June 11, 2020 Graduate Recognition Sunday —by Marcus McClellan For the past few weeks the WHAT’S INSIDE: normal rhythms of school, proms, graduate parties, senior traditions, and Announcements 2 graduations services have been disrupted. When you Graduate 4 started the year, no one Recognition thought it would look like this, and yet you’ve adapted, you This Week in 7 found ways to celebrate in the Worship midst of change, and you have reminded adults across our community what it was like to be a high school senior again. One of the reasons I love working with youth is because of how adaptive they are. Our graduates have adapted over the last few months and it is that resiliency that makes me very excited to see what they do next. This Sunday we have the opportunity to celebrate our high school and college graduates in new ways through our Graduate Recognition Sunday. It SCRIPTURE CARD definitely looks different than it has in the past but we are no less proud of June 11-20 what you have accomplished. Since you won’t have the opportunity to hear our congregation as a whole say how proud they are of you, we wanted to TH Job 38:1-11 take the opportunity to share our collective prayer for you through this graduation litany: F Job 38:12-21 We are gathered together S Job 38:22-38 to celebrate the accomplishments of members of our community. S Acts 2:42-47 We give blessings to you for all that you have achieved and many more achievements yet to come. M Psalm 126 One part of your life’s journey is complete. T Genesis 23:1-19 You will prepare to begin another phase that will take you to unimaginable places. W 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 As you prepare for your next journey, we hope that you remember the ones you leave behind, TH Proverbs 4:10- who have loved and supported you throughout the years. 27 F Luke 6:12-19 We give you blessings of good will and love as you journey forth into the world. S Jeremiah 20:1-6 We thank you for the laughter and fellowship that you have shared with us and pray that as you begin your next journey, remember the times that we all have shared with you. CROSSPOINTS[continued...] Page 2 June 11, 2020 Graduate Recognition Sunday (cont.) Use those memories as a beacon to guide you on your path. Don’t look back; continue only forward, while using those memories to create a new path. We pray that God will give you strength and determination to develop new relationships that will help to strengthen and sustain your faith. Because we are made in the image of God we have been blessed with free will to make choices and decisions. We pray that you make wise and rational decisions, always turning to God for help. God hears, God listens, God is always with you. Do not forget that. Always keep in mind that God is around and if you turn to him, he will guide you. Announcements Our Prayer Concerns and Celebrations Please pray for: All serving in the military; Michael Bereman; Benjamin Webb; Charlotte Reynolds and family; Dana Hall’s mother; David Kelder; Gresham Yeager; Howard and Anna Surface’s daughter-in-law; Rhonda and Ray Oliver’s niece; Ron and Patty Brown’s daughter; Chip and Karen Moore’s son; Jim Dukeman’s brother; Rod Dolen. Confidential prayer requests can be made online at apexumc.org/prayer. Congratulations! Congratulations to our high school and college graduates! We are pleased to be able recognize you in worship this Sunday. Regathering Team (Apex UMC Family) As our state has shifted into Phase 2 of the North Carolina Reopening Plan, a team of eight lay leaders from across our church family were invited to work with our pastoral team to help our congregations and church leadership consider when and how we would begin to regather for in-person, face-to-face worship. This team will meet weekly for the next several weeks and share their recommendations with the Parish Council in late June. We appreciate your prayers for this team and for our entire church during these uncertain times. If you have specific questions, you can reach out to your local campus pastor or email [email protected]. You can also find out more about our current model for phased reopening at apexumc.org/coronavirus. Charge Conference Join us Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. for a virtual Charge Conference. During this mid-year business gathering we will share in evening prayer and celebrate the ways God is moving in the Apex UMC Family and in our communities during COVID19. Charge Conference members will vote on the appointment of Amanda Rigby to The Peak, hear an update from the Regathering Task Force, and receive information on the 2020-2021 budget. All are welcome. To join, go to tinyurl.com/charge-conference. You may also join by phone by calling 1-866-432-9903 and entering the meeting access code: 200 894 016. Virtual Membership Class Interested in membership? Our new member class is an opportunity to hear God’s big story again and connect it with our unique Wesleyan heritage and the unique story of our Apex UMC Family. We will have a virtual membership class on Sunday, June 28, from 3-4 p.m. via Zoom (link will be emailed after you register). Register online. CROSSPOINTS Page 3 June 11, 2020 Announcements Book Study - White Fragility We are hopeful this study will be a good step towards learning together the impact of racism in our nation as we engage in constructive and meaningful conversation around this topic. We will read and discuss the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. Join Corey Vevera virtually on Wednesday, beginning June 17, at 7:30 p.m. as he leads us through this 12-week study. Register online at apexumc.org/classes. Book Study - How to be an Antiracist This summer, all campuses within the Apex UMC Family are invited to join the 519 Book Club in reading the very timely book by Ibram X. Kendi, How to be an Antiracist. This discussion is open to all campuses with opportunities for break out discussion with pastors and leaders from your campus. Pastor Laura will be in attendance. We will meet every other Tuesday beginning June 16 (ending July 28), on Zoom from 7-8 p.m. You can order the book online at Amazon or on Bookshop. Register online at apexumc.org/classes. You Can Still Register for Virtual VBS Our Virtual VBS kit is designed so that YOU will WIN by teaching your child about faith while having fun at the same time. Kits are designed for Preschool (ages 3-5) or Elementary (K-5) and include lesson directions, access to the Bible Story videos, craft and game supplies, and more (t-shirts are no longer available). You must register online at apexumc.org/vbs to reserve your kit, which will be distributed near the end of June. Questions? Contact Norma Wallace ([email protected]). 55+ Adults You should have received a survey in the mail this week. The intent of this survey is to develop a ministry program that meets a diversity of needs within this demographic. The survey should be completed by each adult, 55 and older (not couples or households), and should be returned no later than June 15, in the pre-addressed envelope provided. If you have not received a survey (by June 7), please email Alta Whitt ([email protected]) with your name and address. The survey is also available online at apexumc.org/55survey. 6th Grade Parents Are you the parent of a student who will be in 6th grade in the 2020/2021 school year? Know someone who is? We want to welcome our rising 6th graders well and let them know how excited we are for them to join the youth program! Please help us by filling out this form (forms.gle/gTNf6n5sdw9mSxpk8), or letting friends know about it, so that we can deliver a welcome kit when the stay at home orders are lifted. Memorial Garden Update AUMC is within approximately 40 niches of being able to begin construction on the first wall of our columbarium, which will hold 150 niches and a memorial wall! To encourage your pre-construction commitment and make the columbarium a reality, the Committee has approved continuing the initial $2,800 price through 2020! Make your $500 deposit now and complete payment by Dec. 31, 2020. To receive a contract, contact sales team head Jim Ahler ([email protected]) or Pastor Ellen Rose ([email protected]) or call the church office and follow the prompts to leave a voice message for Pastor Ellen. A contract is also available for you to add a loved-one's name to the memorial wall ($500); contact Pastor Ellen with questions. 1500 Masks and Counting! As of June 12 our amazing sewing warriors will have produced over 1500 masks for people in our community who need them. We continue to supply Transitions Hospice and other agencies in the community who serve compromised and elderly. We are so grateful to all who have contributed! If you are in need of a mask that can be laundered and re-used, please email Pastor Ellen at [email protected]. We will fill requests as masks are available. Western Wake Crisis Ministry Needs Canned meat (tuna/chicken), Chef Boyardee, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned fruit (other than applesauce), side items (instant potatoes, dressing, etc.), canned veggies (other than corn/green beans).