What’s Going on at FUMC?
 
Employment Opportunity – Accompanist needed, starting immediately. This position is for an accompanist on piano/organ for choir practice and church services. Salary is reflective of 5-6 hrs. weekly, between practice and services. JOB DESCRIPTION FOR ACCOMPANIST
Please send completed application to 1006 16th Street, Hondo, TX 78861 or fumchondo@gmail.com.
 
New Member Luncheon – Sunday, Feb. 23 after worship, the Evangelism Committee is providing ham, potatoes and bread.  Members (excluding new members) are asked to bring a side dish or dessert.
There are sign up sheets in the Narthex. Please make plans to join in the fun and make our new members feel welcome!
 
Church Directory 2020!!!
Thank you to everyone that had their picture taken or submitted a picture for the 2020 Directory. We look forward to receiving the completed product.
 
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. 2020 Pledge Forms are available by clicking the button or pick one up in the church office
 

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 or the church office. We serve the Hondo and Castroville area and would be glad to come pray with you.
 
Cornerstone Assistance Network’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.
 
Fellowship Time Volunteers – We are in need of volunteers to help provide breakfast during the Fellowship Time.  Everyone enjoys fellowship and refreshments between Sunday School and Worship, so let’s support this effort.  A sign-up sheet is posted in the kitchen area.  For more information and details, please contact Janice Highsmith.
 

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. 

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 place flowers on the altar, select a date, make arrangements for plant or flowers to be delivered and call or email the church office with the dedication you would like printed in the bulletin. Thank you for helping brighten up the altar! 

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.    

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. (For renewals, your link will be sent to you upon completing the first two steps. The renewal training is about an hour.)

  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.