PUMC Connections. From the desk of Reverend Thomas A. Davenport

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1 Parchment United Methodist Church 225 Glendale Blvd. Parchment, MI Volume 23, Issue 2 PUMC Connections From the desk of Reverend Thomas A. Davenport I grew up in a church in Detroit. I ran the halls from the sanctuary to the Jr. church in the Sundays classroom, to the shushing of the ushers. As a youth, I was the president of our UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship). I knew where all the unlocked doors were, and how to sneak up to the bell tower, where we could see Tiger Stadium from the high perch. It was (and is) an important part of my life, and formation. Years later, I was invited to preach at the Lenten Series on a Wednesday night. I had completed my Master s degree and had been serving a church for probably 6 years, which made me about 35 or 6. When I walked into the church, I was warmly greeted by dear friends who called out Tommy! In their eyes I was still the little boy in short pants, running the halls! In spite of how I had changed, and grown, I was still seen as who they remembered! Nostalgia is a powerful memory. And nostalgia serves a purpose. It helps us to recall important events with joy and happiness. It reminds us of our history. And yet, we really do know that Time continues to march on! The clock waits for no-one! I am also reminded: The Church is of God and will be preserved to the end of time for the conduct of worship and the due administration of God's Word and Sacraments, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the edification of believers, and the conversion of the world. Church Office: Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday parchmentumc@tds.net OR pastorthomm@hotmail.com Deadline for March Issue: Monday, February 12, 2018 No matter what we do, God is in the work of Worship, Fellowship, Discipline, and changing the WORLD! And so, I am not worried! God is Good, all the Time, and All the Time, GOD IS GOOD! During our season of Lent, I invite you to pray for our community. Pray for the neighbors near our church building. Pray for their children. Pray for the sr. citizens who live near alone. Pray that God will give us a burden for our community. Our Second Vision Planning Meeting will be February 10, 2018 at 10:00 am. Grace and Peace, Pastor Thom Page 1

2 February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Men s Breakfast - Michelles 18 11:45 UMW Chili Cookoff 5 Women s Cancer Survivors 6pm-CL Nominations Comm. Mtg. 1:30 pm-libr. 12 Red Cross Blood Drive Noon-5:45 6 Family Fun Night 6pm Boy Scouts Comm. Mtg 6:30 Conf.Rm. 13 Special Family Fun Night 6pm Family Fun Night 6pm 7 Chimes 6:30 pm Choir 7:30 pm 14 Ash Wednesday Lenten Soup Supper 6pm Chimes 7pm Choir 8pm Valentine s Day 21 Lenten Soup Supper 6pm Chimes 7pm Choir 8pm 8 Girl Scouts 6:30 SH 15 Juice Plus Healthy Living Series 6:45 Lounge Trustee Mtg 7pm -YL 22 Girl Scouts 6:30 SH 9 Cubs - Gym 6-7:30 16 Lion Cubs -SH 23 Cubs - Gym 6-7:30 10 Vision Day II SH/Kit 10am-2pm 17 Private Event 5-9pm SH/Kit 24 Cub Scouts Blue & Gold Banquet 3:30-7 SH/Kit/Gym Finance Comm Mtg 7pm - Conf. Rm. 27 Family Fun Night 6pm Leadership Council 7pm Lounge 28 Lenten Soup Supper 6pm Chimes 7pm Choir 8pm Page 2 Head Usher for February: Kathe Brenay Trustee on Duty for February: Dan Closson

