June 12, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
This Sunday, June 13 th , we will celebrate Pride Sunday, joyfully affirming the lives and love our LGBTQIA+ siblings. I hold that in tension as our Annual Conference considers the disaffiliation of United Methodist Churches and pastors in our conference, due to the restrictive and exclusionary language of the Discipline of our denomination.
These churches and pastors have discerned that they can no longer remain within the United Methodist Connection and faithfully bear witness to the grace and love of God. I come to our Pride Celebration with joy and sorrow. I celebrate our joyful witness of the goodness of all God’s children, without exception. I grieve for those who have been harmed by the exclusionary language and exclusive practices of the United Methodist Church. And, I hope for a day when all United Methodist Churches will proclaim with truth revealed in loving action, “All are welcome here!”
Peace,
Heather
Change is Coming! Tomorrow! June 13, 9:30am, we move our worship to “Gather on the Green” (front lawn of the church). Much more info below.
A Note of Grace: It has been awhile since we have seen each other, in person, outside our cars, or with or without a mask. We have all been living through a pandemic, and some days it is enough to know our own
name. Let’s offer one another grace, and readily, eagerly (re)introduce ourselves, even before someone has to wonder, “Do I know who that is?” As we greet one another, let’s remind one another, “Hi! I’m Heather, and I’m glad to see you.”
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, June 13:
5:30 am Worship available on our YouTube channel and our Facebook Page
9:30 am: “Gather on the Green” In-person worship around the flagpole. Bring
your own chair, use a church chair or remain in your car.
—Please register here **
7:00 pm: Youth Group (Zoom link below)
Monday, June 14: Flag Day
9:00 am: Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
7:00 pm SPRC Meeting
Tuesday, June 15:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, June 16:
5:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting
(in-person outside at church and via Zoom-link below)
Thursday, June 17:
6:30 pm COVID-19 Leadership Task Force
Friday, June 18:
Saturday, June 19:
Sunday, June 20:
5:30am: Worship available on our YouTube channel and our Facebook Page
9:30 am: “Gather on the Green” Worship Please register here
7:00 pm: Youth Group meets via Zoom (link below) Youth Group will resume July 11
**Why do we ask you register for worship?
Your registration lets us know how many people are coming and plan accordingly.
If you sign up by email, on Sunday morning we will email you the scripture and songs of the day, including a YouTube playlist, so you can go back and find that song that really struck a chord.
It also allows us to track attendance more easily, which allows for contact tracing if the need arises.
Please register here for worship in June. You can sign up for the whole month, or register one Sunday at one
time.
If you prefer not to register on-line, email pastorheather@umcchurches.org, or call the church office to let us
know you’re coming. “This is Susanna Wesley, I’ll be attending worship every Sunday in June with all 17 of my children. We’ll bring our own chairs, and warmed hearts.”
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
An Update from our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force on Safety Protocols
We are no longer requiring everyone to wear masks outdoors on our church property. Please mask indoors. We want our church to be a place where both masked and unmasked feel their choice will be honored, without judgment or derision.
Whether we are masked or not, please continue to practice physical distancing. While we deeply desire to be close to one another, please keep distance for everyone’s health and safety. You may notice that sometimes the person you’re talking to will back away from you to maintain that distance. This is not a sign of lack of affection or attention, but rather, a sign of our care for one another. Let’s help remind one another to create space as a sign of our love.
We also ask that we practice deep respect for one another. We cannot always know why someone has chosen to mask or not. We can honor the choice they have made for themselves and their family. Let us not see masked/unmasked as a source of division between us, but rather, a reminder of our shared
desire for the health and safety of us all.
9:30 am, Sunday, June 13th, our worship time and gathering spot will change. At 9:30 am we’ll “Gather on the Green,” in front of the church by the flag pole and red cross. There will still be space for those who want to stay in their car to do so, or scatter more widely on the property, and continue to tune in to 91.5.
Our leadership team is committed to reducing risk of transmission of COVID-19 and maintaining a space where all are welcome. We want all to feel welcome to make the choices you need to make for your health and safety. We hope to retain a culture of warm inclusion of all, supporting one another in whatever decisions we make. It has been a hard season of difficult and sometimes painful choices.
May the church be a place where we model deep compassion for one another. If that means staying inyour car, wearing a mask, sitting in a chair, and/or lowering your mask, we are glad you have chosen to worship with us. We welcome your questions, ideas, and suggestions.
Pride Celebration! June 13, 2021
Bring out your rainbows! Bring out your truest self! June 13th both our virtual and in-person worship will center on a celebration of all God’s people and every beautiful expression of human sexuality. We will be moving from Drive-in style worship to Gather on Green at 9:30am. As part of our special celebration we will share Holy Communion together. Wear your rainbows and most colorful expressions of God’s love!
