This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

I am pleased to report we began 2026 with all our bills paid and a decent balance in our bank accounts. We paid all of our Apportionments. In order to watch our cash flow carefully, we intentionally did not make our planned set asides for possible future major maintenance, but hope to make up for that in the near term. Already in January we have made a large repayment of principle on our loan with funds not needed for the work.

As most of you know, we secured a large loan to cover the huge cost of our new boiler, HVAC repair, and roof replacement. The need for the climate control equipment was obvious as they just plain broke, and while we know the roof replacement was needed. That was even more clearly demonstrated by the long-term damage uncovered during the work. Our challenge now is to repay the loan as quickly as possible to save us interest expense. We are receiving recurring “over and above” donations toward that cause, but we will soon have a directed campaign to that end. No need to wait, you can help now.

Annual Donation statements are being passed out as I write this in mid-January. We are trying to minimize postage costs, but will mail the balance at the end of January. If you do not receive yours and/or have any questions, please contact the office promptly so we can get that addressed. Likewise, if you didn’t receive donation envelops for 2026 and would like some, talk to Kassandra in the office.

Cash and checks work great and the envelopes are for that purpose. If you would like to make your donations on-line, we are happy to make that easily available for you. Many people find it convenient and helpful. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. You can also use your phone and the donation QR Code or manually go to our web page www.firstumcfoxhill.org, click on give, scroll down to GIVE ONLINE, and click. There you can set up one-time gifts or automatic regular giving on a weekly, twice a month, or monthly schedule. Gifts to the One Fund – General Offering allow your financial staff flexibility in managing our cash flow effectively.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

I mentioned last month that I have a hard time planning ahead at the end of the year, and I have to confess that I used a mental game to get past writing this article: I thought about the word “ash” and realized there are many words built from “ash” – for instance, bash, cash, dash, gash, lash, mash, rash, sash, and wash. If you allow for more letters, it nearly becomes infinite – quash, stash, clash, and so forth. However, it’s interesting to note that “ash” and “wash” are nearly at opposite ends of the spectrum. Ashes are things we sweep off, wash off, rinse off, or just generally don’t like to keep around because they are dirty in some way – they stain, smell, or just look like dirt. We would wash ashes away gladly!

But, when we peer into how ashes are used, especially in the Bible, it gets more interesting. Ashes are used to make soap, and they are good for fertilizing and cleaning. In the Bible, ashes are also used as a symbol of purification – as in putting on sackcloth and ashes in repentance (this reference shows up 9 times, 7 in the Old and 2 in the New Testament). Ashes also symbolize death and ruin, as in cities burned to ash. Ashes also resemble dust, which is what we are made of - “then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) In fact, the service of death and resurrection (funeral service) has as a standard phrase for the prayer of committal – “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” to remind us that we came from nothing and return to nothing, except by the grace of God. So – in fact, ashes are used for washing – washing the body, the mind, and the spirit!

All of this is to say – when we get to Ash Wednesday and starting the season of Lent, keep in mind that the ashes are doing a lot of work! They are a reminder that we survive and thrive by the grace of God. They are a reminder to take our mortality seriously and make the most of whatever time we have left on earth. They are a symbol of repentance and a symbol of becoming clean. Most of all, they are a physical reminder of the spiritual reality that we are beloved children of God!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

While it is still December when this is being written, we are about to enter a new year. Finances are an important part of most everything we do here at First Fox Hill. We wholeheartedly thank you for your continued support. Clearly, donations are how we are able to do all we do. Programs and ministries require staff and materials to make them happen, while utility, maintenance, equipment, A/V, and IT expenses are needed to support it all. And, like all United Methodist churches, we share connectional expenses supporting programs worldwide. We expect to finish the year in decent financial shape due to your regular support, as well as careful spending by the paid staff and our wonderful volunteers.

As you know, we incurred substantial expenses for our major HVAC and roof repairs/replacement. Your contributions have paid for about one-third of the cost and continue to make our monthly payments, but we still have a 6-figure loan to pay off as soon as possible to minimize interest costs.

Everyone is in a different financial position, but if you have been blessed with the ability to make a directed “over-and-above” contribution toward that loan principal, your support is truly appreciated. If you have any questions about how you can help, be sure to talk with your personal tax and/or financial professionals and check in with Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, before any unfamiliar transactions.

You probably noticed we manually passed out most of our donation envelopes for next year; the rest we will mail. If you do not receive envelopes and would like some, we are happy to take care of that; just let the church office know. Simply put, the change resulted from more people making online contributions and, not surprisingly, related significant increase in postal costs.

Cash and checks work great and the envelopes are for that purpose. If you would like to make your donations on-line, we are happy to make that easily available for you. Many people find it convenient and helpful. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. You can also use your phone and the donation QR Code or manually go to our web page www.firstumcfoxhill.org, click on give, scroll down to GIVE ONLINE, and click. There you can set up one-time gifts or automatic regular giving on a weekly, twice a month, or monthly schedule. Gifts to the One Fund – General Offering allow your financial staff flexibility in managing our cash flow effectively.

Annual donation statements will be distributed by the end of January. Please check yours carefully as soon as you receive it and contact us promptly if you have any questions or issues. If you don’t receive a statement you are expecting, let the office know so we can address the issue before last-minute tax time.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through November 2025
Income for Planned Expenses1		$457,832
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$546,722
	Actual	$447,975
Pass Through Income2		$4,365
Pass Through Expense2		$4,178
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$2,684
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 20253		$65,834
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$251,123
Loan Balance – Nov1		$158,967
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc. 3 Does not include $153,922 net loan for roof project.

Every year, I try to plan my sermons well in advance so that our wonderful musicians have time to prep the choirs, bands, and so forth. Most of the time, I can stay a few months ahead, but every year I have the same issue – I get a block in December! Once I work past December, the block lifts and I can push ahead again.

This is such a frequent occurrence for me that I no longer shake my head at it, but accept it as a routine, with apologies to Mark and Larissa. However, as many of you might point out: “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.” So I have found some workarounds.

The first workaround is that the first two Sundays of January are always set ahead of time. The first Sunday is Epiphany, or “Three Kings Sunday.” And the second is Baptismal renewal, or “Baptism of the Lord.” Those two weeks give me a little cushion.

