Upward Sports Indoor Soccer leagues are now forming at First United Methodist Church of Allen. FUMC Allen is proud to host this recreational level of soccer where children can learn the fundamentals of the game and grow both on and off the court. Upward Soccer is designed for young athletes to discover their passion for the sport as well as improve their game through healthy competition. Through leagues, camps, and clinics, Upward Soccer strives to develop youth mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially.

This indoor soccer league is for children in grades kindergarten through six.  Teams play 5v5 or 4v4, and athletes register individually, not as a team. Our youth soccer leagues emphasize total player development, the building of team dynamics, and healthy competition. Specially designed game rules ensure that individual players get more touches with the ball and more opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed on and off the field.

Each player must attend one evaluation session on either Monday, March 4, or Thursday, March 7, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the FUMC Allen gym. Team practices begin on March 18. Each team will practice for one hour, one day per week, on a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evening.

FUMC Allen hosts a seven game season with games beginning on March 23. Players will play one game per week until May 4. We’ll also hold an end of season playoff tournament on May 4 for players in grades 4-6, with a celebration on Sunday, May 5.

Cost of the league is $100 per child, which includes at least seven games, a team uniform, and registration discounts for families with more than one child in the program. The last day to register is March 4.

Upward Sports Recreation Programs offer a variety of opportunities for young athletes to discover and refine their athletic skills while cultivating a passion for the sport. Through age-appropriate team play, athletes begin to build positive character traits that will allow them to encourage, strengthen, and motivate themselves and their fellow teammates. As they learn and follow game rules, young athletes will also learn the value of sportsmanship with a healthy competitive spirit.

Upward Sports athletes experience the 360 Progression, which is a uniquely designed sports experience that develops the total athlete mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially. It is modeled in Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The 360 Progression helps young athletes discover and develop the skills they need to perform both on and off the field or court. It also creates individuals of strong character, confidence, and faith.

First United Methodist Church of Allen is located at 601 S Greenville Ave in Allen TX. For more information about the Upward program, contact Matt Cobb, Director of Sports and Recreation Ministry, at MattC@fumcallen.org or call 972.727.8261. To register, visit https://www.upward.org/leagues/491875929/Soccer.

On December 2, 2018, First United Methodist Church of Allen (FUMC Allen) hosts the second annual Hearts for Hope dinner in support of former Allen residents and Allen High School graduates, Steven and Lauren Hosack (a.k.a. the Hosacks in Honduras).  The dinner begins at 4:30pm in the church gym located at 601 S Greenville Ave, Allen TX.

The Hosacks are the current volunteer directors at the House of Hope in Puerto Lempira, Honduras. The House of Hope is home to 35-45 children at any one time. This number includes partially disabled, abused, neglected, and/or malnourished children. Steven and Lauren oversee the day-to-day operations at the house, which includes discipline, tutoring, and structure. Children come to the house needing a safe place to sleep, a hot meal to eat, and a mentor to guide them. Most of all, the pair show the children the love of Christ. 

In addition, the Hosacks help the kids with homework, provide clothing and school supplies, or bandage cuts and scratches.

The Hosacks arrived in Puerto Lempira in 2015, and for three years, they have lived in a 9’x16’ room. With the birth of their daughter last year, they have outgrown their current space. "We are dreaming to build a home on property adjacent to the House of Hope,” said Steven Hosack. “This home will not only give us some much needed space and privacy, but a place to relax and recharge, all while staying a stone’s throw away from the children.”

The goal of this year's dinner is to raise $80,000. From this amount, $50,000 will provide the Hosacks with their necessary annual living expenses.  The additional $30,000 will allow them to insert a septic system and construct a home for their family.

“At the inaugural Hearts for Hope dinner in 2017, we were able to raise about half of the funds needed for our home,” said Lauren Hosack.  “These funds allowed us to purchase the land, build a security fence, and drill a 75-foot well with clean drinking water.”

We hope you'll join us to learn about the work of the Hosacks in Honduras, share in their success, and help them help the children of Honduras thrive.

You can purchase tickets at the church, or online HERE. Call the church for more information at 972.727.8261.

For more iinformation about the mission, visit their website.

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized First United Methodist Church of Allen (FUMC Allen) as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an Official Texas Historical Marker. The designation honors FUMC Allen as an important and educational part of local history.

A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017, 12:30pm, at 601 S Greenville Avenue in Allen. Speakers for the afternoon include Steve Terrell, mayor of Allen, and Dr. Michael Black, chair of the Collin County Historical Commission. The Collin County Historical Commission welcomes the public to share in and witness this exciting historical event.

“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources,” Wolfe said.

A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age. Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic. The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures, which may be obtained by contacting the History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, at 512.463.5853 or visiting the web site at www.thc.texas.gov.

The community is invited to enjoy the marker dedication ceremony and stay for the church’s annual Fall Festival, which features Trunk or Treat, chili and hot dogs, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce house, music, and more.

“It is vital that as we move forward, we do not forget our past. Not only will the Texas Historical Marker provide awareness in the community of our fascinating history, but it will become a building block for the promotion of local tourism,” said Rev. Todd Harris, Senior Pastor of FUMC Allen.

There are three types of Texas Historical Markers. Subject markers are posted solely for public education awareness and awarded more frequently than the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL), which is a legal designation for historic structures and comes with a measure of protection. Unlike subject markers, the RTHL must also meet a third criterion--architectural integrity. Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) markers identify cemeteries which have obtained the HTC designation and whose histories have been researched in detail.

Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers. Seventeen states have used the Texas program as a model; the THC reviews more than 300 marker applications each year.

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

The first annual Hearts for Hope dinner supporting the Hosacks in Honduras is on August 26, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at FUMC Allen. At the dinner,  Steven and Lauren Hosack will deliver a program about their work at the House of Hope in Puerto Lempira, Honduras.

Steven and Lauren Hosack, homegrown missionaries from Collin County and Allen High School graduates, serve as volunteer directors at the House of Hope. The House of Hope is home to partially disabled children while they continue their education as well as malnourished babies and their families. While the number of residents varies, as babies are able to return to their home villages, approximately 35-45 people live in the House of Hope.

The Hosacks are responsible for raising their own operating funds. This year’s goal is $50,000 to cover food, insurance, travel, and other living expenses. Also, with the birth of their daughter, the Hosacks have outgrown their 9' x 12' living space. They have purchased land and hope to build a home in the next year for the estimated cost of $60,000.

This sit-down dinner is graciously hosted by United Methodist Men, Women in Mission, and the  Mission Committee from First United Methodist Church of Allen. The meal is catered by Fed by Faith.

Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door. Visit this link to purchase.

First United Methodist Church of Allen is located at 601 S Greenville Ave in Allen.