Twig Bender. Annual Conference Reflections. Greenwood United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 July 2016 Greenwood United Methodist Church Page July 2016 Twig Bender 2016 Virginia Annual Conference Edition Fr o m t h e P a s t o r Annual Conference Reflections A s a pastor, and as one who is aging, I have become increasingly aware of the life cycle: birth, milestones, new beginnings, retirement, death, new life in Christ. Parts of Annual Conference have become more poignant for me, with several years of service now behind me. John Wesley instituted a list of minute questions to help govern the business of the annual conferences. These minute questions address pertinent information and action overseen by the conference. One of those minute questions addresses which clergy have claimed the promise of life eternal since the last conference. And so each year as we gather to meet, we gather on the first evening to remember the laity delegates and clergy who were part of the previous conference and who have now died and claimed the promise. We celebrate the Last Supper as we also give thanks for the lives of those who served amongst us and we can no longer see. At the Friday morning clergy session, we are given a list of those clergy who (Continued on page 10) Our Ministry Of Prayer Leola Frayser, Maurice Hawkins, Mary Hurst, Page Jackson, Rachel Lewis, Lewis Daniel, Betty Lloyd, Riley Patteson, Betty Ritchie, Brenda and Harry Shuler, Selma Wright, Jennifer Yeary, Greenwood s Next Music Director

2 Page 2 The Twig Bender Chancel Project Update Church to Consider Renovation Bid The Church Administrative Council has recommended approval of a bid to renovate the Sanctuary chancel and choir loft at the Council meeting on June 28. Now the full church must approve this $11, 251 bid from Slocum Contracting. So, the Greenwood church membership will meet at a Called Church Conference on Sunday, July 10, after worship services to accept or reject the recommendation. This meeting will be similar to a Charge Conference except that it will be presided over by the Rev. Steve Summers, not the district superintendent. All regular church members in attendance will have a vote. The chancel renovation is a safety measure designed to eliminate the trip hazards of the varied levels there. The recommended renovation will include demolition, reframing, re-flooring and reconfiguring, and is expected to take three to six weeks to complete, once approved and work starts, probably in August or September. The choir-side lectern will be removed and the organ and piano will be relocated there, along with the audio-visual equipment. The choir will sit in front of the large cross on the back wall, facing the congregation. The pastor s lectern will be removed and reconfigured on casters. The existing knee walls in the chancel area will be removed but retained for future use. This is so the configuration of the chancel area can be changed as necessary for services, cantatas and so forth. Our July Communion Offering Goes to Sheltering Arms (Continued on page 14)

3 July 2016 Page 3 Annual Conference Wrap Up With a theme of Thy Will be Done, nearly 4,000 clergy and laity representatives of United Methodist churches across Virginia gathered in Roanoke June for the 234 th Annual Conference. Presiding for the last time before his retirement, Bishop Young Jin Cho led the delegates in conducting the business of the conference, including worship, mission projects and celebration of ministries. During the conference, 49 candles were on the altar representing lives lost during the Orlando shootings on June 12. In his episcopal address, Bishop Cho looked back on the accomplishments of the Virginia Conference over the last four years. He highlighted major ministry moments including the Imagine No Malaria initiative in which the conference raised more than $1 million in 15 months. Annual Conference voted to urge Virginia state legislators to enact legislation banning questions about criminal history from initial job applications for public and private employment. Delegates also voted to encourage all United Methodist local churches to establish a ministry in which congregation members provide guidance and encouragement to adolescents who are not reaching their full academic potential. Members approved a resolution encouraging United Methodists to work to destroy the systemic fear, hatred and discrimination that leads to violence against LGBTQ persons and communities. Another resolution, "Responding to requests from Christians in the Holy Land," was withdrawn because it was already approved by General Conference. For a more detailed report on the 2016 Annual Conference, check out the Conference web site at (which is the source of this article). We are tentatively planning to project a DVD summary of the Conference during a future worship service. Also see GUMC Delegate Brenda Shuler s AC report on our website. L i k e G r e e n w o o d o n Fa c e b o o k w w w. fa c e b o o k. c o m / g u m c va

