From the Pastor the Spring of a New Day

March 2021

From the Pastor The Spring of a New Day

Officially, it is still winter, but spring is not that far away. Winter effects still reign, yet already we are seeing the first signs of spring. The blooms on the trees and the opening of the daffodils are just the beginning. One day soon, however, all the trees and bushes will share in the springtime. Until then, there is a change in one flower, one tree, and one blade of grass at a time. One rain shower, one warm day, and then suddenly spring is fully here. Everything is new. Everything has another chance. Common to everyone is the dream of a righteous and a just world; a “springtime”, a day when everything is new and has new potential; a beautiful hope in which all people can dream. The Prophet Isaiah looked to the spring of a new day: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing...the ransomed of God shall return and come home with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35ff Jesus once said it like this: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 It is at hand, yet not fully realized. Still, the “winter” of life experience is with us. Suffering, pain, sorrow, hopelessness, disease, hatred, and death are real. Yet, amid the “winter”, we do see signs of a new day. A little here, a little there, but it is just the beginning. One day soon, however, this new day will come. Until then, signs of the coming new day are seen. There is a change in one person’s heart and actions. One person forgives another, one person gives to the poor, one person feeds the hungry, and one person provides shelter. One person seeks peace with an enemy, and one person comforts someone who is mourning. One person loves mercy, one person acts justly, one person walks humbly with God. One parent loves their child unconditionally. One child returns to the love of home. One stranger acts as a neighbor to another stranger in need. One person prays silently. One person gives anonymously. Suddenly, like the spring, God’s new day will be fully here. Until then, you and I can be the signs of the “spring” of that day to come. The desert will blossom like the crocus, the kingdom of heaven at hand. Lenten Worship Series Stewardship Corner Elaine Wright, Stewardship Chair

Join us as we continue our Worship Series entitled, In my introductory article to the congregation last month, I brought forth the idea that this year’s GUMC “The Lonesome Road.” Stewardship Committee would begin to think about stewardship in a different way. I am excited to tell you that we have already begun developing a comprehensive plan that emphasizes year-long GENEROSITY as Jesus took a lonesome road to Jerusalem and invited an important spiritual discipline. his followers to go with him. Ultimately, it led to the cross before revealing an empty tomb. Our committee promises to increase communication with you around our current pledge standings. In that vein, I thought I would share a brief financial pledge update. See below: There were many lessons for disciples to learn on the Lonesome Road that are still valuable lessons for our - As of February 1st, 2021, pledges total $2,189,828 from 364 family units. own lives today. - We are down from this time last year by 49 family units and $370,659. Join us during the Sundays of Lent as we apply these - By year-end 2020 we had 72 fewer pledging family units overall. lessons to our own walks of faith. I share all of this in full transparency and because we still do not know what the full impact of the On-site and online at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. pandemic and the changing wants and needs of the community will be as our church enters a new era. What I do know is that church giving is cyclical and sometimes seasonal. If you have not yet sent in a 2021 Holy Week Services pledge card, it’s never too late and no pledge is too small! (You can easily access the form on our church website). We need to focus on generosity as a key spiritual discipline now more than ever! Our committee Holy Week (March 29—April 2) will be hosted by Kingsway Christian, Germantown United Methodist, will pledge to continue to share this type of financial information with you throughout the year. Copies of Germantown Presbyterian, New Bethel Missionary Baptist, and St. George’s Episcopal. We will have virtual the full financial summary sheets for GUMC are available at each Church Board meeting. Holy Week services. The schedule has not been set. Please keep an eye on your emails and on our Facebook posts for more information. Aside from increased communication, we are in the process of prioritizing several additional areas for improvement. These include working with the church financial manager and financial secretary to develop Testimony Will Present Tenebrae Service for Holy Thursday new ways to interpret pledge and donation data, working with key church stakeholders on generosity core I messaging, and implementing a financial growth series for our members. More to come on these April 1, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary throughout 2021. Tenebrae, Latin for darkness, is a service that focuses on the final hours of Jesus’ life beginning with the One final theme that resonated from our committee is the need to continue to say THANK YOU to our preparation for the Lord’s Supper and concluding with the crucifixion. Through the reading of amazingly faithful GUMC membership. Because of your generous giving, we are able to do so much more scriptures, presentation of music, and the darkening and stripping of the sanctuary throughout the than simply keeping the lights on. Our missions, youth programs, senior programs, adult education, service, we will feel the anguish of Jesus as he prays in the garden, the agony of His final moments, and music programs, and so much more are made possible because of your generous spirit. THANK YOU! the hope in the promise of eternal life. Please pray for our GUMC Stewardship Committee as we embark on this transformative journey to improve Why Holy Thursday and not Maundy Thursday? The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word our stewardship processes, increase overall giving, and ultimately bring more people to Christ. mandatum, or commandment. John 13:34 (NRSV) reads, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” As an act of service, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples after the Lord’s Supper. The Maundy Thursday service incorporates the washing of the feet. As we will not be washing feet in this particular service, we will refer to it as Holy Thursday. The Testimony Youth Choir will lead this service to usher in Good Friday as we anticipate the resurrection on Easter. All are welcome. Nursery will be provided. Time Change: March 14

Remember to set your clocks one hour forward on March 14 for Daylight Savings!

