Safe Sanctuaries – Safe Gatherings

 It is almost time for many of us to renew our training. You will be receiving an email from Safe Gatherings at 45 days from your certification expiration date with instructions for renewal.
 
 The Rio Texas Conference requires two separate trainings: one is on the Safe Gatherings website: www.Safe Gatherings.com; the other training is at  www. riotexas.org/safetrainings or can be taken in person at various locations. You must register for these trainings.  Any that cannot register or take the course online,  please call the church office.  Those of you that have computer access :
  1. Go to www.SafeGatherings.com and create a log-in. It will ask you for two references and personal information for a background check. There is a fee that will be billed to the church.
  2. Do training on the Safe Gatherings site (about 2 hours) and complete the quiz at the end. (Call the church office if you cannot do this training online, we can make other arrangements.)
  3. Then register at www. riotexas.org/safetrainings for a trusted con Confianza course which consist of three modules. These take about two hours to complete.

  All three steps must be completed. Background check, Safe Gatherings online training, Safe Sanctuaries training. This is for the safety of our children and vulnerable adults and is the NEW Rio Texas Policy that we must comply with to stay in good standing. If you need any help or have any questions, please call the office. Thank you for your time and efforts.  Call the church secretary if you need any assistance, Shannon Rothe, 830.584.0300.

What’s Going on at FUMC?
 
Stewardship Campaign – You can still return pledge cards for 2020 to the church office. Please pray over your decision and return your pledge cards to the church office. Pledge cards are available in the church office or the foyer of church.
 
Community Christmas Caroling – On December 21 at 7:00 pm in Memorial Square, Jamie Kindred will lead the singing accompanied by Della Plagens on the keyboard.
 
Hill Country District Equipping the Saints – January 25, 2020 at Fredricksburg UMC. There will be a new format in 2020: Equipping the Saints Flyer. 
 
 
 
New Church Directory – We are scheduled to take pictures for our new church directory January 28-30. Cheryl Stroud and Jackie Stoner will be scheduling appointments in the new year. Please put these dates on your calendars and make plans to have your picture taken during those days. 
 

Church Security and Intruder Awareness/Response Training – February 28-29, 2020. We have contracted with Strategos International to bring their training to our Fellowship Hall on these two days. We want to be equipped to create a security plan that protects our congregation while maintaining a welcoming environment.  We get a discount if we register a group by January 14. Contact the church office by January 14, if you are interested and we can register for $107.25/person. 

Click this link for more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2-day-church-security-and-intruder-awarenessresponse-training-hondo-tx-registration-79726055779.

 
Building Use – This is just a reminder to everyone who uses the church facilities…Please be sure to contact the church office to schedule any events, no matter how small or how short they might be.  When you do use the facilities, please be sure to press ‘cancel hold’ on the thermostat when you leave to return it to the scheduled temperature. Be sure to check that all lights are turned off, including the restrooms and that all doors are locked.
 
Ongoing Ministries
 
Homebound Communion – If you or someone you know is interested in receiving home-bound communion on the first Sunday of the month between 1:00 and 2:00 pm please call Jean Callaway at 210-724-8342. We serve the Hondo and Castroville area and would be glad to come pray with you.
 
Cornerstone Assistance Network began it’s ministry April 30th. It’s mission is to assess and respond to community needs and establish a centralized location where persons can be put in touch with appropriate help. Volunteers are needed to help fill out in-take forms on Mondays at St. Paul’s Lutheran from 10am – 12 pm and from 12pm – 2 pm, once or twice a month.
 

UMW— The ladies of the First United Methodist Church meet every 1st Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. If you are looking for a time of loving Christian fellowship, contact Janice Highsmith at (830) 426-4718. 

Fellowship Time Volunteers – We are in need of volunteers to help provide breakfast during the Fellowship Time.  Everyone enjoys fellowship and refreshments between the two services, so let’s support this effort.  A sign-up sheet is posted in the kitchen area.  For more information and details, please contact Betty Gilliam or Chris Kailipaka. 

Food Pantry Sunday – 1st Sunday every Month

A food drive for the Medina County Food Pantry sponsored by the UMW continues every first Sunday of each month. Please  bring an item from the given list of suggested food items.  This list is a guide for what the Food Pantry needs to provide for its clients.  Collection bins located in the sanctuary are available for placing donations.  The congregation is encouraged to support the food drive and the Food Pantry in its efforts to feed the hungry families in Medina County.  Thanks to all of you for your generosity!

Food Pantry Items Needed:

Plain rice
Dry pinto beans
Crackers
Pasta such as vermicelli, macaroni, or spaghetti
Canned vegetables, tomatoes, or fruit
Canned meat
Breakfast cereal
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Sugar
Flour (2 lb.)
Cooking oil (pint or half pint)
Toilet paper
Tooth paste
Tooth brush
Bar soap
Dish soap
Laundry soap
 

Flower Calendar – To sign up to place flowers on the altar, select a date and write down what you would like to have printed in the bulletin, then make your own arrangements for plant or flowers to be delivered. Thank you for helping brighten up the altar! (Sign-up sheets are located in foyer.)

Hearing Assistance  – We have hearing assistance devices available for use during the worship  services.  Ask an usher if you would like to use one of these devices.