Small Groups—growing larger and smaller at the same time
There’s no formula for how to grow as a follower of Christ. But there are steps you can take to better equip yourself. One of those steps is joining a small group.
The first thing Jesus did when he began His ministry was to form a small group. He gathered twelve men around Him for support, training and encouragement. He lived side by side with His small group for the remainder of His life and ministry. If this was His pattern, purpose and principle in life, how much more should it be for us?
There’s power in fellowship with one another. Being in a small group best enables you to grow to full devotion to Jesus. You’ll be surrounded by friendly, familiar people who truly care for you and will challenge you to deepen your relationship with God, just as Jesus modeled:

Take a look at our directory and see what’s of interest and comfortable for you. Call Gretchen Shipley at the Church Office, 243-5646 for more information. It’s our dream that every person who calls First “home” would participate in a small group.

Rosemary & Rich Neely
Join our new study group! We will be reading and discussing Simplicity, the Art of Living, written by Father Richard Rohr, OFM, Director of the Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM.
Father Rohr writes, “Two weeks ago I thought my life on this earth was over, and I was asking God ‘why?’ I could not deny that I have had a most wonderful life…. Just when I thought I had said yes, Someone said no, and for now I live again. Is there more room in my lap? Is there room in God’s? I’ll bet there is. There is always room for simplicity.”
Come join us to learn the keys to simplicity. The study will meet in three sessions:
Friday, August 8
Saturday, August 23
Friday, September 5
We will list the meeting times and places (various home locations) in subsequent issues of First News. For more information, contact the church office.
Directly following this study, we will begin reading and discussing The Purpose Driven Life in conjunction with the 40 Days of Purpose series that FUMC is initiating on September 7.

Kathy & Allan Hahn
The Book of James coupled with C. S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters.” Extensive discussion and life application of Scripture and the power of creating a personal, daily prayer life.
NW Albuquerque, Sundays 7:30-9:00 p.m. with dessert.

Gaye & Rich Faulkner 243-5646, ext. 15
This group will be starting a new book and new group meetings this coming fall. Plan to join them for insight and fellowship!

Linda Lucas
Prayer, prayer journaling, and the prayer life of Jesus. We aspire to become closer to Jesus by modeling after his example. Please join us this coming fall when we reconvene.

McEuens & McRaes
Search the Bible with us: “What’s the Church About?” An exciting on-line published series done together over food. Child care available on site.
Rotates homes citywide; 1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. with meal.

Chris & Mike McEuen
God wants to set you free. No more bondage. No more fear. No more living as a slave to sin. Sound like a dream? God is in the business of making dreams a reality. He is committed to your freedom and has already done all that is necessary to break the chains that bind you.
“Freedom,” by Bill Hybels is a series open to anyone who would like to participate, and the cost is only $6 for materials. Please join us for this inspirational and challenging series.
Historical Room at Church, Sundays at 9:40-10:40 a.m.

Carol & Leland Singer
“Experiencing the Heart of Jesus” by Max Lucado. We can name the facts, but do we know him the way you know a close friend? Step closer to Jesus with us.
Bosque Farms area of SW Valley, Sundays 3:00-5:00 p.m. with dessert.

Gretchen & Bob Shipley
“What’s So Amazing About Grace?” by Phillip Yancey. It’s the one thing the world cannot duplicate and it craves about all else. What is it and what does it look like in action?
NE Heights, 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. with sack meal.

Support Groups

Divorce Survivor Group
For newly separated or divorced. How do you get through it? Come get the tools! This is a five-week group; call for a schedule. $25 flat fee, financial aid available. Child care available on site.
Contact Dean or Billie Jo Crouse 286-2062, pre-registration required.

As the Labyrinth Turns…
What a different way to experience the guidance of God as offered by the labyrinth. To move past the physical toward our inner space. A means of rediscovering enlightened meaning of living by Christian ideology.
Fellowship Hall, every 4th Wednesday 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Activity Groups

Handy Men & Handy Women
Ongoing...
The purpose of this group is to make themselves available without charge to those in our congregation community who need their help. From painting to winterizing; from simple plumbing to cars, bring your service heart and help us help our own. Youth, too! Don’t miss this rewarding group.

One Day, Many Hands
Coordinated teams from FUMC will go to many service agencies and other non-profits for a major event to help with minor repairs, plumbing, clean-up, yard work, painting, etc. Dust off your skills and grab a friend!!! Fall 2004.

ACTS 29
“Acts 29” is a Small Group effort to reach out to neighboring churches within a three-mile radius of FUMC. This Small Group began the process by seeking information on what each church does for the needy and homeless of Albuquerque. A directory of services will be compiled, allowing each church to minister more effectively. Given that the churches in the Downtown and University areas of Albuquerque share a common bond each day with concern for our homeless, “Acts 29” seeks to find a more united way to express our Christian love in an effort “to relieve suffering wherever we find it.” Interested? The directory is to be published this summer.

First Docents of First Church
A new Small Group called, “The First Docents of First Church” will be offering a tour of Fellowship Hall, the Thomas Harwood Room, and the Patriotic Window, with interesting information about early Methodist missions and clergymen. Information will include details about our “new church” Sanctuary with its beautiful clerestory windows and anecdotes about the acquisition of the Ralston organ and carillon. If you’ve been wondering about the beautiful place we call “First Church,” join the docents in Fellowship Hall on the fourth Sunday of each month following the 11:00 Worship Service for a fun and informative “Walk Through First.”