onnections
Christ United Methodist Church
We are about
relationships. . .
with Christ,
with one another,
and with God’s
hurting world.
Weekly Newsletter
July 25, 2012
As many of you know, I spent four days last week serving as a delegate to our United
Methodist Southeast Jurisdictional Conference in Lake Junaluska, NC. (Say that fast
five times.) This conference takes place every four years, and its purpose is primarily the
election and appointment of bishops. Now, while I was honored to be elected as a
delegate from the Tennessee Conference, I was not sure what to expect. I’d never been
before and had no clue about what actually happened there.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that my expectations were low. Frankly, I expected
to see the church at its most political, with candidates campaigning and delegates
engaging in shade-tree negotiations in between ballots. I fully expected to come home
disillusioned and disheartened.
But God works in mysterious ways. Just when you think that
you’ve planned and institutionalized the Spirit out of the
church’s business, she moves and surprises you! Let me tell you
just a few of the things I learned at Jurisdictional Conference:
United Methodists can sing! We had some wonderful experiences
of worship and singing. Methodists have always been known as
singing people, but in recent years I think we’ve grown timid.
We’ve started leaving the singing to the professionals. But when
we do that, we miss out on the most primal way we human
beings have to worship our Creator. If we would stop worrying
about how we sound and just open our mouths in praise, God
Supported behind by two current bishops, our newly elected
will move us. In every congregation no matter what our “worship
bishops are, from L to R Young Jin Cho, Debbie WallacePadgett, Bill McAlilly, Ken Carter and Jonathan Holston.
style,” we need to learn again how to sing—not necessarily with
correct notes but with full hearts. I was so inspired by the united
voices and the heartfelt praise in our singing that I even raised my hands up! (Gasp!)
The United Methodist Church is diverse. We elected five bishops last week, and they
were a beautifully diverse group, theologically, ethnically and in many other ways. The
more we embrace our diversity, the more we reflect the kingdom of God.
Sunday Worship Schedule
8:00 am Riverbend Max. Security
Institution-Communion Service
8:30 & 11:00 am Worship Services
9:45 am Sunday School
Go to www.christumcfranklin.org
for information on programs
and to hear past sermons.
1
We need to pray. One of the newly elected bishops is Young Jin Cho from Virginia. In
his introductory remarks, he asserted that the decline of membership in American
United Methodist churches today is, above all else, a spiritual issue. He urged every
pastor to spend an hour in prayer every day and encouraged their congregations to
support them in this commitment. He also urged every lay person to commit to deep,
holy listening to God. If we devote our hearts to prayer, God will do the rest. I came
home inspired to spend more time in prayer, listening every day for God’s Spirit.
We have a new bishop! On September 1, we will welcome Rev. Bill McAlilly to
Tennessee as our new bishop. On the first day of Jurisdictional Conference, we got to
meet each candidate in a “round robin” session. (As one nominee jokingly said, it felt
more like “speed dating” than interviewing.) When Bill McAlilly came to our
delegation, I was deeply impressed by his authenticity, his gentleness and his
commitment to mission. He was at the forefront of the restoration efforts in Mississippi
after Hurricane Katrina, and that work has shaped him as a leader. His election and his
appointment to the Nashville Area seemed Spirit-led, and I am excited to welcome him
into this corner of God’s kingdom.
So, I definitely learned a few things at Jurisdictional Conference. Above all, I learned
that the Spirit is alive and moving in our church, and I have great hope for the people
called Methodists here in Tennessee and around the world.
WITH CHRIST
Please call or e-mail the church office with additions or changes to the prayer list. Names will appear for four weeks, unless you request they remain
Prayer Concerns
The church prayer list cannot be included on our website
due to privacy issues. You can find the list in the church
bulletin or in the emailed newsletter.
If you would like to receive the newsletter by email
please contact the church office at 790-2112
July 29, Scripture Readings
Romans 14:1-12
Worship This Sunday
July 29, 2012
Scriptures:
John 17:1-2, 20-24
Romans 14:1-12
Attendance
July 22, 2012
Sunday worship: 489
Sunday School: 201
2
1. Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of
quarreling over opinions.
2. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables.
3. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who
abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed
them.
4. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their
own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is
able to make them stand.
5. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days
to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.
6. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those
who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while
those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
7. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.
8. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then,
whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
9. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of
both the dead and the living.
10. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you
despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat
of God.
11. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
12. So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
WITH ONE ANOTHER
Children
Youth Activities
Children’s Pool Party
Wednesday, August 1st, 6-8pm, we’ll swim,
picnic and party at the Cool Springs East
neighborhood pool. Bring a picnic for your
family – we’ll provide the popsicles!
This Week at
Christ UMC
Sunday, July 29
8:30 am
9:30 am
9:45 am
11:00 am
Worship
Youth Car Wash
Sunday School
Worship
Wednesday, August 1
6:30 am Men’s Dialogue
5:30 pm Senior Roast
6:00 pm Children’s Pool Party
Thursday, August 2
12:00
ORBIT Spiritual
Leadership Team Meeting
Friday, August 3
8:00 am Latecomers Men’s Group
CUMC School Supplies Drive
We will be collecting school supplies for
Williamson County and FSSD schools again this
year. We need backpacks, 3 ring binders, colored
folders, wide rule paper, pencils, markers,
scissors, pencil boxes, crayons, glue sticks, and
much more. Please check your child’s school list
or browse one at local office supply stores.
