DOCSLIB.ORG

37 Years FREE but Not Cheap

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
37 Years FREE but Not Cheap SPRING 2016 37 Years FREE but not cheap True Love—Lois watching John as he performs his midday set for a small audience. Every now and then I catch her with her hands up in prayer position over her heart while watching him. Lois and John were a duo on stage for over 40 years before Lois’s sight started to fail her. My encounter with the two in Nashville was brief, but it definitely had an impact and showed me the meaning of true love. PANG TUBHIRUN, PANGTOGRAPHY 2 Issue 144 Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1 LIKE US ON Established May 1979 FACEBOOK! On the Web! PUBLISHER Contents www.shepherdstowngoodnewspaper.org Shepherdstown Ministerial Association SEE ARTWORKS IN COLOR! EXECUTIVE EDITOR Spring 2016 Randall W. Tremba EDITORS Stephen Altman Essays, Art & Poetry Mary Bell John Case 3 Fan Mail. By Randall Tremba Hannah Cohen Eleanor Johnson Hanold 12 ARTWORKS: Pang Tubhirun, Pangtography Sue Kennedy Mark Madison 14 POETRY Tucker Riggleman Wendy Mopsik 15 EARTHBEAT The Conservation Curmudgeon. By Mark Madison Claire Stuart Ed Zahniser PRE-PRODUCTION EDITOR People, Places & Things Libby Howard By Stephen Altman SENIOR DESIGNER 4 The Birdhouse Business. Melinda Schmitt 5 Judy Shepherd: You Help Where You Can. By Sue Kennedy DIGITAL IMAGE EDITOR 6 Flor’s Dream. By Isabella Snyder Ellen Smith 7 A Dream Rooted in Saigon, Realized in Shepherdstown. By Wendy Mopsik PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamie Lawrence 8 Blue Ridge Toy Company. By Claire Stuart Jessica Schmitt 9 John W. Aldis: In the Den of a Demon. By Zakee McGill TYPIST Kathy Reid 10 Meet Pastor Ginger! By Mary Bell COPY EDITORS 11 A Picture of Pang. By Hannah Cohen Rie Wilson Claire Stuart 16 Ralph Scorza: Discovery in the Other Direction. By Eleanor Johnson Hanold 17 New and Familiar Faces at WSHC Radio. By John Case PROOFREADERS Betty Lou Bryant 18 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Museum and Archives. By Claire Stuart Carolina and Brent Ford Eleanor Johnson Hanold 20 Archive: Cherry Trees. By Virginia Provenzano Ed Zahniser DISTRIBUTION Lex Miller Faith, Hope & Charity TREASURER 21 Religious Communities Alex Shaw 22 Donors DESIGN & LAYOUT HBP, Inc. 23 Business & Service Directory Circulation: 13,000 copies printed Bulk mail (11,200) Cover Artist Shepherdstown all patrons (3,450) Kearneysville PO, RR 1-4 (3,000) Pang Tubhirun is a photographer and the owner of Pangtography, in Shepherdstown. She Shenandoah Jct (800) Harpers Ferry PO, RR 1,3 (2,250) specializes in capturing the beauty of human relationships and nature. For more information Bakerton (80) about her work, please visit www.pangtography.com Martinsburg RR 3 (620) Sharpsburg PO, RR 2 (1,060) Direct mail by request (1,000) Stacks: area restaurants, shops, and visitor centers Subscription Form (1,000) Address If you are not already receiving the GOOD NEWS PAPER, we will be happy to send it to you free of charge. Fill in GOOD NEWS PAPER, P.O. Box 1212 and mail this coupon. You may also request subscriptions on our website: shepherdstowngoodnewspaper.org. Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Telephone (304) 876-6466 • FAX (304) 876-2033 Name _____________________________________________________________________ Copyright 2016 Shepherdstown Ministerial Association, Inc. All rights revert to the author on publication. The Address _____________________________________________________________________ opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. City/State _____________________________________________ ZIP _________________ On the Web! GOOD NEWS PAPER www.shepherdstowngoodnewspaper.org P.O. Box 1212 • Shepherdstown, WV 25443 SEE ARTWORKS IN COLOR! 3 Fan Mail Randall Tremba ast September I received an angry letter in response to my essay end: “Some foment fear and hate. Others promote hope and love. In fact, “Drug Alert: Pot, Porn, and Fox News” in which I denounced that sometimes I’m one sort; sometimes I’m another.” But many readers—blinded Lnews outlet for fear mongering. The writer said I was vicious, hateful, by anger over the “Pot, Porn, and Fox News” headline—never got to the rude, self-righteous, arrogant, divisive, conde- confession or simply missed it. scending, liberal, snide, sophomoric (that hurt!), As fate would have it, the day before that and a disgrace to the name of Christ. And that blistering letter arrived, I had been reading the was just the first page. Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh’s The letter was signed: Yours, in Christ. No The Guest House classic Being Peace, in which he says, “If we name. Nothing to identify the writer. Still, that align ourselves with one side or the other, we letter made my day. I love fan mail. This being human is a guest house. will lose our chance to work for peace.” And The writer sent a copy of that letter to Every morning a new arrival. then he says, “Be peace, don’t just talk about it.” every minister in town, just in case my col- Be peace before you try to make peace. leagues didn’t already know those things about A joy, a depression, a meanness, Breathe in peace; breathe out fear. Breathe in me. I don’t resent the criticism one bit. I only some momentary awareness comes love; breathe out hatred and bigotry. wish the writer had included contact informa- as an unexpected visitor. “If in our daily life we can smile, if we can tion, because I would like to respond to him or be peaceful and happy, not only we, but every- her as I did to the other dozen or so people who Welcome and entertain them all! one, will profit from it. This is the most basic called or emailed me with complaints, admoni- Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, kind of peace work. Breathe in calm; breathe tions, and rebukes. out smiles.” who violently sweep your house I’d like to commend the writer for being The day before that letter arrived I was also empty of its furniture, so perceptive. I really and truly am vicious, reading this gospel story: Once upon a time the hateful, rude, self-righteous, arrogant, divisive, still, treat each guest honorably. disciples spoke sternly to those who tried to condescending, liberal, snide, sophomoric, and a He may be clearing you out bring children to Jesus. Jesus, just like us, had disgrace to the name of Christ. Not all the time, for some new delight. much more important things to do, or so the but certainly some of the time. And I suspect disciples thought. But Jesus said: Let the little that particular essay might have been one of The dark thought, the shame, the malice, children come to me; do not stop them. those times. meet them at the door laughing, Breathe in calm; breathe out smiles. I was hoping nobody would notice. But and invite them in. I’m guessing Jesus knew what the Buddha obviously some did, and they were kind enough knew. Breathe in calm and breathe out smiles. to let me know, in most cases because they Be grateful for whoever comes, I’m guessing Jesus was smiling when he blessed truly care about me and my reputation as a because each has been sent the little children. A scowling Jesus would have bridge builder. as a guide from beyond. sent the children flying. “Why must you take sides?” several asked. That little gospel episode isn’t just about I thanked each person for helping me see children. It’s a lesson in acceptance as taught in —Rumi things more clearly and helping me understand Being Peace. It’s about inviting that which can 13th-century Sufi Muslim Persian poet myself a little better. After all, there’s always be annoying, irritating, or interrupting of our more than one way to say something—some well-guarded lives. kinder than others. As the Buddhists put it, Be careful, say the Buddhists, about It’s OK to announce, but don’t denounce, for rejecting things you don’t like or don’t want in denouncing is a form of violence. Or, as the Apostle Paul put it, Speak the your life. Learn to accept and if possible embrace them. Embrace darkness, truth in love. embrace suffering, embrace criticism—and let it be. For darkness and suffer- In this case anger got the best of me. The relentless litany of woe and ing are our teachers, too. negativity on one particular news show over a six-month period enraged me. And so I thank my anonymous critic for bringing me back to my senses Sure, it’s OK to be angry. But it’s not OK for anger to get the best of us. and to deep breathing. Breathe in calm. Breathe out smiles. Just as I was finishing that essay, I realized my own