We shop. We see a play. We have a Great day!

The Trippers are heading to Granbury for an outing. We will be departing on May 17th at 3:00pm to head for Granbury. Once there, we should have several hours to enjoy the Granbury Historic Square area. There are various adorable shops to explore and places to dine. The choice is up to you. Maps of the square area will be provided on the bus. We have tickets to see the Broadway on the Brazos production of The Diary of Anne Frank. We should be back in Denton around 11:00pm.

The price for transportation and the play is $90/person.

Mail checks to: Ken Hinrichs, 4207 Sweetgum Dr., Denton, TX 76208
Questions? Contact Candy Blackmon at candyblackmon@yahoo.com.

A free community training from Denton County MHMR Center focusing on Adult Mental Health First Aid. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. 8 AM - 5 PM, Lunch break 12 - 1 PM. Childcare will not be available for this event. Need a ride? Email Jenny, jbates@fumc-denton.com by May 10.

On May 15 at 6 PM, we are having a Glow movie night featuring the film Rustin on Netflix. We will watch the film in Flinn Hall, and pizza will be provided. Childcare can be offered, contact Pastor Sheryl at sgallarneau@fumc-denton.com.

Film synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes. "The architect of 1963's momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority and never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten. Directed by DGA Award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and starring Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo, Rustin shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to imagine a different world, and inspired a movement in a march toward freedom." 

Here's the trailer: https://youtu.be/4lBqMhZ3NBg

The film is 106 minutes long

The film is rated PG-13,  (Some Violence | Racial Slurs | Thematic Material | Language | Brief Drug Use | Sexual Material | Smoking)

Content notes for police brutality, racism, and homophobia. 

Let Krystal or Alyssa know if you have any questions!

Our Pastoral Intern, Jenny Bates, has been appointed to Arapaho UMC as the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries and to the Denton Wesley Foundation to work with Rev. Marianne Brown-Trigg as a campus minister! This Sunday, May 12, please plan to join us for a reception honoring Jenny right after 11:00 worship from 12:15-1pm. This is a time for our whole church to let Jenny know how much Jenny means to us and how excited we are for this new adventure in ministry. Jenny's official last day at FUMC Denton is May 12. Let's send Jenny into this next chapter of ministry surrounded by the love of our FUMC Denton family. 

Join our pastors over the four Sundays in May for a discussion-based class to go through some of the big questions we’ve explored in our Life’s Big Questions Worship Series! This will be an opportunity to go deeper in these topics with our pastors and community. All are welcome!

May 5: Where is God when bad things happen? with Pastor Sheryl
May 12: Do we have to choose between truth and acceptance? with Pastor David
May 19: Why God? with Pastor Don
May 26: What makes a meaningful life? with Pastor Jonathan

Join Glow and FUMC Denton’s Church & Society Committee for a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 101 lecture series using Leigh Finke’s Welcoming and Affirming. The book centers on how churches can create spaces that welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ community members, God’s beloved children. Each session will cover ideas from the book including how to talk to LGBTQIA+ persons, making sure spaces are safe and accessible, and how to work with LGBTQIA+ youth. This class is open to anyone who wishes to make our church a safer space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, especially those who are curious to learn more but are unsure of who to ask. The accompanying book is encouraged, but optional.

Meeting in Miller Center and on Zoom Wednesdays, April 10-May 8 at 6:30pm. Led by Pastor Jenny Bates. Questions? Contact jbates@fumc-denton.com.

Pub Theology is a group for folks with questions about God and life but they aren't ready to ask those questions in a Sunday School class. We meet at a local bar for a discussion-based group on various topics. Pub Theology leaders lead a mini presentation on the topic and what history, the Bible, and other theologians may have to say about it. Our questions examine the topics through the lens of the individual's life experiences in the group.

