27 - Thanksgiving Eve Prayer Service  Information

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Christmas Bell Concert - December 1 at 3 p.m.  

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It is Shoebox Time!  We will be collecting shoeboxes for the Blackfeet United Methodist

 Parish (BUMP) to hand out at their Christmas dinner.  Shoebox Content List.  Please have them to the church by noon on Dec. 8th.  We will deliver them to browning on Dec. 9th.
 

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News from Staff Parish Relations Committee

By Cheryl Bauer, SPRC Chair

Announcing our new Administrative Assistant—Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson

On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), we would like to announce that Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson has been hired as the First UMC Administrative Assistant. We expect she will do a terrific job in this new role. Welcome, Lisa.

We would like to express our appreciation to Nancy Eik, who has filled in while the office staff has been in transition. Thank you, Nancy, for your dedication and hard work. Nancy will continue to be the church Administrative Assistant Substitute.

If you have called or stopped by the office this summer, you may have spoken with or seen another person working with Nancy. We have a group of dedicated people who volunteer their time and talents there. Our thanks to each one of you, too.

Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon.

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Introducing Lisa

A face familiar to many in our congregation, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson is First UMC's new administrative assistant. A lawyer and librarian, Lisa most recently served as the Executive Director of the Montana Innocence Project. She is an avid volunteer around town and is already a part of many of our church groups, including UMW, Trustees and FUMY.

Lisa has a soft spot for puppies, kittens, and Elvis, and has never met a piece of chocolate she didn’t like.

Lisa is married to Scott Jackson, a wildlife biologist; their twin daughters, Rane and Anja, are juniors at Sentinel High School.

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New Nursery Attendant and Custodian Hired

On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) we would like to welcome and introduce you to our two newest FUMC staff members.

Shaina Ore was hired as the nursery assistant and will work directly with youth ministries director Courtney VonLindern. Shaina began her new position at the end of September and plans to create a fun and welcoming
environment in the nursery for our youngest children.  Shaina is a junior at U of M and is studying psychology on a pre-medicine track hoping to be a
pediatrician someday. In her spare time, Shaina likes to volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and is currently in the process of becoming an EMT. She is excited about the
opportunity to work with the kids in the nursery and getting to know the people in the church.

Craig Gohl was hired as custodian and will work with his job coach Joshua Chair to keep the church building clean. Craig began his new position in October. He was born and raised in Missoula, MT. He loves Montana and getting outside to enjoy the beautiful scenery. This includes walks down by the river and at community events. Craig enjoys watching football during his free time. He is excited to start his new
janitorial position at First United Methodist Church and he says he likes janitorial work because it brings him satisfaction to see something dirty become clean. Craig's job coach, Joshua Chair, was raised in Polson and Missoula. Throughout his life, his family has worked with others to plant three Foursquare churches in Montana. Joshua's passion is playing the drums and he is a
part-time musician when he is not an Employment
Specialist. He loves working as a job coach and helping others find meaningful work

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Youth Ministry

First United Methodist Youth, FUMY, meets weekly on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p,m. FUMY is open to youth in grades 6-12.

Each month, FUMY dives into different topics that are relevant to how we experience and express our faith in today's world. Throughout the month of October, we will focus our activities and discussions around the theme of "Identity." We hope to see you there.

Upcoming FUMY Events:
Oct. 23-Nov. 12: FUMY sponsored food drive for the UM Food Pantry! Details TBA. Contact Courtney at for more information

Oct. 27: (Tentative) FUMY Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser @ 9 a.m.

Oct. 30: FUMY Halloween Party

Nov. 14: Youth Pack 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Youth Pack is a city-wide Junior High Youth retreat being organized by youth leaders from various faith communities here in Missoula. Join us for fun, games, community, and worship. Contact Courtney at for more

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YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Health Kits

Ruth Fellowship will assemble health kits for the YWCA. Please consider donating
the following items and bringing them to the church in September.

There will be a box in the Narthex before church services or in the office for items.
Hotel size Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, and Lotions
Combs and/or brushes     Razors    Deodorant
Wash Cloths / Hand Towels (used and in good condition are fine)
Tooth Paste / Tooth Brushes / Tooth Brush covers / Dental floss
Note Pads and Pens (not personalized)

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On the Getting Involved page you will find links to many of our partner organizations.  There is also a form to fill out so you can volunteer.

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