I can’t believe it’s been 6 years. Six years ago I was in the middle of buying the house I now live in and praying intensely about my upcoming new role as RUMC’s Senior Pastor. It’s was an incredible opportunity and tremendous change in my life and the life of my boys. My emotions ran the entire spectrum.

Today, you and I, together face a similar dynamic of change. In case you haven’t heard I’ve been appointed the new Lead Pastor (Senior Pastor) of Peachtree City UMC. It wasn’t anything I or anybody else was expecting. Without rehashing details I’ll simply say the pastor there took another job at an independent Methodist church and I was “at the top of the list” for who should be sent to follow him.

When I was ordained I vowed to “go where I was sent.” Further, I believe that the Holy Spirit can and has used the Bishop and cabinet to move pastors strategically for the betterment of the United Methodist Church. (Remember you thought they were pretty wise in sending me here 6 years ago.) I can also honestly say, as challenging and difficult the last six years have been for all the reasons you already know, this is the hardest move-away I’ve made.

You were with me through some very big moments in my life (marrying Kara, my father’s death, my middle son, Isaiah’s high school graduation) even as I have been with you in some of yours.

The church has went through much but a new vision and positivity has emerged. It’s most certainly hard to go especially when there is so much good ahead! It feels very much like we are just getting started.

But in that I can also see the proverbial end of a chapter that is meant for another to join you and together you’ll write the next. I’ve not yet met Pastor Dave who will be following me but others have and they have shared that they were blessed in doing so.

I know God is at work and I choose to trust the Spirit as difficult as sometimes that feels. I want you to trust the Spirit with me.

My last Sunday preaching at RUMC will be June 9th. There is much to share between now and then and I believe a lunch is being planned for that day following contemporary worship, so we have more time to be together and exchange blessings and encouragement.

I appreciate your prayers. You’re certainly in mine.

God is doing incredible things at and through RUMC. Stay part of it and what happens next!

Members of RUMC Lee Kay, Marty McGee and Bruce Phillips traveled to Slidell, LA, along with Newnan FUMC Emergency Response Team (ERT) to assist with disaster cleanup from recent storms and a tornado. We assisted homeowners in clearing debris, the demolition of storm damaged structures, and clearing the drainage trench. We were also able to give 3 prayer shawls from the NFUMC Prayer Shawl Ministry. We received a thank you note from people in the community saying it “was our first tornado, and we were overwhelmed,” and “The prayer shawls were such an added blessing. Just beautiful and will be treasured!”

We look forward to being able to team up with the NFUMC ERT Team when the need arises, as well as building our own team to be able to go into the Southeast as needed. The requirements to be part of the Emergency Response Team at UMCOR is taking an 8 hour class and having a willing heart. The call out is based on a 5 day time period (1 day to travel to the location, 3 days working at location and 1 day to travel home.) The requirements to be a part of the Support Team are very easy, if you are willing to help the people in our Church and Community that need it! We assist in yard work, small construction around the house, clean up tree limbs broken by storms, and any other needs that we can help with. We will be having a trainer from ERT North Georgia UMC in the future for a class. If anyone has any questions or knows someone in our Church or Community who would be interested in getting involved, please contact Lee (Lebo) Kay at (423)580-6596 or Lee@ringgoldumc.org.

June 8th promises to be a great day for RUMC as we hold our first ever Children’s Celebration of Summer! In addition to our church family, we are inviting some very special people to join us that day, including: families from our Children’s Celebration of Christmas, foster families from Catoosa County, participants at Camp Catoosa, our church preschool, and members of the Relative Caregiver support group that meets at our church monthly. This amounts to around 500 children being invited, not counting the rest of their family members! This ministry event will include lots of hot dogs, snacks, inflatables, a petting zoo, games, fun and fellowship! This is a HUGE opportunity to reach so many people and so many needs in our community that it is going to take ALL of us to make it be all that God has for it to be! As you read this, Children’s Celebration of Summer will be only days away. If you have not already signed-up to help, you can do that right now on the App. God has given us a great opportunity to reach out into our community and you will not want to miss being a part of this great day!!!