2 3 Lenten Preaching Series and Waffle Shop March On: Adult Education Mary Groh, [email protected] Some speakers virtual; Waffle Shop to-go! March Bible Studies! As part of our observance of Lent, older adults in our church have attended a Words of Life service at the Lenten Preaching Series for over 20 years. Since the XYZ’s are not taking day trips at this time, you might want to virtually attend one of the Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today offerings Calvary Episcopal is offering this Lenten season. Calvary Episcopal Church launched its 98th annual Lenten Preaching Series and March 23 – April 27, 9:30-11:00 am via Zoom Waffle Shop on February 19, and it will continue through March 26. Some speakers will be participating via recorded messages from a physical distance, Cost: $19.00 and some will be in-person. All will be live-streamed at 12:05 p.m. on What if the Ten Commandments were not just a set of ancient rules, but a Wednesdays and Fridays and are a mix of national and local spiritual leaders from guide to experiencing the good life today? These ten ancient “words” were a variety of backgrounds and religions. given to us by a loving God who longed to set safe boundaries, create order The services will be streamed on Calvary’s Lent Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ out of chaos, help communities live peacefully, and protect us. Join Mary lentenpreaching, YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/calvaryepiscopal, and its website: Groh and Cathy Whitaker for this 6-week DVD study by United Methodist https://calvarymemphis.org/worship-2/livestream/. Minister and best-selling author, Adam Hamilton, as we examine the commandments in their historical context, consider the meaning of each Attendees for in-person services must sign up in advance by calling 901.525.6602, wear masks, and sit commandment in Hebrew and explore how the latest research in science and spaced apart from others. A new addition for 2021—a line-up of local musicians specializing in psychology illuminates the commandments as a way of ordering one’s life everything from the hammer dulcimer to the harp—will play preludes to a mostly empty house. beautifully in the present day. Register at germantownumc.org. The Waffle Shop will serve customers through pre-orders and take-out food. It will serve up homemade I waffles, Calvary Salad Plate, the beloved and curiously-named fish pudding, and more on Wednesdays and Chasing Vines: Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Wednesday evenings from 5:15-6:15. Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance on Calvary’s website, https://calvarymemphis.org. All proceeds from the Waffle Shop support outreach ministries in Memphis. Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life In addition to the noontime experience, Calvary offers LENT AFTER DARK each Wednesday. These live podcast recordings with their guest speakers will take place from 6:30-7:30 and also will be Wednesdays, 9:45-11:45, March 3 – April 14 (skipping March 17th) live-streamed. Facilitator: Chesley Porteous This year’s speakers are: • Friday, February 19, The Rev. Dan Matthews, retired Episcopal Priest, Asheville, NC Cost: $12.00 • Wednesday, February 24, Margaret Renki, Writer, Nashville, TN—Noon and Lent after Dark Beloved Bible teacher Beth Moore explores the ways God delights in • Friday, February 26, The Rev. James Lawson, retired United Methodist Minister and civil rights activist, watching things grow – and how the vineyard holds the secret to how we Los Angeles, CA can have a more abundant and meaningful life. Beth will take us on a spiritual journey to uncover how every part of our own lives – even the • Wednesday, March 3, Mr. Jemar Tisby, Scholar, writer, podcaster, and activist, Helena, AR—Noon and rockiest, most difficult soil – is used by God to make a difference for His Lent after Dark Kingdom. Register at germantownumc.org. • Friday, March 5, The Rev. Meredith Day Hearn, Priest-in-Charge, The Indian Hill Church, Cincinnati, OH • Wednesday, March 10, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poet and podcast host, Northern Ireland—Noon and Lent United Methodist Women Chesley Porteous, [email protected] after Dark and Friday, March 12 • Wednesday, March 17, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Rabbi, speaker, author, Murfreesboro, TN—Noon and Lent Germantown United Methodist Women Update after Dark Just a reminder that Germantown United Methodist Women (GUMW) has cancelled all events through the • Friday, March 19, The Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Professor of Old Testament, Virginia Theological end of May 2021 in the interest of everyone’s health and safety. This includes the Spring/Summer Seminary Children's Consignment Sale, Spring Bridge & Games Benefit and Unique Boutique, and the GUMW May • Wednesday, March 24, The Rev. Kirk Whalum, Minister and Grammy-winning saxophonist, Memphis, luncheon. TN—Noon and Lent after Dark We hope to gather again in service and fellowship later this year. Until then, stay safe, stay connected, • Friday, March 26, Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel, Memphis, TN and keep finding ways to bless others. We are still “Blessed to Be a Blessing!” For more information about the Lenten Preaching Series or the Waffle Shop, call 901.525.6602.

