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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