The second workaround is for me to realize that just because I want to have the best Christmas Eve sermons I can possibly produce, if what follows Christmas Eve isn’t significant, then it doesn’t matter. Sure, we all have special days in our lives, days that we want to be especially good – perhaps birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. But most of our lives are lived in ordinary days. What makes those days special is not some secret sauce, but realizing that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) In other words, every day is a special day when we walk with the Lord. Every day is a chance to learn, to grow, to be stretched, and to witness the goodness of God. After all, isn’t the real meaning of Christmas that God took on human flesh in order to transform us, and transformation into maturity (“the full measure of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)), not just getting older, is what our lives are about? The babe in the manger is lovely to look at and think about – but how that babe has changed everything is what we are here to experience.

Perhaps you are like me, and you experience “glitches” in your plans or roadblocks that seem to prevent you from moving forward. If so, take heart – you are just as human as Jesus was! And step forward, knowing that even if you can’t see the way in front of you, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

In the early years of the church, right after Jesus’ death and resurrection, some practices were tried that we are still trying to understand today. One of them was using a fish to indicate where people gathered for worship. The fish was drawn on the ground, in the sand, and sometimes on buildings or places where believers met. You may still see fish symbols today on car bumpers, keychains, or necklaces. There is no definitive explanation of how and why the fish was used, but I have heard two theories—or metaphors—that I’d like to explore with you today.

The fish that reminds us to “go with the flow.”
This metaphor encourages letting things run off us. If someone mistreats or wrongs you, the idea is to do what the fish does: keep swimming. Don’t hold on to the wrong, but forgive and move forward. This image is similar to the saying about letting sin go “like water off a duck’s back,” meaning we aren’t meant to hold on to grudges, but to be free—because we have been freely forgiven by Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

The fish as swimming upstream, against the current.
According to this theory, Christians swim against the current of the world’s practices and customs. Like salmon that fight for hundreds of miles to return to their birthplace to spawn, we are striving to return to the ways of Jesus. And if we push the metaphor further, we are helping the Holy Spirit bring new life into our lives and the lives of others.

I appreciate both metaphors, because both contain truth. It is far too easy to get caught up in the wrongs done to us or the wrongs we have done to others. When we are mistreated, lied about, gossiped about, or abused, those hurts form hard memories that cling to us. Letting go of that hurt is not easy—but if we remember what Jesus did for us, what we could not do for ourselves, then “letting go and letting God” becomes easier. It is also biblical: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18) Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 echo this teaching.

But in this season, I find the metaphor of swimming upstream to be especially helpful. As our culture becomes more politicized, and as more people distrust institutions—especially the church—we are swimming upstream. Some claim the name of Christian while visiting retribution on their “enemies.” Others call themselves Christian but follow a Jesus who, in their minds, has no power to save or transform lives. It is harder to follow the ways of Jesus and recognize his power and authority. It is hard because we do not get to take vengeance, and hard because we are commanded to love and pray for our enemies.

We face a fundamental choice: Do we follow the ways of the world—swimming downstream and doing what feels good to us—or do we follow the ways of Jesus, swimming upstream and staying in line with him, knowing we may suffer as he suffered? The Son of God became incarnate, taking on our flesh and blood so that he could obey the Father’s will and die on the cross. Now that he has risen to the Father and sent us the Holy Spirit to empower our mission, he asks us: Will we stay true to him as he stayed true for us?

You see, the message of Christmas is not only about a child born in a stable, but also about his invitation to be born as both child and King of Kings in our hearts and lives. Will we let him be Lord of our lives so that the world may be saved through him? As a friend of mine says, “There has never been a better time to be a Christian than today!” For my part, I am glad to have you with me as we journey together to the stable, to the cross, and to the skies.

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

As I write this a few days before Thanksgiving, it is a perfect time to again share the thanks that accompany our offerings and all support for First UMC Fox Hill. When we make our donations to the church, it is an opportunity to thank God for our many blessings, large and small, every day. It is your donations of time, talent, and certainly “treasure” which allow us to provide support to our community close to home and worldwide. Without funds, we would not be here and our programs would not be happening. As an organization, we thank you for your generous support. This has been a challenging year with huge costs for our new roof, boiler, and related expenses. Thank you for your continuing support as we work to pay off our very substantial loan. Your support is also putting us in a position to pay all of our Apportionment obligations by year end while keeping us current on our operating expenses. As you show your thanks for the blessings you receive, we thank you for your support.

Speaking of the loan, we appreciate your on-going donations specifically for that purpose as they help with our monthly payments. We are eager to make some direct additional payments on the principal of the loan to save on long-term interest costs. You may want to make a special, additional gift at year end and designate it for that purpose.

And, as the year ends, this is an important time for us all to ensure our finances are in the best shape possible. Your giving can help ensure your church starts the new year on the best financial footing possible. Whether you are giving cash or checks, in-person or on-line, we appreciate it. If you are sharing from your investments, e.g., IRAs or actual stocks, be sure to discuss the procedures with your tax and/or financial advisor and touch base with Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, before taking any unfamiliar action, but don’t delay.

Remember, your regular giving to the General (One) Fund can help your cash flow and the church’s. Use the method that works best for you. You may want to use our web site www.firstumcfoxhill.org where you can click on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through October 2025
Income for Planned Expenses1		$404,482
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$497,020
	Actual	$413,914
Pass Through Income2		$1,110
Pass Through Expense2		$4,178
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$2,185
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 20253		$96,411
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$218,847
Loan Balance – Nov1		$159,156
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc. 3 Does not include $153,922 net loan for roof project.

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

It is hard to believe the end of the year is just around the corner! Hard to believe, yes, but also a great time to work on putting our church finances into the best possible condition to be ready to start a new year. Except for some sidewalk work by the Prayer Garden, our major repair and replacement projects on the Boiler, HVAC, and Roof are complete. Your support for that project has gone a long way towards the cost, but has also left us with a substantial loan to pay off as soon as possible. We have also delayed payment of our Apportionments and set-asides while we worked through those project expenses/cash flow. By year end, we need to pay all that we can to clear that slate. Your support is critical to make that happen.

