion Model school, a Christian school in Homa Bay created from a vision Merab and Thomas had to educate the children of the widows and other children of the area. Some of our group taught Eye Openingby Aaron RiceA Firsthand View of a mission work in Kenya

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95sewing while others built an outhouse at the site of the new upper school facility. We spent time with the young girl we have sponsored since 2020 who attended the school. Foster had instructed several students and the headmaster on the rudiments of playing the guitar. Eye opening indeed. Reading back over this I feel like “exhausting” might have been an appropriate word. I think the word I offered was “Joyful”. Everywhere we went, and in everything we did, we saw God at work. Merab is quick to point out that the saying of the Lord’s Prayer in the village and at Dominion Model school is different in that it is a literal prayer. With no refrigeration and few packaged goods, most residents of Obaga start the day not knowing what they will eat that day, where they will get it or how they will aord it. So, they pray earnestly to their Father: “Give us our Daily Bread”. And everyone we met was joyful. I do not know about everyone else, but Sharon will attest I tend to get “hangry” if I miss a mealtime, much less an actual meal. Eye opening indeed.Kenya is a country in recovery and at the same time in a great economic struggle. Covid shut down schools and markets. Unlike here, there was not opportunity for remote learning, so students are in school full time to catch up. The economy is struggling to produce enough jobs for the young people. Opportunity to be His hands and feet abound. Sharon and I will be returning to Kenya in February, 2024 and we invite anyone feeling called, to join us. Reverend Porter has committed to answer the call and join us. Please see us if you are interested. We will be announcing a question-and-answer session shortly for those who have an interest.

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10The smell of charcoal wafted through the Fellowship Hall as hot dogs were being grilled up. As Carol Spencer made her way into the room, the heavenly aroma of popcorn lled the room as well. Tables were decorated in red and blue, with little chocolate baseballs and peanuts at the center of each. The Braves have ocially started their season, and the JOY Ministry decided to celebrate by joining together for fellowship and trivia. We love a little friendly competition! The room was filled with chatter and laughter as we chowed down. As the day progressed, we took a minute to have our own 7th inning stretch. It was the perfect warmup for a dicult game of Braves Trivia. The game was close, with a half point lead from Larry’s table, just barely beating Dr. Martin’s table. Marty Merletti passed on the knowledge that what JOY means the most is an opportunity for fellowship. It is a chance for connection. We have that opportunity each month, typically on the second Thursday. We try to stay consistent, meeting most often from 11:30am–1:00pm. It’s always a grand slam of a time! When you see Carol Spencer, tell her thank you. She sure knows how to throw a good party!In May, you are invited to join us for a 50’s themed social. Speaking of that, we would love to play a little game of “guess who” at that event, so if you have any pictures from your childhood, bring them on in! The JOY Social will be on May 11 from 11:30am-1pm in the Fellowship Hall. Contact kdavis@smyrnafumc.org with any questions and to RSVP!How's Your Braves Trivia?Season Kick-O Party, JOY Style.by Rev. Kathryn Davis10

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11My name is Jordan Atkinson and I am a sophomore at Campbell High School. I love singing with God's Light, our wonderful youth choir here at SFUMC, led by Kim Duggins. It’s a group of 35 youth, from 7th through 12th grade and from 10 different schools, who practice every Sunday afternoon. Each June, we embark on a 10-day tour to dierent parts of the US, where we sleep in church fellowship halls or hotels, bringing God's word through music, whether through sanctioned concerts or pit stops along the way. If you ask former or current God's Light members, who have been on Tour, it’s brought us so much closer to God, grown our faith by lots, and made us aware of communities that don’t have what we have here at SFUMC… a youth choir willing to serve and sing. While they say we bring them a huge blessing, they bless US so much more than they realize. It’s such a privilege to serve in this manner! And Tour doesn’t happen without YOU. You, as a congregation have supported us through your prayers, donations, and attendence at our events. We ask that you would continue to pray for our youth, our leaders, our bus driver, our counselors, the communities we will meet. Our hope is that we can bring God, and a little bit of SFUMC, to other areas of the US. Thank you, in advance, for loving Gods Light!! Mount Rushmore...Here we come!!Ready to Spread God's Word Through Song!God's Light Tour, Here We Come!by Jordan AtkinsonSMYRNA FIRST UMC BRAVES NIGHTBe sure to catch God's Light sing the National Anthemat the June 16th Game.This Friday Night game begins at 7:20pm (but get there at least 30 minutes early to hear our youth choir).Tickets are $25 and they include a 20 oz. soft drink. Click Here to Order Braves Tickets

