Dumpster Fire…?

Have you ever seen a literal dumpster fire? Someone drops a match in a dumpster and suddenly the entire thing is in flames. I read that the first time it was used as a figure of speech was in 2003. Bill Muller of The Arizona Republic was reviewing a remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” He said the film was the "the cinematic equivalent of a dumpster fire – stinky but insignificant." In 2008, The Urban Dictionary added the word defining it as a "a laughably poor performance." I first heard the term on Sports Talk Radio, when someone would refer to a team as a “dumpster fire.” After that, the term gained enough usage that it is now in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as "an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence."

Have you seen "an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence?" Have you ever been in the middle of "an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence?" It should not be surprising that in days of political division, civil unrest, economic uncertainty and global pandemic that the phrase would gain such traction. There are people today who view their lives as “a non-stop road from one dumpster fire to another.” It is a very pessimistic but increasingly common view of life. But what if there was another way to look at it?

For millennia, people who work with metals subject them to extremely hot fire. As this is done, impurities in the metal, called dross, rise to the surface and can be eliminated. Also, this allows the metal worker to shape and form the metal. Dumpster fire? Not at all. It is called a “refiner’s fire”, because it is necessary to refine the metal.

The Bible contains images of God as Refiner trying to shape and form His people. We sing about it in the hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.” The fourth verse is written from the perspective of God speaking to us,

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design.

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

Did you hear that? God says, “There will be fire, but the flames won’t hurt. I want to rid you of the impurities and refine you… shape and form you.”

Ever feel like life was a dumpster fire? Let me acknowledge that those feelings are real. No question. But just because feelings are real does not mean they are true. What would it mean if, when we started to feel the flames, we could see them not as a dumpster fire, but as a refiner’s fire? Maybe instead of "an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence" it is actually a time when God is reforming and reshaping us into His image? Intrigued? Come join us in August and let’s talk about it!

If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,

David

Budgeted for JUL 21 - JUN 22: $2,191,000

Received YTD 21 - 22: $2,000,063.22

Spent YTD 21 - 22: $1,986,309.57

Support Groups

AA Open Meeting - Sundays @ 7pm (Bldg A)
AA Women’s Group - Thursdays @ 7pm (Bldg A)
GRASP Support Group - Second Tuesday @ 7pm (Bldg C)
S.O.S. Support Group - Second Thursday @ 7pm (Bldg C)
Parkinson’s Support Group - Second Sunday @ 3pm

Updated Dementia Ministry dates

Spouse Support Group In-Person meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 A.M. at the home of Sheila Welch

Zoom Spouse Group meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM.

Family Support Group In-Person meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the home of Sheila Welch.

For more information, please email dementiaministry@duewest.org.

Weekly Exercise Classes

Monday

Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)

Wednesday

Cardio-Sculpt @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30 am
Senior Fit @ 11:30 am

Thursday

Zumba @ 9:30 am

Friday

Boot Camp @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
Stretch & Tone @ 9:30 am (Nursery)

The preschool will be back in session August 8th. We are preparing for the children’s arrival. We still have a few openings in our kindergarten and one-year-old classes. If you are interested, please email Shelly Kubek at skubek@duewest.org.

Thank you to those who have donated books and toys to the preschool. Each year we need to update and replace toys and books. As you can imagine, with 200 children we need many items. At this time, we are in need of tricycles. If you have a tricycle or cozy coupe car you are willing to part with, please let us know.

We are looking forward to our 28th year!

Preschool Sunday School

Memory Verse: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14, NIV

The most amazing work of art is the one we see in the mirror each day—people! God made everything, but people are God’s most wonderful creation because we are the only creation made in God’s very own image. God made us to think and figure things out, to create and invent, and to help others—just like God.

Every time we look in the mirror and look at another person, we are seeing God’s masterpiece. We want preschoolers to know that they are wonderfully made because of WHO made them—THE awesome artist— God!