Please take a look at your finances and church support and see if you are where you want to be. Some of you may be impacted by the unfortunate federal “shut-down”, directly or in-directly. Others may be fortunate enough to be benefiting from this year’s dramatic growth in the stock market. Whatever your situation, we ask you to do whatever you can to support your church. Those who have IRA Required Minimum Distribution obligations may find significant benefit in taking the opportunity to make a Qualified Charitable Donation to the church. Others may have stock which has appreciated substantially in value and donating some of the shares could provide a tax advantage. We need everyone’s help. Be certain to talk with your tax and/or financial advisor and touch base with Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, before taking any unfamiliar action, but don’t delay.

Whether you give through the offering plate, in the mail, or on-line, your routine regular giving to the General (One) Fund can help your cash flow and the church’s. Use the method that works best for you. You may want to use our web site www.firstumcfoxhill.org where you can click on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. As noted above, those with IRA funds which must be withdrawn and/or appreciated stocks, may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through September 2025
Income for Planned Expenses1		$325,830
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$447,318
	Actual	$346,482
Pass Through Income2		$1,085
Pass Through Expense2		$4,178
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$1,998
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 20253		$95,384
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$218,847
Loan Balance – Oct 1		$159,320
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc. 3 Does not include $153,922 net loan for roof project.

By the time you read this, we will have had our Homecoming Revival, Homecoming service, packed up the pumpkins, and we will be settling in for Thanksgiving and thinking about Advent and Christmas. But there’s one thing I don’t think I’ve talked about that I want to bring up now: life gives us highs and lows, mountains and valleys – what is a faithful way to live and thrive in each condition – the highs and the lows?

Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9 all tell the story of Jesus going up to the mountain, being transfigured, hearing a word from the Father, and then going back down the mountain into the valleys, where he will be heading to Jerusalem, where he would suffer and be put to death. In other words, he had an amazing spiritual moment, followed by a long period of grief, challenges, and betrayal. While we could say that Jesus is unique, and no one’s life should be like his, the reality is that while Jesus is unique as the only begotten Son of God, he also is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

As an example, it is said that Mother Teresa had many visions and spiritual experiences before she started the Missionaries of Charity order, but once she began the work, the experiences ceased to happen. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah had an amazing spiritual experience when God called him (Isaiah 6), but he endured significant suffering as he did the work of a prophet. My guess is that you too, whether you’ve followed Jesus your whole life or just started recently, have had a similar experience – blessings followed by trials – the mountain followed by the valley.

As a church body, we are going through a period of mountains – from Homecoming to the Pumpkin Patch, to Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. But January is coming, followed by February and March, and early next year, we will move into Lent, which is a valley followed by the mountain of Easter (which will be April 5 next year). What’s important for us to do and remember is this: rejoice and be grateful for the mountaintop experiences, and remember them when we are in the valley, whether it is a personal valley or a common valley. Remember that you are loved, forgiven, and called to be God’s instruments of grace for the world. Remember that, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not fear any evil, for God’s rod and staff will comfort us, bringing us to the rich banquet of eternity!

A faith that persists is a faith that is worth having. And remember this too – even if we forget, others in the church body remember. May we help each other experience the whole of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.


Speaking of year end contributions, they are always needed just to pay our bills. At this point we are still behind on our Conference and District obligations and have not set aside planned reserve funds for future major maintenance. We need everyone’s help. If you are fortunate to have stocks that have done well this year and/or have an IRA with a required minimum distribution, contributions to First Fox Hill can be of mutual benefit. Talk with your tax and/or financial advisor and touch base with Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, before taking any unfamiliar action, but don’t delay and miss out.

Your latest giving statements should be out soon. These are not bills, but a way for you to help us make sure we have properly recorded the information which may be important for the upcoming tax time. Be sure to check yours as soon as you receive it and let us know of any issues, including if you don’t receive one you expect.

Regular giving is usually the most convenient. Your contributions count whether they are through the offering plate, in the mail, or on-line. One way to help you stay up to date may be on-line where you can easily make one-time gifts or regular recurring donations. Get started at our web site www.firstumcfoxhill.org by clicking on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. As noted above, those with IRA funds which must be withdrawn and/or appreciated stocks, may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through August 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$288,901
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$397,616
	Actual	$307,063
Pass Through Income2		$1,085
Pass Through Expense2		$3,950
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$1,719
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 20253		$94,494
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$101,791
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc. 3 Does not include $153,922 net loan for roof project.

You know the feeling – you’re in a car, truck, SUV, bus, van, plane, or train, and if there is a child around and if the trip will take more than five minutes – the question will come up: “Are we there yet? How much longer?”

A friend of mine, a long-time youth pastor, had a good solution: He would tell them how long the trip would take before they started, but every time someone asked, “How much longer?” His answer was “Twenty minutes.” All the adults he worked with would give the same answer, “Twenty minutes.” I think that’s a great way to deal with the frustration, at least from an adult perspective.

But the question still comes up, even when we go far past our teenage years. How much longer until I’m the person I want to become? How much longer until I can retire? How much longer do I have on earth? Am I home yet – no, not in my home on earth, but in my forever home? As we begin to lay out everything to get ready for Homecoming, I think it’s a valuable question to ask. What does it mean to go home? Does our church, our faith, our community, tell us anything about home?

The idea of “homecoming” as a church body is that we have been the spiritual home or birthplace of many people through the years, and homecoming is a time to celebrate and remember how we have been home for people. And the idea isn’t just an American idea – the British also have a homecoming Sunday every year – they call it “mothering day,” as in going back to your mother church, the community that was your mother in faith.

But I think homecoming is more than that, as important as it is to remember, regather, and reflect. Homecoming is actually a reminder that our destination isn’t just a church family on earth, but a reminder that we have an incredibly wide and deep home we all hope to get to. Whether we call it heaven, the new creation, the city of God, or just being with Jesus in eternity – we actually don’t belong to earth – our origin and destination is the One who made the heavens and the earth.

So, the next time you ask those deep questions about who we are, where we are going, and what the point of it all is, remember that Homecoming is more than an event – it is preparation for eternal life that begins right now. And yes, please do invite friends, family, and those who were part of our church before, but who have moved elsewhere. Remind them that if they cannot physically come, they can join us online, and if they have passed from this life, they are no longer members of our church, but members of the church Triumphant and Eternal, and we will see them again!

And yes, I’ll give you a breakdown of what we’re doing in another article, but for now, get excited about Homecoming, and invite the people you love to be part of it! Thank you for being part of our church family and our eternal family as well!

