For this week...

Dear Family of Faith,
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These are challenging days. We are “in the middle” and that is a difficult place to be. We are in-between the COVID19 shut-down and whatever life will be like when we overcome this virus. It is especially difficult because we are tired of the disruption, we are ready for things to get back to normal! The problem is we aren’t going to go back to they way things were. Our lives and society are forever disrupted. We need to continue to be careful in order to care for the vulnerable ones in our community. It is difficult finding that space between being paralyzed in fear of COVID19 and living carefree. But in that in-between space is faithful living. Instead of focusing on “going back,” let’s dream about what can be! It is my hope we find new ways to live and be the church. Ways that are more connected, more inclusive, more compassionate, more like Jesus. It is in this in-between that God brings forth new life, just like butterflies emerge from a chrysalis. So let’s hold on to that hope!

This week in worship we focused on delving into the concept of “being blessed” as we dig deep into the Beatitudes. I am following a curriculum that offers coloring sheets and family conversation starters. Personally, one of my spiritual practices that has brought peace to my soul during this pandemic has been coloring Bible verses. These coloring sheets offer a different kind of way to interact with our scripture. Print them out and you will see there is a section for each week, as we make our way through the beatitudes. Relax into it and enjoy bringing creativity into our intellectual study of the bible. The attachment is called, “Blessed Color Page.” 

Weekly Scriptures are as always, found here.

I have also attached my sermon from last Sunday. It is called “Dreaming.” We reflected on our dreams for our ideal society and God’s call for us to work daily to make this world like God’s ideal society, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

We are collecting supplies for UMCOR Cleaning Buckets. I’ve attached a document that details what is needed. Bring your donations to your church by Sept. 27. You can buy whatever you want on that list, you don’t need to buy everything for one bucket. I am working with clergy in Montana to collect donations and get them down to the UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City. These supplies will assist those impacted by Hurricane Laura and others.

Men’s Group  will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 16th at noon. They meet at Grace UMC for lively discussion and fellowship. Contact Bob Jovick for more details about the book they will be studying.

Pine Creek Harvest Sale will be outside at Pine Creek UMC on Saturday, Sept. 26th beginning at noon. In place of lunch this year, we will be handing out ice cream treats. Please wear a mask and be prepared to battle in your bidding.

Zoom Info:
· Weekly worship continues indefinitely on Zoom on Sundays at 9 am. Meeting ID#794678137
· Hymns and Prayers: Join us for a mid-week pick-me-up on Thursdays at 7 pm on Zoom. Meeting ID# 522462362 
· Meaningful Conversations: Join us on Wednesdays at 11 am on Zoom as we learn together about the history of race in our country and how we can be people of inclusion. NEW Meeting ID#: 820 4890 5925 

Blessings on your week!
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Peace and grace,
Pastor Patti
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