Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris
Genesis 3:8-13; Proverbs 1:7
What is the most important thing we created without the aid of God? Fear. We will look at the genesis of fear and what it,s creation has meant for our relationship with God. And then we will affirm that practically every single time God appears to us, the first thing God says is, “Do not be afraid.” God is trying to get us to undo what we have done. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but not wisdom. We would undo the fall if we would undo fear.
DATES AT A GLANCE
SSPM Rummage Sale - Saturday, September 6, 8AM-2PM
Reach Your Full Ally Potentials: Lunch & Learn - Sunday, September 7, 12PM
Lunch & Learn with Braelyn Smith - Sunday, September 7, 12:20PM
Littles Meet Up - Saturday, September 13, 9AM
4S: Grandparents - Saturday, September 13, 5:30PM
We Need to Talk About... - Sunday, September 15, 5PM
community Events
We Need to Talk About...How Traumatized Brains Think.
Join us Sunday, September 15 at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary for a panel of therapists sharing what we need to understand about how trauma impacts the way we think and behave. Understanding trauma helps us have more patience with ourselves and our neighbors.
Engaging Immigration (Fall 2025)
There are a lot of conversations and questions surrounding the topic of immigration. Join Pastor Joshua Bland, Director of Missions & Outreach, Minister of Discipleship, Springdale First UMC, for an exploration of this topic from biblical, theological, historical, and practical perspectives. Engaging Immigration will meet over Zoom on Wednesdays at 6:30 beginning on 3 September 2025. Here is the registration link. The first session was this week but Pastor Josh says it will be fine to join September 10. Once registered, you will receive the class information. Please take advantage of the interconnections of our United Methodist faith and join this conversation if it is meaningful for you.
Long Term Mission Volunteer Training Offered In Fayetteville!
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is offering a long-term Mission Volunteer Training on November 10-13, 2025 in Fayetteville, AR but you need to sign up by September 9 and spots are limited. If you are interested, go to this link to learn more about Long Term Missionaries and/or register. Often, training is much further away and you have to pay for your travel so this is a great opportunity. Kathy Dunn, Dan Dunn, Marilyn O'Brate and Mark O'Brate have received training and are happy to answer your questions. Johnna (
) is available to help you as well.
Groundwork CHATS Community Sessions Continue
CHATS stands for Connecting Housing and Transformative Solutions. This grassroots initiative is designed to foster meaningful discussions around local housing issues. Through a toolkit, hosts guide conversations using Impact Cards that highlight real-life stories from people affected by the housing crisis, and Solution Cards to explore potential paths forward.
Register HERE for upcoming events:
Sept. 24th from 9 - 11 a.m. in Bentonville
Oct. 1 from 9 - 11 a.m. in Springdale
Oct. 16 11 - 1 p.m. in Bentonville
announcements
Littles Meet Up
Littles and their families are invited to join Ms. Allison on the church playground on Saturday, September 13th at 9 a.m. to play, connect and enjoy a snack!
Youth Sunday Night SALT Returns September 7th
Sunday Night S.A.L.T. starts back September 7th for Youth grades 7th-12th!
Youth Band Starting September 21
Calling all 9th-12th grade musicians! Join Ms. Allison in the Youth Space on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, starting on September 21st, from 3:00-4:00 PM. This is a fun and creative opportunity to practice and play both worship and secular songs in a supportive environment. Whether you're looking to grow your skills or simply enjoy making music with friends, we'd love to see you there!
Youth Mentoring with Pastor Michelle - Starting September 14
Join us for Mentoring with Pastor Michelle, starting on September 14th! This is an opportunity to dig deep into your faith and calling through Biblical exploration. Reach out to Kristin (
) with any questions.
7-9th Grade Refuge Retreat
Refuge sign up is open! 7th-9th grade students are invited to a weekend of connection, worship and fellowship at Shepherd of the Ozarks November 7th-9th. Click HERE for more details and to sign up!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reach Your Full Ally Potential – Lunch & Learn with Braelyn Smith
After Traditional Worship on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 12:20 p.m. in Hines Hall, we’ll share a light lunch and hear from Braelyn Smith in an open, judgment-free conversation about what it means to be queer and how we can be better allies.
Designed for family members, friends, coworkers—give anyone who wants to support the queer community more, a thoughtful opportunity. Topics include key terminology, basic etiquette, pronouns, and answers to those questions you’ve always wanted to ask. All are welcome! To register for lunch or for more information contact Pastor Ray at 513-305-1571 (call or text) or email
September's 4S Theme is Grandparents
Our Second Saturday Supper and Stories for September 13 theme is Grandparents. Come share stories about your grandparents or stories about being a grandparent as we enjoy a hearty spaghetti dinner together. Gathering starts at 5:30 p.m. in Hines Hall. All are welcome to attend!
Disarming Leviathan Book Study Starts Sunday Sept 21
Pastor Michelle will offer a book discussion for 4 weeks each Sunday night at 5 p.m. starting on September 21. We will discuss Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor by Caleb Campbell. We will learn how to better understand and confront the Christian Nationalist perspective to help deconstruct it in love. You can order your own copy, or we will have some copies available in the office. We will be in the Gathering Room, or you can join us on Zoom via this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86965810513?pwd=UGbWMMpBpi1HJsaNVDcarTO1smyeXg.1
It's Mission Trip Time
We’re going to UMCOR Sager Brown and you are invited! We will travel to Baldwin LA on Sunday, Feb. 1 and return home on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. If you have ever considered going on a mission trip, this is your chance. While there, we serve in several capacities, from working in the depot assembling flood or health kits, helping in the community, to helping around the campus of Sager Brown. You choose what you’d like to do. Everything is important and needed. Cost for room and board starts $350. A non refundable deposit of $50 is due by Friday, Sept. 19. Questions? Contact Connie Anderson (
) or Johnna Kosnoff (
). The food is great, the fellowship even better, but knowing you are helping others in their time of crisis-priceless! Please consider joining us!
Let's Show Teachers Some Appreciation
Help Stuff Teacher Bags!
Show your appreciation for our dedicated teachers in our 3 schools we support. The International School at Mary Mae Jones, RE Baker and Gateway.
We will be stuffing bags with treats to support our amazing teachers as they begin a new school year. Your help and support makes a difference
Join us: Tuesday, September 9th at 9:00 am in the Gathering Room here at FUMC.
Whether you can help stuff bags, donate items, or both, your contribution will be greatly valued.
Want to know more on how to serve and/or support our teacher appreciation mission, please contact Rita Seckington at 479-426-2418 or
Second Street Pantry Missions (SSPM) Rummage Sale
The Pantry will once again host a rummage sale
Saturday, September 6th, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Proceeds from the sale will be used by SSPM to help with the costs associated with both Thanksgiving and Christmas groceries for our food-insecure neighbors.
Help declutter your home by giving your unwanted items a new life with someone else! We will begin collecting merchandise at the church, Hines Hall Wednesday, September 3rd. Like last year, if you can pre-price your treasurers, that would be a great help! We are requesting no adult clothing this year.
So please mark your calendars, check your closets, and start setting aside items you might want to donate to the SSPM rummage sale.
Spread the word for a good cause!
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and generosity as we strive to give our neighbors some stability, some compassion, and of course… food.
Thank you from Second Street Pantry volunteers.
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