Swepsonville United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Swepsonville United Methodist Church Newsletter October 2016 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth ~ God FROM THE PASTOR When is the last time you watched a movie about making peace? The words of my longtime friend, mentor, and professor come back to me this week. When, in fact, was the last time you watched a movie about making peace? (I confess as I write that it has been years since I have seen ANY full length movie from beginning to end, since I have two young children and am too busy with them or tired to watch one but I m old enough to have seen quite a few, and there is one I will tell you about!) Many of us have seen countless movies about war or conflict or tragedy, but what movie have you seen about making peace? As you watch the news, as you think and pray about the events happening in our country, in our state, even very close to home, think back on that question. Peace is not the stuff that shows up as easily on a screen. OUR VISION: To be a beacon of God s light in the church, to the community and the world. OUR MISSION: To be open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. To nurture the people of the church with the love of Jesus Christ. To reach out to the community around us and offer God s love. OUR CORE VALUES: Love, warmth and fellowship Focus on youth Reaching out to those in need Being family to one another My family and I have just returned from vacation, where Will and I tried to unplug and be present to one another, our girls, and nature. We glimpsed only snippets of news, and in this first day back, I have tried to catch up on what s been happening in the world, particularly in Charlotte, by checking various and diverse sources. One video posted by a United Methodist pastor in Charlotte included a peaceful protester saying They don t know how to show peace. They (news outlets, social media, Hollywood) don t know how to show peace. Perhaps we can all agree that there is at least some measure of truth in that statement. It is easy to get caught into the polarizations that are so prevalent in our day. As I write, a presidential debate is concluding. I didn t watch it, but I know it was polarizing, combative, divisive (since Jesus has not yet come back..to my knowledge, then this must be true) Most commentary on the events in Charlotte have been polarizing, combative, divisive. The world doesn t know how to show peace, but Jesus does. The last movie I ve seen about peacemaking?.admittedly from a very low threshold of options but Inside Out, a children s movie which makes several of the primary emotions into humorous characters and shows how they function in the life of an 11 year old girl and her family. It is hilarious! Admittedly, it centers around a difficulty (the girl s family moving to a new place and her difficulty adjusting), but the end?... Don t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn t seen it, but the end is about how joy and sadness coexist, how true joy can come when sadness is allowed to be expressed My point? The world does not know how to show peace, but Jesus does, our God does, and it is through the coexistence of peace and justice. Psalm 85 says righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Ephesians 2 says 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Jesus says Love your neighbor as yourself. (cont d on Page 2) Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 1 October 2016

2 (cont d from Page 1) Our God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a God of justice and of peace. Not just one or the other, but both. Jesus died by the injustice and violence of the cross, and THROUGH that, he became our peace. Jesus knows how to show peace it is through his good news to the poor. If it s not good news to the poor, it s not the peace of Jesus Christ. (Luke 4) Freedom for the oppressed People that are advocating for justice are not necessarily against peace, but perhaps most fully for it. As we hear or watch the news, the debates, movies about war or conflict, etc Let s remember that the world doesn t know how to show peace. You will rarely, if ever, see peacemaking in the news. But Jesus knows how to show true peace and it s through good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed peace and justice are hand in hand. True peace is realized through the justice of Jesus good news. In order to build a bridge, you must first admit that there is a divide. (I saw this quote this week.) Injustice is real in our world, and it is real for our brothers and sisters of color. As a white person in the US, I do not experience or feel it like my brothers and sisters of color do. (I have already admitted that I unplugged during vacation I am not personally subject to events of violence or oppression.all of this is a product of my white privilege. I can choose not to think about it.) But as a Christian, God has called me to think about it, to pray about it, but also to act about it...because when Jesus said "love your neighbor as yourself," and then explained that our "neighbor" is not the one most like us, but the one most in need, I believe he meant it...and he MEANS it...here...today...in my life... Righteousness and peace shall kiss each other. Justice and peace go hand in hand. Let s look beyond the headlines to the stuff that makes peace good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, blessing for the poor, love of neighbor justice for all of God s people THAT is the truth of the living God, the God that calls us beyond our social position, our immediate reactions, our inherent prejudices, to a life of justice and peace.hand in hand for all God s children. PRAYER CONCERNS Nancy Shebester Ann Shebester, who is recovering from gall bladder surgery and also has a kidney stone. Deborah Shebester Fred Shebester, who is caretaker for Nancy, Ann & Deborah. Nancy Williamson Bland Smith, who fell & had hip surgery. He is expected to be moved to Hawfields soon. Mary John Dye (Christi s mother), who is improving following surgery. Bianca & Caleb (Greg Dodson s fam.) James Ingram (Judy Burge s uncle). Olivia Payne (Glenda s granddaughter). Dustin Perry, who has pneumonia. Frankie McLaurin (Judy Burge s nephew). John Terry (Carolyn Allen s cousin), who has been missing for a year. OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO: The Family of Ben Tyler (Pam Hadley s uncle), who passed away on September 18 th. The Family of Rachel Rumbley (Brenda Wilson s sister), who passed away on September 18 th. PRAISES FOR: LaNella Smith, who brought an inspiring message on UMW Sunday, September 18, Phil & Phyllis Norwood and the Youth for such a wonderful service on Sunday, September 25 th. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 2 October 2016

