October 2022 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
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Pumpkins and Memories
Did you take a senior trip? I did. But it was not your typical senior trip. I got on a bus and travelled from town to town and church to church. Sometimes we slept in people’s homes. Sometimes we slept on fellowship hall floors. We did some service projects and we sang. In some churches, we sang for small groups and in some churches, we sang in large groups. You might be thinking, “That doesn’t sound like a senior trip. That sounds like a youth choir tour!” For me, it was both.
There was not time for a big beach trip with other graduates AND travel with my youth group. I chose the youth group. All the way through high school, my youth group had provided both a foundation and a stability that I had not experienced anywhere else. Although we represented many different schools, we were family. I didn’t realize it during my teenage years, but those people were helping to shape the adult I would become.
Something else I didn’t realize during my teenage years is what it meant to parents to have their kids involved in an active group. I would learn that later. I spent thirteen straight years as a youth parent. Most of that time, I had two in a youth group. I watched them make friendships that helped shape them. I watched them get on busses and sleep on floors. And with them, I did something I had not done as a youth: I unloaded pumpkin trucks! Each year, we would unload pumpkins and work the pumpkin patch. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoy it now. If you have worked the truck, you know that you can find me in the truck.
You may think the pumpkin truck is just one of those things that has to be done. But it is more. It is your youth making memories with each other and with adults in the church who take the time to come. It is a fundraiser that allows them to go on trips and do things that bond them together. It provides the foundation and stability for them that you want them to have when it comes time to graduate and move on. In other words, unloading the truck and working the patch is a ministry.
If you had a great youth group, or wished you did… if your children had one or you wished they did… if you want our current youth group to have it (and I know you do!), come join us in the patch in October. You are doing more than unloading and selling pumpkins. You are changing lives.
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David -
THE BISHOP IS COMING TO DUE WEST!
On Monday, October 3, our District Superintendent will be with us in the sanctuary of Building A at 7:00 pm. Also coming, will be Randy Hardee, the Lay Leader of our District, as well as Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. Everyone is invited to come.
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19th Annual Pumpkin Patch
The pumpkins arrive on Sunday, October 2! Please come and help unload the truck at 5:00 pm. Also, mark your calendars now to unload the second shipment on October 16.
Dates: Daily from October 3-31
Sundays-Fridays 11:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am-8:00 pmCome buy all of your fall gourds & pumpkins for Halloween at the primary fundraiser for our year-round Youth Group activities. The Pumpkin Patch is also a gathering place where our community and church are able to fellowship together in a different way!
We need many volunteers to help setup and run the patch this month. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A YOUTH TO VOLUNTEER!
Register to help run the patch
Trunk-or-Treat
October 23 from 2:00-4:00 pm
This event is always made possible by having volunteers decorate their cars and through the generosity of our congregation’s candy donations. We greatly appreciate individually-wrapped candy donations. Please drop your donations off in the Admin 2 office. For further information, contact Ashley Brown at abrown@duewest.org. -
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)
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)
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sat., Nov. 12 - Holiday Market
Details
Openings
We have a few openings in our Kindergarten classes if you are interested in sending your child to our wonderful school. We would be happy to give you a tour of the school so you can learn all about it! Please email skubek@duewest.org to learn more.
Holiday Market
Please mark your calendars now for November 12th from 9:00 am-2:00 pm for the 20th Annual Holiday Market. We will have vendors, silent auction, bake sale, and entertainment. It’s a fun day! Please email skubek@duewest.org if you have any questions or are interested in being a vendor.
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sun., Oct. 9: 3rd Grade Bible Presentations
Sun., Oct. 9: dwCrew meeting
Sun., Oct. 16: dwCrew meeting
Details
Preschool Sunday School
Memory Verse: “'For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
This month, we are talking about God’s plans for us. The prophet Jeremiah shares the wonderful truth that God knows the plans He has for us. Even when we don’t understand the plans and even when they are hard, we can still trust God because of Who God is, and God’s plans are always a hole-in-one!
God loves us, and God keeps His promises. We can fully trust God’s plans because God’s plans are always best!
Elementary Sunday School
Grit - Refusing to give up when life gets hard
Memory Verse: “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIRV
As we continue our journey through God’s Big Story, we take a closer look at the lives of Joseph and Moses. Both of these men trusted God through hard circumstances and would not give up. These are two heroes of the faith, and we hope to help kids see how their stories connect between Genesis and Exodus.
God has been faithful throughout history and has helped people get through and overcome incredible difficulties. God’s Son, Jesus, endured the pain of the cross and death itself so that we could have a forever relationship with God. God gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to keep going, even when life gets difficult.
3rd Grade Bibles:
Each year, we present Bibles to our 3rd graders as a gift from our church. This is a way we help mark a milestone in your child’s spiritual growth as they celebrate being old enough to begin to study God’s word for themselves. If you are a 4th grader who did not receive your Bible last year, we would love for you to join us for this event as well!