4 Page 4 by Adamarye Patteson A big thank you goes out to Amy, Lori and Porter for doing such a great job this school year. We had between18 and 21 children this past year. The leaders planned crafts, helped with homework, did refreshments, had devotions, had outside playtime and made sure the children were safe and loved. Our program will start back on Tuesday, September 6. If you know of any children needing after school care, please give them our information. We will hold an open house on Thursday, September 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Twig Bender A f t e r S c h o o l C o m p l e t e s C o n g rats Gra d s! Twig Bender extends congratulations to these Greenwood church family graduates: Nick Bishop, Norman (OK) North High School, Glenda Stalnaker s great nephew. Andrew Lloyd Crain, Liberty University, Ray and Carolyn Smith s grandson. Phillip Cullom, Hermitage High School, Mary Cullom s step-son. James Barrett Shannon, Prestwood Christian Academy (Plano, TX), Ray and Carolyn Smith s grandson. Sara Skloss, Mukwonago (WI) High School, Bob and Gay Stapleton s granddaughter. Brittany Young, Lee-Davis High School Salutatorian, Mary Cullom s niece.

5 July 2016 Page Conference Offering Still Open It s not too late to make a contribution to the Virginia Annual Conference 2016 Offering. With a goal of $150,000, this offering will help the Methodist Mission in Cambodia train lay and clergy leadership and build churches; support the Methodist Church of Brazil programs with at-risk children; provide education and resources for training laity in United Methodist churches in Mozambique; and fund disaster response in Virginia, particularly long-term recovery work following the February 24 tornadoes in three districts of the conference. If you wish to make a donation, write Conference Offering on your check memo line and drop it in the offering plate. Be Prepared Read the Scriptures July Lectionary Readings July 3 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16; Luke 10:1-11, July 10 Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 July 17 July 24 July 31 Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52 or 82; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19); Luke 11:1-13 Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9, 43; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

6 Page 6 Va c a t i o n B i b l e C a m p V B C G o a l i s $ As the July edition of Twig Bender goes to press, Greenwood s Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) 2016 is underway. We unfortunately have fewer kids this year than we d like, but we re still able to expose some young minds to the Word of God. Our campers and staff are working to raise money to buy fish to stock a fish farm for a family overseas. We raised nearly $150 toward our $300 goal, and we re challenging the congregations of Greenwood and Laurel Park to match this. The Twig Bender Readers can rise to this challenge by donating towards our goal of raising money to purchase fish fingerlings from the Heifer Project and be donated to a fish-farming family. Mark your donation checks VBC and place them in the offering plate. F o o d D o n a t i o n C o n n e c t i o n July Pick Up Rotation Wednesday, June 29: Jean Mowatt and William Gibbs; Thursday, June 30: Lewis Daniel; Friday, July 1: Carolyn and Ray Smith. Wednesday, July 6: Betty and Raymond Ritchie; Thursday, July 7: Glenda and Steve Stalnaker; Friday, July 8: Adamarye Patteson. Wednesday, July 13 Charlene and Maurice Hawkins; Thursday, July 14: Lewis Daniel; Friday, July 15: Brenda and Harry Shuler. Wednesday, July 20: Jean Mowatt and William Gibbs; Thursday, July 21: Glenda and Steve Stalnaker; Friday, July 22: Carolyn and Ray Smith. Wednesday, July 27: Betty and Raymond Ritchie; Thursday, July 28: Lewis Daniel; Friday, July 29: Adamarye Patteson.

