It Happened
RIO BRAVO MISSION TEAM REPORTS A SUCCESSFUL MISSION
Due to the H1N1 Flu outbreak in May of 2009, the 2009 Rio Bravo Mission trip was rescheduled for later in the year.
The combined medical/construction team left on December 27, 2009 and returned January 1, 2010. Over 240 patients
were given care in the medical clinic and at 2 remote sites. One Casita was completed for an elderly couple. The
team was also able to reconnect with four families we have built Casitas for in past years. First UMC was able once
again to show the love of Christ to those in need in Rio Bravo. Team members: Mark Carpenter, Sandy Carpenter, Matt
Carter, Scott Hardin, Kay Hardin, Callie McKinnon, Cindy McKinnon, Rick McKinnon, Halie Moreno, Mike Morrison,
Robin Morrison, Daniel Polk, Emily Polk, Jonathan Polk, Patty Polk, Dustin Ray, Brittany Richardson, Harvey Shehane,
Trevor Smith, Hollie Smith, Betty Thurmon, Clark Watson.
Over 250 local women, of all ages, races and from numerous denominations, braved the frigid weather on January 9 and filled the sanctuary.
Jan Silvious, guest speaker who has authored several books and spoken to women’s groups through the country, urged those at the confer-ence
to "Get yourself some friends-friendship is so important. Live for today and don’t worry about tomorrow.
Babbie Mason, a Christian singer-songwriter who has released several CDs, lead the singing and performed several selections from some of her CDs.
An offering was taken during the conference, with the money to benefit the El Dorado Sight Impaired Group Help Team and Ozark Mission
Project-an effort that brings together youth and adults for service in the spirit of Christ to individuals and families who are in need
of minor construction and yard work.
BIG GIRL BIG GOD Slideshow
The Wednesday Craft Workers held their annual Holiday Bazaar on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 7:00 until 11:00 a.m. in
the Fellowship Hall. The bazaar featured homemade crafts and holiday items, scarfs, jewelry, baked and preserved items,
and "Trash & Treasure". Breakfast items, priced at $1.00 each, were available for shoppers to enjoy at the event or carry out.
This group, plus 4 from Marysville, traveled to Little Rock September 16th for a matinee at Murry’s Playhouse.
It was such fun another trip was planned for October.
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On Sunday, September 20, the following people joined our church membership and we welcome each of them into our fellowship:
Karla and Dwayne Long
Mark Reynolds
Garrett West
Haley Morino
Lisa and Brook Murray
Kimberly Stephens
Gret and Kerri Marx (Aubrey and Sydney)
Adam McInis
Matt and Erin Carter (Will and Aubrey)
Trevor Smith
Katy Murphy (Benjamin)
Scott, Connie, Taylor and Lucas Reed
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On August 16, 2009, the following 23 couples were honored in the Sanctuary Service for having been married for 50 or more years.
W.C. & Veta Blewster
Bob & Joyce Brown
Ed & Ailene Cook
Bill & Dot Craig
Sam & Sue Crawford
Royce & Norma Dean
Robert & Jane Dudley
R.J. & Mary Haney
Robert & Winnie Hood
Randall & Janis King
Floyd & Beulah Thomas
Fred & Sue Worsham
Herman & Jerri Martindill
Aaron & Jeanette Morgan
James & Billie Nelson
Bill & Mary Sue Noble
Jerome & Dolores Nunnally
Herman & Betty Jo Ratcliff
Ron & Carolyn Robinson
Claud & Geraldine Robinson
Jesse & Thelma Stevens
Al & Betty Stover
David & Martha Yocum
The Mission Committee
January - June 2009
The first half of 2009 has been very productive for the Mission Committee, which allocates money and services from three separate funds: The church budget, the Dollar Giving Fund and the Lusk Mission Endowment Fund.
Money budgeted by the church has been used in a variety of worthy causes this year.