Bibles will be presented on Sunday, October 9th, during the 9:45 & 11:00 am services. Kids are encouraged to sit in the reserved pews in front of the sanctuary at the start of the service.
dwCrew
dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. We will be meeting this month on October 9th & 16th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Lunch is $3 and check-in is just inside the blue dwKids doors.
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sun., Oct. 2 - Pumpkin Unload at 5:00 pm
Oct. 3 - 31: Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser open daily
Sun., Oct. 9 - Ignite Costume Party 5:30-7:30 pm
Sun., Oct. 16 - Pumpkin Unload at 5:00 pm
Sun., Oct. 23 - Trunk-or-Treat 2:00-4:00 pm
Sun., Oct. 30 - Pumpkin Palooza Carving Party 5:30-7:30 pm
Click here to register for all youth events!
Details
19th Annual Pumpkin Patch
Operating Dates: October 3-31The Pumpkin Patch is a fundraiser for individual youth and the youth ministry that will be set up in the front lawn of our church from October 3-31! Several thousand pumpkins will be delivered on October 2nd and 16th at 5pm.
Our Patch Hours for 2022 are:
Sundays-Fridays 11:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am-8:00 pm
In order to be successful, we need MANY helping hands unloading the pumpkins from the 18-wheeler, working 2-hour shifts at the Pumpkin patch, or working one of our events like Family Fun Day on October 17th. We need volunteers of all ages and from all parts of the church to help support this fundraiser!
You do NOT have to be a youth to participate.
Check out the Pumpkin Patch Page on the website for more information and to sign up for the unloads or shifts!
Click to visit our Pumpkin Patch Page
Save the Date for the Youth Fall Retreat - "Friendsgiving"
Camp Lee, Anniston, Alabama
November 18-20What We're Teaching
THE EXCHANGE: A 4-WEEK STUDY FROM 2 TIMOTHY ON WISDOMSERIES OVERVIEW:
We all make exchanges — all the time, in fact! Whether you're shopping, texting your best friend, swapping snacks at the lunch table, or returning a wave to a neighbor, most of the exchanges we make aren't very memorable. But the exchanges that stick with us are the exchanges we have with people who impact our lives for the better. Maybe you've exchanged meaningful advice, wisdom, or encouragement with your friends, family members, heroes, coaches, pastors, or younger people you've invested in. Those exchanges are what this series is all about. In this four-week series from 2 Timothy, we'll explore some advice the apostle Paul gave to Timothy, a guy he was mentoring, because we can learn from Paul's wisdom too. Through it, we'll see how we can all exchange wisdom with each other (no matter our age) by helping each other discover our gifts, develop discernment, get equipped, and find strength.
We will meet for Sunday School every Sunday morning in October at 9:45 and 11:00 am! Open to 6-12th grade students and meets in the youth center!
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The Center for the Arts classes have begun! Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Storybook Playhouse 4:30-6:00 pm (grades 2-5)
Centerstage Ensemble 6:30-8:30 pm (grades 6-12)
Visit us online for more information and to register for classes & events.
We are also in need of some donations of the following:
freestanding garage-type shelving (new or used)
plastic storage bins with lids (all sizes)
gently used dance shoes
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sun., Oct. 16: DW Men’s Breakfast
Sat., Oct. 22: Murphy-Harpst Fundraising Dinner
Sat., Oct. 22: Free Estate Planning Workshop
Details
DW Men’s Breakfast - October 16 @ 7:00 am
Our next DW Men’s Breakfast will be Sunday, October 16th at 7:00 am in the Family Life Center. All Due West Men are invited. Please join us for great food and fellowship.
Murphy-Harpst Fundraising Dinner - October 22
Please join the DW Methodist Men at our annual Murphy-Harpst Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, October 22nd, at 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center. The dinner is free for all attendees. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a donation to the Murphy-Harpst Children’s Center. If you are not familiar with this amazing mission, please visit their website WWW.MURPHYHARPST.ORG
Free Estate Planning Workshop - October 22
The Legacy Ministry Committee is sponsoring another free Estate Planning Workshop taught by an experienced estate planning attorney on Saturday, October 22nd, from 2:00-5:00 pm, 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. The workshop is limited to 14 individuals.
Visit our webpage (www.duewest.org/legacy) devoted to legacy giving and its benefits for church members, stewardship, and of course, future generations. For more information, contact Bill Coffeen at billcoffeen@gmail.com.
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sat., Dec. 10: Women’s Christmas Brunch
Details
Women’s Christmas Brunch | December 10 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Our annual Christmas Brunch is a tradition for many and an awesome way to start the Season!
1 John 1:5 God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.
We invite you to share the Light of the newborn Savior, Jesus - "Love's Pure Light.” Come block out the holiday chaos to focus on the Light of Jesus and our calling to be light in the world.
If you want to host a table, contact Kcasteel@duewest.org.
Cost is $25.00 per person, register NOW online at Church Center to make sure and hold your spot.