3 CONGRATULATIONS TO: Will Johnson, who passed the bar in August! Michelle Sharpe, who has been named Brunswick County s Teacher of the Year!! Matt Lovette, who, as top salesman for his company, won a trip to Hawaii!! Olivia & Jimmy Boatner on the birth of their 2 nd son, Waylon James, on September 11 th, and weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz. Dorinda Wood, who is now retired! A PRAYER FROM BISHOP HOPE MORGAN WARD Eternal and Generous God, we pray with heavy hearts for our friends and neighbors in Charlotte: We pray for the family of Keith Lamont Scott and for all who are wounded and grieved by gun violence. We lament death, division, accusation, hostility We pray for police officers, elected officials and all civic leaders in our communities. Give them wisdom, integrity, patience and perseverance. We confess the divisions that persist in our communities and our hesitancy to engage beyond the comfort of our familiar circles. We ask for forgiveness, trusting in your mercy and grace. Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, heal us and guide us to be leaders toward reconciliation, restoration, justice, peace and joy, We pray for ourselves and all people of faith in North Carolina, for unity and mercy and hope as we live in these challenging times. Give us grace and courage, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to live as your people day by day, through these days of challenge with enduring hope. With grateful and hopeful hearts, we pray. Amen. Month Ending August 2016 Offering Income: $10, Expenses: $12, Net LOSS: - $2, Apportionments for August have been paid. Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Attendance & Giving Worship Offering $2, $1, $2, $3, Treasurer's Report Psalm 37 "the righteous are generous and keep giving" While our fundraisers offset the monthly gaps in offerings and expenses, the church needs your gifts to keep living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in this time and place! We would love to share funds from fundraisers more widely for the needs of the poor and our community. Every gift you make to this church makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 3 October 2016

4 OCTOBER CALENDAR Date Liturgist Greeters Nursery Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Pat Maynor Phil Norwood Carolyn Allen Laity Sunday Glenda Payne Mary Long JoAnn Wright Linda McAdams Dickie McAdams Janet Walton Brian Paris Al Elsenrath Doug Coon Mary Long JoAnn Wright Kathy Pike Phyllis Norwood Beverly Handy Phil Norwood Will Johnson Children SS Teacher/Helper Ushers Jimmy Rogers Will Kirkpatrick Prescott Kirkpatrick Al Elsenrath Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PM Lay Leadership/ Nom Comm. 9 7 PM Choir 8 PM Cantata Practice PM Worship Comm PM Church Council 23 7 PM Choir 8 PM Cantata Practice PM Choir 8 PM Cantata Practice :30 AM Clothes Closet FALL FESTIVAL Laity Sunday 2:30 PM UMW Dist. Bethany UMC 30 3 PM Charge Elon UMC 31 5 PM Trunk or Treat w/sweps. Baptist 7 PM Choir 8 PM Cantata Practice October Birthdays 4 Rosa Walsh 22 Ann Shebester 7 Molly Norwood Mayberry 23 Lisa Rogers 8 Andy Pryce 25 Paige Pritchard 12 Adam Moneypenny 26 David Vaughn 12 Olivia Boatner 27 Ricky Capps 18 David Pritchard 29 Ruth Haney 18 J.B. Vance 31 Harry Smith 19 Matthew Morrow 31 Buck Wood 20 Barry Oakes Reminder: If your birthday is not listed, please contact Phyllis Clyburn to add your name to the list! Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 4 October 2016