4 5 Older Adults Luci Cromer, [email protected], 901-755-0803 Older Adults Continued... Better Business Bureau Warning: What to watch out for: You got your COVID-19 inoculation, and you are excited to share the good news and encourage others to do the same. You take a selfie holding your vaccination card and post it to Facebook, Instagram, or New COVID Vaccine Scams! another social media platform. Unfortunately, your card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine. If your social media privacy settings aren’t set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use. Sharing your personal information isn’t the only issue. Scammers have been caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones. Share safely on social media: • Share your vaccine sticker or use a profile frame instead. If you want to post about your vaccine, there are safer ways to do it. You can share a photo of your vaccine sticker or set a frame around your profile picture. COVID-19 vaccine distribution is in full swing, and scammers have been quick to take advantage. BBB • Scam Tracker is getting reports of cons ranging from calls phishing for personal information to messages Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what claiming you need to pay to guarantee your dose. If you are eligible to receive the vaccine, be sure to you are sharing and with whom. If you only want friends and family to see your posts, be sure that’s double check any messages before sharing personal information. how your privacy settings are configured. • How the Scam Works: Be wary of answering popular social media prompts. Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. Think twice before participating in other viral personal posts, such as listing all the cars you’ve You get a phone call, social media message, or an email saying that you are eligible to receive the owned (including makes/model years), favorite songs, and top 10 TV shows. Some of the “favorite COVID-19 vaccine. It appears to come from a friend, a public health official, or someone from a local things” are commonly used passwords or security questions. hospital or clinic. That’s great news! You start to schedule your appointment, but you quickly find there’s a catch. The person who contacted you needs personal information or requires you to pay upfront. For More Information For example, in one version reported to BBB Scam Tracker, a phony caller claims that they need your BBB has identified many ways in which scammers are cashing in on the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more Medicare number and home address. “I gave (the scammer) my Medicare number and confirmed my name about clinical trial scams, contact tracing cons, counterfeit face masks, and government agency and address,” one victim reported. “He said he was going to come out to my house to administer the imposters. (COVID-19) test, and then the vaccine but he never showed.” In another version, scammers are If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to https://bbb.org/ScamTracker. impersonating people on social media, contacting their “friends,” and claiming that—if paid—they can Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. “guarantee…the vaccine ASAP.” In yet another version, scammers are offering vaccine shots for as low as $150, on apps and through email. The Best Times is Still Available! No matter what scammers insist, be sure to check it against information from your local government or official news sources. Even if you don’t pay up, sharing personal information with scammers opens you up The Best Times , the monthly news magazine for active people age 50 and better, features articles on to the risk of identity theft. health, travel, events of interest, personal finance, and profiles. You may pick up your FREE copy from the racks located in the West Street Entrance vestibule and in the lobby of the OLEC. New issues are delivered How to spot a vaccine scam: the first week of each month, so be sure to watch for them and keep up with the latest older adult news. • Know your region’s plan for rolling out the vaccine. In the US, each state has its own process for dispensing the vaccine. Check with your local government or health department. Understand the process in your area and how you can expect to be contacted will help you spot a scam. Flu Vaccine Matters More This Year! • Research carefully. Scammers are very creative, so be skeptical of anything that seems too good—or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all crazy—to be true. Double check any information abut the vaccine with official news sources, and be individuals who are without contraindications to receive the influenza vaccine aware that none of the vaccines can be currently purchased online or in stores. for the 2020-2021 flu season, saying it is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic than in normal years. • Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan information, or banking information to anyone you don’t know or trust. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued updated influenza vaccine recommendations in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality • Think the link may be real? Double check the URL. Scammers often buy official-looking URL domains Weekly Report calling for everyone ages 6 months and older without to use in their cons. Be careful to ensure that the link destination is really what it claims to be. If the contraindications to get the vaccine for the 2020-2021 flu season. message claims to be from the local government, make sure the URL ends in .gov. When in doubt, Vaccination is more important this year because it can mitigate stress on the perform a separate internet search for the website or call the source directly. US health care systems, already under strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, Posting About Your Vaccine? Do It Safely! according to the report’s authors. Got your COVID-19 vaccine? Great job! But don’t share a photo of your vaccination card on social media. The self-identifying information on it makes you vulnerable to identity theft and can help scammers Our events are open to all adults age 55 and older, singles and couples, create phony versions. regardless of church membership. Mark your calendar and make your reservations for these events today! 