2015 Jan-Jun Children's Message Schedule

We hope you'll come visit First Congo on any Sunday for great people, music, services, and more.  There are tons of volunteer opportunities to participate in that can help you and others.  There is a fair trade store to buy gifts for good prices that pay fair wages to the crafters of the products.  Organizations to meet and participate with.  More!

As a part of this church, Muley is very happy to participate with the kids' messages.  Following is his schedule through June 2015!  Please come out to visit.

10AM - You can visit members and learn about the church at the Cafe Congo.
10:30AM - services begin.

January 25-Kevin and Muley

February 8-Kevin and Muley

March 15-Kevin and Muley

April 12-Kevin and Muley

May10-Kevin and Muley

June 7-Kevin and Muley

June 21-Kevin and Muley

 

 

Christmas Videos Through History

Okay, so, not a long history of it.  Several years ago we were late on sending a Christmas Card out to folks, so we set up a camera and recorded Muley and Kevin to make that Christmas Wish.



It had to be followed by our New Year's Day message (to make a drawn-out joke work):



Lame, silly joke.   I know, but otherwise it wouldn't be a Muley joke, right?

But, then, Muley found a magic book in which we borrowed (what we thought was) a Santa's Helper for a quick cameo:



However, it was then our discovery that we didn't get an official Santa, but closer.  Somewhat of a cousin, but we were still not sure exactly who--or WHAT--we had, until this happened...



That's right, it was the moment of discovery of the dreaded SantaFish!!  You can learn more about SantaFish in his o-fish-al biography by clicking here.

In 2008, we had a video where Muley wrote a letter to Santa Claus; but, his letter went, as all letters by naughty boys and girls go, to SantaFish!  Here's what happened, followed by out-takes and alternate shots.



In 2009, Muley broke his arm.  How'd that go for Christmas?



It went thataway.  Yep, in 2009, there was a Christmas whine.  But, in 2010, there were people whining that Muley ruined a perfectly good song.  C'mon, folks: he's 6 years old with a camera and a karaoke tape, give him some credit!



Then there was the time he and his buddy Roy Duck performed "Little Drummer Boy" from their school play.  They done okay!



And that is the long, drawn-out history of Muley's Christmas videos.  Let's see what happens in 2015, shall we?  Could it finally be the long-awaited "Truly Muley Christmas Special?"

Probably not...

Supporting Families Around The World

As you know all too well, Muley loves to talk to the kids and grown-ups at First Congregational Church in Memphis, TN, and as part of that once in a while gets to make an announcement, like he did recently about Heifer International.

First Congo has supported Food Justice for a long time including a Food Pantry open to the needy three times a week, Fishes and Loaves closet which feeds homeless folks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Food for Families once a month feeding over 300 families, and Heifer International which, since 1944, Heifer International has helped over 250 families in 125 countries, including the USA, by offering cows, sheep, geese, bees, goats...everything needed to help sustain life!

Below is the image (taken by Roger Courts) that ran in this week's Congo Beat newsletter and the text to go along with it!  Note the Irish spelling of "Kevin," which is an Irish name.

Maybe.

Click the photo to learn more about Heifer International and donate to them.

 

It's in Black-and-White...

Tonight, I watched a colorized version of the I Love Lucy Christmas Special and just wasn't distracted by the color version at all.  But, in a discussion about it, the note came up by my buddy Joseph that the advertisement said it was colorized for kids of all ages.

Huh?  I grew up on both color and black-and-white TV.  Great characters with personality, great stories, fun entertainment: those are the things that are needed.  Not color.  Kids can enjoy color TV or black-and-white TV.  If it's good TV, they'll like it.

Now, I am reminded about a comic strip I did a LONG Time ago, posted here.  The joke is that it is said that dogs are color blind.  And, it is biographical: I remember watching a show with a friend of mine as a kid and she asked, "Is there a problem with your TV?"

Holy Cow! Erm...Mule...

The year in review for all of Muley's sermons on this, the final day of his message to the kids and their parents at First Congo.  We're working on a publication of his messages from the beginning until now, but in the meantime, here is a photo from November 2014 message taken by Roger Courts, followed by the scriptures that the messages were based upon.

Today's message was about peace.  What can each of us do to change the world for the better?  How can be bring peace to the world?  Individually, we all have to make an effort and change our own hearts and minds and that is where it begins.

