FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF DALLAS

DECEMBER 2014

FirstNews

Dear FirstChurch,

I prepared the following remarks to share as the “Lay Update” at our November 23 Charge Conference. It was a treat to think back over the highlights of 2014. I mentioned just a few in my allotted five minutes. There were many more noteworthy moments, and I hope you have your own special memories from the past year.

If you have not yet found your place at FirstChurch, I hope that you will reach out to a lay leader or staff member to find out how to get involved. There is truly something here for everyone.

Shelly Wilfong2014 Church Council Chair

These highlights aren’t necessarily the most widely regarded or most impressive accomplishments of our church this year. Instead, they’re the personal ones that have left a mark on me.

In 2014, from our beloved downtown location, our members graduated from Camp Big Church, from Confirmation Class and from FirstChurch University. We recognized infants, learned about creating happy families, raised the roof with dynamic worship and celebrated Seasons of the Spirit.

Our congregation embraced the Summer of Love. We shared God’s love—and chocolate chip cookies—with new friends at Klyde Warren Park. We arrived as a group in our turquoise shirts that were emblazoned with “All You Need Is Love.”

FirstChurch gave the corner of Ross and Harwood a bright new look when we added banners that show the diversity of our members. The banners read, “This is Love.”

Crossroads Community Services continued to excel in the hub and spoke design that feeds so many with nourishing meals. CCS families attended a back to school celebration at which they received school uniforms and played games where

First United Methodist Church of Dallas 1928 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201 214-220-2727 www.firstchurchdallas.org

Dr. Andrew C. Stoker, Senior Minister

LOVE is all we need: The 2014 ministry year in review.

(continued on next page)

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winners received school supplies. Church members volunteer at CCS week in and week out.

Organized by our Mission & Outreach area in 2014, the Rise Fund is designed to provide larger, more transformational gifts to local and global missions. In its inaugural year, the Rise Fund distributed over $139,000 to deserving organizations. Lay people carefully vetted the organizations and determined how the money was distributed.

We opened our doors to Food Truck Thursdays, engaged in thoughtful book club discussions with CitySquare, and hosted literary lovers through our partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art’s Arts and Letters Live.

We celebrated milestone anniversaries with the Stoker family, Dana and Tim Effler and the Rotunda Theater. (1 year, 20 years and 50 years, respectively)

I watched with a lump in my throat as Manny Martinez, our Project Transformation intern, publicly responded to a call to ministry. As the clergy laid hands on Manny that Sunday morning, I felt God’s presence in a very real way.

2014 was a time for new beginnings as we welcomed new members, clergy and staff to our church. I pray that they feel warmly received here. Their presence is a gift to our church.

We also said goodbyes this year, and that was hard We have had to lean on one another for strength and have spent a good amount of time on our knees in prayer. God was with us in those moments and is with us still.

FirstChurch doesn’t just operate within the boundary of downtown. We go where the need is. We care for the sick and homebound and spend time with residents at CC Young. This year our United Methodist Women even treated residents there to a fashion show of Easter finery starring our children and our pets.

Over 45 tutors from our church go to JJ Rhoads Learning Center near Fair Park each week to tutor first- and second-grade students in reading. The portable unit at JJ Rhoads where we tutor is so filled with our members that I’m calling it FirstChurch – Rhoads Branch.

We supported healthcare workers who were involved in the Ebola crisis through a note writing campaign. One Great Gift of

Service took our members all over the city to do mission projects ranging from ramp building to packing ready-to-eat meals that were sent around the world.

A “Love the Children” initiative provided financial support and supplies to unaccompanied children at the border. FirstChurch members traveled to South Texas to deliver supplies that were donated by our members, friends and businesses across the area.

Our largest-ever mission team traveled to Costa Rica on a family-friendly mission trip to the Methodist Children’s Home in Costa Rica. Wherever we journeyed, from recreation in Bridgeport, to mission work in Oklahoma, to educational tours of Greece and Turkey and on Variations Tour, we found that God was already there.

In a win for technology, we welcomed our first out-of-town member who joined the church after watching the service on streaming video.

