
June 26th Updates
Posted on Jun 26, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |
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.
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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.
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
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.
LECTIO 365 is a daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day.
Written by leaders from the 24-7 Prayer movement, and produced in partnership with CWR, this resource helps you engage with Scripture to inspire prayer and shape your life.Journey through the year with Pete Greig, Carla Harding, Phil Togwell, Jill Weber, Izwe Nkosi and international guest writers. Check out LECTIO here.
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!
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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
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May 22nd Updates
Posted on May 22, 2020 in Newsletter, Uncategorized |
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM
This is a new Central United Methodist Church mission. The Relief Room, which is located in the area previously used by Boy Scout Troop 114, will be operated on a referral basis rather than being open to the public. The agencies we see working with us include Red Cross, Department of Child Services, Genesis, Refuge of Hope women’s shelter, Salvation Army, and perhaps more likely identified as we go along. It is likely members of the church may come forward identifying someone in need.
Ways members of Central may become involved in or give support to this mission include financial support, donations and help with the operation of the mission.
Those wishing to contribute financially can submit a check made out to Central United Methodist Church with Community Emergency Relief Room in the memo line. Contributions can also be made on-line. Needed material donations are listed below. If possible, donations should be left outside the Relief Room door. If assistance is needed for larger donations, contact Dana Mollenkopf at 765-277-0287 or papamole@comcast.net. Volunteers will be needed to look through donated items, sort and then properly place items in the room.
Material Donations should not need repair. Clean clothes that are grown out, not worn out are appreciated. Things you would need to replace if suddenly you did not have them.
Clothing: All sizes of gently worn clothing, shoes, and accessories for ladies, men, children and babies. (We currently have a good supply of small to medium sized women’s clothing). Please make sure all items have been recently washed/dry cleaned. Plastic hangers are needed as well.
Household: Mildly used bedding, blankets, drapes, curtains, rugs, kitchen towels, bath towels and washcloths and pillows. Pots, pans, cups, glasses, dish ware, silverware, cutlery, small (working) household appliances and tools.
Toys and Sports Equipment: Clean, lightly used toys and children’s items like stuffed animals, dolls/action figures, board games (complete), and sports equipment.
Electronic Games/Devices: Working stereos, radios, DVD players, and small (easily liftable) working TVs.
Small Furnishings/Appliances: Easy-to-lift and transport nightstands, headboards, chairs, lamps, small tables, and other light home items.
Please, no large furniture and appliances (but let us know if available), infant/child car seats, cribs, mattresses, box springs, perishables, or anything with an expiration date.
May 31st Worship Service Registration
Here are guides on how to register for the May 31st Worship Service
Online from Computer
From your Mobile Phone
We will be asking all people who come to wear a mask. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you. As we are working out how best to reopen our whole building responsibly, we see this as a way to love our neighbor, our fellow church goer, by creating an environment where anyone could enter. If you are uncomfortable with this, we understand. We look forward to celebrating in person with you when we can all gather again without masks (please contact Pastor Joseph with any such concerns).
We also encourage anyone who is at-risk or is the least bit uncomfortable with larger gatherings to please stay home. These first few weeks back are to work out the logistics of in-person worship so more may come soon. We will still be offering our online services indefinitely. Pentecost will surely be a celebration as we begin our course of gathering as a church again. Our laments will continue until we can ALL freely gather again.
Keep it Up! For the Faithful Ministry Leaders of Children, Youth, and Families
You have shown so much care and concern for kids, youth, and families in your church and community during this time. You have spent hours on Zoom, mailed cards, made phone calls, and even stopped by houses. You have adapted to a thumbs up online instead of hugs and high fives in person. You have listened. You have prayed. You have become the tech guru of your church. You walked through this time with uncertainty while leading and loving others.
Now you are facing a different season. One of many questions about when and how to open your church doors and ministries back up. You have already had tough conversations about how to do or not to do VBS, mission projects, and celebrations. You have been asked the difficult questions about reentry. You have engaged in online meetings about next steps.
You now have some decisions to make. How do you make them when there are so many opinions, concerns, and pressures to consider? To continue reading go here
UMW Antiques
Greetings from Creative Hands. We know that we’ve all been at home sheltering in place and have had time to organize and reorganize and have found antiques and collectibles that you think others would appreciate owning. We will be glad to take your donations of antiques and collectibles for our next Pop-Up for new owners to enjoy while helping UMW support their local charities. When it is safe, bring items to the church office for UMW. Please mark your donations “For UMW Pop-Up.” Thank you and we are wishing you well.
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