We hope you will be able to join us, in-person, for this Sunday’s service at 10:00am. If you are unable to be there, please join us online where we will be streaming the service live on our YouTube channel beginning around 9:55. It will also be available anytime following the service.
This week, Pastor Jeanine Alexander’s sermon will be “OK from the Inside Out.”
Here is the link to the Ministry Sign-In card for those who will watch online either live or at a later time. If you are attending in-person you may also record your attendance in this manner if you wish. If you need help or have questions, you can call the church office at 218-727-5021.
First Family, FUMC’s monthly newsletter, is both published online and delivered to your homes. September’s First Family will join years of archived newsletters on this website. They are always there and they are searchable. We have also decided to activate all the links within First Family to allow you to simply click to bring you directly to websites and email addresses.
Take a look, share the link, bookmark the page, or download to have on your computer if you wish. If you, or someone you know, would like to have First Family delivered, please email info@fumcduluth.com
First United Methodist Church (the Coppertop) is a progressive, 500-member congregation, located on Duluth’s Skyline Parkway. We have a long tradition of musical excellence in a wide variety of genres, and music is an integral and critical component of our worship services. We are a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a network of United Methodist congregations seeking full inclusion for, and participation of, members of the LGBTQ community. In addition, our congregation is an inclusive Equal Employment Opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We have an immediate opening for a part-time Worship Band Director for our worship band “Tapestry.” The Worship Band Director is responsible for recruiting and training members for Tapestry, and directing them both in rehearsal and our worship services. We have one “blended” worship service each week and each service contains a creative mix of music. Because of the blended worship format, Tapestry plays an integral role in these services, along with our many other music groups and our organist. Tapestry plays during Sunday services most weeks during the school year and once a month in the summer. The Worship Band Director reports to the Director of Music Ministries, and is expected to maintain a collaborative relationship with our pastor and other music directors in using music to support the spiritual development and mission of the congregation.
The position is open September 1, 2021 or until filled.
Qualifications:
BA or BS Degree in Music (performance or teaching) or equivalent experience in leading music ensembles
Ability to lead a music ensemble while also participating in the group
Ability to select music for eclectic tastes and appropriate for a theologically-progressive congregation
For a copy of the complete job description and/or to submit an application, please contact Velda Bell, Director of Music Ministries/Organist, at music@fumcduluth.com or 218-727-5021.
First United Methodist Church
230 E. Skyline Parkway
Duluth, MN 55811
From Our Minnesota Annual Conference/Bishop Bard: Given Governor Walz’s order removing the indoor masking mandate and the dropping numbers in Minnesota, our conference will move to the Blue Phase on May 28, when all social distancing and capacity restrictions are ended. What this means is that COVID is still with us, but the risk is less, and each congregation needs to discern what guidance to offer for their context. The good news is that 61.7% of Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose. Our case numbers are on the decline and there have been days with no deaths. The bad news: the global situation is still staggering and there will be new variants that will test the efficacy of our vaccines. We are still seeing outbreaks in restaurants, gyms, schools, sports, and most recently, prom. We are encouraged by the Minnesota Department of Health to meet outdoors as much as we can. It will help keep those numbers going down and protect those most vulnerable among us. Remember, our children under 12 cannot get a vaccine yet.
CURRENT POLICY FOR FUMC
Worship and Other Gatherings in the Sanctuary (funerals, weddings, etc.)
Starting Sunday, May 30, worship will be live in our Sanctuary and live-streamed into people’s homes (we will have worship onsite and online).
You no longer need to sign up in advance to attend church in person. Just come.
We will provide social distancing in the Sanctuary by having congregants sit in every other row (that provides about 5 ½ feet distance). You need to choose seating that feels safe/comfortable for you. If you want additional space, please take it. Our Sanctuary is large and provides for the distance people need. If someone is sitting too close to you, please feel free to move. If someone moves away from you, please do not take offense, and know that we are all working on the best ways to individually and corporately be/feel safe. Let’s be gracious with, and kind to, each other.