Elementary Sunday School

Love - Showing others how much they matter to you

Memory Verse: “Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that He loved us and sent His son to give His life to pay for our sins.” 1 John 4:10, NIRV

Love starts and ends with God. Love has always been the point of how God has interacted with the world. Since the beginning of time, God’s love has always been on display. That’s why we chose love to kick off a year through the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God inspired writers of Scripture, whose works come together to tell God’s Big Story. But God’s love isn’t just about what happened in history. God loves US today! And we have the chance to share God’s love with others, right here and now. We know that God loved us first. God loved us enough to send Jesus for us. In response, we can show how much we love God by loving others . . . and showing people how much they matter to us.

dwCrew

dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. We will be meeting this month on August 14 & August 28 from 12:00-1:30. Lunch is $3 and check-in is just inside the blue dwKids doors.

August 14 - Board games & Taco/Sundae Bars

August 28 - Swim Party & Pizza

Mark your calendar for our Back-to-School Splash

Grab your family & friends and join us on the big activity field on September 11 from 1:30-3:00 for some end-of-summer fun! We will have water slides, games, Kona Ice and more. Can’t wait to see you all there!

Volunteers Needed

We are currently recruiting volunteers for the 2022-2023 elementary and preschool Sunday School classes. If you would like to be a part of the ministry, please contact Alicia Iles at ailes@duewest.org.

Event Calendar

Open House - 8/7
Ignite Back-to-School Bash - 8/14
Costa Rica Mission Trip - 9/24-10/1

FOLLOW US ON:
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Click here to register for all youth events!

Event Details

Open House - Aug 7 from 4:30-5:30PM

We encourage ALL youth families and students to attend!

Plan to drop in during that time and get the scoop on our school year! We'll have a time for the students to meet their "Color Team" (see next event) and get their team swag that evening!

Back-to-School Bash: #BTSB - Aug 14

We are so excited to kick off our new year with a color war and an overall super fun night! Registration opened July 10th and the earlier you register- the sooner you know your team color!

Click here to register

Adults- we also need YOU! Click here to sign up to volunteer to help during the evening!

Costa Rica Mission Trip

Are you interested in joining an International Family Mission Trip to Costa Rica over Cobb Fall Break (Sept 24 - Oct 1)? Click here to register or email Team Leader and Youth Sunday School Teacher, Julie Austin, juliecaustin@yahoo.com, for more information!

2022 Phil McGuire Scholarship Winners (presented by the United Methodist Men)

Chaz Bush
Sarah Collins
Jackson Deen
Riley Eckstrom
Ava James
William Laine
Molly McGinnis
Maren Settle
Wyatt Sligh
Hailey Zerkle

What We're Teaching

OUR 4-WEEK “GUIDING LIGHT” SERIES

SERIES OVERVIEW:
Whether you’re not sure what you think about God just yet or your faith in Jesus runs deep, let’s be honest — things would be a lot easier if God spoke to us in really obvious ways. Audible words. Obvious signs. Guiding lights. It would be so much easier to find guidance, feel comforted, or make difficult decisions if we could actually see God with our eyes and hear God’s voice with our ears. Well, there’s some good news. Jesus couldn’t stick around on earth forever, but He hasn’t left us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit in His place. In this 4-week series about wisdom, we’ll get better acquainted with how God’s Spirit guides us as we discover how the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us who shows us truth, gives us wisdom, and helps us love.

Free Estate Planning Workshop - August 13 & October 22

Your Legacy Ministry Committee is sponsoring a free Estate Planning Workshop taught by an experienced estate planning attorney on Saturday, August 13 between 2 and 5pm, Bldg. C, room 242. So-called “Living documents”, specifically healthcare directives, living wills and legal powers of attorney for individuals in attendance will be drafted, witnessed, and notarized as appropriate at no cost. We strongly encourage individuals with or without wills or these living documents to attend this free session to learn more about these and other estate planning issues.

This August workshop is currently full. We are now accepting registrations for our workshop on October 22. For questions, contact Bill Coffeen at billcoffeen@gmail.com.

Register for the Oct 22 Workshop now.

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming workshop.

