UMM and Men's Ministry

How Frogmore Stew Can Get You Connected to the Men of MFUMC

There are two kinds of social gatherings in coastal Georgia and South Carolina that revolve around shellfish. One is very much like a Louisiana boil, usually involving shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, and red potatoes and is considered part of Lowcountry cuisine. Known as Frogmore Stew, Beaufort Stew, a Beaufort boil, a Lowcountry boil, or a tidewater boil, they tend be a bit milder than their Louisiana Cajun and Creole cousins. For example, it is not unusual for a Lowcountry recipe to call for a mixture of hot and mild crab boil seasonings, e.g., Zatarain's and Old Bay, whereas a Cajun recipe may start with crab boil packets and add large amounts of cayenne pepper and hot sauce. While shrimp are most often used, crabs and/or crawfish may be included if available. This is also a bit different from a Louisiana boil, which usually involves just one kind of shellfish.

You are invited to a Low Country Boil, Marietta Style, for the Men of MFUMC on Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Dan and Lorie Weaver. This is a great way to meet some of the guys of the church and to get connected to our community of men. Contact Dan Weaver or Forrest Cate at ext. 7806.

Men of Marietta Singing in Worship On January 1, 2012

All men of the church are invited to join together and sing as a part of the adult choir on Sunday, January 1, 2012 for our one Worship Service at 11:15 am. No singing experience or ability is required. For more information, contact Allen Krivsky or Forrest Cate at ext. 7806.

First Monday Night Men's Group
Monday, Dec. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Piccadilly on Cobb Parkway
This will be an informal gathering as usual and a good way to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth with friends who share your faith. This will be date night, so guys, bring your gals. We will hear a new story about Marietta children and their unusual accomplishment at Christmas time entitled "The Roswell Street Manger Disaster." Everyone is welcome to join us.

Prayer Takes on Personal Perspective for Men's Prayer Group

-by Stanley Wrinkle

As I was recently considering words to share about the UMM Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, I had everything in mind ready to commit it to paper. But then something happened that I ask to be allowed to share as a part of this piece. Over 45 years ago I was privileged to teach some of the world's greatest young people at Wheeler High School. With some regularity I see a number of those folks, now adults, and a few even in our church, and share great memories with them. As God would have it, this morning I bowed in prayer with the UMM Prayer Group to pray for a couple of those long ago Wheeler students and their family in their loss of an adult son to cancer. Additionally, a couple of our good friends who were at one time our neighbors for years were the parents-in-law of this young man. Sometimes God's blessings are bittersweet but what a privilege and blessing it is to pray for those who have touched our lives for decades, thank God for them, and to ask for His comforting grace in times of overwhelming sorrow.

Prayer is a Vital Part of Our Congregational Care

The UMM Prayer Group is part of the process of congregational care of Marietta FUMC. Just about everyone is aware of the opportunity to ask for special prayer for themselves or others through the prayer cards available in the pews of the church each Sunday morning. Through this means and general communication with the church, a prayer list is established each week and emailed to every church member who requests it. The list includes all hospitalized persons, bereaved families, those with new births, newly married couples, new church members, those in need of continuous prayer, a special weekly prayer list including those from the cards turned in by the congregation each week, and all active military service men and women identified for the church by members and others. This eCare Prayer List, as it is called, is more than just a list of names. It represents an enormous love of a Christian congregation for people they passionately care about and seek God's personal blessing for. It is a weekly expression of corporate belief that changes can occur in favor of the well being of others if we take the time to focus our love and prayers on them. Prayer is the foundation of this sacred process.

When Men Who Pray

The UMM Prayer group was started about eight years ago to provide a layman's dimension of prayerful congregational care to that already underway by the staff. Over the years the group has consisted of three to eight men who have met every Tuesday morning for the sole purpose of praying for those listed as in need of prayer by the congregation as well as others known to be in such need. We were privileged that Dr. Cyndi McDonald asked to join the group early in her years of Marietta FUMC service and was most faithful in her membership in the prayer group. The most important aspect of this statement is the assurance that everyone on the eCare Prayer List is prayed for by name every Tuesday morning. Additionally, a card is mailed to those who are newly placed on the list to let them know of the prayers for them and the love and caring of the congregation for them. Jesus promised us that when two or more are gathered together in His name, He is there with us. Those in the UMM Prayer Group can testify to Jesus keeping this promise every week. There is no means of describing the feeling of Christ's presence as we bow in prayer each Tuesday but the reality of His presence is a certainty.

