The Madras Messenger. Spreading The Good News. Madras United Methodist Church. Opportunities. May 2015

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1 Madras United Methodist Church Opportunities Monday - Thursday 10am Food Bag Ministry 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 4:30pm Brown Bags Monday 4pm Bell Choir Tuesday 9am - 12pm ID Project 12pm AA Meeting 2:30pm Bible Study 6:00pm Community Kitchen Wednesday 10am Crafts 6:00pm Music Team 7:00pm Adult Choir Thursday 12pm AA Meeting Sunday 9:30am Worship 10:30am Fellowship Hour 11:15am Sunday School 6:00pm Youth Group The Madras Messenger Spreading The Good News Happy Easter! Wait a minute What do you mean that Easter was on April 5th this year, and it is now May? Don t you know that we get to celebrate the Easter season for 50 days? Don t you remember that every day is a gift of love and life from God; a day to spring forth from the tombs of fear and death and into eternal life? This is good news and we should share it! Happy Easter! (Or as our Greek brothers and sisters might say, Christos anesti! Alithos anesti which means Christ is risen! Truly he is risen! ) We have good news to share with people, and it is this sharing of good news which brings us to our focus for this time period, that of witness. Witness often has bad connotations for people, often involving over-zealous people wanting something from you. But this is not what witnessing needs to be about. I think of witnessing simply that I have heard some good news, something that makes me smile, something that brings me hope and joy, and I want to share that with someone else. It comes back to the words that we use. We hear evangelism and are either confused because we don t know what it means, or think it is all about knocking on doors handing out pamphlets. Evangelism s root words are Greek which mean May 2015 simply good news or sharing good news. So, what is the good news in your life? How have you been blessed today? What are some of the big, good things in your life? Who are the people who lift you up, and shape you into a person better than you thought you could be? Do you want to be a blessing in the lives of others? You can be a blessing to so many by telling others the good you have encountered, and by being present to them through the hard times. You can be one of those people who bring joy, hope, and love into this world through your words and actions. If your hands are full of the resurrection work of God in this world (feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, working for justice, etc.), then let your mouth proclaim aloud why you are doing this! God has triumphed over death and pain and hatred! Christ has risen from the dead! Happy Easter! Christos anesti! (Christ has risen!) Pastor Dan Benson

2 The Madras Messenger ~ May 2015 Page 2 BackPack Buddies Continues to Feed G-Force Vacation Bible School The BackPack Buddies weekend food program for students in the schools is feeding 40 individuals every weekend. We have been fortunate to receive grants from St. Charles Health System Community Benefit and NeighborImpact that have secured funding for the program through the school year! Thank you to everyone who has graciously given to this program! We can use continued support in packing the bags weekly until the end of the school year. The Youth Group packs the bags in Room 3 from 5:30-6:00pm every Sunday evening and would welcome your presence to share in this service to our community. Our annual vacation bible school for the community will be held July 6-10 from 9am-noon. This discipleship event has many opportunities for you to serve. The needs at this point are: Publicity team to print and distribute information in the community Snack coordinator to work with Kay Wiles to organize snack time Adult crew leaders to guide the youth crew leaders as they lead the children Provide materials as the needs are posted Talk to Jill Plant about how your gifts can be used between now and July and watch as our church is transformed into a place to share God s Love in Action! Willow Creek Community Garden The garden is beginning to show signs of life! Thank you to all who have spent time in the garden! As we move through this growing season, I encourage you to think about the ways you can be involved in making disciples by growing in love through relationship with God (creation), each other, and our neighbors in the garden. Madras UMC can be a witness of God s love and care for all people in the community. Here are some opportunities to serve during the month of May: Volunteer to help preschoolers from The Children s Learning Center plant their seedlings in the garden on Tuesday, May 12 from 9-10am and/or 2-3pm. Work day in the garden on Saturday, May 16 from 9am-noon. This will also be an opportunity to adopt a box for growing during the summer months. If you are interested in helping with a labyrinth/ herb garden in a corner of the garden, please contact Jill Plant at

3 The Madras Messenger ~ May 2015 Page 3 Reconciling Reflections Three years ago, the Madras United Methodist Church took a bold step in becoming a Reconciling Congregation. We decided it was time to Believe Out Loud. It was time to open our doors wide and let our community know that All truly does mean All. So what does it mean to be a Reconciling Congregation and to be a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)? It means that we have made a commitment to being in loving Christian ministry with all people without prejudice, to truly have open hearts, open minds, and open doors, to work toward the time when our congregation, our denomination, and our society live the all-inclusive love that our faith demands. As a sign of that commitment we have officially affiliated ourselves with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), a Christian and United Methodist organization, and to share its guiding principles. RMN is committed to utilizing inclusive language and respectfully recognizing the diverse approaches to scripture, tradition, reason, and experience of the congregations and communities with whom it relates. RMN is committed to reconciliation that leads to the healing and transformation of animosity into a loving relationship amongst all God s children. Remember to Wear Your Name Tag Every Sunday!! If you don t have one let Chris know in the office and he will be happy to make you one! RMN has a commitment to ending institutional racism, sexism, and economic injustice. RMN believes that human sexuality is a good gift given by God. RMN is committed to supporting the integration of healthy, loving expressions of sexuality and spirituality for everyone. Reconciling Ministries Network acts in hospitality across theological divides and is committed to the creation of community, interconnectedness, and deep relationships. RMN is committed to policy change and the creation of long-term solutions and practices that create full inclusion in The United Methodist Church and our broader society. RMN works for full equality in membership, ordination, and marriage for God s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children. by Patty Lieuallen Interested In The History of Our Church? The History Committee is looking for people who would be interested in meeting two to six times out of the year to work on church history. If you re interested please contact: Joyce Erb Mina Hartshorn Chris in the Church Office

4 The Madras Messenger ~ May 2015 Page 4 Finance Team Working for the Church!! The Finance team is working diligently to be good stewards of the money pledged and given to operate the church. To date 25% of pledges have been received for the first quarter, $28, right on the mark! 92% of the people who pledged support have made contributions. Of those who did not return a pledge card, $8, has been received. Total pledges for 2015 equal $110, Thank You! The bulletin board across from the office shows a monthly accounting of funds needed versas funds received. If you have concerns or questions you are welcome to talk to any of the team; Barb McGowan, Reba Powell, Andrew Jackson or Pat Hastings. Currently a number of members are working together to perform a Finance Audit for the past year, you may be contacted or see them reviewing files, bills paid, account signers, etc. Thank you to all involved who have volunteered your time and expertise. Caree King ~ May 4 Payton Kryla ~ May 11 Rosemary Steel ~ May 12 Royce Schlenker ~ May 17 Shea Bolton ~ May 19 Rich Gibbons ~ May 19 Vince Powell ~ May 25 Marie Harris ~ May 27 Jenni Young ~ May 28 Be Sure to check us out & like us on Facebook Madras United Methodist Church

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8 Madras United Methodist Church 49 NE 12th Street Madras, OR Website: madrasumc.org