Greetings beautiful beloveds,
Our new worship series invites us into a season of noticing. What are you noticing in these adventurous days? I’ve been struck by the beauty of this season: more colors of green than I can name or count, the weirdness, almost other-worldlyness of turkeys (have you ever really, really looked at them or listened to their alien gobble), the way the sun and sky reflect on water, changing not just the colors we see, but what we can see beneath.
I’ve also been made aware of what I don’t notice: my unearned privilege that comes at the expense of others, and how my words, actions, and silence can be used to heal and to hurt. I was completely unaware of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, when mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’m 41 years old, the daughter of a history teacher, and I try to be a life-long learner. I had no idea this had happened in our country. What other tragedies of human history am I missing? What other injustices in my own life-time and community am I blind to seeing?
I’ve been struck (not originally) by how a global pandemic had drawn attention to so many things that might otherwise go unnoticed, or certainly un-thanked. So many of us are now more aware than ever of our front line workers, nurses and doctors, nursing facility workers, postal employees, and grocery store stockers, and every employee that cleans and sanitizes, and does it over and over and over again to keep us safe. I hope that sense of gratitude remains for a long, long time. At our church, that person is John Gastol, who is working to keep our building cleaned, sanitized, and safe for our staff.
What are you noticing: about God, about yourself, about our community, our nation, our world? Where are you seeing God at work? And what might God be saying to you?
Peace,
Heather
As United Methodists we promise to support the church, the body of Christ, with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Here are some ways you might live into those promises, this week:
Prayers:
We give thanks for:
-Claire Haworth’s successful eye surgery
-Pastor Heather’s grandmother, Doris, is home after recovering from a fall in a nursing facility. And, just in time to celebrate her birthday at home!
-The ministry of the Rev. Dr. Andrew L. Foster, III, as he moves to Eastern Pennsylvania to serve as a District Superintendent there. May God be with him and his wife Lorraine in the this time of transition.
Please pray for:
-Brady, a 2 year old neighbor of Marijayne Marques, experiencing unexplained seizures, and for all who love and worry about him
– Sharlene Moran’s sister, Sheryl and brother-in-law Gerry. Sheryl had a seizure and was admitted to the hospital. May God be with her care team, and all who wait and worry.
-The Rev. Dr. David Calhoun, new District Superintendent of the Seacoast (formerly RISEM) District of the United Methodist Church.
Please submit prayer requests to Pastor Heather, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
Presence (even if we cannot be physically together, we can connect)
Do you need someone to talk to, or someone to pray with/for you? Pastoral Care doesn’t have to be in case of emergency or crisis. It can be spiritual companionship. It can be an opportunity to see another face, or hear another voice, beyond your cooped-up corona compadres. It can be a way to share good news, and give thanks to God, together. It can be as informal as a text, “please pray for…” or a phone call. I’m now able to do porch visits, as well as available by phone and text (774.994.3645), email (pastorheather@umcchurches.org) and zoom. –Pastor Heather
3pm – Wednesday Afternoon Check-in: Notice the good and share prayer concerns too.
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7pm -Wednesday Evening Vespers–
This week, join Pastor Heather for: The Call of This Moment: An Anti-Racism Workshop with Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis
It’s a two day workshop, 7-8:30 pm, Wednesday and Thursday. There is a $20 fee for the workshop. If that’s the only reason for you not to attend, let Pastor Heather know, and she can help with registration and costs.
Drive Through Prayer and Visitation:
Tuesday , June 23, 9am-12pm, 5-6:30 pm (by appointment, only)
Please call, text or email to set up a time for a 15 minute visit and prayer.
Gifts
Please no gifts of thrift, yard sale, or rummage items. Please don’t enter any of our buildings. Please leave nothing at the church, annex, nor Rainbow’s End. At this time we cannot accept any donations and do not have the volunteers on our campus to sort and store them appropriately. We will advertise very publicly when we are ready for these items. Thank you for your generosity and patience.
Please continue to submit pledges via our online giving portal, and through the mail. Your generosity is supporting meaningful mission and ministry in our community!
In these uncertain days, we understand if you need to make a change to your pledge to meet your changing life. If you plan to decrease, or increase, your pledge, please let Jane Gray, our financial secretary know, so we can create a more accurate budget moving forward. Please call 508.428.2811 or email: office@umcchurches.org.
Service and Witness
Miracle Kitchen: Next date, July 7–Three volunteers needed.
We’re looking for three more volunteers to make 10 bag lunches each. 1 bag lunch= 2 sandwiches, juice box or something to drink, and fruit and/or dessert (brownies are very popular). Sandwiches must be wrapped individually. Please place in small paper bag and label the outside of the bag with the type of sandwich inside. Condiments are provided at the Salvation Army.
If two people would like to partner and divide the task, that would be fine. Example: one makes the sandwiches and provides the napkin. The other prepares the dessert and/or fruit, plus drink. If two people partner, Gail would appreciate if the lunches were combined before she collects and distribute to the Salvation Army. Please contact Gail Bennett to volunteer today: (508) 420-7978. Drop off Tuesday, July 7: UMC Osterville parking lot (not inside the church), 57 Pond St, 9:50-10:10am,or the Salvation Army no later than 10:30. PS. Louise Toler has extra lunch bags if anyone needs them.