Beautiful Beloveds,
“Remember?” So many of my conversations with my children include that one-word question, “Remember?” Sometimes they expand, “Remember that time we…” Remembering together can bring a renewed sense of identity and connection. On Sunday, as we kick off the new year, we begin our 2021 Stewardship Campaign, “Our Money Story.” We begin, by remembering who and whose we are, remembering the presence of God among and within us, remembering the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, remembering the promise of Spirit’s presence in our lives.
As the New year begins, this Tidings is full of invitations to worship, a Human Right’s Celebration, Bible Study, Zoom meetings and gatherings and more. There’s also a word from our Bishop on Wednesday events in DC. As we enter another year of exciting mission and ministry, I pray God’s blessings on you, our church and our nation.
I’ll see you on Sunday, either virtually or in our parking lot.
Peace, Heather
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, January 10: First Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 am Virtual Worship premier on Facebook (also available on YouTube after 5:30am)
11:00 am Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm Youth Group, via Zoom
Monday, January 11:
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, January 12:
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” our midweek mailing
7:00 pm: Nominations and Leadership Development (via Zoom)
Wednesday, January 13: Epiphany
12:00 pm: Deadline for Saturday Tidings Submissions
3:00 pm: Moment of Light-Prayer and Conversation (Zoom link below)
5:30 pm: Finance Committee Meeting
7:00 pm: Moment of Light-Prayer and Conversation (Zoom link below)
Thursday, January 14:
10:00 pm: Zoom Bible Study—Join us as we explore the gospel of Matthew Link below.
Friday, January 15:
Saturday, January 16:
Sunday, January 17: Second Sunday of Epiphany
8:30 am : Virtual Worship premier on Facebook (also available on YouTube after 5:30am)
11:00 am: Worshipful Engagement in our Parking Lot. Please register here.
7:00 pm: Youth Group, via Zoom
Together in Christ—We worship, learn and grow
Moment of Light—Prayer and conversation via Zoom—3pm and 7pm Wednesdays in January
Sometimes January can be a beautiful month, full of hope and new resolutions, and all things possible.
Sometimes, January can be a tough month, full of short days, long nights, the low after the high of the holidays.
Whatever you’re feeling, let’s check in with one another. We’ll chat, share the highs and lows of the week, maybe even try a game or two, and end with prayer.
Need a resolution for the new year? Consider weekly Bible Study. Join us Thursday mornings at 10 for a one hour exploration of the text. We’re studying the gospel of Matthew, and you can join us anytime. We begin by sharing prayer requests. Then, we read a bit, and share what we notice. We end our time asking one another, “What might God be saying to us, in this particular text, today?” I discover something new about the text, the message, or myself every time. And, we have fun, too. No registration necessary, just click the zoom link to join us at 10am. Bring whatever version of the Bible you like to read.
A Note from our Bishop and Extended Cabinet
Members and Friends of New England Annual Conference,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The sixth day of the calendar year is known to Christians as the Feast of the Epiphany. Yesterday, while we were celebrating Christ’s light coming into the world, another tradition in the United States — that of certifying a presidential election — was disrupted by a violent, deadly confrontation that interrupted our democratic process. We are in deep need of prayer and contemplation over the present state of affairs and our role as people of faith walking in the light of God’s love.
Last night, we hosted a prayer vigil in the midst of the turmoil at our nation’s Capitol. We are grateful to the hundreds of participants in that time of reflection and prayer, and for those who participated in other organized vigils across New England and the world. We encourage everyone to continue to hold vigil and pray for the healing of the nation in the coming days.
We invite you to use the recorded vigil for your own personal prayer reflection. It offers an hour of scripture, sacred song, traditional and contemporary prayers, and plenty of silence and space for your own personal prayers.
You might also find helpful the daily prayers shared through our conference from partners in ministry across the connection and prayer #517 in United Methodist Book of Worship.
We also commend to you a song by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, and this Prayer for Epiphany, written by Bishop Devadhar and offered as a blessing at the vigil yesterday:
May the radiance of the Star of Wonder
stimulate, inspire, and challenge us
so that in the spirit and courage of the Magi
we may take the unknown journey,
following the directions of the Divine GPS,
depending on the grace of God,
and empowered to confront the powers of the world,
which will equip us to accomplish the ministry and mission of Jesus,
wherever the Star of Wonder is leading us,
bearing the best gifts we could offer as disciples of Jesus Christ,
as modern-day washpersons
adoring our Creator God, kneeling with the love of Christ,
listening to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit!
