Activities

Adult Bible Studies

Morrow First United Church likes to offer the Disciple Bible Studies—Parts 1 through 4—and the “Second Generation” Bible Studies, “Jesus in the Gospels” and “Christian Believers,” when there is a sufficient number of persons who will register for the classes.

• The classes run from 30 to 32 weeks and involve significant hours of preparatory reading and reflection.
• Disciple Bible Study 1: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study is being offered on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. The class is led by Glenn Barnett, assisted by Sharlene Cochran.

We also offer short-term Disciple Bible Study classes from time to time, as well as Bible Studies taking other books as a point of departure.

• On Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 a small group is studying “Invitation to the Old Testament.” This class is led by Dorothea McAlvin. An 8 to 9 week course, it will be offered again beginning in January, on Thursday evenings.
• We have also had studies based on Thomas Cahill’s Gift of the Jews and his New Testament study, Desire of the Everlasting Hills, and would like to have groups studying those books again.
• This past summer we began a Wonderful Wednesday Night Summer program, studying Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. We are planning to continue the short-term summer studies. A probable study next summer will be Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body.

New this year is a First Saturday Reading Club that meets at the Church or in members’ homes at 10:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

• We read The Shack by William Paul Young as our first selection and are planning continued discussions of this book (in the form of occasional brown bag luncheons).
• Our second book was Barbara Brown Taylor’s Leaving Church. Also recommended in her The Preaching Life, which includes short sermons.
• For January we are reading Garry Wills’s What Jesus Meant, to be followed by What Paul Meant.

The books may be purchased online through Cokesbury and Amazon. Barnes and Noble and Books -a-Million will probably have a limited number of copies in the store. The price at all sites is just a little over $10.00.

Participation in any of these classes or reading groups is not limited to church members; we welcome any from the community would are interested in exploring matters of faith and mission to come explore with us. If we are not offering a class that you would like to take at a time that is convenient to your schedule, call the church office to ask about an alternate time or to suggest books for study, or contact Dorothea McAlvin at dotmcalvin@bellsouth.net or at 770-914-7853.

Missions

Progress Report on Mozambique Well
Through October 5th we have raised $3,702.55 toward providing funds to drill a water well in an area of Mozambique, Africa where no United Methodist Church exists. The cost of a well is $5,000.00. Donations are still being accepted.

Morrow First United Methodist Church is involved in many areas of missions locally. Every month Sunday School classes or the youth prepare and serve a meal to Calvary Refuge Center, a homeless center located in Forest Park . The church keeps a food pantry that is stocked by our congregation for anyone in need of food or supplies. When there is more than our church needs, the surplus is given to Feed My People, an organization in Stockbridge that serves all the metro area. The church also helps the needy with gas and food vouchers, sponsors coat drives, sells Kroger gift cards with the profits going to The Good Shepherd Clinic in Morrow and also provides medicines for this clinic. The church helps with Clayton County's Christmas Elf program to provide Christmas for children and adults. This year Morrow First UMC is assisting two local elementary schools with supplies and any other needs they may have.

Morrow First United Methodist Church sponsors a missionary in Honduras. The church has also sent some of our young adults to do missionary work in Honduras, and medicine kits and flood buckets to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The church also assists in many areas with monetary donations for world-wide missions.

Older Adult Ministries

The “Morrow Ramblers” meet monthly in the fellowship hall for breakfast. Using the church bus for transportation, monthly trips are offered to local attractions and restaurants. Some trips are to more distant points, requiring overnight stays. An annual highlight is a four-day trip to Winter Camp meeting at Epworth-by-the-Sea Retreat Center at St. Simons Island , Georgia. This is a trip combining great worship, fellowship, fun, food and sight-seeing.

The Older Adult Ministries coordinators is MaryAnne Brannon who may be contacted at 678-583-0403 or through the church office, 770-961-4668.

Live Nativity

The Annual Live Nativity began at Morrow First United Methodist Church around 1970. Through the years, the Live Nativity Scene has been staged in many ways, including live animals, having baby goats with no other animals, wooden animals, a narrative script, and no script with only the characters. It originally was presented four nights in a row, and currently is presented every Friday in December, with music by our bell choir played from the steeple and Christmas CDs or tapes played from the steps. Many changes have been made throughout the years, but the story is the same. During the Christmas season many members dress as Mary, Joseph, Wise Men, Shepherds and Angels and stand in a stable, reenacting the birth of Jesus as it happened long ago. As Christmas carols play in the background, one is reminded of the wonder of God's son, Jesus, who was born and came to save us so long ago.

Vacation Bible School

For 5 evenings in early June, the children and youth of Morrow United Methodist, as well as visitors and friends, experience activities and events that help our children and youth learn about the love of God and help them develop stronger relationships with Him. Sunday School classes host a snack dinner for the VBS attendees and volunteers, after which the children and youth create theme related crafts, listen to inspiring stories, and learn fun songs. The week climaxes in a presentation of stories, music and crafts to parents and church members. Past themes include lighthouses, archeology, hot air balloons, and a beach party. Join us this summer for a memorable experience that enables our young people to grow in Christ.

Contact Susan Adams or Melanie Lewis for additional details.