6 7 Youth Ministry Lisa Pierce—[email protected] and Brian Richards—[email protected] Youth Ministry Continued... GUMC @ Lakeshore Camp: July 25-31 Our March Element schedule is as follows: 7 - Turkey Bowl (AKA dodgeball tournament) Teams of 8-10 students. You can either come with an We are taking a crew from GUMC to Lakeshore for a week of fun and already-formed team or we can give you a team when you arrive. Either way…join us! Even if you don’t fellowship. If you are interested in attending this week, please want to play, we will have lots of concessions for purchase and places to visit your friends. Be sure to register through Lakeshore’s Website (https://lakeshorecamp.org) and bring $10 to donate to your charity of choice (Ms. Mable homeless ministry, SOS, or Lakeshore). Winner then drop an email to Middle School Director, Lisa Pierce gets bragging rights for the year and an amazing turkey trophy! ([email protected]), or Elementary Director, Callie Beaver ([email protected]), so we can coordinate this trip 14 - No Element – Spring Break together. 21 - YOUTH-led night. Evening designed and led by students. This evening is led by our 10/11th and 6th Our youth ministry team, Lisa Pierce and Brian Richards, will be graders. Evening will include games, message, music, and small groups. staying the week as camp deans of Elementary Camp #4. There is also a 28 - Combined worship night. Worship will be led by our youth worship band. Middle and high school Jr. High Camp #3 that same week for any students who have completed students will meet together outdoors from 6-8 for a time of worship, message, and small groups. grades 5-8 (must be 12 years old).

Of course, we will be needing high school counselors who would like to work with us this week! If you Todd Wilson, [email protected] have not trained as a Lakeshore counselor but are interested in participating in this way, there is a final Music Ministry counselor training event the weekend of April 9-11. If you absolutely cannot train this weekend, please Means of Grace. Do those words mean anything to you? As I’ve been involved with Seminary education the contact Lisa Pierce for a potential alternative. last few years, I’ve had to immerse myself in a vocabulary that was foreign to me. How the Means of Grace are important to us United Methodist folk has been part of this journey. UMC Discipleship Ministries has Lakeshore has an abundance of opportunities for all campers; there are done a good job of defining this for us. a variety of camps offered all summer long! There are camps for people with special needs as well as camps for people who have suffered According to John Wesley, the means of grace are ways God works invisibly in disciples, hastening, traumatic experiences. There is a camp for people who love to fish, and strengthening, and confirming faith so that God's grace pervades in and through disciples. As we look at a camp for people who love aquatics, and a camp for those who love the means of grace today, they can be divided into works of piety and the works of mercy. living in the wilderness. There is even a camp for people who love board Works of Piety games! There is a camp for everyone, so go to their website and take a peek. • Individual Practices – reading, meditating and studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, regularly attending worship, healthy living, and sharing our faith with others If you ARE interested in participating this week, we encourage you to register as soon as possible. This week of camp fills up quickly. Lakeshore has lessened available spaces to reduce the risk of COVID spread, • Communal Practices – regularly share in the sacraments, Christian conferencing (accountability to one so it is essential to register early. another), and Bible study Youth—Led Element Works of Mercy • Individual Practices - doing good works, visiting the sick, visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, Element is our Sunday night youth group and giving generously to the needs of others known to most lifelong Methodist’s as MYF. • While we have made some significant changes Communal Practices – seeking justice, ending oppression and discrimination (for instance Wesley to how this looks due to the pandemic, it would challenged Methodists to end slavery), and addressing the needs of the poor typically follow this outline: Dinner, Game, I share this definition as a few Chancel Choir members are joining me in the work of Fasting through Lent. Announcements, Worship, Teaching, Small Tiffany Griffin, Sharon Ritz, Randy Lewis, Barbara and Conrad Schanson and myself, will fast from Groups, Dismiss. It has looked like this for sundown Wednesday to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, throughout the Lenten season. quite some time because it is familiar, and most importantly because it works. Sharon shares a few thoughts on why this is a challenge she’s ready to tackle. Most of this year has looked very strange in “I have always felt called to fast - a bucket list thing, I guess. Becky Zummach encouraged me during