Uh-oh...the Pastor s been thinkin.

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 As you probably know, I was blessed to be able to attend the General Conference of the United Methodist Church last month. This is the primary legislative governing body of the church. It meets once every 4 years to elect leadership, pass budgets, and to change or update policy. It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. It was inspiring to see the diversity of the global church and all the delegates, and the worship was amazing. However, many of the changes we were rooting for regarding human sexuality and marriage either didn t pass, or were postponed to some future date. There is a ton of information if you re so inclined, at I have included the Council of Bishops letter to the people of the UMC below. May 23, 2016 Washington, D.C.: Reviving a tradition that is more than 200 years old, the United Methodist Council of Bishops sent this letter today to the people of The United Methodist Church following the 2016 General Conference, held in Portland, Oregon, May The letter reads as follows: To the people of The United Methodist Church: The Council of Bishops brings you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has called us to be servant leaders of the church. In 1812, Bishop Francis Asbury, Bishop William McKendree and General Conference Secretary Daniel Hitt sent the first letter to churches following General Conference. This letter seeks to revive that tradition. Many bishops will also be communicating individually with their own areas. Hundreds of lay and clergy delegates from around the world gathered in Portland, Oregon, along with bishops and pastors, church members and staff, volunteers and visitors, to engage in Christian conferencing, to make decisions for our church s future, to affirm our global connection, to worship and to celebrate God s faithfulness. We celebrated the success of our Imagine No Malaria initiative, which seeks to raise $75 million in the fight against malaria, a disease that takes the life of a child in Africa every two minutes. We celebrated our ecumenical partnerships as we move in to full Communion with the Uniting Church in Sweden and toward full Communion with the Moravian church. We celebrated our heritage: the 250th anniversary of our oldest church, John Street United Methodist Church, the 200th anniversary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the 150th anniversary of United Methodist Women, the 25th anniversary of Africa University and others.

2 Continued from front page... We continued in our acts of repentance with a presentation from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes about the Methodist involvement in the 1864 Sand Creek massacre. We shared in the consecration of deaconesses and home missioners and the commissioning of missionaries. We moved toward a global Book of Discipline and global Social Principles. We voted to add five new bishops in Africa after 2020, and approved a church wide study on our ecclesiology. The Episcopal address set the tone for the event, focusing on humility and lifting up our accomplishments. We heard from our laity an invitation to members to be more involved in making disciples and getting involved in ministries to bring the love of Christ to others. We heard our young people say they are engaged in Christ s journey with energy and love. We also heard them say clearly that they do not want a divided church and urged us to "be in unity even if we do not have unanimity." They give us hope for our future. The body had difficult and challenging work before it as we acknowledged our differences over human sexuality. Amidst those differences, the delegates affirmed they want their bishops to lead and we found ourselves with an opportunity for a holy moment. We spoke candidly about what divides us and what our church might look like in the future if we dared to consider new possibilities. We offered a way forward, postponing decisions about sexuality matters and committing to having a different kind of global conversation that allows all voices to be heard. Our differences do not keep us from being the body of Christ. They do not keep us from doing good in the world. They do not keep us from making a difference and so we set forth bold new goals: to make a million new disciples of Jesus Christ; to engage 3 million new people to make a difference in the world; to transform 400 communities for vital abundant living; to reach a million children with lifesaving health interventions; and to double the number of vital congregations. Most importantly, we affirmed our commitment to stay united. We proved that we are more than debates and divisions, more than rules and resolutions. We stood together as the body of Christ. As we reflect on our time in Portland, our prayer is for unity in the church for the advancement of our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As John Wesley reminded us, Best of all, God is with us. Signed on behalf of the Council of Bishops, Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council ### About the Council of Bishops The Council of Bishops provides leadership and helps set the direction of the 12.3 million-member church and its mission throughout the world. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church, and comprises 45 active bishops in the United States; 20 active bishops in Europe, Asia and Africa; plus 87 retired bishops worldwide.

3 Extended Table On May 2, 18 volunteers provided 71 meals at our Extended Table evening in Glenwood Springs. Ann Kenney, Maureen Nuckols, Joan Lamont, Emily Jack- Scott, Arlene Kroh, Sharie Devenport, and Sherry Herrington provided delicious casseroles. Ben and Sue Heffer provided the green beans and half the cranberry sauce. Candy Holgate also provided cranberry sauce. Dean Pappas brought the bread from Heidi's deli and LIFT-UP furnished dessert items from donations made to them. An energetic and loving group set up, cooked, served and cleaned the space we use. Thanks to Candy, Sharie D., Ken Harrington, Jim Kenney, Bill Lamont, Emily, and Rick Herrington for their time and their smiles. On June 6 we will serve again featuring our summer menu, so find those "favorite summer salad recipes to complement the meats and cheeses the church furnishes! Thank you everyone for supporting this ministry!! Sherry Ann Keeney 6/15 Jackie Tergeoglou 6/19 Kevin Drudge 6/22 Bryson Fink 6/25 Rae Ann Hunter 6/29 Lanny Kroh Celebration of Life June 4th, 10 am at CCUMC Please Like us on Facebook. You will then get our updates on the happenings of the church! Just search for Carbondale Community United Methodist Church on your Facebook page. 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.

