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How To Guide
Table of Contents
How to Contact People
Staff (in alphabetical order) website
Phone: 817-481-2559
Chris Abram - Media Director, x266
Rev. Armando Alvarado - Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Hispanic Ministries
Cindy Baldwin – Nursery Director, 817-721-8388
Bev Campisi - Volunteer Coordinator
Dr. Ken Diehm – Senior Pastor, x122
Rev. Nathan Firmin – Pastor to Children and their Families, x129
Trudy Hughes – Finance Director, x150
Katherine Hunter – Assistant to Ken and Rick, x122
Whitney Illies – Operations Director, x123
Jenny Davidson – Director of Youth Ministries, x116
Rev. Rick Mang – Associate Pastor (men's ministry, caring ministries), x114
Melissia Mason – Communications Director, x109
Linda McClure – Assistant to Children & Youth, x126
Lonnie Moore – Building Superintendent, x281
Wren Robinson – Director of Worship Arts, x133
Norma Ruggiero – Assistant to the Director of Worship Arts, x121
Dr. Cindy Ryan - Associate Pastor for Evangelisma and New Members, x222
Cheri Rutledge – Membership Secretary and Assistant to Caring Ministries, x110
Rev. Melburn Sibley – Pastor of Resource Development and Caring Ministries 817-269-9920
Council on Ministries website
Kathi Shaw – Chair, 817-251-0901
Mark Maness – Vice Chair, 817-481-6473
Leslie Hillhouse - Worship, 817-251-1973
Allen Barraclough – Discipleship, 817-488-9327
Barbara Maness - Fellowship, 817-481-6473
Carol Howe – Fellowship, 817-267-7150
Sean Simon - Compassion, 817-310-0767
Neil Anderson – Evangelism, 817-430-1678
Debbie Price - Missions, 817-283-4603
Lesa Thiel – Children, 817-488-3049
Angie Vaughan – Children, 817-835-0623
Cindy Baldwin - Nursery Council, 817-481-2559
Cathy Jackson - Youth Council Representative, 817-329-9560
Bob Williams – Boy Scouts, 817-488-5524
Kevin Mitchell – Iron Men, 817-416-2609
Barbara Evartt – UMW, 817-283-0682
Tim Evans – Lay Leader, 817-545-1198
Finance Committee website
Mike Ozymy – Chair, 817-410-2255
Trustees website
Chair TBA
Staff-Parish Relations Committee website
Rich Hagen – Chair, 817-427-9912
Other Numbers of Interest
Creative Learning Center 817-329-8444
Senior Activities Center 817-410-8130
Thrift Shop 817-488-7664
GRACE 817-488-7009
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How to Become a Member
There are four ways to become a member of First United Methodist Church:
By Profession of Faith
If you are a baptized Christian but do not hold a membership with another church, mark the "Wish to Join" box on the guest registry information form and a pastor will contact you. Or you may fill out a "Membership" card, found in the pew back rack, and bring it forward during the closing hymn at any worship service. Or you may prefer to bring the card to a pastor, in the sanctuary foyer, immediately following any service. By coming forward or meeting with a pastor in the foyer, you will be asked to take the vow taken by all members of the United Methodist Church: "Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service?"
By Profession of Faith and Baptism
If you are not now a baptized Christian, our pastor will be happy to discuss the meaning of the Sacrament with you at your convenience. You may call the church office or mark the "Wish to Join" box on the guest registry form and a pastor will contact you.
By Transfer from Another United Methodist Church
Mark the "Wish to Join" box on the guest registry form and a pastor will contact you. Or you may fill out a "Membership" card, found in the pew back rack, and bring it forward during the closing hymn at any worship service or bring the card to a pastor in the sanctuary foyer, immediately following any service. You will be welcomed into membership.
By Transfer From Another Denomination
If you are already baptized and confirmed, these steps will not be repeated. You may mark the "Wish to Join" box on the guest registry information form and a pastor will contact you. Or you may fill out a "Membership" card, found in the pew back rack, and bring it forward during the closing hymn at any worship service. Or you may prefer to bring the card to a pastor, in the sanctuary foyer, immediately following any service. By coming forward or meeting with a pastor in the foyer, you will be asked to take the vow taken by all members of the United Methodist Church: "Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service?"
