Transitions 2

7th Sunday of Easter | Graduation Sunday
Just these lines …

… to say that this past Sunday (May 25) brought the joining of a great group of New Members at the 11 am hour: Renee Gillespie, Katy Aderhold, Christina DeMaio & Kimberly DeMaio all joined by Profession of Faith. These were momentous moments watching Renee, Katy, Christina and Kimberly all say they want to follow Jesus. Then Sandy Carson, David Griffin, Kay Little and Kay Schmid transferred their membership from other churches. I love our Holy, Holy moments of watching a steady stream of new people coming our way.

Other highlights on Sunday:

• Stunning music provided by John Biggers at our 9:30 hour with his arrangement of Prayer for St. Peter.
• Phillip Tate from our Sanctuary Choir at the 8:15 and 11:00 hours and his sharing the beautifully arranged and powerfully performed hymn of faith, It Is Well with My Soul. I want him to sing this song at my funeral.
• Pastor Corey’s deeply moving pastoral prayer in all three hours preparing us for the coming of new pastors and the remembrance of Memorial Day.
• Our Sanctuary Choir and David Mickus on the French Horn and the Memorial Day tribute, In Remembrance. The song was new to me and moved me deeply.
• I’m always so appreciative of our Scripture Readers each week. This week a special thank you to the Rev. Nancy Miller-Campbell at the 8:15 hour and Tonya Terry at the 11:00 hour. The Baptism of the two sons of Zack & Katelyn Wertis, Weston and Tatum. I had the privilege of marrying this fine young couple seven years ago.
• And then, during my sermon, I spoke of 21 things we could be doing to help our new pastors (David and Susan) to be the best pastors MUMC has ever had:

1. Pray for Pastors Susan and David every day.
2. Decide now, even before you meet them, to love them.
3. Love is also something you say and do.
4. Encourage Pastors Susan and David to have four priorities: 1) God. 2) Their spouses. 3) Their children. 4) Matthews UMC.
5. Do not rush to be one of the first people to get on their schedules. Learn to enjoy David and Susan’s unique style of ministry.
6. Don’t compare David and Susan with Chuck and Paul.
7. Call on Pastors David and Susan and not upon me to do special acts of ministry for you.
8. Never say, “Chuck always …,” or “Chuck never …,” or “That’s the way we have always done it.”
9. Don’t assume Pastors David and Susan know everything that has happened at Matthews in the last 20 years.
10. Attend worship when you are in town, and when you are traveling watch online.
11. Introduce yourself to Pastors David and Susan whenever you see them over the next couple of years.
12. Don’t expect an instant response to your emails and phone messages.
13. Pastors David and Susan will not be able to accept all your invitations.
14. Give Susan and David space for recreation, rest and renewal.
15. Have the right kind of expectations for their ministry here among you.
16. Remain financially faithful to Matthews.
17. Volunteer to serve Jesus through this church in some new way.
18. Invite some friends in the community to come with you to worship in July to hear them preach.
19. Let your new pastors teach you new things.
20. Finally, help Pastors David and Susan to take good care of your staff community.

Of course, I fleshed these ideas out significantly in my sermon. But I would love for everyone to take the time to worship with us and learn more deeply about what I mean in each of the significant helpful pieces of transition. You can do so by clicking here.

Western NC Conference Response to ICE operation at Charlotte UM Church

Last Tuesday, May 20, armed ICE agents staged an operation on the property of one of our sister United Methodist churches in Charlotte during the preschool pick-up time. No one was detained and the ICE agents left without incident, their presence on the grounds of the church was very disruptive and created great fear among the staff, children, families and congregational members.

The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church posted the following message:

“As United Methodists, we believe our churches must remain places of worship, refuge, and safety.

ICE enforcement activity on our church property interferes with our ability to welcome the stranger, serve our neighbors, and carry out the ministries that are central to our faith. Churches should not be staging grounds for law enforcement. They are sacred spaces where the hurting find healing, the hungry are fed, and families – regardless of immigration status – come seeking peace.

We, The United Methodist Church of Western North Carolina remain steadfast in our call to protect the integrity of these spaces and the dignity of every person who walks through our doors.”

