May 2023 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
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Stewardship Update
Expenses & Giving through March 2023
Budgeted Expenses: $1,654,000.00
YTD Expenses: $1,512,130.00
YTD Giving: $1,420,268.00
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London, here we come!
“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” -John Wesley
The above words were written in publication called, “Thoughts on Methodism. Wesley believed that Methodism as a movement was empowered to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He believed key to this was continuing to hang on “the doctrine, spirit and discipline” it had at its beginning.
I have spent all of my adult life reading and studying the ministry of John Wesley. I have been and remain a Methodist today because of Wesley’s understanding of the gospel and the way he encouraged people to live out their faith. I could take hours to talk to you about what this means to me, but if you will trust me on this, I will take just a few words rather than hours.
Wesley believed that we are saved by grace and grace alone. There is nothing we can do to earn it. He believed that the relationship we have with Christ Jesus is deeply and richly personal. But he also believed we have not only the responsibility, but the privilege of sharing the Good News with those around us. He was in ministry with pretty much anyone who was in need. He would seek not only to meet their physical needs, but in the process to share with them the joy of a relationship with Jesus. There was no relationship with the Lord that was not expressed in service to others. And service to others required giving voice to our faith that motivated it!
In the same way that I believe going to Israel helps us better understand scripture, I believe a tour of the important sites in John Wesley’s life help us to better live out our lives as followers of Jesus in the Wesleyan way. So next year, rather than a trip to a land of biblical sites, I am looking at a trip to England. We will not only have a guided Wesleyan Heritage Tour, but we will also have time to see some of the famous sites of England. If you are interested, come join me on Sunday afternoon, May 7th. We will meet in the sanctuary of Building A around 12:15 - 12:30 pm.
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David Campbell
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Mark Your Calendars! Save the Date!
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Need Your Help!
We are looking for pictures of past church events and celebrations.
Please scan your photos and email them to our Homecoming Committee at homecoming@duewest.org. Please include the Who, What, and When in the body of the email with the pictures. If you need assistance with scanning photos or if you are not sure if we want and/or need what you have, simply email us at the same address.
Currently, we are looking for these pictures in particular:
Photos from youth fundraiser variety shows from the 1990s. We have pictures from 1988 and 1989 but then have a gap until 2002.
Photos of families participating in the Live Nativity that was held on the front lawn in the late 90s. We have pictures from the Gunnings and the Moores. There must be others!
Photos of baptisms and weddings that were held at Due West UMC from ANY year. We are especially interested in photos of the family with the pastor.
Photos from UMM golf tournaments, especially group photos.
Photos of Vacation Bible School and Creekbank Music Camps from the 1990s.
We need all photos ASAP so that we can start working on the displays.
In addition to this, 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.
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May 1 - VBS registration opens to community
May 5-6 - CFA presents Legally Blonde
May 5-6 - Men’s Retreat
May 6 - Xcel Job Skill Clinic
May 7 - England trip interest meeting
May 7 - Youth Legacy Night
May 13 - Open Mic Night
May 14-28 - Way Maker Baby Bottle Campaign
May 17 - Last day of Preschool
May 19 - Bonfire Game Night
May 21 - Youth Step-Up night
May 23 - Women’s Ministry: Beauty of Fellowship (Dinner and Pottery Class)
May 29 - Memorial Day Holiday
May 30 - June 2 - Anything’s Possible Musical Theatre 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 UMC Preschool is accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. We have limited openings in the following classes: Ones, Twos, and Fours—Mon.-Fri., You are welcome to add your child to the waiting list for the other classes. If you are interested in more information or to take a tour of our preschool, please contact Shelly Kubek, Courtney Kunkel or call 770-590-0982. 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.
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Preschool Sunday School
Memory Verse: “We have the Lord our God to help us.” 2 Chronicles 32:8, NLT
When given the opportunity, preschoolers are ready and willing to help because it shows the world they are big and can do things that matter. Need help stirring in the kitchen? Preschoolers to the rescue! Need help carrying groceries? Preschoolers to the rescue! Need help entertaining a fussy baby? Preschoolers to the rescue!
