Every year, I discover a new theologian and spend a good amount of time with his or her books, trying to better understand God through someone else’s eyes. This year, I uncovered the bold, direct, sarcastic, and confident theology of an Episcopal priest named Father Robert Farrar Capon. And I only recommend him if you can handle his sass.
In one passage on prayer, Capon instructs that prayer doesn’t have to be fancy, articulate, or even that good. You just need to do it. The disciples themselves once came to Jesus and said, “Lord, teach us to pray,” and if they needed permission to start simply, so do we. Capon says that we need to stop making excuses, find something written down already, say it out loud, and then get on to the business of living our lives for and with Jesus.
For the past week or so, under his direction, I’ve been saying a simple prayer every morning before beginning my day:
Almighty God, send your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may perfectly love you and faithfully follow you today and always. In the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
Maybe summer has already made God feel a little further away. Routine disappears, schedules scatter, and the quiet habits that kept us grounded have a way of quietly disappearing too. But here is the good news: you don’t have to reconstruct your whole spiritual life this week. You just have to pray two sentences. And on the days when even that feels like too much, remember what Paul wrote to the Romans: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” In other words, the Spirit covers what we lack. Just show up.
SO…my challenge for you this summer is: pray the short prayer ABOVE every day. Then go warm your spirit with acts of love toward God and neighbor. That’s the whole assignment.
Grace and peace, Andrew
GIVING & ATTENDANCE
Summer is a wonderful season of rest, travel, and time with family...and our ministry here continues through it all! If your summer adventures are taking you away from us on Sundays, consider setting up automatic online giving so your faithful support never takes a vacation. It takes just a few minutes to set up at newnanfumc.org/give, and it's one less thing to think about while you're making memories
Thank you for your generous support of our church. It truly makes a di erence year-round.
Your gifts go to the ministries of Newnan First UMC and our local and global partners in mission.
It was a wonderful month of May at the church! Between our Children’s worship, our new Sunday School class, mother’s day o ering for Wesley Woods, and Graduate Sunday, we had so much to celebrate in this chapter. I am especially grateful for all of the children who participated in our Children’s Sunday- hearing them boldly proclaim God’s word and drape the scriptural quilt over the world is an image that is still strong in my mind. Caitie and Andrea, thank you for organizing us and leading us in that worship service.
I wanted to highlight a few things to look forward to in the coming months:
1. Vacation Bible School: One of our most joyful and high-impact outreach opportunities each summer, VBS promises to be a huge win this year! If you have not registered your child as a participant or yourself as a volunteer, I highly recommend you do so. The messages and worship together in VBS always reminds us of the core of the gospelproclaiming God’s love, and showing love to our neighbors. You can register children AND sign up to volunteer using the QR code on the poster below, or on our website
2. Art Ministry Outreach: Our AMO gallery in the Annex Hall will be highlighting members’ art this summer. From June 7th-September 8th, you will have the opportunity to view the curated gallery in the Annex Hall that highlights important paintings, photographs, and visual art pieces for our members.
3. Mission Trip Interest: On October 4th-9th, our church will be taking a bus to the Hinton Rural Life Center, a United Methodist retreat center in Hayesville, NC. There, we will spend the week in fellowship with other United Methodists, doing light construction work and home repair for our neighbors near Hayesville by day, and then relaxing and spending time together at the retreat center in the evenings. This is their “BOOM” service week (Boomers On Outreach and Mission) that focuses on ages 60+, but they emphasized that they are not checking ID’s! Email cbell@newnanfumc.org if you are interested.
Please connect directly to volunteer with one of our local Mission Partners: Bridging the Gap, Samaritan’s Clinic, and One Roof
God is doing wonderful things through this church and community. Blessings upon your summer, and I look forward to another season in ministry with you!
-Connor
Thank you to the Martha Circle for the annual Staff Luncheon. We love this time of fellowship with you!
Trustees & Church Council Update
Dear Friends of Newnan First United Methodist Church,
In June of 2025, Newnan First UMC purchased the former Matrix Insurance building adjacent to our campus. This was a significant and forward-thinking investment, made possible by funds the Trustees had carefully set aside. Next, the Church Council asked the Trustees to appoint a team to study how we use our space and to develop a plan for how the Matrix Building could work in concert with the broader ministries of our church.