DW Men’s Breakfast

The Due West UMM breakfast is Sunday, August 21st, at 7am in the Family Life Center. All men are invited to join us. We meet the 3rd Sunday of each month. Our guest speaker will be James Albright, City Manager of Acworth. His topic will be “Interceders”, People or Moments that have redirected our journey in life.

Women’s Bible Study

Please join us Tuesday, August 16, 2022, in Bldg. C, Room 219.

This group meets every Tuesday from 9:30 – 11:30 am and follows the Cobb County school calendar

Leaders: Robin Northcutt and Sally Payne

Contact Robin at 770-974-6461 for current study details.

WOMEN'S FALL KICKOFF - Paint and Pour

Saturday, September 17th from 11:30AM to 1:30/2:00 (Brunch Provided)

Welcome to Paint and Pour Encounters! Cost: $16.00

You do the painting & God does the pouring

Paint and Pour is a guided creative experience that gives an opportunity to make art with meaning and to be encouraged through artistic expression and the word of God. In a paint and pour experience, the art you make has a message that speaks to your soul.

It's a new way to encounter God. (No need to be artsy, this is meant to be a fun time!)

RSVP is required due to the purchasing of supplies and food. Click here to register now!

BEAUTY OF FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP

Mark your calendars, we start back Tuesday, September 27th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Meeting place information will be forthcoming closer to start up. We hope to see you there!

Due West UMC will be working with a local Coalition of churches to support Habitat For Humanity again this year. As an active member of the Coalition, Due West is asked to provide volunteers to assist in the home-building process. The house we are building is located in Mableton. Construction started in June and continues thru August. The house will be dedicated in September.

Click here to volunteer

School is back! It’s time to start collecting and bringing in school supplies to be donated to local schools and to kids living in hotels in our area! Please put donated items in the three bins located in each of the three buildings. Items can include paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, pencil cases etc.

What’s on the horizon?

Be on the lookout for these new mission opportunities!

• Military Support Ministry

• Special Needs Field Day

• Together Families (supports families at risk of losing their kids to DFCS)

• XCell: Fueling Young People with purpose: teaching youth life skills, job skills and trade skills

Go Hike:

Do you like to hike and spend time outdoors? Eddie Fletcher is putting together a team of “trail angels” that will spread God’s love on the Benton McKay trail in Northeast Georgia by providing random acts of kindness and sharing the gospel with hikers! The team will go out for day hikes 2-3 times in the Spring and then again in the Fall. Is God calling you to lace up your boots? If so, contact Eddie Fletcher (eddie4fletch@gmail.com) or Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org).

Teach Love!

Jane Swanson is leading the Teach Love ministry! Be on the lookout for more information on how you or your Small Group/Sunday School class can get involved as we shower teachers and school staff in our area with God’s Love!

Lost-N-Found Youth

Help work in their thrift store or sign up to take meals to the kids living in the shelter. Contact Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org) for more information.

Women’s Bible Study: Meet Them Where They Are!

Gina Hill and Rita Schuchardt will be looking for a few missionaries as they kickoff a monthly Women’s Bible study to be held at the KSU InTown Suites extended-stay hotel. There will be opportunities to visit with the ladies that live there as well as help minister to their kids. Contact Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org) for more information about some brief training that will be required.

The Craddock Center:

The mission is to deliver educational and cultural programs for children, families, and communities, primarily in the Appalachia area of northeast Georgia and Tennessee. They serve by sharing and spreading centuries old traditions of song and story. Donations of new and gently used children’s books are greatly appreciated. For more information, please visit www.craddockcenter.org.

Special Needs Cobb

This organization serves special needs adults living in independent living homes in Cobb County.

KSU CARES

This group focuses on students at KSU that are either currently experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or have come to KSU as students directly from the foster care system. Opportunities include mentoring and helping with the food pantry.

Ongoing opportunities:

Simple Needs Georgia

Simple Needs Georgia is a great local partner through which to volunteer. Located just down the road in Marietta, this partner offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities from sorting clothes, to building hygiene kits, to making knot blankets. This is a great place to involve your entire family. Contact Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org) for more details. www.simpleneedsga.org.