2014 has been a wonderful, challenging and fast-paced year. I am delighted by the many ways our church is at work—under this roof and in faraway places. It has been an honor to serve as Church Council Chair this year. Jason Schayot will follow me as the Chair for 2015, and I know he will do a great job.

I would like to thank Dr. Stoker and all of our clergy for their vision and leadership. We cannot be an easy bunch to be in ministry with! I believe in the vision that we are creating for our church. I believe that we will keep our promises to God and to one another as we move forward boldly. We may not succeed at everything we undertake, but I know we will “fail forward.” Either way, we are with you in this.

Thank you to the church staff for your dedication and hard work.

Thank you to all of you who are leading ministry areas. Most of you, like me, are not clergy. We are laity, just ordinary folk, doing the best we can.

We worship an extraordinary God.

May all of our work be done for God’s glory.

Thank you to all UMW members who contributed ingredients, prepared the spiced tea, or beautified the jars for FirstGifts! Proceeds from the sales of the tea jars will benefit programs at C.C. Young, Project Transformation, and Wesley-Rankin Community Center.

All inactive UMW members, new members of FirstChurch, and visitors are encouraged to join us for insightful programming, service to missions, and fellowship in 2015. Our first Unit meeting of the year will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Caroline Elise Cheek, with her parents Ashley & Karen, & brother Evan

Clara Parker Hamilton with her parents Zachary & Callie

Tristan Thorin Whitmire with his parents Will and Elise

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Welcome Our Newest Members

Care & ConcernDEATHS: Sincere sympathy to the families of:Patrick Cranshaw, husband of D’Ann Cranshaw

Vance Dimmick, brother of Susan Harrison

Roxann Kinzey, wife of Doug Kinzey

BIRTHS: Congratulations on the births of: George William Weedon, son of Luke and Lauren Weedon

Piper Caton and Ryan Louise Santa Maria, twin daughters of Ford and Leah Santa Maria

Patrick Gary

FirstGifts Christmas MarketSunday, Dec. 78:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Fiedler Atrium

With plenty of offerings to choose from, FirstGifts provides something for everyone on your giving list. Fair trade goods, handmade merchandise by third world countries’ artisans, and merchandise donated by FirstChurch members make FirstGifts an event not to be missed.

The missions supported include AIDS Interfaith, CCS, C.C. Young, Costa Rica Mission, Dallas Bethlehem Center, Family Gateway, FirstYouth Missions, Heifer International, Lydia Patterson Institute, Methodist Hospital, New Friends New Life, Project Transformation, Rise Fund, UMCOR and Wesley-Rankin.

Shop with us to learn about the missions that support our community and world, and consider giving alternative gifts to friends and family!

End-of-Year Giving

Help make sure the star of ministry at FirstChurch shines bright this Christmas season! Funding vibrant ministry at FirstChurch becomes especially important at the end of each year. To meet our year-end obligations, FirstChurch is in need of $600,000 before December 31. Please do your part by making a contribution today.

Bill & Gaye Solomon

For more information call Wendy Westberg at 214-220-2727, ext. 203. Or make your donation at firstchurchdallas.org/give. We will end our year on January 9, 2015.

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Sundays, Dec. 7, 14 & 21Advent Book Study - Not a Silent Night, Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem

Imagine Jesus from Mary’s point of view—proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, guided by love for him as a person and so much more. In this book, Adam Hamilton begins at the end, with Mary at the crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child born in a stable. Rev. Blair Thompson will lead the video-based, 4-week study in the Dining Room.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Our children’s choirs and The Chancel Choir will provide music for our 11:00 a.m. Advent worship service. Dr. Andy Stoker’s message will be “Tell All the Towns!”.

FirstGifts Christmas Market will offer alternative Christmas gift options supporting 15 local and global missions from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Fiedler Atrium.

Sunday, Dec. 14

Variations Youth Choir, Carillon Ringers and The Chancel Choir will provide music for our 11:00 a.m. Advent worship service. Dr. Andy Stoker delivers the message “Do You Hear What I Hear?”.

5 p.m. - “A Service of Light & Hope”Dickerson Chapel 6:20 p.m. Pre-Concert Performance by the Alleluya Ringers in the Fiedler Atrium. 7 p.m. The Chancel Choir and Orchestra present A Celebration of Christmas Concert featuring The Many Moods of Christmas in the Sanctuary including many favorite Christmas carols. Reception to follow in Fiedler Atrium. FirstGifts Mini Christmas Market will be open before and after the performance.