For more information, consider attending Newcomers Connection.
Questions about membership? Contact:
Dr. Cindy Ryan, Associate Pastor (817-481-2559 x222)
Cheri Rutledge, Membership Secretary
(817-481-2559 x110)
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How to Get Baptized
Through baptism, we accept God’s gifts through Jesus. There is no strict rule among United Methodists about how baptism must be performed, although sprinkling water on the head of the person being baptized is most common. Everyone is accepted and welcome at the communion table, whether baptized members of the Church or not, children or adults.
Infant baptism has been the historic practice of the overwhelming majority of the Church throughout the Christian centuries. While the New Testament contains no explicit mandate, there is ample evidence for the baptism of infants in Scripture (Acts 2:38-41, 16:15,33) and in early Christian doctrine and practice. Infant baptism rests firmly on the understanding that God prepares the way of faith before we request or even know that we need help (grace). Through the Church, God claims infants as well as adults to be participants in the gracious covenant of which baptism is the sign.
If you would like to be baptized or have your child baptized, schedule a date by contacting:
Katherine Hunter
Pastor’s Administrative Assistant
katherineh@fumcg.org
817-481-2559 x122
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Frequently Asked Questions
SUNDAYS
How do I arrange to have a table in the foyer on Sunday morning?
Contact Whitney Illies by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before you need the table. Tables are on a first-come, first-served basis. There are only three tables allowed in the Sanctuary foyer on Sunday morning (except during “ministry fair” events). The first three requests submitted will get the three tables.
I forgot to arrange for a table in the foyer on Sunday morning. Can’t I just take one that’s already there?
No. Tables are reserved in advance through Whitney. If a table has been put in the foyer, it is there for use by the group that requested it.
May I have a sign to put on my table?
Yes. If you would like a table-top sign to be placed on your table for Sunday morning, contact Melissia with details about the content by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday before you need it.
I’m supposed to volunteer on Sunday morning, but I can’t make it. Who do I call?
Most ministries provide you with a contact list of others who work in your ministry area. Make every effort to find a replacement from that list. Then call your ministry leader to let them know who your replacement is. If for some reason you cannot find a replacement, call your ministry leader to let them know. If you do not have such a list, contact your ministry leader. Don’t know who that is? Call the church office (817-481-2559) and we’ll help you figure it out!
Can’t I just call a staff person/the church office?
We’re happy to help if you run into trouble contacting the rest of your team. If you need staff assistance, make sure you give plenty of notice. Please note that if you leave a message on a staff person’s voice mail or e-mail after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, they will not get your message until Monday morning (i.e. not in time to do anything about Sunday morning arrangements). The phones in the office are not staffed on Sunday mornings.
How do I give altar flowers in honor/celebration/memory of someone?
Contact the church office or fill out the online “Altar Flowers” form by 5:00 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Sunday you would like to give flowers. Arrangements cost $50, plus a delivery fee. City Florist will either bill you or charge your credit card. You may choose to take the flowers home with you or leave them to be delivered to shut-ins. Please note that the brass pots that the arrangements are placed in are a part of the Sanctuary vestments and should not be taken home with you.
How do I order a CD/DVD of a service?
There is an order form available at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings. You may also order online. There is no charge for orders, however we welcome your donations to help support the Media Ministry.
CHILDCARE
How do I arrange for childcare for an event?
Contact Nursery Director Cindy Baldwin no later than seven (7) days before the event. Once you have arranged for childcare, please have the members of your group RSVP to Cindy by 5:00 p.m. the day before your event so that we can arrange for the proper number of workers.
FINANCES
How do I get permission to do a fundraiser?
Contact Trudy Hughes, Finance Director with dates and an overall picture of the need. She will arrange for you to get on the Finance Committee's agenda.
How do I give a memorial gift?
Simply indicate your wishes on the memo portion of your check. Memorial or honorary gifts may be given to any ministry in the church or to the Permanent Endowment Fund. Questions? Contact Finance Director Trudy Hughes.
