February 19, 2022
Beautiful Beloveds,
Who do you love? Do you remember that childhood game of M.A.S.H.? The game would reveal you would marry, what kind of house and car you’d have, and how many children you’d have. It was silly and reductive of healthy adult relationships and revealed far more about the people playing than any sense of the future. What I remember was how the tension built as you crossed out options, whittling down to one person, one future.
Sometimes romantic comedies show us this kind of love, a whittling down to the one true love. You know that life is often just the opposite. The longer we live, the more people we love, and the more ways we find to love them. We love our parents, our friends, our spouse, our children. And Jesus invites to keep widening and deepening our love even more: the people in our church, our neighborhood, our town. The people who look, believe, speak, and vote as we do. And, still Jesus widens the circle, inviting us to love those who are different in every way, those who irritate and annoy us. Jesus goes so far as to invite us, indeed challenge us to love our enemies.
This Sunday, we hear from MaryAnne Farley as she answers the question, “Who do you love in our church?” I hope you too will reflect on this answer, within our church and far beyond. Who do you love? I imagine it’s a long list. After all, loving one another is the foundation of our mission, Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace,
Heather
Update from our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force
As COVID-19 rates continue to drop on Cape, our leadership team again feels comfortable inviting everyone to join us for worship in our sanctuary. We will of course continue to offer a variety of ways for you to connect with our worship in a way that feels safe and meaningful for you. You can join us for our outdoor, drive in worship at 8:30am, or at 10:30 am tune into fm transmission in the parking lot, or our livestream from home.
We continue to ask that everyone pre-register on line, or by phone, and indoors wear a mask and practice risk-reducing distancing.
Additionally, we will be putting the hymnals and Bibles back in the pews so that you can follow along with the singers and liturgists. At this time, we still encourage everyone to listen while the singers lead. We hope the downward trend of COVID-19 will continue so we can move toward congregational singing.
Thank you for all that you’re doing, and have done, to keep one another healthy and connected.
If you’d like to see the statistics we’re tracking, you can find them here.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, February 20:
Joining us online? Please register here and receive a copy of the order of worship.
8:30 am: Drive in Worship Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5.
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary (masks required)
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
We also offer fm transmission to your car radio in our parking lot. Tune to 91.5
Youth Group will resume March 6, 3:30 pm Espri
Monday, February 21 Presidents Day:
9:00 am Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, February 22:
9:00 am Yoga
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, February 23:
10:30 am: Rainbow’s End Opens (Donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
Thursday, February 24:
9:00 am Yoga
10:30 am: Rainbow’s End Open (donations accepted 11 am – 2 pm)
2:00 pm Chair Yoga (New participants welcome. Join us in the solarium.)
5:00 pm: Big Book Step Group
Friday, February 25:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, February 26:
10:00 am Yoga
Sunday, February 27:
Please register here for Worship in February
8:30 am: Drive in Worship Park in front of the church, radio tuned to 91.5.
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary (masks required.)
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
Youth Group will resume March 6
** All who attend our indoor worship and other activities should be fully vaccinated. Let’s continue to work together to keep one another healthy. Let’s show our love for one another by continuing to practice distancing, wearing our masks, and staying home when we can, and particularly when unwell.
Together in Christ—Through Times of Transition
From the Staff Parish Relations Committee
How do we tell the Bishop what we want in a pastor? There are two major ways: the SPRC fills out a profile of our congregation: demographics of the membership, the community, the schools…what the pressing problems have been and are in our community and our congregation…and where we want to be going missionally and spiritually. The SPRC also talks openly with the District Superintendent about the spiritual health of our congregation, where we need help, and do we want our pastor to be reappointed to our congregation.
The District Superintendent presents this information to the Bishop, who reads and reviews it all with information from all the churches in our conference. He then meets with his Cabinet, which is all the District Superintendents of the Conference, and lays out his God-guided plan for pastor appointment in the next year in every church in the conference.
If there is to be a change in pastor, our District Superintendent calls a meeting with our SPRC to discuss with us the appointment of our present pastor to another position. The DS has already spoken with the pastor about the change, and the pastor has had 24 hours to report to the Bishop if there are any missional reasons they cannot leave the church. This is where we were two weeks ago.
This week the SPRC met again with the DS to be introduced to our new pastor. This meeting is a discussion about goals of the pastor and the congregation. There is quite a bit of sharing, so that both SPRC and the new pastor know they will be able to work well as a team to spread the Good News. If the SPRC has no missional reasons for not accepting this pastor, the meeting adjourns with the announcement of who the new pastor is to be the following Sunday during the service.
Then our congregation knows that we will be saying good-bye and Godspeed to our pastor in June and we will be welcoming our new pastor the first of July. As the members of a congregation stay involved for many year (some their whole lives), we see that each pastor is with us for a season. We have been blessed to have Rev. Heather Bailes Baker guide us through particularly the often frightening and confusing times of global pandemic. We have had the benefit of her welcoming, loving manner, her wisdom in times of trouble and her ability to manage and encourage our church staff. She has tried so many ways to help us to worship, be encouraged and reach out to others, even when it was dangerous to pull others too close.
