Surge Capacity

How is your “surge capacity”? According to Dr. Ann Masten, PhD., surge capacity is the collection of mental and physical adaptive systems we use to cope with an acutely stressful situation, such as a natural disaster. We have now hit the 6-month wall with this pandemic which is pushing the limits of our surge capacity. It is natural to feel depleted and out of sorts, it is natural to feel effects of chronic stress. As the pandemic extends indefinitely it becomes a chronic situation not crisis. It becomes critical then for us to figure out how to replenish our surge capacity, renew our reserves. Here is some advice from experts. First, hold on to hope because this is temporary. Accept that life is different now. Expect less from yourself and be kind to yourself. Look for activities that renew your spirit, look particularly to creative outlets. Indulge your senses. Focus on maintaining and strengthening your relationships. Remember we are human beings not human doings. Sunday, I talked about how to comfort is to share strength. Let us be comforters to one another. Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. If you are feeling down, then reach out. We are all in this together.

A note from Carol Beadle: THANK YOU, THANK YOU,  A great big shout out of thanks to all of those who worked so hard to make the Pine Creek Harvest Sale such a success.  Another big thank you to those of you who donated items for auction and to those of you who purchased these items.  The turnout was wonderful, and the Lord provided sunshine in the afternoon.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON SERIES AND DAILY SCRIPTURES
This Sunday is Communion Sunday. Bring your bread (something to eat) and your juice (something to drink). Each Sunday we are walking slowly through the beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. This week we will explore “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.  Our daily scriptures for this week are found here. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· UMCOR We are collecting supplies for Cleaning Buckets in response to the recent destruction by the hurricanes. The UMCOR West Depot is down to 2 pallets of Cleaning Buckets, so our help is needed! You can go online to get more information and to make a donation. Or you can purchase supplies and bring them to church by Oct. 18th. I’ve attached the list of supplies needed. I will need help getting our donations to Bozeman UMC by the end of October. Please let me know if you can help.
· Holbrook Harvest Dinner To Go. On Oct. 14th, we will offer a scrumptious turkey dinner to-go. Drive through the parking lot between 4:30-6:30 to purchase your meal for $10 (children $5). Help is needed to cook turkeys, bake pies, serve the meal, etc. Contact Anita Brawner.
· E-Giving: We’ve set up electronic giving on our website for each church. If that is a good option for your donations, go towww.MethodistsOnTheYellowstone.org and click on the “Donate” button. It is simple, safe, and convenient. Or, you can mail your donations to your local church, or to the Parish at 302 S. 9th St. Livingston, MT 59047.
·  Weekly Worship We have two Sunday worship options: online with Zoom at 9 am and in-person at Holbrook UMC at 11 am. Each of us must assess our risk and our needs and determine what is best. Zoom log-on info is below. If you are coming in-person, please wear a mask and honor social distancing.
· Zoom Info
o Weekly worship continues indefinitely on Zoom on Sundays at 9 am. Sign up for our email to find out Zoom meetings and passwords!
o Hymns and Prayers: Join us for a mid-week pick-me-up on Thursdays at 7 pm. on Zoom. Sign up for our email to find out Zoom meetings and passwords!
o 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. Sign up for our email to find out Zoom meetings and passwords!

The Lord Bless you and Keep you!
Pastor Patti