The Weekly Courier

August 29, 2024

"We seek to connect people to God, each other, and the wider community and to welcome and affirm all people"

Prepare Your Heart...

Before you hear Daryl lead our congregation in an organ hymn sing this week. Check out this recording of Charles Wesley's "And Are We Yet Alive" played by Michael Teets.

Click on the picture --> 

This Week's Calls to Action!

• RSVP for the Anti-Racist Film Club screening THIS Sunday, 9/1 @12:30pm
• Welcome kids back to Madison school with us on Wednesday, 9/4
• Consider volunteering with the Community Kitchen
• Check out the Discipleship Fair after worship next Sunday

For more information about all of these events and opportunities, read on below...

CommonGround Choir Announcement

Attention, all singers! The CommonGround Choir will be starting rehearsals for the fall tonight, Thursday, August 29, from 6:45 to 8:00 pm in the Gathering Place.

It is so fun to sing with a large group of people; you don't have to be the best singer, you just have to show up! Contact Cathy Bennett if you have any questions: (cell) 360-470-8909 or (church) 360-943-2661. We really hope to see you there!

Anti-Racist Film Club

Hello folks! Our film selection for Anti-Racist Film Club this month is The Woman King (2022).

The Woman King is a historical epic about General Nanisca and her leadership of the Agojie—an elite army of female warriors who fought for the West African kingdom of Dahomey. During the heights of the transatlantic slave trade, Nanisca and her army fight to liberate their people from Portuguese slavers and their enemies in the Oyo Empire. Click this link to watch a full trailer.

TW: This is a PG- 13 film with violence, some gore, and a depiction of sexual assault.

This month, we have a slight change to our normal schedule. Instead of showing the film on the second Sunday, we will be screening The Woman King on the FIRST Sunday in September. So, this Sunday, 9/1, join us upstairs at First Olympia UMC in the Gathering Place @12:30pm. There will be a light lunch provided before/during the screening. Our discussion will still be held on Monday, 9/9 @7pm over Zoom*.

If you're interested in either of these events, please RSVP here: 

https://fumcoly.breezechms.com/form/ARFCWomanKing.

Our September Schedule looks like this:

• Sunday, 9/1 @12:30pm - The Woman King (2022) screening at FUMCO
• Monday, 9/9 @ 7:00PM - Zoom film discussion

*note that there is a full week between our screening and discussion this month.

Can't wait until Sunday? Check out the newest episode of the ARFC podcast! This month, Lauren sat down with Pastor Alexa to discuss The Woman King.

Click here to listen and subscribe!

Community Kitchen Needs Volunteers

The Community Kitchen is looking for volunteers to help them over the next few weeks. Volunteering will include tasks like cooking, set up, and cleaning and all shifts run from 2:30 to 6:30pm. They need help on:

August 27, September 3, September 17, September 20, and September 24.

If you're willing/able to help, please reach out to Christian Serrania (CSerrania@ccsww.org).

Back to School Welcome

Join us to say "Welcome Back" to the staff and students of Madison Elementary on Wednesday at 8:00 am. We will wave to the students as they enter the school and wish them a wonderful "Back-to-school." Last year, we heard that the parents, students and staff loved this warm welcome on the first day of school  

We will meet inside the church at 8:00am and make our way out to Legion Way to wave to the students. We will be done by 9:00am. If you have one, wear your FUMCO shirt!

Come to Discipleship Fair

On Sunday, September 8th, we hope you'll join us in the Great Hall after worship for our annual Discipleship Fair!

Coffee hour will be relocated to the Great Hall as well, so that you can get a cup of coffee and a treat while you meander to each table featuring the incredible variety of ministries connected to our church.

This also gives you a chance to talk with ministry leaders and sign up to receive information about many opportunities to serve, learn, grow, and play this year!

Congregation Care Team

FUMCO's Congregational Care team is poised to support congregation members experiencing life changes, both joyful and challenging, with calls, visits and cards of support. If this is a compassionate service you would like to help provide, please visit our table at the Discipleship Fair on Sunday Sept. 8 after the morning service.

Whatever your gifts, there are a number of ways you can be “blessed to be a blessing” to

our congregational family. Thank you!

September-October Upper Rooms

September-Octorber issues of the Upper Room are ready for pick-up for $1.00!

You may get yours on a Sunday morning, before or after worship. Or swing by the church Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm.

Want a Health Check?

The Health Team will do blood pressure checks every first Sunday after worship.

Stop by each month for this important wellness check!

Interfaith Works Gift Basket

Please help us fill an auction gift basket For Interfaith Works 50th Anniversary party. FUMCO’s Basket Theme Is “It’s For The Birds”

Bring your donations to the church office. Suggested items include: bird books, bird seed and feeders, Hummingbird feeders and warmers, bird houses, aprons, hot pads and place mats made with bird fabric, coffee cups with bird pictures, bird yard signs, bird note cards, bird playing cards, bird flags, and bird puzzles.

And consider attending Interfaith Works’ Saturday, September 21st 50th Anniversary Party being held from 4-7pm at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard. Hord’oeuvres, desserts and drinks will be served. The 50th Anniversary celebration is an opportunity for people to come together to learn about the history and evolution of Interfaith Works over time through interactive, multimedia presentations. Significant growth has happened in the last 10 years. IFW now serves people in three different locations and has a staff team of 85. The money raised at this event will support both Interfaith Relations and Homeless Services work in our community.

Tickets are now available at https://www.interfaith-works.org under Events.

Summer Breakfast Club Thanks You!

On 8/25, volunteers and families gathered in the Great Hall for a festive potluck breakfast to celebrate the last Sunday of Summer Breakfast Club.

Over the course of ten Sundays this summer, more than 40 volunteers helped to prepare and serve breakfast to families in our community. To show appreciation for program participation and support, guests on Sunday morning “made-a-bouquet to take-on-their-way," with flowers provided by the local non-profit GRuB (www.goodgrub.org).

Thank you, church, for supporting this new ministry of living into our mission of connecting with one another, God, and community!

Life of the Church

Last Saturday, our Friendship Hikers braved the Lower Big Quilcene trail. This was a last minute change of location due to the weather forecast which turned out to be a great idea as we escaped the rain and enjoyed beautiful forest and river solitude.

And, on Sunday, our kids got to wrap up an exciting week of VBC activities by throwing a pie in Miss Brittney's face! It was a memorable way to end a fun week full of learning, friends, and laughter.

You can find more photos from these events (and many more) on our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/FUMCOLY.

We Remember...

Lyle Tribbett who passed away earlier this week. His memorial service will be held at First Olympia this Saturday, August 31 at 2:00 pm.

Wally Walter's memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 8 at 4 pm.

Our Welcoming Statement

First United Methodist Church of Olympia welcomes people of all ages, all abilities,

all sexual orientations and gender identities, all nationalities and ethnicities,

the poor and the rich, single people and the many forms of family.

See our Church Calendar.

Visit our webpage!

Watch our latest worship service

Read the latest Joys & Concerns

Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on Instagram!

Contact us ...

by phone: 360-943-2661 by email: fumco@fumcoly.org

OFFICE HOURS: Sunday 9am-noon | Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm

The Weekly Courier editor: Lauren Fontanilla