February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the unique contributions of African Americans to the American history. Whatever your heritage or background, black history is part of everyone’s history.

Religion and Race has compiled 29 suggestions to help United Methodists celebrate Black History Month during this leap year. Some ways to celebrate may include educating yourself on black history or the various African American Methodist movements. You might also support local African American businesses/charities or participate in local advocacy. You can also explore black literature, film and music that convey the unique voices and experiences of the culture.

Please go to the following website  -  https://www.r2hub.org - to learn more about 29 suggested ways you can participate in Black History Month.

The Dinner Belles and Beaus prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

The menu for February 1st is chicken enchilada casserole, yellow rice, black beans, pico de gallo and tortilla chips, and dessert. For the kids – the same.

Dinners are served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Hinton Hall, with to-go boxes available from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are: $8.00 for adults; $7.00 for seniors; $5.00 for children under 11 years of age; $23.00 for family meals (immediate family members only); $5.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

The Dinner Belles and Beaus prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

The menu for February 8th is hamburgers, fries, green beans, baked beans, and dessert. For the kids – the same.

Dinners are served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Hinton Hall, with to-go boxes available from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are: $8.00 for adults; $7.00 for seniors; $5.00 for children under 11 years of age; $23.00 for family meals (immediate family members only); $5.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with disciples, friends, even tax collectors and Pharisees. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elite’s stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom as he shares the wine and grants forgiveness, or as he distributes the fish.

Join Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. for a Lenten study using the book Meeting Jesus at the Table by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. This eight-chapter resource provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as who should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today.

The class will begin on February 8th to prepare for Ash Wednesday, and finish on April 12th, the Wednesday night after Easter. This study will be our “Learn a Little” classes during the Lenten season. The book is available on Amazon. Please register with Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org or call the church at 770-476-3776 by February 6th and order your book to begin the class. You may contact Rev. Dr. Fuino at by e-mail at ckfuino@duluthumc.org or 770-376-4776 ext. 117.

Morning Fellowship (formerly the Senior Adult Fellowship) meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in rooms F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Join us on February 14th for our program, The Language of Love.

The Dinner Belles and Beaus prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

The menu for February 15th is BBQ pulled pork on a bun, corn pudding, cole slaw, Brunswick stew, and dessert. For the kids – hot dogs and fries.

Dinners are served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Hinton Hall, with to-go boxes available from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are: $8.00 for adults; $7.00 for seniors; $5.00 for children under 11 years of age; $23.00 for family meals (immediate family members only); $5.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

Are you looking for a way to move through the season of Lent with new trust in God and more compassion for others, but are not available for a Wednesday night class? Join Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino on Friday mornings, beginning February 17th at 10 a.m., for an online Zoom session to walk together through The Desert of Compassion:  Devotions for the Lenten Journey.

The desert, a landscape both severe and beautiful, embodies spiritual struggle and divine support. Jesus experienced forty days of testing and transformation in the rugged Judean desert. Whether disease, social injustice, personal loss, or other challenges have led you to the spiritual desert, it may seem doubtful that any good can come from hardship. Yet it was the arid wilderness of physical deprivation and soul-deep testing that prepared Jesus to live a life of devotion, courage, and merciful service to others. Deserts have much to teach about vulnerability, tenacity, and the interdependence of living beings.

The season of Lent, based on Jesus’ forty days in the desert, calls you to navigate your own trials with trust in God and compassion for yourself. By doing so, you can learn to treat your dear ones, your neighbors, and all creatures with care contoured by wisdom.

In these daily devotions for the Lenten journey, author Rachel M. Srubas draws on her life and learnings as a contemplative pastor, spiritual director, and desert dweller. Written in language both relatable and reverent, The Desert of Compassion provides daily Lenten sustenance inspired by sacred Scripture, present-day teachings, and personal experience.

Each week we will meet to talk about our own desert experience and the testing we are facing in our trials for this world. The book may be ordered from Amazon. Please register by contacting Rev. Dr. Fuino by e-mail at RevCKay@gmail.com by February 10th. Once you have registered you will receive the Zoom link for the group meeting.

Make plans to celebrate Mardi Gras with your family and friends by attending a FREE pancake supper on Tuesday, February 21st, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. There will also be sausage, bacon, coffee, juice, milk, and water. Supper is FREE, but donations are appreciated! Proceeds will benefit the Duluth First UMC Music & Worship Arts Ministry.

The Dinner Belles and Beaus prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

The menu for February 22nd is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, fried okra, biscuits, and dessert. For the kids – the same.

NOTE: Dinner will be served from 5 to 6 p.m. in Hinton Hall. Dinner service will resume, and to-go boxes will be available, following the conclusion of the evening's Ash Wednesday Service.

The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are: $8.00 for adults; $7.00 for seniors; $5.00 for children under 11 years of age; $23.00 for family meals (immediate family members only); $5.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 22nd with a short service beginning at 6 p.m. in Hinton Hall, located in the Sheldon Family Life Center. During the service ashes will be placed on foreheads as we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within our community of faith.
 
PLEASE NOTE: The service will take place during our regular Wednesday evening supper format, so plan to arrive early and receive your food before the service begins. Dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m. Food service will be stopped while the Ash Wednesday service is taking place. It will resume at the conclusion of the service.

We appreciate your blood donations! Your contributions helps to change lives – literally! Someone who would have lost their life was spared because you gave us your blood. Someone’s quality of life was improved because you gave us your blood. We were able to help many because you gave us your blood. That’s pretty remarkable, and so are you!

At the blood drive held at the church on January 11th we collected 28 units. That is 28 (and/or) possibly more lives we saved. Thank you to the following people from the church and community who donated blood: Tracy Brinker, Amanda Brown, Nancy Burnett, Cynthia Daniel, Michael Deans, Marc Downey, James Dykes, Robert Fuino, David Johnson, JoAnne Johnson, Sheri Kemmerer, Linda Kepler, Kathie Kirk, William McLees, Joel McLemore, Mike Montgomery, Dianne Ogden, Karen Phillips, Tammy Sherrill, Bryan Taylor, Gail Waigand, Julia Wharton, Su Bam Wi, Joseph Wilson, and Randy Yokeley. Thank you to Kimberly Cole and Ivy Doss for coming to donate, but unfortunately were not able to because Red Cross workers were running behind.

Our next blood drive will be held on Wednesday, April 19th, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. We hope to save even more lives then! Plan ahead, make an appointment today online by clicking on BLOOD DRIVE DONATION REGISTRATION or call 1-800-733-2767.