We pray in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
No matter where you find yourself navigating the news and your place in it, we call each one to unite in prayer as God’s beloved children, seeking peace and light and love to overcome the darkness. Let us be guided by God’s eternal light as we continue through this season of Epiphany.
In the prophetic words of James Weldon Johnson,
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,
ring with the harmonies of liberty;
let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies,
let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;
sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.
In Christ’s love,
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Members of the Extended Cabinet
Mr. Rich Hughen, Conference Lay Leader
Rev. Jill Colley Robinson, Dean of the Cabinet and Green Mountain District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. David Calhoun, Secretary of the Cabinet and Seacoast District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Jackie Brannen, Katahdin District Superintendent
Rev. We Hyun Chang, Commonwealth East District Superintendent
Rev. Taesung Kang, Granite District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Karen Munson, Many Waters District Superintendent
Rev. Megan Stowe, Commonwealth West District Superintendent
Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson, Assistant to the Bishop/Director of Connectional Ministries
Mr. John Cardillo, CFO/Director of Administrative Services/Treasurer
Ms. Beth DiCocco, Director of Communications
Rev. Rick McKinley, Director of Congregational Development
Rev. Ted Crass, President of the United Methodist Foundation of New England
Committed to Serve—We are making a difference
Green Tip: Unsubscribe from Junk Mail
It’s easier than you might think. DMAchoice, for example, allows you to “give your mailbox a
makeover” by choosing the mail you’d like to receive. And if you specifically want to stop getting
credit card promotions, hop on over to OptOutPrescreen to, well, opt out of ‘em.
https://www.themanual.com/culture/easy-ways-to-go-green/
Women of Faith: Human Rights Celebration, January 19, 2021 7pm
“Expressing Hope at the Table: Becoming One in 2021”
Please check it out and RSVP to attend on our newly renovated website www.cwucapecod.com. It is hosted annually by Women of Faith/Church Women United of Cape Cod, whose president is Marilyn Lariviere. The virtual event is planned for Tuesday, January 19 at 7 pm. All are invited! (See the Zoom link below.)
Congratulations to the three 2021 Honorees: Amy Doherty, Penny Duby, and Sarah Swain who have done amazing work in the field of Human Rights on Cape Cod. If you wish to hear their stories, and even though we can’t be together, we can certainly be present ‘virtually.” Call Lois Taylor, 617-460-3009 to learn more.
What Wonderful gifts we provided to the women at Safe Harbor and to the men and women at CHAMP House with our BIC card donations. Our gifts also through BIC raised another $100 to prevent homelessness. A huge thank you to all who donated this Christmas.
What about pledge cards and envelopes? We’ll be handing out pledge cards later this month, and the envelopes are in the church office. If you want yours sooner, rather than later, please contact Jane Gray in the office, 508.428.2811 or office@umcchurches.org to set up a time to pick yours up
Zoom Links
Youth Group
Time: Sunday, January 10, 7pm
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 D.C)
+13126266799,,89016033879#,,,,*312727# US (Chicago)
Tuesday, January 12, 7pm Nominations and Leadership Development meeting
Wednesday Moment of Light
Time: 3pm and 7pm Wednesdays in January
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82424932249?pwd=WmxjU29wMWM0RzNDMEZOMG9RclVQZz09
Meeting ID: 824 2493 2249
Passcode: 374395
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82424932249#,,,,*374395# US (New York)
+13017158592,,82424932249#,,,,*374395# US (Washington D.C)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 824 2493 2249
Passcode: 374395
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/koAc6aovl
Wednesday, January 13—5:30 pm
Finance Committee Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83445466618?pwd=ekNlSnRiYUNQMCtkU2VMTnBwSFF3dz09
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,83445466618#,,,,*422146#
Or Call:
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 834 4546 6618
Passcode: 422146
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
Tuesday, January 19 Human Rights Celebration
Time: Jan 19, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82830647907?pwd=a0I0WDY4eEtLK0xzalVzbndpTG
dXZz09
Meeting ID: 828 3064 7907
Passcode: 806083
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,82830647907#,,,,,,0#,,806083# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,82830647907#,,,,,,0#,,806083# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 828 3064 7907
Passcode: 806083
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdxm8XAdWE