The Space Utilization Team was appointed by the Trustees and went to work, walking the hallways, measuring rooms, and talking to sta . They prayed, discussed, and dreamed together, and what emerged from that process was a vision that we believe will serve this congregation well for years to come.
WHAT WE ARE PLANNING
The centerpiece of the plan is the opportunity to fully renovate the Children’s Wing on the upper floor of our main building. This renovation will include new floors and walls, and a reconfigured layout, all with the goal of giving our children’s ministry the dedicated, welcoming space it deserves. The plan also relocates the nursery from the preschool building into this same hallway. For the first time, families will be able to drop o children of all ages in one location.
To make it possible to free up that upper floor, six of our clergy and sta members will be relocating to the Matrix Building, bringing most of our sta together under one roof. If you have ever wandered the building trying to track someone down, those days are coming to an end. The Matrix Building will also receive the improvements needed to make it a functional, professional workspace, including windows and internet wiring.
HOW IT WILL BE FUNDED
All of these improvements will be funded through the endowment funds managed by the Trustees Committee. These funds, given by faithful members of this church, are designated specifically for building improvements and cannot be used for general operations. Every dollar spent is a stewardship of gifts that were given with exactly this kind of future in mind. We are grateful for those who gave to this church in such a gracious and sacrificial way!
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SUMMER AND FALL
This will be a season of change, and we ask for your patience and your grace. Here is the current timeline:
• By the end of June: The Matrix Building will be ready, and your sta will have a new home.
• July to early August: The Sanctuary accessibility project gets underway. Choir loft work is expected to begin the second week of July and span several Sundays.
• Late August into Fall: Construction begins on the Children’s wing.
There will be noise. There might be detours. There could be moments of inconvenience. We ask for your patience through all of it, knowing that what is coming on the other side is worth it.
A WORD OF GRATITUDE
None of this would be possible without the generosity of the members and friends of Newnan First UMC who gave endowments, trusting that future generations would put those gifts to good use. Because of their faithfulness, we are able to invest in our children and sta , and to make our campus more accessible and welcoming, all without placing a financial burden on the congregation today. These projects were studied, discussed, and approved at every level: the Space Utilization Team, the Trustees Committee, and the Church Council, which gave its blessing on May 11.
We are grateful. We are excited. We ask for your prayers as we move forward together.
In His service,
SouthWest District Updates
Special thanks to Tom Barron. Tom has accepted a three-year appointment to the SouthWest District Strategic Growth & Church Building/Location Committee, beginning July 1. This committee supports local UM churches through oversight of building and property projects, strategic growth initiatives, and grant application review. Members collaborate with district and conference leadership to help congregations strengthen their ministries and reach growing communities. Tom’s knowledge and experience will be a valuable addition to this important work.
We are also grateful for several members of Newnan First UMC who are already serving in leadership across our district. James Shepherd serves on the District Superintendency Committee, which supports and o ers counsel to the District Superintendent in the oversight of the district’s spiritual and administrative ministry. Lee Berry serves on the District Board of Trustees, which advises local churches on matters such as facilities, endowments, building maintenance, use agreements, risk assessment, and other property needs. Rev. Connor Bell serves on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry, which works with candidates for ordained ministry and local pastor licensing. Rev. Andrew Chappell serves on the District Nominating Committee, which helps identify and nominate leaders for key district boards and committees.
North Georgia Conference Updates
Several members of Newnan First UMC will represent both our church and the SouthWest District at the 2026 North Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, taking place June 18–20 in Athens, Georgia. Representing Newnan First as clergy and lay delegates are Andrew Chappell, Connor Bell, Brad Bohannon, and Carol Crook. Also serving as district delegates are Lee Berry, Connie Psathas, James Shepherd, and Rachel Yorgey.
Annual Conference brings clergy and laity together for worship, business, ministry updates, and prayer as churches across North Georgia continue their shared mission and ministry. Additional information about the conference can be found through the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. A large part of this particular conference will be (1) election of lay and clergy delegates for General and Jurisdictional Conferences and (2) voting on unification plans with the South Georgia Conference to move toward one Georgia conference.
