The Journey Continues...

Transcription

1 June 2018 Changing Lives Through Jesus Christ Volume 20, Issue 3 The Journey Continues... I finally did it. After 43 years of ministry following my ordination as Deacon (and later as Elder), I finally did it. I graduated from preschool. And I have a diploma to prove it. I remember as a young pastor, sitting on the front stoop of my first parsonage with a church member, dreaming with her about our little church starting a child care center. We had the space; we just didn t know if the congregation had the will. A few years later, with God s help, we gave birth to St. Luke s United Methodist Child Care Center that s still in operation today. Some folks wondered aloud if parents would simply use the church as a baby-sitting service. I said, Let them come. And the children came, and I began to dress up as biblical characters to help share stories of the love of God in Jesus. I guess it stuck, since I ve been some kind of character ever since. When I shared my last Chapel service with our own preschool on May 14, I couldn t help but think of those early days in Falls Church. Pastor Al s last Chapel service with the children of First United Methodist Preschool (FUMP). In a way, my whole ministry has been a journey of story-telling...as pastor, editor, and communications director for the conference. I have shared stories of my life, stories from the Bible, and stories of people I have met along the way. Always, I have been trying to capture the essence of God s love for me and for the world. As I start this new journey called retirement, I will cherish the stories I have collected among my dear friends of First United Methodist Church. I have been blessed beyond measure, and Charlottesville will now be a sacred place in my memories. My good friend Gary - your new Pastor Heaton - will make new memories for you, and God s story of grace will continue in some new and wonderful ways. In my last Chapel service with the children, I dressed up as Moses, recounting how he was over-seeing sheep when God called him. After many adventures, when he reached the edge of the Promised Land, God allowed him to have a glimpse, but only the people continued their original journey. My journey takes me elsewhere, but I will always hold you near to my heart. Pastor Al Pastor Al s Farewell Worship and Church Picnic Sunday, June 24, 9am & 11am in Sanctuary & McGuffey Park Come celebrate Pastor Al s retirement by worshipping with him on his last Sunday at First UMC. After the 11am worship service, we ll gather at McGuffey Park for our Annual Church Picnic. Fried chicken, potato salad, Cole slaw, apple slices, cake, & water provided. Come enjoy the worship and fellowship!

2 2 Letting Go by Bill Clarke, Lay Leader For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.. a time to keep, and a time to throw away He has made everything suitable for its time. - Ecclesiastes 3:1,6,11 NRSV here s just no denying that T springtime in Central Virginia is glorious. Everywhere one looks there is evidence of new life birds chirping and nesting, butterflies emerging from their cocoons, buds forming on the trees and of course the incredible display of our dogwoods, redbuds and azaleas. It s a time of new life, anticipation, and hope. Indeed we have much to be thankful for. But springtime for many is not always about expectations of happiness and abundant fruitfulness. For some, springtime marks the beginning of changes that aren t always associated with joy, but rather, it heralds a time of letting go. We often let go of many events and people It doesn t take much imagination to begin to list those events, possessions, and persons of whom we have all had to let go. Perhaps it is the annual family springtime gathering of neighborhood friends that are no longer living nearby, or the sale of that home where one raised one s family that is now far too large for current needs. Or perhaps it is a child who will soon graduate from high school and be leaving for college, or an upcoming wedding of one s youngest child. As we age, we may even have to let go of those summertime volunteer activities we enjoyed so much but can no longer physically manage, or doing the daily crossword puzzle at the beach since it now seems much harder than it was a couple years ago. And of course, spring is retirement time for many of us, letting go of the career which filled our days and sleepless nights. Letting go can be difficult. It s now time to let go of Pastor Al In a few weeks our Senior Pastor, Al Horton will retire. He has served the Lord as a pastor for more than 40 years, the last nine of which were here at First UMC. Letting go of being a pastor will be difficult for him, but also difficult for our congregation. Pastor Al has been a faithful shepherd to us, his flock. He has shared our joys and our sorrows. He has laughed and cried with us, encouraged and comforted us. He has strived to teach us that God is all about love, and he has modeled that love in his everyday life. He has loved the Lord, and he has loved the Church, his family and his flock. Much has been shared He has had the vision to lead us to renovate our old, outdated Sanctuary and has introduced modern audiovisual techniques into our worship. He has travelled with us on mission trips to Haiti, Lithuania, and Appalachia and for fun and fellowship to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He has encouraged our contemporary band leader to become a local pastor and helped design a new ministry position, Associate Pastor for Outreach and Witness. He opened the doors of our Sanctuary as a safe place for prayer, mediation, song, food, water and rest during the KKK rally on July 8. Over 1,000 people participated in the two worship services that Saturday afternoon. The list goes on and on. Surely others will share other ways in which Al has been our spiritual leader. And now we must let him go, and he must let go of this part of his ministry. Ecclesiastes assures us that there is a time for everything, and everything is suitable for its time. Also, the Jeremiah says, For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (Jer. 29:11). His words suggest that Pastor Al will have a busy and fulfilling retirement. We should also remember that there is another congregation in Roanoke who may be finding it difficult to let go of their pastor. And their pastor, the Rev Gary Heaton, may be finding it difficult to say Good bye as well. Prayer: Dear God, You have blessed us with the ministry of your servant Al Horton and for this we give you thanks. It is hard for us to let him go, but we know that you have plans for him. Continue to bless him all the days of his life. Amen