January 2014 - Matthew 3:1-12
February 2014 - John 1:1-5
March 2014 (#1) - II Samuel 16:5-14
March 2014 (#2) - Matthew 3:21-28
April 2014 - John 20:19-31
May 2014 - Psalm 66:8-20
June 2014 - Matthew 10:24-39
July 2014 - I Kings 17:8-24
August 2014 - Matthew 18:21-35
September 2014 - Romans 12:1-8
October 2014 - James 2:14-18
November 2014 - I Timothy 6:17-19
December 2014 - Isaiah 2:1-5

Thanksgiving 2014, "The Muley and Friends Show" comes to ACME Classics TV!

"The Muley and Friends Show" makes its full-fledged television debut on ACME Classics TV on Thanksgiving Day at 8:55am and 4:25pm.  A day when families come together, this is an opportunity for our program to do exactly what we've wanted from the start:  Bring families together for an entertainment opportunity!

 

2014 Frog Fest Photos

Here are photos from the 2014 Leland Frog Fest for your entertainment pleasures!

The busy arts tents!

Touch a Truck!  You could run sirens and horns.

Race cars.

Bounce House with a slide in it, and a small obstacle course.

More art tents fun!

Kevin teaches Delta State University instructor and students
the joy of folded paper puppets.

Folded paper puppets of Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster.

Muley hosts the kids' costume contest.

Muley hosts the kids' costume contest.

Muley hosts the kids' costume contest.

Muley hosts the kids' costume contest.

Lazy River Band - 15 year reunion!

The Great Pumpkin Kermit.

Deer Creek from the Rainbow Connection Bridge.

Busy street vendors!  Packed with folks!

Breaking Grass blue grass band.

 

2014 Frog Fest - October 25th

A fun time as always in a great town located in the Mississippi Delta!  Birthplace of Kermit the Frog and boyhood home of Jim Henson, Leland, MS, has been a home away from home for Muley the Mule and Friends since Frog Fest began.

Many years ago, we made our first trip down to get photos of a Kermit prop replica, and have been back many times since!

Check out the official poster and our schedule poster below, and come down to visit us. 

And don't forget to give your face a taste of delicious vacation and visit Vince's before you leave town!  Our choice of fine dining!

Frog Fest and Final 2014 Kids' Messages

FIRST CONGO KIDS' MESSAGES

The final three 2014 Kids' Messages will be delivered at First Congo on the dates below.  Come see what Muley will discuss in his mulish fashion.

October 5, there will be a blessing of the bikes!  Muley will discuss what bikes have to do with taking care of the body as a temple for our soul, and how bikes bless us back.  I think he's even wearing biking gear--that'll be interesting...

October 5
November 9
December 7

Photo by Roger Courts, Muley talks to the kids and adults of First Congo!

LELAND FROG FESTIVAL

Leland, MS, Frog Fest is going to be held on October 25th celebrating the life of our hero, Jim Henson, who was raised to boyhood there in the Mississippi Delta!  Hopefully, you can come down for the arts and crafts and have great fun.  And, no, frog's legs are NOT on the menu.  In fact, we hope they're outlawed in Kermit the Frog's hometown!

Buford the Dog, Roy Duck, Muley the Mule and Missy Mule in Leland, 2011.

 

Finding Muley in June 2014!

Where can you find Muley the Mule this month?

2007 - Christopher Reeve Tribute by Muley the Mule.
(Photo by Lin Workman)

SUPERMAN CELEBRATION

June 13, 2014 - Smallville Tent

11am - Puppetry for Television Workshop - ages 13+ (Kevin L. Williams only)
Here, you can learn the basics of puppetry performance, and how performing live is different than performing for television, including basics for videographers to take note on how to shoot film of puppets.

3:30pm - Muley and Friends Show
Come sing and dance along with Muley the Mule and Friends as they perform fun songs for the whole family!

4pm - Children's Superhero Costume Contest
A highlight of the Superman Celebration!  Come see kids of all ages as they take the stage with emcee Muley the Mule!  (Maybe SuperMule will make an appearance.)

2008 - Kids' Costume Contest hosted by SuperMule.
(Photo by Lin Workman)

June 14, 2014 - Smallville Tent

10am - Puppet Making Workshop for all ages (Kevin L. Williams only)
Those little sock puppets?  Yeah, you can make your own.  There will be some discussion as well about the use of different items to make puppets.

1pm - Muley and Friends Show
A second chance to catch Muley the Mule and Friends' performing more songs and entertainment for the family!

Puppet Making Workshop with Kids, 2014 Mid-South Con.
(Photo by Carlin Stuart.)

