June 2023 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
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Stewardship Update
Expenses & Giving through April 2023
Budgeted Expenses: $1,864,000.00
YTD Expenses: $1,670,475.00
YTD Giving: $1,588,668.00
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Where to Start?
As I sit down to write a newsletter article for June, I am not sure where to start. June 25th will be a big day here, of course. It is our annual Freedom Sunday. Each year, we celebrate two freedoms. Of course, there is the freedom we enjoy as citizens of our nation. Therefore, we are grateful to all those who have served our nation in the military and all of those who have served our nation by supporting them. But, we also celebrate another freedom we have. The freedom that comes from Christ Jesus. It says in John 8, “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” That is worth celebrating! I could take this whole article to talk about that.
This month we also celebrate Father’s Day. I was blessed to have my dad with me until about two and a half years ago. For all the men in our lives who have loved us, nurtured us and guided us in the faith, we give thanks. But, we are also grateful for our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.” For that we give thanks every day! I could take the whole article to talk about that.
And, of course in early June, we will have Vacation Bible School. I hope that you are signed up to volunteer. This is always a highlight of the summer. I could take the whole article to talk about that.
June usually brings around the gathering of our Annual Conference. This year, we actually start at the end of May and end on June 3rd. We will gather in Athens at The Classic Center. There is business we conduct each year. But there is much more. We will see new pastors ordained. Having served for several years on our Board of Ordained Ministry, I have been blessed to work with these people as they have moved through the process. It is a great celebration. We will honor our sisters and brothers who are retiring. And we will also remember some of our sisters and brothers at the memorial service. But for me, the best part is that I will be returning to Due West for our seventh year together! I could take the whole article to talk about that.
For Susan and me, June brings a vacation. We are scheduled to fly out on June 5th for Europe. We will spend some time in Austria and Italy. We are looking forward to that trip. I could take the whole article to talk about that. (And, I might just do that when we get back!)
Maybe I should just say that June will be a busy month. If you are getting time away, enjoy. Be in worship when you are in town! And, pray for all that God is doing in and through this place.
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David Campbell
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Serving God for Fifty Years!
Due West United Methodist Church 50th Anniversary Celebration
When: Sunday, September 10, 2023
Who: You are invited if you ever considered Due West UMC “home”- whether it was for a day, a month, a year, or many years. You do not have to be (or ever have been) a member.
What: A special service, a delicious meal, and an interesting exhibit
Service: There will be ONE service in the North Campus sanctuary beginning at 10:30 a.m. The service will include a bit of history and a lot of memories. Former pastors have been invited to participate. Former choir members are encouraged to rejoin for this memorable Sunday. Rev. Doug Gilreath will be delivering the message. (Doug was our former youth director. He is currently the Northeast District Superintendent.)
If overflow seating is needed, it will be available in the Gathering Place and in the Family Life Center.
Children of all ages are welcome in the service, but if you prefer, dwKids (age 4 – 5th grade) will be offering a Homecoming breakfast during the service along with fun activities to celebrate this special occasion. Your kids can join them on the lower level of Building A.
Nursery will be available for newborns through age 3. Nursery rooms are also located on the lower level of Building A.
Following the service:
Lunch: Lunch will be served in the Family Life Center. We ask that the tables in the Family Life Center be reserved for people with limited mobility (and their families). Additional seating will be available in the pavilion. We also encourage you to bring chairs and/or blankets to picnic on the Large Activity Field. There is no charge for lunch; however, to ensure that we prepare enough food, a link will be provided in the near future for families to register for this event.
50 Years of Due West UMC in Action: A “look at the past” exhibit will be along the walls inside the Family Life Center and in the Scout Hut. Take your time enjoying all the pictures and memorabilia that will be on display.
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May 30 - June 2 - Anything’s Possible Musical Theatre Camp
June 3-9 - Sports Camp Mission Trip - Sweetwater, TN
June 3-10 - Guatemala Mission Trip
June 4 - Admin Board Meeting/Charge Conference @ 12:30
June 5-8 – VBS and After VBS Sports Camp
June 10 - Ladies’ Tea
June 12-15 - Preschool Summer Camp
June 12-15 - Magic Treehouse Camp
June 12-16 - Princess Dance Camp
June 12-16 - Kindermusik Camp
June 12-16 - Pottery Camp
June 15 - Men’s Fellowship @ Governors G.C.
