February 2022 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
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If I die before I wake….
Let me again try to express my gratitude to all of you for your love, prayers and support when I lost my brother on Christmas Eve. Spending a fair amount of time reflecting on life, death and resurrection reminded me of a newsletter article I wrote more than a decade ago. After quite a search, I was able to find it. I thought it was worth dusting off. As you read, I encourage you to wrestle with the question, “If I knew my time left on earth was short, what would I say?” It might be harder than you think.
Let me start with the service. My buddy, Herb Flanders knows me better than any other preacher. We have laughed, cried and prayed together for decades. I’d let him speak. (But tell him he almost didn’t make the cut!) I would love for the congregation to sing, “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Sing them with conviction. Sing them knowing they are true. I want all music to be upbeat and to celebrate the promises of faith. I want people to tell funny stories and laugh. More than anything, I want people to worship the Risen Lord. Jesus said he came to give life in all its fullness. I want people to celebrate the fact that eternal life for me began the day I accepted Jesus as Lord. And I want you to celebrate the fact that eternal life does not end. I want people to remember that flesh is temporary, only spirit is forever. My life will continue along, only my earthly body will stop. I have given my life to that message and I don’t want it forgotten, even for a moment, when I am gone.
I want my wife, children and grandchildren to know that every day I had with them was a gift. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew I would not always be the best husband and father, but He still blessed me with a wonderful wife and children. I want them to know that. I want my granddaughters to always know that their Papa loved them and thought they could do no wrong. I want my friends, who have been there for us over the years, to know how much I appreciate them. I want every church member who has ever allowed me to officiate a wedding, preside over a funeral, baptize a baby, visit you in the hospital, receive you into membership in the church, pray with, cry with, laugh with, worship with, study with and serve God with you… I want you all to know that I always counted each and every one of those things as a high and holy privilege. Thank you. In more than thirty-five years as a Methodist preacher, I have never gotten over the fact that you invite me into the most special times of your life. While I never felt worthy of the honor, please know I did my best.
Of course, I could outlive you all. Or tomorrow might be my day. That is the point: we don’t know. One of the prayers we teach our children includes the line, “If I die before I wake…” Thanks for letting me share a few things on my mind… in case that is true for me.
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David
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Budgeted for JUL 21 - JUN 22: $2,191,000
Budgeted expenses first two quarters: $1,106,000
Received through two quarters: $1,025,366.18
Actual expenses through two quarters: $975,559.26 -
February 2 - Men's Accountability Group @ 8:30am (Bldg C)
February 2 - Exercise - Cardio-Sculpt Express @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 2 - Chancel Choir Rehearsal @ 11:30am (Bldg A)
February 2 - Youth Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 2 - dwKids Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 3 - Exercise - Zumba @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 3 - AA Women’s Group @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 4 - Exercise - Boot Camp @ 8:30am (Bldg B)
February 4 - Exercise - Stretch/Tone @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 4 - Exercise - Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30am (Bldg B)
February 4 - Exercise - Senior Fit @ 11:30am (Bldg B)
February 6 -Worship Services @ 8:30, 9:45 & 11am
February 6 - Ignite @ 5:30pm (Bldg C)
February 6 - AA Open Meeting @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 7 - Exercise - Tone & Tighten @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 7 - Gospel Bluegrass @ 6pm
February 8 - Stitchin’ Sallies @ 9am (Bldg C)
February 8 - Exercise - Chiseled Core @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 8 - Exercise - Yoga @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 8 - GRASP Support Group @ 7pm
February 9 - Men's Accountability Group @ 8:30am (Bldg C)
February 9 - Exercise - Cardio-Sculpt Express @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 9 - Chancel Choir Rehearsal @ 11:30am (Bldg A)
February 9 - Youth Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 9 - dwKids Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 10 - Exercise - Zumba @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 10 - SOS Support Group @ 7pm (Bldg C)
February 10 - AA Women’s Group @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 11 - Exercise - Boot Camp @ 8:30am (Bldg B)
