November 2023 Newsletter
Keeping you updated as we gather, grow and go!
-
Expenses & Giving through September 2023
Budgeted Expenses: $465,000
YTD Expenses: $467,472
YTD Giving: $434,427
Estimate of Giving
As most of you know, November is our main stewardship season. This is the time we share with the church our estimate of giving for the upcoming year. It is very helpful information for our finance committee. You can find physical cards to fill out, or you can use this link. As always, we remind you that your information is private, and only seen by our contributions specialist. The Finance Committee only sees the grand total. Thanks, as always, for all the ways you support Due West and help it to be the church God has called it to be!
-
For This I’m Thankful…
Counting your blessings is always good practice. But especially this time of year, it is worth the time to put some on paper and share them. Each year I try to share some of the things I’m thankful for. Some things are always on the list, and some things are new…
A wife who loves me, even though I don’t deserve it.
Our grown children and our grandchildren. Especially our grandchildren!
The opportunity to serve with faithful followers of Jesus
Chick Fil A
Grandchildren
Friends who make me laugh…
Time each day to read my Bible and pray
The opportunity to work with an incredible church staff
Have I mentioned the grandchildren?
Beautiful fall days in the mountains
A Savior who showed His love for me on the cross…
Those are just a few of the blessings for which I’m thankful. I know you have your own list. Make sure, as we approach
Thanksgiving, you take time to thank God.
If it’s Sunday, you want to be at Due West,
David
ALSO… It is our tradition here at Due West to express our gratitude to God during November in our Stewardship Campaign, where we share our estimates of giving to the church budget for 2024. We will be talking about it starting November 12th! There will be cards around the church for your use, or you can make a commitment online. If you are here Thanksgiving weekend, that will be a great day to bring your card! (If you know you are going out of town, we will take it on the 19th!) Thanks, as always, for all the ways you support Due West and help it to be the church God has called it to be!
-
Nov. 1-15 - Poinsettia Sales
November 4 - Holiday Market
November 5 & 12 - dwCrew meets
November 6 - CPR Staff Training
November 7 - No Preschool; election day
November 10-12 - Youth Fall Retreat at Camp Glisson
November 11 - Men’s Tailgate at Youth Center
November 12 - Chef It Up - Unique Breakfast Recipes
Nov. 17 & 18 - CFA presents Finding Nemo Jr.
November 18 - Prayer Vigil 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
November 18th - 2-4pm “Make Way for Wine” Way Maker Fundraiser
November 22-24 - Church Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
-
Support Groups
AA Open Meeting - Sundays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
AA Women’s Group - Thursdays @ 7:00 pm (Bldg A)
GriefShare - Sundays @ 6:00 pm (Bldg C)
GRASP Support Group - Second Tuesday @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)
S.O.S. Support Group - Second Thursday @ 7:00 pm (Bldg C)
Parkinson’s Support Group - Second Sunday @ 3:00 pm
Dementia Ministry Meetings
Spouse Support Group meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am.
Spouse Group meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm.
Family Support Group meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.
Currently, all meetings are being held via Zoom. For more information, please email dementiaministry@duewest.org.
Weekly Exercise Classes (Bldg B)
Monday
Tone & Tighten @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Tuesday
Pilates @ 9:30 am
Wednesday
Cardio-Sculpt @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
Pilates @ 9:30 am
Slow Flow Yoga @ 10:30 am
Thursday
Zumba @ 9:30 am
Friday
Boot Camp @ 8:30 am (Nursery)
Stretch & Tone @ 9:30 am (Nursery)
-
Good News!
Our disaffiliation fund-raising efforts are paying off as we have currently raised over $140,000. However, we should never rest on our laurels. We have only 30 days more to raise the remaining $80,000. For those of you who like to contribute towards the end of a fund-raising campaign to be the ones to take it over the top…don’t hesitate to take it over the top early. As John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can”. We’ll keep you informed as to our progress weekly from now on so we can celebrate reaching our goal together. Bless those who have already contributed and those who will soon do so. This link will take you to our giving page. Thank you.