a comparison to how we used to do Element. No group Bible Study with a report of her fasting experience last summer. Now is the time. I feel blessed to dinner to be served, meeting outdoors every approach it as a small group Lenten devotion.” chance we get, games where we can't have any And a word from the Schansons about this journey. physical contact with one another, everyone's faces coved by their mask. It was certainly a strange time. “We usually don’t give something up for Lent – we take something on. For the past two years, we decided However, we eventually encountered a Sunday night where the weather was bitterly cold, and to top it off to read the entire chapter in reference to a Bible verse in our daily devotional. This year has been so dif- it was misting. We decided with the night that was planned we could/would meet safely in the OLEC for ferent because of COVID-19 and because of our wonderful son-in-law being diagnosed with an aggres- the first time this entire school year. The best part about this night was that Lisa and I weren't the ones sive form of leukemia. He has been an inspiration to us as he went through very aggressive treatment. He who planned it. Our students did! Specifically, our seniors and our eighth graders. They met the week never complained, so I will remember him as I feel some discomfort from not eating as we fast. We will before to plan a safe group game: a blindfolded dance off. (Have you heard the expression dance like fast to honor him and his spirit through all of this.” nobody's watching? Well, they certainly did.) Then, two of our students, one 12th grader and one 8th grader sang a beautiful song of reflection while the rest of us had some prayer and reflection time on the Fasting is but one spiritual discipline. There are many other Means of Grace to consider in your own life of kneelers we hadn't prayed on in a year. Finally, another of our Seniors gave the talk for the night and service. I encourage your prayerful consideration of this decidedly Methodist approach and covet your taught about how as Christians we are called to be people of fellowship. We had an honest conversation prayers for those taking this practice to heart this Lenten season. with our small groups afterward and heard feedback that it was one of the best nights of the semester. It was almost, dare I say it, “Normal.” We will have a chance for each of our grades to work with one another to plan future Elements this semester and we can't wait to see what they come up with. 8 9 Children’s Ministry Callie Beaver, [email protected] Children’s Continued... Easter Egg Hunt—April 3 4th and 5th Grade Mission Camp: We are excited to announce that the GUMC Kids annual Easter Egg July 5-9, 2021 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 3rd in McVay Gardens at In this hands-on camp, we will explore three specific types of mission; inner-church mission, urban 9:30am. We want families to feel comfortable coming to the event mission, and rural mission. The idea is that each child will have a chance to experience different types of AND we need to maintain as much social distance as possible work, hopefully creating an appetite for missional work. Some days we will make our lunches here at during it. In order to do this, we will send out a Signup Genius link church and other days we will explore some Memphis eateries. We will finish each day with some to the families in our church. Families will be allowed to sign up seriously fun “capture the flag” or other games at McVay Gardens. This camp is only for rising fifth and for a 45-minute time period to attend the egg hunt. We will have sixth grade students. Space is limited; registration opens online May 1. Cost is $100 which includes all at least 2 separate groups with a limited number of slots during activities, transportation, food, and a T-shirt. each time period. During your family’s time slot, you will be able to: hunt for eggs, ride the train, go to the petting zoo, get balloons, complete crafts, play games, etc. We are wanting to offer Lakeshore Camp: as many of the normal egg hunt activities as possible! Once the time slot is over, we will ask everyone to exit the area. We will sanitize and prepare for the next group of We are taking a crew from GUMC to Lakeshore for a week of fun and fellowship. If you are interested in families to arrive. This year, everyone ages 3 and up will be required to wear a mask at the event. We want attending this week, please register through Lakeshore’s Website (https://lakeshorecamp.org) and then to offer the safest event possible. If you have questions about the event, please feel free to contact Natalie drop an email to Middle School Director, Lisa Pierce ([email protected]), or Elementary Adkinson ([email protected]). Director, Callie Beaver ([email protected]), so we can coordinate this trip together. Our youth ministry team, Lisa Pierce and Brian Richards, will be staying the week as camp deans of — Elementary Camp #4. There is also a Jr. High Camp #3 that same week for any students who have WOW Worship on Wednesdays completed grades 5-8 (must be 12 years old). We are meeting every Wednesday (except March 17) until March 24. Elementary students will meet at the Of course, we will be needing high school counselors who would like to work with us this week! If you OLEC Gym until it is warm enough to resume meeting outside at McVay Gardens. Preschoolers will meet in have not trained as a Lakeshore counselor but are interested in participating in this way, there is a final the Hamilton Nursery for their special programming. We hope that your children will join us as we counselor training event the weekend of April 9-11. If you absolutely