3 3 For Children & Youth... Vacation Bible School Needs YOU! Vacation Bible School needs volunteers! July 23 rd through the 27 th starting at 9am lasting until noon. Group leaders are wanted! Take a group of kids from station to station and enjoy a week that will create memories to last a lifetime! Sign up here: vbspro.events/p/events/321bb3 Teaching Is Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy! That is, Sunday school teaching is easy peasy lemon squeezy! Summer Sunday school starts June 3, and we need teachers! Teaching plans will be sent to you and materials will be laid out. We need teachers for 8:30 and 9:45, along with a helper. Sign up at go/ a8af29a7f49-summer Spring Fling Was Full of Food, Music, & More! The Spring Fling Potluck was a success! People of all ages came together for a night of music, food, and fun. Everyone enjoyed scrumptious meals while listening to a Philadelphia-based band, Homestead Collective. Kids jumped in the bounce house, and older youth ran various games for an awesome night. April Showers Brought May Lock-ins! The tweens had a mini lock-in Friday, May 4. Our 4th & 5th graders ran throughout the church playing freeze tag, four square, and so many other games. There were crafts, pizza, and of course ice cream! The group got to know each other better and deepen their friendships. The older youth had a lock-in Friday May 18. They played games such as hungry, hungry, hippos and sardines in the dark. They tasted baby food to guess the flavor and ran relays saran-wrapped together. A few finally crashed at 4am! The madness lasted all night long! Five Youth Confirmed Five youth were confirmed on Sunday, April 29, at the 9:45am worship service. They spent the past seven months learning about the Christian faith as they dove deeper into what it means to be a Christian and grew closer together as friends. Each one made the decision to join the church family and we re so happy they did! Congratulations, confirmands! Several youth pause for a photo during their lock in May 18. Youth Fun Hours with Alex, Every Wednesday! Sad seeing youth group end for the summer? Don t worry! Alex will be on the mall for fun hours! Every Wednesday, starting June 20 at 12:30-2pm, find Alex outside at Mudhouse Coffee. We can play cards and eat ice cream, go bowling, or start a game of kickball! Central Va. Children s Choir to perform June 9 The Children s Choir of Central Va. will perform Sat., June 9, 2pm, at Wesley Memorial UMC to benefit St. Jude Children s Hospital. Visit for more details. M Meet Your New Pastor: The Rev. Gary Heaton ake sure you plan to worship with us on Sunday, July 1. That s when the Rev. Gary Heaton will preach his first sermons as First UMC s new Senior Pastor. He and his wife Beth are coming from Roanoke where Pastor Heaton has served as Greene Memorial UMC s pastor for the past five years. He is a graduate of High Point College and Wesley Theological Seminary, and Beth is a graduate of William & Mary and UVA. They have three adult daughters and love to kayak. Pastor Heaton has served churches in Northern Virginia, Norfolk, and Roanoke, and has worked in various youth and camping ministries. He has a particular talent for leading his people in the use of drama, dance, music, and the visual and digital arts to enhance worship. Welcome aboard, Pastor Heaton!

