March, Baseball and the Holy Spirit

Boston’s Dick Flavin has a poem that begins, “The long snow-bound winter casts a dark pall Till one day an umpire hollers, ‘Play ball!’ Then skies start to brighten, blue displaces gray. Baseball springs eternal. It’s Opening Day.” In the month of February, you hear five words that quicken the heart of every baseball fan: “Pitchers and catchers report today.” That means we are on the brink of Spring Training. As the poem says, “Baseball springs eternal.” The Braves season begins on the 30th of this month in our nation’s capital. (If you have access to a private plane and tickets for that game, feel free to give me a call!) “Baseball springs eternal” because hope does. In March, everyone wants to believe their team has a chance.

In 2019, the Washington Nationals did not look promising in March. Or April. Or May. Or June. But, they won the World Series. I will never forget the Braves’ 1990 season. They were the worst team in the National League. But, in March of 1991, we had hope. And by that Fall, they were first in the National League. (They would have been first in all of baseball, but in game 7 of the World Series, Kent Hrbek lifts Ron Gant off first base, tags him out, and gets away with it! It was a travesty that cost us the World Series! But I digress…) The point is, March brings hope and possibility to every baseball fan. There is excitement in the air. But, that’s not the only reason.

I believe the Holy Spirit is moving at Due West. Do you sense it? Can you feel it? I know that some of you are saying, “I sense uncertainty at best and fear at worst.” And I understand we are living in uncertain times. Sometime after Easter, I am planning to preach some sermons on the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. That was more uncertain than anything we are facing. I understand the feeling of uncertainty. But, God moved and worked in the wilderness and the Holy Spirit is on the move at Due West.

Many of us have been praying for that. Each afternoon at 5:17, we have been praying. I believe we are visibly seeing God answering that prayer. As much as a new baseball season brings hope and excitement, it cannot compare with the hope and excitement that comes from a movement of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the time in the wilderness, God said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” So… be strong and courageous. God is at work in this place. Set an alarm on your phone for 5:17 PM so you can join us as we pray…

“Lord Jesus, fill us with your Holy Spirit. Fill all of us together. Fill each of us individually. We want to operate on Your power not our own. Give us a hunger for inviting our community to join us as we gather together, grow in Jesus Christ and go serve. Be at the center of all we do so we can truly and fully be the church You are calling us to be. Amen.”

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

David Campbell

Mark Your Calendars! Save the Date!

Sunday, September 10, 2023

In the 1960s, Byron Scott was the youth director at Maple Avenue UMC in downtown Marietta. On the way to a meeting at County Line UMC, his senior pastor pointed at a lot and said, “The Annual Conference has bought this property and will put a church here.” Byron laughed and thought the area was so sparsely populated that it made no sense. A few years later, Byron was ordained and began serving a different church. He got a call telling him he was going to start a new church - on the property he had laughed at! That is how he became the founding pastor at Due West UMC. The first service was held in 1973 at Due West Elementary School before there was even a church building. That means that THIS year, 2023, Due West United Methodist will be 50 years old!

We are planning a Homecoming celebration and need your help. Each month, we will be collecting church photos and memorabilia from a different decade. In March, we will be concentrating on events that occurred at our church in the 1990s. Please scan your photos and email them to the Homecoming Committee at homecoming@duewest.org. Your subject line needs to be: “Homecoming Photos: 1990s” Please include the Who, What, and When in the body of the email with the pictures. If you have memorabilia, simply email a description of it to the committee.

If you are able to help out with some of the costs of the celebration, you can donate online by going to the church website’s GIVE page and choosing “50th Homecoming” from the dropdown box.

We hope everyone will mark your calendar and save the date for our 50-Year Homecoming Celebration –

Sunday, September 10th, 2023!

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)

Lenten Study:

Come join us for this special 5-week series, Embracing the Scandal: Making Sense of the Death of Jesus. Taught by Dr. Joe Howell, this group will be a great way to grow and prepare for Easter in this Lenten season. Sundays at 6:30 - 7:30 pm, in room C219 from March 5th - April 2nd. Click here to watch Dr. Howell explain the class in more detail, and join now by clicking HERE

15:14 Project:

How can we raise children who remain faithful to God? And how can we lovingly respond to crises of faith that may happen among our children or family members?

This is exactly what you'll discover in a new Sunday School class here at Due West called "The 15:14 Project". Check out this video for more information, and then join the group HERE right away because class begins on March 5 and space is very limited.

The preschool is accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. We have limited openings in the following classes: Ones, Twos, Fours-Mon.-Fri., and Kindergarten. You are welcome to add your child to the waiting list for the other classes. If you are interested in more information or want to take a tour of our preschool, please contact Shelly Kubek or Courtney Kunkel or call the preschool office at 770-590-0982. Please pass the word to your friends and neighbors who are looking for a preschool. We have been recognized as a “Program of Excellence” by the N. GA Conference Preschool Association since 2001 and have been selected as the best Preschool in Marietta for the last 5 years in a row!