Could it be that the real reason preschoolers want to help is that God made them to help? We think so! That is why we will be spending this month answering the question “Who made you to help?” God made me to help! That’s who! After all, God is the ultimate helper, and we are all made in God’s image
Elementary Sunday School
Confidence - Living like you believe God is with you.
Memory Verse: “So we say with confidence, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” Hebrews 13:6A, NIV
We might try to base our confidence on what we do well, or what someone might say about us. But true confidence should be built on something different. We think it’s found in understanding how God is both big enough to create the universe, but also close enough to be right here with us. We know that we can trust God no matter what. We are created in God’s image. And God loves us so much! Nowhere is this more evident than in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And, when we trust Jesus with our life, the Holy Spirit is there to help us face whatever comes our way. We can respond to God’s love and care with confidence!
Step Up Ignite
All 5th Graders and their parents are invited to join us under the Pavilion on May 21 at 5:15pm to meet our Youth Director, Lora Parker-Gaylor, and get an overview of the ministry they will be moving up to with the new school year. Students are encouraged to stay for Ignite that evening from 5:30-7:30!
Summer Camps
From science to sports, we are excited for all of the amazing camps we have available this summer. Be sure to check out the church website and Church Center for details on how to register.
Vacation Bible School
Join us for the summer event that helps kids discover what it means to Shine Jesus' light! At Stellar VBS, kids explore how Jesus shined hope, love, forgiveness, and joy to the world - and how we can do the same with His power!
Mark your calendars to attend Stellar VBS Monday, June 5 - Thursday, June 8. Click here to register.
Be a Volunteer!
Volunteer to help at Stellar Vacation Bible School and help kids discover to Shine Jesus’ Light! If you have not volunteered in the past, you'll find it to be life-changing for you as well as the kids! We are searching for both adult and youth leaders. Volunteers must have finished the 6th grade, love the Lord, love children, and like to have fun. Register today!
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May Ignite Dates
May 7 - Legacy Ignite
May 14 - No Ignite - Happy Mother’s Day!
May 21 - Step-Up Ignite
May 28 - No Ignite - Memorial Day Holiday
Kentucky Mission Trip - June 18-23
Summer Beach Camp - July 7-10
Youth Bibles
One of our favorite things to give to our students as a gift is a new Bible! We love marking big milestones with these! Some of these moments are at their infant/child baptism, in third grade, and in their youth years, a teen study Bible at the beginning of Confirmation, and at graduation, we are excited to give them a study bible!
We can only do that through faith-filled gifts from their church congregation! If you would like to make a special gift towards Bibles, you can give a check with the memo “Youth Bible Fund”.
Youth Sunday School Series
FOCUS
It’s not easy to stay focused. Especially these days, when we’re connected to a never-ending stream of new notifications, ads, messages, videos, posts, and entertainment, it makes sense if we feel a little distracted sometimes. Maybe you’ve struggled recently to stay focused on your homework, or on the story your friend was telling you, or on the movie you were watching - but have you ever struggled to stay focused when you were spending time with God? In this four-week series, we’re going to get honest about how difficult it can be to stay focused when we’re trying to pray, read the Bible, or grow in our faith. Each week, we’ll explore passages from Psalms and the Gospels as we challenge ourselves to focus on practicing four spiritual disciplines that can help us grow. Together, we’ll try focusing on what God has said, on giving something up, on talking to God, and on rest.
OUR MEMORY VERSE: "Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." – Psalm 119:33-35 (NIV)
We will be working through this series April 23 through May 14 at 9:45 and 11 am in Youth Sunday School in the Youth Center!
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Freedom Singers
Freedom singers is a low-commitment way to join choir. Only 8 rehearsals and you can join choir to sing on Freedom Sunday, June 25. Choir Rehearsals are Wednesdays 10:30 am and/or 7:30 pm.