4 4 A Way Forward: Human Sexuality and Unity in the Church Looking for a Way Forward by Harry Kennon or over five decades The United F Methodist Church has struggled with the issue of homosexuality, affirming on the one hand, "Homosexuals no less than heterosexuals are person of sacred worth, who need the ministry and guidance of the church (1972 Book of Discipline), while also maintaining, "Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church" (1984 Discipline). In 1996 the following was added: Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." Church s homosexuality statements have been contentious These statements and others have been a source of contention at every General Conference since they were enacted. The General Conference, made up of lay and clergy delegates elected by each Annual Conference, meets every four years and is the denomination's top legislative body for all matters affecting the United Methodist connection. At the 2016 General Conference, the Council of Bishops proposed and the Conference approved a Commission on a Way Forward to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality, and to explore options for maintaining and strengthening the unity of the church while moving forward amid the present impasse related to LGBTQ inclusion. A Way Forward Commission presented three options to bishops The 32-member Commission concluded its work on May 17 and presented the bishops with three alternatives: A One Church Plan would let individual churches and clergy decide whether to conduct weddings for same-sex partners. It would leave it to local conferences such as the Virginia Conference to determine who can be ordained. A Traditionalist Plan would not only keep the LGBTQ prohibitions in the Book of Discipline but also strengthen enforcement. A Connectional-Conference Plan would let geographical conferences like the Virginia Conference align themselves with others of like mind on LGBTQ ministry. They'd do so by joining one of three new connectional conferences progressive, traditionalist, or one allowing various approaches. Based on the work of the Commission, the Council of Bishops is in the process of revising and perfecting their report and recommendation to a special session of General Conference that will be held in February of Bishops will present a report to General Conference The bishops have decided to include all three options in their report to General Conference but are recommending the One Church Plan as their preferred option. Bishop Ken Carter, president of the Council of Bishops, said, We anticipate the report will be released in early July. Future work will be with delegations to create a culture that will listen to God, receive the report, and do this work with a heart of peace and not a heart of war. The Rev. Dr. Harry Kennon is Pastor Emeritus of First UMC, Charlottesville.

5 5 A look at the issue that could shape the future of the Church A Way Forward for First UMC by Katy Brandt s you may have heard, The A United Methodist Church is considering making changes to the Book of Discipline regarding the existing language about our gay brothers and sisters in Christ. The Council of Bishops created a special committee, the Commission on a Way Forward, and asked the group to recommend a way to make these changes while prioritizing inclusivity and unity in the church. Pastors Al and Phil invited all members of First UMC to attend a series of three discussions about the current language in the Book of Discipline and the possible changes ahead. During these discussions, church members learned about how the Book of Discipline calls Christians to show Christ s love to the gay community, while also stating that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. The Discipline also says gay people cannot be married or ordained as clergy in the UMC. Views vary about the gay community The group also shared about how United Methodists viewpoints on the topic vary widely, from traditional (agreement with the Discipline as currently written) to progressive (equal marriage and ordination rights for all people). A video was shown that was produced by the Rev. Tom Berlin, Senior Pastor of Floris UMC in Northern Virginia and a member of the Commission on a Way Forward. In the video, the Rev. Berlin discussed views held among United Methodists in the United States, and explained how opinions often differ around the globe. This informative video can be found on First UMC s website. We ve recently learned that the Commission has made its report to the bishops, and the bishops have recommended a plan that calls for removal from the Discipline all language regarding homosexuality. (see Rev. Kennon s article on pg. 4) If this plan is ultimately chosen, decisions about ordaining and marrying gay people could be left up to annual conferences, local congregations, and/or pastors. We ll know more in time. You may know that some United Methodist Churches already have LGBT clergy and perform LGBT weddings. For more information about the Reconciling Ministries Network, a group of United Methodists who seek justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, contact me at kathrynmariecook@gmail.com. The Young Adult Small Group at First UMC is a Reconciling Community, and several members of First UMC are Reconciling Individuals. First UMC needs your involvement Our church has members from all walks of life, with diverse viewpoints and perspectives. Your voice is welcomed and needed. Please join in as First UMC works to find out where Christ is calling us to go. Be on the lookout for more details in the coming weeks and months, and please reach out to Pastors Al or Phil with any questions or ideas. Katy Brandt is chair of First UMC s Witness Ministry Team.

