CARBONDALE COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 Uh-oh...the Pastor s been thinkin. CHURCH NEWSLETTER CARBONDALE COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 385 S. 2 nd Street, (P.O. Box 793), Carbondale, CO ccumc@rof.net ( Pastor Brad Walston pastorccumc@gmail.com The Bible and Homosexuality Bible Study Based on the research and video by Matthew Vines: God said it. I believe it. That s that. End of argument, right? But it s not, is it? What does God really say about homosexuality? The majority of people have never actually looked at the passages in the bible that address this issue, and with all the hubbub going on in the United Methodist Church right now not to mention the world it s time people actually read and knew what these passages mean. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Well, it turns out, not much. In fact, the Bible mentions the issue in six, maybe seven verses. Compared to the more than 250 verses about wealth, or more than 300 on our responsibility to care for the poor and work for justice, you understand pretty quickly that homosexuality was not exactly a major theme of the Bible. How did it get to be such an important issue for some people? The good news is that as part of my ordination requirements, I have to write and teach a Bible study, and have it evaluated. the timing couldn t be better as our Bishop, Karen Oliveto, had to go up before the Judicial Counsel just yesterday (April 25) on a complaint regarding her sexuality and whether or not it should be a qualification for episcopacy (i.e. bishop-hood). The Council of Bishops (all the bishops, both active and retired) also called a special General Conference and a commission of 32 people dedicated solely to issues of sexuality in our Book of Discipline. Both sides of the debate are afraid of or pushing for schism in the UMC. Join me for a six week class to look deeper into the scriptures as we find out just what the Bible says and what it meant to the people who read it so long ago, and what it means to us in the 21 st century. This bible study is intended to bring awareness and understanding of the scholarship and arguments regarding homosexuality and the Christian Church, while attempting to remain objective. We will discuss the six passages in the Christian Scriptures* that are most often used to prove that homosexuality and Christianity are incompatible (a.k.a., the Clobber Passages ). The research that Mr. Vines uses in his video/lecture (see link above) is not new; it has been around in various forms for decades. Our challenge, and my hope, is that after looking at differing viewpoints, we will refrain from making any corporate conclusions other than that we don t know for certain (and wouldn t it be better for the church and the people if we were to err on the side of compassion/love?), thereby, leaving each participant to come to their own conclusion. I recommend watching Matthew Vines video before the first class. Watch it on your own time, or come Sunday May 14, at 6:45 pm to watch it (with snacks!) at the Basalt Community United Methodist Church, 0167 Holland Hills Rd. Subsequent class/discussions will be on Tuesday nights at 6:45, beginning on May 16. This class is open to everyone. Bring a curious friend. Joyfully, Pastor Brad

2 The UMW women were busy. They put on a luncheon of lasagna and a cake, wishing Diane Darrough Happy Trails as she is moving to Texas to be near her daughter. Then on Easter Sunday tumw provided Hot Cross buns along with Shari Devenport's treats. We are planning on having our May meeting as a luncheon possibly at the Pan and Fork at RVR. Check with Marge or Jane. Chamber Orchestra Concert There will be a concert on May 9th at 7 pm Basalt Community United Methodist Church Come and enjoy the evening GRAND MESA CHURCH CAMP NEEDS A CAMP CARETAKER The Trustees of Grand Mesa Church Camp are in the process of looking for someone to be camp caretaker for this next summer. The period of employment will basically begin the mid part of June, all of July through mid August, and several weekends the latter part of August and in September. If interested or know someone who might be interested, please contact Max Stites at or maxdstites@gmail.com for a detailed job description, duties, an application, and salary information. We would like Cooper to get this important position filled sooner rather than later and look forward to visiting with those interested. Our Christmas Moose Max Stites Nancy Snyder 5/15 Jim & Ann Kenney 5/5 MISSIONS: We are still fundraising for this year's Costa Rica trip by selling individualized pavers, There are 2 sizes and costs are $50 and $100. It's a great way to honor someone or more! Sign up sheet on the bulletin board. If there are questions, please contact me or see me after church. Thanks, Sydney

