Simpson Messenger. United Methodist Church. August/September Words from our Pastor

Transcription

1 Words from our Pastor What s Happening in The United Methodist Church? (Part 2) In the last Messenger I discussed our denomination s ongoing process to resolve disagreements across the worldwide connection about full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life and ministry of the UMC. In this piece I summarize as best I can the three recommendations the Commission on a Way Forward will bring to the special General Conference in February of One Church Plan: As opposed to maintaining a single standard regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons throughout the worldwide church, the one church model allows U.S. United Methodists to make independent decisions in light of their specific contexts and theological perspectives. This plan would remove restrictive language from the Book of Discipline and give conferences, churches and pastors the flexibility to uniquely reach their missional context in relation to human sexuality without changing the connectional nature of The United Methodist Church." Under this plan, each Annual Conference decides whether to certify, license, ordain, and appoint LGBTQ clergy. Each church decides whether to permit same sex unions to be celebrated in its facilities and each clergy person decides whether or not to officiate such services. At the same time the One Church Plan protects the rights of those United Methodists whose theological convictions will not allow them to perform same-sex weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons. United Methodists in Central Conferences in Africa, Asia and Europe will retain their existing authority to adapt the Book of Discipline and could continue to include their traditional language and values. This is the plan the Council of Bishops is recommending to the 2019 General Conference. Traditionalist Plan: This plan affirms the current language in the Book of Discipline which declares homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teachings, continues to prohibit self-avowed practicing homosexuals from being ordained, licensed, or appointed as clergy, and bans United Methodist clergy from performing same sex unions and United Methodist churches from hosting them. It also August/September 2018 Simpson Messenger United Methodist Church calls for strict enforcement of violations of church law. The Traditionalist plan does offer a new way for those who cannot in good conscience uphold The Discipline to remain in connection in a new affiliated denominations structure. Connectional-Conference Plan: First a bit of background U.S. United Methodist Annual Conferences are currently organized into geographic Jurisdictions. Annual Conference boundaries are determined and bishops are elected and assigned by Jurisdictional Conferences meeting every four years. The Indiana Annual Conference is part of the North Central Jurisdiction. The Connectional Conference plan replaces the five U.S. jurisdictions with three connectional conferences based on theology, context, and/or perspective, each having clearly defined values. One possible structure might be to have a Progressive Conference offering full inclusion to LGBT persons in all aspect of ministry, a Traditionalist Conference which would more or less implement the Traditionalist Plan above, and a Contextual Conference similar to the proposed One Church plan. The three connectional conferences would function throughout the worldwide church. Adaptations to the Book of Discipline would be allowed by each connectional conference. Each Annual Conference would determine its affiliation with a connectional conference. Local churches who want to choose a Connectional Conference other than the one chosen by their Annual Conference could vote to join another Annual Conference. This plan would require multiple amendments to the denomination s constitution. Because of that, many give this approach little likelihood of being approved. I ve tried to summarize the proposals as succinctly as possible, but the details of implementation are exceedingly complex. If you have questions, please ask and we ll try to find answers together. Please also plan to attend a District Conversation on a Way Forward with Bishop Trimble at Newburgh UMC at 6:30 pm on October 30 th. Next month I ll try to answer the question, What happens next? ~Pastor Dennis

2 Simpson Church Messenger Page 2 FALL FESTIVAL Fall Festival is just around the corner! Time to start thinking about donations for soft drinks. The collection jars has been placed in the annex for donations to purchase the drinks. Any and all donations are appreciated! Our first Brain day will be Saturday, August 18th at 8:00 a.m. All are welcome! There is a job for you no matter your age or ability! Our success with the fall festival booth is because of our wonderful and dedicated volunteers!!! Thanks in advance for you willing to help! The second Brain Day will be Saturday, September 29th at 8:00 a.m. Simpson Youth News Holiday World & Splashin Safari 2018 The youth group has discussed taking a day out to bond as a group and attend the Rock the World Christian Music Festival at Holiday World. This event is Saturday, August 25 th. If you would like to join us you can find more information here: Contact Ashley Allega for any questions. Sign ups to work the booth will be done online or in the church annex. You should have received an from SignUpGenius.com inviting you to sign up or you can click to sign up from Simpsonchurch.net New Live Video Feed The church is no longer using Ustream. We are now live streaming through YouTube through the Simpson Church YouTube Channel. If you have any questions about this please see Anthony LeBarron. Thanks Big thank you to Larry Vadbunker and all the men of the church who do the great things for the people of the church and the community. We are very excited to get back to our favorite activity in the summer as a youth group. The location and date will be announced in the near future. (The one we picked out has been cancelled.) Our mission trip next summer could be the perfect opportunity for your child to grow closer to God and form friendships that will last a lifetime. They can do all this while serving those who are less fortunate. This trip is for middle school through high school. We will need adult volunteers. If you have any questions on what all this entails, please contact Ashley Allega Cell: (812) ashleyallega@gmail.com

