Would you like to help make a difference in a child’s life this Christmas? Help us provide toys for the Hands of Christ - A Duluth Co-Op’s Christmas Shop this year. Beginning Sunday, November 26th, you can bring in an unwrapped toy and place it under either of the Christmas trees in the Veterans Memorial Gathering Room, or in Hinton Hall.

The toy donation will run from Sunday, November 26th, through Sunday, December 17th. All donated toys will be delivered to Hands of Christ Duluth Co-Op, a local missions ministry supported by Duluth First UMC, so that families in need can provide presents for their children this Christmas. Thank you for your help in making sure that all the children in our community have a wonderful Christmas!

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

The menu for November 29th is pork loin medallions with gravy, egg noodles, baked apples, broccoli, rolls, 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. Credit/debit card payments, as well as cash and checks, are accepted.

Our Wednesday Night Food Drives for the Hands of Christ Duluth Co-op have made their return to Duluth First UMC. This weekly mission project is combined with the many Wednesday evening activities offered at the church.

Each week we will ask for a donation of one critically needed item. A table for the donated items will be located outside of the main entrance to Hinton Hall.

To date, over 1100 items have been donated!

Upcoming dates and needed items are:

• November 22nd:  No Food Drive due to the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 29th:  Pasta/spaghetti (not spaghetti sauce)
• December 6th: Cream soups or tomato soup
• December 13th: Peanut butter and jelly
  

Join us for a delicious dinner and fellowship in Hinton Hall, pick up a to-go dinner for your family, join us for any of our Wednesday evening activities, and drop off food items to help other families in need. We thank you for your support.

Join us on Wednesday evenings for any of the following activities:

• Wednesday Night Dinners: 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Hinton Hall, 2nd floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Book Bunch for kids (ages 3 – 4): 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. in The Louise McDaniel Memorial Library, 2nd floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• DuluthKids (ages Kindergarten through 5th grade): 6 to 7 p.m. in the Youth Center, 1st floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Youth Bible Study (grades 6 – 12): 6 to 7 p.m. in room F149, 1st floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Parent Connection Group: 6 to 7 p.m., room F207, 2nd floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Adult small group studies - “Simply Psalms”: 6 to 7 p.m. in room F145, 1st floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Yarn Arts Ministry: 6 to 7 p.m. in room F205, 2nd floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
• Happy Sacks: 6 to 6:15 p.m. in room F152, 1st floor of Sheldon Family Life Center;
  
• Chancel Choir rehearsals: 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Don Lee Music Suite.
  

The Worship Committee invites you to join with them on Saturday, December 2nd, at 9:00 a.m. in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall and in Hinton Hall as they come together to prepare the church’s Advent and Christmas decorations and decorate for the holiday season.

It’s time to install the stars for the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany seasons. We will gather at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2nd, in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. If you would like to help out, please contact Rev. Beth Brown Shugart by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org.

Calling all children age 4 through 5th grade to sing for Christmas! We will join the Chancel Choir and Genesis Youth Choir for worship on Sunday morning, December 10th. And then, on Wednesday, December 13th, we will sing a short concert and lead a Christmas music sing-along.

Rehearsal dates are:

• Sunday, December 3rd, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and
• Saturday, December 9th, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Both rehearsals in the Sanctuary. Sound files are available to help with learning the music at home. For more information, please contact David Daniel, Minister of Music & Worship Arts, by e-mail at ddaniel@duluthumc.org.

Dear Duluth First United Methodist Church family,

It pleases us so much to write this letter of thanks to you. On Saturday, October 27th, and Sunday, October 28th, Duluth First UMC held its annual Bundle Up for Buffalo fundraiser in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. The purpose was to raise enough money to help pay the cost of heat for the Seneca Street United Methodist Church in Buffalo, NY, for this upcoming winter.

