Blog Archives

Back to Basics #2

1/21/2021

Feeling Lost? Small? Overwhelmed? Hopeful?

This past year, month, and week in our Nation has produced a variety of responses: fear, anger, frustration, relief, joy, redemption, and more. A friend described her emotions as a hurricane of tears. I reminded her that God is the eye of the storm, the silent center, the unflinching, unshakeable Truth that grounds us and holds us, even when we feel alone and afraid. This Sunday we'll learn from 12-year-old Jesus (Luke 2:41-52) about how he had to get lost in order to find himself, a powerful reminder of the value of disorientation. Hope to see you in church or online! love, Pastor Emily

Sunday, January 24th
10:30AM Worship
Warm-up (for kids) begins at 10:15AM

Upcoming Events

Please click here to see the new and improved Church Calendar (with Zoom links for each open meeting and small group)

Click HERE to give online

Feeling crafty?
Our United Methodist Women would like to welcome you to join them on Zoom the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 1:30PM. We hope to have a craft show in the fall but need your help and craft donations. All are welcome! If you've made extra prayer shawls, please bring them in; we are planning a Blessing during worship soon. Thank you so much and God Bless You, Paula Allard (President)

Crowds of 12
Pictured is not our church, but one like us the past 2 weeks - welcoming 12 people for live worship (plus many online viewers). If you have wondered what worship is like: all wear masks, sanitize and hold social distance. We are "safer" than most places you dine or shop, but we'll be here, online and in-person, when you are ready. If we can do anything to help you feel comfortable enough to return, please let us know.

Mission Spotlight: Feed My Starving Children
For over 5 years, we have supported this international organization delivering meals to hungry children in over 70 countries. We've always loved packing meals at The Ranch (seen here), but are unable to this year due to Covid. Please consider a financial donation or read more here

Did you Say Soup?
The Missions Team is planning a Soup Sale fundraiser in February. The funds raised will be used to support Habitat for Humanity as well as other projects. We will have two delicious soup options. Watch for details soon!

If you missed last Sunday's worship on Racial Justice, including a live warm-up by Pastor Emily Flemming, you can catch up here.

JUST LOVE Lenten Series, Sundays 5:30–6:45 PM, beginning February 21st. Registration is free: Click here to register

Explore justice issues and live into Beloved Community with the MSC (Mountain Sky Conference) Mission Team. Some of the sessions include:

Japanese Internment (Concentration) Camps and Generational Trauma: How we must not allow history to repeat itself again: presented by Japanese American leaders and Simpson UMC
Human trafficking: Kara Napolitano, Research and Training Manager, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, Denver, CO
Restorative Justice: Catherine Gunderson, Center for Restorative Youth Justice, Kalispell, MT discusses this growing approach within the criminal justice system.
Push Out - Criminalization of Black Girls in School: A 2021 Mission U presentation by ELCA Rev. Melanie Martin-Dent

For more information, contact vitality@mtnskyumc.org.

Prayers
the continued healing of our Nation and God's guidance towards peace for past, current and future leaders and citizens; Covid-related illness, death and trauma; Melinda Stephan (wet macular degeneration); Betty & Larry Schleiger; young Aiden; baby Apollo and mom Alexia; Kat's pregnancy (with Mark and son Dylan); Marilyn's family; Vera's treatments; Francy's sister Betsy; Chris DeBey; Mary Mumby; Tony Park; Sgt. Lizzie Pryzgoda's return.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Jessica Freitag and Lucas Lee (01/24), and Kevin Bull (1/26)
We don't have any more January or February anniversaries on the books - are we missing yours? Please send your special dates to us

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We Stand With All!

1/14/2021

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Racial Justice is Everyone's Work

But a t-shirt is only an outward sign of inward work. Antiracism work is crucial for all United Methodists, which should be to all people who call themselves Christian. Jesus spent his life at the margins, healing, befriending, and uplifting the broken, outcast, and unaccepted. "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28) It's time we took that call to end divisions seriously! This weekend, as our nation observes the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I invite you to think about whether or not you would wear this shirt, if this work matters to you, and what you might do - NOW, today - to create racial justice. Click on the t-shirt to read what other UMCs are doing and to find resources on where to begin.

Sunday, January 17th
10:30AM Worship
Warm-up (for kids) begins at 10:15AM

Click HERE to give online

Upcoming Events on the Calendar

Please click the blue hyperlinked words to go straight into the Zoom meeting.
Thursday: Women's Bible Study 5:30 P.M.
Sunday: Adult Sunday School 9:00 A.M. (renewed link w/code)
Virtual Fellowship Hour 11:30 A.M.
Tuesday: Women's Bible Study 12:30 P.M.
Missions Committee 2:00 P.M.

January Mission Focus: Feed My Starving Children
For over 5 years, we have supported this organization in delivering meals to countless children in over 70 countries. We've always loved packing meals at The Ranch, but are unable to do so this year due to Covid. Please consider a financial donation or read more here

Did you hear?
Though Covid continues and is mutating, we reopened the church doors for worship last Sunday and had 12 people join us (plus many online). If you are vaccinated, or well and ready, we all wear masks, sit in socially distanced family groups, sanitize, and contact trace. We are more safe than most places you shop - and we'd love to worship with you in person! If we can do anything to help you feel comfortable enough to return, please let us know.

