GRACE NEWS. Grace United Methodist Church 1401 West Main Street, Springfield, Ohio 45504

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1 GRACE NEWS Grace United Methodist Church 1401 West Main Street, Springfield, Ohio Growing in Grace, Serving in faith, Reaching out with God s Love to Bring All to Christ Volume XXIV, Issue 1 Published Monthly January 2019 Wishing you a happy and blessed New Year! A Brief summary and explanation of A Way Forward. As many of you may have heard or read, in the newspaper or on social media, the United Methodist Church is getting ready for a special General Conference February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, MO. In May of 2016 the General Conference of the United Methodist Church decided to form a 32 member commission, made up of laity and clergy, representing the global church to explore a way forward through the divisive and controversial issues of same sex marriage and to determine whether gay/lesbian persons should be ordained as clergy within the United Methodist Church. This is a long standing issue within the United Methodist Church. To share a true story, in 1979, when Dan and I were preparing to join Christ United Methodist Church in Kettering, Ohio, one of my closest friends said, Why would you join the United Methodist Church, they are fighting about abortion and homosexuality and they are going to break apart any day now. At the time, I felt drawn to the United Methodist Church, because of its strong emphasis on personal holiness and social justice issues. I felt God wanted me in Christ Church worshipping, learning, and serving. I have been a United Methodist since 1979 and I still feel strongly that God has work for me to do in this context as an ordained United Methodist Elder. As I learned more about the Wesleyan movement, the church s history, and the social principles of the United Methodist, I have become even surer that I am exactly where God wants me to be. I share this because of this upcoming General Conference at which the delegates will vote on one of three plans to move the church forward. Approval of any of these plans may further divide our church, which deeply saddens me. I don t want to minimize the very strong beliefs and opinions that good people, laity and clergy, have on the subject of same sex marriage and ordination of gay/ lesbian persons, but I think much more about other subjects. Some of my clergy friends have talked, preached, and written much on the subject in the past two years. I have been laser focused on trying to help Grace Church raise the money to fix the roof, doing IHN, making Easter baskets and Christmas gift boxes for Eagle and Dove, planning worship, and meeting with people in crisis, who want help from our Emergency Fund. Basically, I have been so busy trying to help Grace Church be the kind of church that Jesus Christ calls us to be that I have not focused much on the coming General Conference. I have focused on helping Grace be the church God wants us to be and I believe we are the kind of church Jesus calls us to be. I am sorry for anything that may hurt our ability to reach the least and lost. I think often of the scriptures in which Jesus calls us to be in unity with God and each other and to be lights shining in the darkness. Understand those supporting each plan agrees on far more than they disagree on. The whole church agrees on and embraces the Apostle s Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Lord s Prayer, the Great Commission, and the Great Commandment. Further, United Methodists agree that our unity is in Jesus Christ, One Lord, One Spirit, One Faith, and One Baptism. We agree that all people are sinners saved by grace. This argument is over how gay/lesbians will be treated within the United Methodist Church. This is a very complex issue, especially since the United Methodist Church is a global church operating on four continents, with four official languages. In some areas of the world being a homosexual is illegal and punishable by death. Here in the United States the Supreme Court has ruled that same sex marriage is a constitutional right for all Americans. So you can see why our global church has been struggling to hold together as a denomination when the two sides of the issue are so very far apart. (continued on page 2)

2 My first concern is to be true to the vows I made when I knelt and was ordained as a pastor. As an Elder my call is to order and sacrament. My role is to shepherd Grace Church to the best of my ability, to plan and hold worship, to teach and learn in community, to encourage and oversee ministry within the church and community. I have neither the time nor the passion to fight about the full inclusion of gays in the church. I do have an opinion, in Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells a parable about a man who planted good wheat in his field and after it sprouted, there were weeds among the wheat and his servants came and asked him about pulling the weeds out. Jesus said, Oh no, don t pull out the weeds, you might disturb the wheat as well. Let them grow together until the harvest time. Basically, in this parable Jesus is saying, only God is equipped to separate the wheat and the weeds. Because you see God sees the inner heart of each of us. When God sorts it all out, many of those we have believed were wheat may turn out to be weeds and many of those we considered weeds may have a heart like King David and be considered wheat by God. I believe the church should receive all sinners, just as the church received me as a sinner. I sure hope and pray that when the General Conference meets in February of 2019, that the United Methodist Church will not break apart over these issues or any other. Please pray with me that a way forward may be found. If you want to read the 93 page explanation of the three plans being considered; Google- United Methodist Church A Way Forward. Blessings to you as we begin an exciting New Year of fixing our roof, returning to our sanctuary, and continuing to serve God with faith and grace. Pastor Vicki Downing Mission Agency to Return Ohio Land Long Held in Trust for Native American Nation The global mission agency of The United Methodist Church will return to the Wyandotte Native American Nation a small tract of land in Ohio. The tribe deeded the land to the church 175 years ago to protect its sanctity when the federal government forced them off their last reservation in the state. Disclosure of the plan was a highlight of the semiannual report of Thomas Kemper, chief executive of the General Board of Global Ministries, to the agency s directors, meeting on Oct Native American Ministries, the theme of the meeting, formed much of Kemper s report. Once returned, likely next fall, the plot at Upper Sandusky will be the first land in Ohio owned by the Wyandotte since they were driven out in 1844 by the federal government. The approximately one-and-a-half-acre tract is holy ground to both the Wyandotte and United Methodists. It incorporates Wyandotte ancestral graves and the grave of John Stewart, whose ministry among the Wyandotte figures in the founding 200 year ago in 1819 of the first American Methodist missionary society, a forerunner of Global Ministries. Kemper said the return of the land will be part of the bicentennial mission celebration next year and an expression of an official United Methodist Act of Repentance, launched in 2012, to seek reconciliation with Native American and other indigenous people worldwide. John Stewart, as Kemper explained, was an African-American lay preacher whose work among the Wyandotte in the second decade of the 19th century makes him the first missionary associated with what is now Global Ministries. Kemper recently visited Upper Sandusky for meetings with Wyandotte leaders, including Chief Billy Friend, who came from Oklahoma, and local United Methodist representatives. Stewart was a saint to the Wyandotte, Kemper said. He died in 1823 and was buried on his farm; later, they moved his grave to Wyandotte land, burying him near where a mission church was built in The contemporary John Stewart United Methodist Church in the town of Upper Sandusky has kept alive the heritage of the Wyandotte and John Stewart in the area. From the General Secretaries Report Elliott Wright *Wright is the informational consultant for Global Ministries. 2

