Two of today's popular terms to describe the Church of the future are "missional" and "emerging". We are still deciding what these terms really mean. I've often said, we don't really know what the future church will look like, what new forms it will introduce, what old forms it will carry on or jettison. We only know that, once again, "the times they are a-changin''.
Vi Nagley shared the following article from her daughter's church in Maryland. I discovered a lot of myself in it. I wonder if you will, too. See you in church, APUMC-
Pastor Carl
I suspect that I'm not alone in being enamored of the the wisdom I fantasize I've acquired with age; lots of experience, many miles under the wheels, so much to teach the next generation, no? Well, we've just finished our annual Vestry Retreat, and it was fascinating and wonderful. One of our main subjects of exploration together was "The emerging church". It should have come as no surprise that, while everyone participated energetically in the discussion, one of the most cogent and eloquent views of the emerging church came from the youngest new vestry member. In this regard, at least, many of us in the upper age echelons of the church are probably the most out-of-touch. I certainly am firmly rooted in the past: the Barry Goldwater of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
We have a major task ahead of us..from the church that we have worked so hard to bring along, we must create the church which others much younger than we will embrace. We really have one opportunity to get it right. How do we do that? Well, we must listen, for starters. This will be difficult, because many of us will be inclined to be enamored of our wisdom. Perhaps we think we're seeking to recruit persons of our own generation, people likely to see things as we do. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. We're seeking persons who are quite young and more disposed to see tings differently. Although I have ample reason to believe that younger people will value what we elders have produced (and properly so), I am a fool to believe that they have little to add to that.
We are going to have to adapt, as our predecessors did. The church that is coming is likely quite different from the one we've known. This is going to be difficult for people like me, who are firmly rooted in the old traditions.
Though I know it's déclassé , I really love Rite One. I love it because it's the Rite with which I grew up. It recalls a time that seems simpler to me because I was a child then. I know there are problems with the verbiage, but I don't really listen to it anyway, so it's fine as is. In music, I listen to the melody, I really don't hear the lyrics, and it's much the same with the liturgy. I hear the musicality of the words, which, as spoken, blend into a soothing cadence. The "these and thous and thines" are terribly comforting, much as are the hymns of my childhood.
Some of these traditions are important to retain; some are expendable. Discerning which is which will require real work, risk-taking, and wisdom, but we're up to it. A major portion of our collective job over the next few years will be to decide what to take with us on this journey and what to leave behind.
Leaving aspects of the traditional church behind will be unsettling to some of us. It will seem as if we're disloyal or abandoning part of who we are, and perhaps we'll be unsure of our security in what will follow. We'll have to be open and forthright in our conversations about these things, as well as be willing to listen to and understand the fears and hopes of other parishioners who are engaged in this wonderful place. We owe it to our peers and promise it to our progeny.
-Ched Bradley
A new "church start" is going on in Post Falls, Idaho, with the Rev. Jim Weston at the helm. If you want to find out more about this "new church planting" call Pastor Jim at 208-262-9522. It is exciting to have a UM face in the Post Falls area!
There is another "church start" with Pastor Kevin Lee in Federal Way, Washington, who is starting a Korean church.
Please pray for these pastors, their families and the surrounding communities in bringing God's Word to these areas.
The date of the Bazaar this year is November 7th, which is almost 4 months away. Preparations are beginning with workshops starting Thursday, August 6, from 10:30 a.m. until about noon. These workshops will continue at this time each week until November.
We have several projects lined up to work on and welcome any new ideas! Our crew is fun to work with and invite additional members who enjoy craft work and the fellowship of the ladies.
Remember: AUGUST 6, 10:30 A.M.
BAZAAR WOKSHOP
Please be sure to bring back your teacher manuals to the church. They can be put on the Christian Education desk. Thank you!
The pews in our sanctuary have been in need of re-covering for some time. Our plan is to reupholster the pews this summer. $6,000 of the cost will be covered by a generous gift from the estate of Inez Engstrom. The remaining amount of approximately $2,500 in cash or pledges is needed before we contract with the Waggoner Corporation. Completion in sixty to ninety days is guaranteed.
Below is a commitment pledge for this project. Please fill out the information below with your name and commitment to this project. This commitment card can be placed in the offering plate this morning or mailed to the church office. Thank you in advance for your support!
In addition, the Church Council has instructed the Board of Trustees to obtain estimates for refurbishing the sanctuary. As money becomes available, the altar railings will be made removable for when the Bell Choir plays and/or other times when space and accessibility to the chancel are deemed expedient. A list of other improvements will be made available when the Trustees have had time to estimate the costs. If gifts/pledges for the pew re-upholstery exceeds $2,500 the money will be used for the other projects.
____________________________________Name
Yes, I/We will help with the sanctuary refurbishing.
My/Our intention is to donate $_____________.