To Our Live Stream Viewing Audience,

We sincerely apologize for the recent interruptions during our Sunday morning live-stream broadcasts.

While we are committed to providing consistent weekly services, our efforts are occasionally hindered by issues beyond our control—specifically, our internet service provider (Cox). Unfortunately, we’ve experienced several recent instances of reduced bandwidth, which have disrupted our live streams. We deeply regret any inconvenience this has caused and are actively exploring alternative options to ensure a more stable and reliable connection.

What to Do If the Livestream is Interrupted:

• If you’re watching on our church website and experience an interruption, please wait a few minutes. We may be able to reestablish the connection.
• If you're watching on Facebook, unfortunately, the stream will be disconnected for the remainder of the service.
• If you are unable to reconnect during the 9:00 AM traditional service, we encourage you to try joining us for the 10:30 AM modern service—provided bandwidth has been restored. Pastor Brian shares the same sermon at both services.

Missed Both Services?
You can always watch the archived version of the service on our church website’s media page. These are typically posted within a couple of hours after the live broadcast, using our backup recording.

Help Us Improve
We welcome your feedback—how are we doing, and how do you usually connect to our services? If you have ideas to improve our broadcasts or make them more accessible, please let us know:

• Email the church office at: churchoffice@firstumcfoxhill.org
• You can also reach Jim directly at: comanche1@cox.net

Join the Production Team
We’re always looking for a few good people to join our production team! We've intentionally simplified our setup to make it accessible to non-professionals—though the “back row” might look intimidating at first glance, don’t worry, we provide full training.
Ideally, a full production team includes:

1. Front-of-house audio
2. Presentation visuals
3. Livestream producer/director
4. Mobi-cam operator
5. Dedicated livestream audio (“make-up” audio)

Let us know what role interests you—no multitasking required if that’s not your thing!

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support. We are grateful for your presence—whether in person or online.

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

When you read this, the majority of our two huge projects – new boiler and new roof – should be essentially complete with only some minor residual wrap-up. Thanks to the generosity of the First Fox Hill congregation, about half of the combined projects have been paid for with the balance funded through a loan. That loan will involve payments of $908 monthly. We will, however, be doing all we can to pay it off early saving on interest expense. We raised half in a year, let’s see if we can do the balance in less time! Please help us accomplish that goal in the near future.

We are entering the period when we compile our annual spending plan or budget for 2026. The process involves the functional chairs and their committees estimating what it will take for their areas during the coming year. The Finance Committee then compiles that data for review and presentation to the Church Council for approval before it is presented to the Congregation at the Charge Conference.

While the spending plan is broken into nearly 100 different line items, they are all funded through what we call the General (or One) Fund. That gives the Finance personnel the ability to apply available funds where most needed at any given time. We sometimes have special giving requests – like the boiler and roof or youth mission trip – but it is important to remember that we could not exist without the funds to pay for everyday things like utilities (to heat, light, and cool the building), our staff’s salaries, the AV and IT equipment/systems that allows us to amplify and stream our services/programs, run the office, supply the kitchen, clean the building including restrooms, as well as fund our missions and programs.
At this time, we are behind on our Apportionments which help to fund the greater UMC operations. Thanks for all your help.

Your contributions count whether they are through the offering plate, in the mail, or on-line. For many, if not most, of our members, regular giving is the most convenient. One way to help you stay current may be on-line where you can easily give one-time or set up regular recurrent donations. Get started at our web site www.firstumcfoxhill.org by clicking on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. For those with IRA funds which must be withdrawn and/or appreciated stocks, you may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through July 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$259,412
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$347,914
	Actual	$273,627
Pass Through Income2		$1,085
Pass Through Expense2		$3,950
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$1,433
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 20253		$83,594
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$100,882
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc. 3 Does not include funds collected in late 2025.

Without fail, nearly every time I see Hunter Francis, he has a question for me: “What do I put on this sign this week?” You see, Hunter has been putting up the church sign since Moses was in diapers (not really, but he has done it a long time!) He and I agree that whatever goes on the sign should be things the community would be interested in, so that’s why you haven’t seen signs advertising Bible studies and the like – we do note special services and the like, but we try to focus on general interest things.

The issue is – there are more than a few weeks in a year when there isn’t a general interest item. Except, now, for September! We will be part of several general interest items. First, we are all invited to a Hampton-wide United Methodist Church cookout on September 7. It’ll be from 11am-2pm at the Courtyard shelters by the playground at Sandy Bottom Park. This will be a low-key event, where the goal is simply to gather together, share food, and get to spend time with our neighbors from around the city.

This is the “first fruit” of the gatherings I have been arranging for the Hampton pastors since April. We are working towards some training and other events in the future, but we thought a cookout/potluck/picnic would be a good start to future events, since it would foster relationships.

The second event will be for us specifically – we are planning a Homecoming weekend for October 25 and 26. Of course, we plan to bring one of our former pastors to bring the message at a 10am combined service on Sunday, and of course, we plan to have a potluck meal to follow. However, we also plan to have a tent revival on the Saturday before, October 25, with not just one or two, but several pastors to bring a message of hope, love, faith, and salvation. The tent revival will feature excellent music, as expected, and we’ll also be looking for ways to make it family-friendly. Perhaps you’ve never been to a revival, or perhaps your idea of revival is preachers yelling and scaring people, but be assured – our goal is not to scare people towards Jesus, but to honor Jesus by loving the people he brings into our lives.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I brought up the sign as a way of introducing these events, and as a bonus, to let you know about one of the many unsung heroes we have in our church family. Like every family, people sometimes move, sometimes pass on, sometimes go in different directions, but like the best of families, we find the greatest joy and satisfaction when each of us shares in life together and develop into our full potential. I don’t need you to be exceptional or give of yourself to the point where you have no life, but I do encourage you to find ways to share your talents, blessings, hopes, and even your fears. You may be surprised to discover there are many people just like Hunter, who do things in our church and in our community, not because it brings them fame, but because they have a gift and a hope to share. That’s why I am glad to be your pastor, even fifteen years and a few months after I first arrived here!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

As I write this in mid-July, I can report great news, good news, and some not as good.

