Beautiful Beloveds,
This Sunday we wrap our our series “Imagine the People of God.” We consider together what it means to “bear fruit” of God’s love in our lives. Not just any fruit, but fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) As we prepare for our virtual and in-person worship, I invite you to try a spiritual scavenger hunt. Keep your eyes open for these gifts in yourself, and in others. In the next 24 hours, what if instead of noticing when you fall short, lack patience, or indulge too much, what if instead, you looked intentionally for the ways God is at work within, through, you and those around you. What happens if you consume the news of the day, looking for the treasures of God’s love lived in the world. As our theme song by Mark Miller reminds us, together, we are “believing, receiving, becoming God’s love.”
I’ll see you on Sunday.
Peace,
Heather
Please register here to attend Sunday’s Worshipful Engagement at 11am.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, October 25
8:30am Facebook Premiere Worship— Or watch on YouTube as early as 5:30am
11am Worshipful Engagement continues at the church (Register here)
Monday, October 26
Noon— Deadline for Wednesday Tidings Submissions
Wednesday, October 28
Noon—Deadline for Saturday Tidings Submissions
5:00 pm Bible Study (at the church) register here
5:30 pm Vespers (at the church) register here
Thursday, October 29
10am Bible Study (via Zoom)
10am-3pm Rainbow’s End Open! Volunteers needed!
6:30pm Leadership Team meeting
October 24-30
On-line Church Action is happening now. Go to www.ostervillechurch.com When you bid on an item, you will be asked to register. You can pay with PayPal or with cash or check at pick up.
Monday, November 2
7:00 pm Church Conference (via Zoom – see Zoom links)
Dr. David Calhoun, Seacoast District Superintendent, presiding
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
Enjoy a new homily by John Greene, Love Lost.
In his annual Address, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar talked about what is needed to become a truly beloved community like the one described in the guiding scripture: Acts 2:42-47
Read more
Watch the opening worship and Episcopal Address
Bishop’s recommended reading:
Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Building a Beloved Community:
Reflections of Church Council of October 13 and Annual Conference
On Tuesday, October 13 our congregation had a church council meeting. As most of you know, we discussed the idea of flying flags that speak to our relationship with our LGBTQ and Black community. After a very thoughtful discussion I believe the consensus was “not now.” We are not ready to fly these flags, we are divided about the reasons for this proclamation, and we are not of one body in how to express our thoughts and feelings. Our thoughts and feelings leaving the meeting are likely as varied as those expressed during the meeting but I believe we all were given something to think and pray about.
The group that brought forth this idea has varied opinions as well. We gather via Zoom and you are invited to participate in our discussions. We are focusing on racism but understand that there are similarities with all marginalized and/or minority groups. We are learning about our relationships with each other, our community, our neighbors (known and unknown) and what God is calling us to do. We are united, as we pray “thy Kin-dom come, thy will be done” and are listening for the answer.
Personally, my journey is asking me to educate myself. I am trying to understand what is meant by racism and anti-racism, systemic racism, white privilege, white fragility, implicit bias, and oppression. I realize I do not have answers and I am learning history I never knew. One resource I am using is the General Commission on Religion and Race (gcorr.org) resources. “In 1968, General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) was formed to hold the newly formed United Methodist Church accountable in its commitment to reject the sin of racism in every aspect of the life of the church.” (gcorr.org website) I have just enrolled in a course called “Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think.”
Last Saturday was the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This year’s theme was “Building Beloved Community.” Bishop Devadhar highlighted the three keys to beloved community: Agape Love, Nonviolence, and Beloved Community work toward the remedy of the interrelated three evils of poverty, racism and militarism. He shared writings from Martin Luther King Jr. including the 25 Traits of a Beloved Community. To review these traits I went to https://www.asburyumcstl.org/devotions/25-traits-of-the-beloved-community, the website of a United Methodist Church in St. Louis. The writing of Dr. Arthuree Wright reminds us “God prompts us to remake our hostility-filled communities into those where justice and love reign true.”
Wendy Lithwin
We’re bringing back the contact tree! Are you willing to help? Beginning in March, several people have volunteered to call, text, and email people to let them know the church cares and offer updates on what happening in our church. If you’re willing to call, email, or text 4-8 people every two weeks, please let Pastor Heather know. Let’s stay connected!
Re-Entry Update:
Our Leadership Team has changed our current policy to allow groups of up to 12 people to use our solarium. These groups must be scheduled with either Jane Gray in the church office or Pastor Heather. Each group must review the current guidelines, policies and procedures, and the group leader is responsible for ensuring these guidelines are followed.
As we continue to practice a spirit of abundant caution, our Leadership Team is also carefully and intentionally planning indoor worship. There are many details to consider how to do so safely and with warm hospitality.
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Practicing Compassionate Generosity
Your tithes and offerings are making a difference! Thank you.
Please continue to submit pledges via our online giving portal, and through the mail: 57 Pond St, Osterville, MA 02655.
More Opportunities to Help Our Community:
Miracle Kitchen:
A huge THANK YOU from The Salvation Army and Gail Bennett to everyone who continues to help and assist in this project during this difficult period. Tuesday, November3 is not far off and we need volunteers for everything. Please let Gail know if you can help.508-420-7978 or gail-bennett@comcast.com.
Food Collection: During the month of October Thanksgiving Foods will be collected such as canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, canned corn, canned pumpkin, canned ham, canned olives, rice, canned gravy, nuts, instant potatoes, and bread mixes. Please do not donate any perishable food including bread products. For right now we would also prefer not to receive anything packaged in glass. You may put your items up at church inside the trash can out front marked, “Non-Perishable Food Donations.”
“Sweatshirts and Blankets for our Homeless Neighbors.”
The Outreach Committee is partnering with South Congregational Church in collecting specific items for at least 40 people who will be sleeping outdoors in tents over the winter. What is most needed are men’s sweatshirts in size medium and large, women’s sweatshirts in size medium, as well as blankets. Items can be gently used (and cleaned) or new. Please leave them in the trash can in the front of the church marked, “Sweatshirts and Blankets for our Homeless Neighbors.”
Influenza Vaccination Clinics
November 4, 2020 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Drive-thru Only at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Route 28, Centerville
These clinics are open to Town of Barnstable residents only (open to Centerville, Osterville, Hyannis, West Barnstable, Cotuit, Marstons Mills, and Barnstable Village residents) .
Please print-out and complete the consent form before arriving to reduce waiting times.
For More Information: Call the Town of Barnstable Public Health Division at (508) 862-4644.
Zoom Links:
Thursday Morning Bible Study– 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83958360902?pwd=K2Q1enBPQWJ4cGJLamI2UXJWVzhEZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83958360902#,,,,,,0#,,477955#
Or Call
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
Monday, November 2, 2020, 7 pm Church Conference –UMC, Osterville
Please join a few minutes early to make sure all tech is working properly.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86321566189?pwd=SDNPaHM1SHJTNlpveHZaMTgyT3ROUT09
Meeting ID: 863 2156 6189
Passcode: 836475
One tap mobile +16465588656,,86321566189#,,,,,,0#,,836475# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 863 2156 6189
Passcode: 836475