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.
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See the PDF version of the Newsletter for visuals!
May 4 and 5 - Legally Blonde Jr shows
May 11th - Sew Savvy class starts
May 13th - Open Mic Nite
Summer Camps
We have lots of great summer camps to offer - theatre, sewing, art, pottery, and adventure play! All CFA camp signups can be found at this link. There is even a 4-week sewing class for adults that begins in mid-May! Check it out!
Open Mic Nite
Join us for our first Open Mic Nite! We are partnering with Young Families to host a fun evening on May 13th at 7pm. You can register either to be part of the show, or to just be an audience member. Coffee and dessert will be served, and childcare is available upon request. Invite your friends!
Help Needed
If you have a sewing machine in working order that you are no longer using and would like to donate or sell to us for a reasonable price, we are looking for a few sewing machines! Please contact Nicole Gray if you are able to help.
Anything’s Possible
May 30th - June 2nd
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 the NEW Missions Newsletter for May.
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.”
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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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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
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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Estate Planning Workshop
April 22, 2023
With the success of our first three estate planning seminars behind us, your Legacy Ministry committee is again sponsoring a “free” workshop for all who are interested in knowing more about the basics of estate planning and how to prepare the “living documents” that are associated. Whether you have a will in place or not, it is essential that as a member of Christ’s Church, you understand the laws governing wills, trusts and other estate planning devices in Georgia.
An experienced estate planning attorney will discuss some of those basics during a three-hour workshop on Saturday, April 22 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in room 242 in Building C. All participants will have a chance to prepare and complete important “living” documents such as health care directives, living wills, and durable powers of attorney. These will be witnessed and notarized as appropriate at no expense to you.
Please sign up by clicking this link as soon as possible since we must limit the class to 14 individuals.
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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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Rediscovering Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday is May 28th.
In anticipation of this important day, we will begin a new Bible study on May 7th – entitled "Rediscovering Pentecost" – to take a close look at Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts, the second chapter.
As a background, we will first investigate the practices and purposes of the Jewish festival of Pentecost before turning our attention to Peter's message on the "return of the quenched Spirit" and the end time outpouring of God's Holy Spirit which gave birth to Christ's church.
The study will conclude with a look at the Holy Spirit within the Wesleyan tradition and how this understanding fits into the contemporary Christian scene.
Come join us for this four-week study of Pentecost. You will learn something, and you will be blessed. Sunday nights at 6:30PM (May 7-28). Choir Room (Building A).
Bonfire Game Night
May 19th at 6:30 pm in room S219
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With your support, Loving Through Dementia continues to make a wonderful difference in the lives of families facing dementia. Thousands have been served by this ministry’s devoted volunteers. Its Leaders’ Workshops, lovingthroughdementia.org website, and its Action Plan have given birth to six new ministries and counting. A wonderful outreach, yes, but there is more to do.
The majority of those we serve come from outside our church. We know that there are families within our own walls who may be facing dementia. Feeling Unsure. Alone. There may also be those who want to better understand what these families face and offer help, but do not know how.
“Dementia Talk” gives us the opportunity to let our families know we are here to help. To raise dementia awareness and education among our own membership … to help break the stigma that comes with this relentless illness … and to help us know how to better love our families facing dementia … families like mine. Watch this space.
Blessings,
Sheila Welch
Loving Through Dementia Coordinator/Developer
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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.
Volunteers Are Greatly Needed!
We mentioned it in the dwKids section, but wanted to include it here to make doubly sure everyone saw it! Volunteer to help at Stellar Vacation Bible School and help kids discover to Shine Jesus’ Light! If you have not volunteered in the past, you'll find it to be life changing for you as well as the kids! We are searching for both adult and youth leaders. Volunteers must have finished the 6th grade, love the Lord, love children, and like to have fun. Register today!
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!