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

Transcription

1 Uh-oh...the Pastor s been thinkin. I did not write this, but I might as well have: 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 If you re an American gun lover, I m not going to argue with you today. I m not going to exchange news articles and opinion pieces and stat graphics. I m not going to absorb lazy, tired platitudes about people killing people or about heart problems. I m not going to respond to personal attacks or allegations of my disregard for your individual freedoms. I m not going to debate which acts of terrorism are worth decrying and which worth justifying. I m not going to compare body counts and skin colors and shooter s names. I m not going to trade snarky insults or angry tirades or verbal jousts. I m not going to play one religion against another in ascribing culpability. I m not going to listen to critiques that I ve become too political over something that to me is far greater than politics. I m not going to engage in violence with you as a way of protesting violence. I am going to spend today trying to create a more peaceful world in whatever way that I can. I am going to spend it practicing the compassion and benevolence and kindness that I preach, as much as I am able. I am going to spend it fully grieving the loss of all innocent life. I am going to spend it lamenting the fact that no amount of bloodshed seems to merit any other action than fiercely retaining the horrible status quo. I am going to spend it mourning the fact that Sandy Hook wasn t enough, that Charleston wasn t, that Colorado Springs wasn t, that Orlando wasn t enough, that more mass shootings than days of the year aren t enough to move you. I am going to spend it praying for those who devalue life and those who do nothing when it is squandered. I am going to spend it knowing that for as long as I live, I will always represent one less gun in the world. I am going to spend it trusting that a bleeding heart is always better than a dead one. I am going to spend it being a person of life, surrounded by so much unnecessary death. I am going to spend it living out my personal faith convictions, that tell me I cannot repay evil for evil, that I must turn the other cheek, that I must pray for my enemies, that I don t get to take an eye for an eye. And I am going to do it all armed solely with the belief that Love is the only worthy weapon worth advocating for. I will not engage in another shootout today. I will lay down my guns. I will not return fire. Peace.

2 YUMMY & FUN JOHN BRAD

3 The violence we have seen in Las Vegas is abhorrent and heartbreaking. We lift up our prayers for the loved ones of those who have been killed and those who have been injured. May they find comfort in the promise of the Prince of Peace. Christ calls us to be peacemakers, which is why along with our prayers we must work to end gun violence. To do nothing is to be complicit in this seemingly endless terror gripping our communities. Drumming in the Rain Our United Methodist Church calls us to advocate at all levels for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence. Our leaders, and those with the ability to reduce gun violence, must act. As we cry out, How long, O Lord, we know that there is another way. We must demand action and pursue it together. Every person has an opportunity and a responsibility to reduce gun violence. May we all commit to turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Peace, Susan Henry-Crowe

4 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Tami Stroud 10/5 Rachael Eagleton 10/11 UMW will meet at the home of Anne Hillmuth on Monday, October 9th at 1:00 pm. Our study book is Traveling Mercies: by Anne Lamott. We will discuss the first section {Montain Valley,Sky) at that time. All Women are invited to attend for discussion and fellowship! CARBONDALE FOOD NEEDS We would be so grateful if you would pick up some extra food on your next trip to the store. You can take it to the church (box in foyer) or to the LIFT-UP office in the Third St. Center, M-W-F from :30 10 Foods we ALWAYS need: 1. Dried beans 6. Soup 2. Rice 7. Tuna 3. Mac and Cheese 8. Peanut Butter 4. Canned fruit 9. Cereal 5. Pasta and Sauces 10. Canned Vegetables Call or me with any questions, and thank you for meeting this critical need. Sherry Herrington, General Mills' Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Labels for Education... benefit the McCurdy School Ministry. Please bring those you have saved in the next two weeks as a mailing is being prepared. Place on the back table if the Green can is not out. If you have questions about the program, please visit the web site: donate.html or contact Sherry Herrington at When: Friday Where: 2 Rivers Café, Basalt Time: 11:30 am Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:30-12:30 pm Carbondale

5 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. CHOIR SHARE YOUR VOIC E Carbondale Community United Methodist Church is looking for more choir voices. Join the talented team of director Katie Sansone and pianist Annie Flynn in creating music for a once-a-month choir performance and occasional small ensembles during Sunday worship and at special services during the Christmas and Easter seasons. Rehearsals at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the church sanctuary. All abilities are welcome. CCUMC now has an account at Back Door Consignment Shop Downtown! Just take your gently used items over to Monk & Marie on 4th street and tell em to put it on account #4461 (our phone number). Then when your item sells, your church gets the money!

6 COMMUNITY GARDEN Thank you Pat Waddick for keeping the flowers so beautiful this year. You made the church front look very nice. We appreciate the effort it took. Pastor Brad and Eli praying. Bountiful garden Our CCUMC Neighbor s Garden is winding down for the season. We were able to donate more than 330 lbs of produce this year to the Lift-Up food pantries in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs to help our friends in need! Many thanks to all of our garden guardians who helped to plant, water, weed and harvest! - Tami Stroud Opportunity to Serve the Community As you all know, CCUMC will no longer be serving at Extended Table, however, another opportunity to serve members of our communities is available. Allison Daily, daughter of David and Nancy Snyder, members of our church, is very active as a volunteer and the Executive Director of Pathfinders. Their Angel Volunteer program assists not only those who are ill, but serves the elderly, disabled, those grieving, and anyone suffering a loss. Involvement is available on a personal level. One service that is ongoing is the delivery of meals to individuals or families which can be so important during trying times. An is sent out weekly with requested meals for the week and if you want to volunteer to prepare and deliver a meal, a simple reply is all that it takes. Then instructions with all the details are sent to you. This can be on a week to week basis, or during just part of the year that would work for you. Please check out this wonderful organization to see if there are other needs that you could help with, such as rides for people, companionship, etc. Their website is or you can call Allison at or her at Allison@pathfindersforcancer.org You can also call me for more details. Carol Pucak

7 2 3 4 OCTOBER 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Worship Services 8 Worship Services Youth Sunday 15 Worship Services 22 Worship Service 29 Worship Services :30-7 Pm :30-7: :30 7:30 pm :30 7:30 pm AA Melody 6-7 PM PAL 6:30-7:30 Choir Practice 6 pm 11 AA Melody 6-7 PM PAL 6:30-7:30 (meeting house) 18 AA Melody 6-7 PM PAL 6:30-7:30 Choir Practice 6 pm 25 AA Melody 6-7 PM PAL 6:30-7:30 5 3:30-7:00 pm 12 3:30-7:00 pm 19 3:30-7:00 pm 26 3:30-7:00 pm 6 11:30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 13 11:30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 20 11:30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 27 11:30 am Lunch with the Pastor 2 Rivers Café 7 OA OA OA OA 9-10

8 CCUMC 385 South 2nd Street Carbondale, CO October 2017 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