Swepsonville United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Swepsonville United Methodist Church Newsletter July - August 2018 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 OUR VISION: To be a beacon of God s light in the church, to the community and the world. OUR MISSION: Our VISION: To be a beacon of God's light in the church, the community and the world. Our vision is our inspiration, our guiding principle. How are you inspired to be a beacon of God's light? Can you ask yourself every time you come to church, "How am I shining God's light today in this church?" As you think about how you interact in the community "How am I a beacon of God's light in this community?" and in the world, "How am I/how are we beacons of God's light in this world?" We have a wonderful vision statement that YOU helped to write!! Swepsonville UMC is known as "the friendly church with the lighted steeple," but you have heard and articulated the call to BE that light, the light that God gives to all of us and to the world. Our MISSION is how we go about living out our vision. The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and our church's mission is: to be open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, to nurture the people of the church with the love of Jesus Christ, and to reach out to the community around us and offer God's love. How is God calling each one of us to shine our light, to shine GOD'S light by doing these things? We have a number of plans for outreach activities coming up in an effort to revitalize our mission and vision. Please consider prayerfully how you can reach out in love...in the church, community, and the world for the sake of sharing God's light and love. Invite someone to church. Tell them what the church means to you. Ask how the church can help the community. Share your ideas. Enfold every new person into the love of the church as you know it. What do you dream for our church and community in the next five years? ten? This community is growing and changing. How is God calling us to respond and live out our vision and mission in this time and place? Peace, 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 Pastor Christi Beginnings just tiny stirrings which disturb our even surface, prodding us into new and different shapes claiming their place on our horizons stretching us where we would not go yet we must. Driven by life forces deeper than our dreams, we dare to rise and grasp towards the new young thing not yet born but insistent like a tight seed bursting for life, --Edwina Gateley Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 1 July August 2018

2 UNITED METHODIST NEWS "The Way " The United Methodist Church, like other denominations, has struggled with matters of the treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) persons for many years. At our 2016 General Conference, the voting body asked the bishops to help lead us passed a long-held impasse that has created a great deal of division. The bishops convened a diverse, international group called "The Way " to pray, discern, and propose a plan that might help us move forward with faithfulness. The Commission has met and made proposals for the special called General Conference (the only body can make or change church law) of Feb The bishops have also made a recommendation. No decisions have been made, but understanding the scope of the situation, and uniting in prayer and mission are crucial to the life of our denomination moving forward. Pastor Christi and ministerial intern Mary Rachel will lead a four-week study of the issues, biblical background, and ways to love and pray and talk together across differences this summer. The goal of these sessions is to: help us understand the issues at hand help us to gain greater respect and understanding of various viewpoints and persons who hold them pray together for our denomination and churches come together as a church, though our beliefs and opinions may vary, to love one another with mutual affection (Romans 12:10) and spread that love within the denomination, our community, and the world. We will offer the same content for prayer and discussion at two different times each week starting July 22. Sunday mornings at 9:45 and Tuesday evenings at 6:30. Please come with an open heart and mind. All are welcome. *************** Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Father Gregory Boyle Wednesday, August 29 10:30am BOOK STUDY All Are Welcome For twenty years, Gregory Boyle has run Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, the capital of the world. In Tattoos on the Heart, he distills his experience working in the ghetto into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith. Arranged by theme and filled with sparkling humor and glowing generosity, these essays offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in loving others and in being loved unconditionally. These essays about universal kinship and redemption are moving examples of the power of unconditional love and the importance of fighting despair. Gorgeous and uplifting, Tattoos on the Heart reminds us that no life is less valuable than another. Youth Group ******************** Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 2 July August 2018

3 JULY CALENDAR Date Liturgist Greeters Nursery Children SS July 1 Mary Rachel July 8 Phil Norwood Mary Long July 15 Glenda Payne Dickie McAdams July 22 Mary Rachel July 29 Heather Riley Sue Robeson Donna Gillespie Cecelia Burger Pam Hadley Mary Mordecai Judy Burge Beverly Handy Sue Robeson Teacher/Helper Joan Reaves Acolyte Jordan& Presley& Pryce& Jordan Presley& Jordan& Ushers Hank Kirkpatrick Kim Kirkpatrick Dickie McAdams Doug Coon Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat am Worship 8 10am Sunday School 11am Worship 15 9:45am Way discussion 11 Worship 22 9:45am-Way discussion 29 9:45am -Way Mission Trip to Lumberton :30pm Way :30pm Way Mission Trip 13 Mission Trip 14 Mission trip pm JULY BIRTHDAYS 1 Elizabeth Clarke 21 David Wynne 1 Matthew Handy 22 Persephone Fuller 3 Tabitha Zombar 22 Meredith Hadley 5 22 Heather Riley 6 Sandie Moneypenny 25 Jimmy Long 6 Alan Pritchard 26 Linda McAdams 11 Sienna Dodson 26 Isleigh Sharpe 16 Mike Williams 27 Megan Scott 19 Heather James 2018 Treasurer's Report Please join us By Theresa Elsenrath MUSIC on the LAWN August 25 May Report: Hotdog dinner will be served. Offering Income: $ 9, All proceeds/donations go directly to Expenses: $ 9, the Snack Pack Ministry. Net Loss: $ All apportionments are up-to-date. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 3 July August 2018