Morrow United Methodist Women

The organization of Morrow First United Methodist Women is made up of three share groups and a group of open members totaling 85. The groups are: Electa Share (which meets the third Monday night of the month at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall); Study and Share (which meets the second Tuesday night of the month at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall); and Thursday Friendship Share (which meets the second Thursday morning of the month at 10 a.m. in different members' homes). The UMW sponsors mission projects of the North Georgia Conference though the Griffin District with their designated giving per quarter. Also, they have mission efforts for Calvary Refuge Center, local schools, battered women's shelters, the Clayton County Service Center, the church youth, and others as the need arises.

The Morrow UMW is currently a 5-Star plus unit of the Griffin District. They participate in the Reading Program for UMW and maintain those books in the church library. They meet together as one unit once a quarter in the fellowship hall with a meal and a program. This year's programs are Call to Prayer and Self Denial; recognition of our church fathers; Nominations and Pledge Service; and a Birthday Bash with World Thank Offering. Four times a year the UMW hosts the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma with a meal. On Mother's Day Saturday each year, the UMW sponsors a Mother's Day Dinner. They enjoy a catered meal, a lovely decorated hall and a great themed program at this annual event. Each year since 2001, the UMW has given one of their members a Courageous Woman of the Year award. This woman is special to the UMW unit, works hard in the church and community, and usually has overcome obstacles in her family, her health, or in her life in general. The Morrow UMW is very busy in all aspects of the church and hope to continue their good work for many years to come.

United Methodist Youth Fellowship

The Morrow United Methodist Youth Fellowship ranges in ages from middle to high school. They meet every Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00pm. The youth participate in service projects and activities ranging from helping with the Super Bowl Sunday to helping with the Easter Egg Hunt. Their activities include lock-ins, retreats, bowling outings, and many others. Plans for the summer are currently under way.

United Methodist Children's Fellowship

Each Wednesday evening after Wonderful Wednesday Night Supper children gather with dedicated volunteers to sing and play and learn about God. They come together on Sunday mornings to glorify our worship services about every few weeks to share their songs and praises. In May 2007 the Children Fellowship sponsored a luncheon and talent show to raise money for VBS.

A Children's Sermon is provided every Sunday at the 11:00 service. Volunteers provide special messages to all "children of God" in the congregation during this time.

Morrow United Methodist Men

PURPOSE

United Methodist Men shall be a creative, supportive fellowship of men who seek to know Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually and to seek daily his will.

[Our] primary purpose is to declare the centrality of Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships.

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir at MFUMC is a dynamic group of individuals who enjoy fellowship and making music to enhance the worship service. All varieties of music are sampled throughout the liturgical year with special presentations to the church at Christmas and Easter. Wednesday evening rehearsals prepare us to praise God in a way that simple words cannot do. Membership is open to all who wish to make "a joyful noise unto the Lord"!

Drama Ministry

The Morrow Players are of a group of dedicated "actors" who enjoy working together to showcase coming events and to enhance the worship service. The troupe consists of talented writers, performers, costumers,set decorators, stage hands and enthusiastic supporters. Participation in everything from children's sermons to Maundy Thursday services shows a broad range of emotions and tones that set the stage for another aspect of worship at Morrow First United Methodist Church.

Handbell Choir

Our adult handbell choir, The Joyful Praise Ringers, has four octaves of Schulmerich Handbells, rung by 12 persons. There are also several people in the congregation who are trained and occasionally substitute. They rehearse on Sunday evenings from 6 – 7 p.m., September through May. The Joyful Praise Ringers ring for Sunday morning worship service frequently and provide special music for Christmas Eve, Easter and other occasions. They participate in handbell festivals and have given concerts for a number of other churches and organizations. Anna Cox is the director.

Picture will say a thousands words....

Eric Owen is a missionary to Mozambique who is supported by the United Methodist Men through the North Georgia Conference.

He presented a program at the February 4th Wonderful Wednesday Night Supper on the need for funds to dig a well in Mozambique, a country in southeastern Africa colonized by Portugal in 1505.

Missionary Owen spoke of his experiences in this part of Africa and was presented with a $5,000 check to dig a well in Mozambique donated by MFUMC as the church's Above and Beyond Mission Giving effort in 2008.

This photo taken in Mozambique shows a bucket of unsanitary and unclean water used for drinking and cooking purposes that has to be drawn from a source miles from the homes of the women who spend their days carrying water to their homes from the nearest source. With the $5,000 from MFUMC, a well will be dug near their homes that will provide a safe, clean source of drinking and cooking water.

The Rev. Dr. Ed Judy, pastor of Morrow First UMC and Liz Haynie, Outreach/Evangelism Chair hold plaque recognizing Morrow First UMC as a "Welcoming Congregation" presented by United Methodist Communications Igniting Ministry Campaign in recognition of team efforts to become an official Welcoming Congregation in Clayton County. As a Welcoming Church, MFUMC offers opportunities for worship on Sunday at 11 a.m. that includes a separate Children's Church, Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m., and child care for infants and toddlers for all services and activities.

MFUMC offers week-day activities for children and youth including a scouting program for both boys and girls; book and Bible studies and fellowship activities for young adults, adults and older adults; entertainment opportunities and involvements through music, drama, tours, and community sponsored special events; health and well-being activities such as aerobics, CPR training, cross-stitch, crochet and quilting groups, bowling and softball; and a food pantry open to the community on Thursdays fro 10 a.m. until Noon.