Spring 2024 Topics:

February 5: I Can See Your Halo: Sainthood
March 4: Doin’ Something Holy: Liturgy & Worship
April 1: I’ll Make a Man Out of You: Positive Masculinity in the Bible
May 6: Who’s This Guy?: Jesus & Other Religions

No one will call you heretical here. We believe listening to other's spiritual experiences and outlooks on life can help us better understand ourselves as humans. We believe reason, experience, faith, and tradition are all important and should shape our theology and discourse.

Come out for this Pub Theology series hosted at Miss Angeline’s at 7:30 pm on 1st Mondays for some intellectual discussion that engages the group ear to discuss, listen, and learn from one another's experience and journey. There are no wrong answers, unless it revolves around the oppression of others. NO homophobia, sexism, ageism, ableism, or racism. Hate does not aid in the spreading of God's love. Do no harm, first.

Location: Miss Angeline's, 125 E. Oak Street, Denton, TX 76201

Age limit: If you’re under 21 but would like to attend, please check in with Jenny at jbates@fumc-denton.com

Parking: There's street parking and a parking lot located directly across the street from Miss Angeline's.

Accessibility: There is a ramp on the Oak Street side of Miss Angeline's. There is a chance we will be outside, depending on the weather, but most often we will be meeting in the red room in the center of the venue (directly in front of the restrooms).

Restrooms: There are two gendered bathrooms.

NA options: Non-alcoholic options are available.

This is an intentional safe space for our LGBTQIA+ only community to gather for real talk and to support each other. We’ll submit anonymous questions into a bucket and engage with them as a community. Pizza is provided! This Real Talk Y’all is open to anyone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Allies, we love you and we’ll see you at our other Glow events!

Glow by Open is sponsored in part by a Ministry-With Grant from the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Glow is a space designed specifically by and for LGBTQIA+ folks to come together in creative, Christ-centered community. No matter your doubts or questions, you are welcome here! Learn more at opendtx.com/glow.

Join our pastors over the four Sundays in May for a discussion-based class to go through some of the big questions we’ve explored in our Life’s Big Questions Worship Series! This will be an opportunity to go deeper in these topics with our pastors and community. All are welcome!

May 5: Where is God when bad things happen? with Pastor Sheryl
May 12: Do we have to choose between truth and acceptance? with Pastor David
May 19: Why God? with Pastor Don
May 26: What makes a meaningful life? with Pastor Jonathan

Throughout May, we are collecting snacks and other items for VBS! Vacation Bible School will be June 24-27 and we hope to host many kids from our community for a week of learning about God with this year’s theme Camp Firelight.

Needed Items:

• Trail Mix Items – m&m’s, pretzels, cheerios, marshmallows

• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix in a box

• Gummy Worms

• Oreos

• Rice Crispy Cereal

• Large Marshmallows

• Craft Jewels – Old Costume Jewelry of any kind

• Plaster of Paris Power Bag (Home Depot sells a 25 lb bag for $23)

• Acrylic Paints

• River Rocks

Please bring your donations with you to worship on Sundays. Donations can also be brought to church to the Ivey Garden entrance of the church on Locust Street during the week, Monday-Thursday, from 9-4 pm.

Checks can be made out to the church with the Memo Line: May Mission Corner. You can also give online at fumcdenton.com/give and select “General Missions” in the drop-down menu and write “May Mission Corner” in the memo line.

Fentanyl: Communities in Crisis
Speakers: Kathy Travis, Kathy O’Keefe, Daniel Jaworski, and Paster Chuck Church
Presented by: Women in Faith at LCUMC
This event will be held in the Family Life Center at Lake Cities United Methodist Church in Lake Dallas, TX
ALL ARE WELCOME!

About the speakers:

Kathy Travis is a 1986 graduate of Lewisville High School. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from UNT. Kathy is married to Will and she has 2 children—Jessica and Daniel and a bonus daughter Dani. She served on the LISD School Board for 9 years. She has served on many Non-Profit boards such as Pedi-Place, YMCA, Youth and Family Counseling, Communities in Schools, Women Business Owners of Denton County, and more. She lost her daughter Jessica on 1.29.21 due to an accidental overdose. This was a terrible tragedy to her family. She is now helping other families and hopefully saving a life each time she speaks about addiction.

