Volume XLVIII October 2015 Number 10

Sanctuary Centennial Celebration Set Nov. 8 Sunday, Nov. 8, will be the culmination of our 100 days celebration of the 100th anniversary of our Sanctuary building, and the first day of the next 100 years of ministry. We will have two worship services that morning, both of which will be held in the Sanctuary. At 9 a.m. we will have “GNC in the Sanctuary.” The GNC worship team will be leading this special service. At 11 a.m., our Sanctuary worship team will be leading the service. In both services there will be multiple music groups from our congregation. Pastor Michael will be preaching, hoping to launch us all into the next 100 years of faithful and fruitful ministry. During the Sunday School

hour at 10 a.m., there will be a brunch and “birthday cake” in the Great Hall. Sunday School will not be held that morning so everyone can join in the festivities. At the brunch, the table centerpieces will be available for purchase. Also available for pur-chase at the church will be copies of our church history book, “A History of First United Methodist Church, Conway, Arkansas. 1871-1996,” written by Nancy Britton. The books are $20 each. A new addition to the Hall of History area will be unveiled on Nov. 8. This addition was made possible with your help in submit-ting photos featuring your family in and around the Sanctuary over the years. Make sure you stop in the Narthex (just outside the Sanctuary) on that morning.

It is time to update the Conway First United Methodist Church playground.

The equipment on our playground located on the northeast corner of the church campus is 15 years old and showing its age. The playground is used by church program-ming, weekday childcare, and neighbors on a daily basis. Due to programming require-ments, we must provide an accredited outdoor play environment.

Two phases for updating our current playground have been designed. A notebook with the Playground Plan is available for your perusal in our hospitality areas with detailed information about these plans and the equip-ment to be purchased.

To help us reach our goals, The Play-

ground Task Force has come up with several fund-raising ideas. Below you will see details for two of those ideas:

The Play Ground Fund will raise money for the new turf ground cover that will be placed under the large equipment. Turf is a more permanent, low maintenance surface that will also address some of the drainage problems we have with the current organic cover. Holiday ornaments made with turf and ribbon will be on sale through the holiday season. These ornaments are $25 each and represent a gift given to cover one square foot of play surface. A gift of Play Ground will provide a foundation of safe play for many

First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR, 72034

Playground Updates Needed

See PLAYGROUND on Page 3

The Witness LOVE GROWS HERE

Christmas Coffeehouse Planned Nov. 15

The FUMC Mission Committee invites you to join us for the 2015 Christmas Coffeehouse from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in the Trinity Building. Activities will include entertainment with holiday music from some talented groups and members of FUMC. While enjoying the performances you can indulge in our Coffee and Sweet Shoppe, bid on fabulous items at our Silent Auction, and visit the various vendors who will be selling their wares to support local non-profit organizations and ministries supported by FUMC. This event is free and open to the public. The Mission Committee is currently accepting do-nations for Silent Auction items. Some suggested items are theme baskets, pre-made frozen entrees, gift certificates from local businesses, holiday babysitting, yard work, handmade items, and certificates for food items to be delivered at a later time. Contact Kisha Bumpers at the church to donate.

PAGE 2 - CONWAYFUMC.ORG

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

ARTS FEST & SANCTUARY TOURS

Photos by Allyson

Caruthers

years to come. These will be great Christmas gifts for friends and family who enjoy gifts that keep on giving to help others. Ornament sales will begin Sun-day, Nov.15, at the Christmas Coffeehouse from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Trinity Building.

The Giving Tree will be placed in the hospitality area of the Preschool Department. The tree will hold leaves that represent gifts of $100 to $499

and gifts of $500 or more. Leaves can be inscribed with names in honor or in dedica-tion of loved ones. The tree will serve as a lasting memorial rep-resenting the gifts given to build the playground. Dona-tions for specific playground items may also be given.

We are excited about the opportunity to grow into the next 100 years of ministry to children and families at Con-way First United Methodist Church.

