In this issue of Tidings:
Green Tips
An update on our leadership team
Gratitude for Generosity
Register for In-person Vespers, Wed 8/26
Beautiful Beloveds,
When I was in undergraduate, a class project was to design our dream non-profit community resource center. You’ll be shocked to know I picked a church. It was fun to imagine. What did the local community need? What did the faith community need? And how could we provide space where needs and service providers could work together?
I thought of that assignment as a “one and done,” project but isn’t that the work we’re always doing. To look around our community and see the need. To look around our particular community of faith and see the gifts, talents and resources, and begin to imagine how God might use us to meet the need. Sometimes, it’s a short-term project, like cards for a nursing facility. Sometimes, it’s a life long mission.
I’m mindful this week of the life and witness of Bishop John Yamabu. Bishop Yambasu dared to imagine with God ways to help children who had been abandoned or orphaned during civil war in Sierra Leone. Through creative and faithful partnerships, the Child Rescue Center in Bo has thrived, serving more than 600 children. Imagine the ripples of grace and compassion. Certainly, we’ve felt them in Osterville.
When you think of the United Methodist Church in Osterville, of what do you dream? What can you and God imagine together?
This Sunday, we’ll dream together. See you soon, from my screen to yours.
Peace,
Heather
Check out this week’s song, I Dream of A Church, by Mark Miller. May it spark your holy imaginations.
Together in Christ
Wednesday, August 26–Join us for evening vespers in the church parking lot.
For the health and safety of everyone, please register here or contact Pastor Heather directly 774.994.3645.
Join us for outdoor and drive-in Vespers style worship. We’ll have music, scripture, and prayer offered to the comfort of your car, via radio, or you can sit on your own lawn chair near your car and hear, thanks to our portable sound system. Worship will last 30 minutes or less. We will practice safe distancing and encourage everyone to wear masks for the safety of others. Remember, the building remains closed so bathrooms will be unavailable. Please plan accordingly.
We Worship Together–Virtually:
Worship with us: Worship with us on-line, on Sunday through our website and facebook. We premiere it on Facebook at 9:30 am, which allows us to watch together and greet one another, or you can watch it at your convenience.
Chat with friends: Sunday at 11am, join us for Virtual Coffee Hour
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89909659316?pwd=R3dFZHg3SndFRGpnUStuYWdtRmIxZz09
Meeting ID: 899 0965 9316
Password: 485407
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,89909659316#,,,,0#,,485407#
Or Call:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 899 0965 9316
Password: 485407
Wednesday-
3pm Check In and Prayer will resume in September
7pm Vespers at the church. For the health and safety of us all, please register here before 7pm Tuesday, August 25 or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org, or 774.994.3645.
Committed to Serve:
A hero for a Hero: Thank you to everyone who gave to provide lunch for 85 staff members at The Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Hyannis. Thank you to everyone who signed and made handwritten cards for the 80 residents. Thank you for your generosity of time, talent and resources. You are making a difference!
John Greene’s series on the Lord’s Prayer continues: click here to read part 2, “Heaven.”
BIC Cards are Available! Let’s continue to support housing for local families in transition! Please contact Kathy Sandell [508-790-7603] to purchase BIC cards. Kathy will make arrangements to get money from you and get the cards to you safely. We have coupons for CVS $25, Dunkin Donuts $10 & $25, 99 Restaurant $25, Shaw’s $25 & $50, Stop & Shop $50 & $100, and Lamberts $25.
New School Supplies Needed: Church Family, once again it is August and we are collecting new school supplies for local children who need our support. Please drop off your new school supplies in the trash can at the front of the church starting Saturday, August 8th. We will be collecting them all month long.
What’s the Leadership Team Up To?
Our leadership team meets every two weeks. Our next meeting will be Thursday, August 27. We talk about the current realities of our church as well as trying to look ahead to what’s next. On our next agenda: How can we gather safely for worship outdoors on Sundays in addition to our Wednesday Vespers gathering? We’re also exploring how we offer fundraisers safely. We’d love to hear from you. If you have attended another church and experienced something worth sharing, please reach out to one of our team members. We’d love to learn from you and other churches. Same goes with other activities. If you’ve seen a new way to raise money or gather safely, let us know. Team members include: Heather Bailes Baker, Dave Eaton, Carole Eichner, Paul Gannett, John Greene, Misti Hedges, Donna Kahelin, Wendy Lithwin, Allen and Patty Morell.
Green Tips
This Saturday August 22 is Earth Overshoot Day. The day when humans will have used “all the biological resources that Earth can renew during the entire year,” according to the Global Footprint Network. The researchers determine the earth’s ability to generate resources from the land and sea in a year, and compare it to humanity’s ecological footprint including that year’s demand for resources like food, urban space, and forests to absorb the emissions of carbon dioxide. If all people consumed like Americans the Overshoot Day would be March 14th.
The Global Footprint Network states “We envision a world where humanity lives on our planet’s ecological budget by design rather than by disaster so that all thrive within the means of the earth.”
“We historically have lived as if the earth was given for us, a privileged environment, with no sense of responsibilities toward its care. We saw ourselves as consumers and receivers.”
Robert Harrison author of Gardens. An Essay on the Human Condition.
Miracle Kitchen: Are you willing to pack a lunch?
Each volunteer makes 10 bag lunches. 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, September 1: UMC Osterville parking lot (not inside the church), 57 Pond St, 9:50-10:10am,or the Salvation Army no later than 10:30.
Don’t forget you can support our church when you shop at Amazon. Eligible purchases contribute a percentage to our church. So far this year, smile.amazon has generated $70, just for purchasing supplies we need, without any extra effort or cost on our part. Visit smile.amazon.com to sign up today. Look for Osterville United Methodist Church.
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!
A BABY CENTER is asking for donations! If you can contribute any of these items, please drop them off at A Baby Center, 81 Willow Ave, Hyannis, Mondays, 10 am to 2 pm or Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 am to noon. All donations are to be handled masked and gloved.
Summer/Fall pj’s
Children’s Books
Small toys
Receiving blankets & toddler blankets
Wash cloths
Bibs
burp cloths
Lightweight sweatshirts or jackets
Baby Bath
Baby Shampoo
Baby Lotion
Desitin or diaper rash cream
Pacifiers
Thank you for making our work possible!
Robin Hayward
Program Director, A Baby Center