Church News
Dinner Bell Menu for May 20, 2020
Texas Farm Credit is the Community Partner for a Grab and Go meal from Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church. Distribution is under the covered driveway (porte cochere) at the Northeast corner of the church campus starting at 11:30 a.m.
MENU
King Ranch Chicken
Salsa
Pinto Beans
Mexican Rice
Salad with Ranch Cups
Tortillas
Sopapilla Cheesecake
Please practice safe health routines. Wash, wash, wash your hands. Wear a mask in public. Remain 6 feet from persons. Be careful and keep well. Someday we will again serve in the Fellowship Hall and enjoy fellowship at the meal tables
Please take care of yourself. Stay six feet from people. Wash your hands often, often, often. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you must be out in public. Stay home as much as is possible. I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WHEN THIS QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Local Businesses Come Together for Dinner Bell
Representatives from several local business came together Wednesday May 13th, 2020 to donate beef to the Dinner Bell. The businesses making the donation were:
Meat from the Grand Champion steer was processed and donated to the community meal program at the First United Methodist Church.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Dinner Bell Menu for May 12, 2020
Christus Mother Frances Hospital is this week’s Community Partner.
Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church is again distributing meals in the Grab and Go method from under the covered driveway at the Northeast corner of the church campus starting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Herb Crusted Pork Loin
Mexican Hominy
Crunchy Romaine Toss
Buttered Bread Slices
Fresh Fruit
PLEASE Continue to be VERY CAREFUL! WEAR MASKS when in public and wash your hands OFTEN, OFTEN, OFTEN. We want to see you when we are allowed to hold DINNER BELL in our FELLOWSHIP HALL.
Please take care of yourself. Stay six feet from people. Wash your hands often, often, often. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you must be out in public. Stay home as much as is possible. I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WHEN THIS QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
The Dinner Bell: May Blessings
The Dinner Bell, a ministry of the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX, had a lot on it’s plate Wednesday. Beside the weekly free community meal, now served grab-and-go due to social distancing, a group of young men had a donation to make.
Gentlemen from the White and Ingram families recently set up a lemonade stand in the Rockyridge neighborhood. They sold two flavors of lemonade and homemade chocolate chip cookies. They also accepted donations from friends and neighbors. Their combined donation to Dinner Bell was $136. Natalie White (pictured above) stated, “The boys knew from the beginning they wanted to donate to the Dinner Bell. They are just the best and sweetest boys.”
Dinner Bell Matron Judy Gilreath said, “The money will go to good use, I’m already planning next weeks menu.” Judy went on to say that she is currently having trouble finding enough meat to match demands. She had to cut her interview short to field a call from a restaurant supplier.
This weeks sponsor was on hand to help prepare and hand out meals.
FUMC received a last minute donation of eggs and bathroom tissue. The goods were shared with participants as they drove, walked or bicycled through.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Dinner Bell Menu for May 6, 2020
The Community Partner for May 6 is Diversified Storage.
Dinner Bell for the present continues as a GRAB and GO operation. Meals are distributed from the covered driveway (porte cochere) at the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus. Enter from North Davis onto Fleming Street and continue to follow the driveway ending on Church Street. Meal time is 11:45 a.m. but the food boxes are usually ready for distribution around 11:30 a.m.
MENU
Baked Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Garlic
Rice Pilaf
Oven Roasted Carrots
Garden Salad with Hidden Valley Ranch cups
Buttered French Bread Slices
Fresh Fruit
PLEASE take care of yourselves. Keep safe distances, wash your hands OFTEN, and wear your masks. I want to see you when we can once again meet around the tables in Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church. BE CAREFUL!!!
Please take care of yourself. Stay six feet from people. Wash your hands often, often, often. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you must be out in public. Stay home as much as is possible. I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WHEN THIS QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Dinner Bell Menu for April 29, 2020
It is still GRAB and GO for Dinner Bell. The VFW Post 8560 is the COMMUNITY PARTNER.
MENU
Hamburger Steak with Brown Onion Gravy over
Seasoned Rice
Squash and Corn Casserole (this is a family favorite of mine)
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread
Fresh Fruit
Enter behind First United Methodist Church from North Davis onto Fleming Streer. Continue to the food distribution area (covered [porte cochere] drive way).
PLEASE wash hands often , stay six feet from persons and try to stay home. We want to see you when Dinner Bell can once again entertain you in the Fellowship Hall.
The meat for this meal was graciously donated by Rail 19.
Please take care of yourself. Stay six feet from people. Wash your hands often, often, often. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you must be out in public. Stay home as much as is possible. I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WHEN THIS QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Commissioners Court Delayed Making A Decision For Disaster Declaration
Hopkins County Commissioners Court continue delaying a decision on whether or not to approve an amended public health emergency disaster declaration Monday.
