www.cloverfumc.com May 2019

From the Pastor

Mission:

We, the congregation,

in humble and selfless

service to God, will go

forth joyfully,

empowered and

enabled by the Holy

Spirit, to seek out,

welcome, accept, and

nurture persons to

become faithful and

effective disciples for

Jesus Christ.

Dear Congregation,

Some good things happening at First UMC, Clover….

Over the Spring, a new ministry has sprung up from the laity ~ “The Widow’s Journey.”

The Widow’s Journey is a monthly gathering of women who are experiencing dif-ferent stages of grief, some newly widowed and others having been on this journey for a long time. They are coming together to support one another in love and fel-lowship with a devotion, sharing time, and sometimes having lunch. These meet-ings are on Wednesdays in the mornings at the church in the Wesley Sunday school classroom. Look to your bulletins for more specific information about the times and dates.

Thank you to those women who have taken the initiative to start this support min-istry and to the staff who has stood beside them and participated. If you are in need of a fellowship in the midst of your grief, please consider The Widow’s Journey. All widows are invited and welcome.

Last night I had a young Scout to meet me in the parking lot declaring, “I just be-came a Boy Scout!” He and about 9 other boys had just “crossed over” from Cubs to Boy Scouts in their wonderful bridge celebration. Many of them will be joining the troop here at First UMC. If you have never been a part of this celebration, I will tell you, it is a beautiful and meaningful rite of passage. Thank you to all who have supported the Scouting Ministries at First, and continue to lead and invest in young men and women through scouting.

At least 10 people are signed up now to go on the Missions Relief Trip through the NC Conference of the UMC Disaster Response in Fayetteville NC (may 19th- 23rd). You will remember Fayetteville was one of the worst places hit by Hurri-cane Florence in 2018. Thanks to the UMM and Missions for sending a group and for coordinating the event. A special thanks to Doug Baysinger for coordinating the mission and outreach from FUMC.

On Easter Sunday this year we experienced four services with 410 people in wor-ship! We began the morning in the parking lot with a sunrise service and the birds chirping their symphony with a string band singing “Morning Has Broken.” What a beautiful gathering this year at Sunrise, and, of course, the biscuits were great. During the other services that day, there was a special energy in the air. In the 11am service, Will Grizzell was baptized and professed his faith. Four others, Gail and Gary Engels, Kathy Gesner and Bill Archer united with the church by transfer. We ended that service with the choir singing the glorious Hallelujah Chorus.

First United Methodist Church ● Clover, SC

The next Sunday, we celebrated Confirmation Sunday where Brandon Doster was Baptized, and together Brandon and Julian Cargill Confirmed their faith on Confirmation Sunday. This was a special service that ended with a power point presentation, remembering their confirmation journey and singing “Borning Cry.” This was quite emotional for many of us. Last Sunday afternoon was also another emotional celebration of the baptism of baby Owen James Gover, where many gathered in the sanctuary to welcome our newest baby brother in Christ, and to celebrate with parents, grandpar-ents, family and friends.

I could list so many other things, like the new choir robes (purple) that are beautiful.

I could talk about the future bus shelter that should begin to break ground next moth.

I could talk about the experiences of the Lenten Bible Study we completed (The Last Words) or the exceptional Good Friday drama that our church experienced together.

I could talk about the wonderful renovation of the Library offered and sponsored in memory of Joe Killian, by Dolly Killian that included new carpet, new chairs and new Bible commentaries.

There is much to say. There are many things to celebrate in the life of the church, but the best part of what is going on, is the love and fellowship of the people doing life together, in and through this community of faith. May we seek to al-ways be faithful and in service for the Kingdom of God among us. See you on Sunday!

Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Tommy Wilkes

From the Pastor, continued

We will not meet in May because of the beach trip. Our next meeting will be in June.

HAMRICK /GAFFNEY OUTLET TRIP TUESDAY, MAY 7. We will leave the church at 8:15. Go first to Hamrick’s, next lunch at Cracker Barrel, & then to the Gaffney Outlets. We plan to be back in Clover about 3:00/3:30. Sheet on “sign-up” table.

FESTIVAL OF WISDOM & GRACE- AUGUST 5-8, 2019 @ Lake Junaluska

Located near Ashville, NC & Waynesville, NC.

It is a wonderful experience. It is a great place to recharge your batteries while being enriched spiritually. This is one of our trips you can do as much or as little as you want to.

All the worship services, & morning devotions have always been wonderful. The workshop speakers have always been top notch. You can pick & choose what workshop interests you or enjoy other activities in the area or just relax .

**Package Includes: 3 Nights Lodging onsite on the lake at the Terrace Hotel,

3 Dinners, 2 Lunches, 3 Breakfasts, Programs, including workshops, entertainment and worship.

Early bird (register before June 7, 2019):

$380/person Rates are based on double occupancy. Taxes included

FY&F will pay $80 toward your second payment.

The Terrace: Hotel is conveniently located within easy walking distance to all activities. It also has a great view of the lake.

Deposit of $200 and the completed registration form is due by May 7 so we can do a group mail in. Make checks out to Lake Junaluska with Wisdom & Grace on the memo/for line.

Registration sheets are on the “sign-up” table.

Turn your forms & checks into the church office or place everything in an envelope in the offering plate.

OR

If you would rather use a credit card - call Lake Junaluska (800-222-4930). Tell them you’re with the Forever Young & Friends from First United Methodist Church, Clover, SC. (FY&F can reimburse you the $80)

For the EARLY BIRD RATE - You can register any day before June 7.

