New Youth Leaders!

At May’s Church Council meeting, Tammy Murphy and Kaitlyn McGullam were elected the leaders of the next youth group, that will be comprised of this year’s Confirmation Class and any interested youth grades 6-12.  We’re looking forward to this next great era of youth ministry!

Parking Lot

Some may have noticed that the parking lot across the street from the church went unplowed this winter, and the lights were turned off.  As of March 16, there are now concrete barriers across three of the four entrances and a chain across the fourth.  The lot is owned by a private company (the old bank used to let us use the lot) so there’s little recourse.  For now, please park on the street or in the first available lot, and pray that the town steps in or that the access is otherwise sorted out.

Ukraine Support

United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.

Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:

• Online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450
• By toll-free telephone: 888-252-6174
• By check made out to Global Ministries/UMCOR with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church.

One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause.

General Conference News

In early March, the UMC announced that the General Conference originally scheduled for 2020 would not take place in 2022 but would be cancelled entirely, making the next General Conference date 2024.  In response, the segment of the church that has been waiting to split under the banner of the Global Methodist Church announced that it cannot wait that long, and will launch on May 1.  The GMC is against the inclusion of members of the LGBTQI+ community, “unless they repent and change.”  It has been estimated that up to 10% of the current UMC will secede to form the GMC.

What Does the Future Hold?

We don’t know the specifics, but God has filled us in on the general outline.  When news of the world threatens to undo us, we stand on God’s promises.  We are headed toward a time of joy and peace as God’s plan is revealed and His creation is revealed.  Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because we know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.