The old Seneca Street UMC building, located on a corner at 1218 Seneca Street in south Buffalo, serves and protects the people of this poverty-stricken neighborhood every day. Because of severe climate change and storms in this area of the country, people living in the church’s neighborhood often lose power in their rented 100-year-old houses. They are sometimes left without warmth, warm food, and water.

The $11,000 you helped raise at the Bundle Up for Buffalo fundraiser will cover Seneca Street UMC’s cold weather heating bill through May, as well as helping to repair the old heating equipment. Your generosity in giving money to heat the church gives its local community a place to get warm and get a hot meal.  We see your gifts’ direct impact on these people who have little hope.

It is from the bottom of our hearts that we thank you for giving to this ministry.

Love in Christ,
Beth Intondi, Rev. Brian Rotach, and Cheryl Bird

The Young Adult Ministry is a group of young adults (18 - early 30’s) who are building lasting friendships and exploring what it means to follow Jesus. Wherever you are in your faith journey, we’d love to have you join us! We are striving to build community, draw closer to God, and develop in young adults the ability to connect with God throughout the week.

Join us on Sunday mornings for a Young Adults Sunday school class/small group which meets at 9:30 a.m. in room E132, located in the hallway behind the Sanctuary. We will be studying the book I Declare War - 4 Keys to Winning the Battle With Yourself by Levi Lusko together. We look forward to beginning this group and this study and we hope you’ll come and join us!

Invite your friends to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. David Burchett at by e-mail at dburchett@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 124.

You are also invited to join the Young Adult Ministry on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Truck & Tap, located at 3137 Main Street in Duluth, for a time of Music Bingo and fellowship. For additional information about the Young Adults Ministry, please visit their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/dfumc.youngadults.

Our Timeless Blessings ministry provides a continuing connection from the church to those who are not able to attend on a regular basis. It includes those who are in Assisted Living, Memory Care, or home but are not able to get to church for Sunday services. Our desire is to continue the connection to the church and church members with Timeless Blessings in the form of visits, cards, calls and communion. We want to make sure they know they are not forgotten.
 
The commitment is a visit once a month for a few minutes of conversation and prayers.  If you love talking with people this is a perfect opportunity to share God’s blessings in a timeless manner. Please contact Karen Smith by e-mail at smith-ga@att.net or call 770-241-1651.

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

The menu for December 6th is fried flounder, au gratin potatoes, green beans, squash casserole, and dessert. For the kids – fish sticks and French 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. Credit/debit card payments, as well as cash and checks, are accepted.

The Duluth First UMC Chamber Chorale invites you to their Christmas concert on Sunday, December 10th, at 2:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The concert is FREE and open to the public.

The Worship Committee invites you to remember or honor a loved one with a poinsettia this Christmas season. The poinsettias will be used to adorn the Sanctuary and Hinton Hall on Sunday, December 17th, and on Christmas Eve. The cost per plant is $20. You may pick up your poinsettia/poinsettias following the worship services on Christmas Eve. Printed copies of the poinsettia Remembrance/Honor listings will be available at the worship services on Sunday, December 17th, and at the three worship services on Christmas Eve.

All proceeds go to Seeds of Hope, whose funds are used to help meet the needs of God’s people living in Duluth and Suwanee--often strangers, widows, orphans, homeless, those who are lost, and those who are without hope--who come to Duluth First United Methodist Church seeking assistance.

You can place your order for poinsettias online with a credit/debit card payment - just click on POINSETTIA ONLINE ORDER FORM.

If you wish to pay by check or cash, please click on POINSETTIA ORDER FORM - CASH AND CHECK to download an order form.

Morning Fellowship is for the adults of our congregation who have many gifts and talents to offer to the church and the surrounding community. They are active and encouraged to participate in all aspects of the various ministries of the church. They are a vital part of the ministry of the church and are truly an asset to the surrounding community.

Morning Fellowship meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (please note new time) in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Join us on December 12th for Christmas games. Lunch will be provided.