•  First, some great news: Our Youth Mission Trip to the Navajo nation was fully funded!!! When you read this, they will soon be back, if not already home.
• Some more great news is that our loan to repair/replace our building’s roof has closed and the funds are in our bank. The roofing company is working with us to schedule the work which is expected to take about 3 weeks once underway.
• The good news, actually also great, is that you, our super congregation, have been, and continue to be, generous with your contributions to both the youth and major maintenance projects. Donations to the boiler and roof campaigns have paid for our brand-new boiler and will allow us to make early extra payments on the roof loan principle. The extra payments will reduce our long-term interest expense. Keep up the great work!
• Finally, there are our routine monthly expenses. Our income to cover operating expenses from salaries, to utilities, to Apportionments, programs, maintenance, etc., are down and leaving us with a cash flow challenge. We know we have called on you for our major projects, but we still need to cover routine expenses. Please help us make those payments.

Yes, it is summer and vacation time. Yes, you have been helping well for some really important projects. And yes, we need to pay all our bills. Your contributions count whether they are through the offering plate, in the mail, or on-line. Giving to the General (One) Fund gives us the flexibility to cover the most urgent cash flow requirements. If on-line is your preferred route, get started at our web site – www.firstumcfoxhill.org and click on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. For those with IRA funds which must be withdrawn and/or appreciated stocks, you may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through June 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$ 222,723
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$ 298,212
	Actual	$ 228,129
Pass Through Income2		$ 2,675
Pass Through Expense2		$ 2,685
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$ 2,132
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$ 25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$ 0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 2025		$ 82,227
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$ 53,417
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc.

Several months ago, a person in our church asked me how they could be part of the “in crowd” at church. Those weren’t the exact words used, but that was the basic meaning. They felt like they were not living up to some expectations and wanted to know what expectations our church had. I’d like to explore this idea with you this month, in case you might be wondering the same, or if someone asks you a similar question.
First, as far as I’m concerned, there are no set expectations, except that I do expect Christ's followers to do their best to love God and their neighbors. I expect people to be who they are, and as long as they try to follow Jesus more closely, it’s fine with me if they don’t fit a certain pattern.

That said, I have found a general pattern that seems to work for most people: Regular attendance (and that can vary) helps, not just so that people can get to know you or so that you can cross something off your list, but so that you can feel comfortable and find something that interests you, whether it’s a ministry, a small group, or an interest you want to explore. Regular attendance also means that the people who currently lead can get to know you and offer opportunities for you to serve and be served.

Second, being part of a group, whether that’s Sunday school, a Bible study, the choir, band, a more social group like the Fellowships of Circumstance, a ministry such as the Food Pantry, or something like the Yoga group, Karate, Scouts, or AA. Being part of a smaller group will help you get the personal connections that make your life meaningful, and often the help that leads people to make breakthroughs. I grew up in a very large church, and I didn’t ever think I could know all the people, but I never felt left out because I knew my Sunday School, youth group, and children’s choir folks. No one needs to become an extreme extrovert, unless that is who God made them to become, but we all benefit by meaningful connections. Loneliness is a very real and very damaging effect of modern life – small groups do a world of good to banish loneliness.

Finally, giving is also very important. I don’t mean just financial giving but also giving of our time and talents. Each member of the body of Christ has something to give, something to offer, and something to learn and share (see 1 Corinthians 12 for more about the body of Christ). When we offer our time and talents, it will not always be easy or even received well by others, but it is how we grow. When we combine giving with regular attendance and a small group, we have the nurture, the friendships, and the challenges that help us become who we need to become.

Of course, different times in our lives will mean different things – caring for loved ones, working long hours, health challenges, and so forth will change what attendance, small groups, and giving looks like, and that is to be expected. I do not expect someone who is a caregiver for another to do heroic deeds at church – their caregiving is their ministry for the season, so church will be more about getting the nurture and friendship they need. I do not expect someone living at the edge of poverty or with strained finances to empty their purse or pocketbook, either. At the same time, someone who has free time and free talents will be well served by offering them to bless others.

The key is – are we trying to follow Jesus more closely, shaping our minds, time, and talents to where the Holy Spirit leads? And by the way, some of those times when we feel like we are not growing, can be the times when we are growing the most. Frustrations and roadblocks can lead to fulfillment and breakthroughs – there is no single way to grow! The key is to keep trying.

One of the blessings of following Jesus is knowing, deep in our bones, that not only will he never leave or forsake us, but he is always in the process of transforming us – so our best days are always ahead of us! Sure, they will not look like the best days of the past, but they will be the best days of our present, and particularly our future.

It's my honor to serve alongside you!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

We are continuing to cover our monthly bills, but deferred our June Apportionments payment due to cash-flow requirements. We are also delaying our monthly major maintenance set-asides until we get into paying for our roof. Note we have included lines in the monthly summary of income/expenses below for the HVAC and roof.

Regarding the roof. Yes, it seems like it is taking forever to get underway. As you can see, we have taken down the deteriorating trees from the prayer garden. Other actions are proceeding behind the scenes, most of which are out of our direct control. We are primarily waiting for the legal process to finish so we can close on the loan. Your continuing support is essential to allow us to pay off this impending loan as soon as possible to minimize interest expenses. Thank you!

Don’t let summer trips curtail your support of First Fox Hill. Our expenses continue even when our folks are not in the pews. Our staff continues to work, maintenance must still be addressed, and utilities must be paid. In fact, as we go through the high heat we have been experiencing lately, the electric bill gets very steep.

There are a variety of ways to help your church financially. Your cash or checks are great, especially when they accompany you to Sunday worship where we can enjoy your presence. Another great way to provide your financial support is through on-line giving which you can set up as a one-time gift or, even better, as a recurring donation on a periodic basis. That way, if you are travelling, or otherwise not able to be here in person, you can still support your church. Regular donations, especially to the General/One Fund, can make your gifts easier on everyone’s cash flow. To get started, go to our web site – www.firstumcfoxhill.org and click on Give. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. Last, but not least, if you have investments including IRAs and/or appreciated stocks, you may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through May 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$ 187,252
Total One Fund Expenses  (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$ 248,510
	Actual	$ 193,269
Pass Through Income2		$ 2,655
Pass Through Expense2		$ 2,450
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$ 1,097
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$ 25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$ 0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 2025		$ 81,052
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$ 53,402
1Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc.

