Be Prepared

6th Sunday after the Epiphany | Global Impact Week 1
Just these lines …

… to say that our annual Global Impact Celebration kicks off this Sunday with speakers in worship and our Mission Fair between services from 9 am until noon in The Commons where many of our mission partners will be represented. Then next Saturday (Feb 22) will mark one of our biggest serve events of the year, Saturday Serve. Please consider selecting an opportunity at our partner locations on the registration link. (All ages can serve! More details in the mission section below.) I got us started this past Sunday with a look at the story of the Rich Young Man in Mark 10. What Bible scholars agree upon about this text is that what Jesus was doing is putting his finger on the pressure point in this man’s life. What might the pressure point be in our lives? If you missed being with us, you can worship by clicking here.

Church Lay Leadership Transitions

Our MUMC Trustees give leadership to facilities, grounds, insurance, and so much more when it comes to our church. Also, they are the only formal leadership group in the church that elects their own leader. On Monday night of this week (February 10), they elected Carol Goolsby as their Servant Leader. I’m thrilled. Carol is one of our finest church leaders. She is retired, having worked for Duke Energy for many years as a Mechanical Engineer. We’re most fortunate to have had a long history of fine leadership with our Trustees, including most recently, Gene Monago. Welcome aboard, Carol. We are in the best of hands under your guidance.

Speaking of Church Leaders, we introduced the 2025 leaders of our elected teams in worship this past Sunday. We are so fortunate to have this resourceful and deeply devoted group of outstanding lay leaders: Katrina Larrison – Lay Leader; Suzanne Pugh – Servant Leader, Administrative Council (not pictured); Ben Freeman – Vice Servant Leader, Administrative Council; Mike Murphy – Servant Leader, Finance Committee; Marilyn Sczech – Servant Leader, Global Impact Team; Heath Gilbert – Servant Leader, Staff Parish Relations Committee; Ally Traetto – Vice Servant Leader, Staff Parish Relations Committee; Sam Hatcher – Servant Leader, Endowment Team; Carol Goolsby – Servant Leader, Trustees (not pictured); Julie Jones – Vice Servant Leader, Endowment Team; Tonya Terry – Project Manager, Leadership Development Team; Kelly Smith – Vice Project Manager, Leadership Development Team (not pictured).

MUMC by the Numbers

Each year around this time I like to give you a quick look at some of our MUMC numbers. Here are a few:

• Regarding the General Budget 2024, we received $185,523 more than we spent. Thanks be to God! We finished to the good.
• We sent our Western North Carolina Conference and Metro District of The United Methodist Church $212,214 as our fair-share connectional support. This is our first benevolent response to God’s work in and through The United Methodist Church around the world.
• In addition, we partnered with 30 local, regional, and global organizations, distributing $279,882 to our partner ministries through Global Impact.
• We received $71,500 for disaster relief and $23,072 for our Christmas Eve offering. We received $122,366 for ReFresh and ReNew.
• To date, we pledged and committed $3,292,080 to the Beyond Hospitality Capital Campaign.
• We have received $1,290,144. We received $113,099 in new money for the MUMC Endowment bringing our Endowment value as of 12/31 to $855,582.
• Total contributions to all funds were $4,624,630.
• Our church membership is 2,705.

Nickels and noses don’t tell the whole story, but they point to a healthy and vital church.

Video Devotional

A couple of Sundays ago, we celebrated Scout Sunday at Matthews United Methodist Church. It was a wonderful day to celebrate our deep-level partnership with our scouts. Since 1907, Scouts have claimed “Be prepared” as their motto. I love this succinct statement of principle and purpose. You can watch my devotional, Be Prepared.

 

Our Bishop, Ken Carter, is such a wise leader. He challenges me so deeply to be first and foremost a spiritual leader. Read his statement below shared on February 10, 2025.

A Statement from Bishop Carter

Across Western North Carolina many are experiencing harm through dehumanization and targeting by prejudice, racism, and the influence of White Christian Nationalism. In response, we encourage our churches to embrace prophetic preaching, bold discipleship, and the unconditional love of Jesus. We affirm the dignity of all people and claim our God-given diversity as a strength. We rejoice to belong to a church that Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, races, genders, and sexual identities. We place our trust in God, who calls us to live our faith courageously together.

Thank you, thank you, Bishop Carter. I’m so grateful for your gracious, caring, compassionate heart. Explore other writings from Bishop Carter on Substack.

2025 Global Impact Mission Celebration

2/16 – Mission Fair in The Commons between services from 9am-Noon. Speakers in Worship & Small Groups.

2/19 – Dessert Event in The Commons at 7pm with Kathy Izard, “Trust the Whisper” Author

2/22 – Saturday Serve Day from 9am-Noon for individuals & families. Register

• Off-site: Register in advance to serve at one of nine local organizations that need a hand! (Some Age Requirements)
• On-site: Adults & children drop in The Commons between 9 am-Noon to make crafts, cards, treats & sandwiches for partner organizations. Please sign up, walk-ins welcome.
• Stop by The Commons after serving for an ice cream from the “Treats with Friends” truck!

2/23 – Speakers in Worship with a Focus on Western NC Disaster Relief

3/2 – Global Impact Life & Faith Commitment Sunday

Other Upcoming Events

• 19th Racial Bridge-Building Community Forum – Tuesday, Feb 18, 7 pm at MUMC Details
• Parents Night Out – Friday, February 21 Details
• The Prayer Course – Beginning Monday, Feb 24, 10-11:30 am. Conversation, testimony & teaching to help you deepen your prayer life. Led by Carolyn Perlman, Register.
• Strolling with the Spirit – Wednesdays at 12 Noon (Meets weekly by the mailboxes unless raining). Walk and share in conversation. No registration, Info
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – March 4, 5:00-7:30. Details
• Ash Wednesday Service – March 5, 7 pm. Rev. Josh Noblitt preaching. Details

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish – in person or here on demand).

Our Spanish-speaking CCH community enjoyed a wonderful Couple’s Night on February 7 with over 40 people participating. See the pictures below. This Sunday, Pastor Roldan’s sermon is from Philippians 3:12-16, and is titled Something to Think About.

This week in all our morning worship hours, we kick-off our annual Global Impact Celebration, and we will hear from many of our Global Impact partners. You will want to invite someone who will be amazed at how your church is in action … in the community … in the region … around the world.

And now, as always, during these strange, uncertain, and yet hope-filled days. Remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Trusting in the Whisper,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Will Thames will be playing the organ on Saturday, March 29 of opening weekend for the Charlotte Knights? He will play during the gate admissions, during breaks of the game, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame for the 7th inning stretch. Katrina Larrison initiated contact with the organization after Will played for MUMC at our Capital Campaign sports-themed kickoff event. Our organ was used to film his audition…watch it here!