Come enjoy the table decorations, great food, a fabulous speaker and the Word of our Lord and Savior!
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Important Dates (see details below)
Sat., Oct. 15: Trail Magic Ministry
Details
Below are featured ministries & missions for October. Click here to see a full listing of all our current activities.Backpack Food Ministry
The Backpack Ministry serves between 115-120 children each week at Clarksdale and Frey Elementary Schools. Each Friday, students receive 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 fruit, and 2 snack items to help them have enough to eat on the weekends. All items should be individually packaged and made for kids to eat without help. To make a monetary donation, make checks payable to Due West UMC and note Backpack Ministry in the memo line. Thank you for supporting the kids in our Backpack Ministry!
The following items are URGENTLY needed:
Small Boxed Cereals, Oatmeal Packets, Pop Tarts
Individual Packages of Crackers or Chips
Fruit or Applesauce Cups
Individual Pasta, Soup, or Mac and Cheese Bowls
Ramen Noodle Packets
Trail Magic Ministry - October 15
The Trail Magic Ministry is a team of people that are ministering to hikers on the Benton MacKay Trail. Our first mission will begin at 8:30 am on October 15th working out of the Craddock Center parking lot in Cherry Log, GA. Everyone is welcome to participate. Eddie Fletcher (eddie4fletch@gmail.com) is the contact person for this ministry.
If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can purchase items that will be packed for hikers by clicking the link below.
Operation Christmas Child
Due West is proud to once again partner with Samaritan’s Purse to provide shoebox gifts to millions of children around the world. Every gift-filled shoebox is a tool for evangelism and discipleship and the gifts represent a tangible expression of God’s love for His children. Boxes and instructions, supplied by Samaritan’s Purse, will be available for pickup on Sunday, October 16th, after each worship service. A $10 donation is requested per box to cover shipping and other project costs, and Samaritan’s Purse prefers that you submit this payment online by clicking the link below.
Checks can be made payable to “Samaritan’s Purse” and placed inside each box. DO NOT ENCLOSE CASH! Please do not seal your box because Samaritan’s Purse adds a booklet about Jesus to every box before they are shipped to the children. Rubber bands are a great way to secure the contents. Please return your filled boxes no later than Sunday, November 13th. Contact Millie Skinner at mskinner@duewest.org with any questions.
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DWUMC will be kicking off a new program called “Adopt a College Student.” Our heart and vision for the program is to live intentionally alongside our college students by simply reaching out periodically throughout the year. If you are interested in supporting a college student with notes, emails, and texts, please email the College Care Ministry at collegecare@duewest.org. If you have questions, contact Tracie Cantrell at 770-891-5073 or Patti Pass at 404-542-8676.
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Several years ago, disaster hit my family. My first husband was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. For several years, I was able to bring him to church which he loved so much. Eventually, he lost his ability to understand directions or just couldn’t perform the directives. One Palm Sunday, I realized I would not be able to bring him to church anymore. It took an hour and a half to get him out of the pew after the service. It took many of us to coax him to get up and go with me to the car. That broke my heart because I knew how much church meant to him. After that, I would have to slip out to church and not let him know where I was going. His caregiver would have to cover for me.
I wanted Jeff to get communion and visitation. I discussed this need with Pastor David, and he began visiting us. I told Pastor David if we ever got a ministry together to serve communion to our members who can no longer come to church, I wanted to be a part of it.
It wasn’t long after that, Brenda and Danny Wyatt started visitation and communion with us at our home. Jeff soon learned what to expect when he saw them appear. This went on for at least 3 years. He had lost his speech by then, but you knew by his smile that he was excited to see them.
The Congregational Care Ministry (CCM) was beginning to form soon after I lost Jeff. I immediately volunteered to go through the extensive CCM training. Now, I am proud to be a member of that team and be that someone who can bring the church into homes as I had been blessed to have had done for me and my loved one.
I have since remarried and my new husband was so touched that he has now gone through the CCM training, and we work together as a team.
If you can no longer attend services, or have a loved one in this situation, please let our ministry bring the church to you by contacting Brenda Wyatt at (770) 605-3709 or brendahwyatt@hotmail.com.
Dianne Jones Arundale
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. This support group meets weekly on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Bldg. C, Room 219. The next 13-week cycle starts October 2nd, 2022.
If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact Connie at cmm10500@gmail.com or 904-651-2732.
Click here for more information.
Our Congregational Care Ministry
“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.
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Important Dates (see details below)
Wed., Oct. 5 - First Christmas performance rehearsal (8 in total)
Sat., Dec. 10 - Christmas Performance
Sun., Dec. 11 - Christmas Performances
Details
Christmas Rehearsals & Performances
Christmas Singers and Orchestra will start rehearsals on Wednesday, October 5th, and will meet for eight full rehearsals. West Cobb Christmas Celebration performances will be held at Due West on Saturday, December 10th at 6:00 pm, and Sunday, December 11th at 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
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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!