Last month, I told you about “Dog Days.” I want to start with a little follow up: Our first one, held June 8, went well enough. We had several neighbors who stopped in and we enjoyed fellowship between our youth and our older folks. We were particularly blessed because of the recital that happened during the event and the Rainbow Puppets. Also, we were blessed with sufficient volunteers and all the efforts to set up the spaces and prepare food. As a result, we have decided to skip the July Dog Days and put more effort into planning a bigger event on August 10, including a bouncy castle and adult themed events. Since the idea came from the initial group that created Just Dinner, and the focus was on reducing loneliness in our church and community, we are considering ways to further that mission in August, such as a mental health theme, perhaps with a few vendors and a way to showcase our small groups and potentially create some new ones with our neighbors. Your help would be greatly appreciated in planning and carrying out a plan – our next meeting will be 5pm, July 14.

Sticking with the “D” theme I’ve started, I’ll be starting a sermon series in mid-June, going into August, on “Daring Dan.” There are many great stories of faith and growth in the book of Daniel, stories that touch on the question of how we can be faithful in a climate that does not reward faithfulness. I look forward to sharing and learning with you. No matter what political party is in office, we have entered a time when church attendance is in decline, even while more people are interested in spirituality.

The last item is not a “D,” but an “H,” as in Homecoming. Pencil this date in now – September 21 for a Homecoming event. Now, let the motivations behind Homecoming inspire you: The initial motivation is to encourage people who have not returned to church post Covid to do so. But there is more – we also want to encourage people who feel lonely, left out, forgotten, or worn out to be refreshed. And more – we want to reinvigorate you, our faithful, and refresh your spirits! The prayed for result is increased attendance, but even more, what we are praying for is for more people in our church and community to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ.

As for plans for Homecoming, of course we’re planning for a big, combined service followed by a meal, lots of music, and lots of fellowship. The general theme will be historical, to celebrate and remember where we came from, and hopeful, to look forward to how God will use us in the present and future. If the planning pans out, we will have other, smaller events beyond worship through the weekend to showcase ministries and meet our neighbors. I have begun reaching out to several folks who have served our church and grew up in our church so that we can have guest speakers and leaders for the weekend as well. If you have ideas or want to be part of the planning, simply drop me a line – I’ll be glad for the help.

One of the blessings of following Jesus is knowing, deep in our bones, that not only will he never leave or forsake us, but he is always in the process of transforming us – so our best days are always ahead of us! Sure, they will not look like the best days of the past, but they will be the best days of our present, and particularly our future.

The 243rd Virginia Annual Conference was held in Roanoke, Virginia at the Berglund Center from 12-14 June 2025. I, along with Pastor Brian, Melanie Souder, Larrisa Luma and 2 of our youth, Ferdinand and Tony Clement attended. The theme of the conference was “Movement of the Heart”. This focuses on how God transforms us and how God molds and shapes us and allows us to be agents of change in and around our community.

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson’s opening sermon was drawn from the book of Ezra. This was the time when the people of Israel had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the Lord’s Temple. Many of the people were charting a course for the future while many others were longing to return to the times of the past. The Bishop stressed we are also at a time like that in the lives of the church, and that we need to quit looking back and longing for the way things were. We need to move forward in this new era in the United Methodist Church with joy and anticipation of what is to come. Following her sermon we celebrated communion.

The afternoon session began with remarks by Scott Erickson who is better known as Scott the Painter. The remainder of Thursday was taken up by reports of the various committees.
Friday’s morning session continued with committee reports as planned.

The Friday afternoon session began with a Memorial Service delivered by our retiring District Superintendent the Rev. Dr. Charles Ledlam-Bates.

The primary business of this conference was accomplished next as we voted on the four constitutional amendments passed at last year’s General Conference. These four amendments dealt with regionalization, inclusiveness of the church, racial justice and clergy delegates elected to the General Conference. These amendments are intended to shape the future of the United Methodist Church and were a very important part of the business we needed to accomplish this year. Constitutional  amendments must be supported by 2/3 of the total voting members of all the conferences combined – this process could last until 2026.

The Saturday session continued with reports and ended with a Service for the Ordering of Ministry and Fixing of the Appointments. Following that the 243rd Virginia Annual Conference was adjourned.

All of the session videos may be viewed at https://vaumc.org/ac2025/.

Last month, I reminded us about the various images we can use thinking about our church –being the church in the middle of the village, planted by the water, as well as the church at the intersection of three communities – Fox Hill, Buckroe, and new Fox Hill. This month, I have an invitation (front of invitation above and back on page 2) for us to share and live into those images: Dog Days of Summer!

About a year ago, following Vacation Bible School, we introduced “Just Dinner,” which was an attempt to ease the loneliness in our community. “Dog Days” follows in that same vein, but approaching the issue from a different direction. (By the way, we will havetwo “Just Dinners” in October and November this fall as well.) As we were discussing how we could change, adapt, or redirect “Just Dinner” to be more effective, we discovered that the Fox Hill Neighborhood center was hosting farmer’s markets on Sunday afternoons during the summer. One idea led to another, and we now will offer “Dog Days” on the second Sunday of the month from June to August (June 8, July 13, August 10). The details are still being developed, but the gist is: 2-5pm, outside (unless weather prohibits being outside), hot dogs, watermelon, tea, water, or lemonade, cornhole, water games (balloons, sprinklers, what have you), and conversation. We hope to be able to offer a car show during one of the Dog Days, and we’d like to offer a bouncy castle as well.

There are layers to how we could use help, starting with praying for them, that strangers can become friends, and neighbors can become members and friends, going all the way to helping plan and execute the events. I would encourage all who are able to attend as many as possible, and if you are interested in helping or planning, please drop me a message or call, or catch me on a Sunday to offer help.

After all, these Dog Days aren’t going to be the answer to all our questions about loneliness or helping our church grow, but they can be a start. And sometimes, a start is all we need! I was not a drummer until I started in Junior High band. I wasn’t a pastor until I started being one. And so, it is with the body of Christ, the church – we didn’t arrive all at once either, but we did have a start that has brought us to where we are.

Speaking of which, pencil this date in now – September 21 for a Homecoming event. The date and details are sketchy for now, but the idea is to have a celebration including combined worship, at least one meal, invitations, and renewing or beginning friendships. Even though we will have the “dog days” of summer, God may in fact bless us to greet the fall with renewed hope and strength!

