The Bishop and Cabinet have now finished making the pastoral appointments for the 2024-2025 Annual Conference year. These appointments will be set at the close of the North Georgia Annual Conference on Saturday, June 15. I am happy to confirm that you will be re-appointed to your present church.

In the coming Annual Conference year, I will be appointed as District Superintendent of the South East District. It has been a great blessing to serve alongside you, with the steadfast companionship of Josie Hickom, District Administrative Assistant, and Dawn Townsend, District Lay Leader. Thank you for your joyful resilience and faithfulness as we have loved and prayed together over these two years. Now, I rejoice with you as you widen the embrace of the North West District and welcome Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell as District Superintendent.

Annual Conference will be Thursday, June 13 through Saturday, June 15, with the theme, “Becoming an ACTS Church.” The Pre-Conference Briefing will be a Zoom webinar on Sunday, June 2 from 2-3 p.m. Keep up to date with Annual Conference details: https://www.ngumc.org/eventdetail/16592144, and watch the new North West District newsletter for announcements of other upcoming events for the beginning of a new Annual Conference year.

In Jesus Christ, love never ends, and the best is yet to come! Thanks be to God!

Blessings,
Beth Sanders

Can you believe summer is almost here! I wanted to share some fun activities for you and your kiddos to do during the summer.

• Homemade Ice Cream- This one is easy! With 5 simple ingredients: half and half, vanilla, sugar, ice, salt and some Ziplock bags you can have a delicious (and refreshing) summer treat.
• Rock Painting- This one is a personal favorite. Grab some smooth rocks and paint, acrylic works best, and create fun designs. You can even hide them throughout your yard and have a Scavenger hunt to find them.
• Rain Painting- For those days with summer showers, use washable markers to draw a picture. Once complete, set outside in the rain and watch the colors blend to see a new creation.

In all this fun, please don’t forget to stay safe. Summer is the time for water play and pools, so
remember to keep an extra eye out around the water. If using a water hose for sprinklers, let the water run for a bit before the kids get in. That water can be HOT after sitting in the sun all day. The days get very hot, so staying hydrated is a must- keep those water bottles full! And, of course, don’t forget sunscreen.

R|Preschool is wishing everyone a wonderful summer!

We are looking forward to the Best Week of Summer for kids July 21-27. Kicking off with four nights of fun activities for kids, this wonderful week also includes a 2-day music camp and movie nights on Thursday and Friday followed by a pool party on Saturday. We’re all fun-loving minions following someone powerful, so we’re focused on serving God together as we strive for things that bring peace and build each other up. Come, follow with us!

Taylor and I are so excited to start a music camp this year! Music camp will be Thursday, July 25, from 9am to 1pm and Friday, July 26, from 9am to 1pm. I will be teaching the 5-8 year olds, and Taylor will be teaching the 8-12 year olds. There will be lots of singing, dancing, and games! We'll even pull out some instruments! We will also need youth and adult volunteers- no music experience necessary. We need people to help ensure an organized, safe, and fun environment for the kids. We will also invite the kids to come and sing on the following Sunday! Be sure to sign your kids up to participate!

Faithworks has two opportunities to serve lined up for the month of May. On Saturday, May 11 from 7:30-10am, join us as we serve water to those participating in the Dolly Dash. Wear your church T-shirt and cheer the runners on! For the 1890 Days Jamboree, May 24-25, walk around and pass out wet wipes to anyone in need (people who are eating, people with small children, etc.) and popsicles to the kids. Also, be sure to buy some kettle corn from the men’s ministry at 1890 Days to help fundraise for Christ's Chapel Share and Care. They will be set up by the church parking lot.  Let’s all take advantage of this opportunity to be good representatives of Jesus and of our church to the community!

Sign up links to serve at 1890 Days are not yet available but will be soon.

The organized unit of the United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ. In addition, the purpose is to develop creative, supportive fellowships and to expand concepts of mission through participation in community and global ministries of the church.

The United Methodist Women is open to all ladies who have a heart for others. We meet the 3rd Friday of each month at 1:00 pm in room B-10. Each month our program includes timely discussions and ideas about how we may support and encourage those in our community and around the world. With the monthly pledges we are able to support projects such as the W.W. Ware Scholarship fund, Children’s Celebration of Christmas, Murphy-Harpst Children’s Home and several other programs. Each November we assemble and deliver fruit baskets to our Friends at Home. We would love to have you join us in supporting and encouraging one another in making a difference in the lives of others.