Our new pastor will lead us through other challenges and triumphs in their season in our congregation.
To help us through this transition, we will be forming a Transition Team to help pastors, their families and our congregation glide through this change. If you would like to be a part of this team, please talk with the Chair of the SPRC, MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719.
Next week, I will write more of our new pastor as a small introduction as well as some ideas to consider in our “good-byes” and our “welcomes.”
This week’s Prayer focus is to continue praying for Pastor Heather, Sam, Ellie and Charlie — to also offer thanks for particular ways they touch you and your family. Prayers of thanksgiving for the discernment of the Bishop and Cabinet in deciding appropriate leadership of our congregation. Prayers for our next pastor.
MaryAnne Farley, Chair of SPRC
Together in Christ—We Pray
The many notes, cards, prayers and calls we received after the recent death of my brother, John, were so heartwarming. Thank you for reaching out to us. We felt wrapped in the arms of our church family. MaryAnne Farley
Please pray for the people of Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
-From the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Learn more here.
Please submit prayer requests here or call Pastor Heather, (774) 994-3645 or MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719.
Together in Christ—We Observe a Holy Lent
Lent begins March 2. We’ll gather for worship at 7pm, Ash Wednesday, to begin our Lent Journey together. We’ll also be livestreaming so you can join us from home. If you would like to receive ashes at home, please let us know by February 27. You can register here to have them delivered to you, or call the church office, 508.428.2811 to let us know. Be sure to give us your current address in the message.
Visible Link: https://unitedmethodistchurch.breezechms.com/form/4fd0c058969515582036244673433932359560354777773014758253674139
Committed to Serve—You are Making a Difference!
World Day of Prayer with Church Women United of Cape Cod
The World Day of Prayer is an International movement that began in 1886. Each year women from a different country prepare the text that is used in 170 counties around the world. This year with the pandemic our Church Women United have shortened to having one worship service on Cape Cod. First Congregational Church in Falmouth will be the host, Friday, March 4th at 10 a.m. It is written by women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland presenting the concept that “exile” can take different forms such “poverty, fear, and isolation”. The Scripture chosen is from Jeremiah 29:1-14 “I Know the Plans I Have for You”. The prophet is speaking to the people in exile in Babylon and sending message of hope. Anyone interested in attending on Friday, March 4th, contact Alice Murphy, a Board Member of Church Women United, and we can drive together!
Care for Creation
Green Tip
Celebrate Black History Month. You may not think of racial justice in relationship to the environment, but corporate and governmental practices that despoil the land or water affect people of color to a far greater degree than richer and whiter communities. Caring for creation also means working for justice. Learn more about how racial justice and environment justice are related.
https://umcreationjustice.org/
February 2022 Collection for Food Pantry ~We are requesting donations of Breakfast Foods and Individual Toiletries. Here are some suggestions: cereal, pancake mix, pancake syrup, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit; shampoo, soap bars, soft toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, band aids, first aid ointment, pads & tampons, and Kleenex.
Giving Envelopes are in. Call Jane Gray, 508.428.2811 to set a time to pick them up.
The Winter is Warmer with Wonderful Sweaters
Rainbow’s End, our church thrift boutique, is open this week. Come in this week and take advantage of our sale on winter sweaters, coats and jackets at 50% off.
Worship with Us
Outside, inside, or online
If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Please register here for February Worship.
If you prefer to not to register online, please leave a message at the church 508.428.2811
8:30 am Drive In Worship (Outdoor Worship):
- We are now inviting congregational singing outdoors.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Masks are optional. Please honor the choices that others have made to mask or not.
- Please continue to practice risk-reducing distancing, staying about 6 feet apart.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
- Worship will feature pre-recorded music, and we encourage you to stay in your cars when it is wet and/or cold
10:30 am In Our Sanctuary
- We strongly encourage all who attend indoor worship and activities at our church to be fully vaccinated.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Please wear a mask. If you forget, we’ll have plenty available.
- Sanctuary Shepherds will be there to greet and guide you, as you enter and exit our building
- Please enter through the main sanctuary doors, where you will be “checked-in,” and invited to use hand sanitizer. Communion Elements, in pre-packaged containers will be available. You can also grab a mask if you need one, and pick up a Bible if you choose. At this time we will not be using hymnals or paper bulletins.
- After you are “checked in” you will be led to a seat by a sanctuary shepherd. We will be seating individuals and families at least six feet apart from one another from the front of the sanctuary to the back. Please sit as close to the colorful dot as possible.
- We will have one or two singers, but not congregational singing at this time.
- The ionizers will be on, and at least one window will have a fan running, and other windows will be open. Additionally, all doors will be open. Please dress warmly and feel free to bring a lap blanket.
- Please exit through our solarium as directed by our shepherds.
- An offering plate will be available as you enter, as we will not be “passing the plate.” Don’t worry if you forget, or are moved to give more, there will be another place to give on your way out.
- We will be livestreaming our sanctuary worship, so you catch it on YouTube, or if we need more seating at the church, in Fred Curtis Hall.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.