5 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN By Pat Maynor UMW TREASURER: As of September 30 th, this position will be vacant. No reports, deposits, etc. will take place. The treasurer s position is very important to the Unit and needs to be filled. The consequences of not having a treasurer will have the Unit in financial difficulties. Please pray that someone will step up and take on this position. Thank you! 2016 PLEDGES: All dues for 2016 are to be paid in full by November. Several reports are to be completed at that time also. DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING: The District Annual meeting is October 23 and a time to complete the year with a program, awards and information for The meeting will be held at Bethany UMC in Durham from 2:30 pm til 4:30 pm. Refreshments and registration at 2:00 pm. Please let me know if you would like to attend the meeting. CALENDAR / October October 23: 2:30 pm / Bethany UMC in Durham PLEDGES: October is Pledge to Mission month. If you would like to make a Pledge, please let me know to receive a form to fill out. YOUTH NEWS By Phil & Phyllis Norwood September was another busy month for the youth. We visited MapleView for ice cream and awesome music with the Mason Lovette Band, and we worked hard at preparing for the Summer Mission Project Sunday. Phil and Phyllis are super proud of our youth for stepping up to the microphones, joining in with the service, and agreeing to become more environmentally conscious at home and at church. ~ Being lights in our world ~ More exciting news will be coming in the next few months surrounding a new project of recycling at the church! In October we will attend the District Fall Rally, shop for back packs, help with Fall Festival, and get prepared for recycling. Mark your calendars: November 11-13: Pilgrimage FURTHER REFLECTIONS ON OUR MISSION TRIP JUNE 2016 IN ROBESON CO., NC We worked with Gary Locklear (Lay Missioner) and the Robeson County Church and Community Center (with Methodist ties) to help meet the needs of low income Robeson County residents, to partner with Sandy Plains (Native American) UMC, and to learn more about our state's poverty and racial history (particularly with regard to our Native American brothers and sisters). We built two handicapped ramps for families in need, visited a Lumbee Indian history museum, attended Lumbee homecoming, and shared an evening of food, fellowship and sharing with the Sandy Plains UMC; we also prayed and reflected together daily about where we experienced God's presence in our work, fellowship, in those we met, and in the stories we heard. Here are some reflections from first time team member, Greg Dodson: As I think back on the mission trip I realize how meaningful it was to work with Gary, Kelly and some of our church members helping those in need. As I reflect back on the mission trip and ponder when I felt closest to God you would think it would be working with the ones in need and while I did feel close to God at that point I think when I felt God's presence the most was early in the morning when our church group gathered outside in front of the parsonage and discussed how we felt God was with us the day before. This was truly God's hands and feet at work. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 5 October 2016

