Can you help Rev. David Burchett raise funds for Family Promise of Gwinnett? The goal of Night Without a Bed, a Family Promise of Gwinnett campaign which runs from June 1st - 26th, is to raise awareness of family homelessness and help transition families into sustainable lifestyles.

Family Promise of Gwinnett County, Inc. brings existing local resources together to help homeless children and their families regain their housing and their independence, while maintaining their dignity. They mobilize congregations of faith, community volunteers, and social service agencies. Through intensive case management and counseling, we address the underlying causes of homelessness.  Together we are ending homelessness – one family at a time. With every donation and sponsor, we are able to continue our mission and achieve our goal of ending family homelessness in Gwinnett County.

For more information on this fundraiser, please visit familypromisegwinnett.org and click on the “Night Without A Bed” graphic.  To donate to David Burchett’s page, please click on Help Rev. David Burchett Raise Funds for Family Promise of Gwinnett.  You can also find David’s page on the “Night Without A Bed” information page on Family Promise’s website.

Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments will be offering FREE COVID-19 vaccines at Duluth First UMC on Thursday, June 24th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The vaccine being provided will be Moderna and there will be a maximum of 100 vaccines available on that day. This is for the 1st vaccine only, and instructions will be given on how to receive the 2nd vaccine.

Vaccinations, available for members of our congregation as well as individuals in the community, are for anyone 18+ years old who wants to receive the vaccine. The clinic is a walk-up clinic, so no reservations or online sign-up are required.

Patients will be screened for a temperature and other symptoms prior to entry. They will go to an intake station to have their paperwork checked and their ID and insurance card scanned, however, not having an ID or insurance is not an issue. Once through intake, they will go see the nurse to be immunized. Following immunization, patients will move to an observation area for the appropriate amount of time (15-30 minutes).

As you may know, Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino is retiring as a full-time Associate Pastor on June 30, 2021. We are celebrating C. Kay’s retirement with a reception in her honor on Sunday, June 27th, at noon in the Fellowship Hall.  Please stop by the Fellowship Hall with your well wishes for C. Kay and to celebrate her 17 years of full-time service at Duluth First UMC.  You can also send cards to her at the church address, 3208 Highway 120, Duluth GA 30096.  Please note we no longer use the P.O. box number.

Do not dismay, as C. Kay is returning on September 7th as a part-time Associate Pastor of Congregational Care and offering spiritual direction. Her office will remain on the 1st floor of the Family Life Center.

Mark your calendars now for this special day and join us in the celebration! 

Our church’s Missions Ministry will continue to host Drive-Up Food Drives for the Hands of Christ Duluth Co-op, a local missions ministry, during the summer months. The food drives will be held on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, July 1st; 10 a.m. to noon
• Thursday, July 15th; 10 a.m. to noon

The food drives were hugely successful when Wednesday Night Drive-Thru Dinners were offered, and we are excited to continue to offer a meaningful and safe way for your family to serve our community. We will be collecting a variety of canned, jarred, and boxed goods at a donation station set up underneath the portico in the back of the Family Life Center.

A listing of critically needed food items will be posted closer to the date of the food drive.

Join us online on Sunday, July 4th, at 2:00 p.m. or anytime thereafter, for a concert of patriotic music presented by the church’s Chancel Choir and Chamber Chorale. You can view the concert on:

• our YouTube channel (DuluthFirstUMCWorship)
• Facebook page (@DFUMC.Music.WorshipArts).
  

Based on the latest guidelines from the CDC, Duluth First UMC’s COVID protocol is revised as follows, effective immediately.

This applies to worship and all other church events and to all areas of the campus:

• For those who have been fully vaccinated, masks and social distancing are not required.
• For those who have not been fully vaccinated, masks are required and social distancing is encouraged.
• The church will continue to make masks available for all who want or need them.

Many thanks to everyone for working together so graciously to be the church during this pandemic--from the time we went to online only on March 15, 2020, through our re-opening on June 28, and into this next phase starting right now and including this Sunday, May 23, 2021, and going forward.

Your cooperation in loving your neighbor as yourself is helping us to help people follow Jesus.

Terry Tippens,
Senior Pastor

The Gathering, a new small group opportunity for anyone and everyone, meets Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m in rooms F-206-207, located on the 2nd floor of the Family Life Center.  Join us as we build community and discipleship through study, discussion, fellowship, and prayer.

Rev. David Burchett and Min Lee will be leading The Gathering as we begin this journey of growing together and fostering Biblical community together.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Rev. David Burchett by e-mail at dburchett@duluthumc.org for more information.