McCamey High School football poster

At long last the McCamey High School football poster has been delivered and the First UMC  has a promient ad on it.  Please come and pick up a copy on Sunday.  Copies are available at the rear of the sanctuary.

Convalescent Center Coffee & Donuts

Each Thursday morning at 10:00 a group of McCamey men bring donuts, coffee and the McCamey News to the residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center.  It is such a good time, sharing stories and catching up on events in McCamey.  

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Today, Bill Lester and Pastor Charles represented the First UMC and together they shared the good news with residents and visitors alike! 

At last, Badgers for Christ!!!

The oft-delayed first gathering of "Badgers for Christ" was held this afternoon in the fellowship hall of the First UMC in McCamey!  We were thrilled at the response from the students and teachers to our offering of pizza and sodas for lunch. 

We had between 40 - 45 students, teachers and FUMC members in attendance today!!!

The next "Badgers for Christ" event will be October 20th, featuring Mr. Wiley's famous burgers on the menu!

Helping today were Gladys Dorris, Bill Lester, Billie Mitchell, Jean Myrick, Gloria Odom and Debbie White.

Midweek Message for September 29th

How much do you know about religion?  And how do you compare with the average American? Take the short, 15-question quiz to find out.  Go to this link and see how you do.

A Lovely Sunday Today!

After a great time of worship at the McCamey FUMC, folks were able to inspect the church's entry into Friday's homecoming parade. As someone said: "Is it a golf cart wrapped in aluminum foil... is it a baked potato... or is it a space ship? (It was a fun entry in the parade. And Ashley and Abby did a great job assisting Pastor Charles in manning it during the parade!)

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At the nearby convalescent center, it was a great time of worship and fellowship with the residents. And it was a joy to have the ministers from the McCamey FUMC there to help Pastor Charles with the service! Thanks so much, Bobbie, Bill, Cytha and Louise! God is SO good!!!

First UMC in the Homecoming Parade!

First UMC was a proud participant in yesterday's (Sep. 24th) McCamey High School's homecoming parade.  Keeping with the homecoming theme,"Out of this world," our entry was called  "Making space for God." 

Thanks following for making this effort possible:  Donny Wiley for the the use of the golf cart - Bobbie & Bill Lester and Belinda Alkula for the help in decorating the "flying saucer," Gloria Odom for some of the treats we shared and especially to Abby and Ashley for their help in passing out the treats to the crowds. 

FUMC Flying Saucer About to Launch?

The FUMC Flying Saucer?

Thanks to some extra-special help from some "out-of-this-world" folks, this extra-terrestial flying saucer is about to launch.  Word has it that it might be seen at tomorrow's McCamey High School's Homecoming Parade, which is due to begin at 4:00 p.m.

In a parallel universe, could it be someone who looks like our Bill supervising the creation of this?  Is that really Pastor Charles OR someone who just looks like him?

In a parallel universe, could it be an alien resembling our Bobbie who is really behind all of this?

Can you imagine where this flying saucer is being built?

Is this activity in a secret location?  Does anyone have any idea?

Wow!  Strange things are afoot!  Inquiring minds want to know:  What is going on?  Perhaps the place to be is on main street tomorrow afternoon!  Come with an open mind!  Come and see what lies in wait... for YOU!

Homecoming Parade Prep!

First UMC was abuzz with activity this evening! The fellowship hall was the place to be as Jim & Mary Witcher, Bill & Bobbie Lester, and Belinda Alkula     helped Pastor Charles in putting together treat bags for the church homecoming float.  We are excited to have an entry from our church in Friday's parade!  Thanks also goes to Gloria Odom for helping to provide some of the treats that went into the bags.

In the sanctuary, the choir was taking part in their weekly rehearsal.  It is a treat to hear them each week, preparing their musical offerings to the Lord.

MORE HOMECOMING PREP!  Tomorrow evening (starting about 6pm) we'll be gathering in the parsonage garage to put together our entry for the homecoming parade.  This should be fun, so come and be part of First UMC history!

A new look for Autumn

First UMC is ready for the first day of Autumn with a new look in the fellowship hall.  Thanks to Mary Witcher and Billie Mitchell for their hard work!  The church can look forward to enjoying this attractive welcome for weeks to come!

Midweek Message for September 22nd

Tomorrow is the first day of autumn and in recognition of this time of transition to a new season the following prayer is offered:

Prayer for Autumn Days



God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.


God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.


God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.


God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.


God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.


God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.


God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.


God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.


Amen.


By: Sr. Joyce Rupp, OSM

Ad Board Meeting Tonight

The monthly meeting of the Ad Board took place tonight with a great turnout on hand.

*We're going to have a "float" in the homecoming parade on Sept. 24th @ 4pm.