Due West Annual Poinsettia Sale
These beautiful 6” pot Poinsettias come in Red or White, boasting 4-9 blooms each and they only cost $12 each. Purchase these beautiful flowers in honor or memory of loved ones. They will be used to decorate both Sanctuaries during the month of December. We will list everyone for whom the flowers are purchased in the December Newsletter and on a sign in the Narthex of Buildings A and C. All flowers must be purchased by November 15th. Click here to purchase your flowers!
Due West Christmas Poinsettias - Volunteers Needed!
Christmas is coming! Every year, Due West purchases poinsettias in honor or memory of friends and family to decorate our sanctuaries. This year, we need your help! We need a few folks to help pick up and deliver poinsettias to our sanctuaries. If this sounds like something you could do, please contact Millie Skinner at mskinner@duewest.org.
Breakfast With Santa
Tickets for this year’s Breakfast with Santa are on sale November 1st at 9 am! Make sure to grab your spots using this link!
Breakfast with Santa will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023. The event will be held in Building C (the building closest to the Due West Road entrance).
Once you register, you will pick a time to visit with Santa. You will need to arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled visit.
A family of up to 5 will be $40. Additional family members are $8 each. If you have more than 7 in your party, you will need to register for an additional time slot.
Your registration includes time with Santa for your family, pictures taken by a professional photographer (you can download the photos for free or order from the photography site) breakfast (your choice of a chicken biscuit or butter biscuit) as well as individual crafts for your child/children, and a special treat for each child to take home.
-
Be sure to mark your calendars for the Holiday Market on Saturday, November 4th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. This free event is open to all church families and the public, so plan to attend and invite your friends! The Family Life Center will be filled with booths of local crafters and businesses, an extensive silent auction, entertainment and we’ll have a raffle to purchase raffle tickets, please reach out to the preschool office. They are $5.00 . We hope to see you there!
To learn more about our preschool or to schedule a tour, please feel free to contact Shelly Kubek or Courtney Kunkel at 770-590-0982 or via email at skubek@duewest.org or ckunkel@duewest.org.
-
Preschool Sunday School
Memory Verse: “Always give thanks to God.” Ephesians 5:20, NIRV
Thanking God for who He is, what He has done, and what He has given us is something people have been doing for a very, very, VERY long time. You could say that the people in the Bible make up this super long PARADE OF THANKS . . . and it’s up to us to keep it going! We want our preschoolers to continue this Parade of Thanks by teaching them they can thank God for everything—literally everything! Their light-up shoes, their new toy, their snack, their favorite rock . . . EVERYTHING! So let’s make sure the Parade of Thanks that God’s people began so long ago continues with us and our preschoolers as we choose to thank God for everything!
Elementary Sunday School
Gratitude - Letting others know you see how they’ve helped you..
Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord, because He is good. His faithful love continues forever.” Psalm 136:1, NIRV
Gratitude sometimes feels like a lost art. Yet gratitude is an idea close to God’s heart. Think about all of the Bible stories where people gave thanks to God. The Israelites celebrated God with feasts and festivals. The writers of the Psalms wrote songs of praise to thank God for being faithful. Throughout this month, we hope kids will learn to be grateful for everything God has done: for the world God made, for the promises God has kept, and for the new life God offers the world through Jesus. When we remember all of these things, we can always be thankful.
dwCrew
dwCrew is a specialized time of fun, learning, and service for 3rd-5th graders. We will be meeting this month on November 5th & 12th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Lunch is $3 and check-in is just inside the blue dwKids doors.
Family Advent Celebration
Join us on December 3rd for our Hanging of the Greens service followed by the Family Advent Celebration. The service will start at 5:00 pm in the Building A Sanctuary & the Family Celebration will immediately follow on the Large Activity Field where we will be kicking off the season of our Light the Night at Due West.
