Greetings beautiful beloveds,
Several of you have contacted me this week to ask for updates about our re-entry process. “When will we be able to worship together?” It’s still going to be a while. We will not gather for in-person Sunday worship until we have gone 28 days without a new case of COVID-19 on Cape Cod. To gather safely now would require safety measures that would reduce the comfort we seek, and the joy we experience when we gather together. Masked, we would be unable to see one another’s faces and smiles. We would also have to go without some of our most meaningful and joyful practices. To gather safely is to gather without greeting, touching, singing, unison prayer, coffee hour, socializing before or after, and no AC or fans. Even to use our outdoor chapel would not allow full participation. Congregants have to stay 16 feet from the preacher, and 6 feet from one another. This severely limits how many we can seat safely. And again, no singing, nor socializing. We will continue to offer worship on-line, until we can all gather safely.
Until that time, we’re going to be trying new ways to gather. For example, July 1, United Methodist New Year, I’ll be offering “drive through” communion, 9am-12 pm, and 5-7pm. You’ll sign up in 15-minute slots and stay in your car. I’ll be masked, and together we’ll remember The Story and meaning of communion, we’ll pray together, and you’ll receive pre-packaged communion elements. It won’t be the same as we’re used to, but it is a reminder that we are connected in the love of God, at the table of Christ, and by the work of the Spirit.
July 11, at 10am, we’ll gather for “Car Karaoke Hymn sing.” Betty will be playing the greatest hits of the United Methodist Hymnal. And as long as your windows are rolled up, you can sing with gusto, without masks, and if you forget the words, who will know. We’re also working out the logistics of a parking lot parade so that we can see one another before we go. I know Saturday’s are a tough day on Cape, with changeovers, beach time, family responsibilities and more. So I’m praying for a rainy day. And, as we move forward, we’ll try other days of the week too. We are learning as we go, adapting to meet the current challenges and realities.
If you have ideas for how we can safely gather, for fun, fellowship, prayer, witness, service and more, please let me know. Remember, while our building remains closed, our Church is Open for meaningful mission and ministry! We remain Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
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:
-a beautiful beginning to summer
-teachers and all educators who worked so hard this year. Thank you for learning Zoom, for learning new and old ways of teaching. Thank you for all the extra hours, meetings, learning, and extra effort to keep all of our children safe and learning in the midst of the pandemic.
-front line workers who continue to show up. Thanks be to God for the courage, compassion and care.
Please pray for:
-All who are struggling to find their voice and role in the call for racial justice
-Pastors and churches who are saying goodbye to one another, in these unusual days
-Those who are grieving the loss of a pet, or worried about sick pets.
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)
Dismantling Racism: A Service of Lament
Wednesday, June 24
1 pm EDT |12 noon CDT | 11 am MDT | 10 am PDT
United Methodists around the world will gather here and on Facebook to pray and lament for the racism in our midst.
We will also hear God’s call to join in the work of dismantling racism and pressing on to freedom for all.
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
Wednesday Prayer and Check In 3pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81380062319?pwd=MzhCVTV1Kys4NmVnRlNkR3lJeSsyUT09
Meeting ID: 813 8006 2319
Password: 998036
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,81380062319#,,1#,998036#
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 813 8006 2319
Password: 998036
Wednesday Evening Vespers–7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81159648170?pwd=RkxzSDZEZHF1YWp0NE5RRE94NUhLZz09
Meeting ID: 811 5964 8170
Password: 720546
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,81159648170#,,1#,720546# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 811 5964 8170
Password: 720546
Drive Through Communion and Prayer: Wednesday, July 1, 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. As you remain in your car, I’ll be masked, and together we’ll remember The Story and meaning of communion, we’ll pray together, and you’ll receive pre-packaged communion elements. Let me know the time you prefer and I’ll do my best to accommodate. Email: pastorheather@umcchurches.org Call or Text: 774.994.3645
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.
- Louise Toler has extra lunch bags if anyone needs them.
United Methodist Women
As we reflect on the months that have given Coronavirus to many, we can remember that The United Methodist Women turned 151 years old and we did celebrate that anniversary at UMC Osterville.
It’s a good time to read or reread our mission study WOMEN UNITED FOR CHANGE: 150 YEARS IN MISSION. Since the founding of the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society by eight women in Boston, in 1869, we have evolved to become the largest women’s faith-based service and advocacy organization underwriting programs that provide life-changing opportunities for women, children and Youth. Pastor Heather installed the UMW Executive Board earlier this year.
We pray to return soon so that President Donna Kahelin can lead us to recognize and work on our mission and the contributions for women, children and youth. We pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit, for fellow United Methodist s around the world and for the mission of United Methodist Women. Be safe and be well. -Lois Taylor