We are so excited for the Best Week of Summer! This will include our Vacation Bible School program from 6-8 pm on July 21-24, our music camp from 9 am-1 pm on July 25-26, movie nights from 6-8 pm on July 25-26, and a family pool party at the community pool from 6-8pm on July 27! The theme for VBS is Minions, so we will do crafts, play games, and share stories about how the disciples followed Jesus and how we can, too. We will watch Despicable Me and Minions for the movie nights. At music camp, we will worship, sing, dance, and play games and instruments together. Lunch will be included. We would also like to invite anyone who participates in music camp to come back on Sunday to sing the songs they learn in church service. In order to do all of this, we need YOUR help! We want to create a safe, fun, and loving environment for these kids, and we need safe and loving adults to do so. Sign your kids up or sign up to serve by clicking the links below. I am looking forward to truly having the Best Week of Summer!

A great big thank you to everyone for your support to help us have a very successful Haiti Student Sponsor campaign with 111 students sponsored.  Friends of Momance In-Country Director. Mario Loremy, sent this message, “Thank you so much for your prayers and support, my friends. The people and children in Momance are not involved in politics.  The kids do not need to pay the price for that. We are fighting to keep moving forward and not stop for the children in the name of Jesus!” Our school principal, Wadson Celestin, said, “The situation in Haiti is difficult.  Our eyes are on God. RUMC’s prayers and support give us strength and motivation. Thank you!”

If you are a dog lover, you are going to be excited about our June 18th 49ers meeting. Our guest speaker will be Candy Hoekstra who is a member of the group, Alliance Therapy Dogs.  She and her trained therapy dog, Jack, visit hospitals and nursing homes. They, and possibly others from Alliance Therapy Dogs, will be at 49ers to share information about their mission.  It should be a great evening. Our meal will be covered dish with barbecue provided.

Greetings Gentlemen. We had a great turn out for our first Dinner with Dudes back in April. We had several games for everyone to play, including cornhole, a golf game, a frisbee game, and passing the football around. On top of that, we had a mouthwatering brisket that David Duzan smoked for the event. Most of all, we had an exciting time building our fellowship and making new friendships.

We plan to hold our next Dinner with Dudes on Sunday evening, June 23rd at 5:00 p.m. Come out and join the fun activities while sharing in building the brotherhood of the men’s ministry. We are still conducting IPRs (in-progress reviews) for this event and will provide more information in the upcoming weeks. With that being said, mark your calendar and RSVP using the link below to let us know that you plan to be there.

Luncheon for Chris and Kara
Sunday, June 9 • 12:00pm
Bring your favorite salad, dessert or rolls.
Drinks will be provided.

Children’s Celebration of Summer
Led by Faithworks
Saturday, June 8 • 5-7pm

June 49ers *DATE CHANGE* - June 18
Tuesday, June 18 • 6pm

Dinner with Dudes
Men’s Ministry event
Sunday, June 23 • 5pm

Supper with Sally
Women’s Ministry event
Sunday, June 23 • 5pm

The Best Week of the Summer
Kids Summer Fun Nights: July 21-24 • 6-8pm
Kids Music Camp: July 25-26 • 9am-1pm
Kids Movie Nights: July 25-26 • 6-8pm
Family Pool Party: July 27 • 6-8pm

General Budget
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in April: $50,875
Received in April: $62,323
Spent in April: $48,548
Budgeted April YTD: $203,500
Received April YTD: $216,796
Spent April YTD: $203,768

In Person :
9 AM: 81
11 AM: 83
 
Online:
9AM: 48
11 AM: 22

General Fund
In Memory of Jerry Watkins by:
Sandy & Brenda Hall
Chris Bryant

In Memory of Joe Barger by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

In Honor of Richard & Karen Taylor by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

NCIC
In Memory of Jerry Watkins by:
Bill & Phyllis Copeland

In Memory of Vera White by:
Linda Elrod

In Honor of Jerry Watkins by:
Carolyn Turner
Sally Ensley

Benevolence
In Memory of Jerry Watkins by:
Charlotte Dills
Porter & Deedee Buff
Gary Knowles
James & Kathy Bates
Con & Beth Kellerhals

Children’s Christmas Celebration
In Memory of Jerry Watkins:
by Marty McGee

Ringgold United Methodist Church
706-935-4777 | www.ringgoldumc.org
7484 Nashville St
Ringgold, GA 30736

Chris Bryant, Senior Pastor
Sally Ensley, Minister of Care
Britta Alton, Director of Children’s Ministry
Michael Arnold, Worship Band Leader
Kodi Lowry, Director of Preschool
Taylor Lankford, Executive Director of Worship and the Arts
Marty McGee, Coordinator of Senior Adult Ministries
Pam Blaylock, Office Administrator
Drew Sherrill, Communications and Technical Director
Jamie Smith, Director of Youth Ministry
Carolyn Turner, Organist
Ann McMillen, Pianist