KIDS' MESSAGE

June 22, 2014

First Congregational Church in Memphis, TN, will host another of Muley's Kids' messages.  There is a meet and greet at the Café Congo starting at 10am, with services starting at 10:30 am.  There is never any telling what kind of mayhem Muley may cause during his kids' message, but they are always full of poignancy and humor--a time for parents and kids to enjoy together!  CLICK HERE for directions.


Muley shows a cheese grater to remind
our children to be "grateful"- ba-dum-ching!
(Photo by Roger Courts.)

 

2014 Church Talk Schedule

When is an okay time to go to church?  Anytime when you're going to First Congregational!  Especially on the following days because it fits the theme of which this website is dedicated.  That's right, following are the dates in which you can find Muley speaking to the kids at church.  Heck, any of the kids' messages are great and you'd do well to come along.  There's always something for kids to learn, even the "kid" in the adults! 

Church begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings; but, you can come to Cafe Congo for fellowship and hanging out, meet and greets, at 10 AM.

We hope to see you there some Sunday.

April 27
May 25 (Memorial Day Weekend)
June 22
July 20
August 17
September 14
October 5
November 9
December 7

 

Muley at First Congregational and Farmer's Market

Muley shared at church about the upcoming Grand Re-opening of the Cooper Young Farmer's Market on April 5th, during which time he'll be performing a 15 minute show. 

The Cooper Young Farmer's Market starts at 8am - 1pm in the parking lot at First Congregational Church.

In case you needed to know: The CYFM accepts SNAP benefits!  Nate Folse with CYCF shared, "We have a program called Double Green$, which means that the first $10 spent on a SNAP/EBT at the market each week is matched with special Double Green$ tokens---these can only be used to buy fresh fruits vegetables, so it basically means $10 of free high quality produce."

So, who will be performing at the Cooper Young Farmer's Market on April 5th?  Who dat on 11:15am?

8:30-9:15 Mark Allen
9:15-9:30 _____________
9:30-10:15 Lorette Velvette & Alex Greene
10:15-10:30 Memphis Men of Harmony
10:30-11:15 Marcella & Her Lovers
11:15-11:30 Muley the Mule and Friends
11:30-12:15 Standby for Mars
12:15-12:30 Mystic River Dancers

The final Kids' Message by Muley for this season is April 27th, and then it's on to a new season of discussions!!

This Sunday, March 30th, is one of the two final scheduled Muley Sermons for this particular season at the church. 

Church starts at 10:30 AM, but meet-n-greets start at 10 AM at the Cafe Congo at First Congregational Church.

Muley and First Congo in Memphis Flyer

You know how Muley loves talking to the kids (and grown-ups) at First Congregational Church, and now you can see his picture as part of a story on The Art of Worship in The Memphis Flyer.  Go grab your copy today through Wednesday 1/15/2014!

Photo by Justin Fox Burks.

Parent's Note - Muley Performs Kids' Message 1/5/2014

Want to see what Muley has to say about Three Wise Men (Matt 2:1-12) and what their coming to see the child Jesus means?  Come to First Congregational Church this Sunday morning at 10 for meet-and-greet and 10:30 for the services.

PARENTS' NOTE
"So, we come to First Congo and we see the kids' messages and wonder what next?"  Well, there are a few things we always want parents to do whether it's watching one of the kids' messages, one of our videos, one of our live shows, or the upcoming "The Muley and Friends Show" TV program.

We want the parents to sit with their kids, watch and enjoy what we do.  Amid the entertainment, there is a lesson (usually).  We want you to take that lesson and delve into it deeper.  Whether it's about leadership, friendship, helping, or dealing with bullies, or when you're at church and hear one of our messages there, dig deeper and have more conversation with your young ones. 

At church, the messages are based on certain passages in the bible.  You can open those conversations by going further than the reading of the biblical passages at church by discussing the pastors' messages to the congregation, and by likening those messages to life as it pertains to your household.  You can read further than just the passages read at church and finish the whole chapter.

Ask your child questions about the lessons, and allow them to ask you questions.  Seek the answers together.  Jesus is with you all the time, not just two hours on Sundays.  Feel free to keep the lessons going!

We like:
The Action Bible
The Action Bible Devotional
or get BOTH!


Remaining Schedule:
January 5th:  Kevin and Muley
February 2:  Kevin and Muley
March 2nd:  Kevin and Muley
March 30th:  Kevin and Muley
April 27th:  Kevin and Muley