At Lake Junaluska there is golf, gardens, a Methodist Museum, hiking & walking trails, meditation places, boat tours, kayaking, paddle boarding, rocking as you enjoy the view, and many other activities onsite or in the area.

We will mail the applications & checks on May 7. Also you can mail your own or do it online at any time.

Please let me know if you register online or by phone.

Hope you can go. It is a wonderful experience!

2019 Festival of Tables

United Methodist Women will host the sixth annual “Festival of Tables” ladies luncheon on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Tables can be reserved for $5.00 to decorate in your chosen theme, using your tableware and decorations. Last year more than 100 women attended to preview the decorated tables and enjoy a delicious lunch. To reserve a table or for

more information contact Linda Abernathy (222-7591) or Grace White (222-7528). Please plan to join us!

Martha Circle will meet May 7th at 6:30 pm. Meeting at church to clean and then go to dinner.

Rebekah Circle will meet Tuesday, May 7th at 7:00 PM at the church.

Dear Church Family,

We want to thank our church family and friends for the prayers, kind words, cards, memorials and those who attended the visitation and funeral for our beloved sister Cat.

Blessings and Love,

Betty Robinson, Margie McCarter & the Clark Family

What: Lake Junaluska Retreat

When: Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18, 2019 - overnight

Time: Meet at church 4 pm Friday, Return Saturday 5:30 pm

Where: Lake Junaluska, Lagoalinda Inn, 333 North Lakeshore Drive,

Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

Cost: $30 (accommodations, Cherokee Village, breakfast, lunch, snacks) plus money for dinner Friday night & spending money (optional) ** See Jon for financial assistance if needed

Itinerary:

Friday:

4 pm Meet at church

Leave and drive 2 1/2 hrs.-stop along way for dinner (bring own $)

7:30 pm Arrive

Walk to Cross & devotions

Saturday:

Breakfast

Morning Devotions

Morning activity (hiking, mini-golf $5)

11 am Drive to Native American Village in Cherokee; Picnic lunch

12-2 Tour Native American Village - museum $12 or Oconaluftee Indian Village ($20 adults/$12 children), Leave @ 2 pm

Drive to church 3 hrs., arriving @ 5:30

**Parents are welcome to come along &/or chaperone.

If you will be chaperoning any child other than your own over the trip, you must complete

entire Safe Sanctuary procedures (online video, church forms, background)

April 2019 BIG/Tweens Schedule

Widow’s Journey Group

The Widow's Journey will meet at 10:00 on May 8th.

JOIN US AS WE TRAVEL TO CUBA & THE BAHAMAS

5 Day Cruise - February 3, 2020 sailing on the Carnival Sunshine from Charleston, SC to Cuba &

Bahamas

Everyone is welcome. Invite your family & friends.

People we talked to that have been to Cuba loved it saying Cuba was very safe, beautiful, and like stepping back in time.

Call Tammy Bailes (803-548-9161 or toll free 877-543-0815, or email tammyb@ltetravel.com) for infor-mation and to book a cabin. **We will have fundraisers to help pay for the charter bus to & from Charleston and possibly other charges. **

MAYBERRY TOUR ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019

Christian Tours information about the Mayberry Tour on Saturday, October 19 is on the bulletin board at the “sign up table”. All information is included on the form.

If there are 20 people from our group going, their bus will pick our group at the church. If we do not have 20 people, you will need to meet the chartered bus at a location in Gastonia. Fill your information out & send your payment directly to Christian Tours. Or you can call them to use a credit card. During Yard Sale Week, people can help you get your registration made/form filled out.

Upcoming Events

8:30

Head Jimmy McGilberry

Ralph Miller

11:00

Bob Grindle, Head

Lee Keller

Eddie Sherwood

8:30

Lobby - Shannon McGilberry

Elevator - Kathy Hayes

11:00

Lobby - Ann Grindle

Elevator - Catherine Cockman

Those Who Serve May2019

8:30 10:50/11:00

05/5 Lindee Dover, Hope Long Chris Wilson, Kim Wise

05/12 Sarah Dover, Hope Long Tommy Burton, Evelyn Cameron

05/19 Susan Killian, Hope Long Missy Whitley, Jeannine Wyatt

05/26 Evelyn Cameron, Hope Long Jackie Abernathy, Kim Eleazer

May 5 Mike Allen

May 12 Windy Bartee

May 19 Denise Bono

May 26 Blair Abernathy

11:00 Service

May 5

Addie Yarbrough &

Jackie Abernathy

May 12

Renee Farris & Candy McCain

May 19

Sarah Dover &

Meredith McDaniel

May 26

TBD

124 Bethel St.

Clover, SC

29710

FIRST UNITED METHODI ST

CHURCH ● CLOVER, SC

FUMC Staff

(803) 222-3496

www.cloverfumc.com

Reverend Tommy Wilkes, Senior Pastor – twilkes@cloverfumc.com

Reverend Meg Wilkes, Associate Minister – mwilkes@cloverfumc.com

Reverend J. Richard Gibson, Pastor Emeritus

Cheri King, Director of Music Ministries - cking@cloverfumc.com

Jon Valentine, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries – jvalentine@cloverfumc.com

Cathy Allen, BIG/Tweens Coordinator—cmallen217@gmail.com

Christine Payseur, Church Business / Technical Coordinator – cpayseur@cloverfumc.com

Shirley M. Davis, Administrative Assistant / Financial Secretary – sdavis@cloverfumc.com

Nannette Carnes, Organist & Pianist

Tracie Kite, Sexton - kitetracie@hotmail.com

Hope Long, Nursery Care Worker / Coordinator

Windy Bartee, Lay Leader

Ray Reavis, Bob Grindle, Renee Gallien, Conference Lay Members

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