What We Take: A Homily by John Greene
When the music has faded and we put the hymnals back in place, when the last amens have ceased, when we have turned to smile at others in our pew, what will we take away from the service? The music may have been pleasing, our favorite hymn reminding us of earlier times in our life when we had heard it first. The
scripture may have caused us to ponder for a moment as we hoped to find meaning in the words. The sanctuary may have been filled with the light of candles and the scent of flowers on the table, but what do we take from this moment of worship?
Did we fidget a little and glance at the clock wondering when this time would end? Did we stray away from the message as we thought about what our plans were for the rest of the day? Did we feel that maybe we were just going through the motions? What do we want to take away from this time or worship in the house of the Lord?
In the song, “The Heart of Worship,” the question is addressed with these thoughts:
Give me something to take home that will bless me. Help me to look into my heart.
Let me correct the errors I have made.Help me to remember who is being worshipped. This is the heart of worship. Don’t leave with an empty heart. Take God’s love with you. Be assured He is with
you for as Psalms 37: tells us:
“Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
John Greene
Green Tips: In honor of flag day, be an engaged citizen!
One of the best ways to help with the climate crisis is to talk about it. For most of us that requires getting outside our comfort zone. Contact your local, state, or federal representatives to share your concern about the climate crisis.
United Methodist Women—A Day of Prayer, June 19, 2021
On June 19th, the United Methodist Women at Shepherd of the Valley (604 Seven Mile Road, Hope RI) will open our church and labyrinth from 8A to 4P for the annual Day of Prayer and Self-Denial Celebration. Join us anytime during the day to take part in contemplative, reflective and interactive opportunities of prayer. We will come together around the theme She Leads: Empowering Women to Make a Difference. We welcome you to come pray, learn and offer your gifts that will make a real change in the lives of women, children and youth around the world.
· PRAY – As we unite in prayer, we prepare ourselves to listen.
· LEARN – As we learn about the impact of the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial, we also learn about the impact
our giving has on the world.
· GIVE – As we generously give, we remember with confidence all that God has already done in and through us and all that God has yet for us to do.
Join together to bring justice and inspire change, living into United Methodist Women’s faith and action.
Please note that we are following all CDC Covid-19 protocols to protect the vulnerable around us and request
that you and your party wear masks while in the church building.
For more information, please contact UMW President Barbara Walz (barbw146@verizon.net) or the SOV
Church Office (401.821.8217 or office@sovumc.org).
Miracle Sightings! A new feature in our Weekly Tidings
Where are you seeing God at work in and through our church? Send us a story or a picture of “miracle
sightings.” Let’s remind one another of the good in the midst of challenge.
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Volunteers Needed:
Help is needed with the gleaning on Fridays at the Marstons Mills Stop & Shop (3900 Falmouth Road) between10 a.m. and 12 noon on Fridays. After the food is picked up it needs to be delivered to Faith Family Kitchen, which is located in the Faith Assembly of God Church at 154 Bearses Way, Hyannis. Regular volunteers are needed as well as folks willing to substitute. Please call Allen Morell, 703-725-2772, for more information and/or to sign up.
June Collection for Food Pantry ~ Many thanks Church Family for Blessings Babies with your donations in May for A Baby Center! In the month of June we are collecting Individual Servings of Healthy Snacks including: raisins, cranraisins or other dried fruit; trail mix; granola bars; small cereal boxes or cereal bars; non-refrigerated pudding; applesauce; Fig Newtons; Skinny Pop popcorn; and 100 calorie canned fruit (e.g. peaches, pears, fruit cocktail). Please keep an eye out for those BOGO specials!
Food for Thought: Thoughts, Articles, Resources from your Justice Team
Visit THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ASIAN AMERICANS
Cape Cod Council of Churches is Hiring
Go to to https://www.capecodcouncilofchurches.org/ for details.
Chef/Program Director for Faith Family Kitchen
Direct and Implement the mission of Faith Family Kitchen, to alleviate hunger by
serving without judgment those in need of regular, free nutritious meals. Faith
Family Kitchen, which is a program of the Cape Cod Council of Churches, operates in partnership with Faith Assembly of God Church, Hyannis, MA.
Program Director, Covenant to Care for Foster Families
Direct and implement the mission of Covenant to Care, which exists to create partnerships between local foster care families, Cape and Islands faith communities and the broader Cape and Islands community to support foster families and the children in their care. Covenant to Care for Foster Families (CCFF) is a collaboration between the Cape Cod Council of Churches and the Cape and
Islands Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Do you shop at Amazon.com?
Sign up with smile.amazon.com and most purchases will support our church without costing you an extra cent.Be sure to go to smile.amazon.com, rather than just amazon.com, whenever you shop, so our church earns every time! So far our church has earned $157.31 in this way. Sign up today and select Osterville United
Methodist Church as the charity to support and help us earn more.
Need Prayer?
Please submit prayer requests here or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and
774.994.3645.
Zoom Links
Youth Group—Sundays at 7pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89016033879?pwd=bnpjYUVqc1Rkc0RRRWtjeG0yTXV2Zz09
Meeting ID: 890 1603 3879
Passcode: 312727
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Board of Trustees—Wednesday, June 16, 5 pm Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
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