What a thunderous, wonderous November 3-5th weekend of celebrating Community United Methodist Church and our 50th year of worship, mission, witness, and service to God and the larger Crofton community we had! It took a lot of planning and people to welcome old and new alike, and I thank you all and appreciate your participation in every way. Not only was it fun, but we, true to our DNA, provided outreach and service as part of it: canned food from the movie night went to the Crofton Community Caring Council; and, when we had cooked food leftover after our Sunday luncheon, it went to the local fire department and Grassroots 24/7 Crisis Center in Columbia.
Since then, we have already stepped into the “what’s next” with vibrant youth participation in the band and energetic worship leadership as we experienced last Sunday with Kids Take Worship. I am so proud of each young person’s willingness to share in this way and thankful to their families for the commitment to support them in preparing so well under Courtney Bundy’s able guidance. Thanks be to God!
It’s exciting to receive members into the fellowship and renew our baptism into the Body of Christ, too. Most recently, we are thrilled to welcome as new members of the gathered church at Community: Heather Vorhies, Ken Mitchell, and Mike Castagnola. Be sure to say “hi” to your new sister and brothers in Christ.
Seeking to create a more hospitable and ecumenical experience of church in Crofton, we were again blessed by Wilson UMC and Pastor Angela Kittrell joining us in worship when Bishop LaTrelle Easterling interpreted the Word for us on Sunday, November 19, to encourage our journey of radical Gospel followership of Jesus as our steps continue in future times. The choir at the 50th worship was from many churches, too. Some of those desired goals motivated us to invite others across denominations in our community to give thanks to God for our blessings together at our Thanksgiving service.
And, starting this Sunday, I assure you that God’s presence will be felt in the gifts of many authors of devotions for “Advent 2023 – Journey to Celebration.” As we wait together day-by-day for the coming again of the Incarnate God-With-Us in Jesus, may we savor the privilege of experiencing the movement of the Spirit through the eyes of friends we know and will now know more fully. Thank God for them and thank them for their witness to us.
This is such a lot of blessing from God, yet it is also us becoming, being and maturing in our discipleship at the feet of Jesus, enthused by the Holy Spirit, and loved everlastingly by God, our Father.
As recipients of gracious generosity, I hope each of us will reflect during Advent on what more God may be calling us to do, or become, or try, or give. It takes cheerful, thankful, and generous givers to transform money for ministry and mission. Due to many factors, our stewardship and commitments for next year were postponed into early 2024. As you are able, please include an end of year gift for this year, and especially continue your regular giving until we make a “harvest” opportunity in winter! If everyone does something and those who can be generous are, there will be enough. God will see to that.
I am thankful for you all; and, with you, look forward to Advent with gratitude what for what God is doing now and will do in CUMC’s next years.
Blessings to you and yours,
Barb Julian, Lay Leader