During the morning Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom initially recommended extending the second amended disaster declaration he put in place April 20 following Governor Greg Abbott’s April 17 updated orders related to COVID-19 measures. This would allow it to stay in place reflecting the current orders in place from the state, and could be updated if the Governor in his address this afternoon makes changes to the restrictions. The court then could hold a special session or emergency meeting as needed to update the declaration for those changes.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked whether the order needed to be extended this morning to reflect the Governor’s previous orders if they very likely will change this afternoon.
Newsom acknowledge that the order for the county would likely need to be amended a third time to match any changes announced at the 2:30 p.m. press conference at the state level.
He said he is very grateful Hopkins County is doing very well, with all four of the diagnosed positive patients well and recovered from COVID-19. The county needs to keep doing well. There have been no new cases in over 3 weeks.
It was pointed out that a nursing home in Paris over the weekend had numerous patients test positive for COVID-19, escalating the numbers for that county significantly higher. While Hopkins County nursing homes and senior citizens hoe have done very well, Hopkins County still must protect residents.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin said while he doesn’t want to go against the state order, he feels it is important to get the ball rolling toward reopening all businesses in Hopkins County as soon as possible.
Bartley noted that the businesses hurt worst by the shutdown of all except essential businesses have been mom and pop style small businesses.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker said it is his opinion that the businesses should be responsible for what goes on at their location. Each should be expected to sanitize things regularly. People should wear masks if they wish when going out in public. It should be up to the individual or business what health safety measures they take.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he’s taken at least one call from individuals who indicated they were very close to having to go out of business due to the COVID-19 regulations for business closures.
“Is it the government’s responsibility to control common sense?” Barker asked.
Bartley said extending the order wouldn’t match if the Governor today issues guidelines resending the closures and allowing businesses to open back up.
After the discussion, Newsom’s motion and the second to withdraw the motion to extend the amended declaration were taken back. The court entered into recess, with the intent to reconvene after the governor’s press conference this afternoon, to determine what if any action will be taken regarding an extension of the public health safety disaster declaration. If no action is taken, the second amended county disaster declaration put on by Newsom last week will expire.
A work session with the various county departments convened in the interim.
The court reconvened in regular session following the Governor’s afternoon press conference. They discussed the changes outlined by Governor Greg Abbott in executive order 18, which will start May 1. Retail businesses libraries, museums, dine-in restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls are allowed to reopen for in-store shopping and business with occupancy limited to 25 percent in each, with options to open up to 50 percent occupancy in counties that have five or fewer COVID-19 cases. Certain guidelines must be followed as well.
Local government operations for permitting, records and document filing services may reopen as well. Golf courses can reopen, and outdoor sports with up to four participants with distancing parameters observed may be reopened. Individuals working alone in an office too may provide services under the new order.
Nursing homes and facilities of that nature will remain closed to visitors during Phase I of the Governor’s plan to reopen state services and businesses.
Churches can conduct religious services provided they observe social distancing.
Hopkins County Regional Civic Center General Manager Lonnie Fox asked what that would mean for events at the Civic Center. Most gatherings, especially large gatherings, are still a ways off — until at least May 18 when the Governor said Phase II could potentially go into effect if Texans continues to do their part, observing guidelines, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Concern was expressed by the commissioners and judge for some businesses that were not specifically listed to reopen.
The Commissioners Court agreed to once again recess the meeting, which is to resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 28. That will give Newsom and the commissioners more time to delve into the guidelines and potentially recommend and consider approving a second amended disaster declaration in accordance with the Executive Order 18.
Governor Abbott Outlined Plans To Reopen Texas
Governor Greg Abbott outlined plans to reopen Texas during his press conference Monday afternoon. The stay at home safe order in place will be allowed to expire at the end of the month. He outlined a plan to begin opening businesses starting May 1.
Abbott said the stay at home safe order had done it’s place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He announced three phases to reopen businesses in increments,
All retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can reopen May 1, provided they minimize exposure and limit occupancy to no more than 25 percent.
If Phase I works, Phase II will allow businesses to open with 50 percent occupancy. This could happen around May 18, depending on COVID-19 remaining containing. The state then would continue to expand as long as COVID-19 remains contained.
This allows businesses to re-open, but does not require them to do so. If a business feels unsafe or does not want to reopen, that business is not requirement to do so, Abbott said.