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13I am always on the hunt for the next good thing to include in this column and April has been full of good stu so it has been hard to choose. For instance, I was standing at the stove in the church kitchen heating up chili. I realize that is not what you expect to hear from the Communications Oce but be assured it’s not the craziest thing I’ve done working here, so there you go. I was there for the JOY Braves Kicko Party. Jesse Davis and Jim Cook were grilling hotdogs, Carol Spencer, Rebecca and Pastor Kathryn were setting tables and prepping food, David Martin was preparing to whip everyone at baseball trivia and in walks the HVAC vendor who announced, “Someone’s tire is at in your park-ing lot. Like really at.”Now if you’re me in this situation, you think two things at the same time. Number 1: Oh no, AAA takes forever and Number 2: This sounds expensive. Luckily, for our sweet member of the Vine Bible Study, Andrew was once again on the scene. Now Andrew’s brain also thinks two things at the same time. Number 1: I’m pretty sure there is a tire patch kit in the man cave and Number 2: The HVAC Company has an air compressor right here. Since Andrew’s brain was clearly better than mine was for this situation, into the bible study we go in search of car keys and the next thing you know, Andrew and our dedicated HVAC technician have once again proven that we are a full service operation around here!Now, I don’t recommend showing up here with a at tire because I have no idea how many tire patch kits Andrew has, but if you do, we’ll try to help! April has also been full of traditions. The silence of Maundy Thursday, the pictures in front of the owered crosses on Easter morning and for my family, lunch at Aunt Carol’s followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and lessons from Uncle Byron on tomato growing and how to make your own tabasco. Yes, we know tabasco is cheap, but we also know if we listen, he’ll give us a bottle of his! I love a good tradition. I think it comes from my grandmother and her love of a good family dinner. She always had a long handwritten list of all the things, so now I do too. I love a good list. Lists are the best….they help you remember stu, like those deviled eggs you always forget are in the fridge when you’re putting the fried chicken on the table. Ok maybe that’s just me, but the satisfaction of checking things o a list is real. It just makes you feel good!For a multitude of reasons that have nothing to do with this article, I’ve been thinking a lot about lists and traditions this week. At the time of this writing, we will be presenting Third (and fourth and fth) Grade Bibles on Sunday. I love this tradition in the UMC. I still have my black leather (maybe?) bible with Kristen Howser embossed in little gold letters. It’s the version with the big words that no third grader understands, but it had my name on it so those words must have been meant for me. By the time my daughter, Addie, received her bible, we had moved on to a more age appropriate bible but the tradition remained. Those words, God’s words were meant for her…and me…and you. This Sunday twelve more students will join the thousands of kids who have stood at the altar rail in this church and I hope you will join us in praying for this most important list.Ayden BivekEmmaLee CarrowayKyle HorsfordWill HorsfordEmory HuttoCollin KuhnJack LassiterOwen MaleskiJohn MarrLiam RaceKnox SmithLiam SpanjerThe upcoming calendar is jam packed with shing tournaments, car shows, graduations and more! I hope to see you around. As always, when you see me I hope you will tell me something good, so I can tell everyone else! BEWARE: SHAMELESS PLUG FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE AHEAD: If you are still reading at this point, I will point out The Vine is women’s bible study that meets each Thursday at 10am. They will be starting a new study based on Season 3 of the TV series “The Chosen” and would love to welcome you. Seniors, Seasoned and all those over 60 are invited to Shake, Rattle and Roll with Pastor Kathryn and the JOY Ministry at their 1950s Themed lunch on May 11 at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. END SHAMELESS PLUG.by Kristen Sudduth

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16Tillman House began its Food Box program on September 7, 2019 to help address food insecurity in the Smyrna area. An analysis of food pantries in Smyrna at that time (of which there were not many), pointed out a major gap… none were open on Saturday. Over the next three plus years, Tillman Food Box has been open every Saturday except major Holiday weekends. Hundreds of volunteers have donated food, packed boxes and helped man the tables on Saturday to meet the needs of those in our community. We have served over 800 clients during that time. But we are always looking for ways to better serve our community.Over the past year, we have seen a decline in the number of boxes we are providing, and an increase in the number of Food Pantries/Giveaways operating in the Smyrna area. We have gone from 100+ boxes a month during the pandemic to an avg. of 21 boxes a month for the year 2022. There is still food insecurity in our community, but is there a better way to meet that need? We think there is…Introducing the Tillman Food Security Group. In partnership with Food Security for America (FSA), the Tillman Food Security Group is a food co-op, which meets twice a month for the purpose of meeting food needs of members and building community. As a co-op, families pay a small onetime fee ($5.00) for membership and a small fee ($4.00) at each of the twice a month food distribution meetings. FSA provides the food every other week, members unload the truck, inventory the food delivered, divide the food equally among the members, collect the biweekly food fees and run the Food Security Group meeting. Informational meetings for the Food Security Group began in February, organizational meetings in March and the first food delivery/meeting was March 30.So what does this mean for the Food Box Program? It means that we are phasing it out over the next few weeks. Our last Saturday was April 1. We will continue to give out boxes during the week while our supplies last, but once they are gone; we will direct people in need to other pantries in the area and give them information about our Food Security Group. We will continue donations for the food bags that we maintain for our indigent clients (those on the street, living in their cars etc.) who do not have the ability to prepare meals, but the food box program has evolved into a newer and we think better model to serve the Smyrna community.Thanks to all of you who have donated money, food, packed boxes and worked on Saturdays since 2019. All other programs continue as normal at Tillman so there are still plenty of opportunities to give of your time, talents and gifts. What new ministry has God laid on your heart? How is He calling you?by Alan NicelyIntroducing: Tillman Food Security Group