4 Date Liturgist Greeters Nursery Aug 5 Aug 12 Aug 19 Aug 26 Mary Rachel Carolyn Allen Mary Rachel David Hadley Mary Long Lee Lovette AUGUST CALENDAR Phyllis Norwood Cecelia Burger Beverly Handy Mary Mordecai Judy Burge Phil Norwood Sue Robeson Children SS Teacher/Helper Joan Reaves Joan Reaves Acolytes Pryce& Jordan Presley & Pryce& Jordan Presley& Ushers Mary Mordecai John Harmon Fred Shebester 5 9:45am Way discussion 12 9:45am Way 11 am Easter Worship 2 pm Hall Reserved :30pm Way :30pm Way pm :30 am :00am Hall Reserved :30am-Tattoos on the Heart-Book study at Parsonage AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1 Presley Lovette 16 Allison Brothers 2 Tessa Riley 16 Jeanne Vance 6 Shannon Coon 18 Alli Aldridge 7 Steve Rice 18 Judy Thompson 7 Steve Scott 20 Linzy Shebester 8 Aspen Wood 23 Dye-Johnson 9 Tommy Aldridge 23 Julia (Scott) Bennett 9 Shea Williams 28 Joan Reaves 11 Bradley Capps 30 Pam Hadley 11 Jay Rich 30 Pat Maynor 14 Al Gillespie 30 Eric Moneypenny 16 Jordan Dye-Johnson Reminder: If your birthday is not listed, please contact Brenda Wilson to add your name to the list. 2:00 Music on the Lawn OUTREACH by HOW DO WE GET THERE FROM HERE? The congregation met on Sunday, April 22nd at 9:45am in the Hall to follow-up on recommendations concerning community involvement that will carry God s message outside our Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 4 July August 2018

5 church walls and demonstrate our commitment to fulfill our vision with the hope of increasing attendance. The group discussed many possibilities but decided on the following: First Responder s Recognition Event: annual, Betsy Shambley, Carolyn Allen, Pat Maynor, Jesse Mae Matthews, Mary Mordecai, Evening Social: monthly, Hank Kirkpatrick, Betsy Shambley, Lee Lovette, Pat Maynor, Linda McAdams Music on the Lawn: annual, Phyllis Norwood Farmer s Market: monthly,, Mary Mordecai These four events, along with our existing outreach programs, will serve as our pathway toward out vision. I apologize if you volunteered and your name does not appear above. If you would like to join any of the groups above, just seek out one of the team. Check the bulletin board for progress reports. LUMBERTON MISSION TRIP A mission trip to Lumberton in support of the flood relief project is scheduled for July The away team will depart Swepsonville Wednesday morning and return Saturday afternoon. We will reside at Chestnut Street UMC. Our assignment is unknown at this time but I am positive we will have our hands full. The rebuilding process is still years from being complete. Come and enjoy the fellowship and memorable experiences only realized while helping others. Sign up even if you can only attend a day or two. God provided each of us spiritual gifts! The good people of Lumberton could use your hands, feet, and back. And even your gift of compassionate listening and caring. COMMUNITY YARD SALE Thanks to all who worked through the heat of the day, those who contributed goods, and for those who purchased items. The community yard sale exceeded the previous year s earnings. The $1,471 raised will support the Lumberton Flood Relief Mission scheduled in July. The extra efforts from Mary Mordecai and Brenda Wilson are much appreciated and a Very Special Thanks to Eileen Penn and the choir for their uplifting songs during the yard sale. BICYCLE MINISTRY The bicycle ministry has provided several bikes already this year and has been able to maintain a sufficient inventory, ranging from 12-26, thanks to members of the congregation and community. If you know of anyone in need of a bike call and leave a message. Donated bikes are accepted in any condition and can be left on the front porch of Myrtle s house, next door to the church. COMMUNITY EVENTS YARD SALE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! FARMER S MARKET VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 5 July August 2018

6 SWEPSONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1307 E. Main Street Graham, N.C ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED This newsletter sent with God s blessings to: ALL ARE WELCOME Sunday School 10:00am Worship 11:00am Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 6 July August 2018