June 19-22 - Soccer Camp
June 19-23 - Princess Dance Camp 2
June 25 - Freedom Sunday
June 26-30 - Science Camp
June 26-30 - On Broadway Musical Camp
June 26-30 - Art Camp
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Support Groups
AA Open Meeting - Sundays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
AA Women’s Group - Thursdays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
GriefShare - Sundays @ 6:00 pm (Bldg C)
GRASP Support Group - Second Tuesday @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)
S.O.S. Support Group - Second Thursday @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)
Parkinson’s Support Group - Second Sunday @ 3:00 pm
Dementia Ministry Meetings
Spouse Support Group meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am.
Spouse Group meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm.
Family Support Group meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.
Currently, all meetings are being held via Zoom. For more information, please email dementiaministry@duewest.org.
Weekly Exercise Classes (Bldg B)
Monday
Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Tuesday
Pilates @ 9:30 am
Wednesday
Cardio-Sculpt @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Pilates @ 9:30 am
Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30 am
Thursday
Zumba @ 9:30 am
Friday
Boot Camp @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
Stretch & Tone @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
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Due West United Methodist Church Preschool is now accepting registrations for the upcoming school year of 2023-2024. However, please note that we only have a limited number of openings available in the Ones, Twos, and Fours classes. If you are interested in enrolling your child in the other classes, we welcome you to add your child to our waiting list. To learn more about our preschool or to schedule a tour, please feel free to contact Shelly Kubek or Courtney Kunkel at 770-590-0982 or via email at skubek@duewest.org or ckunkel@duewest.org. It is worth noting that our preschool has received recognition as a "Program of Excellence" by the N. GA Conference Preschool Association since 2001!
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Preschool Sunday School
Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Memory Verse: “Jesus said, ‘Come follow me.’ “ Matthew 4:19, NCV
This summer, we’re talking about the best friend ever with our preschoolers. We want every preschooler to know that not only is Jesus the best friend ever, but Jesus wants to be THEIR friend … forever!
We want our preschoolers to hear over and over that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. And not only does Jesus want to be their friend, but Jesus is a friend worth following. That way, when the time comes, our preschoolers will be ready to follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere!
Elementary Sunday School
Faith - Trusting in what you can’t see because of what you can see.
Memory Verse: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1, NIRV
Since the beginning, God has always been deeply involved in the world. We see God’s handiwork on display in creation. We see God’s love on display through Jesus, who came to rescue us. We respond to God in faith, believing in what we can’t see because of what we can see. When we focus on what we know to be true about God and the world God created, we can have faith in what we can’t see or fully understand. We put that faith into action as we follow Jesus and show His love to the world.
Summer Camps
Due West is offering a variety of summer camps for kids of all ages. Sports Camps, Science Camps, Preschool Camp, and Musical Theater Camps are just a few. Be sure to check them out here!
Vacation Bible School
Monday, June 5 - Thursday, June 8
At Stellar VBS, kids will learn to Shine Jesus’ Light! We will experience crafts, games, Bible adventures, snacks and unforgettable music. Plus, you’ll meet lots of new friends! VBS packets will be available for pickup from May 30th - June 1st in the Admin 2 office from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and June 4th in the dwKids check-in area from 9:00 - noon.
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June Sunday School Dates
June 4th - Sent Together (Week 3)
June 11th - Sent Together (Week 4)
June 18th - Father's Day Special Lesson
June 25th - Please Explain (Week 1)
Youth Sunday School Series
PLEASE EXPLAIN: A 4-WEEK STUDY FROM THE GOSPELS ON JESUS
Some things are hard to understand — like chemistry, verb conjugations, the blockchain, or why your friend is mad at you. When we face a problem, situation, or idea we’re struggling to understand, it always helps to know someone we trust can explain it to us. When Jesus was here on earth, He spent a lot of time helping His followers understand some pretty hard-to-understand ideas about God. One of the ways Jesus often made complicated ideas simpler was by explaining them through stories and metaphors, which we call parables. In this four-week series from the Gospels, we’ll explore four of the parables Jesus told His followers to explain four important truths about God. These parables help us see that God's words are a firm foundation, in God’s kingdom, everyone belongs, God’s words invite a response, and that God’s kingdom is always growing.