-
November 5th- Ignite
November 12th- Fall Retreat
November 19th- No Ignite Fall Break
November 26th- Ignite
Ignite Sunday Nights
Ignite is a great time of fun and fellowship for 6th - 12th graders on Sunday nights in the Youth Center in Building C.
Sign up for or see all our monthly Mailchimp emails by clicking here.
Youth Sunday School
OVER THE TOP
SERIES OVERVIEW:
Have you ever seen one of those random acts of kindness that tend to trend online? Maybe someone gives a stranger an envelope full of cash or the keys to a free car. Maybe they pay off all their bills or cover their college tuition. While these moments of "over the top" generosity can be inspiring, they're not things most of us will ever be in a position to give away. But if we can't give away any brand new cars, what can we give that would make a difference in the world? In this four-week series, we'll see what the book of 1 Thessalonians shows us about loving others through what we can give. We'll discover how to make a big difference by being generous with our time, being generous by sharing the good news, being generous by caring for each other, and being generous with our encouragement.
Youth Choir
Come join us and sing!
Youth Choir is a fun group of 6-12th grade students that practice on Wednesdays and sing several times throughout the year on Sundays. Come practice with us every Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the Building A Sanctuary.
-
Orchestra Scholarship Fund
Music ministries is starting an “Orchestra Scholarship Fund” for High School seniors who serve in our orchestra. Click HERE to give and support our young musicians.
-
Finding Nemo
Rehearsals are underway and we are so excited to be bringing this musical to the stage! Tickets are now on sale! Shows will be November 17th and 18th at 7pm.
Parents’ Night Out
Parents’ Night Out: Christmas Edition is happening December 2nd from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Registration is open now on Church Center. Cost is $25 for first child, $20 for child 2 & 3, and any kids beyond that are free!
Kindermusik Classes
We are now offering mommy and me (or caregiver and me) classes for babies and toddlers. These classes are offered in partnership with Kindermusik of West Cobb. Please see their site to register www.westcobb.Kindermusik.com
Watercolor Classes for adults
Join us every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:30-12 for a fun watercolor class with Annette Lewis. Commit just one class at a time, and no experience is necessary - Annette will guide you step by step. Just bring yourself and your supplies, or if you don’t have supplies just let her know and Annette will provide those for you. Cost is $13 if you bring your own supplies, $18 if you’d like Annette to provide them. Simply send Annette a text at (404)-664-9906 if you’d like to join the class.
Instrumental lessons
We are thrilled to now be able to offer you lessons in piano, voice, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele and harmonica. If you are interested in private lessons in any of those things please send an email to Nicole at cfa@duewest.org for more information.
-
Missions Newsletter - November
There’s so much going on for Missions this month! Check out our missions newsletter to learn more about all the churchwide mission projects we have going on here at Due West! Highlights this month include:
Click HERE to read the Missions Newsletter for November.
Click HERE to have the monthly email newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox!
-
The Small Group Launchpad
Back-to-School season is a great time to consider joining a small group! This fall, we have several new groups launching. We've created a group on Church Center to be a hub for people who are interested in joining a small group. The group is called "The Small Group Launchpad". The Launchpad is the place where you can find out about groups that are currently meeting, groups that are launching soon, and express interest in groups that you'd like to see happen. You can join the Small Group Launchpad by following this link! As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Sam Gindlesberger at samg@duewest.org.
-
Due West Methodist Men's Thanksgiving Turkeys
The Methodist Men are cooking turkeys again this Thanksgiving! Fried or Smoked Turkeys are $50 each. Registration closes November 15 at noon! All orders must be placed and paid for in advance. Payment through Church Center is preferred, but cash and checks are accepted. Checks can be made out to the church with the subject line 'Turkey.' Checks can be placed in the Admin 2 drop box or brought by Admin 2. All payments must be received by Sunday, November 19. Pick ups are on Monday, Nov 20th and Tuesday, Nov 21st between 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the back door/kitchen entrance to the Family Life Center (Building B). These are the only times and pickup days available! All turkeys not picked up by November 21st at 7:30 pm will be donated. Contact Larry Sago at 770-366-5521 or larry.sago@gmail.com for questions.