Preschool Sunday School

Memory Verse: “A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17, NIRV

Preschoolers love trying to do things like grown-ups. They like to press buttons on computers and jump high to throw the basketball or stir the food to make something yummy to eat. Being able to say they can do things like Mommy or Daddy is a big deal!

This month, we are teaching preschoolers something else they can do that’s a really big deal. They can love like Jesus! We want preschoolers to know that they can love like Jesus, and when they love like Jesus, it’s like tossing confetti everywhere! Serving others, showing kindness, helping and loving everyone—these are things that even our youngest children can do. And when they do, they love like Jesus.

Elementary Sunday School

Forgiveness - Deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn’t have to pay.

Memory Verse: “Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13, NIRV

No matter how much we mess up, God will always forgive us. Jesus even chose to forgive those who were crucifying Him. Because God forgives us, we should work hard to forgive others. We can decide that someone who has wronged us doesn’t have to pay. With God’s help, we can free ourselves from the weight of anger and bitterness, while giving the other person an opportunity to rewrite the story.

dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. Lunch is $3 and check-in is just inside the blue dwKids doors.

March 5 - Gym day

March 12 - Kickball

March 26 - Party at Stars & Strikes

Mark your Calendars...

Stellar Vacation Bible School is coming June 5-8, 2023. Registration for Volunteers and their children begins April 1.

March Ignite Dates

March 5 - Corn Ignite

March 12 - Easter Bunny Auditions during Ignite

March 19 - Youth Help at Spring Fling from 2:30-4:30 following SLR; NO Ignite

March 26 - Easter Ignite

Plot Twist

Whether it’s your favorite movie, book, or reality show, you know there's nothing like a good plot twist! Those storytelling surprises can keep us entertained, but they can do a lot more than that too. A good plot twist can make us rethink everything we thought we knew, see things in a brand-new light, and get excited about what might happen next. That’s never more true than in the most surprising and significant plot twist in history — Jesus’ death and resurrection. In this six-week series, we’ll look at six surprising stories from Jesus’ death, resurrection, and last days on earth. These stories will show us that, when life takes unexpected turns, God gives us help. And even when we’ve messed up or are ready to give up, Jesus never turns away from us, but gives us life, gives us hope, is with us, and gives us another chance.

We will cover this 6-week series between now and April 16th! We will meet each Sunday in March at 9:45 and 11 am in the Youth Center in the basement of Building C. Open for all 6-12th grade students!

Senior Registration

We look forward to celebrating our seniors each year in a variety of ways! From Legacy night where they place their handprints on the Youth Stairwell to Senior Brunch to our annual "Church Brag Book"- we love celebrating all that our seniors have accomplished! Please be sure to register your senior online for all our senior excitement!

Senior Brunch - Saturday, April 22

The High School Senior Graduate Brunch will take place in Sanctuary C on April 22nd from 10:30-11:30 am. This brunch is open to High School Seniors and their families, accompanied by our regular Youth Volunteers.

Summer Beach Camp - July 7-10

We are excited to be part of this NEW Youth Beach Camp! It was built by Methodist Youth Leaders for our teens! This trip is open for rising 6th grade students through rising college freshmen! Come fellowship in the sun and worship in a big way at Laguna Beach Christian Center in Panama City Beach, Florida! Registration deadline is Friday, April 7th!

Register here!

Kentucky Mission Trip - June 18-23

Ignite Youth Ministry is connecting with the Praying Pelican Mission Company to partner with local churches and leaders in Western Kentucky who are actively engaged in long-term recovery efforts. Beyond the relief efforts, the local Church is stepping into our calling: to show Jesus' love to others through direct action and service. Workers of all skill levels are welcome as our team will be partnered directly alongside local ministry partners leading these efforts.

Recovery is often a long process that can take several years. Join us as we, the Church, reach out to and serve communities. We would like our team to be filled by April 15th! Fundraising efforts are a possibility and scholarship funds are available. If cost is prohibitive for your family, please contact Lora to inquire about options.

Register here!

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See the PDF version of the Newsletter for visuals!

Madagascar Jr.

Tickets on sale beginning March 1 on Church Center for (shows will be 3/24 & 3/25 at 7pm)

CFA Summer Camps

Registration will open beginning March 1 and will close when camps are full!

Vocal Health Workshop

On 3/18, Registration still open!

Anything’s Possible

May 30th - June 2nd

Registration opens March 1st

Seussical Jr. Auditions

July 10th - 14th

Registration opens March 1st

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.

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.”

Jesus in His ministry on earth 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. Our 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.