cannot train this weekend, please recharge our hearts and spirits during this special mid-week time together. Please register online weekly contact Lisa Pierce for a potential alternative. by Tuesdays at 5:30 so that we know how many kids to plan for and to let our Nursery workers know if they will be needed. Lakeshore has an abundance of opportunities for all campers; there are a variety of camps offered all summer long! There are camps for people with special needs, as well as camps for people who have We know you are starting to make your summer plans, suffered traumatic experiences. There is a camp for people who love to fish, a camp for people who love so here’s what we have going on here at GUMC for aquatics, a camp for the arts, and a camp for those who love living in the wilderness. There is even a children during Summer 2021: camp for people who love board games! There is a camp for everyone, so go to their website and take a peek. Vacation Bible School 2021: Treasured! Discovering you’re priceless to God! Kids will embark on an epic If you ARE interested in participating the week of July 25, we encourage you to register as soon as quest through hidden ruins, ancient caves, and dense possible. This week of camp fills up quickly. Lakeshore has a limited number of available spaces to re- jungles as they discover that God’s greatest treasure duce the risk of Covid spread, so it is essential to register early. isn’t diamonds, gems or gold- it’s them! As of now, we are planning for our regular-type VBS. Important Dates: However, we will continue to watch COVID numbers and March 17: WOW (Worship on Wednesdays with Kids) will not meet this week due to Spring Break restrictions and may have to move to a different type of VBS- Family VBS at night like last year or a different March 24: Last WOW for the Spring (we will resume September 2021) model. If we can move forward with our regular plan, here are the tentative dates and details: April 3: Easter Egg Hunt at McVay Gardens Weeknight VBS: June 2-4, 2021; 5:30-8:00 PM April 4: Easter Sunday Weekday VBS: June 7-11, 2021; 9:00 AM – noon (12:15 for rising grades 4-6) This epic adventure will engage all ages – preschool through rising sixth grade. Online registration opens April 1 and closes May 21. The $25 registration fee covers all expenses including materials, food, T-shirt, and a music CD. Scholarships are available; please contact Callie Beaver to make arrangements. Children who are four years old by August 15, 2021 are eligible to participate in preschool VBS. If your child is younger than that age, we have a special Volunteer VBS just for them which is available (free of charge) to the children of volunteers. Speaking of volunteers, VBS is a great production which requires many hands. We need help with decora- tions, curriculum preparation, and administrative tasks. Of course, we need many hands on deck during the week to lead stations and small groups. We have a place for you if you are interested in participating. Please contact Callie Beaver to find where you are best suited to serve. 10 11 Missions Laure Meanwell, Missions Continued... Let’s Go to Rwanda, Kenya, and India! GUMC Kenya Mission Trip Cancelled for 2021 Pack your bags for a virtual trip to Rwanda, Kenya, and India! The The Friends of Maua Hospital Board has been diligently gathering information on International travel and orphaned and vulnerable children involved in Zoe Empowers are our current situation with COVID. Discussions have been detailed and serious as the Board discerns the inviting you to meet them where they live and to hear their stories of best way forward for future teams. We have decided that the best remedy is to give you the information triumph – of how they have been empowered to lift themselves out we have, so you can make a safe and educated decision for your team. While most teams are waiting until of poverty permanently. 2022 when much more is known about this virus and international travel has settled, we recognize that the final decision belongs to each team. If you attended the Virtual Alternative Christmas in 2020, you may have listened to videos about Zoe. You may have heard GUMC 1. Everyone on the team should have the COVID series of vaccines. This is not recommended by all members talk about having gone on a ZOE trip to Kenya and other airlines at this time, but we think it is imminent. It may well be required by Kenya and all transit members talk about partnering with a ZOE Working Group. Now you countries. Carry paperwork with you. have a chance join them! 2. Before leaving the US make sure you comply with your airline’s requirements. Most all require a Haven’t you always wanted to travel to a country you’ve never visited and meet people from other negative COVID test that will allow you to board at all stops and get to Nairobi. It must be good for 72 cultures? What stopped you? The concern about the expense, long travel times in a plane? Perhaps the hours. Carry paperwork with you. fear of eating new foods, getting vaccinations, getting ill, or the hassle of getting visas has prevented you 3. While in Kenya you will need to wear masks and have disposable gloves as needed. Carry all supplies from taking that step. No worries! You can make this amazing trip with the help of technology and at no and PPE’s with you as you cannot buy them in Kenya. You will follow all the guidelines in Kenya- 6 feet cost. You are being offered a trip you won’t forget. apart, masks, no handshakes or hugs, limited access to hospital areas plus public areas, etc. What does this unique travel experience include? 