7 July 2016 Page 7 Annual Conference by the Numbers Twenty-one men and women were ordained elders, two were ordained deacons, 14 were commissioned as provisional elders, two were commissioned as provisional deacons and 31 were licensed as local pastors in the Saturday evening Ordering of Ministry service. To date, $131, has been received for this year's Annual Conference special offering, nearly $19,000 shy of the goal of $150,000. Ten churches were discontinued in five districts. Five new faith communities and their pastors were introduced. Fifteen new faith communities have been started this quadrennium. Annual Conference members brought 52,016 disaster relief kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), including 29,676 Health Kits; 17,637 School Kits; 2,634 Birthing Kits; 1,352 Layette Kits; 303 Cleaning Kits; 55 Bedding Kits and 359 Sewing Kits. Attendees contributed 10,039 pounds of canned goods and boxed dry foods as part of the "4 Cans 4 Conference" drive to benefit the Roanoke area Rescue Mission. As of the end of 2015, Conference membership stood at 327,647, down 0.46 %. Worship attendance was down 4%. at 98,253. Reaffirmations of faith were at 4,010, down 6 %. For 2017, there is a 2.2% decrease in apportionments towards mission and ministries. $14,310 has been contributed to the Bishops Foundation for spiritual leadership training in Bishop Cho s name. Members approved a 2017 budget of $32,000,000, down 0.96% from the 2016 budget.

8 Page 8 The Twig Bender G r e e n w o o d U M C J u l y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6 p.m. Free Food 2 8 a.m. Men s Breakfast 3 Communion Sunday LAMB s Basket Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 Independence Day 5 7 p.m. Joint S/ PPR Committee Meeting with LPUMC 6 7 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 8 6 p.m. Free Food a.m. Worship Service 12:05 p.m. Called Church Conference National French Fry Day 14 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 15 6 p.m. Free Food a.m. Worship Service p.m. Trustees Meeting 21 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 22 Twig Bender Deadline 6 p.m. Free Food a.m :30 p.m. Choir Practice 29 6 p.m. Free Food 30 5 th Sunday Worship at GUMC

9 July 2016 Page 9 Mark Your Calendars September 1... After School Open House September 5... Labor Day September Patriot Day October Columbus Day October Yom Kippur October Halloween November 8... Election Day November 6... Daylight Saving Time Ends

10 Page 10 (Continued from page 1) A n n u a l C o n fe r e n c e have died, and recognize those who are retiring, before then celebrating new life, new beginnings as the clergy vote to approve candidates for ministry, those who are to be licensed, commissioned, or ordained, going systematically through Wesley s minute questions. As we gather as a full conference, on the first afternoon, we again acknowledge death as we celebrate new life as we answer the minute questions and read the list of congregations being discontinued, sharing snapshots of their ministries, and new congregations that are being planted. As the Rev. Myrtle Hatcher preached during the memorial service, she spoke about how these clergy and laity had gone places they never expected, did things they never would have imagined, but always with God beside them. The gospel says we will offer love and hope and caring whenever it is needed. It s how we bring God s will into reality, says the Rev. Hatcher. During the retirement service, 50 clergy persons were recognized with a combined 1, years of service in The Twig Bender the Virginia Conference, plus ministry elsewhere. Bishop Cho, in his Episcopal address, emphasized the need for frequent reflection in our ministry as members of Christ s church on where we are now, where God is calling us to be, and what needs to change to get where God is calling us to be. During the Bible Study, Dr. L. Gregory Jones, previously Dean at Duke University and now at Baylor University, talked about how many of the people in the church are like two year olds. We are really good at saying no, mine, and throwing tantrums when things don t go exactly the way we want, but we can also learn like one. Two year olds, are fearless, they make new friends quickly and (Continued on page 13) W A N T E D P R A Y E R S for our ongoing search for a new music director! Please continue to pray for the SPPR as they search for new leadership for this ministry.

