FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Covington, TN

April 10, 2026
A Bi-Weekly Newsletter

Our journey into Holy week began with the traditional waving of palms and a special song from our children in our annual Palm Sunday combined service of worship.
The service also featured a Living Last Supper presentation, accompanied by music from our sanctuary choir and instrumentalists, our praise team, as well as speakers and soloists.
Our Easter services were both filled with joyful music by our children, our Praise Team, instrumentalists, and soloists to lift our hearts in celebration of the season. Thank you to all who gave of their time and talents.

Sky McCracken Senior Pastor
revdsky@gmail.com
Cathy Adams
Coordinator of Pastoral Care & Evangelism
Adamscat50@gmail.com
Sandy Burgess
Office Manager
sburgess@covingtonfumc.com
Kit Burrow
Maintenance
Ethan Cedarfield
Director of Youth/Young Adults
Justin Hanson
Organist
Jennifer Lindley
Children's Director
jlindley@covingtonfumc.com Carole Mathis Worship Director cmathis@covingtonfumc.com
Liz Newman Director of Outreach lnewman@covingtonfumc.com

FUMC Office Hours:
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday

“Leading people to Christ, Learning to be Disciples, Loving through Service.”

Many thanks to everyone who contributed flowers to adorn the cross Easter Sunday! What a beautiful way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior!
He is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!

Our Children’s Ministry had such a joyful time celebrating Easter together! The children blessed our church by singing with bright smiles and full hearts, sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Afterward, laughter filled the air during our Easter Egg Hunt, and the excitement only grew with a special visit from the Easter Bunny!
During Children’s Church, we spent time remembering the true meaning of Easter as the kids helped “flower the cross,” adding beautiful blooms as a reminder that Jesus brings life, hope, and new beginnings. It was a wonderful day filled with faith, fun, and fellowship, and we are so thankful for these sweet children and the joy they bring to our church family.

Methodist Prep had our annual Easter parade around the square last week donning those famous Easter hats and bonnets! We also celebrated a return visit from our friend, River Ramsey! His classmates were so excited to visit with him and see an answered prayer right before their eyes. So many fun days at our little preschool! We still have a few spots open for our 3's and 4's classes. If you know someone looking for a childcare option, please share about our sweet school!

TRIBUTES & MEMORIALS
In Honor of Don and Ellen Clark Operating Fund by Debbie Sater
In Memory of Gail Ganier Education Building Renovation Fund by Jim Baddour Education Building Renovation Fund by Joe and Susie Boals Education Building Renovation Fund by Keith and Debbie Bryan Education Building Renovation Fund by Tommy and Susan Cheairs Education Building Renovation Fund by Skip and Kendy Erwin Education Building Renovation Fund by Lynne Fisher Operating Fund by Sue Jones Education Building Renovation Fund by Waymon and Naomi McDade Education Building Renovation Fund by Pam Merritt Education Building Renovation Fund by Betty Stanton Education Building Renovation Fund by Tracey and Tracy Stokes Education Building Renovation Fund by Ted and Carolyn Turner Education Building Renovation Fund by Emily Woodside and Bill Falvey
In Memory of Rev. Jim Glass Operating Fund by Ted and Carolyn Turner
In Memory of Shirley Mathis Choir and Worship Fund by Shirley Bready
In Memory of Sharon Rieken Education Building Renovation Fund by Skip and Kendy Erwin Education Building Renovation Fund by Lynne Fisher Organ Restoration Fund by Ted and Carolyn Turner

Thank you Lynne Fisher and Voncile Baxter for your time, energy and fellowship double-bagging for the Bread of Life Food Pantry ministry.

Charger Academy Student Council are an amazing group of helpful volunteers ! We were honored to have them serve with the Bread of Life food pantry, Saturday morning. What a blessing our young people are!

Mrs. Celia Max, of MAXIMUM BLOOMS CUT FLOWERS FARM, was April’s guest speaker for the United Women in Faith. After a wonderful lunch, and a thoughtful devotional the ladies enjoyed a very informative presentation and some beautiful flowers.
The next regular meeting of the United Women in Faith will be May 5, at noon in Fellowship Hall. This group is open to all women of faith.

April 11 David Enzor April 12 Keith Phelps April 13 Cayden Griffin April 15 Stefanie Beasley Charles Brasfield Nate Lazure April 17 Cynthia Ford April 20 Leah Beasley Sandra Naifeh April 21 Karen Griffin John Katrosh
April 22 Jasper Lindley Kathy Wallace April 24 Bettye Davis April 28 Wanda Butler April 29 Faye Beckett Judy McCool April 30 Karsen Baustert May 1 Anna Marie Agee Jennifer Lindley May 2 Leonard Moss May 3 Melanie Billings Mackenzie Henderson May 4 Carol Daniel May 6 Ben Brasfield Eleanor Whitesides May 7 David Caldwell May 9 Erin Baddour May 16 Joe Lewis Joe Naifeh

March 29, 2026-Palm Sunday
One Worship:
Sunday School: Facebook Views:
Offering:

GIVING & ATTENDANCE

207
88
949
$4,187.00

April 5, 2026-Easter Sunday
In Person 8:30 service: No Count Taken
In Person 11:00 service:
Sunday School: Facebook Views 8:30 service: Facebook Views 11:00 service:
Offering:

172
54
450
268 $8,698.00

Physical Concerns
Lynn Blalack
Jeffrey Bryant
Morgan Stitt Davanzo Pam Harris Sue Jones
Leslie Diane Marshall
Jon Benton Mize Mylie Parham Scott Seagrave Bettye Shelley J.C. Thornton Dianne Williams
Family of Gail Ganier Family of Sharon Rieken

Undergoing Treatment for Cancer

Don Clark
Beverly Orton Felts
Tucker James
Leslie Diane Marshall Jennifer Jones Moore Dorothy Newman
Terry Newman Sondra Pigues Kathy McCool Townsend Hyatt Williams

Condolences

Event Calendar
Saturday, April 11:
9:00 AM: Bread of Life Food Pantry, Munford
Sunday, April 12:
8:30 AM: Modern Worship - Christian Life Center
9:45 AM: Sunday School
11:00 AM: Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
2:00 PM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
Monday, April 13:
10:00 AM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
6:00 PM: Tipton County Chorus - Christian Life Center
Tuesday, April 14:
9:00 AM: Tipton County Line Dancers - Christian Life Center
4:00 PM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
Wednesday, April 15:
10:00 AM: Adult Bible Study - New Beginnings Room
5:30 PM: Children and Youth Activities - Christian Life Center
Thursday, April 16:
7:00 AM: Men’s Prayer Breakfast - Fellowship Hall
10:00 AM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
Saturday, April 18:
9:00 AM: Bread of Life Food Pantry, Covington
Sunday, April 19:
8:30 AM: Modern Worship - Christian Life Center
9:45 AM: Sunday School
11:00 AM: Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
2:00 PM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
Monday, April 20:
10:00 AM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
6:00 PM: Tipton County Chorus - Christian Life Center
Tuesday, April 21:
9:00 AM: Tipton County Line Dancers - Christian Life Center
4:00 PM: Pickleball - Christian Life Center
Wednesday, April 22:
10:00 AM: Adult Bible Study - New Beginnings Room
5:30 PM: Children and Youth Activities - Christian Life Center

Third Grade Bibles
Third grade Bibles will be presented soon. Please send the name of your third grader to sburgess@covingtonfumc.com or call the church office, 901-476-9694, by April 15th so we do not leave anyone out.

WORSHIP TIMES
Modern Worship Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Christian Life Center
Traditional Worship Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary

First United Methodist Church
145 W. Church Avenue
Covington, TN 38019
Phone: 901-476-9694
Fax: 901-476-5352
E-mail:covingtonfumc@covingtonfumc.com Website:www.covingtonfumc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FUMCCovington Twitter: twitter.com/FUMCCovington

Safe Sanctuaries Training
Safe Sanctuaries training will be held Sunday, June 4th at 9:30 a.m. and again Wednesday, June 7th at 6:00 p.m. All sessions will be held in the Fellowship Hall. This training is mandatory for anyone working with children and/or youth including Sunday school, Wednesday nights, nursery workers, Vacation Bible School, etc. Sessions will last for approximately 30 minutes and you will need to attend one session.

Shopping Bags Needed
Bread of Life Food Pantry is in need of your used, plastic, shopping bags.
Collection boxes are available in the handicapped entrance of the church building and in the CLC foyer.

Our Share the Warmth Coat Closet is in need of additional volunteers. The coat closet is open the first and third Saturday of each month in conjunction with the Bread of Life Food Pantry, through the month of February. Volunteers assist patrons in selecting coats for the patron and his/her family members. Please contact Liz Newman to become active with this ministry.

Food Pantry Needs

Due to the lack of selection at the Mid South Food Bank and the current decrease of donated meat products locally, the Bread of Life Food Pantry finds itself in need of the following items.
Donation boxes will be available in the lobby of the Christian Life Center and at the Handicap entrance of the Sanctuary.

Nursery Care
Available every Sunday Morning

Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Canned Chili
Canned Beef Stew
Canned lunchmeat (Spam)
Vienna Sausages
Canned Ham
Canned Fruit

Join us Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for Bible study!

A grief group is meeting every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in the New Beginnings room. For more information, contact Cathy Adams at 901-355-3428.

Upcoming Sermons

Services can be viewed online at:
https://www.facebook.com/FUMCCovington/live/
11 AM Radio Broadcast at WKBL 1250 am

Please donate your empty egg cartons to the Bread of Life Food Pantry.

ARISE2Read strives to make our community a place where every child can read and feels valued! For information about how to get involved locally, contact Liz Newman, in the church office, at (901) 476-9694, or email LNewman@Covington FUMC.com.

