One year has ended and another has begun, which for many brings excitement and for others sadness. I want to share with you just a few highlights from our 2022 year here at Carrollton First UMC. This is not an exhaustive list of everything we have done but hopefully it gives you a snapshot of how God has been working in our midst.
We shared in: Carroll County Eggstravaganza where we shared about prayer with over 300 families as they navigated the many stops at the Carroll County Fairgrounds.
Vacation Bible School June 13-17, 9:30 – 12:00 daily with the theme of Castle of Courage for Preschool thru grade 5.
Camping Ministries Kids have had opportunity to sign up for several age appropriate camps throughout the summer at Camp Aldersgate.
Kids for Christ 5 week fall program took place in September/October at Carrollton Elementary School. 14 team members were equipped and ready to share the Love of Jesus with the kids who came. 26 kids were registered and 24 attended weekly. The theme was Kings and Queens in the Bible and how we are a part of that royalty as believers.
Trunk or Treat community outreach was held at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 29. 764 attended. We had several community groups join us as trunks – Camp Aldersgate, Ohio Wildlife, Golden Age Retreat, Children and Family services, Carroll Hills and 4-H.
Sunday morning kids’ attendance at both the Yellow Brick and The Bridge has been increasing lately. We are so excited to welcome new families. Family worship happens at both locations and its very comfortable having noise from the littles.
Advent Festival was Friday, December 2. The intergenerational, family friendly narration of the Christmas story was so much fun. Those in attendance helped pack 65 bags to be donated to the Urban Mission in Steubenville and then enjoyed pizza and fellowship.
Our first Cookies with Santa event was December 9. We had an amazing group of volunteers who packed goodie bags, made cookies, set up, or worked the event. Over 60 families were served and over 120 goodie bags to kids were passed out. Three full boxes of donated items and $180 in monetary donations was given to Carrollton school's CARE team. We are looking forward to next year!
Our Mission Team supported:
LeAnn Eyerman
Larry and Angie Overholt
Bright Side Youth Ranch
Ken and Kathy Keyes
John and Daryl Hersh
Thane Ury
Urban Mission
We donated $100 to hospice
Operation Christmas Child 34 boxes were packed.
33 Christmas tags were divided among the Bridge and Yellow Brick Church.
Guatemala Mission team worked to complete all the much needed projects at Camp Lemoa and had a great journey. Look for more updates form this team over the next few months.
We have celebrated weddings, baptisms, confirmation, memberships and so much more together as a faith community over the past twelve months. As I said this barely touches on the great work we have partnered with God on in 2022 and we look forward to 2023 as we continue to serve God.
Blessings,
Pastor Kimberly
Mission News
The Guatemala team had a very successful trip completing all of their projects in three days, so they, also, built nightstands for the camp rooms. A compiled video of their experiences is being made and will be shown at a later date. The missionaries in Guatemala were great to work with and everyone enjoyed getting to see the country. The only complaint was how cold it was to sleep at night with the temperatures in the 40s and no heat in the buildings!
A monetary Christmas gift was sent to Thane Ury, John and Daryl Hersh, LeAnn Eyerman, Kathy Keyes, Larry and Angie Overholt, and Devin and Tia Tharp at Bright Side. These are the individual missionaries we sponsor each month.
Overholts trip to Honduras went well with the solar panels being installed at the nursing school. Brady Kail from Waynesburg eye clinic made his annual trip to Choluteca to fit people with glasses. The Hondurans are so thankful to be able to see well, again. When you donate your old glasses at church, that’s where I take them to be used by Dr. Kail.
Ken Keyes is still doing radiation and chemotherapy for his brain tumors. They are thankful the chemo has not made him sick. Ken’s energy level has gone down, so they’re learning to live life differently. If you would like to read more, go to the Caring Bridge site. Please continue to pray for them.
Youth Group: New Meeting Details!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Praise God for our young people that are seeking to be the people God wants them to be! We ended 2022 by spending an evening together packing food bags for the Urban Mission. The Urban Mission distributes over a million pounds of food a year to those in need and we were blessed to be able to participate in something so much bigger than our own little circle. Two of our youth, Paige and Phillip, went on the Guatemala mission trip with nine other adults. I had the privilege of being one of those adults and had the blessing of witnessing them stepping out in their faith to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
As we approach 2023, we are thankful for all we have and for the plans that God has for us. To help with extracurricular schedules and to alleviate the burden of our teenage drivers having to drive in wintery conditions at night, we are going to begin, January 8th, meeting at The Bridge at 11:30 AM on Sundays. We’ll have some lunch and dive into the Francis Chan series, “Crazy Love”.