4 ELATION PERFORMING GODSPELL The music group ELATION of St. Stephen United Methodist Church from Mesquite, Texas, will appear in concert at First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on Friday June 17, 2016 at 7:00 pm. 1st United Methodist Church is located at 824 Cooper Street in Glenwood Springs. Admission is free. ELATION is composed of 30 youth ranging in age from 12 to 18. The group was formed in August of 1999 and has shared Godspell with over 175 congregations in 36 states and Canada throughout the past sixteen years. All cast members have both singing, dancing and speaking roles to help retell the parables from the Gospels in GODSPELL. The musical drama of the life of Christ is understood by the youth to be their means of conveying the message of Jesus Christ. As a result of their sincerity, GODSPELL becomes a significant worship event. The youth from St. Stephen will be departing June 16th for their TOUR 2016, which will take them on a eleven-day journey of faith and proclamation from their home in Mesquite, Texas to Glenwood Springs (Colorado), Salt Lake City (Utah), Idaho Falls (Idaho), Yellowstone NP, Billings (Montana), Rapid City (South Dakota), Mount Rushmore, Greeley (Colorado), Rocky Mountain NP, Pueblo, Colorado, and Pampa (Texas) before returning home. We hope you can join us for a wonderful night of fun and fellowship. ny questions please contact : Ann Kenney: ; ; annkenney40@gmail.com Salvation and the Holy Spirit Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8 NIV Those of you who have seen the movie, Wesley, saw John Wesley s spiritual journey take many twists and turns, until he was strangely warmed at the Aldersgate meeting in Wesley had believed that by being of service to others and doing good things, he would be saved. That it was through outward works that we obtained salvation. He had embraced God the Father and God the Son, but the Holy Spirit of the Trinity eluded him. "Preach faith till you have it," Wesley s friend advised. "And then because you have it, you will preach faith." After John Wesley s Aldersgate experience, he wrote I was now thoroughly convinced and, by the grace of God, I resolved to seek it unto the end, first, by absolutely renouncing all dependence, in whole or in part, upon my own works of righteousness - on which I had really grounded my hope of salvation, though I knew it not, from my youth up. We must have faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins. It is not Christ and good works, but Christ alone who saves, resulting in good works. Being right with God must precede doing right for God. Salvation cannot be earned. There's no behavior, no matter how holy or righteous, by which we can achieve salvation. Rather, it's the gift of a gracious God. From Paul s Epistle to the Romans, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV GinnyB

5 Garden tenders needed We still need volunteers to help tend the CCUMC Neighbors' Garden this summer. Duties include watering, weeding and harvesting when the time comes. It usually takes about an hour and a half, and we need someone for each day of the week. Two people can also share a day every other week, or however you want to work it. Please see Tami Stroud for details. We look forward to a bountiful garden season, and lots of fresh produce to donate to our church neighbors and those in need through LIFT-UP. 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 When: Friday Where: 2 Rivers Café, Basalt Time: 11:30 am CONFIRMATION CLASSES June 5, (BCUMC) June 19, (CCUMC) June 26, Confirmation Presentation of building plans Please plan to stick around during fellowship time after Sunday worship on June 12 for a presentation of our building renovation concept plans and other details about this exciting opportunity to grow our church. The building committee has been busy refining details of the plans, gathering preliminary cost estimates, and meeting with current and past church leaders to roll out the plans and get their feedback. We will have drawings and an outline of the key aspects of the project, and hope to have our architect Kurt Curruth on hand to better explain the design. We will also provide information on how you can financially support the project.

6 Mountain Fair July Get ready for the 2016 Mountain Fair. Our sign up sheets will be coming out in June. Shifts will be 3 hours long. Please sign up to work this years fair. Any questions please call Sharen at the office

7 June 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday pm 2 Rivers Cafe Worship Service Youth Sunday 10 :30 am 6:00 pm NA Confim. Class 6 pm(b) Extended Table 6 7 pm 2 Rivers Cafe Worship Service 10 :30 am 6:00 pm NA 6-7 pm 2 Rivers Café 19 FATHER S DAY Worship Service 10 :30 am 6:00 pm NA Confim. Class 6 pm (C) 6-7 pm Worship Service 10 :30 am Confirmation 6:00 pm NA 6-7 pm 2 Rivers Café 2 Rivers Café

8 CCUMC 385 South 2nd Street Carbondale, CO June 2016 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