The Day after Charge Conference
Yesterday, several members of Buxton UMC participated in our joint Charge Conference at Elm Street UMC in South Portland. We shared food, elected officers for the church for the year to come, and spent time in worship and learning together.
Our District Superintendents led us in worship in the Taize tradition--including chant, times of silence, and a significant time of prayer. While this style of worship was new to many, it seemed to resonate with at least a few in the crowd.
Afterward, Jan and Mike shared with us a time of learning: "Giving is NOT a 4 letter-word!" Ask around--it was funny, biblical, honest, open, and addresses many of the concerns about giving that I've heard at Buxton and in other places.
I want to be open about this as well--I'm a bit concerned about Buxton UMC these days. Several of our leading members have had serious health concerns recently, and the shift to 8:30am has been more than difficult. In all of this, attendance has slipped, and giving is down from this time a year ago. Also, we are behind in our Mission Shares, through which we parcipate in the ministries of the global United Methodist connection.
Members and friends of Buxton UMC, we need your help! We need to redouble our efforts to make Discipes of Jesus Christ in our community! We need to remember that tithing and giving to the church is our priveledged way to give thanks for what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
I continue to keep all of you in prayer, and hope you are keeping one another in prayer as well, as we continue in ministry together.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor David
Our District Superintendents led us in worship in the Taize tradition--including chant, times of silence, and a significant time of prayer. While this style of worship was new to many, it seemed to resonate with at least a few in the crowd.
Afterward, Jan and Mike shared with us a time of learning: "Giving is NOT a 4 letter-word!" Ask around--it was funny, biblical, honest, open, and addresses many of the concerns about giving that I've heard at Buxton and in other places.
I want to be open about this as well--I'm a bit concerned about Buxton UMC these days. Several of our leading members have had serious health concerns recently, and the shift to 8:30am has been more than difficult. In all of this, attendance has slipped, and giving is down from this time a year ago. Also, we are behind in our Mission Shares, through which we parcipate in the ministries of the global United Methodist connection.
Members and friends of Buxton UMC, we need your help! We need to redouble our efforts to make Discipes of Jesus Christ in our community! We need to remember that tithing and giving to the church is our priveledged way to give thanks for what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
I continue to keep all of you in prayer, and hope you are keeping one another in prayer as well, as we continue in ministry together.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor David
Labels: Charge Conference
posted by Rev. David Nicol at 10:43 AM
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