Welcome to CFUMC Staff: Cindy and Barbara! We are very excited to announce that we've hired two new Carrollton First UMC staff members, Cindy Shuman and Barbara Staley!
Cindy Shuman has joined our staff as the Custodian at The Bridge. Cindy has been a huge part of our congregation and leadership team at Carrollton First. We are beyond thrilled to have her joining us for this new journey. Please join us in congratulating her on this new role!
Barbara Staley has joined our office staff as our new Financial Secretary! She will be working in the office one day per week alongside Cindy Carrothers. We are so pleased to have her knowledge and expertise! Please send a warm welcome message to her church email at financialsecretary@carrolltonfirstumc.org.
Spiritual Formation Workshops
We have two upcoming Spiritual Formation workshops, each taking place in the multipurpose room at our Yellow Brick Church location! Kara Farkas will be leading both workshops. We would love for you to join us! Please sign up in-person using the sheets at either location or by using the links below.
January 21 from 9:30-11am "How to Make Space for God": Register here
February 5 from 2-3:30pm "How to Study the Bible": Register here
Bible Reading Plan Interested in reading through the Bible but not sure how to get started? Pastor JP has put together a wonderful 16 month Bible reading plan! The plan began January 1, 2023, but you still have time to catch up! For more information, use the button below!
The Experience Web Series We will be premiering season 4 of our web series, "The Experience", on January 18, 2023 at NOON on Facebook and YouTube. The episodes can be watched at any time after they are shared! We have reimagined the series so it will look a little bit different than it has in the past. Plan to ‘tune’ in!
Our Updated Processes at CFUMC
Prayer and Praise requests- please email the church office with information to be shared. Please make sure you have permission from the family.
Sick Calls - If your loved one is in the hospital, nursing home or homebound and they would like a visit from our pastors, please call or email the office.
Marriage - Please call the office for information. Arrangements should be made at least six (6) months prior to the wedding. Before scheduling your reception venue, confirm that the pastor officiating and the church are available. (Weddings at Carrollton First UMC must be officiated by one of our current pastors).
Baptisms - Baptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please call the office to make arrangements.
Funerals and Funeral meals - Please have the funeral director contact the office before the date and time is decided and before the information is published in the newspaper. Meals can be provided following the service, please contact the church office to go over details.
Bulletin News Deadline - Wednesdays at noon in writing.
Interested in Becoming United Methodist? - Please call the church office about Membership Classes.
Current Small Group Opportunities
This is a list of the small group opportunities we are currently offering (or will be offering soon). Keep an eye on future bulletins, announcement page of our website, CFUMC social media and future newsletters for new offerings as we go through the year!
Monday nights at 6:30pm at Bill and Francie Krills house (Contact church office for the address)
Tuesday nights at 6:00pm at the Yellow Brick Church (There is child care).
Lunch with Jesus: Wednesdays at noon at the Yellow Brick Church. We will resume on January 11 with Ray Vander Laan’s study: Death and Resurrection of the Messiah. All are welcome.
Stitched with Love - Crochet & Knitting Group! Meets Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month in the Gathering Room at the YBC from 6-7:30pm. All are welcome! We come together in fellowship, sharing the love of Jesus within our community and beyond one stitch at a time. Group is on break until February.
Justified Youth Group - Meets beginning January 8th at The Bridge at 11:30 AM on Sundays. We’ll have some lunch and dive into the Francis Chan series, “Crazy Love”.
Called to Serve?
Are you being called to serve at church? We are always looking for help. Not sure what’s involved or how to do a task? Training is available!
Volunteers needed for Hospitality, Greeters, Children’s Messages, Yellow Brick Kidz, Bridge Kidz, Worship Crew – Sound, Camera, Computer (sort of like Lights, Camera, Action), Lectors, Funeral dinners help. Contact the church office if you see a need and want to help fill it! We appreciate the commitments you make to our church.