February 11 - Exercise - Stretch/Tone @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 11 - Exercise - Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30am (Bldg B)
February 11 - Exercise - Senior Fit @ 11:30am (Bldg B)
February 13 -Worship Services @ 8:30, 9:45 & 11am
February 13 - Winter Ball @ 4:30 (Bldg B)
February 13 - Ignite @ 5:30pm (Bldg C)
February 13 - Parkinson’s Support Group @ 3pm
February 13 - AA Open Meeting @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 14 - Exercise - Tone & Tighten @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 14 - Gospel Bluegrass @ 6pm
February 15 - Stitchin’ Sallies @ 9am (Bldg C)
February 15 - Exercise - Chiseled Core @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 15 - Exercise - Yoga @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 16 - Men's Accountability Group @ 8:30am (Bldg C)
February 16 - Exercise - Cardio-Sculpt Express @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 16 - Chancel Choir Rehearsal @ 11:30am (Bldg A)
February 16 - Dementia Ministry Spouse Support @ 1pm
February 16 - Youth Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 16 - dwKids Choir @ 6pm (Bldg A)
February 16 - The Gathering Worship Service @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 17 - Exercise - Zumba @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 17 - AA Women’s Group @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 17-19 - Wonderfully Made
February 18 - Exercise - Boot Camp @ 8:30am (Bldg B)
February 18- Exercise - Stretch/Tone @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 18 - Exercise - Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30am (Bldg B)
February 18 - Exercise - Senior Fit @ 11:30am (Bldg B)
February 19-22 - High School Ski Trip
February 20 -UMM Breakfast Meeting @ 7am (Bldg B)
February 20 -Worship Services @ 8:30, 9:45 & 11am
February 20 -Grief Share @ 7pm
February 20 - AA Open Meeting @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 21 - Exercise - Tone & Tighten @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 21 - Gospel Bluegrass @ 6pm
February 22 - Stitchin’ Sallies @ 9am (Bldg C)
February 22 - Exercise - Chiseled Core @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 22 - Exercise - Yoga @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 23 - Men's Accountability Group @ 8:30am (Bldg C)
February 23 - Exercise - Cardio-Sculpt Express @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 23 - Dementia Ministry Spouse Support @ 1pm
February 24 - Exercise - Zumba @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 24 - AA Women’s Group @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 25 - Exercise - Boot Camp @ 8:30am (Bldg B)
February 25- Exercise - Stretch/Tone @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
February 25 - Exercise - Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30am (Bldg B)
February 25 - Exercise - Senior Fit @ 11:30am (Bldg B)
February 26-27 - UMM Men’s Retreat
February 27 -Worship Services @ 8:30, 9:45 & 11am
February 27 -Grief Share @ 7pm
February 27 - Ignite @ 5:30pm (Bldg C)
February 27 - AA Open Meeting @ 7pm (Bldg A)
February 28 - Exercise Tone & Tighten @ 9:30am (Bldg B)
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Preschool Sunday School
Memory Verse: “Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14, NIV
Did you know there are over 100 million love songs? Why so much interest in love? Well, it could be because God is love. And, God made every person in His image. We were literally made by love, to love and to be loved!
That is why Jesus loves everyone, and why He taught us how we can love everyone, too. Jesus gave us so many examples of loving everyone while He was on earth, and we get to share them with our preschoolers this month.
Jesus loves everyone, and we can love everyone like Jesus—that is what we want preschoolers to know. And, there’s no better time in our world for children to hear this powerful truth. So, grab a party hat and a handful of confetti and let’s get the party started!
Elementary Sunday School
Compassion - Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need.
Memory Verse: “The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what He requires of you. You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy. And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.” Micah 6:8, NIRV
God’s compassion for us led to the greatest act of love the world has ever seen. God sent Jesus to rescue us. We reflect God’s compassion when we care about others and work to make things right.
dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. We will be meeting this month on February 6 at Central Gymnastics from 12:30-2:00. Please contact Joyia Buckelew at jbuckelew@duewest.org for further details.
Winter Ball
Hosted by dwKids & Ignite Youth
February 13 | 4pm | DWUMC
dwKids and Ignite Youth are hosting a Winter Ball for all children, youth and their parents. We will have dancing, games, snacks and many other fun activities. Wear your best party outfit and join us for a great time.