3 Simpson Church Messenger Page 3 Looking for a volunteer or two to lead/co-lead Junior Church on Sunday October 7 th from 11a- 12pm. Please talk to Lindy Floyd if you are available and interested in filling in on that Sunday. COMMUNITY MEAL Saturday September 15th 6:30-9:30pm Join us for a fun filled evening; Dinner, Games, Treats and More! August 28th 5:30-7 September 25 th 5:30-7 Join us for dinner or think about volunteering to serve/clean up! Donating just $1 ensures that a neighbor enjoys a wonderful meal. Please donate to support the continued efforts of The Community Meal. The Incredibles FAIR TRADE POP-UP SHOP Saturday September 1 st 10am-2pm at The Hub on Franklin HOSPITALITY Wanted to thank everyone for all your help with the church picnic. Thank you also for all the containers that have been donated. It is working very well by the way for Community Meal take outs. Last month; no store bought take out containers were used. We could still use Coffee Bar specials for one Sunday in the months of September, November & December. Thanks Karen Owens & Donna Blackford for the August 5th Back-To-School bar. It was delicious!

4 Simpson Church Messenger Page 4 A Quick Note from Your Simpson Finance Chair Below is a quick view of where we are with the general operating fund as of the end of June. Month Receipts Disbursements The Clothes Closet is still going very well. In the month of July 132 people spent $275.75, 25 cents at a time. We are now changing over to fall clothes, so bring your lite jackets and other fall garments. Heavy winter coats and clothes will be put out after the weather gets cold. We do need help. If anyone can volunteer two hours on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday 1:30 3:30 to sell clothes. (You don t have to sort clothes; we will do that) If anyone is interested, we have an abundance of very nice jackets for women size m-lg. These are hanging in the youth room, so come take a look and donate if you would like one or more. These are almost too nice for the clothes closet. Thanks for all your help; donating or helping! ~Lindy & Linda UNITED METHODIST MEN (HELPING HANDS) We have averaged one project per month for this year which included things such as installing lifts, wheel chair ramps, concreate work and removing existing lifts to be repurposed. Because of gracious donations of money, materials and time we have completed 8 projects for The value of the repairs and builds have been close of $30, but we have spent approximatively $2, Thanks to all the donors and men who have volunteered their time! If you would like to make a donation to Helping Hands please feel free to drop it in the offering plate marked Helping Hands. January $22,219 $19,340 February $19,492 $19,722 March $14,683 $19,987 April $24,078 $16,488 May $19,447 $23,120 June $16,729 $17,437 We are $504 positive for the year. But that is misleading. In the initial startup phase of The Hub project we decided to keep its expense budget separate. Recognizing that significant portions of our staff time goes into Hub based ministry projects we decided to subsidize those expenses from Hub grants and other Hub funds. So, 30% of Pastor Dennis payroll expense, 50% of Mark s, and all of Lindy s are paid to Simpson s general fund from the Hub this accounts for $10,249 of these receipts. If we had not had that Hub support we would be down $9,745 for the first half of the year, not up $504. We would have to pull from our endowment fund to pay our bills. Unfortunately, the Hub s monthly grant support from annual conference will end after this year. Please carefully consider whether you can grow your support for your church s missions in the months ahead through increasing your offerings. -Anthony LeBarron

5 GROUP MEETING For MEN & WOMEN BRING YOUR LIFE RECOVERY BIBLE! DON T DO IT ALONE! RECOVERY GROUP Every Friday at 7:00 p.m. We invite you to connect with others who are dealing with addiction at this newly formed, faith based recovery group. Don t Do It Alone! meets Friday nights at 7 pm at The Hub on Franklin! All are welcome! Please Join Us! A Ministry of Simpson Church All Are WELCOME! WHITE SWAN COFFEE AVAILABLE THE HUB On FRANKLIN 2025 W Franklin St. Evansville, IN Fridays at 7pm