6 6 When the Homeless Come to Church by Phil Woodson, Associate Pastor for Outreach & Witness ne of the joys and challenges O of being a downtown church is that our doors are often open to meet the needs of our community. We re committed to downtown ministry, so working with the homeless and transient community is a large part of our mission. For that reason we open our Fellowship Hall every Monday to offer a free meal; we transform our building into a hostel two weeks every winter to bring people in from the cold; and we maintain two discretionary funds so our pastors can help people with medications, travel expenses, groceries, utility bills, tents, sleeping bags, and many other needs too great to list. Love draws people It is because of our generous hospitality and love for the world that many people return to the steps of our church on Sunday mornings seeking financial assistance, food, or perhaps a smile or conversation. I have seen saints of our church sharing these items with grace and in abundance. But I also wanted to offer some guidance for those who are caught off guard. It s one thing to go to church to help with PACEM, and another thing to be reading the bulletin and have someone suddenly ask for money. We certainly don t want people to feel unwelcome and unloved in church, but neither are we always equipped to meet everyone s needs at that precise moment. So when our brothers and sisters in need show up on Sunday morning, what can we do? When John Wesley first began to form societies of Methodists in 1739, he was asked to come up with some rules for these groups. Bishop Reuben Job calls them the Three Simple Rules : 1. Do No Harm 2. Do Good. 3. Attend to all the Ordinances of God. (Or, as Bishop Job has paraphrased it, Stay in Love with God. ) On the surface these rules sound fairly easy to carry out, but it is only through their application that the true challenges (and rewards) of following these rules are revealed. Do No Harm. Certainly no one intentionally says anything harmful to a guest on Sunday morning, but perhaps our bodies are communicating nonverbally. When a person with physical or mental disabilities moves about looking lost, when there is a unique odor, or perhaps when someone just looks different we are reading each other and communicating through our body language, even if subconsciously. We re looking for visual clues, watching to see if someone will be receptive and this receptivity is how we first acknowledge our common humanity and Imago Dei that exists in another person. As people called to demonstrate open hearts and minds along with our open doors, we must become more aware of what and how we communicate without words. We do no harm by opening our hearts, minds, and bodies to, at the very least, a potential conversation. Do Good. Wesley said, do good; as you have power and opportunity...as far as possible, to all people. Certainly, we understand that encounters with people in need are indeed opportunities, but we must always assess our ability to provide solutions. In such moments I often have an inner conversation with myself: What does this person need? Can I help them? If not, do I know someone who can? If I don t help them, then why not, or who will? How can I demonstrate Christ s love to this person? I have found these questions helpful in navigating through these moments. So, one way of doing good is to simply take a moment to assess the situation. If you can help them great! Do it. It s also helpful to draw on the strengths others may have we need not minister alone. Perhaps an usher, greeter, or staff member might have additional knowledge; or one of the pastors might even be available to talk with the individual or have ideas to offer. Attend to all the Ordinances of God. On Sunday morning, our focus is on worship. A simple invitation to stay for worship, directions to the coffee and snacks, or offering to pray with someone are great ways to apply this third rule. You could also give them a Bible (there are several in the Fellowship Hall). While these three rules don t cover every scenario, they hopefully serve as a foundation for how we might provide a glimpse of the Kingdom to someone in need. If you have any questions or ideas about how we can better serve the community, please let me know!