PLAYGROUND from Page 1

In memory of Dick Guyan by: Carolyn M. Long, Arthur & Mary Lou Schanche

In memory of Mark Powell by: Ron & Pat Ross

In memory of Virginia Rook by: Michael & Kathryn Waters, Rex & Martha Ross, Gene & Meredith Wilbourn, Betty Courtway, Jack & Karen Jumper, Roger & Linda Mills, Joyce Mil-ler, Bette Hahs, Martha Bump-ers, Cliff & Maribeth Garrison

In memory of Jerry March by: Patsy & Tom Desaulniers, David & Pebble Sutherland

In memory of Jacque Peterson by: Patsy & Tom Desaulniers

In memory of Lorraine Wilson by: Ann Davis

In memory of Maudean

Skekloff by: Debbie Bratton, Joyce Miller

In memory of John Bailey by: Gene & Meredith Wilbourn, Joyce Miller

In memory of Jon Barbarotto by: David & Pebble Sutherland

In memory of Martha Johnson by: David & Pebble Sutherland

In memory of Lou Ann Pew by: Joyce Miller

In memory of Joel Cooper by: Albert Sneed, Rebecca Nix

In memory of Michael Taylor by: Mary & Jimmy Parr, Steve, Tracy, & Winnie Trawick, Ra-chel Davis, Dennis & Wanda Fulmer, Ronald R. Surrett, Tom-my Surrett, Gene & Meredith Wilbourn

In memory of Catherine

Pence Maple by: Mary Jane Attwood, Harton & Nona Jo Spatz

In memory of Marian Huber by: Dorothy Robins Light Sun-day School Class, Ann Davis, Bob & Barbara Henry

In memory of Wayne Christi-son by: Martha Bumpers

In memory of Jeannie Culpin by: Greg & Pam Wren

In memory of Jim Caudle by: Linda Honea, Ann Davis, Milton & Claudia Davis, Doris Carrith-ers, Greg & Pam Wren, Sue Jones, Ron & Patsy Ross, Kittie Aaron, Kim & Ellis Arnold, Cliff & Maribeth Garrison, Gene & Meredith Wilbourn, Marion Baker, Betty Courtway, Hope High School-Class of 1962, Bob & Barbara Henry, Helen Stan-

ton, Charles & Linda Hays, Inez E. Cumbie, Bobbie Cumbie

In memory of John Lane by: David & Pebble Sutherland

In honor of Claudia & Milton Davis by: Norbert & Carol Schedler

In honor of Kathleen Caruthers by: John & Brenda Collier

In honor of Bill Bethea by: Margie Ashcraft

In honor of Kish Jones by: Charles Pittman

In honor of Jeremy, Moriah, Chesney & Clark David Brun-er by: Greg & Pam Wren

In honor of Tyler Watson Cole & Family by: Jeremy & Moriah Bruner

Conway FUMC Memorials and Honorariums

CONWAYFUMC.ORG -- PAGE 3

Food Pantry Thanksgiving Supplies Our church food pantry supplies do not include the special

foods we enjoy for Thanksgiving. So again this year, you will find the big plastic tubs around our church entrance doors to receive Thanks-giving food items to aid our food pantry families. A list of desired items include cans of pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranber-ries, cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, French fried on-ions, along with sacks of flour, sugar and cornmeal mix. Monetary donations will also be accepted and we will shop for the food. Tag the memo of your donation checks with “Thanksgiving food pantry.”

High School Formal Wear Needed Do you have High School-appropriate formal wear you would like to donate to a good cause? The Missions Committee is collecting formal dresses and accessories (shoes, jewelry and purses) of all sizes to assist any High School girls who may have difficulty purchasing or not be able to attend Spring Prom due to limited fi-nances. With assistance from the High School counselors and teach-ers, the Missions Committee will have a “free shopping day” for the girls in mid-February (date to be determined). Help us make it a spe-cial day for these girls and donate any dresses and accessories that may be hanging in your closet never to be worn again. We are accept-ing donations NOW and up until the event. They can be brought to Room 107 at any time or to the Koinonia Class in Room 219 (upstairs in the Sanctuary building) during the Sunday School hour.