Methodist Men’s Tailgate Party
November 11th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Youth Center. This is a chance for the men of Due West and their guests to gather for a couple hours of fun and fellowship. We will have two TVs showing whatever college football games are on. We will have a putting contest, shoot pool, and play the available arcade games!
Chili and Potato soup, chips/salsa, and drinks will be provided.
Come and meet somebody new or bring a friend!
Chef It Up! Unique Breakfasts for the Holidays!
November 12th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Building B (FLC) Kitchen. Come learn how to make unique breakfasts for the holidays with Chef Matt Morrow! Participants will receive direct instruction, sample the recipes, and receive a copy of the recipes to take home. This event is limited to 12 participants. Spaces will fill up fast! Reserve your spot today!
This fellowship event is sponsored by the Methodist Men.
-
Make Way for Wine!
Make Way for Wine! Saturday, November 18th, 2:00 - 4:00 pm @ The Marietta Wine Market, 18 Powder Springs Street, Marietta, GA (off the square – just down a bit from the Marietta Pizza Co.)
$10 wine tasting – if you choose to taste
Silent Auction items!
Raffle tickets!
Donations happily accepted
Cash and Credit accepted
Learn more about Way Maker!
We’ll have information available and our founder, Kerri Casteel, will be there to answer any questions!
All proceeds go to the Way Maker Women’s Center
We are also accepting donations for Silent Auction and Raffle items.
Please contact Kerri Casteel if you have anything to donate or if you have a friend with a business who would like to donate. You will be provided with a donation request letter that has the Way Maker Women’s Center information and 501c3 number as they are a non-profit organization.
Thank you for your help and prayers for this event for mamas and babies!
Single Moms Ministry
Are you a single mom? Would you like a few hours one night a month with childcare provided to sit back and enjoy time with other single moms?
Women's Ministry kicked off a Single Mom's Ministry in October… The next event is scheduled for November 16th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Come join us for dinner, a devotion, time to relax and chat and leave with a little something for just you to enjoy later in the month.
Registration is open on ChurchCenter or email Kerri Casteel at Kcasteel@duewest.org
Cookies with Santa
This year's event for the State Court appointed children's afternoon with their families will be held on Saturday, December 2nd.
We are in need of volunteers (adults only) to help make this a special day for the families. The event is from 1:30 - 3:30 and we need volunteers to help with sign in, table/family hosts, Santa elves and the hot cocoa booth just to name a few!
We are also in need of individuals, small groups and Sunday school classes who would donate gifts for the children. Santa will be giving one gift per child when they visit with him. Ages and gender of the children will be provided. Gift donations should be kept at $30.00.
Please sign up on ChurchCenter. Email Kcasteel@duewest.org with questions.
-
Due West UMC has its very own fitness program offering classes for all levels and open to anyone age 12 and up. Classes are $4.00 (includes childcare on Monday, Wednesday & Friday) and you can find our class schedule on Facebook at Due West Adult Fitness Classes. Punch Cards are also available and cover 11 classes for $40.00. These cards are available from the class instructors.
-
College Care Ministry Signup
Parents, help us stay in touch with your college students! We would like to send them periodic mailings to remind them how much they are loved and supported by our Due West family!
Complete the online form through the link below to be sure your student is included. This form must be filled out each year to ensure we have the most current address.
If you have any questions, contact Michelle Zerkle 678-230-7313 or send an email to collegecare@duewest.org.