Town of Matthews Police & Fire Training at MUMC

The Town of Matthews Police and Fire Departments, along with other emergency service partners, will conduct joint training exercises on the campus of Matthews United Methodist Church on Tuesdays, June 10, 17 & 24 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. These sessions are crucial to practice collaborative responses and enhance the ability for emergency services to serve the community effectively.

During these training periods, you may observe an increased presence of police cars, fire trucks, and emergency personnel on the church grounds. Please be aware that these are simulated exercises, and there is no emergency situation. As we try to provide minimal disruption to regular church activities, we request that you please plan any visits to the church outside of the noted training dates and times.

Read the complete announcement from the Town of Matthews Police and Fire Departments. Thank you for your understanding and support of our hard-working emergency services teams.

Video Devotional

As I conclude my work and ministry here with you in the next days, I’m reminded of the words of the Psalmist from Psalm 16, vv. 5-6: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance.” Let’s talk about it for a few minutes today in my weekly devotional here. 

Upcoming Events

• Women’s Tea: United Women In Faith – Tuesday, June 3, 10:30 am, The Commons. Enjoy tea, fellowship and a speaker focusing on updates from the Western NC relief efforts. Register by May 30. Space limited, Contact Jan Hull.
• Common Heart Food Drive – Now thru June 15: Immediate Need for non-perishable, unexpired food due to a 50% cut in their federal funding. Please place donations in bins at campus entrances. (MOST NEEDED: Cereal, Chef Boyardee, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Mixed Veggies, Mixed Fruit, Snack Bars).
• Morning of Wellness – Saturday, June 21, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, in The Commons. Experience the Wellness Benefits of Visual Journaling, Breathwork, Mindfulness, Desk Yoga and a Sound Bath. Register

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 CCH (Centro Cristiana Hosanna) Community is such a bright spot in our community. I love Pastor Roldan and this part of our community so deeply. We are very fortunate to have these individuals as a part of MUMC. This week, Pastor Roldan’s sermon is titled A Good Way to Face Challenges from 2 Chronicles 20:1-7.

This Sunday is Graduation Sunday. Pastor Corey says you won’t want to miss a chance to celebrate our High School & College/Continuing Education Graduates at the 11:00 service. It will be a wonderful morning of celebrating all the efforts of our young people in ministry and education with beautiful music from our Youth & Alumni Praise Team. A total of 7 Higher Education Scholarships will be awarded, and Pastor Corey will share message at all three services titled Called for This Season. Have you ever wondered how God is not surprised by the changing seasons in our lives, yet we still are? Every season in our lives has value and is an opportunity for each of us to shape our character, teach dependence upon God, and refine our vision. The truth is how we choose to use the time we are given can transform our lives if we allow it to do so. Even though we cannot control time, we can control how you use it. Together, let’s discover how we can let every moment count — for God’s glory and our personal growth.

And now, during these disconcerting, uncertain, confusing and yet, hopeful days, remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Jesus is on the loose!
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know an article by our very own, Becky Yates was featured in The VOICE of The United Methodist Church Disability Connection? Becky’s article is titled, Responding to a Mental Health Crisis. Becky — along with Monica Aquilera, Julie Jones, Kim Layton, Dr. Aimee Smith (Assistant Professor, Psychological Science, UNCC), and Amy Work, LCMHC-QS, RPT-S (Owner & Counselor, Renewed Counseling & Play Therapy) — help direct our ministry group focused on mental/brain health and well-being, Hope for Minds and Hearts. Congratulations, Becky!

Did you know that the College-Age Ministry traveled to New Orleans, LA for a recent mission trip? On the trip the team worked alongside 10 different non-profits, cooked and fed over 2,500 people, and prayed with folks who requested God’s presence in their lives. It was a transformational week for those serving and being served. God is good!

Did you know that 7 volunteers worked at Turning Point’s treehouse location? They painted and cleaned the playrooms for this Global Impact missions partner. Thank you to Patrick Efird, Morgan Efird, Charlotte Efird, Scott Nugent, Kathy Efird, Beth Merchant & Phyllis Nussman for your serving spirit!

Did you know that Pastor Chuck officiated at the wedding of Hayden Asbury & Celia Collias at the Harrison United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 25? Hayden’s family was for many years a part of MUMC. Hayden’s mother and father are Daryl and Leslie Asbury. We wish a happy and long life for this couple.