Fellowship Meals • 5:30 PM • Gym

Join us each Wednesday evening in the Gym for great food and fellowship! Meals during the month of August are free! Our menus include a main entrée and a gluten free offering. Sides, desserts, and beverages are included. Please register for meals each week so that we may be good stewards of our church finances and reduce waste. Register on a pew pad in the notes section, by calling the church office, or use this link.  Registration ends each Tuesday at noon.

Following our meal, programming is 6:30- 8:00 p.m. throughout the church.

Wednesday Night Children’s Programming

Fountain Kids’ Club • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Kids’ Club immediately follows our 5 p.m. fellowship meal. Dinner is free for children. Programming will include Bible studies, games, messiness and fun! Our curriculum is called Purposes: Best Life Ever. Parents/Guardians, pick up is at 8 p.m.

There is no programming during Knox County Schools fall break, October 7-11, 2024. When we resume, our curriculum will be I Am His.

Wednesday Night Adult Programming

We are excited to invite you to our Wednesday night adult programming at Fountain City UMC. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, spiritual growth, and community engagement. Come for our fellowship meal and stay for a class! We believe these classes will enrich your spiritual journey and provide a supportive community where we can learn and grow together. Please feel free to bring a friend or family member!

Methodist Belief and Social Holiness • August 21-September 4 • Wesley Hall
In Matthew 25, we find the Parable of the Kingdom and words of Jesus which guide our living among “the least of these.” Through this and other text from the Old and New Testaments, as well as a look at our newly revised Social Principles of the UMC, we will explore ways to live out our own practice of “Kingdom living” in Fountain City. Facilitator: Rev. Brenda Carroll

The Chosen: Video, Discussion, and Depth • August 21-November 20 • Room 136
The Chosen is coming to Wednesday nights at FCUMC this fall and you don’t want to miss it! This Christian drama of the life of Jesus Christ and His followers has taken the world by storm since it was first released in 2017. Over 108 million viewers have followed all three seasons, and millions have participated in the crowdfunded phenomenon. Now is a great opportunity to view this unique approach to the Gospel. Each night, our facilitators will share various short clips from the series and help us go deeper in faith and understanding. Facilitators: Lynn Dare, Carol Sewell, and Sandy Failing

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays: November 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Wesley Hall
Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading the holidays and looking for ways to manage the many emotions you’ll face? Discover ways to deal with your feelings, what to do about traditions and other coming changes, and learn helpful tips for surviving social events. Together we will discover hope for the holidays.

Engaging Our Community With Right Practices • September 11-November 13
Join us for a transformative 10-week series which will help us engage our community in Christ-centered ways. We’ll explore critical topics like reducing stigma with Person First Language, understanding the science of addiction through our Addicted Brain Training, and combating Compassion Fatigue and Burnout with practical self-care strategies. Learn how to engage with unhoused individuals safely and respectfully and gain insights from experts at the Office of Housing Stability on homelessness in KnoxCounty. Discover how you can volunteer in local warming stations and make a meaningful impact in our community. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and serve together as we engage our community with right practices. Each class in this series is detailed below.

September 11: Stigma Person First Language • Wesley Hall
Breaking down barriers creates a more inclusive and understanding community by the language we use. Ashlee Crouse, Regional Faith-Based Coordinator for the Metro Drug Coalition.

September 18: Addicted Brain • Wesley Hall
Unlock the power of understanding addiction with our Addicted Brain Training program. Gain insight into the science behind addiction and learn how to support those struggling with substance abuse. Ashlee Crouse, Regional Faith-Based Coordinator for the Metro Drug Coalition.

September 25: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout • Wesley Hall
Discover the importance of self-care and resilience in combating compassion fatigue and burnout. This program offers practical strategies and support for those in helping professions to prevent and manage these challenges. Ashlee Crouse, Regional Faith-Based Coordinator for the Metro Drug Coalition.

Understanding Homelessness: October 2 & 16 • Wesley Hall
What do you do when an unhoused neighbor approaches you asking for financial help? You may be uncomfortable, but what are best practices for a holy Christian response? Gail Clift and Charlie Gray will facilitate this two part training that will help you be safe, engage unhoused neighbors with dignity, and embrace an opportunity to be a good neighbor.

Understanding Homelessness In Knoxville and Fountain City: October 23 & 30 • Wesley Hall
What is an accurate picture of the homeless situation in Knoxville and our Fountain City Community? What are local government agencies, churches, and other non-profits doing to address these complicated issues? What can we do to engage our community which will model faith and works toward long-term solutions? Erin Read, Director of the Knoxville-Knox County Office Of Housing Stability will share her wisdom and offer tangible ways we can individually and collectively impact the lives of our unhoused neighbors.

Warming Station How To: November 6, 13, 20 • The Gym
Temporary warming stations are a critical response that can save the lives of our unhoused neighbors during the coldest parts of the winter. Learn best practices of what it takes to become a certified volunteer in a local warming station and help save lives this winter.

Music Ministry
We have music for all ages on Wednesday evenings! Our first rehearsals will be on August 21. Join us! Contact Leslie Hill (leslie.hill@fountaincityumc.org) for more information regarding any of the following groups.
5:00-5:30 p.m. • Genesis Bells (handchime choir for grades 3-5, Kim Meade, director)
6:00-6:30 p.m. • Fountain Voices (children’s choir for grades K-5; Lyndsey Ullom, director)
4:30-5:30 p.m. • Youth Choir (open to students grades 6-12, Leslie Hill, director)
6:30-7:30 p.m. • Tollers (adult handbell choir, open to adults with basic music-reading skills; Leslie Hill, director)
7:30-9:00 p.m. • Chancel Choir (open to all adults and members of Youth Choir; Leslie Hill, director)

Coming soon: An introduction to ringing handbell class for all ages! Stay tuned for details coming in September!