7 NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEW 7 ASP volunteers need note-writers or the past decade, First F UMC has had a tradition of delivering letters of encouragement to our youth participating in the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Every morning at breakfast, the cards are handed out so the kids start the day with a positive note. This year continues the tradition, and you can be a part of it. All you need to do is take some time to jot a line or two on a note card. A list of the participants will be in the Gathering Space and cards will be collected in a few weeks. June 15 is deadline for Abundance trip A First UMC trip is in the works to participate in Abundance, a worship-studymusical experience on Sat., Sept. 29, 2018, 9:30am-4:40pm, at the Altria Theater in Richmond. You ll definitely want to come if you want to: walk away with a deeper understanding and passion for God s Word, find your identity in Christ and feel confident in who God has created you to be, or feel empowered to live courageously in your everyday life. To find out more go to abundance/abundance-richmond. The experience is for all ages! Individual tickets are $69. Let s get a group together and tickets are $59 each! RSVP to Carolyn McGee at carolynmcgee.fumc@gmail or by June 15. Know a woman.sister, mother, friend, wife, grandmother that needs some time away to reenergize? Give them this gift. Want to be part of the Shepherd Ministry? irst UMC s Shepherd F Ministry is a way to keep our church community knitted together by providing a way for everyone to feel cared for and loved. Typically, a Shepherd would care for a flock of about 6-12 families or individuals by communicating with them as often as the Shepherd would like, but at least 3-4 times a year. It might be a note in the mail, a phone call, an , or a visit. You might send out news from the church to tell them what s coming up, or you might remember them with a birthday note or call. Carolyn McGee, our Spiritual Life Coordinator, can provide other creative ways to be a Shepherd. A kick off for all Shepherds is planned for midsummer. If interested, contact Carolyn at or carolynmcgee.fumc@gmail.com. Don t forget! Only two Sunday worship services: June 17 & 24, 9am & 11am. Loaves & Fishes looking for helpers ooking for a rewarding L summer volunteer opportunity for yourself or your kids? Help get food to our neighbors in need by volunteering at Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Volunteer shifts are available each week, Tues.-Sat. Sign up at volunteerhub.com. Kevin White to lead music for Cocoanuts romp with Groucho or some summer fun, come F to the Heritage Theater at UVA and see "The Cocoanuts," July Frank Ferrante, who wowed Heritage audiences in 2014 with his internationally acclaimed one-man show An Evening with Groucho, returns to direct and star in The Cocoanuts. This tour-de-farce romp puts Groucho at the helm of a fourth-rate 1920 s Florida hotel where he tries to swindle gullible tourists with shady land deals. Groucho maneuvers through romantic and comedic misadventures with the help of his hilariously hapless brothers. Irving Berlin songs add to the frivolity of a silly musical that is perfect for the whole family! First UMC s own Kevin White, Chancel Choir Director and Organist, will be music directing and performing on the piano in this production!

8 ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED Look inside to read about these and more: The journey continues as Pastor Al retires p.1 Many changes in life require Letting Go p.2 Meet your new pastor: the Rev. Gary Heaton p.3 Look what s going on with our children and youth p.3 A Way Forward: The UMC & human sexuality p.4 How A Way Forward impacts First UMC p.5 When the homeless come to church: What to do p.6 Want to be part of First UMC s Shepherd Ministry? p.7 Only two Sunday worship services on June 17 & 24 p.7 Kevin White is music director for Cocoanuts P.7 Pastor Al s Last Sunday before he retires will be a real picnic. Don t miss it. June 24 9 & 11am in Sanctuary & McGuffey Park Want an electronic version of The Focus? Check us out online at focus