hypocrisy and And so here’s a smile coming your way, my friend: Yours, in Christ. negativity. And so I inserted a parenthetical confession of sorts near the Which is to say, Yours, in Love. GOOD NEWS PAPER • SPRING 2016 4 The Birdhouse Business The Galliennes’ Creations Are Not Strictly for the Birds Stephen Altman ob Gallienne and his son Kyle make birdhouses. It was not exactly automatic. “We had the skills of bird species; start at the top with Bluebird-Eastern These are not ordinary birdhouses. One is a to make a birdhouse easy enough,” Bob says, “but we and Bluebird-Mountain and two pages later you’re at Breplica of the Shepherdstown Public Library, didn’t know the right way. That first birdhouse, it didn’t Pygmy Owl. Across the top, the headings read: House complete with that mysterious gazing eye. They’ve have anything it was supposed to have, and what it did Floor, House Depth, Hole above Floor, Minimum also made one that looks like a mansion and others have was the wrong size or in the wrong place.” Diameter of Hole, and Height above Ground.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • April ASJ 2016
    APRIL AT ST. JOHN’S april 2016 the newsletter of st. john’s united methodist church THE MONTH AHEAD PASTOR’S LETTER 7 Small Group - Yorktown ‘We know the Spirit is moving’ The Yorktown Mall area small group will meet 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 for Bible the gift of the Spirit to dead for how many study in Lombard. his people. days?!” we know the That same Spirit is still Spirit is moving. When 9 moving at St. John’s and I they giggle and dance NIC Children’s Table hope you can feel it. around in the water Be a Champion for Children! There is an energy in our poured onto them when Join the conference-wide worship and our time we remember our training event Saturday, April Easter Day has come together and we can see it baptism with gratitude, 9. For more information on and gone, but our season especially in our children. we know the Spirit is how to attend or volunteer, of Easter is just When I announce moving. When they come contact Pastor Nancy Hunter. beginning. The Easter communion and hear a to me asking to be a part Season lasts from Easter small voice cry out, “Yay!” of our worship service, 10 Day until Pentecost on UMM Breakfast Meeting we know the Spirit is we know the Spirit is The men’s group will host May 15. During this moving. When our moving. their Spring Breakfast season we sing about joy, children demand seconds April is a month where meeting 8 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2015 to the United Methodist Church
    Annual Report 2015 to the United Methodist Church 9 March 2016 Great progress has been made in the fight against malaria but gains remain fragile Thanks to all partners involved in the global fight against malaria, great progress has been made in the last fifteen years. New methods of testing, the widespread distribution of insecticide-treated nets and the introduction of Artemisinin-based combination therapies have led to a 48 percent drop in malaria deaths between 2000 and 2014. The number of lives saved by malaria treatment and prevention has grown steadily each year. Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable to malaria, because their immune systems are still developing effective resistance to the disease. Pregnant women are also vulnerable, because their immune systems are weakened during pregnancy. Protecting young children and pregnant women is paramount to any disease strategy. The innovation of a long-lasting insecticidal mosquito net, at a relatively low cost, has greatly expanded protection for children and families. With more than 548 million mosquito nets distributed, people at risk for malaria who gained access to mosquito nets grew from 7 percent in 2005 to 36 percent in 2010 and 56 percent in 2014 in countries where the Global Fund invests. Mosquito nets are just one tool, however, and a comprehensive approach to reducing deaths from malaria includes other preventive measures such as indoor residual spraying. More important, access to artemisinin-based combination therapies and to rapid diagnostic tests has improved dramatically. Cases of malaria treated rose 19 percent to hit cumulative total of 515 million over the last year.