Wonderfully Made: Loved by God
The preteen years are tough. Changes are happening to preteens physically, mentally, and emotionally which makes it hard to know exactly what’s going on. Wonderfully Made provides kids ages 10–12 the opportunity to not only ask questions about growing up, but to get faith-based answers as well. This program covers physical development and spiritual connection while helping preteens establish a foundation for their life in Christ.
Wonderfully Made is a 3-day course for 5th & 6th grade students and their parents: Thursday evening (parents), Friday evening (students), all day Saturday (students in the am, all in the afternoon for lunch)
Coming February 17 - 19; Registration is open until February 13.
**We are still in need of volunteers. If you are a parent of a child coming up, this would be a great opportunity to learn more about the program before your child attends. Please contact Alicia Iles at ailes@duewest.org for more information.
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Winter Ball
Hosted by dwKids & Ignite Youth
February 13 | 4pm | DWUMC
dwKids and Ignite Youth are hosting a Winter Ball for all children, youth and their parents. We will have dancing, games, snacks and many other fun activities. Wear your best party outfit and join us for a great time.
Learn More & Register
Movies, Music, & More
Sunday, March 13! This annual variety show is a fundraising event that helps support our Youth Choir. Interested in participating? Auditions are Sunday, February 13th. Sign up.
Ignite
Ignite is a great time of fun and fellowship for 6th - 12th graders every Sunday night at 5:30pm in the Youth Center in Building C. Ignite will meet on Feb. 6 & 27 at the regular time and on Feb. 13 for the Winter Ball.
Sunday School
Youth Sunday School classes are available for 6th through 12th graders every Sunday at 9:45am or 11am. Youth Sunday School meets in the Youth Center in Building C. Learn More.
Youth Choir
Youth Choir is an awesome group of 6th through 12th graders who meet on Wednesdays at 6pm! Youth Choir meets in the Choir Room in Building A.
Youth Choir is going on tour to Pensacola, Florida May 29 - June 1. Registration closes February 25.
Small Groups
Interested in hosting or organizing a Youth Small Group? Please contact Lora!
Upcoming Events
February 19-22, 2022: High School Ski Trip
February 23-26, 2022: Middle School Disney Trip
March 18-20, 2022: Spiritual Life Retreat (Registration deadline is Feb. 25)
June 13-17, 2022 ($500): Big Stuf Summer Beach Trip
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Missionaries at Work
Thanks to all of the Christmas Angels that helped to decorate our campus for the Christmas Season! They even returned to take it all down and put it away! This is no small task but one that is so important in the life of our church. Thanks to the members of our local Emergency Relief Team that traveled to Tennessee to help with clean up from the recent tornados that hit that area. Continued thanks to our volunteers that consistently keep the church’s Food Pantry and Weekend Backpack Program running smoothly. Thank you to our church staff members that are taking time to lead devotions for the teachers at Due West Elementary School. As always, there are countless other missionaries that do such wonderful things in and around our community. You don’t have to look far to see God at Work! Due West, y’all truly are the Hands of God! Thank you and Bless you!
Now Go and Serve:
Mission Trips:
There are two mission trips scheduled for 2022.
Ocoee Mission Outreach in Cleveland, TN. A great “first” or family mission trip. We build wheelchair ramps, help with VBS-type activities and much more. Open to families (kids must be 12 years old), couples or singles. We are going the week of June 26. Cost information to be determined.
Costa Rica: We are focusing this trip on high school juniors and seniors and their parents if interested. This powerful trip is composed of the continued building of a Methodist Church and hosting VBS-style activites in several surrounding villages. We are going the week of September 26-30 (Cobb County Fall break). Cost information to be determined.
Upcoming Opportunites
Bring on the Soup!
The church is collecting Campbell’s chicken noodle and Campbell’s chunky beef soups for the next several weeks. All cans of soup will be donated to MUST Ministries. There will be marked bins in the narthex of Building A and C. We will be collecting until Monday, February 14th.Missions Guest Speaker!