COMMUNICATION
How do I subscribe to E-News?
E-mail Melissia, fill out the online subscription form, indicate your wish to subscribe on your worship registration on Sunday morning, or check the appropriate box on Check-In.
How do I get something in E-News/Bulletin/Check-In/Website?
Contact Communications Director Melissia Mason. See Communications How-To for more details.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
How do I let you know about my new name/phone number/mailing address/e-mail address?
Membership updates should be directed to Membership Secretary Cheri Rutledge. Changes to marital status, phone numbers (cell, home, work), occupation, address, etc. are all recorded in our membership database. With the exception of addresses and phone numbers (which are printed in the yearly Guidebook), your information is kept confidential. E-mail changes sent to Cheri will be used to update your E-News subscription.
How do I keep my name/address/phone from being distributed in the Guidebook?
Contact Cheri to let her know you would like to be “unlisted.”
FACILITY USE
Can I reserve a room for private use (anniversaries, birthdays, family reunions, etc.)?
Yes, members are welcome to use the church facilities as long as you make arrangements with Whitney ahead of time. You may be asked to pay a small fee if maintenance support is required.
How do I schedule a wedding?
The first thing to do is to read the Wedding Policy in its entirety. Wedding dates fill up quickly, so make sure you contact Whitney and make a deposit far in advance to ensure the date you want.
“How to Get Stuff Done” Checklist
Have an idea? Need to have a meeting? Heading up a big event? Here’s all you need to know about how to get it done…
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Clear it with the church.
If it’s a church-wide event, have you…
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Talked to Kathi Shaw about getting on the agenda for the next Council on Ministries meeting?
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Figured out which ministry area (worship, discipleship, fellowship, compassion, evangelism, mission) your event falls under and talked with the appropriate C.O.M. representative?
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Recruited a team of people to help you?
If it’s a fundraiser or requires church funding, have you…
If it requires rooms/parking/tables/set-up, have you…
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Promote it. Have you…
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Finance How-To
How To Find Finance Information on the Website
Visit the Stewardship page. Here you will find information about various opportunities to give and where your money goes. From here, you can make a pledge, give a gift, make an online payment, contact the Finance Committee, and much more!
How To Give Money or Pay for Something
First Methodist accepts cash, checks and credit cards. If you give cash and would like for your gift to appear on your monthly statement, you should place your gift inside a giving envelope, available in the pew racks in the Sanctuary and in the church office. Personalized giving envelopes are available by contacting Trudy Hughes in the Finance Office.
For your convenience, we also have the ability to automatically draft your gift from the account or credit card you designate. Forms are available in the pew back racks, you may set it up online, or you may contact Trudy Hughes in the Finance Office for more details.
You may also make payments online. Visit the Stewardship section of the website for links to online giving and pledging.
How To Have a Fundraiser
Any individual or group within the Church that desires to raise funds outside their respective group for missions, internal or external, for special projects, capital improvements or any other project must first receive approval from the Finance Committee. To receive consideration, the individual or group desiring to raise funds must submit a proposal to the Finance Committee that details the scope of the project including date, time, location of event, plan for using the proceeds, sketches and cost estimates of any capital improvement or large purchase and method(s) of raising funds for the respective projects.
In order to receive approval, the Finance Committee must weigh the need and the timing of the project against the backdrop of all financial campaigns and fundraising activities of the Church as a whole.
All projects will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis by the Finance Committee and must receive a majority vote of the Finance Committee for approval.
How to Get in the Church Budget
If you have a new ministry idea that requires budgeted funds or you know of an existing ministry that needs additional budget consideration, you should present your thoughts to the Council on Ministries. COM will make recommendations to the Finance Committee regarding ministry budgets. See “How to Contact People” for contact information for the Council on Ministries.
How to Get Reimbursed
If you have made purchases on behalf of the church, you may be reimbursed by filling out a reimbursement form (available in the church office). You will need to attach any applicable receipts and have the form initialed by the appropriate staff contact. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted within the same quarter in which the expenses were incurred.