Our church has partnered with Universal Church Directories to publish a new photo directory. This is an important tool for all of us, but especially new pastors and new church members so they may get to know fellow members. Each family photographed will receive a complementary 8x10 portrait of their selected directory pose as well as a directory. Additional portraits may be purchased.
Information will be forthcoming on how to sign up for your picture session.
The following dates/times have been scheduled for pictures to be taken:
Thursday, March 5 2:00-8:30 PM
Friday, March 6 2:00-8:30 PM
Saturday, March 7 10:30 AM-5:00 PM
If you are available on weekdays during the day, you are encouraged to sign up for the 2:00-5:00 PM slots to allow those who are not available during the day to make appointments in the evening and weekend slots.

The Tipton County Community Chorus are meeting for their Spring Program practices Monday evenings at 6:00 PM in the Christian Life Center. Everyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join. This is a non-denominational, public group that enjoys singing both sacred and secular music. The group will occasionally perform for nursing home residents, senior centers, or for community events. For more information you can check out their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/people/Tipton-County-Community-Chorus/100063494829031/.

Church Council Recap
Our Church Council met on Tuesday, June 4, and addressed the current state of the United Methodist Church (UMC), and our involvement. The General Conference of the UMC was held the first week in May, 2024. At this General Conference, the following changes to the Book of Discipline were made.
Removal of the language that the “practice of homosexuality … is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Removal of the ban on the ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” clergy.
Removal of language that made the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” clergy and the performance of same-sex weddings chargeable offenses.
Removal of mandatory minimum penalties for clergy holding same-sex weddings.
Removal of a prohibition against using United Methodist funds to support groups, activities and causes that promote the acceptance of homosexuality.
Emphasized that no congregation would be required to receive a homosexual pastor nor would any congregation or pastor be forced to perform/host a same gender wedding.
More information can be found here - https://twkumc.org/gc-faq/
Once again, United Methodist congregations are now addressing the question of whether to stay a member of the UMC or to disaffiliate from the UMC. The Church Council unanimously decided to ask Michael Pence to create a survey to discern the thoughts and feeling of our membership. This survey will be sent to you in the near future. We ask that you remain patient as our Church Council discerns how we will move forward. We also ask that each of you join in prayer for our church and our mission to our community.
Michael Pence has also stated that he is more than willing to meet with you on a one-to-one basis or in group settings at your homes. If you would like to set up a meeting with Michael, please reach out to him (901)476-9694 or mpence@covingtonfumc.com.
Thank you,
Michael Jones
Church Council Chairperson

Covington First United Methodist Church is still seeking to hire one, part-time Nursery attendant. The successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age, available to work every Sunday morning, and meet other requirements. For more information or an application contact the church office at 901-476-9694 or email Lnewman@covingtonfumc.com.

Add
MPS
Thanksgiving

FUMC offers counseling services to individuals, couples or families. Fees are based on ability to pay.
Cindy Pease, M.H.S.P.,
Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified. For appointments call the FUMC office 476-9694, ext. 17.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

ARISE2Read will be starting anew with the 2026-2027 school year. Having been inactive for over 2 years, due to the tornado damage, it will be necessary to start from the very beginning.
ARISE2Read is a ministry focusing on second grade literacy. We will be mentoring at both Charger Academy and Covington Elementary school.
Volunteers are needed to dedicate one hour a week, during the school year, to mentoring and coaching two second grade students. Using the team read approach, students
receive one-on-one coaching twice a week focusing on simple, but essential, sight words and phrases. Arise2Read positively impacts the lives of children, teachers, parents, and the community by providing students with individualized tutoring during one of the most critical years for students.
Training and all supplies will be provided.

Beginning May 1, 2024

Flowers for the Sanctuary
Do you have flowers in your yard you would like to share to decorate the Sanctuary? If so please contact Jay Smith at 917-239-7890 or email TNjayNYC@aol.com.

Four Saturdays a month, each and every month of the year, the Bread of Life food Pantry opens it’s doors to serve over 200 households in need in our community, feeding, on average, over 450 individuals each month. This is no small task, requiring volunteers from throughout the community pitching in not only on Saturday mornings, but throughout the week as well.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings volunteers are picking up donated food items from local businesses, at least once a month volunteers are needed to make the trip to Memphis to pickup the Food Bank orders, and there will be volunteers back at the church to unload when they return. Twice a month volunteers gather on a Friday morning to pre-bag non-perishables in preparation for the upcoming pantry distribution. Periodically a group will meet to “double bag” or to bundle and label diapers. There is a lot of work that goes on prior to a Food Pantry Saturday and, of course, a lot of work on that day.
The Bread of Life Food Pantry is blessed with some of the most awesome and dedicated volunteers any organization could have! God continues to bless us with the ways and the means to continue the ministry of feeding the needy, sharing His love, and sharing the Word. If you would like to be part of this amazing group of people contact Liz Newman at Covington First United Methodist Church, (901)476-9694 or LNewman@covingtonfumc.com. We can always make room for more smiling faces.
If you would like to volunteer to serve at an upcoming Saturday pantry use the links below to signup, we would love to have you!
October volunteersignup.org/QFQ9K November volunteersignup.org/ACRH7
December volunteersignup.org/EJHJY

Interested in becoming an ARISE2Read mentor? Need more information? Contact Liz Newman in the church office, 901-476-9694 or email LNewman@CovingtonFUMC.com

#