All museums and libraries can reopen with occupancy up to 25 percent. Hands-on exhibits in museums are to remain closed. Museums do not have to reopen, but do have permission to do so
Churches and places of worship, kept open to an extent under the existing order, will be able to expand capacity even more. Abbott emphasized the importance of safe distancing practices to ensure church members remain protected.
Services provided by an individual working alone in an office; and local governmental operations relating to permitting, recordation, and document-filing services, as determined by local government, are also within the scope of reopenings authorized in the April 27 Governor’s Executive Order 18.
Before another stage is authorized, test tracking will be conducted and analyzed, with more testing sites and tests to be available. Among the data to be considered will be hospitalization rates, new cases, whether the numbers or flat and the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 during the first couple of weeks in May.
Outdoor sports will once again be allowed in Phase 1. However, they can involve no more than 4 participants at any 1 time, so long as distancing practices follow. Abbott used golf and tennis as examples. If COVID-19 remains contained in Phase I, that number will be expanded in Phase II expand to allow more sporting activities.
Nurses, doctors and dentist in the first phase will be able to get back to work. All licensed health care professionals allowed to return to work with a few capacity guidelines.
Hospitals will be required to reserve 15 percent capacity for COVID-19 patients.
Essential services will continue to operate as they have been doing in Phase I.
Abbott acknowledged that Texas is a big state with a diverse geography, and not all counties are affected the same by COVID-19. even in low population counties COVID-19 can spread rapidly.
Abbot noted that counties with 5 or fewer COVID-19 patients — about half the state — could potentially be allowed to increase their capacity in facilities to 50 percent, provided they comply with the safety standards outlined by doctors. For specifics, refer to the manual available at gov.texas.gov/opentexas.
If an area or the state has a sudden huge rise or significant outbreak of COVID-19, then those areas or the state would revert back to more limited capacity.
“Some businesses want to open. Texans want them to open, but. it’s not safe enough to open them all at this time. Barber shops, hair salons, bars and gyms are to remain closed. We are working to open business as soon as possible. We hope to open them on or no later than mid May,” Abbott said.
Because they require such close contact and proximity, it’s very difficult to open those at this time, the Governor noted, but plans are being explored to allow those businesses to open soon as well.
The most important element to re-opening business is to continue to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. Seventy-five percent of deaths are peple 65 and older.
“If we redouble our efforts to protect our most vulnerable citizens, we can reduce deaths while expanding the workforce and the number reentering the workforce,” the Governor said.
Abbott said re-opening businesses safely will depending on Texans’ commitment to continue safe distancing practices to reduce the potential spread COVID-19.
Visitation is still restricted at nursing homes, state supported living centers, assisted living facilities, or long-term care facilities, which are to follow the infection control policies set by Texas Health and Human Services Commission. That includes minimizing the movement of staff between facilities when possible, according to Executive Order 18.
Schools will remain closed to in-person student classroom attendance through the end of the 2019-20 school year, per the CDC and President’s guidelines.
Governor, AG Issue Updated Guidance To Houses Of Worship
AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued updated joint guidance regarding the effect of Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-16 on religious services conducted by congregations and houses of worship. The updated guidance to houses of worship recommends strategies to effectively slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) while serving their respective communities of faith.
“Government and faith communities throughout Texas must work together to care for our neighbors and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This updated guidance provides clear direction for houses of worship to protect the health and safety of their congregations as they continue to hold religious services, exercise religious liberty and serve their faith communities.”
All emergency orders must comply with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, Article I of the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protect the rights of Texans to freely exercise their religion. Consistent with those protections, Executive Order GA-16 defines essential services to include “religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship.” Orders given by state or local governments, therefore, may not prohibit people from providing or obtaining those religious services. And importantly, under GA-16, local government may not close houses of worship.
Dinner Bell Menu for April 22, 2020
Alliance Bank is the Community Partner for April 22, 2020.
We are still serving Dinner Bell from the covered driveway at the Northeast corner of First United Methodist Church as “Grab and Go” meals!
MENU
Chicken Pot Pie
Italian Cut Green Beans (bacon infused)
Marinated Vegetable Salad over chopped lettuce
Buttered Biscuits
Pumpkin Muffins with Streusel Topping
Dinner Bell is pleased to continue to offer meals during this time of QUARANTINE in a safe and non threatening manner. Please enter the driveway from North Davis onto Fleming Street and continue until you see the food distribution area. Please follow rules for safety during this pandemic time. We want to see your smiling faces when we can reopen the Fellowship Hall for seated dining.
Please take care of yourself. Stay six feet from people. Wash your hands often, often, often. Wear a covering over your mouth and nose when you must be out in public. Stay home as much as is possible. I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL WHEN THIS QUARANTINE IS OVER!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