4. If you come down with COVID symptoms in Kenya, you and an accompanying team member will need • Day 1 on April 13 at 8:30 CST: Visit Rwanda (live!) with Epiphanie Mujawimana, founder of Zoe’s to be transported to Nairobi. Maua Methodist Hospital and other area Hospitals cannot care for you. empowerment program and manager of Zoe Rwanda. Listen in wonder as Epiphanie describes Zoe’s This will be at your own expense. Make sure you have a co-leader who can continue with the rest of genesis out of tragedy and how this movement of God began. You will be amazed by what orphaned the team. children in Rwanda are capable of with just a little support. 5. The Maua Basin Hotel can seat team members 2 at a table and spread you out over the dining room. No guarantee that the staff will be using PPE’s because of the lack of supply. • Day 2 on April 14 at 8:30 CST: Explore a Kenyan village (live!) with Reegan Kaberia, Zoe’s chief 6. Before leaving Kenya, the team must go to Nairobi to get another COVID test ($100). There are several program officer and manager of Zoe Kenya. Hear directly from the incredible boys and girls in Zoe’s specific places that give the correct test and only those can be used. Daniel Kibe has a list of those program. Be inspired by the triumph of the human spirit in God’s hands. hospitals. All team members need a negative test to board the plane. This test could take anywhere from 12-72 hours to be completed. You will need to stay in the Nairobi area while waiting for the • Day 3 on April 15 at 8:30 CST: Travel to the exotic location of India (prerecorded) and speak with Nani results, and this will also be at your expense. Once the negative tests are completed, a text will come Chintala, manager for Zoe Vizag, India. See God at work in urban slums on a new continent. Also to your phone (or a phone that can receive International texts) with a code that each person will learn how your gifts and skills can be used by God to change the world for these young people. individually need to enter the Nairobi airport. Without this code, you will not be allowed on the plane. Carry all paperwork with you. Each daily trip will be approximately 90 minutes in length. While our hope is that you will join us for the entire journey, you are welcome 7. If someone on the team has an even “false” positive test, that person cannot travel and will be put into to visit only one or two countries. quarantine for at least 10 days. We do not know where this would be, and it is likely to change often. This will again be at the team member’s expense. They will have to be left behind if the rest of team is Click on the link below to register and be sure to include your email allowed to travel, although it may mean the whole team will have to be in isolation for 10 days. address so an email with a Zoom Meeting link can be sent to you a few days before departure. 8. UMVIM is not offering health insurance right now for International travel. Check with your travel agent https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdvjvX5Pc2HQJSPQc- or airlines for options. It will likely be very costly and may not include coverage for COVID. Read the bmUsH1Qh64oWidTJM4LNkBuaCSiCGQ/viewform?usp=sf_link policies carefully. For further information, contact Erin Beasley at I plan to travel for a Hospital Board meeting in August if things have settled down a little Internationally. I [email protected] or Bill and Cathy Whitaker at will not be at the hospital June and July, but if you decide to travel, Doris and Isabella will take care of you. [email protected]. You will have my house for the team use while on the compound. I will still make all your reservations and Daniel Kibe will be there for transportation. There are still dates available for winter and summer of 2022. Please contact me as soon as possible to get your name on the list if you are looking at 2022. The hospital is missing the team’s enthusiasm, laughter and mission calling! But we all want everyone to have a positive and safe mission and sometimes that means we need to wait. The work of the hospital is still going on. They are struggling with fewer patients as people are staying home. AIDS homes are still being built as donors send money through the Advance even though they are not traveling. Patients still need help with expenses. The hospital has cut corners to meet expenses, but it is difficult with the patient count so low. If you are delaying your mission by one year or cancelling for 2021, please consider sending part of the funds you would have taken to Kenya in 2021 to help the hospital through this rough time. If you are unsure where or how to send the funds, please contact myself or [email protected] for assistance. All donations to the hospital are greatly appreciated! Bwana Asifiwe! Kathie Mann 12 13 Elder Care Ministry Pat Smith, [email protected] Health & Recreation Todd Hinton, [email protected]; Judy Oros, [email protected] Senior Moments Want to be a Superager? Senior Moments is a new feature of the Tidings publication. We are highlighting some of our senior Want to be part of the Superager Sorority or Fraternity? members as a means of staying in touch and getting to know other church members better. The Coronavirus has changed our ability to socialize and inter act face to face. With these short biographies, What is a Superager? A SuperAger is someone in their 80’s or older who we will keep our elderly members in the spotlight and involved in the church community. Thanks to all exhibits cognitive function that is comparable to that of an average middle who have submitted information and pictures. If you would like to be featured, just call Pat smith at -aged individual. Additionally, this group has been shown to exhibit less 901-758-6513 or Laura Hairston at 901-758-6517. Watch for this feature