Equipment was purchased for the Hillsboro Activities Center, the Abundant Life Christian Center, and a donation was made to the "Under Grace Ministries" for the Tucker Maximum Prison Chapel building project (a non-denominational, statewide project). The committee voted to begin an annual commitment to Shana Harrison, a foreign missionary in Santiago, Chile supported by the AR Conference of the United Methodist Church. Finally, a donation will be hand delivered to the (African) Clergy Spouses Water Well Project by Arkansas Bishop Charles Crutchfield and his wife. They will be attending the UMC North Katanga Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The North Katanga Conference is a "sister" conference to the Arkansas Conference.
The majority of the money from the Dollar Giving Fund has gone to area food pantries.
Money collected May 24 - June 14 was donated to the "Strength for Service" drive. In
addition, donations went towards the purchase of a computer program for the Hillsboro Activity Center and the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. Currently only money collected at the altar rail during communion goes into the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. The committee voted to use the dollars collected the first Sunday of each month for this purpose as well.
The Lusk Mission Endowment Fund is restricted for hands-on mission work not otherwise
covered by the regular church budget. A number of groups have used monies from this fund
for their activities including youth training for our OMP team, supplies for the team
we will be hosting in July, the IHS Gleaning Garden, the Kaleo Class ministry project to
the Hillsboro Activity Center, scholarships for two church members to participate in a
mission trip to Kenya with the Global Village Education Foundation and the upcoming
"This Olde Church" mission work day. Funds set aside for the May Rio Bravo mission
trip have been put on hold anticipating the rescheduling of the trip later in the year.
Pictured below are photos from the IHS Gleaning Garden. In an ecumenical effort, a
bare city lot was transformed into a beautiful garden, providing wonderful homegrown vegetables for
the IHS food pantry. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed!
On May 17, 2009, the following high school seniors were honored in the 10:30 Sanctuary sevice.
They were joined by their families for a meal in the Fellowship Hall following the service.
Abby Abbott
Reaves Alewine
Clay Anthony
Morgan Butler
Taylor Evers
Teri Beth Mitchell
Jessamyn Ratcliff
Collins Scott
Alexandra Walthall
Receiving college degrees
Anna Murphy from Hendrix College
Laura Beth Bevill from the University ofTulsa
Mary Candace Depper from Henderson State University
Lauren Yocum from University of Central Arkansas.
Receiving masters degrees
Hannah Guthrie from University of North Texas
Adam Guthrie from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
John Hall graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law
Annie Depper received her law degree from the University of Texas
We especially congratulate Dr. Cindy Dupuis upon the receipt of her doctoral degree.
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On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, we welcomed the following confirmands into the
United Methodist Church and our congregation:
Jay Anthony Brooks
Suzanna Haygood
Sophie Lowery
Whit Reynolds
Lawson Smith
Wesley Tyson
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UMW Sunday was celebrated at both worship services on March 15, 2009. Pam Brule gave the message at both services and Circle members served as ushers at FirstLight then led the entire worship service at the Sanctuary Service. During the Sanctuary Service, the Special Mission Recognition Award presentation was made. Thanks to a generous private contribution, two awards were provided so that both Ed and Melba Ainsworth could be recognized for their many contributions to our church, community and neighboring areas.
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The FUMC Women's Outreach Ministry hosted a Women's Conference on Friday and Saturday,
January 9 & 10, 2009. The speaker for the event, which drew women from
all over Arkansas and neighboring states, was Jan Silvious, known for her
association with Women of Faith as well as many other ministries. In
addition to Jan's Proverbs based sessions on "Fool-proofing Your Life",
there were activites such as Chinese cooking, needle arts, watercolor
painting, line dancing and scrapbooking scheduled before and after the Friday night session.
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FUMC El Dorado was honored to welcome world renown author and speaker Josh McDowell for
the Adele MacFarlane Preaching Series the weekend of January 23-25, 2009. Mr. McDowell
gave four talks over the course of the weekend as well as leading a workshop on Saturday
morning for parents and youth workers.
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