Summer Beach Camp - July 7-10
Local Mission Week - June 19-22
On June 19th and 20th, rising 6th graders through College age are encouraged to join us in a local mission effort at a Senior Center! Their biggest requests are to wash their cars, prep their lunches, eat and fellowship with them, and worship with them. We will meet for our mission project at the youth center at 9:30 am and should be finished around 1:30 pm! Lunch is provided.
In the afternoons, we'll have some fun outings! Monday we plan to attend a movie at NCG Acworth and Tuesday we're headed to Sparkles! We'll meet at the location!
The activities are open to all youth, but those who participate in the morning mission get to attend the evening activity for FREE!
Sign up for each event for which you'd like to participate in the ADD-ON section of the registration!
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Freedom Sunday - Veterans and Service People needed!
As we prepare to honor our veterans and celebrate God’s foundation in our country this coming Freedom Sunday, June 25th, we want to engage the congregation in two very meaningful ways.
First, we are asking representatives—either active or veteran—from each branch of the military to carry that branch’s flag. We need a representative at each traditional service, 8:30 and 11:00 am. Time commitment is only the morning of June 25th, for about an hour. Email csalazar@duewest.org to secure your position!
Second, if you have served, or would like to recognize immediate family that have served or are currently serving in the armed forces, and have never before had their photo in the slideshow, please submit a clear photo with their full name, branch, and rank. Email photo submissions with details to csalazar@duewest.org by June 15th.
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See the PDF version of the Newsletter for visuals!
The Center for the Arts invites you to join us for one of our fun camps in June! We offer sibling discounts and a multi-camp discount. Email cfa@duewest.org with any questions or for more information.
Watercolor Classes for Adults: June 1st and June 29th
Magic Treehouse Adventure Camp: June 12th-15th
Pottery Camp: June 12th-16th
Art Camp: June 26th-30th
Seussical Jr. Auditions
July 10th - 14th
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May Missions Newsletter
Here at Due West, we want every person to be engaged in our missions’ ministry. From the youngest to the oldest, we want to get everyone involved in serving God! We are so excited to announce that we have a new format for mission’s information.
Click here to read the NEW Missions Newsletter for June.
Click here to subscribe to our NEW Missions Monthly Newsletter.
We pray that you find a place to serve and join us as we live out our Mission Statement, “Inviting the community to join us as we Gather Together, Grow in Jesus Christ, and Go Serve.”
MUST Summer Lunch Donations
MUST Summer Lunch Program will begin May 30th, and we need your food donations! Single-serve breakfast, lunch, and snack items are requested.
Each child receives 5 breakfast, 5 lunch, and 5 snack items each week. Each week, it takes a total of 875 breakfast, lunch, and snack items to fill the bags for 175 kids. There are 9 weeks of summer. That’s a lot of food! This year, you can choose to either bring food donations (preferred) to the white donation bins or donate funds. Checks can be made out to Due West UMC with ‘MUST Summer Lunch’ in the memo line.
Thank you for your generosity to kids in need!
MUST Summer Lunch Delivery Drivers Needed
Come have fun and volunteer to deliver lunches for kids in need this summer!
Delivery Teams will meet at Due West Building C in room 226 on Thursday mornings at 11:15 am. It’s easy, we promise! You simply show up, and we load cars together. Then, we give you directions and you drive to the location.
Can’t load, but can drive? No problem! We have other volunteers who can load for you. Kids and families come and pick up lunches directly out of your vehicle. No lifting required!
Can load, but can’t drive? No problem! You can ride along with someone else who is driving. Ask a friend and come together!
We need 4-6 people each week to work in teams of 2 to make deliveries.
To sign up to deliver click here!
Contact Gina Hill or Millie Skinner for more information.
Youth Sports Camp in Sweetwater, Tennessee
Do you enjoy coaching and leading youth activities? Join us for our second year with the International Sports Federation, as we help lead a community-wide “all sports” week. (Think VBS with a sports twist.) We are looking for teenagers and adults with a heart for spreading the gospel through sports and coaching! There is a lot to do during “down time” in this great little town… 3 homemade ice cream shops and even a duck park! To sign up on Church Center, click here. Contact Mark Hellman for more information.