It's my honor to serve alongside you!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

We are continuing to cover our monthly bills and our Apportionments are paid through April. We are holding off on our monthly major maintenance set-asides until we get into paying for our roof. At this point, the Boiler/HVAC repairs have been accomplished and the expenses paid. Note we have included new lines in the monthly summary of income/expenses below for these combined items.

Regarding the roof. We are making slow progress crossing all our “t”s and dotting all our “i”s. We have our loan commitment letter from the Virginia United Methodist Foundation Development Company, the necessary property survey has been ordered and scheduled for completion in coordination with the actual repair process. We are expecting the final closing very soon and the contractor will initiate the work promptly. All this is being made possible by you, our wonderful, generous congregation. Keep up your support so we will not only have the roof completed, but paid for as quickly as possible. Thank you!

Yes, we were a little slower than planned, but the donation statements have been distributed; some by hand and some by mail. We decided to make them for 4 months this go around, but they serve the same purpose – they are not a bill, but a way we are able to make sure we have our records correctly posted. Since this is the first one for the year, please check yours carefully to make sure we have accurately posted your annual pledge and giving to date.  If you are expecting a statement and are missing yours or have any questions, let us know promptly.

There are a variety of ways to help your church financially. They can range from cash or check in the offering plate or delivered to the church office. You can also go on-line and donate from your checking/savings account or using your credit/debit card. If you have investments including IRAs and/or appreciated stocks, you may be able to achieve some added benefits by using them for direct contributions. Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans. If you are reading this online, click here for easy on-line access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. Regular donations, especially to the General/One Fund, can make your gifts easier on everyone’s cash flow.

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through April 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$ 156,124
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$ 198,808
	Actual	$ 156,887
Pass Through Income2		$ 2,630
Pass Through Expense2		$ 2,450
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$ 927
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$ 25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$ 0
Roof & Boiler Repair Income 2025		$ 64,189
Roof & Boiler Repair Expense 2025		$ 42,752
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, not listed, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, not listed, etc.

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.

We are covering our bills and paying our Apportionments through March. That is great, thought we haven’t yet started to set aside our funds as budgeted for future maintenance. As you most likely know, our current most significant financial challenges are the boiler and roof. The boiler repairs are complete and paid for including a separate HVAC leakage in one of our HVAC chillers that apparently occurred during a winter freeze.

Regarding the roof. We are making positive progress! We have received a loan commitment letter from the Virginia United Methodist Foundation Development Company. It is now in the hands of the attorney for the final closing. That should be completed not long after you read this article. As soon after that as possible, the roofing contractor will begin work. In the meantime, we have removed the old, unhealthy trees in the Prayer Garden as a first step outside. All this is being made possible by you, our wonderful, generous congregation. Keep up your support and we will not only have the roof completed, but pay off our new loan in short order. Thank you!

Soon, if not already, you should receive your quarterly donation statements. Remember these statements are not a bill, but a way we are able to make sure we have our records correctly posted. Since this will be the first one for the new year, please check yours carefully to make sure we have accurately posted your annual pledge and giving to date. If you are expecting a statement and are missing yours or have any questions, let us know promptly.

Always talk with your tax and/or financial advisor before taking any unfamiliar action, but remember that IRAs may be a positive way for supporting your church while potentially providing tax advantages for yourself. Also talk with Bill Bryan, our Finance Chair, about your plans. Donate in person, by mail, and, on-line through www.firstumcfoxhill.org. If you are reading this online, click here for easy access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code which is regularly seen in our publications and live stream. Regular donations can make your gifts easier on everyone’s cash flow.

Your support, especially through the General Fund, makes everything we do possible.
Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund – Through March 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$ 116,453
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$ 149,106
	Actual	$ 122,439
Pass Through Income2		$ 78,055
Pass Through Expense2		$ 40,202
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$ 6389
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$ 25
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$ 0
Roof Repair and Replacement Income		$ 64,189
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, etc.

I find it useful to look at things from different perspectives to understand them more clearly. Some years ago, I began looking at our church as part of a river system, a peninsula among peninsulas. The problem with that is we’re not really water going people, so it didn’t help much. Then, one day as I was looking at a map of zip codes, I saw that we sat at the intersection of three zip codes – 23664, which runs down Beach Road to Grandview, 23669, which runs from Fox Hill road to Mercury, and 23663, which is the Buckroe area.  I still find this a useful perspective, because it suggests that our church isn’t just one kind of person, but a conglomeration of different people and different ways of life.

Two years ago, when Alphonse Kasongo and Pat Leary led us through some listening sessions, Alphonse spoke of our church as the church in the middle of the village. That perspective is helpful too, because it suggests that we have a role to play, to be a connection for our community and the good news of Jesus.

More recently, I was reading Psalm 1, which depicts the righteous life as trees “planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:3) If you connect the dots between Psalm 1, which depicts the tree, and Revelation 22:2, the tree has a definite purpose: “On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”

Putting all that together, we are to be like a tree, planted in the middle of the village, growing by being fed by streams of water (our worship, service, small groups, ministries, and spiritual growth), surrounded by people of different backgrounds and perspectives (mixing of the zip codes and communities), whose purpose is to bring healing to our village. If we tie that even further in with what we have been using as our symbol, the cross on the roof, which is how our salvation operates – bringing us forgiveness and a new relationship with God through Jesus, and also that that new relationship leads to new relationships with the people in our lives, we have rich well to draw from.

Some of you may be on the ball and wondering – “what difference does that make? I see where a pastor needs to have a perspective of the church they serve, but how does that help me?” Let me explain – our church serves us by being a place and a people who help us get nourishment, hope, and restored relationships with God and each other. But we also exist to help our community do the same. We are not the only church, and we do not have all the answers, but we can still help each other and be a source of refreshing hope for others. So, the next time you come to church or gather with friends from church, realize that you are being healed by our church body, and God wants others to find the healing you have and are finding.

I invite us all to think about these images and ask ourselves, “How can I remain planted by the stream of the Gospel truths, and how can we bring healing to the community around us?” You may be surprised and pleased to discover that more is happening in and through us than meets the eye!

It's my honor to serve alongside you!