Mark your calendar! 49ers will meet May 14 at 6p for dinner and fellowship. Our after-dinner speaker will be Mike Hagan, President of Chattanooga and North Georgia Coin Collectors Clubs. He will share his knowledge and enthusiasm for coin collection and minting. If you have ever been curious about coin values and history, make plans to hear Mike’s presentation “Wonders of Coin Collections”.

Bring a salad, vegetable, casserole or dessert and join us. RSVP to Kay Harrell at 423-504-2737 or by using the link below.

Thomas Billington
Rev. Terry Fleming
Mary Staples
Karla Russell
Johanna Vowell
Carla Stevens
J. Christopher Bryant II
Robert Sperry
Kirsten Beard
Savannah Keltch
Hannah Nash
Sarabeth Nash

Every year, SPRC requests an update from the Pastor about his accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year. The SPRC committee feels it is important to share some of this information with the congregation. Below are a few highlights of 2023 and goals for 2024.

1. Effectively navigated the “Year of the Vote”. Despite the rising tension of the impending vote, Chris was able to “lead the charge” to stay missionally minded and united in every way we authentically could be. He presented information in multiple gathering sessions, offered a “town hall” session to present information to the congregation. During this time, he provided leadership and support to the staff and provided essential preparation for “life-after-the-vote” whether we remained UMC or not.

2. Membership: From 2020 (Covid) to 2023, RUMC lost 14 members by death and another 28 through transfers to other churches and another 18 through public withdrawal for a total loss of 60 members. During that same period, we added 47 members, 26 by profession of faith. For reference, over 95% of UMC’s didn’t have a single profession of faith during that same 3 year period.

3. Teaching and Discipling: In 2023, Chris lead a 12-week Disciple Bible Study, 2 sessions of A Follower’s Life, 2 Membership Classes, 5 week Seeing Scripture Differently Class. Chris designed all of these classes (exception, Disciple Bible Study), and some are being requested for use by the District. In addition, he is developing a Discipleship Pathway or “Core Studies” which includes the following 5 classes: A Follower’s Life (required for baptism); Membership Class (required for membership);  S.H.A.P.E. (empowerment to serve); Seeing Scripture Differently (eventually will be required for Leadership); and soon, United Methodist Christianity (will be championed for year 2024, offered in each S.S. Class, and later as small group, and eventually be required for all Leadership).

4. Online Ministry: Leading staff in broadening the vision and application of online ministry. No other church our size is having as much success as RUMC in the area of online ministry.

5. District: Chris is active in the District as the Chair of the Strategic Growth Team. In this role, he mentors, coaches and collaborates with other churches in our district to develop ministry goals and growth.

A few of the goals for 2024:

1. RUMC to become much more proactive at evangelism/invitation creating many opportunities to invite people into a jouney of faith and into the church specifically.

2. Oversee continued leadership growth in the staff and an expansion of their ministries and fruitfulness therein.

This is simply a highlight of the past year and strategies for 2024. We as a congregation need to continue to pray for our Pastor, his family, RUMC staff and all leaders; however, God intends for you to be just as important in his work here. Please pray that you can find your calling to support our purpose and mission to develop, support and share active relationships with Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world.

Family Night at the Park (Cinco de Mayo)
At the Little General Park
Sunday, May 5, 5-7pm

Dolly Dash Serve Opportunity
Saturday, May 11, 7:30-10am

May 49ers
Tuesday, May 14, 6-7:30pm
In the gym

1890 Days Serve Opportunity
May 24-25

Church Wide Baby Shower for Jamie and Mason Smith
Sunday, June 2nd, Time TBD

General Budget
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in March: $50,875
Received in March: $70,096
Spent in March: $51,303
Budgeted March YTD: $152,625
Received March YTD: $154,472
Spent March YTD: $155,220

In Person :
9 AM: 83
11 AM: 83
 
Online:
9AM: 43
11 AM: 26

General Fund:
In Memory of Tony Brown by:
Carroll & Janet Cumbee

In Memory of Tommy Blaylock by:
Carroll & Janet Cumbee

Haiti Missions
In Memory of Casi Jenkins Browder Trotter by:
Ernest Pursley

NCIC
In Memory of Iad Burwitz by:
Carroll & Janet Cumbee

Benevolence
In Memory of Jerry Watkins:
Charles & Rachel Grizzle

Sew What
In Honor of Terran Summers by:
James & Tina Lambert

In Honor of Mary Parker by:
James & Tina Lambert

In Honor of Diana Hoagland by:
James & Tina Lambert

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