Guatemala Mission Trip
This is a long-term mission trip that our church has been involved with for over a decade. We stay in a beautiful mission house, surrounded by all kinds of beautiful, tropical plants and flowers! We primarily run medical clinics during the day (you don’t have to have any medical experience to go), and help with VBS-style activities at the clinics and in the evenings. All meals are provided by the mission house team. This is a great trip! Contact Dale Hajost for more details. Deadline to register is June 1st.
Social Media Volunteer
Are you someone who is good at social media marketing? Would you like to help our missions team come into the 21st century? We need your help! We need to redesign our Facebook, Instagram, and web pages for Due West Missions.
We want to be sure everyone knows who we are, and what we do! You can be anyone from a high school student to a digital marketing expert! We can’t do it without you!
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Due West UMC has its very own fitness program offering classes for all levels and open to anyone age 12 and up. Classes are $4.00 (includes childcare on Monday, Wednesday & Friday) and you can find our class schedule on Facebook at Due West Adult Fitness Classes. Punch Cards are also available and cover 11 classes for $40.00. These cards are available from the class instructors.
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Congregational Care Ministry
James 5:14, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
In His ministry on earth, Jesus showed that He cared about the needs of the people. We are all given individual gifts to serve, help and teach. Jesus saw people as individuals and addressed their needs in spiritual and physical ways. As we follow His example, we are reminded in Matthew 25:40, “ Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Just a few years ago, we trained our first class of Congregational Care Ministers to meet our congregation’s physical and spiritual needs. Today, we are blessed with nineteen CCMs who have felt the call to minister to the needs of our congregation alongside our Pastors. CCMs will visit when you are ill and walk alongside you as you grieve the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or any life crisis.
Grief Share classes are offered twice a year. CCMs are available to serve Holy Communion in your home when you are unable to come to services as well as administer healing oils that remind us of God’s presence supporting us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for you daily and send encouraging cards and notes as we walk alongside you during difficult times.
Our ministry is ready and waiting to be there for you when you need us. To be assigned a CCM, please contact Pastor David Campbell or lay leader, Brenda Wyatt at brendahwyatt@hotmail.com, 770-605-3709.
In His Service by Your Side,
Brenda Wyatt
Congregational Care Minister
GriefShare - Comforting Others
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives, but your grief continues and you may feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don't know how. That's the reason for GriefShare. GriefShare is a network of over 15,000 churches and grief support groups. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief due to the loss of a loved one and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future. The program is nondenominational and features biblical concepts for healing from your grief.
The support group meets weekly on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Bldg. C, Room 240. The current 13-week cycle started March 26, 2023.
If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact Connie at cmm10500@gmail.com or 904-651-2732.
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Dementia Talk
The question I am most often asked: What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Dementia, often referred to today as Neurocognitive Disorder, is NOT a disease. It is the term used for a group of symptoms which include difficulty in thinking and saying and doing things as we once did… a loss of cognitive abilities that interferes with everyday life and daily activities.
Alzheimer’s IS a disease and the most common cause of dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is the second most common cause, and Vascular Dementia is the third. There are 114 known causes for the symptoms referred to as dementia.
So, how do I know if my loved one or I may need an evaluation? If you or your loved one has difficulty doing the things that have come easily for all of your life, seek an evaluation. Among those might be: driving, getting lost, missing payments or appointments, choosing from a menu. Difficulty in thinking and reasoning.
If you have questions or concerns about you or a loved one, your Loving Through Dementia ministry is here to help.
Blessings,
Sheila Welch
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Ladies’ June Tea: The 5 Senses
June 10th at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in the Building C Sanctuary
Join us for a lovely time enjoying the 5 Senses that God provided to us.
Kim Arrowood Brady and her pastor husband are lifelong residents of West Cobb. Kim wasn't always blind, but has always put her faith in God and His blessings. She will be giving her testimony and sharing her faith journey.
Lunch will be provided.
Cost of this event is $30.00. Please register here early to ensure your spot!
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Caretaker of Potted Plants
Needed: Someone who loves taking care of plants to water the indoor and outdoor container plants weekly. It takes 30-45 minutes to cover both buildings A and C. You can choose your own schedule for watering.
Sunday School Volunteers
dwKids Sunday School Volunteers - Contact Alicia Iles at ailes@duewest.org for details.
Join Our Usher Team
We are in need of ushers for the 11:00 am church service in Building A. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dianne Harrison at cdharrison830@gmail.com or 678-522-4909.
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 are taking 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!