    [Show full text]
  • Planting a New Church Mother-Daughter Strategy Today’S
    $2 January 2011 Season of Epiphany Planting a new church Mother-daughter strategy today’s Gadson receives approach to new Order of the UMCs in S.C. Palmetto Page 12 By Jessica Connor When it comes to starting a new United Methodist church in S.C., it all boils down to two things: the right place and the right person. For years, the UMC used a “parachute drop” style to start new churches: find a good site, buy the land, then pow! In drops a pastor to KICKING OFF A NEW YEAR – These karate experts – here, teaching some moves to chil - take the reins and steer the church dren during the Columbia Korean United Methodist Church’s recent mission trip to into a successful future. Nicaragua – aren’t the only Christians with kick. Several other groups within the S.C. But sadly, that’s often a recipe Conference launch strong 2011 mission and ministry programs this month. Check them out for failure, said the Rev. Rusty throughout this month’s edition, plus read about the Korean medical mission trip on Page 9 . Breaking ground in (Photo courtesy of the Rev. Luke “MoonTaeg” Rhyee) Ninety Six See “New Churches,” Page 7 Page 16 S.C. gets 18 delegates to General Conference By Jessica Connor L. Fitzgerald Reist announced that S.C. Those elected General Conference del - has been allotted 18 delegates to the egates will also serve as delegates to the South Carolina will send two fewer quadrennial legislative gathering for the Jurisdictional Conference, set for July 17- people to General Conference in 2012, United Methodist Church, set for April 21, 2012, at Lake Junaluska, N.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Imagine No Malaria Impact Update
    IMAGINE NO MALARIA IMPACT UPDATE 1 To our supporters, How can I say thanks for the many ways that you have responded to cries of our brothers and sisters in sub-Saharan Africa? It is with a heart full of thanksgiving that I celebrate the reduction of death and suffering from malaria. We have come this far because you have responded to the call to eliminate malaria as a disease of poverty. We have joined hands with worldwide partners. We have made tremendous progress. But, the fight is not over. Please continue to give generously and to pray for success. Together we will carry the light to the end of the road home. Peace and Blessings, Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Chair Global Health Initiative of The United Methodist Church BRING CHANGE. MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. 2 ABOUT IMAGINE NO MALARIA IMAGINE NO MALARIA IS AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO END PREVENTABLE DEATHS FROM MALARIA IN AFRICA. God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 NIV OUR PARTNERS The United Methodist Church has collaborated with world - class allies in the fight against malaria. We bring our distinctive history of mission in Africa to this fight and our trust and friendship with those most affected. This is a powerful alignment of religious and secular organizations. “We are proud to be your partner in this campaign to end the world’s worst killer of children. We believe the campaign cannot succeed without you.” - Bill Gates Sr.
    [Show full text]
  • Lenten Guide
    CELEBRATE JESUS, CELEBRATE LIFE! Making This an Easter like No Other: This Easter, Imagine No Malaria A Week-by-Week Guide to Imagine No Malaria Lenten Activity TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview.......................................................................................................... 2 Preparation ...................................................................................................... 3 Week-by-Week Guide ..................................................................................... 4 Appendix Additional Activity Ideas ................................................................... 10 Children’s Sermon ............................................................................ 11 Resource Order Form ....................................................................... 12 Bulletin Inserts .................................................................................. 13 Church-Wide Appeal Letter .............................................................. 19 Lenten Bible Study – Sunday School Lesson..................................... 20 Imagine No Malaria: Week-by-Week Guide for Lent 1 OVERVIEW Weekly Bulletin Inserts & Pulpit Announcements Share Imagine No Malaria Sunday School Lesson on Palm Sunday Use the “Invitation to Respond” speaking notes during the Easter ”Sunday to Save Lives” Imagine No Malaria: Week-by-Week Guide for Lent 2 PREPARATION The greatest success from an Imagine No Malaria Easter Sunday to Save Lives will be possible with on- going announcements and publicity leading up
    [Show full text]
  • IJIR Paper Template
    Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Misuse of Malaria Bednets in Fishing Villages: Causes, Consequences, and Public Health Policy Solutions Rohan Garg Department of Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, United States of America Abstract: The improper usage of malaria bednets, southern Kenya reduced the entomological especially in fishing villages, is a growing concern inoculation rate by more than 75% [4]. Another for malaria control programs. By means of a recent study found that malaria bednets successfully thorough literature review, this paper explores the protected against malaria infections in Madagascar causes and effects of malaria bednet misuse in [5]. fishing villages and accordingly offers health policy Although bednets tend to control and reduce solutions. Caused primarily by poverty and a lack of malaria effectively, they are not as effective as they health education, bednet misuse deprives people of could be. This is largely due to the unanticipated antimalarial protection and imperils marine misuse of bednets and in some cases, the lack of ecosystems. In light of these causes and bednet usage. Several studies have examined the consequences, it is recommended that health policy prevalence of barriers that lead to bednet nonuse. In leaders strengthen health education programs at the particular, two meta-analyses revealed that cost, community level, incorporate follow-up programs cultural beliefs, and lack of education are the main into bednet distribution campaigns, and promote factors that lead to the avoidance of bednets in research on novel antimalarial insecticides that are malarious communities [6,7].
