Hey McFarland! Pastor Wayne here!
I want to share an update with you on this 10th day of August, 2023. Can you believe that we are already in the month of August? Where has this year gone? I’m not sure. Anyway, there is information that I need to share with you.
** Homecoming **
We will celebrate Homecoming on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. Our preacher will be the Reverend Mickey Rainwater, our new District Superintendent. Mickey will share the message with us and then we will move downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for a covered dish supper as is our traditional expectation. More information will be coming soon, so watch FaceBook and this space as the time grows closer.
** Sermon Series for August **
This weekend we started a series that I’m calling “Rules to Live By.” It expands upon the General Rules of the Methodist Church as found in ¶104 of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2016) and protected by the Restrictive Rules (specifically ¶21 of the Constitution of the United Methodist Church (enacted in 1808) that that states that “The General Conference shall not revoke or change the General Rules of Our United Societies”). The rules are: 1) Do No Harm; 2) Do Good; and 3) Attend to the Ordinances of God, which I have renamed Attend to the Spiritual Disciplines. When we engage with our historical foundation, we strengthen the connection with who we are within our Wesleyan Heritage.
** In Sympathy **
The past couple of months have marked significant loss in our congregation. Kenneth Hayes, Peggy Kelley, Ben North and Jim Price have passed away. Please keep their families in your prayers.
** Thank You **
“Thank you to all who sent cards and provided food for the visitation and funeral and for coming to support our family during this time of celebration of Jim’s life. We also appreciate all the prayers during his sickness and death.” Barbara Price and family
** New Church Management Database **
Please be aware that we are transitioning to a new Church Management System database that will allow us to better communicate with you about what is happening in the church. It will also allow us to expand the giving options to the church via text to 423-482-8961, or via online giving from your checking account or through your debit or credit card through our website or by clicking here. Our online giving service (through Breeze ChMS) utilizes the Stripe transaction management platform (an industry standard) and features the most stringent protocols to ensure the safety of the data that you share. The database is Breeze ChMS and we plan to eventually enable those who wish to do so to request accounts to log in so that you can 1 ) Verify and print your own giving records without making a request to the church office; and 2) verify and update your own contact information so that we can make printed directories available as needed.
** Upcoming Events **
Monday, August 21, 2023 – Church Council Meeting in the Adult Classroom at 2:00 p.m. All members of the council are requested to attend. One of the topics of discussion will be what direction do we want to take with the food box ministry now that the box is no longer at Rossville Elementary School.
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – Celebration of Life for Ben North at 11:00 a.m.: Mildred is inviting everyone to gather around the pool at their home at 800 Asterwood Drive, Rossville, GA 30741 for a Celebration of Life for Ben North. We will gather around the pool and tell stories of our memories of Ben. While there will be some chairs from the church, I would suggest that you should bring your own portable chair if you want to be sure.
Sunday, August 27, 2023 – Homecoming: Our new District Superintendent, the Reverend Mickey Rainwater will be our speaker at Homecoming. We will celebrate 102 years of ministry at this location. We will celebrate worship together at 11:00 a.m. and follow that with a covered dish luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – Charge Conference in the Sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. The Charge Conference is the annual meeting for churches in the Methodist tradition. Among other items of business, we will elect officers for the coming year, approve the pastor’s salary and benefits (within base minimums prescribed by the Annual Conference), celebrate the successes of our ministry to the community, mourn the failures, and commit to seeking God’s continuing guidance as we seek to minister to the community where we are. All are welcome to attend and vote. After several years of group Charge Conferences, we will have an individual Charge Conference this year. Committee meetings in support of the Charge Conference will be scheduled soon.
** In Conclusion **
I know that our numbers are dwindling and that is upsetting to all of us in so many ways. However, I am pleased to report that you want to be engaged with the community. I believe that we are right where God wants us… is there any other place that we want to be?
As always, I am thrilled to be your pastor. Thank you for your support.
Blessings,
Pastor Wayne