This report briefly addresses finances at FUMC Fox Hill. The latest information is in the weekly bulletin available at church or through our web site.
As most of you know, the past few months have been a whirlwind in the finance domain. We handled our January operational expenditures satisfactorily while delaying our first month Apportionments and set aside payments till the dust clears a bit.
Adding to the craziness of the whole situation is clearly our unexpected Boiler failure in the midst of addressing the major Roof Replacement Project. And our First Fox Hill family has been really coming through to help us.

We started raising funds for the roof replacement in mid-October and as of mid-February have received nearly $41,000. Then, in mid-January, our boiler failed and needed immediate replacement. And our folks really stood up to meet the challenge. Within about 48 hours we had enough to order the boiler and within 2 weeks funds were on hand to pay the full bill. As promised, any funds collected for the boiler in excess of the boiler cost will be used for the roof project.

All told, we have raised about $80,000 for the combined two projects in just 4 months. We have applied for a grant from the Mission Rivers District and are in the process of securing a loan to finance the additional cost of the Roof Replacement. Thanks for your GREAT response to date and for your continuing support.

Can you believe it is nearly tax time? Whether you anticipate a refund or expect to have to pay more, tax time can be an opportunity to think about your church. You should always talk with your financial and/or tax professional as well as Bill Bryan our Finance Chair, before taking any significant actions, but here are some things to consider.

If you are receiving a refund, there can be many ways to use it. One may well be to provide the church support you planned or some extra to help with our extensive maintenance projects. If you are anticipating having to pay more taxes than you already have, this may also be a time to think about your future church support. This is especially true if you are in the category of folks who are 70½ and drawing on your IRA, but not using it all to cover living expenses. You can consider making a Qualified Charitable Donation (QCD). A QCD does not count as a tax deduction, but does reduce your taxable income which may be even better. You can also secure financial benefits by making donations of stock which has appreciated in value since you acquired it, avoiding taxes in the process whether or not you itemize deductions.

Remember, you can donate in person, by mail, and, on-line through www.firstumcfoxhill.org. If you are reading this online, click here for easy access. Or use your camera to scan this QR code regularly seen in our publications and live stream. Regular donations can make your gifts easier on everyone’s cash flow.

Your support, especially through the General Fund, makes everything we do possible. Thank you! Thank you!

Please direct concerns/questions about FUMC FH finances to our financial staff via the office or Bill Bryan, Finance Chair, at (757) 851-0748 or by e-mail to billb-1111@cox.net.

Total One Fund Through January 2025
Income For Planned Expenses1		$ 36,554
Total One Fund Expenses (excludes pass through2)	Planned	$ 50,893
	Actual	$ 21,187
Pass Through Income2		$ 12,173
Pass Through Expense2		$ 11,191
“Pay-It-Forward” Contributions		$ 3,374
LUMENs Fund Raiser Income		$ 3,374
LUMENs Fund Raiser Expense		$ 0
1 Includes regular and memorial contributions, building use income, interest, etc. 2 Represents contributions for non-budget items, e.g., flowers, special mission programs, etc.

Last month, I wrote about our boiler, and how I was hopeful that the process of raising the funds to replace it would help our spiritual growth. I’d like to offer an update and an idea of what seems to be around the next bend.

The update is, as I write (things will undoubtedly change), the new boiler is up and running, but we have a leak. Chances are that long before this goes to print, everything will be sorted out. A few other updates too: We were successful in raising the funds, and then some,to repair the boiler, so that we have a little more of a leg up on the next challenge of repairing the roof. There is good news in all this – between replacing the chillers not long ago, paying off the mortgage, replacing the HVAC units in the admin wing, along with the boiler and the roof, we may have a few years before any other major financial challenges related to the building arise. Plus, I am very pleased at just how many of us braved the cold inside weather to come to church, and I encourage those who stayed home to come back as well – we are better when we are together! As they say, there is no church without U! (Indeed, without U, there is just a sad chrch).

Around the bend, several blessings await us: It won’t be long before the season of Lent begins, and we will have the chance to prepare for Easter! Ash Wednesday will be March 5, and we’ll be worshipping at Phoebus United Methodist Church that evening. (Maundy Thursday will be at our church building, and we will have a shorter Stations of the Cross for Good Friday.) Easter comes late this year – April 20. But even before Ash Wednesday, we all get to partake of a Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner provided by our youth on March 4, and on March 20, we will have a game night from 5:30-7:30pm, including carnival games for those who like to move their bodies and board games for those who prefer to move their brains. The March 20 event is a follow up to the “It’s Just… dinner” events we held in the fall – we are trying to repurpose the format to better address the loneliness issues of our church and community.

I encouraged all of us to persevere through COVID some years ago, and we did! We had a very short version of it this year, except this time, it wasn’t a virus that kept people away - it was a cold building. If I could ask one thing, though, it would be this – if you see someone missing or are worried about someone, please get in touch with them, or if you don’t know how, let us know in the church office and let me know. Let’s continue to strive greeting and loving all our guests and visitors and also reaching out to those who have been in our family for some time.

While I have been writing about “Come Alive in 2025,” other things have happened. As friends of mine who were in the Navy used to call it, we have been OBE. That is, our plans are Overcome By Events. It’s not that we can’t come alive in 2025 – it’s just that mental and financial energy that could’ve served to propel our spiritual growth are also being used to deal with the reality that more than half our building is without heat for several more weeks, and it will cost a bundle to change that reality.

However, there is good news in the challenge. In fact, four things jump out to me as being good. First, financial stewardship is, in fact, part of spiritual growth and life. As much as I would prefer our finances to support mission projects or ministry projects, life is life, and we have to roll with it, which is part of spiritual growth as well. Second, the reality is, the more people we have in our building, the warmer we all become! So, even if you cannot donate much to a new boiler, you can invite friends and family, and in so doing, make our place of worship warmer – literally! Third, boilers, like roofs and chillers, are items that simply wear out over time, and there’s a good chance we may not need any more major capital improvements or outlays for a little while after this one is resolved. Finally, one of the fundamental spiritual truths we all have to grasp is that we are not in charge – God is. There is no better time to learn that truth than the present time.

So, I will still say 2025 is the year to come alive! As we huddle together for warmth, as we put our minds, our hearts, and our funds together to replace the boiler, and as we invite friends and family to join us and increase our warmth, God will indeed bring unexpected blessings our way. In the meantime, may we continue to be humble, open, warm, and expectant for the things the Lord is doing in our midst.