Pastor's Monthly Blog - United Methodist Church VISTA

We Begin together Anew

Posted on Jun 26, 2018 in Pastor's Monthly Blog |

Pastor’s Ponderings – July 2018

“We Begin together Anew”

I begin my fourth year with you in ministry on July 1st. Time flies when you are in the service of God. As I return from Annual Conference this year, I’m mindful of the turmoil in the world, and our nation. I’m also mindful of the turmoil in our larger denomination, The United Methodist Church.

It is hard to say where we will be this time next year. There will be a General Conference with representatives from all over the world to discuss the Council of Bishops’ recommendation to remain one church, but allow different regions to make contextual decisions based on their experience and understanding of Jesus’ teachings. That is to say that our region might come to one understanding about human sexuality and the Southern region of our church might come to another, but we all share a commitment to the work of Jesus Christ in the world.

Our Mission as a people is to ‘make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.’ We are followers of the teachings of the person Jesus, who lived so long ago in the Middle East. He taught us to stay in Love with God and to Love our Neighbor. Jesus longed for us to be a people who acted with generous care of one another, accepting and passing along the grace and forgiveness of God, the Father. This mission or work that we are called to has not changed over two thousand years. We remain called to love.

Our Ministry Action Plan lives out Jesus’ teaching by setting goals to do justice, grow our faith and provide welcome and hospitality to one another and those who come through our doors. The three core themes of our goals are JUSTICE, FAITH and HOSPITALITY. Honestly, I am most passionate about FAITH, which is worship and the arts, discipleship and education and growing our space for doing all of these. Other members of the GAP team really focus in on HOSPITALITY, believing welcoming is an important key to following Jesus. Still other people are passionate that we must do the work of JUSTICE, feeding the hungry and providing for homeless. The truth is that these three foci rely on one another and build our common work together.

This Ministry Action Plan sets the course for my next year with you. How far can we get? How many people can we reach? How much love and grace can we extend together in the name of Jesus? Let the Spirit carry us as we soar together into God’s Kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Leigh Ann

Make A Difference Day 2018 FAQs

Posted on Jun 20, 2018 in Pastor's Monthly Blog |

Make A Difference Day 2018 FAQ’s Upcoming Event “Make a Difference Sunday” June 24, 2018

The Congregation is invited to participate in our Cable Grant Process this Sunday downstairs in Fellowship Hall between services and after second service.

FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)

Q: I am unfamiliar with this process or I am new to this Church what can I expect when I go downstairs on Sunday?

A: The Church has received grant requests from organizations, local, national and international, to support their good works. These requests have been reviewed to ensure that they are complete, they are a 501C3 organization and that their purpose does not conflict with our Book of Discipline.

Q: I am being asked to indicate that I support funding for these organizations. How would I determine that?

A: There will be two copies of each grant request available for review. There will be a separate sheet where you can sign your name indicating that you support the projects goals and you want it to move forward through the grant process. If you do not support a project then you do not sign that corresponding sheet.

Q: I keep hearing the words “VETTING and SHEPHERDING what do these terms mean?

A: We ask that at least one person per request do additional research into these projects. The local group can be contacted, visited and then the individual doing this research completes a review based upon that visit and their impressions. National and International groups can be contacted by phone, and or email. Most organizations have websites that can be visited as well. This is a very important part of the process since we don’t just want to stroke a check but we want to build relationships with these organizations.

Q: How do I indicate that I would be willing to be a SHEPHERD or VET a project?

A; Each attendee will receive two “Stars”. We ask that you place a star next to your name indicating that you would be willing to take on that responsibility. A project can have more than one shepherd and you will be paired up to work together.

Q: Will instructions be provided if I choose to be a Shephard for a project?

A: Yes, we have set aside the date of Sunday, July 8th at 10:15 (between services) in the Chapel. If you are unable to attend that meeting other arrangements can/will be made.

Q: What happens if no one chooses to Vet/Shephard a grant request?

A: The request goes no further. A letter is sent to the organization letting them know that they will not be funded.

Q: Who do I contact if I have more questions?

A: Suzanne McMurchie or Beth Hallock