The payment(s) will be made on or before
August 1, 2009 ______________________
Thank you very much for my Twinlow campership. Watersports Camp was great! I always have a great time every year at Twinlow. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Dan Ritz
Thanks so much for the prayers, phone calls and cards. I'm out and about now!
-Betty Moos
This group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. at Karen Peacock's home, 5604 N. Elm Street. All are invited!
The church has a Child Care position open for Sunday mornings to take care of our little ones. This person must be 18 years or older; preferably a non-church member. If you know of anyone interested in this position, have them call the church office at 325-4541.
Begin collecting food now for Sunday, August 2nd! We invite all people to collect and bring in 10 pounds of food that Sunday for the Great Food Bank Challenge! Bring any type of food; the food will be weighed so we'll know how many pounds (tons?) of food we have collected. Join the fun and bring your food on August 2nd to the sanctuary!
Our Food Bank served 40 families in the month of June (8 of those were new families). $8,500 pounds of food was given out in June!
Now that gardens are getting in full action, remember to bring in extra produce the Mondays before our Food Bank is open. Those upcoming dates are July 27, August 10 and August 24.
Summer Fun: July and August
Super
Sunday
Cinema
Spectacular
The children will be having movies and snacks during the 10:00 a.m. worship time in the
summer beginning June 14th. Be sure to bring your friends!
1. THANK YOU - VBS was a huge success thanks to the efforts of over 30 wonderful people who gave supplies, time and love to help in this Christian Education outreach program. THANK YOU !!! The laughter, songs and lessons that filled the church were magical. Be sure to ask our children about what they learned in science, Bible time, art and music. Ask about the ark races and the parachute during recreation time. We not only collected food but Missions took us on a journey through the food bank. God was certainly smiling as these children developed a closer walk with Him.
2. WOW NOW - During July and August, WOW NOW will follow Pastor Carl's sermon topics.
July 26 - Josh and the Big Wall
Aug 02 - Naomi and Ruth
Aug 09 - Samson's Hairbrush
Aug 16 - Jonah Learns from God
Aug 23 - Esther! Bless Her !
3. Christian Ed is planning for fall - Please contact Bobbi if you are interested in teaching or helping. There will be a meeting for those interested in helping our children learn more about God in August - date to be announced.
School supplies are always needed at elementary schools, but especially at the beginning of the school year when kids come back to school. We have offered to help with this need at Audubon and Finch schools. To this end we have placed boxes in the parlor labeled with the following school supply needs:
We may learn of more needs and will keep you posted.
Let's all pitch in this summer to help stock these boxes so that we can deliver the supplies to the schools around the end of August, the time when they will be most needed. Your participation will be appreciated! Thank you!
Moran United Methodist Church invites all children ages 4 through 12 to their Vacation Bible School, August 3-6 from 5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. The theme is "Kingdom of the Sun- a Prayer Safari", featuring Bible teaching, crafts, mission project, music, games and lots of fun! Please call Carol, 534-4331, or Debbie, 448-5251, for more info and.or to register.
What a difference you've made! The amount we've received for the Boys' Orphanage in the Congo is $2,544 as of this date.Thank you so much for your loving generosity to these boys.
James tell us that the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (James 5:16). During the coming weeks, we invite you to pray about our congregation's Stephen Ministry. Specifically, please pray for those God is calling to serve as caregivers in this ministry. For more information you may contact Barbara White (467-1850) or Karyl Master (325-2033) or the church office.
Care Quote (from Stephen Ministry)
I cannot see what you see or feel what you feel if I stand here facing you. I've to to go to where you are, and face the way you are facing. I've got to look at your world through your eyes. If some obstacle is a mountain to you, I'm being brutal if I say, "Ah! It's really only a little molehill." Unless I see a mountain, I haven't really heard you!
-James E. Sullivan in The Good Listener
(This book is available in the Stephen Ministry library located in the Parlor.)
All are invited to join in the fun at the MIDIS Group on Saturday, August 8th, at 6:00 p.m. The "Hillyard Belles" will be our guests for the evening. They will greatly entertain us in singing and dancing and playing for us!
Remember to bring a dish to share, your own table service and a friend to the church that evening!
A gentle reminder that the Lamplighters for the next weeks are:
July 26 Bob and Anne Kem
August 2 Don and Carolyn Wilson
The following people are scheduled to have this sweeping duty in the coming weeks:
July 26 Tony Ross
August 2 Chris Nickell
Below are the ushers for worship in the upcoming weeks:
July 26 Chris and Danelle Nickell
August 2 Jack Shimek
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
July 23, August 6, August 20
Want to help pass out water bottles with the church's info on them before the concert? We will also be passing out flyers on July 23 to let people know about the August 4th National Night Out Block Party to be held at the church. Call the church office to volunteer (325-4541).