Make plans now to join us on Wednesday evening, February 23 for our next Mission Insight Dinner event. This month’s speaker will be Elliot Stotler, the Executive Director of Venezuela Now. Our church has been actively supporting this vital ministry for several years. Come hear about all that is going on with V-Now! This is a dinner program from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Please RSVP to Stacey Lucas at slucas@duewest.org by Friday, February 18 so we can have a headcount for dinner.NEW MISSION OPPORTUNITY! Kennesaw State University CARE Services
There is a hidden problem at college! Did you know that 15% of college students at four-year institutions, and 11% of college students at two-year institutions experience homelessness? Many of these students were in the foster care system or experienced homelessness as teenagers. To combat this problem at a local level, The Kennesaw State University CARE services program was created 10 years ago. In that 10-year period, 44 students have been housed in temporary apartments, and nearly 2,500 students have been able to utilize its full range of services. Program services include offering access to on-campus food pantries, financial assistance, temporary housing, and mentoring. Programs are offered on both the Kennesaw Campus and the Marietta Campus.Our congregation will be joining this fight. Mission opportunities include hosting food and toiletry drives, volunteering to help with cleaning and upkeep of the apartments that are used for housing, “adopting” students, and serving as mentors.
Be on the lookout for ways to get involved in this special ministry. Please contact Mark Hellman for more information!
There is no doubt that God is alive and working here at Due West UMC!
-Mark Hellman (mhellman@duewest.org)
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Women’s Ministry
LADIES NIGHT OUT
Come join us February 10 at 7PM in the FLC Classroom B101 for a Ladies Night Out.
Our own Julia Broughton will be helping us make rose quartz Shamballa bracelets.
This is a great time of fellowship and some tasty desserts!
Register now and contact Kcasteel@duewest.org with questions.
MARCH WOMEN'S RETREATMarch 11-13
Come join us for a weekend of fun at The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge in Young Harris, GA.
Guest speaker Patsy Harley will talk about Fruit of the Spirit.
Come enjoy fellowship with friends, meet new friends, campfires and s’mores each night, great food and free time on Saturday afternoon to enjoy hiking, some spa time, visit a winery, painting and jewelry classes or just time to sit by the lake and relax.
We have lots of fun planned while we embrace God's presence and energize our hearts and minds.
United Methodist Men
AutoBell Car Wash Gift Cards | Order Now!
The United Methodist Men are selling AutoBell Car Wash gift cards for $20. Proceeds go to the UMM Scholarship Fund which benefits students attending Methodist colleges and universities.
Men’s Retreat
February 25-26 | Register Now
This will be an exciting event overlooking beautiful Lake Chatuge. Our speaker will be Rev. Lathem Postell.
The cost is $90.00, Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch are included.
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Our Chartered Organizations: Scouts BSA and American Heritage Girls
Most people still probably associate these organizations from their youth as the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts but these programs have evolved retaining some of their most iconic traditions and adding others. Due West has supported these organizations (some for almost 50 years) through a special relationship referred to as a charter. Our church agrees to provide each program with a safe place to meet and conduct their programs under the auspices of trained adult leaders who periodically meet with a designated chartered organization representative. That individual helps select the very best in adult leadership, encourages extensive program training in conjunction with our own required Safe Sanctuaries training to ensure the health and safety of those participating. Due West is proud to have these organizations on campus as they encourage our young people to understand the responsibilities of good citizenship, develop leadership skills and to embrace a reverence for God and the out of doors. Here at Due West, program expenses are not part of our church’s operational budget. Building self-reliance among youth members is part of being self-sufficient. Our units are grateful for a safe place to meet, have fun and instill important values, but they pay their own way. Regardless of that fact, some 35 years ago members of Due West were so inspired by what these programs could do for youth that they built what we call today our “Scout Hut” facing Due West Road.
