For those who have stopped by the church office you have probably seen the dish that Jelayne keeps filled on her desk.  This dish is hospitality in itself, all the more so because it usually has chocolate – the ultimate comfort food.  A few days ago I grabbed one of the Dove peanut butter chocolates and found the following message inside:  “There are 86,400 seconds in the day.  Have you used one to say “thank you”?”  I must admit the answer for me is often no…today will be different because I have all of you to thank!

As you know I have spent the last several months immersed in United Methodism theology and polity (how we work) and learning about myself as a pastor and leader within the church.  The first question I needed to answer was, “How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God?”  My response was complete at the time I wrote, but I find now that I would add another part to my answer:

In my practice of ministry I have seen how God connects us all together.  When one of God’s people is going through a time of joy or stress we are called to walk with them through their experience.  Though we often think we should go through difficult times quietly and not bothering others, the truth is that we need one another.  It had been my original plan to quietly enter my ordination process alone, but I quickly discovered I do very little quietly and could not have made it through the last few months without all of your prayers, good wishes, dinners, chocolate, bubble bath, etc the list goes on and on. 

I was approved for ordination because you were on the road with me, and so from the bottom of my heart and soul – THANK YOU!  We work well in ministry together and I look forward to the future with you, continuing to grow – without the papers to write.

With deepest gratitude,  Marci

Did you know…

The coffee you drink on Sunday mornings is fair trade coffee?  A couple of years ago our Annual Conference adopted a resolution to use and promote the use of fair trade coffee and similar items.  Using fair trade coffee fits well with our principles as United Methodists and part of the movement begun by John Wesley.

Fair trade coffee works with independent producers – family businesses.

Fair trade coffee helps the growers to achieve well-being for their families and development of their communities (coffee comes primarily from developing countries).

Fair trade coffee is not grown with chemicals and is helping to support God’s created ecosystems.

This year, we are taking our use of fair trade coffee one step further by including a small packet of coffee and fair trade chocolate in our welcome gifts.  In this way we are demonstrating one more way in which Gethsemane is striving to be God’s hands, feet, and heart in the world.

Enjoy your coffee!!!

Marci