Announcements

Triple P youth days are here! Get ready for an amazing summer with our Youth Ministry. Join us on June 10th, June 24th, July 8th, and July 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for fun-filled days packed with exciting activities, games, and so much more. Bring your friends and make new ones as we enjoy these special summer gatherings. Don't miss out on the fun, we will see you there!

Bible Study Led By Diana Kidwell 
We will meet on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Room (you get to pick your time).

The Chosen is an episodic biblical series based on events surrounding the ministry years of Jesus Christ. It follows the backstory of a few well-known characters before they first meet Jesus and interact with Him. Season 4 has been described as the beginning of the end: "Clashing kingdoms. Rival rulers. The enemies of Jesus close in for the kill while His followers struggle to keep up, leaving Him to carry the burden alone." Viewing previous seasons is not required. All are welcome!

Join the First Kids Children's Ministry for a fun-filled afternoon! Popsicles in the Park is from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31st, at Coolidge Park. Bring your friends and family for a sweet treat, activities, and lots of laughter. We can't wait to see you there!

Attention all rising Kindergarteners and 6th Graders, Move Up Day is just around the corner! All Children and Youth will start out in their new rooms, EXCEPT Kindergarten and 6th Grade. We will celebrate them in their old rooms with friends and family before moving up as a group at 10:05am.

Join us on August 4th during the 10:45 a.m. worship service for a special Blessings of the Backpacks! All students, bring your backpacks and receive a new tag while the congregation prays over you. We can't wait to see you there as we bless the new school year together! 

Hey young adults (ages 18-25)! Join the College Ministry for a river tubing adventure on August 10th at 10:00 a.m. We’ll meet at First-Centenary and take a church van to the Lower Ocoee River. The cost is just $5, which includes a sack lunch. Don't miss out on this fun-filled day of floating down the beautiful Lower Ocoee River. See you at the church at 10am!

Cost: $5 per person
For more information, contact our College Director, Kirsten Shipp, at kshipp@firstcentenary.com.

Come join the Youth Ministry for a Back-To-School Bash on August 11th! At 12:00 p.m. we will meet at the Student Center to head out for an adventure like no other. There will be all sorts of fun and exciting activities, including a water wars game. Bring your friends and hang out with new ones as we get ready for the new school year. See you there!

For more information, contact Tori Crook at tcrook@firstcentenary.com.

Join us for Prime Time Wednesdays starting on August 14th and running through October 23rd! We will begin with a delicious meal at 5:30 p.m. and have our classes at 6:30 p.m. Our classes this season are led by Pastor Will Lauderback, Pastor Michelle Hunter, Pastor Barry Kidwell, Pastor Jason Gattis, Amy Gattis, and Mike Feely.

As the new school year approaches, we're excited to kick off our Youth Ministry activities! Join us on August 18th at 12:00 p.m. in the Pit located in the Student Center for our Back-To-School Parent and Volunteer Meeting. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our Youth Ministry, ask questions, and find out how you can get involved. Whether you're a parent, a current volunteer, or someone interested in the program, we welcome you to come and connect with our team. Let's make this school year amazing together!

For more information, contact Tori Crook at tcrook@firstcentenary.com.

Welcome back college students! We are stoked to have you back on campus and we want to support you in your first day of classes with a FREE scoop of Clumpies ice cream. Visit our Clumpies Truck outside of The Vine between 1-4pm on Monday, August 19th. Bring your old and new friends alike, and enter to win a special prize!

Volunteers needed! Join us on August 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Oak Street Center Room 101/102 to assemble care packages that will be shipped out to our college students. All help is welcome and appreciated!

Save the date for the Building Bridges Soul Care Retreat with Scenic South United Women in Faith! The retreat will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. at First-Centenary on September 28th. Come and experience a day full of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and growth. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to nurture your soul and build bridges of faith!

Are you a first time visitor or have been visiting for a while? Do you want to know more about First-Centenary? Are you interested in becoming a member of First-Centenary? Or, do you simply want to get to know the Senior Pastor? Then join Pastor Jason every third Sunday of the month at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room for Coffee with the Pastor!

The Mary Martha and the Chris Bowles Circles of United Women in Faith have officially merged. The Circle’s next meeting will be at 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, March 26th, in the Morgan Classroom. We will fellowship, share light refreshment and review John Wesley’s approach to Bible Study.

Chris Bowles invested her life’s energies in her relationship with Christ and in her devotion to discipling others. Our circle bears her name to honor her memory and to be our reminder of her beautiful witness as we seek to deepen our Christian discipleship and to emulate her Christian servanthood. Please come prepared to share your ideas for our future Scripture and service adventures.

A membership list is available by request.
Martha Payne: mppayne66@gmail.com, text or call 423-316-0606
Sally Richardson: cavesallyr@gmail.com, text or call 423-785-7748

Put your talents, energy and ideas to work. You’ll find flexible opportunities for spiritual growth and ways to act for social justice, support your community, live your faith and enrich your life right here at First-Centenary United Women in Faith in our small groups/Circles.