    [Show full text]
  • Advocacy for Resource Mobilization (ARM) for Malaria Guide May 2015
    Advocacy for Resource Mobilization (ARM) for Malaria Guide May 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Roll Back Malaria Partnership Malaria Advocacy Working Group (MAWG) with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of PuBlic Health, Center for Communication Programs (JHU.CCP) would like to acknowledge Angela Munteanu and Kathryn Bertram for authoring this report with support from Claudia Vondrasek and editing services from Carol Hooks. This guide would not have Been possiBle without the support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Voices for a Malaria Free Future program of JHU.CCP and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via the Networks program of JHU.CCP. In addition, we sincerely appreciate our pretesting partners in Sierra Leone, most notaBly GloBal Fund (GF) Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Chair Reverend Alimamy KargBo of the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone, GF CCM Program Director Claudia Shilumani of Catholic Relief Services, and National Malaria Control Program Manager, Dr. Samuel Smith. We would also like to thank all RBM MAWG members for their contributions, including Jessica Rockwood, International PuBlic Health Advisors; Lisa Goldman-Van Nostrand, Sumitomo Chemical; Meg De Ronghe, PATH; Yacine DjiBo, Speak Up Africa; Alex Hulme, Malaria Consortium; Zsofia Szilagyi, WHO; Trey Watkins, RBM Secretariat; Wendy McWeeny, UN Special Envoy’s Office for financing the Health MDGs and for Malaria (UNSEO); Erika Larson, Malaria Elimination Initiative (MEI); Alexandra Fullem, PATH; and Andrea Stewart, Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) as well as Robert Ainslie, JHU.CCP and the RBM Communication Communities of Practice (CCoP). Finally, we would like to thank the RBM Harmonization Working Group, the RBM Sub-Regional Networks and National Malaria Control Programs in endemic countries, without which advocates would not have access to critical data and support to move their advocacy forward.
    [Show full text]
  • March 2016 $2$2
    March 2016 $2$2 Vol. 184 • March 2016 • No. 3 Connecting with the Virginia Advocate The official magazine of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church PILLOW TALK P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058 Phone: 1-800-768-6040 or “I have to try, but I do not have to succeed. Following Christ has noth- 804-521-1100 ing to do with success as the world sees it. It has to do with love.” Fax: 804-521-1174 E-mail: [email protected] – Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water Website: www.vaumc.org Detailed guidelines for the following At the end of January, I, along with our Communications director available upon request. and videographer, traveled to Portland, Ore., for the United Method- ist Association of Communicators meeting as well as the Pre-General Subscriptions Print subscriptions are $15/one year; $25/ Conference Briefing. It was a good time to meet people in the com- two years; $36/three years. Special bulk munication industry, learn more about what to expect at General rate for five or more copies going to a single address is $12 each for one year. Subscrip- Madeline Pillow Conference and explore Portland. tions are $20/year for both printed copy and Editor I admit that in planning for this trip, I knew that visiting Voodoo online access. For online only, cost is $10/ year. Subscribe online at www.vaumc.org, Doughnut was high on the priority list. But I also wanted to go where under “Resources>Publications.” the locals were, to see the places they have carved out for them- selves.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaria Conference Gets Behind Malaria Eradication Effort Vol
    October 2014 $2$2 Imagine No Malaria Conference gets behind malaria eradication effort Vol. 182• October 2014 • No. 10 Connecting with the Virginia Advocate The official magazine of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church FROM THE EDITOR P.O. Box 5606, Glen Allen, VA 23058 Phone: 1-800-768-6040 or About 15 years ago Lynne and I went on a mission trip 804-521-1100 Fax: 804-521-1174 to Trinidad (I know… suffering for Jesus). I had to come back early E-mail: [email protected] and took a flight that went from Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad, Website: www.vaumc.org to Guyana on the South American mainland, then on to Miami. In Detailed guidelines for the following Georgetown, Guyana, the empty seat beside me was filled by a man available upon request. from the Seattle area who worked as a mining consultant and a lot Subscriptions Print subscriptions are $15/one year; $25/ of stuff – what seemed like all his worldly possessions. I remember two years; $36/three years. Special bulk he was sweating profusely and didn’t look very well. He went on to rate for five or more copies going to a single address is $12 each for one year. Subscrip- Neill Caldwell tell me he was heading home early because he had come down with tions are $20/year for both printed copy and Editor a serious case of malaria. online access. For online only, cost is $10/ year. Subscribe online at www.vaumc.org, I guess my expression must have given me away, because he im- under “Resources>Publications.” mediately added “oh, but don’t worry, it’s hard to catch.
