Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Enjoy Our Advent Dinner - Pandemic Style
Please order by November 30th On our online giving page click Donate or Buy your Tickets HERE, then choose the category Fundraisers - Spaghetti Drive-Thru.
"Journey Through the Gospel of Mark" Bible Study
Zoom meeting Thursdays at 6:30 pm
As part of our church-wide project of reading through the Book of Mark, you are encouraged to attend the zoom meeting with Pastor Mahsea in order to learn the style and process of textual engagement and reflection. This is something that can be done daily as an individual, or in a group setting.
Please come and share your insights on the scripture as revealed in Mark.
Sign-in information is provided below.
You can join us in one of two ways:
1. Smartphone users must first download the Zoom application from the appropriate App Store. Tap on the icon after downloading and tap on the Join button. Enter ID 908 490 8254 and the password 5zRiqk [this is case sensitive] and tap the Join bar.
2. PC or tablet users should open a browser and enter zoom.us/join in the address bar. When the Zoom screen appears, asking for ID, enter 908 490 8254 with password 5zRiqk [this is case sensitive]. Be sure to indicate you want to join with video and audio modes.
Jesus Healing the Blind Man Mark 8:22-26
Meeting Together In Person
Sunday mornings at 9:00 am at Woodbridge School, 515 Niles Ave.
Good Afternoon Church Family,
Beginning October 4th, we will safely gather on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am at Woodbridge School, 515 Niles Ave. It’s not too far from the church, right next to the fairgrounds. We’ll walk the perimeter of the school chatting, praying and of course, socially distancing. If you’re unable to walk the block, there is plenty of shade, benches in the front of the school and planters on the side of the school where you can sit to cheer the walkers on. If you prefer, you can bring your own chair. There’s also plenty of parking around the entire block of the school. A few years ago, our church adopted Woodbridge School, hence the idea to meet there every Sunday morning, weather permitting, in an effort to re-connect as a church family.
Six months is entirely too long to go without seeing one another. We hope you’ll consider joining us on Sunday, October 4th for the Woodbridge Walk!
Blessings,
Sandy Williams, Lay Leader & the Church Council
A Letter from Pastor Mahsea on Dismantling Racism
June 17, 2020
Dear Church Family,
Peace to you:
First, I want to say that I am thankful that we are in community together. I upfront this gratitude because being “in community” in this moment has taken on a new dimension and urgency during these challenging times.
To put it bluntly, there is a lot going on in our country in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. This, along with other similar situations, has not only initiated a call for police reform, but there has been an increased focus on transforming the institutional racism that has undergird the American project since its inception. These conversations are admittedly difficult. To many, racism has simply been perceived as a personal prejudice or an animus against another based on race or color. However, the form of racism that is being called to be addressed and dismantled is far more complex. It requires more time and intentionality to understand both how we have all gone through a process of racialization, and how these social categorizations have been systematized in our power structures over time.
As a church, both locally and as a denomination, combating racism is an imperative. The document entitled “United Methodists Against Racism” begins by succinctly stating, “we recognize racism as a sin [and] we commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.” This document, along with Bishop Carcano's invitation to deeper conversations on the topic through a presentation entitled: “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” on 6/19/20 and a “Service of Lament” on 6/24/20, is available at the below link:
https://www.umc.org/en/how-we-serve/advocating-for-justice/racial-justice/united-against-racism
Lastly, there are many resources that the United Methodist Church recommends that are excellent for increasing one’s understanding and knowledge on the topic of racism. I especially urge you to peruse all the links in the “connect” section, and to watch Robin DiAngelo’s short but excellent and clarifying lecture. It is a good place to start. Direct link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/deconstructing-white-privilege-gcorr or at https://youtu.be/h7mzj0cVL0Q
Again, I am grateful that we are in community with each other, and I am looking forward to the work that we will do together in ending racism. If any of you desire to learn more about this topic and would be willing to take the lead in organizing a study/reflection group, please let me know. Until then, may we all remain prayerful and vigilant to our gospel call, and may we press on in the faith until the Kingdom of God is fully realized for all people.
Blessings, Pastor Mahsea