Facilities How-To
How To Schedule an Event
Events should be scheduled no less than seven (7) days in advance. Perhaps the easiest way to schedule an event on the church calendar is to fill out the Calendar & Room Set-Up Request form on the website. (This form is to be used for church events only—contact Whitney Illies for scheduling weddings or other private events).
Keep in mind that submitting the online form does not guarantee you the date/time/room you have requested. Occasionally, conflicts do occur. A member of the staff will contact you to confirm your room request.
If you don’t have Internet access, you can obtain and fill out a “Calendar & Room Set-Up Request” form in the church office or contact Whitney Illies to schedule an event.
How to Arrange for a TV/DVD/VCR
Make sure you indicate your needs on the “Calendar & Room Set-Up Request” form (described above). If you discover you need media items after you’ve already completed the form, you may submit your request to Whitney Illies via e-mail. (Please note that media needs beyond TV/DVD/VCRs should be directed to the Media Coordinator, Brandon Cherry.) Requests for Sunday mornings should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior. Weekday requests should be made at least 48 hours before the event.
How To Change a Room Set-Up
If you have a special set-up request, you may fill out the online form (as described above) or come by the church office and fill out a Calendar & Room Set-Up Request form. As with media equipment, requests for Sunday mornings should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior. Weekday requests should be made at least 48 hours before the event in question.
How To Get Coffee/Water
Due to limited manpower and the amount of coffee that was being wasted, the facilities staff no longer prepares coffee and water for groups ahead of time during the week. If you would like coffee and/or water for your weekday meeting, please help yourself. Simple instructions are posted at the coffee maker. Pitchers for water are available in the labeled cabinets in the kitchen. Coffee is available on Sunday mornings in the Family Life Center and in the foyer of the Sanctuary.
How To Report Maintenance Concerns
If you see something around the property that needs maintenance attention, please call or e-mail Whitney Illies.
How to Gain Building Access
In an effort to secure the building and allow for the safety of those who meet here at the church, the church locks exterior doors at 5:00 p.m. each day. If you have a meeting or activity at the church in the evening, please note which doors will be unlocked for you:
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For activities in the Family Life Center, the tunnel doors near the church offices will be unlocked.
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For activities in the Founder's Chapel and educational areas, the atrium doors outside the Founder's Chapel will be unlocked.
If you have questions or need access to the building at a different time, contact Whitney to make special arrangements.
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Communication How-To
Here’s some helpful information about how to communicate with the congregation:
Deadlines are as follows:
E-News: Tuesdays by 5:00 p.m.
Worship Bulletin: Tuesdays by 5:00 p.m.
Check-In (for sign-ups): Wednesdays by 12:00 noon
Website: Any time (allow 2-5 days, depending on the nature of the project)
Send all items for E-News, Bulletin, Check-In or Website to Melissia. You may send your item in the body of the e-mail or in a Word attachment. If you do not have e-mail, bring a hard copy (preferably typed) to the office.
Keep In Mind:
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Do not submit announcements about church events if you have not yet scheduled the event on the church calendar. See the Facilities How-To for more information about scheduling events.
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All items should have a staff representative connected to the ministry. Check with your staff representative before submitting your item(s).
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Items for Bulletin and Check-In must be short, no more than 5 lines or about 50-75 words.
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Items will run two consecutive weeks unless other arrangements have been discussed.
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When submitting your item, please indicate the purpose of the e-mail and the date to be run in the subject line. (For example, “Bulletin 09-11-06”)
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The Communications Office has full editing privileges, and will make weekly decisions about which items will run due to space demands. Priority will be given to new, church and community wide events/ministries.
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Items in E-News are placed in order by date. General announcements that are not date sensitive are placed after dated items. Exceptions are made based on urgency (as determined by the Senior Pastor).
E-Blasts:
We don’t want to abuse the privilege of having our congregation’s e-mail addresses. Therefore, we try to send out only one e-mail per week (that is E-News). In emergency situations or when something is of urgent significance, we may send out an additional e-mail in the form of an E-blast.
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We only send one E-blast per week (unless there is an extreme emergency).
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E-blasts must be applicable to the entire congregation (or a major part of it).
