Announcements

It may still feel like summer, but Advent is just around the corner!
We are looking for congregants in all ages and stages of life to share their wisdom, experience, enthusiasm, and inspiration in our 2026 Advent devotional.  Participants can share a piece of art or music, a story, and/or their experiences or reflections for our Advent theme – The Greatest Gift Ever Given.  You’re invited to share stories about how God has led you from the darkness into a place of hope. Or you could write about your journey towards peace or becoming a peacemaker. You may have something to say about the joy God has offered you in unexpected ways. Finally, how have you experienced and shared the gift of God’s love through and to those around you?
 
If you would be willing to contribute a 150-word text to this special project, or would like more information, please contact Maria Crawford at mbcraw4d@gmail.com. Submissions are due no later than October 16th.

Join JOYs (Just Older Youth) on October 16th at 6:00 p.m. for a campfire concert at Reflection Riding featuring Donna the Buffalo! Bring your own lawn chair and a snack. Food trucks will be onsite.

JOYs (Just Older Youth) is for active adults 60 and older who want to have fun, connect with friends, explore the Chattanooga area, and learn something new!

For more information, contact Harriett Rosebrough at 704-942-8218 or fcjoys@gmail.com.

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 executive conference room located outside the pastor's office for Coffee with the Pastor!

Get ready for a weekend of faith, fun and adventure at Youth Rally! This conference-wide fall retreat is led by youth for youth, bringing students from across the Holston Conference together to connect with God and build friendships. Enjoy youth-led worship, small groups, activities, inspiring messages, and time surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.

Cost is $70. Scholarships are available so that cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Youth are also invited to help lead worship, small groups, activities, and sermons!

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

Our annual Fall Festival is officially set for October 28th! Join us from 5:00-7:30 p.m. for an evening full of games, inflatables, trunk-or-treat, a free dinner, and lots of fun activities for the whole family!

Volunteers are needed to help make the evening a success!
You can help by:
• Running a game or activity booth
• Decorating a trunk for Trunk-or-Treat
• Helping run an inflatable
• Cooking and serving dinner
To volunteer, fill out the form below or contact Will Lauderback at wlauderback@firstcentenary.com.

Candy is also needed! Donations can be dropped off at the Welcome Center or in the buckets outside each worship space during the months of September and October.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Join Mustard Tree Ministries for their annual Trunk-or-Treat on October 31st! Volunteers are invited to help spread some Halloween fun and connect with our neighbors at both locations. We’ll be at College Hill (West Side) from 2:00–3:00 p.m. before heading to East Lake Courts from 4:00–6:00 p.m. You’re welcome to join us at one or both locations! Help us make this year’s events a success as we share joy and fellowship with our community.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Barry Kidwell at cbarrykidwell@gmail.com.

The All Saints’ Sunday worship services are among the most meaningful of the year as we remember the lives and Christian witness of those members of our church who died in the past year, along with the saints of all ages.  It is a day to celebrate our union with Christ and all the Saints.

In preparation for this year’s services, the Book of Names is available on a podium in the Narthex outside the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to stop by the Narthex to record the names of loved ones you would like to remember.  

If you worship in the Vine, you are invited to bring a picture or memento of a loved one who has joined the church triumphant, either this year or decades ago, as we remember together the Saints who have gone before us.  

If you worship in the Sanctuary, please use the Book of Names to remember those you love who have died.  The Sanctuary altar will hold the names and mementos of church members who have transitioned back to the arms of God.  

Confirmation begins November 1st during Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Center! This class is for students in 8th grade and older who are ready to deepen their faith, explore what it means to be United Methodist, and learn more about what it means to be part of the church. Confirmation also gives students the opportunity to make the commitment to join the church, should they choose to do so. We’re excited to walk alongside our students as they grow in their faith and take this next step in their journey!

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

Join us for the 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the fcCollege Ministry and Wesley Foundation! Whether you’re competing for the title or simply coming to enjoy some delicious chili, it’s sure to be a fun evening.

Chili entrants are invited to bring a large crockpot of their favorite homemade chili, and attendees can sample the entries and vote for their favorite!

Admission is $10 per person, with all sides, toppings, and drinks provided.
Chili contestants enter for free.

Contact Kirsten Shipp at kshipp@firstcentenary.com for more information.

What do gratitude and generosity actually look like in everyday life? Pastor Mary will help our 5th graders dig into how gratitude and generosity go hand-in-hand on November 8th during Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. in the Children's Wing. Expect good conversation, a fun hands-on tool for putting gratitude into practice, and a fresh look at how our faith shapes the way we treat others. Parents are welcome to join!

Join your JOYs friends for an afternoon of baseball at 2:00 p.m. on November 8th! We’ll head to Erlanger Park to enjoy an exhibition game between the UT Vols and Georgia Tech.

Tickets are $22 and can be paid by check or online through FCUMC. Please include “JOYS EVENT” in the memo.  Payment is due by November 5th.

For questions, email fcjoys@gmail.com. We hope you can join us for a fun afternoon!

Join us for a parent meeting about our upcoming High School Mission Trip to Xela, Guatemala next year! We’ll share important information about the trip, including plans, expectations, and what families need to know as students prepare to serve and experience Guatemala.

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

Join us for our Youth Fall Retreat at Camp Lookout, November 20th–22nd! Students will enjoy a weekend of fun and time together in the great outdoors.

The retreat is $100 per student, and meals will be provided. Students should meet at the Student Center at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20th. We’ll return in time for worship on Sunday, November 22nd.