Susan Mitchell Preschool Director
smitchell@NewnanFUMC.org 770.253.1237
As we wrap up another wonderful school year, our preschool families enjoyed a fun end of year celebration complete with snow cones, bounce houses, laughter, and special memories shared with friends and teachers. It was such a joy to watch our students celebrate all they have learned and accomplished this year in a festive atmosphere full of excitement and cheer.
Our graduation ceremony was especially meaningful as we honored our graduating students and celebrated the incredible growth they have made throughout the year. Families, teachers, and students shared a beautiful morning filled with songs, smiles, and heartfelt moments as we recognized this important milestone in each child’s life.
We are so thankful for the continued love, prayers, and support our church family shows to the preschool ministry each year. Your encouragement and involvement help make our school a warm and nurturing place where children can learn, grow, and experience God’s love each day.
We are also excited to kick o our upcoming summer enrichment camps! Throughout the summer, students will enjoy fun learning activities, creative play, and plenty of opportunities to experience joy and friendship. We look forward to another amazing season together!
Mission & Outreach Committee
CONTACT MISSIONS CHAIRS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING
Peter Sheren - peterandivonne@gmail.com | Lee Berry - lee@leeberry.com
Tom Evans - evans.tme@gmail.com | Eneida Evans - eneida.evans@gmail.com
Meet the 2027 Missions Co-Chairs! Tom and Eneida Evans bring a rich and diverse background in mission work, service, and leadership, locally, nationally, and globally, as they step into their roles as 2027 Co-Chairs of the Newnan FUMC Mission Committee. Together, Tom and Eneida have participated in international short-term mission trips, including service in Lima, Peru and Israel, demonstrating a shared commitment to global outreach and faith-based service. They have also worked on multiple Habitat for Humanity projects and supporting the construction of two homes through corporate sponsorship. Tom served the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and Masonic Charities in Connecticut. Tom is a sponsor for Speak Up for The Poor, Unbound, Bread Co eehouse (Georgia Tech), New Caanan Society and Black Rock Church. Eneida’s service in Georgia includes Unveiling Word Ministries and Coweta Family Connections. In Arizona, she served MentorKids USA and in North Dakota, as a board member for Welcome House and event coordinator for the American Heart Association. Eneida is a sponsor of African Renewal Ministries, St. Jude Children Hospital, Bridging the GAP.
One Roof Monthly Donations | June 21, 2026 – In May we delivered 333 pounds of food to One Roof. Please bring the following for June: Spam, Vienna sausages, tuna, canned chicken, pasta sauce, mixed vegetables, baked beans, fruit cups, apple sauce, juice boxes, cereal, grits, rice in 1 lb packs, oatmeal packs. We also encourage you to volunteer with One Roof. The Thrift Store, open 10:00am to 5:00 pm Mondays-Saturdays, needs volunteers to help organize and process donations and clean. The Food Pantry has food items to be sorted and boxed and prepared for distribution. The O ce needs help occasionally and for special events. Helping hands always welcome!
Art Ministry Outreach (AMO) Summer Exhibit - The AMO Gallery will be exhibiting artwork from our members during the summer, opening June 7th. The committee is already working on the Fall exhibit! We will be collaborating with Religions in the Arts to host their reception in the Gallery on October 11th Our theme will be “Journey Through Faith”. Be on the lookout for more information.
Paul Mosley Youth Director
pmosley@NewnanFUMC.org
770.253.7400 (x219)
May was an awesome season in the life of our youth ministry. It was filled with celebrations and fun while also being bittersweet as we said goodbye to our seniors. Uthapalooza was an absolute blast full of games and crazy chaos. The color war was so much fun and created some awesome pictures. We also celebrated our seniors at Graduate Sunday. It is always a privilege and a blessing to be able to give the sermon that day. Thank you to everyone who was in attendance celebrating these wonderful young adults. I also want to give a big thank you to Mrs Patty, Mrs Kritsy, and all our wonderful volunteers for helping us put on a wonderful breakfast in celebration of our 2026 graduates.