Sunday, Dec. 21All-Church Breakfast

Food and fellowship in Fiedler Atrium from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Trains will be set up in Crossroads Center (30th Anniversary!). Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share with your family while you enjoy the model train display, see our very own Live Nativity (weather permitting, animals included), grab a craft to do together, take family pictures with our wise men and even get in a little last minute Christmas shopping at our FirstGifts Mini Market! Dr. Stoker’s message will be “At-One-Ment”. The Christmas Eve Choir will provide music for our11 a.m. Advent worship service.

Wednesday, Dec. 24Christmas Eve Services

5:00 p.m. – Our traditional, family-oriented Christmas Eve service including Children at the Manger and candlelight. This service will be live onwww.firstchurchdallas.org via streaming video. 8:30 p.m. – Sacrament of Holy Communion – ongoing until 9:30 p.m. in Dickerson Chapel. 10:00 p.m. (NEW TIME!) – Silent Night: A Candlelight Christmas Eve at FirstChurch – Dr. Stoker’s message will be “Christ is Not Beyond” and music for the service will be provided by the Christmas Eve Choir (also streaming live on our Web site www.firstchurchdallas.org and telecast in HD at 11:35 p.m. following Jimmy Kimmell on WFAA-TV, Channel 8).

Advent Advent at FirstChurch at FirstChurch

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A Celebration of

ChristmasConcertfeaturing The Many Moods of Christmas

arranged by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett

December 14 at 7 p.m.

100 voice choir and 50 piece professional orchestra present your favorite Christmas carols all beautifully orchestrated.

Many favorites include O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night,Joy to the World, What Child Is This.

Pre-performance handbell concert and alternativegift market in the Fiedler Atrium at 6:20 p.m.

Reception following in the Atrium.

Free concert. Free childcare for children 3 and under with reservation. Visit firstchurchdallas.org/manymoods for tickets.

Share the “glitter of angel dust” during one of our most endearing FirstChurch traditions, Children at the Manger. You won’t want to miss our FirstKids Christmas Eve traditional presentation directed by Mrs. Rachel Carter and Mr. Nathaniel Shell. This very informal, family-friendly service includes all the manger animals, angels, potentially a live baby Jesus, and of course Mary, Joseph and the wise men. Don’t forget the candle lighting at the conclusion! Click here to register your child for a part by Dec. 14.

...So hooray for Christmas treesand candlelight

and the good old church pageant.Horray for shepherd boys who forget their lines

and Wise Men whose beards fall offand a Mary who giggles.O Lord, you were born!

...O Lord, there just aren’t enough choirboys to sing what I feel.There aren’t enough trumpets to blow.

O Lord, I want bells to peal!I want to dance in the streets of Bethlehem!

I want to sing with the heavenly host!For unto us a Son was given

And he was called God with Us.For those of us who believe,

The whole world is decorated in love!

- From “O Lord, You Were Born!” by Ann Weems

Children at the MangerWednesday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary

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2014 Advent StudyDec. 7, 14 & 21

Not a Silent Night, Mary Looks Back to Bethlehemby Adam Hamilton

Imagine Jesus from Mary’s point of view—proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, guided by love for him as a person and so much more. In this book, Adam Hamilton begins at the end, with Mary at the crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child born in a stable.

Dec. 7 – The Piercing of Mary’s SoulDec. 14 – Amazed, Astounded, and AstonishedDec. 21 – Mary, Full of Grace and It Was Not a Silent Night

Rev. Blair Thompson leads the video-based, 4-week study in the Dining Room. Participants will be seated in small groups to encourage discussion.

5 p.m. Sunday, December 14Dickerson Chapel

Much of the Christmas music we hear on the radio and in TV ads build up expectations for a happy, merry, joyful season. But Christmas is not always a happy time for everybody, and there are few people who can say they haven’t experienced down times during at least one or two Christmases in their lifetime. Perhaps you find yourself experiencing a change this year – through the loss of a loved, a marriage or a job. If you’re finding the holidays to be difficult,

you’re invited to share in this special Christmas service – a service where we are reminded that Yes – most definitely Yes – the Christ child offers light and hope for us in the midst of

our struggles. For more information, please contact Rev. Wally Butts at wbutts@fumcdallas.

