Still It's Christmas

No chestnuts, or open fire.
No Jack Frost, or Yule Tide carols.
No crowd, or Eskimos.
... Still it's Christmas!

Random Thoughts

Sun shining. Sky blue. Air crisp. Coffee shop chatter. Day planning. Looking, listening. Coffee gone. Move on. Day ahead. Evening rest.

Kitchen Update

It's amazing the progress being made on the kitchen and the work everyone is doing. April is doing a fantastic job of moving things along. What a talent! Painting begun and soon the cabinets.

Kitchen Update

10.09.17
Appliances moved out, sub-flooring taken up, and preparation made for leveling floor. More next week.

Kitchen

Today work on the kitchen began. By the end of the day the ceiling tile, cabinets, sink and counter were all gone. The transformation will continue tomorrow.

Potatoes

Dug more potatoes today. Filled the bucket with many large ones which will be good for the new Salem Potato Roast in a few weeks. Then it rained. Should be easier digging tomorrow.

Pictured Rocks

We had a great time Saturday at Camp Pictured Rocks near Monticello. Some of us didn't know camp could be so fun! 

May 2 "Road Trip" Hosted By Elberon UMC

Once again we were treated to a great afternoon of fun and fellowship as we first traveled north to Dysart, then west to Traer, and back to Elberon by way of Clutier with stops at two museums (Traer and Clutier) for good measure. After 2 plus hours of a rain soaked adventure, we sat down to a tasty feast and celebrated Pastor Jena's graduation (December) with three kinds of cake. A great day indeed! What roads have we not yet traveled? See you all next year.

Two Parish Churches Begin Series

First (Elberon) and Salem (Van Horne) churches' series Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity is in full swing! Last Sunday, our topic was “When Dreams Become Nightmares.” We saw how the American Dream contrasts with God’s vision, and how God’s vision brings joy that the American Dream never can. If you were unable to be with us, you can find the sermon message on our blog site, peaceump.blogspot.com.

This Sunday, our topic will be “Wisdom and Finance.” We will look closely at the biblical principles of money management and discover how they apply to our daily lives. I invite you to join us for this extremely informative and practical message. You also will receive several tools that will help you in your own financial planning. See you on Sunday!

We've Begun

Our church-wide emphasis Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity is in full swing! Last Sunday, our topic was “When Dreams Become Nightmares.” We saw how the American Dream contrasts with God’s vision, and how God’s vision brings joy that the American Dream never can. If you were unable to be with us, you can find the sermon message on our blog site, peaceump.blogspot.com.

This Sunday, our topic will be “Wisdom and Finance.” We will look closely at the biblical principles of money management and discover how they apply to our daily lives. I invite you to join us for this extremely informative and practical message. You also will receive several tools that will help you in your own financial planning. See you on Sunday!

Enough: Discovering Simplicity and Generosity

This Sunday, we begin. Over the next 4 weeks, we will look at some of the financial challenges facing us as a nation and examine our own spending, saving, and giving habits. In addition to exploring biblical principles of financial management, we will learn ways to assess our financial situation and develop a financial plan that will allow us to experience the true joy that comes through simplicity and generosity. At the end of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of giving for the next twelve months. We will consecrate these commitments on Sunday, May 9, and celebrate them on Pentecost Sunday, May 23.

New Series After Easter

On Sunday, April 11, at First UMC-Elberon and Salem UMC-Van Horne, we will begin a worship emphasis called Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (Adam Hamilton). Over a period of 4 weeks, we will look at some of the financial challenges facing us as a nation and examine our own spending, saving, and giving habits. In addition to exploring biblical principles of financial management, we will learn ways to assess our financial situation and develop a financial plan that will allow us to experience the true joy that comes through simplicity and generosity. At the end of the emphasis, we will have the opportunity to make personal commitments of giving for the next twelve months. We will consecrate these commitments on Sunday, May 9, and celebrate them on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. Church studies are planned for Mondays at 7PM (Elberon), Tuesdays at 7PM (Van Horne), and Wednesdays at 8:30AM (Van Horne).

Much Bigger

Brian McLaren writes in "A New Kind of Christianity,"he (Jesus) came to announce a new kingdom, a new way of life, a new way of peace that carried good news to all people of every region. A new kingdom is much bigger than a new religion..."

Juggling

Brian G. Dyson, a former CEO of Coca-Cola, provides this advice:
“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them-work, family, health, friends, and spirit-and you are keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls-family, health, friends, and spirit-are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.”

Notes from East Center District Exploration Conversation at St Marks UMC

New faith communities may be off site
and would include worship, faith formation and mission
in which the healthy DNA of the 'parent' is passed on.

The best 'evangelists'
in engaging people and initiating new communities
are those new to the faith.

To start new faith communities
we should empower and equip the indigenous
to go into the 'occupied' territory.

In our communities, who do we weep for?
That is our mission field.
Begin praying for people to come to Christ.

We have a great opportunity but the "courage to step out in faith" will be needed.