*Apportionments are due to be paid in full by the end of October. The apportionments for 2011 are lower by a good % over this year's.
*Church Conference is scheduled for Nov. 7th during the worship service.

Some items on the calender in coming weeks & months:

Oct. 3, New members uniting with FUMC - McCamey
Oct. 8, Friday night supper @ Benoit's, 6pm
Oct. 9, United Methodist Men, 7:30 am
Oct. 10, Lay Leadership committee (Nominations), 6pm
Oct. 24, Ad Board, 6pm
Oct. 31, Laity Sunday


Nov. 7, Church Conference (during worship service)
Nov. 13, District Celebration @ FUMC - San Angelo
Nov. 21, Community Thanksgiving Service, 6pm (at McCamey FUMC)


Dec. 24, Christmas Eve @ McCamey Convalescent Center, 4pm; FUMC - McCamey, 7pm

Present were: Belinda Alkula, Pastor Charles, Alice &; Roy Kephart, Bill & Bobbie Lester, Jean Myrick, Gloria Odom, Cytha Peters, Ashely Ricks, Sylvia Ricks, and Donny Wiley.

Wonderful Day of Worship!

It was a wonderful day to worship God today!  We really appreciate the ministers from the McCamey First United Methodist Church, who selflessly give of their time and energy in support of the weekly worship service at the nearby convalescent center:  Belinda Alkula    , Bill and Bobbie Lester and Cytha Peters!  They have answered the Lord's call to this important outreach ministry:  "Whom Shall I Send?"

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In the next two weeks, why not be in prayer about how you might begin (or continue in) your mission and ministry to a world that is hungry to hear the Good News?!

A thought for Sunday morning, Sept. 19

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

-attributed to the Rev. John Wesley, founder of Methodism

Tonight: United Methodists' Table at Benoits!

Tonight some of the United Methodists in McCamey met at Benoits.  We had so much fun visiting and eating some great west-Texas vittles!  Yum-yum!

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Belinda had a box-game called "Chat Pack."  We enjoyed sharing our answers to some fun questions.  For example...  (1) Considering all the big-screen movies that you have ever seen, which one do you believe had the greatest emotional impact on you?"  (2) If you had to change your first name, what would you choose as your new name?  (3) What is the most beautiful drive you have ever taken?  Be as descriptive as possible.  (4) If you had to wear a button with a maximum of six words on it describing your outlook on life, what would your button say?  (You know which question Pastor Charles enjoyed the most, right?!)

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Thanks to all the folks who attended and made it a really fun evening:  Pastor Charles and Belinda Alkula, Roy and Alice Kephart, Bill and Bobbie Lester, Jean Myrick and Gloria Odom!

No muss, no fuss, no program tonight!

Our first UMC on the town is tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Benoit's for a "No muss, no fuss, no program" time together.  The idea is simple: Come and share a meal together as a church family.  The meal is "Dutch treat" and you can stay as long as you like!

District Pastors and Professionals Meeting

The monthly meeting of the San Angelo District "Pastors and [church]Professionals" took place at Veribest UMC this morning.

We enjoyed some rousing music before and during the worship (offered by the host pastor, Rev. Mike Thompson, on guitar with a couple of other people), singing out of the old Cokesbury Worship Book. We had worship, led by our D.S., Rev. Larry Altman, with the theme from I Corinthians 13 "Faith, hope & love." The gathered community offered signs in their congregations and communities of faith, hope and love.

Following the worship service, we heard from Rev. Altman, along with Gini Christian and Amy Moore (both from the district office). Among the information shared was the way church conferences will be conducted.  More information will be shared in the coming weeks. Lay speakers will also be affected by the way training is offered and documented; more to follow on this score too!

A delicious meal was provided by the host congregation, which was appreciated by one and all!

Making music in McCamey

If it is Wednesday then you know there is no place better to be than at First UMC where music is the order of the day!  We are blessed to have people willing to come together each week to practice and to share their talents and gifts during the worship service.

The hand bell group is going great and the first musical offering can't be too soon!  Listening to them practice each week is such a treat, come and listen for yourself!  Or better yet, join them in making music for the Lord!

Midweek Message for September 15th

(The Foundry, London)

Wednesday, September 15, 1762

We had our quarterly meeting. The next day I appointed the children to meet. I expected twenty, but I suppose there were fourscore; all of them wanting, many desiring, instruction. The more I converse with the believers in Cornwall, the more that I am convinced that they have sustained a great loss for want of hearing the doctrine of Christian Perfection clearly and strongly enforced. I see wherever this is not done, the believers grow dead and cold. Nor can this be prevented in them, but by keeping up in them an hourly expection of being perfected in love. I say an hourly expectation; for to expect it at death, or some time hence, is much the same as not expecting it at all.

- John Wesley in his Journal (The doctrine of Christian Perfection is explained here)