6 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN SUNDAY By Pat Maynor Our United Methodist Women Sunday service was held on September 18 th. Many thanks to all the helpers and speakers who made this day a success. The guest speaker, LaNella Smith, Communication Coordinator for the Corridor District [newsletter], spoke on why you should be a United Methodist Woman and social justice at home and around the world. Special Recognition Pins were given to Nancy Williamson and Ginny Hodgins. Acknowledgements of appreciation were given to Eileen Penn, Al Elsenrath, and Ann Hadley [in memory] of her mother, Frances Allen. Thank you to Lee Lovette for taking photos of the United Methodist Women Sunday Service. Presley and Pryce Lovette did a marvelous job as acolytes and were so cute. Thank you Presley and Pryce. WORSHIP COMMITTEE By Pat Maynor The Committee will meet on October 9 th to discuss the Order of Worship. A reminder: What are your likes and dislikes to the present Order of Worship service. Your response, verbal or written is greatly appreciated and will be discussed at the next Worship Committee meeting. To date, there has been no response. Worship Committee members are: Glenda Payne, Carolyn Allen, Donna Gillespie, JoAnne Wright, Kim Kirkpatrick, Brenda Moss and Betsy Shambley. Thank You. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 6 October 2016

7 TRUNK OR TREAT Trunk OR Treat is a safe community gathering, where children and families can come "Trunk or treating" (getting candy from adults) in a safe and welcoming environment. This year, we will once again partner with our friends at Swepsonville Baptist to provide this nurturing space for our community's children and families. We will co- sponsor Trunk or Treat with the Baptists (location TBA) on Halloween night (Monday, October 31), so please plan to come out with your vehicle trunks decorated and well stocked with candy, in full costume, ready to extend love and care to our community's children. We will be providing a simple hot dog supper, which will make it easier for families to get out and enjoy the evening, as well as games and activities. We will be asking for volunteers for specific activities as the time gets closer. All of this is part of the way we are "beacons of God's light...to the community," as we have said in our vision statement. Let's live the vision together on October 31 out in our community!! FALL FESTIVAL Our annual Fall Festival is coming up this month on October 22 nd. LOTS of volunteers are needed! If you can help, please contact Pam Hadley. Please spread the word that this year the auction will be held at 2:30 PM in the afternoon instead of late evening. For further information, please contact Pam Hadley. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 7 October 2016

8 SWEPSONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1307 E. Main Street Graham, N.C ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED This newsletter sent with God s blessings to: CLOTHES CLOSET Spread the word! Share the love! Our clothes closet is a ministry of true generosity. Every month, those in need around us come and receive a gracious welcome and clothes that they need, relieving stress and burden for themselves and family members. We have people call us, drop by, and have even had people walk many miles to get here to get clothes. Many hands go into helping the success of our outreach- - all of us who bring in donations, UMW and others who help with distribution and particular projects of organizing, those who have helped to clear up and better organize the space, and particularly Janet, who sorts clothes nearly every day, who always meets anyone in need to make sure the closet is available and who prepares the clothes better than any upscale department store. (Have you ever had a good look in there? Everything is arranged according to size, gender, etc...and all evenly spaced, facing the same direction... showing deep respect for those who come here with a need.) We have also recently expanded the Clothes Closet to provide clothes specifically for families connected to Alexander Wilson Elementary. In order to ensure that the donations from parents and others are used for those AWE families in need, we have utilized two unused rooms on the Sunday School hallway to provide a special place for those clothes for elementary schoolchildren. This is a part of our increasing relationship with our neighboring school. Soooo, please continue to give thanks and pray for this ministry, donate, and volunteer when you can help. AND please help to ensure good stewardship of this treasure that we have that helps so many people. There have been instances of items left in disarray in the basement area (accessed by someone from within the church building), causing a great deal of extra work by our volunteers. Anyone in need is welcome to utilize the clothes closet, but we ask that anyone looking at or obtaining clothes by using a church key do so when Janet is there (she's happy to meet anyone at a mutually agreeable time), or AT LEAST that everyone treats the place with respect and care, sorting through only displayed items and putting things back in their place before leaving. This is important for all of us to help nurture this generous labor of love that Janet and others provide for the community, so that we do not have to consider restricting use of this treasure. Let's all work together to share this message so we can share the generosity and share the love. If you have any questions, please contact me directly. Thank you. Pastor Christi Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 8 October 2016