The Son Shine News. A Monthly Newsletter for the Unity United Methodist Church. Our Mission Statement is: Living, Learning, and Loving through Christ

Transcription

1 The Son Shine News A Monthly Newsletter for the Unity United Methodist Church Our Mission Statement is: Living, Learning, and Loving through Christ August 2018 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. These are the opening verses of Psalm 19, and I think they re the perfect way to greet the month of August. This is perhaps the best time to be in Maine, perfect for being outside, exploring God s creation. (Continued on Page 3) 1

2 Additional mailing addresses (p 7) Chicken BBQ THANKS (p p 5 6) Church News (p 8) Good Steward Thrift Shop (p 9) Information Page (p 13) Ministry of Prayer (p 10) Mission/Vision statements and strategic goals (pp 11 12) Pastor s Message (pp 1,3) Pastor s Schedule (p 2) Prayer Chain (p 10) Singspiration (p 4) Table of Contents (p 2) Pastor Karen s Schedule Pastor Karen is generally available after worship on Sundays and in the evening during the week. She is happy to schedule meetings or visits when needed. Please feel free to reach out to her at (207) or by at pastorkaren39@gmail.com. She typically responds to phone calls on the same day and s within 24 hours. 2

3 (Continued from Page 1) Whether you re hiking or biking parts of the Hills to Sea Trail, taking in the Perseid meteor shower, or resting at your favorite spot on the ocean, lake or pond, this is the ideal time to get out and enjoy the natural world around us. Or maybe you prefer to check out the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, see some of the picturesque spots along our coastline, or take a drive up into the mountains. Of course, these late summer weeks are also perfect for sitting in the yard with a good book, lying in a hammock and watching the clouds go by, or just relaxing and watching the grass grow. I think of this time as peak Sabbath time time to rest, restore, re-create and renew. And enjoying these pastimes outdoors really doubles the renewing effect of Sabbath keeping. I believe that God speaks to us through nature, and nature continuously declares the presence and wonder of God. Be sure to get out and enjoy this most beautiful time of year, right here in God s country, and reconnect with God in a special way. Blessings, Karen Guatemala Mission Trips Are you interested in going on a mission trip to Guatemala? I am aware of two upcoming trips from Maine one in late October and one in late February. I have been to Guatemala on a few of these trips and can tell you they are fun, thought provoking and life changing! Please see me if you re interested and I can give you details. Pastor Karen In the Hospital? Please remember to let Pastor Karen know if you or a loved one is in the hospital and needs a visit. Patient privacy rules don t allow hospitals to notify pastors when their folks are in the hospital. Visitors Needed Want to make a difference in someone s life? How about visiting a shut-in or somebody in a nursing home? There are people in our church and community who can t get out and would love to have someone stop by just to chat for a few minutes. Don t know where to start? See Pastor Karen for suggestions. Pastor Karen on Vacation August 26 September 3 Pastor Karen will be on vacation after worship August 26 th through September 3 rd. Rev. Chong Choi (Fairfield/Clinton) will be providing pastoral coverage for emergencies while Pastor Karen is away. He can be reached at Preaching on September 2 nd is Brenda Haskell of Winslow. She is a former United Methodist pastor (Vassalboro, Hartland) and has been a friend of Karen and Pastor Jen s for many years. She will be a blessing to all. 3

4 Everybody is invited to attend Singspiration, an afternoon of music, food and fun. It will be held at Thorndike Congregational Church next Sunday, July 29 starting at 1 PM. Musicians of all kinds are welcome soloists, duest, ensembles and groups. Listeners are also needed. Come and go as you need. 4

5 Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU! Our heartfelt thanks for all who had a hand (or two) in making last month s Drive Thru Chicken BBQ such a huge success! If you cooked, prepped, sold tickets, served or cleaned up, thank you! If were one of over 350 loyal customers, thank you! If directed traffic or wore the famous chicken mask, thank you! A special thanks also goes out to the Depot Store, Jim s Salad, Troy General Store, Unity Shop & Save, and to Polly Juskevice for her homemade dinner rolls. Thank you for supporting the mission and ministries of the church. 5

6 Activities of the 5th Annual Chicken BBQ 6

7 Madeline Stevenson Room #27 Woodlands Senior Living of Waterville 147 West River Road Waterville, Maine Bruce Jansen Room #39 Oak Grove Center 27 Cool Street Waterville, Maine Helen Gillette Room #14 Stillwater Health Care 335 Stillwater Ave Bangor, Maine

8 The GOOD STEWARD THRIFT SHOP is now open on SATURDAY from 10:00 2:00!!! Our shop, a former parsonage, began an extension ministry as an outreach to the community of Unity and the surrounding areas. The Good Steward Thrift Shop is filled from ceiling to floor, upstairs and down, with donated men s, women s and youth clothing and shoes, a wellstocked kitchen, two rooms full of home goods, CDs, books, and recently.. a new holiday room has been added. Everything we sell is in good condition and extremely affordable! Donations are appreciated. Individuals who want to volunteer at the thrift store, please sign up in the shop. The church is here to help people and the community. 8