For years our church only chartered Pack 540 (boys ages 6 through 10) and Scout Troop 540 (boys ages 11 through 18). However, in 2013 interest was expressed to charter a Christ-centered program for girls ages 6 through 18 called American Heritage Girls (AHG). The results were impressive as more and more girls joined. Then in 2019 the Boy Scouts of America allowed young women to participate in the traditional program for 11 through 18-year-olds and we supported that effort by establishing Troop 5400, an all-female troop. Today all these units combined provide exciting, dynamic programs for over 160 youth. All units conduct service projects on our campus such as rebuilding the handicapped ramp to our Sunday School “cottage” (BSA Troop 540 Eagle project) or in our community by building a bridge on a mountain bike trail in Allatoona Creek Park (BSA Troop 5400 Eagle project) or participating in the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup (AHG Troop 4224), or beautifying the grounds of Due West Elementary School (BSA Pack 540) or laying wreaths on graves in the Marietta National Cemetery (AHG Troop 4224).
Our largest and oldest unit, Troop 540, continues to offer high adventure activities annually like Philmont in New Mexico and Northern Tier in Minnesota coupled with monthly camping ventures, leadership training, and advancement opportunities producing nine newly minted Eagle Scouts in 2021 (182 to date). Last year Pack 540 held a successful Pinewood Derby virtually, earned a Summertime Pack award plus Webelos Scout William Kai Curley-Obreo earned a unique recognition sponsored by the National Park Service called the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger award. AHG Troop 4224 provided programming for four distinct age groups and often combines them into troop activities such as packing over 40 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child in 2021. They participated in a variety of camping events along with activities related to their “Live Free (through faith)” theme this past year. Our youngest and presently smallest unit, Troop 5400, is very outdoors-oriented having attended summer camp, whitewater rafted the Nantahala River, ziplined over the Chattahoochee River and hiked Rabun Bald Mountain, 2nd highest peak in Georgia. And Paige Minert became the Troops’ first Eagle Scout, among the first young women to do so nationally.
While the effects of the pandemic have been tough on all programs these past two years, it is a testament to the creativity, courage and flexibility of their adult leadership that allowed them not only to survive but thrive. All units continue to grow in both quantity and quality as evidenced by each unit earning their organization’s highest level of excellence award.
Scouting BSA and American Heritage Girls members will be in attendance and in uniform during our 11am service in Building A, February 6. Come join us! -
Spring Soccer Registration
Registration for Spring Outdoor soccer players and coaches is now open! If you register to coach, your player will receive half off registration. This year the program will be open to 3-year-olds up to 6th graders. If you know of a family that might be in need of financial assistance, please contact Mark Hellman or Joyia Buckelew to inquire about the Steve Campisi Memorial Scholarship.
Exercise Classes
Monday
- Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Tuesday- Chiseled Core (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 9:30 am
- Yoga (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 10:30 am
Wednesday
- Cardio-Sculpt (All Levels) @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Thursday
- Zumba (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 9:30 am
Friday
- Boot Camp (Intermediate/Advanced) @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
- Stretch & Tone (Beginner) @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
- Slow Flow Yoga (Beginner) @ 10:30 am
- Senior Fit (Beginner/Intermediate) @ 11:30 am -
February is a fun and exciting month in the preschool. Our themes are Valentine’s Day and community helpers. The children will learn a variety of ways we can show our love to our classmates, teachers, and family. We celebrate Valentine’s Day with class parties that include valentine exchanges. There will be books, fingerplays and dramatic play to help the children learn about community helpers. In our STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics) Lab, the children will learn about Jesus’ love for them through stories, music, experiments and exploration.
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year continues in the preschool office. Please contact Shelly Kubek or Courtney Kunkel 770-590-0982 or skubek@duewest.org or ckunkel@duewest.org if you are interested in scheduling a tour or just getting some more information. We offer classes for children ages 1 through Kindergarten. You can also get more information on our church website.
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Welcome to our new members!
Tony & Cindy Ham
Online Giving
You can give online using your smartphone, tablet or computer. Click here to begin giving through our system. Contact Amber Wilson at awilson@duewest.org if you have any questions.
Due West Market
Click here to shop! We currently have UMM Autobell gift cards and orders for congregational name tags!
Altar Flowers
Honor a loved one with altar flowers displayed in front of the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Learn More & Purchase
Prayer Requests
Need prayer? Click here to submit a prayer request!