United Methodist Women Circle Collecting Gifts for City of Hope Christmas Store The Mary Mitchell Circle of United Methodist Women is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for the City of Hope Christmas Store. Gifts should be for ages infant through 18, and can be toys, clothing, books, etc. Please leave donations in the church workroom near the hospitality area. The deadline to donate is Nov. 15. For more information, please contact Cherry White at 501-329-2163. City of Hope information can be found at www.coho58.org.

Our Conway FUMC Confirmation Class and their leaders recently attended services at Temple B’nai Israel in Little Rock. They have also attended worship at St. Joseph Catholic Church and will also be attending worship just up the street at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Confirmation Class Visits Temple B’Nai Israel

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (USPS 625-840) 1610 PRINCE ST. CONWAY, ARKANSAS 72034 501-329-3801

The Witness is published monthly by First United Methodist Church 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR 72034. Periodicals postage paid at Conway, AR POSTMASTER: Send address changes to “The Witness,” c/o Colleen Holt, editor; First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., Conway, AR 72034

WWW.CONWAYFUMC.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/CONWAYFIRSTUMC

Food Pantry: 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday,

Nov. 12 and 19, Fellowship Hall

10 a.m. to noon Saturday,

Nov. 21 and 28, Fellowship Hall

Amazing Grace Café: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Fellowship Hall Free hot meal for anyone in

need. Please spread the word! —-

Volunteer in the Food Pantry Take a look at our volunteer

opportunities in the food pantry. We need your help.

Commit to what you are able! Check it out at:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054facaf29a31-fall3/. or contact Kisha Bumpers,

kbumpers@conwayfumc.org or 501-329-3801 x239.

Outreach Ministries

in November

The FUMC musicians are now selling wreaths and greenery to raise money for our music program. These fresh Christmas wreaths and greenery are long-lasting, and are beautiful for your home or business; they also make wonderful gifts for friends, neighbors, or even business cli-ents. You may order wreaths and greenery to be picked up here at the church or for direct

delivery nation-wide. All greenery will arrive here or be delivered the first week of De-cember. To place an order, stop by one of our tables in the hospi-tality area or Trinity lobby, or visit our ordering website at sffsalestrack.com/ConwayFUMC.

You may also place an order, request a brochure, or get more information by emailing

greenery@conwayfumc.org or calling Diane Robinson at (501) 428-5135. Orders must be re-ceived by Wednesday, Nov. 4. As always, proceeds from this sale support musical needs not otherwise met by our annual budget. This year’s special pro-jects include the purchase of casters for our handbell tables, a new section for our choir risers and additional choir/handbell robes.

Our third-graders were recognized Sunday, Sept. 27, for Third Grade Bible Sunday. All third-graders attending worship that day received a Bible. Several were able to attend a brunch during the Sunday School hour. During brunch, they personalized and decorated their Bible cover and selected their Bible bookmark. The covers were sewn by Joan Ausburn, and the bookmarks were created by Susan Burton.

Third-Grade Bible Sunday

Annual Music Department Greenery Sale Under Way

Monthly & Year-to-Date Operating Budget Financial Report

The current Operating Budget Financial Year is Jan. 1, 2015,

to Dec. 31, 2015

Monthly Report Total received in September $ 86,629.86 Total expenditures in September $124,380.98 Net (- $ 37,751.12) Year-to-Date Report Total received since Jan. 1 $843,133.83 Total expenditures since Jan. 1 $897,084.82 Net amount (- $ 53,950.99)

LOVE GROWS HERE — Our Core Calling: To Glorify God and to Grow in God’s Love.