    [Show full text]
  • Umcor's Us Disaster Response
    New WorldTHE MISSION MAGAZINE OF THE Outlook UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • MARCH/APRIL 2013 the Christian response in hUManitarian aid UMCor’s global reach Stock # GM54000 0213-GBGM-NWO_Mar-Apr2013-8.indd 1 2/7/13 4:20 PM 2 newworldoutlook.org New Series Vol. LXXI II, No. 4; Whole Series Vol. CIII, No. 2 T h e C h r i sT i a n r esponse in h u m a n i Ta r i a n a i d: New World Outlook NEW WORLD OUTLOOK MaRCh/apRIL 2013 UMCOR’s Global reaCh ISSN-0043-8812 Published bimonthly by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2013 by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. No part of New World Outlook may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Editor. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes directly to New World Outlook, P.O. Box 395, Congers, New York 10920-0395. Subscriptions in the United States and Possessions: One year, $24.00. Single copies, $4.00. Two years, $42.00. All foreign countries: one year, $40.00. Church Subscription Program: 5 or more one-year subscriptions for $18 each. Editor—Christie R. House Art Director—Hal Sadler Designer—Christopher G. Coleman Editorial Assistant—Tylie Waters e ditorial office Christie R. House 475 Riverside Drive, Room 333 New York, NY 10115 212-870-3765 Email: [email protected] Website: http://newworldoutlook.org Advertising/Promotion 475 Riverside Drive, Room 342 New York, NY 10115 212-870-3765 New World Outlook editorials and unsigned articles reflect the views of the editors and signed articles the views of authors only.
    [Show full text]
  • Slides and Notes Download In
    1 Outreach Ministries In Christ, By Christ, Transforming Being the World Transformed Outreach - not an addendum to worship - it is worship! Mission Slide Show is Here: http://nccumc.org/outreach/missionslides/ 2 Read Isaiah 58:1-12 (The Message – Eugene Peterson (Best) Worship … God never intended for worship to reside solely within the realm of the temple, the place of the sanctuary. God never intended for worship to be an activity that was exclusively the domain of liturgy and icons and religious formula. God never meant for worship to be wholly contained by walls of brick and mortar. For God, worship has always been defined as that act we do with our very lives, reaching into the world to proclaim life and bring hope, reaching into the world to rebuild and renovate and make the community livable again! That is why we are here today. That is why we engage in this activity we call “missions.” Simply, so that we might better worship the God who refuses to remain locked in formulas and creeds and the forms of religion. We are here so that we might worship a God who always comes and walks where his creatures walk, out there, out in the world. * NC Conference Outreach Pages … will contain the latest updates of mission opportunities, information, and needs of our neighbors both near and far. The Outreach area will also contain links to Mission Seed Funds, Board of Missions Incorporated building loans, church construction ministry, and other funding possibilities. http://nccumc.org/outreach You can also contact Kathy Duncan to be included on the Missions email list.
    [Show full text]
  • LOCAL CHURCH NEWS Mt
    The CurrentIllinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church News Magazine December 2011 | Vol. 16 No. 4 Giving is a gift 3 4 5-9 15 Don't be DROPPED Learning LOCAL Mission from the mailing list! hospitality partnerships Return your card by from the church in Liberia, December 31st gaming NEWS Honduras, industry Eastern Europe Advent: A Time to Change (Editor’s note: The following column by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer first ap- the efforts of this season to come alongside the needy continued NEWS peared in the December 2009 issue of The Current.) with the same intensity all year long? After all the rearrangement of our priorities around the things of God, but especially being Advent is here and Christmas will be soon. The former pre- in solidarity with the poor, was never intended to last for just pares us for the latter. four or five weeks. “when the time had fully come God sent forth The amazing thing about both is their capacity to invite the the Son” not just to save or change us for a few weeks. No, the complete rearrangement of our lives around different priorities. plan was and his to change us and the whole cosmos forever. We are invited if not indeed jerked to pay attention to God’s ac- Perhaps that is why the words of Howard Thurman continue to tivity, movements and yearnings for the whole cosmos. In many bless and haunt us. In referring to the Work of Christmas he says: respects we do remarkably well in the church and the even in our personal discipleship in trying to be responsive to the biddings When the song of the angels is stilled, of God as we are bathed in the biblical texts, proclamation, music When the star in the sky is gone, and activities of the season.
    [Show full text]