Upcoming dates for 2024 will be announced soon.

For more information, please contact Beth by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128.

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

The menu for December 13th is chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried okra, biscuits, and dessert. For the kids – chicken tenders and chips.

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. Credit/debit card payments, as well as cash and checks, are accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be the final Wednesday Night Dinner in Hinton Hall before the Christmas and New Years holidays break. Wednesday Night Dinners will resume on January 10, 2024.

Join us Wednesday, December 13th, at 6:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary as our children present selections from the musical Light of the World, and lead us in a Christmas music sing-along.

On Sunday, December 17th, during the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary, the Chancel Choir, accompanied by organ, piano, strings, brass, and percussion, will present their annual service of Christmas music. Featured will be several selections from Handel’s Messiah and the Nigerian carol Betelehemu.

Michael Holtmann (see picture), an Eagle Scout candidate in Boy Scouts of America Troop 419, which meets at Duluth First United Methodist Church, is working on his Eagle Scout project, which aims to provide aid to the local homeless population in Duluth, GA. This will be facilitated in partnership with the City of Duluth Police Department. Michael is collecting clothing and toiletries, and the folded clothing and toiletries will be organized into bags to be distributed to homeless persons the officers come upon when out on patrol.

For additional information about donating clothing, toiletries, donation locations, or if you would like to make a monetary donation, please click on MICHAEL HOLTMANN EAGLE PROJECT.

Have you ever wondered if your faith journey through past hurts and struggles could help others going through difficult times? Perhaps your past experiences have uniquely prepared you to provide the compassion and encouragement another person needs.

Duluth First UMC is looking for Stephen Minister candidates (men and women) who have a desire to serve God by providing confidential one-to-one Christian care and support to those in our church and community who are hurting or going through difficult times. The role of a Stephen Minister is not to solve problems but to journey alongside their care receiver, providing emotional and spiritual care.

If God is nudging you to explore serving as a Stephen Minister, maybe these questions will help:

• Would friends and family describe you as being an encourager full of compassion for others who going through difficult times?
• Do others often talk to you about their troubles?
• Do you have a desire to serve God, grow spiritually and make a difference?
  

If you answered yes, prayerfully consider applying to become a Stephen Minister. Candidates will complete 50 hours of training that equips them to care for people who are grieving, coping with divorce, experiencing job loss and facing countless other crises or life challenges. The next training class will begin in January. Look for the job description and applications on the Stephen Ministry table, or by clicking on STEPHEN MINISTRY.

For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino by e-mail at ckfuino@duluthumc.org or Stephen Leader Ann Fleming at 678-644-9108, or talk with one of the Stephen Ministers.

God comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  2 Corinthians 1:4

The United Women in Faith invite you to make a difference in our state. Bishop Robin Dease sent out a call to action encouraging people to write to their legislators to approve a bill to remove sales tax from diapers and wipes in Georgia. A sample letter and list of legislators can be found in the Narthex, the Atrium, or by clicking on SAMPLE LETTER and LEGISLATOR LIST. The list and sample letter will be made available to Sunday School in their mailboxes. We ask that you handwrite your letter and mail it directly to your legislator.

A big “Thank You” to those who donated diapers, pullups, and wipes to the United Women in Faith’s Diaper Challenge event held in September. A trunk load of donated items was given to Sheltering Arms in Lawrenceville, and they were greatly appreciative of the donation. They too are asking their parents to write letters to the legislators.

From time to time, we let certain groups and events use our church facility. This is a ministry area of the church, and we need Event Ministry Staff who will be willing to oversee select events that occur on the church campus. This is a paid hourly position.

Event Ministry Staff are required to make sure the space is ready for the event, supervise the event, and lock the building after the event is complete. For more details about duties and times, please contact Marilyn Scheiwe, Event Coordinator, by e-mail at mscheiwe@duluthumc.org or call 770-476-3776, ext. 111.