April 2016 Celebration Newsletter by Natalia Fomin

For Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)

April 2016 OUR VISION: To become a disciple making church

OUR MISSION: To make disciples by Loving God, Growing in Christ, and Reaching Out to Others University City United Methodist Church

OUR CORE VALUES:

3835 W WT Harris Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28269 phone: 704-369-8000 fax: 704-369-0481 www.ucumc.org facebook.com/ucumc1 Twitter: @UC_UMC Instagram: @UC_UMC Worship Times: 9:45am - Traditional 11:00am - Contemporary Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday 9:00am - 12:30pm

Table of Contents To explore the Celebration Newsletter, click on any of the categories below to go to that page. On each page of the newsletter there is a link on the bottom that says “Back to top”; click that link to return to this page.

Growing, Serving, and Learning Together 1 Fun Times Together 2 REACH Updates 4 New Things at UCUMC 7 For Your Calendar 8

Watch UCUMC Publications for the next Celebration Newsletter publication date. Do you have information you would like to include in the next Celebration Newsletter? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact the head of the ministry area that corresponds with the information you would like to share

Growing, Serving, and Learning Together After Christmas Party On January 9th, the Disciple A & B Sunday school classes held their “after Christmas” party. Each family brought new toys which were donated to Bright Blessings. Bright Blessings provides birthday parties and other ministries to homeless children. It was a night filled with fellowship and service.

MX16 - Keep Pounding On February 20th, 109 men gathered for MX16 (Men’s Experience). Our theme was “Keep Pounding – In Faith, In Family In Service”. Our guest speaker was Brad Hoover, former running back for the Carolina Panthers. Brad spoke about those who had an influence on his spiritual growth and formation as a young man and how he could see God moving in his life every time he had a set back or things didn’t go the way Brad anticipated. Ultimately, Brad played 10 years in the NFL and is now influencing young men with his knowledge and faith through coaching at the high school level here in Charlotte. We also had some powerful breakout seminars led by local business men and pastors from other area churches – topics covered in these seminars were communication in relationships, Christian leadership and influence, internet and technology safety, and finding our identity in Christ. There was wonderful fellowship and food shared among the men of our church and even guests who were invited to join us! Make plans now to join us for our next MX-mini on Saturday, May 21st (8am-9:30am) in the Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Alexis Anthony, senior pastor of Greater Vision UMC. Invite a neighbor or friend!

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!!!! Thank you to all that participated in the classroom spruce up project! YOU ARE THE BEST! Special thanks to Sue Winter who is driving this project!

We held our Second Annual Unlimited Hospitality Clinic in March where 40 volunteers attended to be trained by Stephanie Porter from Chick-fil-A, on their philosophy and methods for hospitality and greeting guests. This was a wonderful Saturday afternoon experience of food and fun, but also for a time to learn from some of the best in the business. Our desire as a church, and specifically as a Welcoming Team, is that we would reflect 1 John 4:19 to everyone we encounter – “We love because He first loved us.”

Fun Times Together FUSION Guys’ & Girls Events – February 6th: Middle School Girls Afternoon Out – The 6th & 7th grade girls spent the afternoon at Painting with a Twist, being artistic and snacking on desserts! It was a great time of fellowship and learning about how we are all uniquely made, but one in Christ! Guys Night Out – Our 6th-12th grade guys gathered “man to man” for dinner, worship, guest speaker Steve Keaton, laser tag, and dessert! They spent time learning about what God says about being a man, along with enjoying fellowship with one another! High School Girls Night Out – Our high school girls enjoyed an evening of dinner, desserts, fellowship and guest speakers from Present Age Ministries.

Senior Adult Valentine Banquet On Sunday, February 14th, the youth of UCUMC honored our most seasoned members by hosting a Valentine banquet. The students decorated, served lunch, led table discussions and Bingo games, shared a devotion, and gave out gifts of love to the 80+ in attendance!

UC Kids Family Movie Event Inside Out – March 6th UC Kids hosted their annual Family Movie Event featuring Disney Pixar’s Inside Out! Dozens of families participated in carnival style games, music, popcorn, lemonade and a showing of the movie on the big screen! WinShape Kickoff Week was March 6th – 13th. We not only met but surpassed our goal for registrations!! Also coming to WinShape this summer is a new village for completed 7th – 9th graders that is focused on leadership. It’s going to be another amazing week of camp! WinShape Road Crew Rally – March 15th we had 5 WinShape Summer Counselors join us with games, giveaways and a huge inflatables at Chickfil-A Davis Lake. We had a blast registering kids for camp and getting a taste of the BEST WEEK EVER!!