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18May Calendar At-A-GlanceSMYRNA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHSUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYMONTHLY PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1781091112131415171819202526162728293021222423Executive Board 6:30pm, A105Finance 6:30pm, A105Sharing and Caring 7:00pm, A102Faithworker’s UWF10:00am, A107 Shirley Stewart UWF Circle 7:00pm, offsite Mary Martha UWF 10:00am, A107 Staff Parish Relations6:30pm, A10531The Gathering 2pm, A102Trustees5:30pm, A105High School Graduation Luncheonnoon, Fellowship HallUnited Women of Faith 10am-12pm, A107 JOY 50’s Party 11:30am, Fellowship Hall 23546Tomorrow’s Promise Spring Musical 6:30pm-, Fellowship Hall Fine Arts Meeting 6:30pm, B209Youth End-of-Year Party 6pmCampbell High School Baccalaurate 6:30pm, SanctuaryGod’s Light Tour Send OffAdministrative Board 6:30pm, A105God’s Light Tour Rehearsal6:30pm, SanctuaryGod’s Light Tour Rehearsal6:30pm, SanctuaryGod’s Light Tour Rehearsal6:30pm, SanctuaryGod’s Light Tour Rehearsal6:30pm, Sanctuary12Memorial Day Church Ofce ClosedLast Wednesday Night Dinner Until August 5:30pm-, Fellowship Hall Mother's DayConrmation Parent Meeting4:15pm, FellowshipFine Arts Meeting 5:30pm, B209The Gathering 2pm, A102Anchored: Women’s Ministry Event5pm, Welcome CenterYoung Adult Social

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19SMYRNA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHFor Full May Digital Calendarwith active links: Click HereChurchwide ChildrenYouth AdultsWEEKLY PROGRAMMINGChurchwide ChildrenYouth AdultsSUNDAY MORNING8:45am Classic Service: Sanctuary Nursery Available (8 weeks-3 years): Building B9:00am Modern Service: Fellowship Hall Nursery Available (8 weeks-3 years): Building B Children’s Church (3 years-3rd grade): C20310:10am Sunday Discipleship Groups Nursery Available (8 weeks-3 years): Building B Children’s (PreK-5th Grade): Building C Sixers (6th Grade): C210 Youth (7th-9th Grade): C213 (10th-12th): C211 The Fishbowl (Adults): C207 Friendship (Adults): A107 The Hive (Adults): B208 InnKeepers (Adults): B209 Journey (Adults): A105 Open Forum (Adults): B201 Roland Walker (Adults): B205 Sharing (Adults): A207 Trinity (Adults): A102 Young Adults (Adults): B210 Young Couples (Adults): A107 The Well (Adults): C20911:00am Classic Service: Sanctuary Nursery Available (8 weeks-3 years): Building B Children’s Church (3 years-3rd grade): C203SUNDAY AFTERNOONS2:45pm Tomorrow Promise(3rd-6th Grade): A202 (off until Aug.)3:30pm Joyful Ringers (3rd-6th Grade): A206 (off until Aug.)4:15pm God’s Light Youth Choir (7th-12th Grade): A2025:30pm Sunday Night Youth (6th-12th Grade): Fellowship HallMONDAY10:30am NoteAbles (Ladies): Sanctuary (off until August)6:00pm Parents of Littles Discipleship Group6:00pm Men’s Pickup Basketball: Fellowship HallTUESDAY tion)6:30pm Lay Leadership Committees (on a weekly rotation)WEDNESDAY)9:30am Wednesday Bible Study (Adults): A1055:15pm Tomorrow’s Promise (3rd-6th Grade): A202 (off until Aug.)5:15pm HIS Kids (1st-2nd Grade): A207 (off until Aug.)5:15pm Sonshine Singers (3 years - 5 years): A205 (off until Aug.)5:15pm Celebration Ringers (Intermediate Bells): A2065:30pm Wednesday Night Dinner: Fellowship Hall6:00pm Youth Small Groups (6th-12th Grade): B2116:30pm New Praise Rehearsal (Adults): A2026:30pm Sounding Joy Handbells Rehearsal (Adults): A2066:30pm Disciple 1 Class (Adults): A1027:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Adults): A202 7:30pm Instruments of Praise Rehearsal (Adults): A207THURSDAY r Information)10:00am The Vine Bible Study (Adults): A1057:00pm Couples Life Group (Adults): B211Mark your calendars for these future big events:June 11: God’s Light HomecomingJune 16: SFUMC Braves NightJune 19-22: VBS/VBXSummer CampsJune 5-9: GROW Camp (by Camp Glisson) July 9-11: Youth Mission TripAugust 3-5: SVP Mystery TheaterSmyrna Village Players Play Rehearsals: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays - 6:30pm, Choir Room Click Here for May

In Action, May 2023

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