-
Congregational Care Ministry
James 5:14, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
In His ministry on earth, Jesus showed that He cared about the needs of the people. We are all given individual gifts to serve, help and teach. Jesus saw people as individuals and addressed their needs in spiritual and physical ways. As we follow His example, we are reminded in Matthew 25:40, “ Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Just a few years ago, we trained our first class of Congregational Care Ministers to meet our congregation’s physical and spiritual needs. Today, we are blessed with nineteen CCMs who have felt the call to minister to the needs of our congregation alongside our Pastors. CCMs will visit when you are ill and walk alongside you as you grieve the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or any life crisis.
Grief Share classes are offered twice a year. CCMs are available to serve Holy Communion in your home when you are unable to come to services as well as administer healing oils that remind us of God’s presence supporting us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for you daily and send encouraging cards and notes as we walk alongside you during difficult times.
Our ministry is ready and waiting to be there for you when you need us. To be assigned a CCM, please contact Pastor David Campbell or lay leader, Brenda Wyatt at bwyatt66chs@gmail.com, 770-605-3709.
In His Service by Your Side,
Brenda Wyatt
Congregational Care Minister
GriefShare - Comforting Others
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives, but your grief continues and you may feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don't know how. That's the reason for GriefShare. GriefShare is a network of over 15,000 churches and grief support groups. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief due to the loss of a loved one and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future. The program is nondenominational and features biblical concepts for healing from your grief.
This support group meets weekly on Sundays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Bldg. C, Room 242. The next 13-week cycle starts September 17, 2023.
If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact Connie at cmm10500@gmail.com or 904-651-2732.
-
Dementia Talk - November
Retired United Methodist Bishop, Kenneth Carder, tells us in Ministering with the Forgotten, the Church is perfectly situated to better serve families facing dementia. This includes the persons who live with this illness. Immediately, many of you are saying, “but I don’t know how to do that”! I am saying, they can teach us …
My own experiences, along with the stories of hundreds of caregivers, tell me what the dementia journey is like for the family. BUT, what is the dementia journey like from the other side? What do people who live with dementia want the rest of us to know? Several years ago, this ministry began inviting people who live with dementia to speak at its events. Many of you have heard these expert educators/advocates. Loving Through Dementia’s 2021 Dementia Conversations, found on our website, beautifully offers “the other side of dementia.” The more we know, the richer our relationships will be.
Let’s begin with kind and loving terminology. Did you know that persons living with dementia most often prefer to be referred to as someone who “lives with dementia.” Not someone who “suffers with dementia.” Not someone who is “demented”, and not someone who is a “dementia patient.” Their message is that they are far more than this disease … just as we are far more than a liver disease or a heart disease or a cancer that we might be living with. Understanding how much a person living with dementia still has to offer … no matter where they are in the illness … will break the ugly stigma that goes along with cognitive impairment.
Blessings,
Sheila Welch
-
Altar Flowers/LifeCare
We are looking for 1-2 volunteers to help with our Altar Flower/LifeCare ministry. When someone purchases flowers for the altar, they have the option to take the arrangement home or donate it to LifeCare. The arrangements that are donated to LifeCare are split into multiple smaller bouquets and delivered to church members that are on the prayer list. The time commitment involves coming to the church on a Monday morning, if altar flowers were purchased that week, to assemble the bouquets and then deliver them to the recipients. Ideally, you would assist not more than once a month. If you love flowers and enjoy putting a smile on someone’s face, please consider volunteering for this opportunity! If you have any questions, please contact Denise Luders at dluders@duewest.org.
Sunday School Volunteers
dwKids Sunday School Volunteers - Contact Alicia Iles at ailes@duewest.org for details.
Join Our Usher Team
We are in need of ushers for the 11:00 am church service in Building A. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dianne Harrison at cdharrison830@gmail.com or 678-522-4909.
Online Giving
You can give online using your smartphone, tablet or computer. Click here to begin giving through our system. Contact Amber Wilson at awilson@duewest.org if you have any questions.
Due West Market
Click here to shop! We are taking orders for congregational name tags!
Altar Flowers
Honor a loved one with altar flowers displayed in front of the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Learn More & Purchase
Prayer Requests
Need prayer? Click here to submit a prayer request!