CCMs are available to serve Holy Communion in your home when you are unable to come to services as well as administer healing oils which remind us of God’s presence supporting us in body, mind, and spirit. They will also send encouraging cards and notes and pray for you daily. They are present with our Pastors as they offer services of healing.

This ministry is ready and waiting to be there for you when you need us. For CCM support, please contact Pastor David Campbell or Brenda Wyatt at brendahwyatt@hotmail.com or (770) 605-3709.

Brenda Wyatt

Congregational Care Minister

Homeless to Home Resource Day and Prayer Vigil - March 15, 2023

Homeless to Home Resource Day is a day for families to come to Due West and learn about many different programs available in our community to help them move from homelessness to living in a real home. We plan to host homeless families, community partners, and volunteers on Wednesday, March 15th.

We need a LOT of help to make this a successful day! We still need greeters, soups and salads! To sign up to volunteer or bring food or supplies, click this link: Sign up here!

Homeless To Home Prayer Vigil - March 14–16, 2023

We would like to cover in prayer all the people involved on this day. We need people to pray before, during and after the event. To register to pray, please click HERE.

Thank you for praying for the families, resource partners, and volunteers. For more information about this event, contact Millie Skinner.

Together for Families Work Day - March 4th, 2023, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Parents and kids 1st through 8th grade, join us on Saturday, March 4th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Together for Families facility. We will help pack kits, sort clothes, and make food boxes. Drop in for an hour or stay the whole time! This is a great first mission project for younger children through teens. Together for Families is located at 1301 Shiloh Rd. NW Unit 850, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Contact Millie Skinner for more information.

Lost-N-Found Youth Meals - March 4th and 25th

Lost-n-Found Youth is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness for all LGBTQ youth by providing them with the skills and support needed to live independently. Among many other services, they always want to make sure the youth have good, nutritious food to provide them with the energy necessary to help them tackle their goals towards self-sufficiency.

Here at Due West, we are planning to volunteer to serve meals twice a month on Saturdays at lunchtime. This could be done by a Sunday school class, Bible study, family, or an individual. You simply make enough food to feed 20 adults, and drop it off at their facility (486 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312) at noon. March 4th has already been claimed by the Wednesday morning Men’s Bible Study. For more information, you can visit their Meal train page HERE. To volunteer, please contact Millie Skinner.

Community Adopt-a-Block with Front Line Response - March 11, 2023, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Join us as we work with our partner Frontline Response as we help host a block party for kids! Frontline Response is a faith-based, non-profit organization, whose mission is to be on the frontlines everyday rescuing men and women out of sex trafficking and homelessness and provide prevention programs for the youth in our community. This is a great mission event for teens or middle school kids with a parent. Volunteers gather together at the Frontline Office at 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 to learn more about the outreach and community we are serving. From there, we will drive to the community where we will go door to door, distribute food bags, and connect with children and their families through building relationships. We need at least 6 volunteers for this mission. To learn more about this event, click HERE or contact Mark Hellman for more information.

Mission Trip Dates

Please contact Mark Hellman for more information.

Youth Sports Camp in Sweetwater Tennessee – June 3-9, 2023

Guatemala - June 3-10, 2023

Project 82 Kenya, Africa - June 7-15, 2023

Ocoee Outreach - July 23-28, 2023

Costa Rica - September 23-29, 2023

Easter Singers

Join the Choir for just six weeks and sing for our Holy Week and Easter Services. No experience is necessary, just come to the first rehearsal with a willingness to learn and lift your voice in service to the Lord!

Choir Outreach!

The Chancel Choir took its music on tour to the Aloha Day Club on Feb. 15th. The Day Club is a group of seniors who no longer drive and come to Covenant Presbyterian Church on Mondays and Wednesday for programs and fellowship.

The choir sang several of its anthems and led the participants in singing familiar hymns.

Musicians’ Gathering

Calling all musicians. Come enjoy playing and singing music together in a relaxed atmosphere of fellowship at our first-ever Musicians' Gathering, on March 5th at 4 PM in Sanctuary C. We will play through some worship songs, get to know each other, and challenge each other to grow musically. You don't want to miss it! Sign up here!

Youth Choir

Youth Choir is an awesome group of 6th through 12th graders who meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm to sing! The Youth Choir meets in the Choir Room in Building A.

March 1 and 8 - Regular Rehearsal

Singing in Worship Sunday - March 5th, 8:30 am - arrive at 8am!

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.

March 2023 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times

March 2023 Newsletter

Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!

Pastoral Update

Homecoming Committee

Ongoing Events

Discipleship

dwPreschool

dwKids

Youth

Center for the Arts

Recreation Ministry

Congregational Care Ministry

Missions

Music

Volunteer Opportunities

April 2023 Newsletter

February 2023 Newsletter

Due West Methodist Church

Sunday Service Times