Kathy O’Keefe, born and raised in Chicago, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Harrington Institute with a major in Architectural Design and a minor in Psychology. Kathy is currently the President and Executive Director of Winning The Fight, a non-profit organization that provides education, resources and support for families dealing with substance use and the disease of addiction. Winning The Fight was started when she lost her 18-year-old son, Brett, to an accidental drug overdose on March 20, 2010. She and Ben, her husband of 33 years, raised both their boys in Flower Mound, TX. Kathy was honored to be selected to attend the Summit on Opioids at the White House in March, 2018, and then one of 8 speakers to testify at the Congressional Committee on Opioids in April, 2018. Kathy was entered in Who’s Who-America in 2022.

Daniel Jaworski was raised in Highland Village and attended Marcus High School, graduating in 1989. He served in the United States Navy as a linguist and intelligence collection analyst from 1993 to 2000. He is the first person raised in Highland Village to be elected to the City Council, elected as Mayor, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in management with an emphasis on strategic leadership. Mayor Jaworski and his wife, Gretchen have been residents of Highland Village since 2013. They have three children—two boys and one girl. Mayor Jaworski and his wife also run a non-profit organization, The Marauder 17 Foundation. This foundation provides annual scholarships to student athletes in the Marcus High School football program as well as an athletic trainer. Mayor Jaworski lost his mother, Mary Jaworski, to an accidental Fentanyl overdose.

Rev. Chuck Church has served over 20 years in various ministry settings in the United Methodist Church and currently as Senior Pastor of Lake Cities United Methodist Church. He is married to his beautiful wife of 20 years, Michelle. They have two sons, Connor and Hayden. Chuck is a South Texas guy who graduated from high school in the small border town of Mission, Texas. After high school he sought out a degree in engineering from Texas A&M University and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. While in the Corps of Cadets, Chuck established friendships with a group of men who would go on to be various professionals including high ranking officers in the Air Force & FBI, a High School Football coach, and CEOs of companies. One of those friends, Stevan, was a talented engineer who lost his life to Fentanyl. Chuck shares Stevan's story as an example of how Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that does not care how successful you are.

Join Glow and FUMC Denton’s Church & Society Committee for a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 101 lecture series using Leigh Finke’s Welcoming and Affirming. The book centers on how churches can create spaces that welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ community members, God’s beloved children. Each session will cover ideas from the book including how to talk to LGBTQIA+ persons, making sure spaces are safe and accessible, and how to work with LGBTQIA+ youth. This class is open to anyone who wishes to make our church a safer space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, especially those who are curious to learn more but are unsure of who to ask. The accompanying book is encouraged, but optional.

Meeting in Miller Center and on Zoom Wednesdays, April 10-May 8 at 6:30pm. Led by Pastor Jenny Bates. Questions? Contact jbates@fumc-denton.com.

April 28 at 11 am in the Sanctuary and Open

We are excited to welcome this year’s confirmation class into church membership! These students have been learning about the journey of discipleship are now ready to make a profession of faith. We have students being confirmed both the Sanctuary service and Open Worship. We’re grateful for the love and support shown to these students by their families and this congregation that have led to this moment. Please welcome them and encourage them in this step in their faith journey!

Ruth Bowen will lead a four-Sunday introduction and overview of the 2024 Social Principles of the UMC.

The Social Principles represent what the UMC believes and values. This is your chance to learn more about what our denomination emphasizes in its practice of ministry.

Sundays April 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10am in Room 108. All are welcome, any Sundays you can make it.