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First-come/first-served.
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If possible, give 24 hours notice.
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E-blasts are at the discretion of the Communication Director.
Doing it Yourself:
If you have items that you have created for your ministry or group, feel free to send them by the church office for proofing or editing. We’d like to maintain soft copies of church-related material, so please send a copy of your promotional items to Melissia, even if you do them yourself.
If you need to make copies, keep in mind that earlier in the week is better. On Thursdays and Fridays the copiers are often tied up for Sunday’s bulletins, inserts, brochures, etc.
Logos:
Not everything needs a logo. In fact, too many graphic images begin to cloud your message. The church has a logo that it uses for all church-related items, as well as branding images for the children’s and youth ministries. Use established logos for your ministry and get approval before changing them. If you have a question about logos for your ministry, please contact Melissia.
If you have any questions about special projects or the content or editing of your items, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail:
Melissia Mason, Communications Director
melissiam@fumcg.org
817-481-2559, ext. 109
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Ministry Moment How-To
The purpose of a Ministry Moment is to inform the congregation about ministry being done through the church. The primary focus should be on God’s work being accomplished more so than to advertise an event, recruit volunteers or raise money.
Here are a few tips for how to prepare a Ministry Moment. All production deadlines are for the week before the Sunday of your Ministry Moment unless otherwise stated.
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Plan ahead. Most Ministry Moments are scheduled several months in advance. If you have not scheduled a date for your Ministry Moment, do so by contacting the pastor’s assistant (see contacts at the end of this section).
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Think about the content of your Ministry Moment well in advance. Will you need a video? Will you be providing pictures? Who will do the spoken presentation during worship?
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IMPORTANT: You must provide a written copy of what you are saying (if speaking) to the pastor’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to your Ministry Moment. If you have a video or slide presentation, it must also be submitted to the pastor’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
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If you want a video package prepared, contact Chris Abram, Media Director, no later than three weeks prior to your Ministry Moment.
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If you have pictures that you would like shown during your ministry moment, provide them to Chris Abram by 12:00 noon on Wednesday. The images should be jpegs numbered in the order in which you would like them shown.
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Your presentation should be no more than 3 minutes in length, including introduction, slide show and closing.
- Ministries that are highlighted in worship may also be highlighted in E-News the Thursday prior to the Sunday you’ve chosen. You may write this yourself or provide details about your ministry for someone else to write it.
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350 words is an ideal length.
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If you write it yourself, turn it in to Melissia by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
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If you want communications to write it, provide the details about your ministry by 5:00 p.m. on Monday.
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Provide images or logos that are associated with your ministry.
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E-mail is the best way to provide this information.
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Your ministry will be allowed space in the Check-In insert in the bulletin on your assigned Sunday. If you need volunteers or have other sign-ups associated with your ministry, provide this information to the communications office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday.
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If you would like to arrange a preview of your slideshow or video presentation, please contact Chris Abram by 12:00 noon on Wednesday.
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If you (or your representative) are speaking from the platform, please arrive at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning for a sound check.
How To Prepare Your Ministry Moment
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Ask God for wisdom to know what you should share.
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Decide on the main point.
What is the primary impact this group/ministry has had on your spiritual life?
What motivated you to sign-up for this group?
What benefits have you experienced from being in this group?
How has your relationship with God grown because of your involvement?
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Tell a story from your personal experience that gives people something with which they can relate.
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Include pertinent information about how others can get involved.
What is your ministry’s most immediate need?
How much time commitment does the ministry take?
What is the action point – the thing that people can go home and do right now?
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Practice out loud so that you know exactly how long you will be speaking. If necessary, write down exactly what you want to say and take your notes with you to the platform.
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Smile!
Ministry Moment Contacts:
Melissia Mason, Communications Director
Contact For: Check-In, E-News
melissiam@fumcg.org , 817-481-2559 x109
Chris Abram, Media Director
Contact For: Videos, slideshows, sound checks
chrisa@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x266
Katherine Hunter, Pastor’s Assistant
Contact For: Ministry Moment Scheduling
katherineh@fumcg.org , 817-481-2559 x122
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