3 Maundy Thursday Service Pauline singing at church services Pauline EASTER SUNDAY SUNRISE SERVICE

4 CCUMC now has an account at Back Door Consignment Shop Downtown! Just take your gently used items over to Monk & Marie on 4th street and tell em to put it on account #4461 (our phone number). Then when your item sells, your church gets the money! Here s something cool! You may have heard that the UMC is putting together a new hymnal that will be a hybrid print/electronic resource for use in multiple contexts. Methodists have always been a singing church, so they have put out the first of several online surveys, Favorite and Least Favorite Hymns. To participate in this survey go to: For more information go to: survey-seeks-input-for-new-unitedmethodist-hymnal General Mills' Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Labels for Education... benefit the McCurdy School Ministry. Please bring those you have saved in the next two weeks as a mailing is being prepared. Place on the back table if the Green can is not out. If you have questions about the program, please visit the web site: donate.html or contact Sherry Herrington at When: Friday Where: Café, Time: 2 Rivers Basalt 11:30 am Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:30-12:30 pm Carbondale

5 Tom s Door Tom s door is a local interfaith outreach charity started in September of 2001 with a mission to provide emergency assistance to those in need from Aspen to Rifle and who have the potential to improve their quality of life. Through donations and the sale of seasonal note cards, the program continues to grow, allowing everincreasing support needs within the community to be met. Be on the lookout for these beautiful notecards. They will be on sale in the back of the sanctuary every Sunday. One of our goals this year is to increase sales. This will mean more funds available to help our brothers and sisters throughout the Roaring Fork Valley when they fall upon hard times. All photographs used are of this beautiful valley and are donated by local photographers. We change them out seasonally and this year s spring cards should be in your racks shortly! These beautiful cards are always for sale! All proceeds go toward the CCUMC General Fund. $1.00 each or 5 for $3.00 Original artwork by our very own Dorothy Doyle. CARBONDALE FOOD NEEDS We would be so grateful if you would pick up some extra food on your next trip to the store. You can take it to the church (box in foyer) or to the LIFT-UP office in the Third St. Center, M-W-F from :30 10 Foods we ALWAYS need: 1. Dried beans 6. Soup 2. Rice 7. Tuna 3. Mac and Cheese 8. Peanut Butter 4. Canned fruit 9. Cereal 5. Pasta and Sauces 10. Canned Vegetables Call or me with any questions, and thank you for meeting this critical need. Sherry Herrington,

6 Extended Table The Extended Table team served 65 meals on April 3. Our chicken casserole is always a favorite and was relished again as were Sharie's brownies!! Thank you to the cooks, servers, and cleaners including: Sharie Devenport, Joan and Bill Lamont, Diane Darrough, Sue and Ben Heffer, Maureen Nuckols and Mark Luttrell, Adele Hause, Candy and Louis Holgate, Marge Speaker, Dean Pappas, Roy Davidson and Rick Herrington. We serve the first Monday of every month at the Glenwood United Methodist Church. Sherry It s That Time of Year Again! CCUMC Neighbors Garden is looking for Garden Guardians We Are looking for volunteers to help with this great project. Our produce goes to the Lift Up Pantry and for those in need. Fresh produce it so appreciated. Work includes watering/weeding the garden for 1 day a week through the frowing season. You can even buddy up with someone! It takes about hours. You also get to keep some produce for your efforts. Please contact Tami Stroud to sign up or for further information! "When therefore you despise or depreciate reason, you must not imagine you are doing God service: Least of all, are you promoting the cause of God when you are endeavoring to exclude reason out of religion. Unless you willfully shut your eyes, you cannot but see of what service it is both in laying the foundation of true religion, under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and in raising superstructure. You see, it directs us in every point, both of faith and practice; it guides us with regard to every branch both of inward and outward holiness. Do we not glory in this, that the whole of our religion is a reasonable service?"--john Wesley

7 4 11:30 am Lunch with the MAY 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 Worship Services 10:30 am Youth Sunday NA 6:00 pm 14 Worship Services 10:30 am NA 6:00 pm 21 Worship Service 10:30 am NA 6:00 pm 28 Worship Services 10:30 am NA 6:00 pm 1 Extended Tab;e Concert at BCUMC 7pm Chancel Choir 6:30 PM Chancel Choir 6:30 PM Pastor 2 Rivers Café :30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 11:30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café :30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 6 OA OA OA OA 9-10

8 CCUMC 385 South 2nd Street Carbondale, CO May 2017 Newsletter CHURCH NEWSLETTER CARBONDALE COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 385 S. 2 nd Street, (P.O. Box 793), Carbondale, CO ccumc@rof.net Pastor Brad Walston pastorccumc@gmail.com