Start your holiday shopping early at the Women in Missions Fall Bazaar, Saturday, October 22, from 9:00am to 3:00pm at FUMC Allen, 601 S Greenville Ave, Allen TX.

This year's bazaar has more than 75 vendors located throughout the chuch building, selling both hand crafted home décor and gifts for every shopper as well as commercially produced items from well known vendors. Other highlights include door prizes, a used book sale, a bake sale, and a breakfast and lunch menu to complete your shopping experience!

And as always, admission is FREE!

The bazaar is sponsored by the Women In Missions of FUMC Allen. All proceeds from the bazaar, including the bake sale, used book sale, and booth rentals, support missions supported by the Women in Missions/United Methodist Women of FUMC Allen.

Anyone interested is helping with the event is encouraged to contact Ruth Swingle, 972.727.8261 x106. We have service opportunities for all ages.

We all need a friend. A friend we can talk to, a friend who will listen. Someone who will empathize with what we are experiencing, who won’t judge us. Sometimes, we all just need someone to be there.

These are the gifts that a Stephen Minister brings to someone who might be lonely, someone who might be depressed, someone who might be fearful, or someone who might be worried.

Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.

If you have ever considered becoming a Stephen Minister, First United Methodist Church of Allen is now registering participants in this extensive training program for anyone who has wanted to know what it takes to be that special person for someone in need. This training requires a time commitment as well as a willingness to learn and to stretch beyond yourself.  It also means accepting that you don’t have all the answers, but you have an understanding that God does the answers and He truly is the great healer.

We all have callings on our lives and our purpose is to see others as Jesus does and to love them where and how they are in that moment in time. Do you see yourself as someone who could love like Christ and offer a heart of love to one of His children? Come join Stephen Ministry and see how God can use you to help someone in need.

Registration is now open online at www.fumcallen.org.  Classes will begin on Thursday, September 8, and will meet every Thursday from 6:45pm–8:45pm through May 11, 2017.  A $55 registration fee covers the cost of materials.  Scholarships are available.

Contact Ruth Swingle at First United Methodist Church of Allen for more information.

Stephen Ministries is a not-for-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975 that produces training and resources known for their excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. These resources cover topics such as caring ministry, assertive relating, spiritual gifts discovery, grief support, spiritual growth, and more. Congregations and other organizations use these resources to strengthen and expand ministry. Individuals use them to improve their ability to relate to and care for others, grow in faith, and journey through life crises. The national offices are based in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more at their national website: https://www.stephenministries.org/

There's still time to register for the Race to Change the World on April 23!

The Race to Change the World is a 1 mile fun run, 5k, and 10k event at Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve 5901 Los Rios Blvd. (Between Jupiter and Parker Road) Plano, TX 75074

1 Mile Fun Run: $15  8:00am
10k: $35  8:15am
5k: $25  8:15am

The event is hosted by FUMC Allen's Recreational Ministries in association with 3C Allen's Change the World Weekend (www.changetheworldallen.org) coming to Allen, Fairview, and Lucas May 13-15.

Racers can pick up their packets on Thursday, April 21, and Friday, April 22, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at FUMC Allen, 601 S Greenville Ave, Allen Tx 75002.

Register today at www.fumcallen.org under Event Registration! Both walkers and runners are welcome.

Race T-shirts limited to the first 200 registered participants.

First United Methodist Church of Allen hosts a Women’s Conference  on Saturday, October 17, from 9:00am-3:00pm, in the church’s fellowship hall. The conference features Abingdon Press author Melissa Spoelstra and her program on Forgiveness, based on her study Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness. Special music and worship led by Resonate praise team leader Dawn Horton and friends. Tickets are $40, which includes lunch. Contact Ruth Swingle, 972.727.8261 x 106, or purchase tickets online at www.fumcallen.org. FUMC Allen is located at 601 S Greenville Ave, Allen Tx 75002.

Volunteer signups are now underway for Change The World Allen, a three-day weekend of service projects, scheduled for May 15-17, 2015, in Allen, Fairview, and Lucas. This three-day volunteer effort is hosted by 3C Allen and more than 40 churches, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses from Collin County.

The goal of Change the World Allen is to make an impact in the local community through projects that range from home improvement, yard work, collections of food, shoes, clothing, books, and personal care items, sorting and packaging collected items, and supporting numerous Collin County non-profit agencies with labor and other services. Allen, Lucas, and Fairview citizens and their friends can visit http://changetheworldallen.org/ to choose volunteer opportunities from a list of more than 90 community projects.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, May 15, from 6:00pm-9:00pm, with a family friendly musical celebration at the City of Allen’s Joe Farmer Amphitheater. This evening of entertainment includes food trucks, bounce houses, and planned activities for children. The highlight of the evening is a 7:00pm concert by the Connections Band http://connectionsband.com well known for their excellent covers of 70s favorites. This kick-off event features the Connections Band’s popular Chicago/Eagles tribute performance. Traditionally, the band collects a love offering for a worthy cause, and at this May 15 event, all proceeds collected benefit Change The World Allen.

In 2012, First United Methodist Church of Allen joined a national event called Change The World Weekend, an initiative designed for the local church to take on service projects in their communities and get others involved in volunteer activities. That first year, FUMC Allen hosted and funded a three-day weekend of service projects led by a group of laity who planned, organized, and filled more than 600 volunteer opportunities. After the final tally was taken, volunteers from the church and the community had completed more than 2,500 service hours supporting local non-profit organizations with labor, food, clothing, and home repairs.

Since that time, the movement caught on in the communities of Allen, Fairview and Lucas, and this year’s annual weekend of service has been adopted by the Allen Ministerial Alliance, an ecumenical organization of pastors and lay leaders whose goal is to care, coordinate, and connect with those in need. This group, now known to the community as 3C Allen http://www.3callen.com/ includes representatives from FUMC Allen, Creekwood UMC, Suncreek UMC, Living Life Church, Good Shepherd UMC, First Baptist Church of Allen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, First Presbyterian Church of Allen, Greenville Oaks Church of Christ, The Harvest, and others. 3C Allen has set 2015 Change The World Allen goal at 8,000 volunteer service hours.