We are collecting cases of bottled water to distribute on the streets, into camps, and in the projects to help bring relief to those in need during this hot summer.

We would also be very grateful to anyone who can purchase an air conditioner (between $250 and $400) for residents in the Westside (College Hill Courts) projects. These units do not have central heating and air, and they rely on window units. The apartments get extremely hot, so if you can help, please consider donating to MTM or FCUMC for air conditioners and box fans.

Please drop-off any donations in the Welcome Center. Any checks can be made out to MTM (Mustard Tree Ministries).

Throughout the month of August, the College Ministry will be collecting supplies for back-to-school boxes for First-Centenary college students. Please bring any lightweight items such as laundry pods/sheets, school supplies, $5-10 gift cards to restaurants or super stores, snacks, candy, etc. We would also love to have some handwritten letters or cards to show our support.

There will be buckets outside the worship areas and in the welcome center for donations or you can donate online through the giving platform link below.

For more information, contact the College Ministry Director, Kirsten Shipp, at kshipp@firstcentenary.com. 

Each year we ask families of the church to donate money towards our Sunday & Wednesday meals. This is a lot easier than asking parents to sign up to bring breakfasts and dinners and it is cheaper as well.

If 36 of our youth's families donate $150 then we will have enough money to pay for ALL of our meals for the entire school year. Give the full amount or give part of the amount monthly or in whatever way you would like. Some choose to give $50 per month for 3 months or $25 a month for six months. Any amount is helpful. We currently need donations for our kickoff to fall!

To give, you can click the link below or simply write a check, write "Free Meals Campaign" or "Youth Meals" in the memo line and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday or send it with your child on Wednesday night.

Our Sunday night service has continued to grow and with that, we have had a lot more children join in on Sunday nights. What started out as two or three children and the sweet kitchen ladies starting to teach them Bible stories has become fifteen regular children and the children’s ministry stepping up to help on Sunday nights. There are 1 in 5 children who live in food insecure homes in our country and the majority of the children on Sunday nights come from low income households and face hardships many of us never have to worry about. In order to make life a little easier and enjoyable in their young lives, we have worked together with the children’s ministry to put together snack bags for the children to take home with them on Sunday nights after church. These bags include non perishable things they can snack on during the week, use as a breakfast item, or take to school for lunch. Most of our children do not get the luxury of picking and choosing a snack or something they might enjoy for lunch and often times our children have to just go without. Please keep in mind that this happens year round, not just during the holidays. This ministry plans to continue indefinitely as children need food all year long and not just around the holidays.

If you feel led to donate to this specific snack bag ministry, here is a list of items we could use that will help these kids throughout the week:
• Individually wrapped muffins or muffin bites
• Fruit cups
• Fruit snacks
• Ramen noodles
• Microwavable mac and cheese
• Fruit or apple sauce cups or pouches (Gogo Squeez)
• Pop tarts
• Instant oatmeal
• Individually wrapped danishes or pastries
• Chewy granola bars
• Vienna Sausages
• Individual trail mix of packets of mixed nuts
• Multi pack single serve cereal
• Slim Jims
• Nutri-grain bars

If you prefer to make a monetary donation you can do so by check to Mustard Tree Ministry or First Centenary UMC just write “MTM Loaves and Fishes” in the “for” line or you can find us on Venmo @MustardTreeMin.

Do you believe children are strong and capable? Want to help them build life skills and promote wonder and inquiry in a warm, nurturing environment? The Children’s Enrichment Center at First-Centenary may be the place for you!

With full and part-time positions available, we are in search of dependable, energetic, and enthusiastic candidates to join our team. Our staff is hired in compliance with the state requirements and qualifications as a base minimum. When hiring educators we take a lot into consideration such as experience, education and dedication as we know every educator brings their own strength and professional growth with them once they are hired. We also believe that one hires not only by education but also by the heart. We believe the Children’s Enrichment Center staff is a family and a team and when an educator is hired they understand this is a profession and a commitment as we are raising the future. We have a strong belief in professional development that exceeds the minimum state requirements.

Benefits
• Thirteen holidays off, as well as spring, (mini) summer, and Christmas breaks.
• Full-time employees receive a benefit package.
• Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour

Required: Must pass a background check and drug screening.

If you are interested, please fill out the employment application and email it to cecdirector@fcumc.org. Call 423.265.9736 or email cecdirector@firstcentenary.com for more information.

We're looking for someone to join our First Kids' team! Email Beth at bspears@firstcentenary.com if you have any questions. Click below to apply!

Want to... Make a positive difference in the life of a child? Encourage literacy? Gain valuable job experience leading groups of students? Use your creativity to encourage young minds? Apply to join our team and help students grow into resilient and capable leaders of our city. Since 1967 The Centenary has been providing academic support, physical education, life skills development, and avenues for spiritual expression to students from across Chattanooga.