Beautiful Beloveds,
As the rates of COVID-10 infection decrease, and our community moves into the yellow, our COVID-19 leadership team continues to meet, and consider next steps in our re-entry process. We meet at least twice a month to review available information and our current practices. We are not always of one mind, and we are listening very carefully to one another, to your questions and concerns, and the guidelines of state and religious authorities. At this time, we are making few changes, and we’re looking ahead to when the infection rate drops into the green. We are following the guidelines of our Conference Re-entry Team, who recently wrote saying, “We do urge extreme caution. The only “safe” choice is not to hold indoor, in-person, events until the CDC demonstrates that a significant immunization level has been reached. Estimates on when that will be vary from late summer to November.” We certainly hope it will be even sooner. You can find that letter, in full here.
Right now, we will continue to offer worship both virtually and in our parking lot. As we look ahead, our team is working to offer worship outdoors during the summer months and putting into place risk-reduction measures as we consider re-entering our sanctuary. Once rates are in the green we are hoping to open our sanctuary for individual prayer and open our building once again to small groups. During Holy we week, we hope to offer a creative way to experience the story of Jesus’ final week outside on our church grounds.
As we move through these days, we welcome your questions and creative solutions. We are aware that other churches are making different decisions, and we welcome any learning you have gleaned from them. We look ahead to the days when we can gather in our sanctuary with great hope. Until then, we will continue to gather joyfully and faithfully in our parking lot, and around our computers. We remain Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace,
Heather
COVID-19 Leadership Task Force
Questions, Concerns, Creative Ideas? We’d love to hear from you.
Please reach out to any team member:
Carole Eichner, member SPRC
MaryAnne Farley, Chair of SPRC
Paul Gannett, Lay Leader
Misti Hedges, Lay Leader
Dave Eaton, Co-Chair Finance and Board of Trustee Treasurer
Donna Kahelin, President United Methodist Women and Health Professional
Wendy Lithwin, Chair of Church Council and Member of Annual Conference
Allen Morell, Co-Chair Outreach
Patty Morell, Co-Chair Outreach
Need Help Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine? Do you know someone who does?
Please call the church office, 508.428.2811, MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719 or call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645. Let’s help one another stay healthy.
6 March 2021- IMPORTANT COVID-19 UPDATE FOR TOWN OF BARNSTABLE RESIDENTS 65+
As part of the Town of Barnstable’s role in the Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, our Council on Aging Division (Barnstable Adult Community Center) is identifying vulnerable adults over 65, left behind by the current vaccine offerings, specifically individuals who need assistance making vaccination appointments but are able to travel to Cape Cod Community College.
In an effort to expand upon the robust information our Council on Aging currently has, we are asking anyone in this group to provide name and phone number, by emailing that information to: COACovid@town.barnstable.ma.us
You may also call 508-862-4024 and leave your name and phone number. Please share this with Town of Barnstable family and friends who are +65. Thank you and Stay safe.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, March 7: Third Sunday of Lent (Stories: Mental Health)
5:30am Worship available on our YouTubechannel
8:30 am: Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7: 00 pm: Youth Group via Zoom
Monday, March 8:
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, March 9:
12:00 pm: New deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND each week’s Tidings
7:00 pm: Lent Movie Fest “Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Wednesday, March 10:
1:00 pm: Lenten Walk with MaryAnne Farley and Lev Malakhoff –Joshua’s Pond-
6:30 pm: Weekly Worshipful Sweet Spot: Lenten Vespers (Zoom link below)
Thursday, March 11:
10:00 am: Zoom Bible Study—Join us as we explore the gospel of Matthew, Zoom Link below.
Friday, March 12:
Saturday, March 13:
Daylight savings begins after midnight tonight. Set your clocks ahead. Spring is almost here!
Sunday, March 14: Fourth Sunday of Lent (Different Pictures: Intellectual Health)
UMCOR Sunday
5:30am Worship available on our YouTubechannel
8:30 am : Virtual Worship premier on Facebook
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group meets via Zoom (link below)
What’s Happening In the United Methodist Church
At its meeting on February 20, the Commission on the General Conference made a decision to further postpone the 2020 General Conference until August 29 – September 6, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minn. as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the safety of mass gatherings and travel.
Read the Full Announcement on Postponement
Today, on February 25, 2021, it was announced that the Council of Bishops, in response to the postponement of General Conference 2020, is calling a Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened online on May 8, 2021.
The purpose of the 2021 Special Session of the General Conference will be limited to gaining a quorum in order to suspend the rules for the sole purpose of allowing the use of paper ballots to act upon 12 pieces of legislation that would enable the church to effectively continue its work until the postponed 2020 General Conference is held in 2022.