9 The Good Steward Thrift Shop We specialize in high quality, low cost, brand name gently used clothing for the family, housewares, jewelry, home decor, books, holiday decorations and the kinds of surprises shoppers love to find. Our proceeds help fund the ministries of the Unity United Methodist Church. Hours: Saturdays from 10:00 2:00 9

10 The Ministry of Prayer As a church we believe in the power of prayer. Please pray for: Rita Andrews and her daughter; Barry McCormick and family; Marilyn-Joyce Chase s sister; Bette s sister Becky & cousin - Valerie; Madeline Stevenson; Helen Gillette; Olive and Carl Braley; Charlene & Paul LaBrie; Charlene s nephew - David; Evelyn Wilbur & family; Roger & Marie Barber; Dottie and Bruce Jansen; Cathy Welch; Emma Dorman; our Scouting Program and The Unity community; Dale and Sharon Shaw; Cassandra, who is expecting her baby any time; Missing loved ones in Heaven when special days (birthdays, anniversaries) come around; the ongoing immigration situation at our borders; all who suffer from addictions and their families; for all facing health challenges; Our emergency responders; healing the divisions within our great country; fpr our seasonal workers; neighbors of different religious traditions. See Pastor Karen to add your prayer concerns here or to change status of those listed. If you or a family member goes to a hospital and you need pastoral care, please contact Pastor Karen. In the event of a pastoral emergency and Pastor Karen is not available, please contact our Lay Leader Christie Saunders at Sometimes it s not easy to stand up and speak out our personal prayer needs. If you have a prayer request, we will keep your needs in our prayers each day for the week following your request. Also, if you need has been answered, we would love to hear and rejoice with you in prayers of thankfulness. OPTIONS: Turning in a prayer card (found in the back of the sanctuary) during our Worship Service Contact Pastor Karen, at Contact our secure online site for our Christian community Companions in Christ, The Way of PRAYER ( Our church believes in the power and importance of prayer: Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 10

11 1. RADICAL HOSPITALITY FINAL STRATEGIC GOALS (SG) SG #1: Being intentional about inviting the unchurched into our faith community SG #2: Being intentional in church the GSTS in offering sincere greeting to welcome people to worship as they are, where they are. God loves you as you are. SG #3: Being intentional about offering a safe, friendly, pleasant facility/grounds in which people can gather, learn and worship. 2. PASSIONATE WORSHIP SG #1: Being intentional about connecting people to God through a meaningful worship experience SG #2: Being intentional about exploring various ways of inviting church members/outside groups to share their gifts in worship. 3. INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT SG #1: To be diligent in offering opportunities for each individual of our faith community to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ and in the knowledge and love of God. 4a. RISK TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE **THE CHURCH SG #1: Discerning God s call to step out beyond our comfort zones to meet the needs of our community. 4b. RISK TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE **GOOD STEWARD THRIFT SHOP SG #1: Discern intentional ways in which to offer God s love and grace to our local community through the ministry of the Good Steward Thrift Shop. SG #2: Intentionally providing more opportunities for volunteers to share in God s love and grace by serving at the Good Steward Thrift Shop. 5. EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY SG #1: Intentionally seeking opportunities for making a positive difference in the lives of people beyond our walls through congregational support and outreach. SG #2: Intentionally cultivating a spirit of generous giving within the congregation throughout the year. SG#3: Intentionally teach, preach, and practice that generous giving is a spiritual discipline. 11

12 The Leadership Team has completed their work in discerning the church s new mission and vision statements. This has come after months of prayerful meetings in which the congregational responses to survey questions were considered. Below are the mission and vision statements along with the strategic goals formulated out of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations material. All were approved by the Administrative Committee on Sunday, July 19, Thanks to all who participated. MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS: Unity United Methodist Church Mission Statement: Living, Learning, and Loving through Christ Unity United Methodist Church Vision Statement: As followers of Jesus Christ, we strive to be a beacon of hope, reflecting God s light and love. In order to live out our vision we covenant to practice: RADICAL HOSPITALITY Welcoming one another as we are with the love of God PASSIONATE WORSHIP Connecting to God through authentic and engaging worship INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT Growing together in the grace and love of Jesus Christ RISK TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE Reaching out to meet needs within our community and beyond EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY Cultivating a spirit of generous giving of our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness for the Glory of God. 12

13 Information Page Unity United Methodist Church 13 Depot St. PO Box 146 Unity, Maine Pastor: Rev. Karen Garcia; or Lay Leader: Christie Saunders; Council Chair: Gene Pfeiffer; Building & Grounds Chair: Barry McCormick; Worship Service 10 AM Sunday Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday Please Like the Unity United Methodist Church in Facebook Check out our Church WEBSITE at articles to: or Contact us at final Bacon is the answer. What was the question? 13