Table on Delk Women’s Ministry

Table on Delk Women’s Ministry provides a safe place for those who are currently, or at risk of, being sexually exploited to have a meal and get connected to resources that they might not know about. Volunteers are needed to prepare food and to show guests the Father’s love. By showing them His love through genuine interactions, telling them that their lives do matter and that He has a plan and purpose for them, some of those we serve will take steps toward healing and restoration.

Volunteer opportunities include serving as hospitality teams at their location for women and children that come for meals, laundry, and Bible Study. Opportunities occur Monday and Tuesday nights and Wednesday and Saturday during the day. Please contact Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org) about getting involved in this powerful ministry.

Mt. Top Boys Home

Located in Sugar Valley, GA, this partner offers great opportunities for families, Small Groups, Sunday School classes, Scout groups etc. Projects include painting, yard care, etc. Combine service with fun and drop over to beautiful Rome, Ga and catch a Rome Braves game this coming season! Contact Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org) for more information. www.mountaintopboyshome.org.

2022 Mission Trips

Costa Rica

September 26-30 | Register

Guápiles, in the Limón Province

Volunteers will be involved in construction of a church and VBS activities in the local communities.

Volunteer ages range from 13 to adult. An adult must accompany any youth under the age of 18.

Cost: Approximately $1350 per person for airfare, lodging, food + additional $125 for other expenses

-Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org)

Registration Now Open

Help us stay in touch with your college student so that we can send them periodic mailings to remind them how much they are loved and supported by the Due West family. Complete the online registration to be sure your student is included, this form needs to be filled out each year to ensure we have the most current address. If you have any questions contact Tracie Cantrell 770-891-5073 or Patti Pass 404-542-8676 or send an email to collegecare@duewest.org.

Click here to register now.

Greetings from the Congregational Care Ministers

“Answer us when we call to you, O my righteous God, Give us relief from our distress; be merciful to us and hear our prayers” Psalm 4:1

As Care Ministers, we have felt called to provide support and comfort to those who are going through tough times that life brings to each of us. Times of discouragement, job loss, illness, surgery, loss of loved ones, to name a few.

You do NOT have to lack comfort, connection or prayer. Pastor David and the Congregational Care Ministers are the only people who know who is receiving care. Privacy is critical and respected.

A Care Minister can send notes, emails, connect by phone, pray with you, offer Communion and visit with you, if desired.

To begin receiving care, please call Denise Luders (church office) at dluders@duewest.org, Brenda and Dan Wyatt at danwyatt1966@gmail.com or Pastor David Campbell at dcampbell@duewest.org.

Please reach out, so together we can be the church.

Adult choirs, youth choir, children’s choir, and orchestra start rehearsals back on August 10! Handbells start back August 7. Please see the website for meeting times and places, or to email the directors. Our Wednesday evening rehearsals will kick off with ice cream truck and be a bit of a party. We’re so glad to be back!

We are still searching for a Music Associate and accompanist. Please email resumes and leads to csalazar@duewest.org.

Sunday School

dwKids Sunday School Volunteers - Contact Alicia Iles at ailes@duewest.org for details.

Military Ministry

Missions is in need of someone to handle our Military Ministry. This ministry opportunity would work to provide care packages, help/resources to those in need, and outreach events. For more info, please contact Kcasteel@duewest.org.

LifeCare Ministry

We’re looking for a volunteer to lead our LifeCare Ministry. This person would be the liaison between groups under LifeCare, providing baskets of blessings, cancer binders, prayer cards, etc. For more info, please contact Kcasteel@duewest.org.

August 2022 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times

August 2022 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Pastoral Update

Stewardship Report

Ongoing Events

dwPreschool

dwKids

Ignite Youth

Adults

Women's Ministry

Habitat for Humanity

Missions

College Care Ministry

Congregational Care Ministry

Music

Volunteer Opportunities

September 2022 Newsletter

July 2022 Newsletter

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times