We strongly encourage mask wearing of all congregants for the well-being and comfort of all. We urge masks for those not fully vaccinated, immunocompromised, or feeling ill or uncomfortable.
Note: Some people have chosen to not be vaccinated (although the conference and our church strongly encourages vaccination, some people, for a variety of reasons, don’t make that choice), some who are immunocompromised are not vaccinated, some with a significant history of allergic reactions are not vaccinated, children under 12 don’t yet have the opportunity. Please respect each others’ choices about mask wearing—we all have different vulnerabilities. We are called to care for all.
Masks are required for those participating in congregational singing.
We will continue to offer hand sanitizer and masks as part of our hospitality.
Hymn books are back in the pews and can be used if chosen; words will also be projected (we recognize that airborne transmission, rather than surface transmission, appears to be the primary means of spreading the disease).
The offering will not be collected by the passing of plates. Offering plates will be at the entrance of the Sanctuary and at the front (to limit the number of hands touching an object).
Communion will be served in individual cups and with pre-cut bread. (People are welcome to bring their own communion elements.)
Baptisms can take place with all people wearing masks.
Interior doors should be propped open as people are entering and exiting the church. Exterior doors should be cared for by one greeter per door.
Children will not gather up front for children’s messages but will remain with their families in their pew. Children’s messages will be provided as well as worship activity bags.
At the end of worship, our ushers will dismiss us row by row where we will go outdoors for our fellowship time.
Sunday fellowship time following worship will be outdoors in the East Parking Lot where coffee, water, and donuts will be provided. On days when the weather is bad, we will have fellowship time in Lakeview Social Hall.
Children and Youth
We ask all children, youth, and adult volunteers to wear masks during indoor activities, until more children and youth are able to be vaccinated.
Upon initial reopening, the nursery will be unavailable. We will be continually revisiting this.
Church Office and Building
The church office and building is open. Fully vaccinated staff may choose to not wear masks when working together, but will usually wear masks when interacting with congregational members.
We ask that all unvaccinated members of the congregation wear masks when in the building for their safety, and encourage others to do so, especially when in larger groups.
Before an individual or group is present in the building, they must request space from the Director of Operations or a designee. They must be familiar with, and follow, our COVID-19 policy. We will ensure rooms are sanitized before and after gatherings.
Group and outreach events, such as Ruby’s Pantry, will need to present their plan for safety to our Director of Operations and staff, and must follow our policies if they wish to utilize indoor space.
Congregational Care
In-person hospital, home, and care center visits by the pastor/parish nurse/lay pastors/staff will be available. Those visiting will wear masks.
Fellowship and Food
Outdoor fellowship and eating is encouraged as much as possible as the safest option.
Food can be provided/consumed indoors and will include marked “social distance tables” for those who want to comfortably be a safe distance from others. All tables will be placed with distance between them.
Food should be served by people wearing gloves and, preferably, masks.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate our changing world. As this document continues to be updated, we will continue to inform you.
This fall we will continue to worship live and in-person in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10am AND online on our YouTube channel every Sunday morning at 10am. The service can also be watched any time after the 10am service. At this time, due to the conference COVID plan as well as the county’s request for masks indoors for all people regardless of vaccination status, we are asking everyone to wear masks at all times indoors. Weather permitting, we will have our fellowship time each Sunday outdoors, as we cannot allow eating indoors.
• September 5 – Holy Communion. We will be hosting the PRIDE community here for PRIDE events in the Twin Ports. Come ready to offer a warm welcome and help everyone feel our spirit of inclusion. • September 12 – We will talk about “God’s Kind of Love” and how that kind of love offers hope, help, and healing to us, others, and the world. • September 19 – The sermon is called “OK From the Inside Out.” We will honor/remember Miriam Mount with prayers and pies. • September 26 – We will reflect on the question “How Do We Find Meaning in Life?” We will have ice cream treats in the east parking lot following worship.