Supply Drive ends August 19. We would like to
have a Blessing of the Backpacks on August 5.
Place items in the bins in the narthex, children’s
commons, and small sanctuary.
Please contact Elizabeth Wanczak if you have
questions, [email protected].
July 28, Camp Whippoorwill
August 16, Lunch Bunch
August 24, Laser Tag
It's About Relationships...
with our college kids! When our youth leave
to go to college it is easy for them to feel
disconnected from their home church. We
need you to help us keep that connection alive.
We are looking for 80 volunteers to be
encouragers through notes and care packages.
You will be matched up with a student to be an
anonymous pen pal and then we will reveal
the matches at the end of the year. Interested
or want more information? Contact Amy
Bonner at [email protected].
Church Wide Activities
Needlework for Fun Group: will meet on
July 26 at 12:30 in the Library. Beginners are
welcome; we will teach you how to knit or
crochet. Call Pat Heflin, 595-5341 or email
[email protected].
Regular Events:
For information on the young
adult ministry, contact John Hill
at 615.790.2112 or
[email protected].
Youth Car Wash
On Sunday, July 29th, the youth are hosting
their annual summer car wash. They will wash
cars during Sunday school and the late service.
All funds raised will go towards missions/
outreach and next summer’s Africa immersion
trip. Thanks for supporting our teens!
([email protected] or 406-2489-cell) by Weds.
3:00 pm of your desire to play.
Ladies Night Out
We will be going to Chophouse on Highway 96
in Franklin at 6:30 pm on August 14th. Ladies
Christmas in July
may RSVP to Jan Phelps at:
Join the Sewing Guild on July 26th from 10am- [email protected] or 615-830-3576.
2pm for our second sew-in. We will meet in
The Prayer Ministry
the library/commons, working on Christmas
Will meet on Sunday, August 5th in the old
stockings for Bridges and Mercy Children’s
sanctuary, during the Sunday School hour. We
Clinic. A very simple stocking pattern will be
invite anyone with an interest in prayer, and
provided, or bring your supporting our church staff and family through
own, along with any
prayer to attend. All ideas and suggestions
Christmas fabric you
regarding prayer are welcome.
would like to donate
for the stockings. Or if Pilates/Yoga with Carrie Gerow has a NEW
you prefer, bring your meeting time for the Fall!
Beginning Tuesday, August 7,
own project to work
will meet in the Children’s
on. Bring your lunch
Commons 5:30-6:30pm.
and sewing machine for fellowship and fun.
Call Kristi Brown at 595-1373, or email her at Classes are $10, with a portion
going to our Youth. For
[email protected] with any questions.
questions, e-mail Carrie at
The Stepping Out in Faith Class Speaker [email protected].
this Sunday will be: Gene Cotton (Nicaragua
Project).
All-Church Retreat Coming!
Mark your calendar – All Church Retreat is
September 21-23. Registration coming soon!
Christ UMC Golf Club will play at Forrest
Crossing Golf Club in July and August. The cost
is $25, which includes the cart and all the golf
you can get in before 3:00 pm. New players are
welcome! Notify Allen Johnston
3
508 Franklin Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage Paid
Franklin, TN
Permit #66
Return Service Requested
The Kitchen Renovation!
The contractors are busy with the
remodel, and progress can be seen.
The drywall and stove hoods have
gone up this week. The Trustees
appreciate everyone’s patience and
flexibility as this work is being done!
WITH GOD’S HURTING WORLD
10 Ways You Can be in Relationship with
God’s hurting world..
Christ UMC Outreach Committee
August 2012
Prepare dinner and attend
worship service one Saturday
night at 61st United Methodist
Church.
Mentor a teenager at 61st Ave
afterschool program.
Buy a brick for My Friend’s
House walkway.
Help feed the interns from Project
Transformation.
Decorate the house at Building Lives/the Academy for
a Holiday.
Prepare dinner for the residents at My Friend’s House
and join them for the meal.
Throw a holiday party for the residents of My Friend’s
House.
Throw a holiday party for the residents of Hobson
House, Open Table.
Adopt a Pen Pal from the Prison Pen Pal Ministry.
Pray for children who are less fortunate, have learning
issues or are being bullied, Gentry Foundation.
4
Household and Personal Care
Items Needed
The Bethlehem Center needs several
basic household and personal care items
for senior citizens. Items include laundry
detergent (small size), bleach, bathroom
tissue, paper towels, hand and bar soap, kitchen garbage bags,
light bulbs, AA and AAA batteries, boxed greeting cards, large
print crossword puzzles, and bathroom cleaner. Please help by
bringing items to church during July. Look for collection bins in
the hallway and in each of the Summer Sunday School
classrooms. Thank you! Questions? Please contact Ethel Detch
at 957-3551 or Stacey Hagewood at 477-8952.
GraceWorks Help Needed
GraceWorks Ministries, 104 Southeast
Parkway, Franklin, is looking to hire a parttime cashier assistant for the GraceWorks
Thrift Store. The position will include
working a cash register, stocking and
sorting. For more information or to apply, call Joyce Appel or Lee
Harrison at 794-9055, Ext. 21.
Stephen Ministry
If you are interested in learning about the work
of Stephen Ministry in our congregation,
please contact Mark Price in the church office
615-790-2112.