Central News - CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

July 2nd Updates

Posted on Jul 2, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |

Central Closed

In Observance of Independence Day, Central UMC will be closed Friday, July 3^rd. We will re-open for worship Sunday, July 6^th at 10am.

Drive Thru Communion

Join us Sunday, July 5th after worship service for our drive thru communion in our parking lot Or join us Monday from 9am – 10am.

Prayer Walk on July 6th at 12pm

Prayer connects us daily to a loving God moving in our midst. In his 3 rules for Methodists, John Wesley calls us to both private and public prayer. On the first Monday of every month at noon, we will have a prayer walk through our neighborhood. We will divide into small groups at the entrance of the church and proceed in different directions. Along the way, we will pause to pick up trash and renew our streets and sidewalks. Please contact Pastor Joseph with any questions. For those who cannot participate in this way, contact pastor Jen for alternative options.

July Sermon Series

Building off of Acts 2:42-47 and Pastor Jen’s sermon on 6/21, join us Sunday mornings as we continue to work out how a Spirit filled community comes together for God’s shalom.

July 5 – The Gifted Spirit Community

July 12 – The Embodied Spirit Community

July 19 – The Fruit of the Spirit Community

July 26 – The Holy Spirit Community in Action

Revelation study

Join Christians Under Construction as they journey through the book of Revelation. Beginning with the Hebrew Scriptures of John, the group will discuss the various texts and wonder about the mystery of the coming New Jerusalem. Facilitated by Sara Brann. Sundays at 9am.

June 26th Updates

Posted on Jun 26, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |

Prayer Walk on July 6th at 12pm

Prayer connects us daily to a loving God moving in our midst. In his 3 rules for Methodists, John Wesley calls us to both private and public prayer. On the first Monday of every month at noon, we will have a prayer walk through our neighborhood. We will divide into small groups at the entrance of the church and proceed in different directions. Along the way, we will pause to pick up trash and renew our streets and sidewalks. Please contact Pastor Joseph with any questions. For those who cannot participate in this way, contact pastor Jen for alternative options.

Habitat for Humanity Garden

We would like 12 people to help this Saturday, June 26th. The youth and adults will join together to till and plant a community garden with Habitat for Humanity. We plan to meet at 9am and LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED. The more help we have, the bigger the garden can be, and the more food it can provide for the community. We will not be caring for the garden or distributing the food. Feel free to bring your rototiller and any tools and gloves you are comfortable using. If you have a garden hoe, please bring it with you. The garden is located at S 11th Street, the second lot north of F Street on the East side of the street.

July Sermon Series

Building off of Acts 2:42-47 and Pastor Jen’s sermon on 6/21, join us Sunday mornings as we continue to work out how a Spirit filled community comes together for God’s shalom.

June 28 – A Spirit Filled Life

July 5 – The Gifted Spirit Community

July 12 – The Embodied Spirit Community

July 19 – The Fruit of the Spirit Community

July 26 – The Holy Spirit Community in Action

Revelation study

Join Christians Under Construction as they journey through the book of Revelation. Beginning with the Hebrew Scriptures of John, the group will discuss the various texts and wonder about the mystery of the coming New Jerusalem. Facilitated by Sara Brann. Sundays at 9am.

June 19th Updates

Posted on Jun 18, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |

Friends,

There is so much going on in the world, we wanted to keep you abreast of a few of the happening here at Central. Remember, no matter the storm which rises, our God is with us. Let us take each moment in that redeeming light. Let us love each person with that redeeming love.

But you, children of God, flee from the sins which entangle, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith! Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses and lived out in your time here at Central. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame throughout this pandemic until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM Update

The Relief Room continues to take shape. A special thanks to those who have made financial contributions and donations of items to be distributed to those facing emergency situations. For now, we have plenty of women’s clothing and stuffed animals. There is still a need for men’s and school aged children’s clothing, shoes, bedding, and essential household and kitchen items. If you would like to check out the room and see Dana Mollenkopf in church, let him know. He would be happy to take you down and show you around.

Together we Learn: “The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism”by Jemar Tisby

Join us online on Mondays at 7pm or in person Tuesdays at 1pm for the next 6 weeks. “Filled with powerful stories and examples of American Christianity’s racial past, Tisby’s historical narrative highlights the obvious ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the complicit silence of racial moderates. The Color of Compromise Study Guide, used together with The Color of Compromise Video Study, unpacks the content of the video study for an in-depth diagnosis of a racially divided American church, suggesting ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people” (Amazon). You can get a book from the church office or purchase a digital version.