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7 Each Sunday: 8:45 am Traditional Worship Service 10 am Sunday School 11 am Contemporary Worship Service Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat am One Service Labor Day Office, Westside Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Closed 7 am Men s Bible Study 4 pm Discipleship League 6:30 pm Musgrave Shoaff Grp noon Senior Lunch Pastor s Sabbath am Men s Bible Study 4 pm Discipleship League 6:30 pm Musgrave Shoaff Grp noon Senior Lunch Pastor s Sabbath 6:30 pm Movie Night pm Fin. Mtg 7 pm AD Team Mtg 24 7 am Men s Bible Study 10 pm Mary-Ruth Circle 6:30 pm Laura- Martha Circle 25 4 pm Discipleship League 6:30 pm Musgrave Shoaff Grp 26 noon Senior Lunch 27 Pastor s Sabbath am Crafty Missions 7 am Men s Bible Study 5:30 pm Community Meal 4 pm Discipleship League 6:30 pm Musgrave Shoaff Grp 9 am Staff Meeting noon Senior Lunch Pastor s Sabbath 8 am Brain Day 30 10:00 am UMW Brd

8 Simpson UMC 2201 W. Illinois Street Evansville, IN Return Service Requested Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Evansville IN Permit No 1025 Phone: Fax: Mission Statement Through the power of the holy Spirit our mission is to SEEK OUT and WIN people to Christ through our words and actions, MAKE DECIPLES who are learning and growing in the faith, and EQUIP PERSONS TO SERVE Christ. Win, Disciple, Serve Pastor & Staff Pastor Rev. Dennis C. Adams Administrative Assistant Mrs. Kimbra Reich Director of Community & Family Ministries Mrs. Lindy Floyd Director of Music Mr. Mark Wallace Pianist, Organist Mrs. Teri Nolan Custodian Mr. Harold Cross Nursery Mrs. Courtney Schoenbachler Youth Director Mrs. Ashley Allega Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Traditional Service 8:45 a.m. Happy Birthday 8/1 Aiden Smith 8/3 Crew Conklin 8/6 Phyllis Hunt 8/6 Kathy Wilsman 8.8 Braylon Stroud 8/9 Dennis Adams 8/10 Harold Fuquay 8/11 Kylie Keller 8/13 Aleeah Barnett 8/13 Anne Pemberton 8/17 Cheryl Ellerbrook 8/19 Jim Bratt 8/21 Joyce Vadbunker 8/21 Mackenzie Wallace 8/22 Keith Jewell 8/24 Terry Babb 8/25 Ava Allen 8/31 Eldon Cross 8/31 Khylee Druin 8/31 Carman Kercher 8/31 Steve McCullough 9/2 Grant Hartman 9/5 DD Druin 9/5 Alex Peaugh 9/6 Timothy Murphy 9/7 Susie Babb 9/7 Heather Ruiz 9/8 Marianne Hahn 9/8 Edward Ruiz 9/9 Meghan Larson 9/9 Patrick Henry 9/10 Glenna Fowler 9/14 Helen Oeth 9/14 Donna Blackford 9/15 Kenneth Ranes 9/15 Linda Schneider 9/16 Ashley Allega 9/16 Donna Bratt 9/17 Terri Spradley 9/17 John Conner 9/18 Tracy Neeley 9/18 Gregory Weis 9/20 Rebecca Priest 9/20 Lisa Libbert 9/20 Erik Weis 9/21 Jamie Feldpausch 9/26 Randy Bogard 9/27 Linda Bowen 9/27 Mary Arnold 9/28 Richard Ford 9/29 Earl Reisinger 9/29 Alan Siesky 9/30 Duane Arnold 9-30 Dave Schneider Happy Anniversary 8/1 Brett & Ashley Allega 8/2 Dennis & Barb Adams 8/6 David & Becky Isley 8/14 Jeff & Laurie Thompson 8/22 Jim & Donna Bratt 8/31 Andrea & Alex Narang 9/2 Stephanie & Cole Raven 9/10 Faren & Ashley Lindsey 9/12 Alan & Carole Siesky 9/17 Richard & Sandy Ford 9/26 David & Teri Nolan If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please call the church office at so we may correct our records.