Fun Times Together (cont.) Goodtimes Club - Celebrating Our Seniors 50+ At our gathering on February 10th we had a special treat …. A group from Colfax, NC came and performed for us. What makes this group unique is the fact that all the instruments that the band played on are handmade; some of them were made in 1960 and are still being used! They used an old metal washtub, bottles, wooden blocks, chimes, a bottle rigged to “tweet” like a bird, a French horn made out of a vacuum cleaner hose and a funnel, just to name a few! To hear and see them perform https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmEootQ-dBo What is Goodtimes Club? It is a time of care, prayer, birthday celebrations, games and lots of fun, great food made by some of the best cooks in the county, and desserts to die for! If you are retired or available on a Wednesday morning, come give us a try! You may find that you want to save a place on your calendar. Come alone, bring a friend, or even your spouse. No dues; just bring a side dish or desert to share. Where: meets in the Hospitality Suite When: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through May Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm For the final meeting of the year we are planning a trip to Fort Mill, SC to a dinner theater presentation by a Christian group Narroway Productions. We will attend the Saturday Matinee of Samson on May 7th. We will meet at the church and carpool to Fort Mill. The cost for the lunch and play is $32.00 per person. Reservations can be made and paid for at the April meeting. For more information please contact Patti Welch patti.b.welch@gmail.com 704-660-9544

REACH Updates As of the end of March, we are excited to report that we have received approximately 15% of the total Faith Promises pledged in October’s event. With the $49,000 received to date, we have: - Fully funded the BackPack Ministry (Click Here to read more). - Purchased new mattresses, bed linens, pillows and bath linens for Room in the Inn. - Purchased new books for the ever-growing ESL program. - Supported Dr. Josh Fletcher and his family as they begin their new adventures in Ecuador with the One Missions Society (Click Here to read more). - Financed a Leader Training Event through the International Leadership Institute that will take place in Cameroon or Benin later this year. And because of our gift, the ILI will be able to apply for matching grant funds and have an additional training event this year or early 2017 (Click Here to read more). - Supported a portion of the trip costs for the various mission trips that UCUMC folks will be taking in 2016. Praise be to God that we have been able to REACH around the corner and around the world and have a significant impact in the lives of others and we have been able to further God’s Kingdom here on earth! In addition to the financial impacts from REACH, we have seen many from our congregation engage in a more meaningful and deeper way with their community. - We have one member who went to Illinois for a week to serve with Love Packages and help sort and ship Bible study literature to other parts of the world. - We have several folks who have stepped into leadership roles on the Missions Committee. - We have others who have stepped out in faith to go on their first mission trip. - We have 3 new ESL teachers who have been trained and are already teaching new students. - We have many Sunday school classes and Small groups that have been serving with Room in the Inn. - We have some newly retired folks who have begun serving in a construction ministry. - We have several new volunteers with BackPack Ministry. - We have several folks who are beginning to volunteer with Present Age Ministries to help rescue young women from human trafficking. - The prayer shawl ministry has committed to provide a prayer shawl for each graduate of the drug rehabilitation program Dove’s Nest and have also begun providing shawls for folks at the Hospice Care Center in Huntersville. We are so excited to see all that God is doing in the hearts and lives of the folks at University City and we cannot wait to see how REACH continues to impact us, but mostly how it impacts others through us as we REACH around the corner and around the world to share Christ with others. To read more about these updates and to see more updates from REACH 2015, continue to the next page or visit www.ucumc.org/reach/updates.

REACH Updates (cont) Syrian Refugee Kits Early in March, due to the commitment of folks who have seen God fulfill their faith promises, dozens of UCUMC members (and a few community members) assembled and packaged 1,000 health kits! This was a huge accomplishment that took a team of folks. We especially thank Frances Surgenor who brought presented this idea for approval to the Missions Committee—your commitment to living the gospel is appreciated and contagious! Sally Ropp and Nancy Price also worked tirelessly (as they so often do) to ensure that we were able to provide these health kits. These kits were assembled in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief and will be distributed through the Middle East. They will specifically assist Syrian Refugees displaced by the violence and disruption in their home country.