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next @ FirstChurchDeck the Halls: Sing We Joyous All TogetherThursday, Dec. 4The Arts District Chorale and the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas present audience carols and holiday favorites, with selections by Mathias, Mendelssohn, Rutterand more! FirstChurch members receive a50% discount by entering the code FUMCDALLAS at www.artsdistrictchorale.org. Bring a new package of adult or children’s socks for CCS to distribute to clients in December. 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Time-Out for All Ages Friday, Dec. 5 from 10 - 11 a.m.Crossroads WestJoin us for our monthly meditation group as we learn and practice relaxation techniques that help even the busiest people stress less and laugh more. First Fridays of each month.

FirstGifts Christmas Mini MarketSundays, Dec. 14 & 21In addition to the market on Sunday, December 7, FirstGifts offers two mini markets for last-minute, mission-minded giving. The markets will be held the evening of Dec. 14 and morning of Dec. 21. Proceeds support local and global missions. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Fiedler Atrium

Urban Engagement Book ReviewThursday, Dec. 18 at NoonFiedler Atrium“Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much,” by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir. FREE event! Review presented by Randy Mayeux. (Not necessary to read book prior to review). You may bring your lunch to be enjoyed during the review.

Christmas PoinsettiasOrder Poinsettias to honor or remember loved ones and friends. They will adorn the sanctuary on Sundays, Dec. 14 & 21 and Christmas Eve. Each plant is $12. Tap here to order online by Dec. 5.

FirstChurch Holiday Schedule

Church offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26 and

beginning at noon Dec. 31 through Jan. 1, 2015. In case of emergency, please call

214-220-2727 and follow the instructions to reach a minister on call.

The Goodrich Gallery’s annual exhibit of art by members of FUMC opens with a reception on Sunday, December 7, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the gallery. The Goodrich Gallery committee extends a special invitation to reception and hopes that you will revisit the exhibit many times during the coming weeks. The art will be on display through Sunday, December 28.

Goodrich GalleryDecember Exhibit

Gallery Hours

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

9 a.m. - Noon Saturday

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday

Membership Show

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Save the Date for a Women’s Retreat

at Springhill Retreat Center

Saturday, Feb. 7

8 a.m – 6 p.m.

Retreat Leader: Rev. Blair Thompson

FirstChurch University Classes Starting Jan. 20!

Infant Recognition SundayJanuary 18, 2015

Join us on this special Sunday as we share in the joy of our “littlest angels” who have joined our FirstChurch Family of Faith during 2014. Infant Recognition Sunday is the visual affirmation that FirstChurch is alive, and growing, full of joy and promise!! We will be reminded of these new spiritual lives entrusted to us. Reminded of the covenant we made at the time of baptism to be active in the nurturing of each child’s faith.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.Lunch. Learn. Connect. Explore membership at FirstChurch during lunch

with Senior Minister Dr. Andy Stoker. This interactive forum offers a brief history

of FirstChurch along with opportunities to connect with us in ministry.

Sunday, January 11.

firstchurchdallas.org/firststep

Tuesday Nights: New this Spring!Jan. 20-Feb. 10 (4 weeks)Living Your Strengths led by Rev. Wally Butts

Jan. 20-Mar. 10 (8 weeks)Making Sense of the Bible led by Dr. Bill Bryan

Mar. 17-31 (3 weeks)History of United Methodism led by Dr. Ted Campbell

Wednesday Nights:Jan. 21-Feb. 11 (4 weeks)Classes include: Dr. Stoker’s class on a letter from Paul, Rev. Blair Thompson’s group for women, Dr. Hemfelt’s class on History of God, Rev. Linda Roby’s class on Transformational Missions, Rev. Tom Downing’s class and a Children’s Group.

Feb. 25-Mar. 25 (5 weeks) - Classes include: Dr. Stoker’s class on a letter from Paul, Diane Bricker’s class, Lenten small group

Registration begins Dec. 15 atfirstchurchdallas.org/firstchurchuniversity.