Mondays at 7pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84857515501

Meeting ID: 848 5751 5501

One tap mobile

+1-929-205-6099

Community Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

Twice per week – 2 hours per day: A volunteer is needed to be present while the pantry is open. This person would help wherever needed. Re-fill shelves, accept food donations at the back door, help pass out food if church volunteers need extra help.

Once per week – 1 to 2 hours: Our truck goes to the Richmond Meijer to pick up their donations. When the truck drivers unload the food, we need a volunteer to help unload the truck, sort the food and add it to our shelves. The length of time varies by the amount of food.

Once per month – 2 to 3 hours: Once a month our truck goes to pick up food from Gleaners Food Bank. When the truck drivers unload the food, we need a volunteer to help unload the truck, sort the food and add it to our shelves. The length of time varies by the amount of food.

Once per week on your own schedule: We need a volunteer to recycle excess cardboard. Once a week load and haul the cardboard to the landfill for recycling. Volunteers will need a mini-van or pick-up. Length of time varies.

Please give thoughtful and prayerful consideration to volunteering and talk to your friends, neighbors and co-workers about their volunteering to help. To volunteer or find out more details, call Phil Shirden: 765-994-9447

Community Garden

Saturday, June 27th, the youth and adults will join together to till and plant a community garden with Habitat for Humanity. We plan to meet at 9am and lunch will be provided. The more help we have, the bigger the garden can be, and the more food it can provide for the community. We will not be caring for the garden or distributing the food. Feel free to bring your rototiller and any tools and gloves you are comfortable using. Contact Pastor Jen for the meeting location.

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Central Preschool will have registration on Thursday, June 25th, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Central United Methodist Church. Preschool teacher Nicole Andreas and Coordinator Arden Davis will be outside helping families get their child registered for the 2020-2021 school year. We ask families to stay in their car and we will bring you a packet to fill out. No other documents are needed. If you have questions please call Arden Davis at (765)962-8543 or by email at cumcchildcare@richmondcumc.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

*Mention this ad and receive $10 off registration fee*

June 4th Updates

Posted on Jun 4, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |

Dear Central Family

Our hearts break for the open grief our broader community bears for the numerous injustices still perpetrated today. We can hear Habakkuk’s lament echo in the cry which rises from the grief:

How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

May we all find ways to be present to the pain, listen to the longing, and respond with love.

Here are a few updates for the coming weeks. as we continue to navigate the changing phases of Indiana

June 7th Worship @ 10 – The service will again adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and face masks. If you have not already done so, please register here if you will be attending. We are still encouraging those who are at-risk to participate in the regular service from home via our livestream on Facebook. We will be having drive-thru communion with outdoor hymn singing following worship on Sunday. If you are unable to pick-up communion then, we will be having drive-up prayer and communion on Monday from 9 – 10:30. If you cannot make either and would like communion delivered, please register at the bottom of the home page here.
June 14th Worship until July 5- We will be increasing seating capacity, but still blocking off half of every other row to ensure social distancing. We will still be asking those who come to worship to wear a facemask in the building. Nursery care will be available on a case by case basis, please contact Pastor Jen if you are interested. Sunday School rooms will remain closed until July 5th.
The church is not innocent in the systemic racism which we continually find amongst us. Let us be a people who has ears to hear. The study on The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby will begin soon in the evenings via Zoom. Please contact Pastor Joseph (joseph@richmondcumc.com) if you will be joining.
The Men’s prayer group has begun meeting Wednesdays at noon in the Veteran’s Park. They are wearing masks and social distancing. Please contact Bob Hall with more questions.
We are asking for devotionals and testimonies from the congregation to be shared in an upcoming lamplighter. If you feel led to share, please submit yours by Monday, June 15th to Christin at christin@richmondcumc.com.
We are continuing our Reading the Bible in One year. This coming week we will be in the wisdom literature of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Feel free to join today and download the Read Scripture app or pick up a copy of the readings in the office.

2020 has been a strange journey so far. At times it feels as though the next news story, the next wave, will unmoor us and knock us adrift. Let us remember where our hope rests in these times, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19). Friends, together we will journey through this all.

Yours in Christ,

Central UMC Staff