Fully Funding Backpack Ministry Because of your faithfulness, the Missions Committee had the funds to fully fund the Backpack Ministry! It takes nearly $14,000 per year to fund the ministry to area schools. This ministry allows families—who have been selected by their respective schools—to receive meals over the weekend and extended breaks. Many families in CMS live below the poverty line and their greatest source of sustenance comes in the form of school meals. Through the backpack ministry, these families are provided with supplies to supplement the lost meals when out of school. The ministry also assembled and distributed 42 Easter Baskets for the families who are normally served through this ministry. Sally Ropp, the leader of this ministry (and a member of the Missions Committee) extends a special thank you to Roxanne and David Pardue, Harris Teeter and Colgate for the toothbrushes and toothpaste. The children will need it after they eat all the candy in the Goodie Bags.

Partnership with International Leadership Institute (ILI) Many of you might have met Norval Trinidad who was one of our presenters at REACH 2015; he is with the International Leadership Institute. Their mission is to equip men and women with the best leadership tools and provide them with an opportunity to have a transformational encounter with God. One of the ways this happens is through leadership opportunities for various countries. Through God’s provision for Faith Promises, University City has been able to sponsor one of these ILI conferences! In early August, Pastor Ray and Lindsey Gallegly (new church member and member of the Missions Committee) will join Norval in West Africa as part of the GO Team! They will serve in either Cameroon or Benin. Pastor Ray will serve as a facilitator and Lindsey will serve as an assistant! This conference will equip leaders in West Africa to reach the lost and to share the faith. Yay God!

REACH Updates (cont) One of many ways that UCUMC is making an impact! Following our very successful REACH 2015 event, UCUMC has partnered with The Mission Society - Church Ministry growth. Pastor Ray McKinnon has been asked to speak at the conference and to coach churches in the GO Process and“ to be a vital part of this new movement the Lord has begun.” The Mission Society - Church Ministry has invited Ray to be part of a small panel of pastors to talk about the success of the GO Process and the impact it has had here at UCUMC! This will be a live broadcast and viewers will be invited to ask questions. Tune in on Tuesday, April 12th from 2-2:45pm EST; Click Here to register for the webniar.

The Calling to REACH Around the Corner and Around the World REACH 2015 inspired many people in our congregation to GO where God called. Check out some of their stories below. - Frances Surgenor - The Calling to Go to Honduras: In February 2016, Frances Surgenor traveled to Honduras on a medical mission trip with Friends of Barnabas (FOB). Check out her story and see how God impacted her life through serving the people of Honduras. - Drew Nivens - Hands on Work: After REACH 2015 Drew felt called to find a tangible way to help with an agency spreading the Gospel to others. Check out his story of how God fulfilled his desire to spread the Gospel.

During REACH 2015 we had missionaries and mission agencies representing Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Ends of the Earth. As a part of REACH, we asked the missionaries/agencies keep us up-todate on what God is doing in their part of the world. Check out what’s happening: - The Fletcher Family - Ecuador (One Mission Society): From our REACH Faith Promises, we are now supporting the Fletcher family as they begin their new adventure in Ecuador with One Mission Society. They are planning to have enough funding to go to language school in April. Read more about their calling and their journey by checking out their website www.fletchersteps.org. - Farrell Burton - Nicaragua (The Hope Project): This year, Farrell feels God is calling him to focus on VISION - not only to see those around him, but to respond and to move to action. Click Here to check out what God is doing in Nicaragua through the Hope Project. Learn more about the Hope Project Here. - BJ Riley - Spartanburg YoungLife: Because of your support we are able to reach hundreds of kids around the county each day. There are 30 leaders that include staff and volunteers that each day is able to minister to students throughout the county through high school clubs, middle school clubs, and YoungLife summer camps. Click Here to read more about God’s work through Spartanburg YoungLife.

New Things at UCUMC Celebrating the good things that are happening on our Campus! The Board of Trustees has approved the resurfacing and re-striping of our parking lot. And it is looking good!!!!

