One Sunday afternoon, Jane Bradley and I came to Main Campus for a creek baptism. When we pulled up, I saw some folks in the parking lot. What were they doing? Turns out, they were playing pickleball! And really, some were playing, sweating and moving. And some were sitting in lawn chairs eating the watermelon they brought along. THAT is what you can expect at our Pickleball, Picknic, & Party Palooza. A chance to learn a fun new sport AND a chance to relax with friends and enjoy good food. Read below how pickleball can bring people together from one of those folks I witnessed that Sunday afternoon! ~ Pastor Carlisle

“My name is Nancy Styers. Like a lot of people, my husband, Ron and I discovered pickleball when the world shut down due to Covid-19. Pickleball is like tennis, in that it can be played with either 2 or 4 players. We have found that it is more enjoyable with 4 players, known as doubles. To our surprise while out playing, we connected with other people from our Seekers Sunday School class. We were having so much fun that we started playing 3 or 4 times a week. When we returned to church, we talked about playing and more of our class wanted to learn. We decided to set up a Sunday afternoon time and started teaching others how to play. When winter came and it was too cold to play outside, we were table to continue playing at the Franklin Recreation Center on Monday evenings. We have had several other church members join in the fun. Pickleball is for all ages and we hope to see you out there playing. ~ Nancy Styers

The Pickleball Picnic Party is Sunday, May 7 from 2 to 6 pm. This is an all-church fellowship event, and we hope YOU can make it. Sign up to play (as beginner, intermediate OR advance) or sign up to be a spectator. Both registrations cover your food cost for the evening. Pickleball coaches will be on site to teach anyone who wants to learn how to play. And if not, you can sit in your lawn chair and enjoy the snacks. REGISTER HERE. All proceeds benefit Missions at FFUMC.