11 July 2016 Page 11 B e w a r e S M i S h i n g! SMiShing, is a text message scam that can compromise your finances and your identity. Understand what it is and how you can protect yourself. Short Message Service (SMS) is the wireless industry s term for what the rest of us call texting. So SMiShing, means SMS phishing, SMiShing is another cybercrime meant to dupe you into revealing your personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, which criminals then use to steal your money or your identity. These scam text messages usually appear to be from your financial institution or credit card provider, claiming to alert you that your account has been compromised and encouraging you to take immediate action. Of course, your account is OK. You can protect yourself against SMiShing by being wary of any unsolicited text messages you may receive. Avoid clicking on links in text messages. Links are often used to install malware or keyloggers software that tracks your keystrokes. Never respond to a suspicious text message. If you receive a text message related to finances that isn t from your financial institution, don t respond. Like website links, text responses can be used to verify your phone number and gain access to your personal information. Some financial institutions may use text messages to verify suspicious purchases, but those texts will never request personal information. Check with your financial institution to see if it offers SMS text banking or mobile alerts so you know how to tell the difference between a legitimate message and a fake. Source: Navy Federal Credit Union monthly newsletter Finance your Car at VUMCU, Earn A Donation For Greenwood! Virginia United Methodist Credit Union will donate $25 to our general fund whenever a Greenwood church member finances a vehicle purchase through VUMCU. Visit for details

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13 July 2016 Page 13 (Continued from page 10) C o n f e r e n c e R e f l e c t i o n s easily, and they will run into new places with Joy and excitement. We need to be more like a happy two-yearold. Dr. Jones goes on to say: Friends, we ve got to reclaim that sense that God is active in the world. The Holy Spirit is causing all kind of revolution, are we going to be part of that? As a member of the Board of Communications, I also had the fun of capturing parts of conference on camera. Some of my pictures will be appearing on the website and in the next Advocate. Last week s storm created ripples felt at conference on Sunday as the Advocates planned to be distributed were not yet printed. Copies will be mailed to all delegates this week. Behind the scenes, pandemonium exploded as staff rushed to get over 3,500 copies of the appointments printed and ready for distribution on Sunday morning. Like most clergy, I quickly turned to my charge, Greenwood-Laurel Park, to verify that, yes! I am reappointed for another exciting year! Thanks be to God. Grace and peace, Barbara CARITAS is Coming We re scheduled to host CARITAS from September 29 through October 1. We ve set a limit of 24 CARITAS guests and we ll be calling on those who gave us their names during the survey to volunteer. But all are welcome to help out. See Adamarye to volunteer.

14 Page 14 The Twig Bender Greenwood Church Family Birthdays Isaiah Robinson... 7/3 Courtney Neagle... 7/4 Dorothy Powell... 7/7 Kristen Bray... 7/15 Brad Lahocki... 7/23 Anniversaries Raymond Ritchie... 7/24 Kyle Lahocki... 7/28 Lauren Coleman... 7/28 Sue Anne Blanton... 7/29 Cole Morgan... 7/30 Janice & Charley Banks... 7/12 Robert & Gay Stapleton... 7/12 David & Jonae Shuler... 7/12 Don t see your birthday or wedding anniversary in The Twig Bender and would like to have us publish it? Send your dates to admin@gumcva.org or call the church office at ; likewise, let us know if you d like your birthday or anniversary removed. (Continued from page 2) Chancel Renovation Update The upper floor will be lowered one level to remove the trip hazard that has been a problem for so many years. The communion rail and kneeling cushions will remain in place. Sound speakers also remain in place. This renovation, first funded several years ago by a gracious donation, has been a long time coming. Finding a compliant bidder has been an issue, but now we appear to be on the home stretch. Twig Bender applauds the efforts of so many people, particularly Charley Banks, who are making this possible. We look forward to the new chancel, coming soon to Greenwood.

15 July 2016 Page 15 June Attendance and Offerings Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce Proverbs 3:9 Date Sunday School Worship Giving June $4,528 June $2,175 June $ 838 June $1,887 Weekly Averages $2,357 June Totals $9,428 YTD Avg $1,875 YTD Totals $48,795 In order to meet Greenwood s 2016 operating budget of $133,357, our goal is an average weekly offering of $2, Thank you for helping us reach our goal. Twig Bender is a publication of Greenwood United Methodist Church Greenwood Road Glen Allen, VA Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Pastor The Rev. Barbara Lewis revbarbara@gumcva.org Music Director Open After School Phone: Office admin@gumcva.org Fax: Office hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday Friday Twig Bender editor Steve Stalnaker webmaster@gumcva.org Visit our web site at Greenwood UMC all rights reserved