New Members God has been doing great things through our Evangelism and Welcoming teams already in the first few months of 2016. We have been overjoyed to meet a total of 120 guests for the very first time since the first of the year, and grateful that 11 individuals and their families have joined UCUMC as New Members! Our new members so far this year are:

Kelly McKinnon (pictured with husband Ray)

George & Monica Muldoon (pictured with daughter Megan)

Jennifer & Kelvin, Zoe and Cameron Montague (pictured with Daughter Ivy, 2015 confirmand)

Not Pictured: Teresa Grimshaw; Megan O’Brien; Alison Vernay & Matthew Lewis

Looking to the future of our Congregation with Unlimited Hospitality A foundation is being laid for our entire congregation to begin taking significant steps forward in our ability to invite and engage with those who do not yet have a church home or who have ever heard the name of Jesus. In the months to come, we will be remodeling our Café space to make it an even more inviting location for everyone in the church, but also to accompany a new ministry model we’ll be implementing in September called Wednesday Night Live. The vision for Wednesday Night Live is to engage and energize our community with the Good News of Jesus through word and deed. Each Wednesday night, following our regular meal, we will offer breakouts involving discussion groups around current issues facing our culture, as well as weekly service projects that allow us to impact our local community and communities around the world. Our desire is that the friends we make on Wednesday nights will transform UCUMC into an ever-growing picture of God’s kingdom, with newcomers added to our family constantly. This is a chance for you to invite your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to enjoy free food, a place to belong and share thoughts and ideas about living life in the world today, and an opportunity to serve those in need. We are so excited to see what God is going to do in 2016 and we can’t wait for you to be a part!

For Your Calendar Apr 9 - UC Kids Spring Fling Family Dance, 5-8pm in the Gathering Space Apr 11 - Membership Class begins, 6:30-8pm in the Hospitality Suite. Want to join UCUMC? E-mail Eli to register - esuddarth@ucumc.org. Apr 15 & 16 - HIS HANDS Puppet Ministry Puppethon: 15th at 7pm, 16th at 3pm in the Sanctuary: Come enjoy a puppet performance for all ages! This FREE performance will include black light puppetry, contemporary Christian music, and more! Apr 17 - VBS Registration opens: VBS 2016 - Surf Shack: Catch the wave of God’s amazing love! For children ages rising 4 years old to rising 5th grade. July 18-22. Click Here to register. Apr 24 - Youth Sunday, 9:45am & 11:00am May 8 - Mother’s Day/Confirmation Sunday May 11 - Last Wonderful Wednesday meal May 11 - CrossTraining children’s musical, 6:30pm May 14 - Mexico Mission Trip Golf Tournament: Come join us for a morning on the links to benefit this year’s Youth Mission Trip to Mexico. Tradition Golf Course, $80 per person (includes cart, bucket of range balls, raffle prizes, & boxed lunch); www.ucumc.org/youth/upcoming. May 18 - CrossTraining children’s musical, 6:30pm May 21 - MX-mini, 8-9:30am in the Fellowship Hall: Our guest speaker will be Rev. Alexis Anthony, senior pastor of Greater Vision UMC. Invite a neighbor or friend! Register at www.ucumc.org/eventregistration (opens early May). May 23-27 - Weekday School Camp #1 - Superheroes, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register. May 30 - Church Office Closed (Memorial Day) June 5 - Cap & Gown Sunday, 11am Worship June 6-10 - Weekday School Camp #2 - The Great Outdoors, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register. June 13-17 - Weekday School Camp #3 - Dr. Seuss, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register. June 20-24 - WinShape Camp - Follow: full day; children who have completed 1st-9th grade: Come be a part of this incredible adventure where we combine sports, recreation, arts, Bible study, and worship into one incredible week. Click Here to register as an attendee or volunteer. June 23-Aug 4 - Remember(ship) - Contact Eli Suddarth for more info - esuddarth@ucumc.org. June 27-July 1 - Weekday School Camp #4 - Merry Holidays, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register. July 4 - Church Office Closed (Independence Day) July 11-15 - Weekday School Camp #5 - Little Scientists, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register. July 18-22 - VBS 2016 - Surf Shack: 9am-12pm; ages rising 4 year olds to rising 5th grade: Grab your surfboard and head to the beach to Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love. Click Here to register as a attendee or volunteer (opens April 17th). July 18-22 - Middle School Summer Serve, 8:30am-12:15pm; rising 6th-8th graders: Students are invited to reach out and serve those in the Charlotte area through this unique week of service. Visit www.ucumc.org/youth/upcoming to register (registration begins in June). July 25-29 - Weekday School Camp #6 - Summer Olympics, 9am-12pm; ages rising 2 year olds to rising kindergarten: Click Here to register.