Read the Full Announcement on the Special Called Session
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
Lent 2021: Holy Vessels
Lenten Walk
Join us for our next walk on Wednesday March 10, at 1pm. This week we’re exploring Joshua’s Pond. Please call or text MaryAnne Farley at 774 4870719, so we’ll know you’ll be there. Wear a mask, hiking shoes or boots, warm clothing, layering if possible. As long as the weather is fine, we’ll walk up to an hour.
Lenten Movie Fest
The next film in our Lenten series is “ “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” The discussion group will be Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00PM via Zoom. Hope you can come.
Weekly Wednesday Worshipful Sweet Spot
Wednesdays 6:30-7:00 pm: A Worshipful Zoom gathering with scripture, prayer, music and God sightings. Where are you seeing God in your life, our community, and the world around us?
Unpack the pandemic with Rolling Ridge
It doesn’t feel right to call it an “anniversary,” but in less than two weeks we will be marking one year of the pandemic shut down. On March 16, we invite you to pause and to reflect on the past year with an ONLINE retreat, “Unpacking the Pandemic: Marking a Year of Unknowing.” This session will be the first of three that looks beyond all that we’ve lost and focuses on how we can realize the lessons of the “dark night of the soul” in our spiritual development. Consider taking a long lunch from 11 am to 1 pm and join the conversation. There is spiritual truth to be found in the pandemic if we just make the time to consider it.
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Apply now for NEAC scholarships
United Methodist adults and recent high school graduates pursuing undergraduate education are invited to apply for a scholarship from the New England Conference for the 2021-22 academic year. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2021. Learn more and get the application forms at
www.neumc.org/scholarships
Food for Thought: Did you know Sojourner Truth and Stacey Abrams have connections to the Methodist Movement?
- Visit the General Commission on Religion and Race to learn more about powerful women of color in our Methodist Lineage You’ll need to scroll down a bit to check out an info graphic featuring women throughout history advancing the goodnews of Christ and the cause of God’s kindom.
Green Tips Celebrate Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month! Follow Creation Justice Ministries social media to learn about amazing women who have made a positive difference in God’s creation. Also check out “Desertification in Africa is an Intersectional Problem, and Women are Stepping up to the Challenge” by CJM board member Susu Lassa and last year’s “Women’s History Wrap Up”.
Need Prayer?
Please submit prayer requests here or contact Pastor Heather directly,pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
What about pledge cards and envelopes?Envelopes and paper pledge cards will be available on Sunday or contact Jane to pick them up during the week. If you haven’t yet, please fill out your pledge/estimate of giving here or contact Jane Gray 508.428.2811 or office@umcchurches.org.
March Collection for Local Pantries is Masks and Spring Cleaning Supplies: Thank you Church Family for your donations last month of breakfast foods! We are now collecting face masks plus normal/regular size: dish washing liquid, laundry powder or liquid, liquid or bar hand soap, sponges, rubber gloves (size med or large), baking soda, powder or liquid multi-surface cleansers, sponges, scouring pads, paper towels, cleaning brushes, Windex, etc.
Tackling Spring Cleaning Tasks? Need a little help?
Meri Toler, Louise’s daughter, is available and is offering support with tasks, errands, projects, needs including things such as:
> cleaning
> deep cleaning/clean out/purging projects
> organization/re-organization projects
> reasonable snow removal – shovel steps, walks, manageable driveways;
> salt or sand
> spring clean ups, pruning, raking, planting
> shopping
> delivery
> errands
> painting
> creative eye consultation/assistance for redecorating, rearranging
> projects
> inventorying/organizing collections
> medium sized dump runs/recycling/redemption/donation (small car – no> truck)
Meri would of course, observe all COVID safety guidelines.
Rather than a set fee, Meri will accept love offerings.
To contact Meri please email merideth2020@gmail.com or text: 774 327-8890.
Zoom Links
Lent Movie Fest
Time: Tuesdays, 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82952225426?pwd=elVkK1NaMFh0a2J5c1hmRStiTER5QT09
Meeting ID: 829 5222 5426
Passcode: 002218
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82952225426#,,,,*002218# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,82952225426#,,,,*002218# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 829 5222 5426
Passcode: 002218
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kZqWJMFx
Weekly Worshipful Sweet Spot: Lenten Vespers
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89033447499?pwd=SWJ3Z3owamRKSjBJemxES3BuWUFvZz09
Meeting ID: 890 3344 7499
Passcode: 358594
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89033447499#,,,,*358594# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,89033447499#,,,,*358594# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 890 3344 7499
Passcode: 358594
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbMpf7lmiD
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Time: Thursday mornings, 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83958360902?pwd=K2Q1enBPQWJ4cGJLamI2UXJWVzhEZz09
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,83958360902#,,,,*477955# US (New York)
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
Youth Group
Time: 7pm Sundays
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89016033879?pwd=bnpjYUVqc1Rkc0RRRWtjeG0yTXV2Zz09
Meeting ID: 890 1603 3879
Passcode: 312727
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89016033879#,,,,*312727# US (Washington DC)