Hello Redeemer,
Happy September! And on this first day of September, I bring you another weekly Pastor email. September has always been one of my favorite months. It brings the start of a new season, school, cooler temperatures, my birthday, and so many other things.
I hope that this month brings you all that you need it too. Hopefully with the start of a new month you can find something new each day to brighten your day.
Today starts the beginning of my third month with you all. I continue to feel welcomed and cared for by all of you. Whether it is an email throughout the week or a smile on our Zoom Church on Sundays. I have also enjoyed the conversations that I have had during the Moments with Pastor Megan.
I know that everything is difficult right now, please know that your Pastor is praying for you daily. We had the start of a difficult conversation during our Joys, Concerns and Announcements time on Sunday and then it continued during our Coffee Hour. Thank you to those that spoke up and shared their thoughts on what we can do to be voices for our Black and Brown Brothers and Sisters. I am attaching a link to a wonderful resource that the Religion & Race Commission has put together for the month of September. Resource: Challenge for 30 Days of Anti-Racism
I also want to let you all know about a Zoom resource; Jason Chao has shared with us that Take Control Books is offering a free Zoom book that will provide some information on how to use Zoom. If you would like this resource, please email me and I will send it along to you.
At the end of September, we will be having Annual Conference. Normally this takes place during June at Lakeside. But because of the pandemic it was postponed and will now be virtual. On September 26th will be the Service of Commissioning and Ordination and on Sunday September 27th at 10:00am there will be a conference wide worship service that will be livestreamed. We will not be having our normal Zoom Church service we will all be tuning into the Conference Service. We will have a Virtual Coffee Hour at noon that Sunday to be able to check in, share Joys and Concerns and any announcements that we may have.
Our scripture for Sunday is: Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20
And our prayer for the week comes from Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Each day they send out a Prayer for Change: Daily Prayers for Anti-Racism. You can sign up for those emails here:Â Prayer for Change: Daily Prayers for Anti-Racism
Almighty God, you created us in your own image.
Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil,
and to make no peace with oppression.
And, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice
to the glory of your holy name;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer, USA, 20th Cent., Alt.
The United Methodist Book of Worship, 513
I pray that this week lands gently on you all.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Megan