3 1 Sherry Jones 1 Flynn McKinney 2 Sharon Ebbitt 4 Dustin Croy 5 Ian McKinney 6 Steve Gillespie 7 Dan Closson 8 Barbara Gruizinga 9 Harry Parker 13 Barb Glennon 13 Lois Stegman 13 Nancy Taylor 15 Joyce Dennison 15 Carol Hilboldt 18 Ella DeGraw 18 Ronda Kuhnert 18 Alexis Moore 19 Kathy Noble 21 Gregory DeWard 22 Julie Dinsmore 24 Kay Miller 24 Jim Cole 26 Sheryl Roberts 28 Marcus DeGraw Red Cross Blood Drive Monday February 12th Noon to 2:45 pm 5 Carl & Carla Gillespie ( 00) 12 Richard & Margaret Burton ( 55) UNITED METHODIST WOMEN S COMING EVENTS: February 18 11:45 am Chili Cook-off March 10 9 am Lenten Breakfast April 13 (Fri) 1pm-6 pm Rummage Sale April 14 (Sat) 9 am-2 pm Rummage Sale May 10 6 pm Mother/Daughter Banquet June 7 6 pm UMW Potluck Hot.. or mild With or without beans Beef, chicken, venison, vegetable or? HOWEVER you make it, we want your chili in the UMW 2018 Annual Chili Cook- Off on February 18, 2018 immediately after our worship service. There are only ten (10) spaces available. Contact Joann Pierce at to secure your space. JANUARY ATTENDANCE WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL 1/ / / / Page 3

4 Why Ash Wednesday? The tradition of imposition of ashes has a long history with the people of God, but only recent official history with the United Methodist Church. It was in 1992 when the new BOOK of WORSHIP included a service of Ashes. Some churches practiced it before that time. It is an optional event, and many UM churches have started Lent with the ashes, while others do not observe the rite. Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. The service focuses on both themes, helping us to realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before that, for centuries, if not millennia, ashes have been a symbol of repentance and sorrow. When Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah s proclamation turned from their ways, the whole city wore sackcloth and poured ashes on their heads, to say that they are turning away from their wicked ways. Traditionally the Palms from the previous year are burned to create the ashes, which I have done. Lent begins a season of 40 days (not counting Sundays) for prayer, fasting and sacrificial giving. Each Wednesday during Lent, we will be having a simple soup supper with bread, and an inspirational devotion. 6:00 PM This year, Ash Wednesday is February 14, 2018 COFFEE, TEA, AND CONVERSATION (ANDTREATS!!) Please remember to sign up for Coffee, Tea, and Conversation. Following Worship each Sunday, volunteers provide treats along with coffee and tea enjoyed in the Social Hall. There is a sheet in the kitchen to add your name to the volunteer list on a date convenient for you. Treats may consist of cookies, brownies, cakes, fruits, etc. from your kitchen or a store or bakery. It s always fun to volunteer with a friend. If you need help or have questions, call Kay Miller Page 4

5 Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season, is fast approaching on February 14! With help from the Fellowship Committee, plans are in place for the Lenten Soup Suppers beginning on Ash Wednesday and on subsequent Wednesdays through March 21. Soup will be served at 6 pm, followed by an Ash Wednesday Worship service on the 14th in the Social Hall led by Pastor Thom. Each of the remaining Lenten Supper gatherings will include a speaker. Kay Miller Worship Chairperson A Way Forward As you know, the United Methodist Church has been studying and wrestling with ways to understand human sexuality, and in particular, LGBTQ matters facing the church. At the last General Conference in 2016, there was a move to prevent any legislation dealing with these issues to come to the floor for a vote. In the end, the conference asked the Council of Bishops for help. A Commission was formed called A Way Forward to study all the legislation and come up with a plan. It was comprised of people from across the globe as well as across the theological spectrum. They have met 7 times, all behind closed doors. Their last meeting was just a few days ago. They plan to present 3 possible pathways to be considered by the church at a special General Conference session in The three options, in no particular order, are: Affirm the current Book of Discipline language and place a high value on accountability. The church policy book says the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching and lists officiating at a same-gender union or being a self-avowed practicing gay clergy member as chargeable offenses under church law. Remove the Book of Discipline's restrictive language and place a high value on contextualization. This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people. Create multiple branches that have clearly defined values such as accountability, contextualization, and justice. This model would maintain shared doctrine and services and one Council of Bishops. All three models come with a way for churches to exit the denomination. While United Methodists have bandied about the first two options in earlier church discussions, the third is different from what comes before. We all will be part of this discussion at some time. And Parchment United Methodist Church can be a part of this discussion now. Grace and Peace, Pastor Thom Page 5

6 Parchment United Methodist Church 225 Glendale Blvd. Parchment, MI A Purpose-Driven Church Serving Christ in the Heart of Parchment Like us on Facebook! 2018 OFFICE HOURS: Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. 1 p.m.