This summer is full of excitement and fun as well. Please keep our youth ministry in your prayers as we go on choir tour, dive into the Word, serve our community, and adventure out this summer.
Here are the 4 Pillars of Summer 2026: Choir Tour, Downtown Devos, Serve Summer, and Summer Adventures.
1. Choir Tour: May 30- June 4. The Lesson Series for that trip is focused on the overwhelming outpouring of love that God shows us as we share the Overflow with the world.
2. Downtown Devos are weekly meetings where we dive into the Word and then go to one of our downtown restaurants for lunch. Wednesdays at 11:00am in the UTH Lounge starting after choir tour (June 10) with Serve Summer kicking o in July.
3. Serve Summer is the volunteer component of our summer. In June we will be helping out at VBS, but in July we will be partnering with our Local Missions Partners to connect and serve on Wednesday Mornings starting on July 1.
SAVE THE DATE
August 16
Bite Nite 2026
August 23
Parents Meeting & First UTH
October 16-18
UTH Fall Retreat (You can register for this TODAY!)
4. Summer Adventures are chances to just have a time of fun and fellowship outside of our normal devotions and service. We will be taking two trips with the dates and registrations listed below.
Welcome Summer! Many of us have been busy getting to the end of the school year. I wanted to say, job well done to all the kids, parents, and teachers! We are going to be busy this summer! We still have our Sunday School Classes and Children’s Worship during the summer. If you have not been able to come, now is a great time to check us out! We have the most amazing teachers!
This summer we are going to o er a new weekly program that Mrs. Kristy and myself will be teaching. Threads of Faith is being o ered to 3rd graders and up. This is a knitting class. If you don’t know how to knit or even if you do and want to fellowship, join us. This event starts June 10, 9:30 to 10:30 am on the children’s floor in the older Sunday School Class. We will meet for a weekly devotion and then create something special. This program goes through July 29th. We will not meet the week of VBS, June 24.
Please fill out the Google form (QR code on poster) if you would like to attend.
PROMOTION SUNDAY FOR ALL CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES WILL BE AUGUST 9. We’ll gather in the Sanctuary at 9:45am, all children and teachers are welcome and will receive special recognition.
If your child is two years old or going into 1st grade, please fill out the form at the QR code to the left. They will receive their own Bible!
In The Life of Our Church
Baptisms
Virginia Anne Nix | May 10, 2026
Ansley & Tyler Nix
Extending our Christian Sympathies
Julia Camp O’Neil
January 31, 1938 - May 11, 2026
Richard “Dick” Edwards
May 14, 1938 - May 13, 2026
JUNE 17 10:00-11:30AM | ANNEX HALL X See the full 2025-2026 Photo Album here!
The Women’s Bible Study groups invite all Newnan First ladies to spend a morning in fellowship together Please bring a breakfast treat, and Kelly will arrange for coffee and juice
As we end our gathering, there will be tables set up to play Mahjong for anyone interested in staying to play
Email Kelly Stephens if you’re interested in staying to play, OR if you need childcare to attend - kellyf stephens@gmail com
AMO Summer Art Drop-o 10:00am-5:00pm 3 Breaking Bread Noon | Gathering Room 4
AMO Spring Art Pickup
10:00am-5:00pm 5
AMO Spring Art Pickup 10:00am-5:00pm 7
YOUTH HOMECOMING SUNDAY Worship
8:30am | Sanctuary
Sunday School | 9:45am Worship 11:00am | Sanctuary
UTH Adventure: Aqua Island 9:00am-3:00pm | Youth Lounge 19 Church O ce Closed 21 FATHER’S DAY Worship 8:30am | Sanctuary Sunday School | 9:45am Worship 11:00am | Sanctuary 22-25 Vacation Bible School 9:00am-12:00pm | Parish Hall
Basic ERT Training 8:00am-4:30pm | Annex Hall 28 Worship 8:30am | Sanctuary Sunday School | 9:45am Worship 11:00am | Sanctuary JULY 1 Threads of Faith 9:30am | Children’s Wing