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

Join us for Commitment Sunday on November 22nd during all worship services! This special day is an opportunity for our congregation to turn in their commitment cards as we consider how we can live out our faith through generosity and service.

Our theme this year is “Faithfulness in Action.” Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to faithfully serve God, support our church, and put our faith into action. We look forward to celebrating the ways God is working through our congregation and the commitments we make for the year ahead.

Looking for a place to connect, grow, and explore your faith? Check out our fcCollege Ministry Small Groups! Whether you're passionate about inclusivity, creative Bible study, or connecting with fellow veterans and military members, we have a group for you.

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.

Our Sunday night service needs your help! We have a need for groups to prepare and serve dinner for our Sunday night attendees. This is a great opportunity to share with others from all walks of life  and to see what Sunday night service is all about.  We are also looking for volunteers to transport our attendees using the church vans.

If interested, contact Lynne Stutts at lynne513@yahoo.com

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our ministry. Their dedication, compassion and kindness provide a safe haven of fun, inclusion and companionship each day at ABIDE.

As ABIDE continues to grow, we are excited to expand our program to four days a week beginning in January — and we need more amazing volunteers to make it possible!

If you feel called to serve and would like more information or to get involved, please contact Brandi Anderson at abide@firstcentenary.com.

Your presence can make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

The Oak Street Playhouse is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team! From helping behind the scenes to welcoming guests at the door, there are plenty of ways to get involved and support our productions throughout the year. Whether you have a passion for theater or simply want to lend a hand, your time and talents can make a big difference. Come be part of the magic of live performance!

Opportunities include:
SET WORK: Work up to four times a year (across several Saturday mornings) at the theater with the managing director, show director or set designer to build or paint sets for each show. Volunteers can be expert woodworkers or anyone willing to do minor tasks like holding boards or walls while someone screws them together, or anywhere in between. Volunteers are welcome as frequently, or infrequently, as they are willing.

HOST INDIVIDUAL SHOW: Arrive approximately 45 minutes before performance to greet guests and point out restrooms. Put out refreshments (cookies and water) for guests before intermission. Straighten up and leave after guests return to the theater. Volunteers can do this several times during the run of a show and up to four shows per year.

RUN TICKET SALES: Generate a list of pre-paid patrons from ticketing website and check in patrons for show, hand them programs and direct them to the theater. Learn how to use the church's easy Square Reader system when patrons not on the list want to pay by credit card. Volunteers may be needed once or twice during the show's run for up to four shows per year.

MAINTAIN OAK STREET PLAYHOUSE EMAIL LIST: Update after each show and then prior to each subsequent show send out emails to people on the list for auditions, shows, and reminders about the first and second weekends of the show. Each email is customized for its intended purpose. (We are currently using Vertical Response, which is not the most user friendly program, but it is the cheapest most basic program and suits the needs of OSP.) The volunteer also would answer general emails from persons on the list.

MAINTAIN TICKETING WEBSITE: Set up On The Stage ticket website for each show (appx. two hours four times a year). This includes creating a custom code that can be included on the postcards and other advertising.

OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR SHOW POSTCARDS AND PROGRAMS: Communicate four times a year with managing director and play director to obtain information to give to Clair Harrison, who requires a 10-day turnaround to process.

MAINTAIN OAK STREET PLAYHOUSE WEBSITE: Ideal volunteer would have knowledge of website building and would update current website four times a year with photos Clair Harrison or others take from each show, and, as time allows, create new website pages from previous shows.

MANAGE OAK STREET PLAYHOUSE SOCIAL MEDIA: We currently use only Facebook, but we'd love to branch out if someone more media savvy could establish our presence on other sites such as Instagram, Tik Tok and similar outlets.

COMMUNICATE WITH TELEVISION, RADIO, AND NEWSPAPER: Coordinate cast appearances on TV and radio, or feature stories in newspapers, four times a year to promote individual shows.

SHOP FOR SET SUPPLIES: Communicate with the managing director, set designer or show director four times a year ahead of each show to see what needs to be purchased (paint, wood, etc.) for the set.

MANAGE PROP ROOM: Coordinate with the managing director or show director four times a year to pull props before shows and return them to their proper place after the show's run.

MANAGE FURNITURE CAGE: Coordinate with the managing director, show director or set designer four times a year about furniture and other items needed from the cage (in the basement area) and then make sure they are efficiently stored after the show's run.

MANAGE WORK ROOM: Coordinate with the managing director, show director or set designer four times a year to be sure supplies are available in the work room and maintain the work room in a need and orderly fashion.

RUN LIGHT BOARD: Be trained to run light board for one to four shows per year. Requires attending multiple rehearsals and all performances of a show.

RUN SOUND CUES: Be trained to administer sound cues for one to four shows per year . Requires attending multiple rehearsals and all performances of a show.

COSTUME DESIGN: Work with show director four times a year to help select costumes for performers, or sew and create new ones.

MAINTAIN COSTUMES (could be combined with costume design): Maintain costumes four times a year, including laundering them (or taking them to cleaners) after a show's run, and doing minor costume repair.

For more information, contact oakstreetplayhouse@gmail.com. To sign up, please fill out the form below and we will reach out to you about the opportunity!

Do you have a heart for kids and a passion for sharing God's love? First Kids Children's Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve as Sunday School teachers to help guide and nurture the next generation in their faith journey! No prior teaching experience? No problem! We provide curriculum, resources, and support to make it easy and meaningful. Whether you can serve once a month or every week, your time and dedication will make a lasting impact.

Join us in creating a fun, faith-filled environment for our kids!

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 firstkids@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 a group of students? Use your creativity to encourage young minds? 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.