A Support Group of Prayer

While those in the UMM Prayer Group invite and would love for others to join us, this is not a statement to recruit new members. Rather it is an encouragement for all others to take advantage of the joy of prayer with others. Prayer itself, particularly personal prayer, is singularly the strongest evidence of our faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer with a small group of other Christians intensifies our faith and joy of being in His presence. When a part of our prayers are dedicated to the well being of others, we form a partnership with Christ to advance His kingdom on earth.

On some occasions our lives come full circle as it did for me this morning and we are involved in prayer for those who have made the cherished memories of our lives. I thank God for those precious people.

Stanley Wrinkle is passionate about the UMM Prayer Group and would love to talk to you about it.

If you would like to know more about the MFUMC Prayer Ministry, contact Rev. Elaine Wilder.

7 Meaningful Ways to Be a Man at MFUMC

You see the myriad of men's opportunities at MFUMC as interesting, but confusing. Where do you start? You don't have a lot of time and you feel like the time and trouble spent cracking the "Man Code" as MFUMC might just not be worth it. Well, this is the week for you! There are 7 good ways to find connection and meaning as a man at MFUMC this week. The Great Day of Service, Friday Morning Men's Group, First Monday Men's Supper, Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, an upcoming Guys Night Out at the Braves Game, the Chick-fil- A Leadercast, and Sunday Sabbath are perfect opportunities to put some names with faces and join a group that will help you grow in discipleship.

1. Drive a Golf Cart (Sorry, not on the golf course this time).

Every Sunday our golf cart ministry provides a convenient lift for families and ambulatory challenged members. It's alot of fun (although all the carts have governors on them) and a great way to meet people and make someone's day. Shifts are relatively short and you can sign up to serve regularly or be one and done. For more information, contact Lowry Curry.

2. Join a faith based conversation at the Friday Morning Men's Group.

The Friday Morning Men's Group meets every Friday at 6:30 a.m. in room 201-b (The library conference room) to discuss scripture, life experiences, and our faith together. It's a great way to get to know the guys and find out about how to get involved in other discipleship opportunities. To join the conversation, contact Tom Halliburton.

3. Share a meal at the First Monday Men's Supper.

Every first Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m., at Piccadilly on Highway 41 a group of guys share a meal and conversation together. It's a great way to share a meal and visit. For more information about Mondays at Piccadilly, contact Stanley Wrinkle.

4. Pray with the Tuesday Morning Men's Prayer Group.

On Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., a group of guys meet to pray for our church, community, and world. The group writes notes to members and family on e-care prayer and shares time together. For more information about the Tuesday Morning Men's Prayer Group, contact Stanley Wrinkle.

5. Serve coffee

Every Sunday, our congregation wakes up to coffee served by our United Methodist Men's Coffee Crew. You can be the first to sip the richest, freshest cup. You'll provide valuable service to our church and help raise funds for our scout program. Training is available and you'll only be called on to serve a couple of times during the year. To help with the coffee ministry, contact Brian McNair.

6. Sign Up to Help With Vacation Bible School

There are currently 50 volunteer opportunities to serve during the week of VBS for youth and adults. Volunteers are needed June 13 - 16 from 8:30 to 12:45; if you can't help every day we'd still love your help on the days you are available. Contact Karen Whittemore and Susan Rodriguez at fumcvbs1@gmail.com to sign up! Nursery age children of volunteers get a special VBS!

7. Observe Sabbath.

Silence the Smart Phone and join worship, spend some time with the family, and get acquainted with your best self on Sundays at MFUMC. There are a variety of ways Sabbath can serve you through communion, service, and being present to the Awe and Mystery of God every Sunday at MFUMC at 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary.