RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 21st

The Round Table for youth & young adults
Pack Lunches @ 4:00 pm
Discussion from 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Travel to Housing Authority on Carolina Avenue @ 5:35
Distribution & Engagement until 6:45 pm
Return to CUMC
Evaluation & Discussion
Close @ 7:00 pm

July Scriptures

July 19th
Psalm 77:13-14
Scripture - Mark 1:15 Sermon - The Hidden Messiah
MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples understand their ministry as a call to self-denial and suffering.

July 26th
Song Sunday
Short homily

Sundays

Handbell Practice @ 8:45 am
Sunday School
@ 9:45 am
Worship Service @ 10:55 am

Mondays

Lois Shults-Davis
Virtual Prayer Time @ 5:00 pm
Facebook.com/lois.shultsdavis

Tuesdays

"The Chosen"
for 4 weeks
@ 10:30 am
Starts 6/16

Wednesdays

Online Devotions Facebook
@ 9:00 am

Thursdays

Centering Prayer Group
@ 3:30 pm

July birthdays & anniversaries can
be found on the printed calendar in
the monthly newsletter.

Your financial support is directed to programs that aim to:
 

• Provide food security and safe shelter
• Access to clean water and health needs
• Reduce the oppression of persistent and pervasive poverty in Hancock County  

Class stalwarts (and funny) - Rita & Marvin

Pairs & Spares can be counted on to fully participate in fun church-wide activities. Jack & Penny are displaying their head covers for Crazy Socks & Hat Day.

Class Instructor is Lois Shults-Davis
Knowledgeable - Experienced - Faithful

Accessing the Read Together link should take you to the page at Holston.org where you can then access the daily passages @ Read Together Resource Page. Second quarter readings begin at Week 14. You can also sign up on the Holston.org page to have the daily passages emailed to you.

During the third quarter of 2026, you will continue to have the opportunity to enhance your spiritual practices of reading, reflecting, resting and responding to God's word. You are invited to slow down, read deeply and reflect on what you have read. Actively listen for God's voice. Intentionally open yourself to acts of mercy.


You'll find the Read Together list of passages by clicking on the Access 2026 link below.

Thursdays - Weekly @ 3:30 pm
Garland Classroom
Group Led By: Clyde Harrell
Assigned Reading: Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life by Brian D. Russell
The book can purchased on Amazon, at Cokesbury and at Barnes & Noble.



Group Format:
Having read the assigned chapter prior to gathering, there will be an approximate 30-minute discussion period. Ten to 15 minutes will then be devoted to silent prayer, followed by The Lord's Prayer. 

Simple and silent, Centering Prayer allows you to rest in God's presence and allow God to direct the action in your life. As you quiet yourself in prayer, summon a symbolic word to represent your intent in your  quiet time with God. Sit quietly and allow your thoughts to center on your chosen word, repeat the word if necessary to recenter. With repetition, you will most likely find this spiritual practice easier and more fulfilling over time. 

COMING UP: Making Anglican rosaries and a new book soon!

Invitation to a Spiritual Journey: A Roadmap to Spiritual Formation by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.

"We recognize the Sabbath as a gift of God for all people, remembering that God rested on the seventh day of Creation (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:8-11). We affirm the importance of taking time away from work to rest and renew the mind, body, and spirit, engage in play and recreation, and serve the needs of our communities. We further affirm that the Sabbath is also a time to provide rest for others in the human community.

We encourage all United Methodists to honor the Sabbath by actively participating in the worship life of a local congregation. We urge governments and businesses to promote policies and practices that allow people of all religious faiths to take ample time away from work to engage in worship, renewal and fellowship opportunities." (UMC Social Principles)

In a day and age where society constantly tells us we have to be productive all the time, that we always have to perform, and that resting is "lazy," God shows us a completely different way.

God gives us clear examples of how vital rest truly is. We see this in Genesis when God created a special day specifically for rest—often called the Sabbath.
We also see Jesus showing us the importance of rest when He took a nap on a boat or pulled away from the crowds to spend time alone with His Father. Because Jesus was fully divine and fully human, He needed rest. He knew He could not continuously serve everyone effectively and fairly without it. Jesus models physical and emotional rest for us, but He also models *spiritual* rest—being in God’s presence and living in a state of peace, trust, and reliance on God.
Now, God doesn't physically need rest; God is greater than all human limitations. However, God knew beforehand how important rest would be for us, so He set the ultimate example.

I even believe the Holy Spirit prays for our rest. This happens when our bodies communicate a deep need to slow down—whether through feeling tired, getting sick, or realizing our social battery is completely drained. These are powerful examples from the Trinity showing us that rest is holy. 

What Rest Is (and isn't).
Rest IS NOT:
- Doing chores or tasks that deplete your energy.
- Completely skipping out on or abandoning your community.
- Overwhelming your nervous system.

Rest IS:
- Time with God: Centering prayer, solitude, reading scripture, or journaling.
- Unplugging: Stepping away from technology like phones, computers, and TVs.
- Physical Recovery: Taking a much-needed nap or going on a leisurely walk.
- Sensory Relief: Turning off the lights and all sounds to give your nervous system a true break.

There are so many beautiful ways to rest. How is God calling you to experience the Sabbath this week?

Written by: J. Clyde Harrell

These talented folks continually communicate the joy of worship through music. Led by Robin Lafever, choir members diligently prepare their upcoming presentations mid-week and lead our musical worship on most Sunday mornings. In addition to weekly services, they also give the congregation meaningful programs at Christmas and Easter, and often participate in community musical presentations.

Adding talented new members is a joyful option - please contact Robin or a member of the administrative staff if you have an interest in joining the choir or handbells group.

Robin would LOVE to see aspiring choir members!

2026 Choir Members

Kathy J, Bob L, Penny J and Jennifer F
Music Director: Robin Lafever
Accompanist: Erin Sharp

Pastor Linda holds a Bachelor's Degree from Union University where she studied Religion. She began serving as a licensed local pastor with the United Methodist Church in 2002. Having met all educational  and service requirements as well as completing all credentialing requirements, she became an Associate Member of the Holston Conference in 2021 and has faithfully served in Hamblen, Greene, Unicoi and Washington counties in upper east Tennessee. She is a motorcycle sidecar enthusiast, traveling with her husband, Lynn; a talented crafter; and endlessly leads efforts to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Unicoi County.