Join Glow and FUMC Denton’s Church & Society Committee for a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 101 lecture series using Leigh Finke’s Welcoming and Affirming. The book centers on how churches can create spaces that welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ community members, God’s beloved children. Each session will cover ideas from the book including how to talk to LGBTQIA+ persons, making sure spaces are safe and accessible, and how to work with LGBTQIA+ youth. This class is open to anyone who wishes to make our church a safer space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, especially those who are curious to learn more but are unsure of who to ask. The accompanying book is encouraged, but optional.

Meeting in Miller Center and on Zoom Wednesdays, April 10-May 8 at 6:30pm. Led by Pastor Jenny Bates. Questions? Contact jbates@fumc-denton.com.

Ruth Bowen will lead a four-Sunday introduction and overview of the 2024 Social Principles of the UMC.

The Social Principles represent what the UMC believes and values. This is your chance to learn more about what our denomination emphasizes in its practice of ministry.

Sundays April 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10am in Room 108. All are welcome, any Sundays you can make it.

A night for kids to play and parents to step away!

Parents can enjoy a night to themselves while the kids stay at the church for games, crafts, pizza and fun. Reservation for kids birth—5th grade is $20 each child with a $50 family max and includes pizza, snacks, crafts, and activities. Students 6th—12 grades can participate for free and help lead or participate in all activities. Register in advance at fumcdenton.com/events or pay at the door the night of.

The Trippers are heading out for a day full of bluebonnets!

Come join us as we meander the roads around Ennis to enjoy the bluebonnets. We will drive along the "Bluebonnet Trail" suggested by the Ennis Welcome Chamber. We will then have time to enjoy lunch in Ennis and take in the Bluebonnet Festival with all of it's crafts, food and entertainment.

We will depart from FUMC Denton by the back parking lot at 9am and should be returning around 4:30pm.

Cost: $60 per person in advance, which includes transportation and festival entry. 

Mail checks to: Ken Hinrichs, 4207 Sweetgum Dr., Denton, TX 76208
Questions? Contact Candy Blackmon at candyblackmon@yahoo.com.

Join Glow and FUMC Denton’s Church & Society Committee for a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 101 lecture series using Leigh Finke’s Welcoming and Affirming. The book centers on how churches can create spaces that welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ community members, God’s beloved children. Each session will cover ideas from the book including how to talk to LGBTQIA+ persons, making sure spaces are safe and accessible, and how to work with LGBTQIA+ youth. This class is open to anyone who wishes to make our church a safer space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, especially those who are curious to learn more but are unsure of who to ask. The accompanying book is encouraged, but optional.

Meeting in Miller Center and on Zoom Wednesdays, April 10-May 8 at 6:30pm. Led by Pastor Jenny Bates. Questions? Contact jbates@fumc-denton.com.

Join our next Men’s Book Club at a new location—Zera’s Coffee, 420 E. McKinney, Denton. The book chosen is: The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy) by Admiral William H. McRavent. Discussion will be encouraged and occasionally we may even talk about the book. Even if you don’t read, come and enjoy the fellowship. Please contact Bob Voss 972-965-9605, bob.voss@verizon.net for more information.

Book Description: From the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed—a short inspirational book of advice and leadership lessons that Admiral McRaven collected over his four decades as a Navy SEAL.

Our youth ministry has invited you to assemble meal kits! Anyone interested in participating is welcome. Our goal is to assemble 20,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger, who ships these meals to areas experiencing famine. With 50 people, we can assemble 20,000 meals in 1 1/2 hours. We'll set up Monroe for meal assembly, you just need to bring yourself. Bring enough supper for your family plus a little extra to share. We provide childcare for ages 0-5, but children are welcome to participate with parental supervision. Please RSVP so we know how many people we have.

Ruth Bowen will lead a four-Sunday introduction and overview of the 2024 Social Principles of the UMC.

The Social Principles represent what the UMC believes and values. This is your chance to learn more about what our denomination emphasizes in its practice of ministry.

Sundays April 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10am in Room 108. All are welcome, any Sundays you can make it.