If you missed last Sunday's worship warm-up, Sharon has some great ideas and crafts for you! Supplies still available in the church lobby.

Prayers
Divisions, fear and unrest across the nation; Melinda S. (wet macular degeneration); Betty & Larry Schleiger (ongoing treatments); young Aiden; baby Apollo; Kat's pregnancy; Marilyn's family; Vera's treatments; Mary M.; Tony P.; Sgt. Lizzie Pryzgoda.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Debbie Bates and Jill Bull (both on Monday, 01/18), and Jessica Freitag (01/24).

We don't have any more January anniversaries on the books - are we missing yours? Please send your special dates to us

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Happy New Year

1/12/2021

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Things Don't Always Go According to Plan

Woody Allen once said, if you want to hear God laugh, make plans. 2020 proved his point, but when our plans are thwarted, it's best to take a deep breath, say a prayer, and go Back to the Basics. Pastor Emily just returned from some rest and renewal and is eager to welcome you all back to the church this Sunday for a hybrid online and in-person worship service! That's right - if you are unwell or prefer to stay safer at home, there is a link below. But for those ready and able to return to worship in our sanctuary: WELCOME BACK!! Please remember your masks. We'll be taking a look this month at Jesus's earliest years to learn life lessons that will help us chart a course to JOY in 2021.

Sunday, January 10th
10:30AM Worship
Warm-up (for kids) begins at 10:15AM

Click HERE to make a financial donation

If you missed last Sunday's Epiphany worship service, you can still catch it online! Just in time to chart a New Year's course.

From Pastor Emily
"My family and I are grateful for your cards, gifts, and Christmas greetings. It was tough to be away, especially during the first Christmas Eve Walk! But each moment that you thought of us, each prayer and show of support that you offered, filled my heart and recharges my energy for another exciting year together. Being your Pastor is the greatest gift of all. May God continue to bless and keep us."

Successful Christmas Eve Walk

Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered to help set up, clean up, and welcome our neighbors. Pictured here (with thanks to photographer Meg Persavich) are team leader Warren Wilson, with elves Cristina Caplinger, Rodger and Cathy Bell, Debbie and Tracy Bates, and Katie and Julie Cogburn. Many others, including John Lee who prepared the milk jug luminaries, worked hard to help light up Walnut Street for this first-ever ecumenical event! The weather held out, and we served 200 cups of hot apple cider to those who braved the chilly night for what we hope will become a new tradition. Although we hope to return to in-person worship for Christmas Eve 2021, we plan to find the perfect time to join together again with Bethel Lutheran, St. Albans, and First Christian to welcome our community into our beautiful churches.

Prayer Vigil for Peace
In response to the events that unfolded in our nation's capital this week, several local area United Methodist churches are joining for an informal prayer vigil this Sunday at 1:00PM on Zoom. Click here to join. All are welcome for guided, silent, and spontaneous prayer.

Missions Updates:

A Mission Blast email for January was delivered to your inboxes today. Please contact the church office if you didn't receive it! You can also find the monthly Mission Blast newsletters on our website. Click here

Upcoming Events on the Calendar
Women's Bible Study Thursday 01/07 at 5:30 P.M.
Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday 01/12 at 5:30 P.M.
Leadership Council Tuesday 01/12 at 7:00 P.M .
Virtual Fellowship Sunday 01/10 11:30 A.M. (renewed link w/code)

Prayers
The violence and needed peace in our Capitol; Jessica's niece Cassie and newborn son Riggs; Bell's and Hinde's grandson Aiden; Marilyn Shouse's daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Mike, and grandson Kylie; Vera's treatments; Terri's shoulder surgery recovery; Rob's cataract surgeries; Julie Cogburn's father laid to rest this week; Sgt. Lizzie Pryzgoda's planned return to Windsor this month from active military duty.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to Jan Caplinger (12/31), Wilma Swanson (1/3), Todd Shimp (1/6), Mel Whipple (1/10).
Happy Anniversary to Anne and Dan van Arsdall (16 years on 1/1), and Karen and Monte Savage (33 years on 1/4)! Congratulations! Those are the only January anniversaries we know of - are we missing yours? Please send your special dates to us

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Back to Basics #2

JUST LOVE Lenten Series, Sundays 5:30–6:45 PM, beginning February 21st. Registration is free: Click here to register

We Stand With All!

Happy New Year

Monthly
Newsletters

Archives

Categories

Hours

Telephone

Address Email

Back to Basics #2

JUST LOVE Lenten Series, Sundays 5:30–6:45 PM, beginning February 21st. Registration is free: Click here to register

We Stand With All!

Happy New Year

Monthly ​Newsletters

Archives

Categories

Hours

Telephone

Address Email

Monthly
Newsletters