3 All Church Meeting, December 13, 2018 The meeting opened with devotions and prayer by John Ahlborn, Leadership Chair. Minutes as printed in the monthly newsletter were approved for filing. The church calendar was approved and will be printed in the January 2019 newsletter. Finance Report: Mary Ahlborn reported that as of November 30, 2018 the Roof Fund has reached $137, Pastor Vicki spoke about the upcoming 2019 United Methodist General Conference to be held February 23-26, 2019, regarding A Way Forward for United Methodist congregations. Pastor Vicki will write an article to be featured in the January newsletter as to what the conference delegates will be discussing and voting on. Bill Pinkerton reported that he and Bruce Eckler will begin teaching Disciple I in Dates and times to be announced in January. Trustees: Mike Amos reported that the Trustees will hold a work day on Saturday, Jan 5 th to work in the attic over the sanctuary. Work on the cracks in the parking lot continues. A discussion was held about the sound problems in the current sanctuary. The congregation will be asked to let the speaker know when they cannot hear them. It was suggested that a Moving Fund line be added to the 2019 budget. Respectfully submitted, Mary Ahlborn (In Becky Frantz absence) THE NEXT ALL CHURCH MTG WILL BE THURSDAY, January 10, 2019 ALL ARE WELCOMED TO ATTEND A LIGHT SUPPER WILL BE SERVED AT 6:00 PM MEETING TO FOLLOW Attendees: John & Mary Ahlborn, Mike Amos, Pastor Vicki & Dan Downing, Belinda Montgomery, Bill and Paulette Pinkerton, Jack Yeager, and Betty Prosser. 3

4 January Scriptures Prayer Needed Lynda Applegate Bruce Eckler Sue Fischer Ruby Harmison Glenna Kitchen Debbi Weatherman Jack Yeager Jan. 1 James 1:17 Jan. 2 Romans 12:6 Jan. 3 1 Timothy 4:14-15 Jan. 4 Joel 2:23 Jan. 5 1 Peter 1:2 Jan. 6 Ephesians 1:4-6 Jan. 7 Romans 15:7 Jan. 8 Proverbs 16:3 Jan. 9 1 Corinthians 15:58 Jan. 10 Philippians 2:3 Jan Peter 3:3-4 Jan Samuel 16:7 Jan. 13 Ephesians 6:11 Jan. 14 Ephesians 6:12 Jan Corinthians 1:21-22 Jan. 16 Ephesians 4:23 Jan. 17 Hebrews 11:6 Jan. 18 John 7:37-38 Jan. 19 Hebrews 4:12 Jan. 20 Matthew 11:28 Jan. 21 Galatians 6:2 Jan. 22 Isaiah 50:7 Jan. 23 Hebrews 12:1-2 Jan. 24 Hebrews 13:8 Jan Corinthians 5:17 Jan. 26 Psalm 25:9 Jan Corinthians 6:6 Jan. 28 Matthew 25:40 Jan. 29 James 1:5 Jan. 30 Joshua 24:15 Jan. 31 Romans 15:4 ********************************************** Don Blackburn Sam & Jackie Brewer Gene & Rosemary Cline Dixie Fisher Landon Prendergast Bonnie Ramsey Rosie Seward Bill Spencer Shower of Blessings Recipient for January is Jan Alice Baughman (Southbrook Care Center, 2299 S Yellow Springs St., 45506) January Birthday Phyllis Greetham - January 29 c/o Tammy Bobb (2009 Maiden Ln., 45504) 4

5 Thank you to: Santa for stopping by to visit the Shepherd. Zoey Perry for sharing her beautiful music with us. The Eagle & Dove children for the wonderful banner. John Ahlborn and all who helped with the new directory. 5

6 January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! (Church Offices Closed) January 5 - Trustee Meeting, 9:00 AM January 6 - Take down Christmas Decorations after 10:45 AM Service January 7 - Soap Making for Free Store, 12:00 PM January 10 - Supper (Provided by John & Mary Ahlborn) & All Church Meeting, 6 & 6:30 PM January 12 - Free Store Volunteer Day January 13 - NEWSLETTER DEADLINE! Please send articles to Ahlborn s - jahlborn@woh.rr.com for Feb, March, & April Newsletters January 17 - Miriam Masonic Home Dining Room, 12:00 PM (All Ladies are welcome to attend) January 21 - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance, Bank Closed Special dates New Year s Day, January 1, 2019 Epiphany, January 6, 2019 Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21,

7 Bible Quiz What did Jesus say brings greater joy in heaven than 99 righteous people? A. The singing of angels B. One sinner who repents C. 100 righteous people D. None of the above Answer: See Luke 15:7 7

8 Grace United Methodist Church 1401 W. Main Street Springfield OH