Enjoy a family-friendly dinner night out for all families. Meet us at the Austin Street Truck Stop and treat yourself to an easy dinner out with kids and visit with other FUMC Denton families. All are welcome!

A Resource Fair for queer and trans people around things that impact our lives, including name changes, gender marker changes, and other life/legal documents. Presentations from Grant Snyder and Lambda Legal will focus on legal concerns, while NAMI of North Texas will present on taking care of our mental health. This event is free and open to LGBTQ+ people and allies. Questions? Contact Pastor Jenny at jbates@fumc-denton.com.

Join Glow and FUMC Denton’s Church & Society Committee for a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 101 lecture series using Leigh Finke’s Welcoming and Affirming. The book centers on how churches can create spaces that welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ community members, God’s beloved children. Each session will cover ideas from the book including how to talk to LGBTQIA+ persons, making sure spaces are safe and accessible, and how to work with LGBTQIA+ youth. This class is open to anyone who wishes to make our church a safer space for LGBTQIA+ adults and youth, especially those who are curious to learn more but are unsure of who to ask. The accompanying book is encouraged, but optional.

Meeting in Miller Center and on Zoom Wednesdays, April 10-May 8 at 6:30pm. Led by Pastor Jenny Bates. Questions? Contact jbates@fumc-denton.com.

This is an intentional safe space for our LGBTQIA+ only community to gather for real talk and to support each other. We’ll submit anonymous questions into a bucket and engage with them as a community. Pizza is provided! This Real Talk Y’all is open to anyone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Allies, we love you and we’ll see you at our other Glow events!

Glow by Open is sponsored in part by a Ministry-With Grant from the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Glow is a space designed specifically by and for LGBTQIA+ folks to come together in creative, Christ-centered community. No matter your doubts or questions, you are welcome here! Learn more at opendtx.com/glow.

Located in the Wesley Foundation Center on the University of North Texas campus, the Shiloh Food Pantry serves food insecure students and neighbors near campus. Active students from any Denton campus and even those not currently in school are welcomed. The Shiloh Food Pantry serves predominantly international and immigrant students, so far helping over 300 households in 2024. You can also volunteer to serve at the pantry or to serve free lunch to students on Thursdays!

Throughout April, we will be collecting food & hygiene items for the Denton Wesley foundation's free Shiloh Food Pantry and resource room! The Denton Wesley serves the local community and students at UNT, TWU, & NCTC. Here's a list of needed items:

• Period Products/Toilet Paper

• Body Soap/Shampoo/Toothpaste

• Household Cleaners/Laundry Pods

• Instant Noodles/Mac & Cheese

• Granola Bars/Individually wrapped Snacks

• Nuts (Especially almonds)

• Hearty Soups (especially vegetarian)

• Paper or plastic grocery bags

Please bring your donations with you to worship on Sundays. Donations can also be brought to church to the Ivey Garden entrance of the church on Locust Street during the week, Monday-Thursday, from 9-4 pm. You can give by check to the church with the memo line: April Mission Corner. You can also give online at fumcdenton.com/give and select “General Missions” indicating April Mission Corner in the memo line.

Thank you for supporting our local college campus ministry and the community they serve!

Ruth Bowen will lead a four-Sunday introduction and overview of the 2024 Social Principles of the UMC.

The Social Principles represent what the UMC believes and values. This is your chance to learn more about what our denomination emphasizes in its practice of ministry.

Sundays April 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10am in Room 108. All are welcome, any Sundays you can make it.

Despite what you may have heard, questions aren’t a challenge to our faith, they are the channel by which our faith grows deeper and stronger. Jesus asked his followers questions that inspired new thoughts, challenged old assumptions, and brought to life a view of the God who invites us to love with our heart, soul, and mind.

Share your big questions using the button below, then join us April 7–May 26 for a worship series where we let these questions lead us on a quest for a wider, truer view of God, wisdom for real life, and a faith that grows deeper and stronger.