Rainbow Express Camp Recap

7^th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

… to remind you that I’m taking a few weeks of rest and renewal. It will be a time away from the daily ministry of Matthews United Methodist, enabling me to return on September 6 with renewed clarity and energy for the long haul of ministry.

I’m profoundly grateful for Bishop Ken Carter and our Staff-Parish Relations Committee, who are providing me this opportunity. Such periods of renewal are a provision in our Book of Discipline, which encourages clergy to have several weeks of spiritual growth and renewal every 4 years (Paragraph 351.2).  You can click here for a brief FAQ about my time away.

You are in the best of hands with our pastors; Paul, Corey, Roldan and Jenny will be preaching and they will be joined by several preaching guests. As always, even if you are traveling, be sure to join us for worship online every Sunday morning or through our youtube.com/matthewsumc channel throughout the week.

I wish you and yours a restful and re-energizing summer season. May this be a time of renewed connection with God and the church, all summer long.

Ministry Made Possible by Your Giving, Serving & Loving!

For one week each summer our Youth, Young Adults and Kids dedicate their lives to Rainbow Express Camps for persons with disabilities. Love is palpable from early morning until late in the evening on campus as interactions between campers, counselors and buddies showcase God’s great love. This year we celebrated the 27^th year of Camp! During day camp, we welcomed 48 campers, 17 buddies, 60 youth & college-age adult volunteers; for evening camp, there were 64 campers and 70 young adult volunteers. On top of that we were grateful for our center leaders, snack helpers, and nurses who made everything possible. It warms the heart to not only see friends reconnect at camp but also to see the parents feel the love too! This year’s theme was “Finding You,” and how God loves and seeks after us more than anything in the world!

These images remind us that Matthews UMC is a church FOR the Community and FOR the world! Thank you to everyone who stepped forward to serve this ministry within the life of our church, and a very special thanks to our Youth Ministry and Rainbow Express Ministries, a Global Impact partner, for leading the efforts!

Featured Videos from the Devotional Archives

While I’m away, members of our staff have selected some video devotions from our archives to feature here. Watch my devotion around the idea that your work matters to God, titled Work As If God Was Your Employer.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join this Sunday in person or online at 8:15 am (traditional – in person only), 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 pm (Spanish – in person only).

In our Spanish-speaking CCH community, Pastor Roldan’s message is titled: Let’s Take Care of Our Qualification from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

In our morning worship services, Pastor Corey will be sharing a message titled: Wisdom in Chaos. Sometimes the chaos in our lives is inevitable and completely avoidable. Other times, situations and circumstances come up that are completely out of our control. There may even be moments when our own actions or inactions are the source of the chaos we are experiencing. But regardless of how the chaos started, there is no situation so chaotic that God cannot create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. And God can do it here and now. God was there before the chaos. God was there when there was nothing but chaos, and God will be there after the chaos is through. Join Pastor Corey as we discover together how to make the choice of what to do with the chaos in our lives and world.

And now, as always, during these strange, uncertain, and hopeful days, remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Faithfully yours,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Sue Demick received the Stallings Citizens Award from the Stallings Police Department? Sue spends most of her mornings, donning a bright safety vest, walking the streets of Stallings picking up trash. Congratulations, Sue…well deserved!

Did you know that Bridge Builders Fellowship is touring the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, NC on Saturday, August 6? This is the site of the Woolworth’s lunch counter where a sit-in occurred in 1960. Hear the stories of those four young men, plus other important events in the Civil Rights Movement during our 90-minute guided tour. All are welcome! Register online via Realm by July 25th.  Click here for more details.

Did you know that United Youth (youth & their leaders) presented info about their mission trip experiences in rural areas of Tennessee and in inner city parts of Philadelphia, PA at the Grace Exchange last Sunday? We heard stories of transformation as they got out of their comfort zones to share God’s love. Your gifts to Global Impact help make mission trips happen. Thank you for your continued support!

Did you know that The Micah Connection had a table outside the Sanctuary this past Sunday focused on ways to take action for gun safety? They will be back this Sunday, July 24, and invite you to visit their table.

Did you know that Nate Huggins of Blessed Assurance (one of our Global Impact Ministry partners) received the Nancy Glenn Award for Community Service from Matthews Human Services Council? The award was presented at the Town Council meeting on July 11. Thank you, Nate, for all the good work you do for our community! Photo credit: Town of Matthews