each month and enjoy getting brain volume loss. to know some members of the church! How can you become a Superager? Gretchen and Phil Blair Cardiorespiratory exercise -- walking briskly, running, biking, gardening, swimming, dancing, light weight lifting, pickle ball, light aerobics, and any other exercise that gets your heart pumping -- is good for your body, but can it also slow cognitive changes in your brain. According to Mayo Clinic experts, moderate and regular exercise about 150 minutes per week (30 min. X 5 days) is recommended. Cardiorespiratory fitness also includes: • Not smoking • Following healthy eating habits • Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight level • Managing blood pressure and avoiding hypertension • Controlling cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which over time can damage your heart and other organs The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure the brains of people with a range of activity levels, including those who were inactive to those who were very active. The scans showed less active people had smaller brain volume. The study also showed that even when your memory starts to fade, you can still do something about it by adding aerobic exercise to your lifestyle. Gretchen and Phil Blair have been members of Germantown United Methodist Church since 1981. They have been highly involved in church activities over the years and have served in many capacities. Phil was The Owings Life Enrichment Center is open to all Members by appointment only by calling us at born in Harrisburg, PA, and Gretchen was born near Watertown, NY. Both moved to Youngstown, OH as 901-753-3100, Mon-Fri. We are surrounded by many Superagers (you know who you are) and are proud children and later met in high school. to say, “You, too, can be a superager! “ Gretchen worked in customer support for a company that provided computer information services for airlines. In addition, she raised 3 children. The couple has three adult children, four grandchildren, and Weekday Preschool (GUMP) Sarah Sutton, [email protected] two great-grandchildren. As GUMP anticipates spring weather - warmer days, constant sunshine and Phil worked in product planning, product service, and marketing research for General Electric in bursts of green all around, we also begin to anticipate our annual spring Cleveland, OH, and later worked in computer sales for a time. He retired from Target Stores after 13 assessment. Each spring season the state of Tennessee visits GUMP to observe years. He says his greatest achievement at GE was being a key member of the team that perfected the the requirements of all preschools throughout our state. While this year the high-pressure sodium lamp used in street and industrial lighting. Phil participates in the XYZ events at the assessment process will look different, we know our teachers will shine as they church, sings in the choir, and serves on the Older Adult Council. His hobbies include singing, and he has always have. The highest attainable level is “3 Stars.” GUMP has far exceeded sung with several community choirs as well as the Rhodes Master Singers Chorale. His singing resulted in expectations in the past, and we anticipate another glowing report! tours to England, Ireland, Salzburg, Prague, and Paris to perform. Enrollment continues to increase for the 2021/2022 School Year. We have a Gretchen is a willing volunteer for many groups at the church. She is active with the XYZ group and serves limited number of openings still available. Our preschool day is from 9:30 to on its board. She also assists with the delivery of communion to the homebound and delivers flowers to 2:30 with extended hours available for children ages 2-5. GUMP’s goal is to the elderly and homebound. She is a member of a book group, a Bible study, is a church usher, plays partner with parents to meet the developmental milestones of the children we bridge, and tries to exercise regularly. serve. Our G.R.A.C.E. class, (GUMP Recognizes All Can Excel) serves children This couple does not let the grass grow under their feet! They have served as ushers for 20 years at the identified as having a disability, including developmental delay, starting at age 2. Orpheum Theater. They have enjoyed traveling to the Canadian Rockies, and the Maritime Provinces, If you or someone you know is interested in the program, please contact us at Alaska, and the Mediterranean. They have also visited the Holy Land. Gretchen went on a mission trip to 753-3109 to schedule a tour. We would love to show you all the wonderful Costa Rica with other church members several years ago. things happening at GUMP. The Blairs have been married for 62 years. It seems like they have packed a lot of living into those years. They continue to attend church regularly and are a delight to meet and visit with.

14 15 Germantown United Methodist Church 2331 South Germantown Road Germantown, TN 38138 www.germantownumc.org 901-754-7216 Editor’s Note: The deadline for submitting articles for Tidings is the 15h of the month prior. Submissions received after this deadline are not guaranteed to run.

Easter Lilies

Help beautify our Sanctuary for Easter by providing Easter Lilies in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. The cost is $18 for each memorial/honoree. A list of dedications will be published & located in the Narthex on Easter. You will find order forms at our Information/ Welcome Center. Click here to fill out the form online. Please use a separate form for each memorial/ honoree and return completed forms with payment to the grey lockbox, also located in the Information Center. The deadline for returning forms is Monday, March 29 at noon.