Dear Friends in Faith,
Native American Ministries Sunday is one of the six United Methodist Special Sundays we observe each year. As umcgiving.org describes, “When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. And you empower congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to their communities with the love of Christ.” This Sunday you will have the opportunity to give a special gift to support this ministry and share God’s love!
Below you will find a prayer that reflects the Native American Tradition, along with announcements about events and opportunities in your church and community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
Let us give thanks for this beautiful day, for it is a gift from Creator.
Let us give thanks for the water without which life would not be possible.
Let us give thanks for Grandmother Earth who protects and nourishes us.
We give thanks for earth, air, sun, and water, in which we see the hand of Creator,
even Creator Himself for He is in all He has made.
Let us give thanks for this life. It is a gift from Creator, and we have the possibility of living it.
Let us live it to His praise and glory!
~ Rev. Jeff Ramsland
Sunday, April 15 – Native American Awareness Sunday
Theme: Home: You’re Family!
Scripture: Luke 36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7
Sermon: Family Reunion
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule April 16-20
Monday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits
Tuesday – Office in the Morning, Lunch Meeting
Wednesday – Office in the Morning, Worship at Gazebo Senior Living at 2:30pm
Thursday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits
Friday – Pastor’s Sabbath
New Member Conversations
Come join the new member conversations! The first class was after worship on March 4 but you can catch up! Other classes after worship on April 15 and April 22. Come if you are curious -you can decide to join – or not – as classes proceed.
Ham Dinner and Silent Auction
In just a few short weeks, on Saturday, May 5, our church will hold its annual Ham Dinner and Silent Auction. Please note: Due to some scheduling conflicts, the event will NOT be on May 12 as advertised in the April Horizon’s of Faith. We apologize for any confusion. This is our church’s largest fund raising event with all proceeds going towards our operating budget. We will need many volunteers for a successful event, including people to help with setup, cooking, serving, cleanup, baking pies and people to help solicit businesses or donate items for the silent auction. The volunteer sign-up sheets are on the kiosk. Diane Chamberlain will be managing the kitchen and kitchen help. Valerie Kuentzel will be in charge of the Silent Auction portion. Please contact either of these coordinators with questions or to volunteer. See you on Cinco de Mayo, in English: May 5!
Church Conference — Sunday, April 29 at 10:30 am
There will be a special Church Conference on Sunday, April 29th at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the Conference is to affirm the Ministry Candidacy of Tim Riddle. No other items will be discussed. Please plan to stay for this brief, yet important, meeting!
Apply Now for 2018-2019 General Scholarship from the NEAC
The New England Conference Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 academic year. The deadline for submission is Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Current members of United Methodist churches in the New England Conference attending or planning to attend college or a post-secondary education institution are eligible. The application and required recommendation form are submitted online. Any questions can be directed to Scholarship Committee Chair Paul Carlotto at p.carlotto@verizon.net. You can find the application process here:
https://www.neumc.org/newsdetail/201819neacscholarship-11104327
Adult Study on “The Anatomy of Peace”
Pastor Kristabeth is leading an Adult Study on the book “The Anatomy of Peace.” It is one of the Bishop’s recommended books. Everyone is welcome to attend – Sunday evenings at 5pm. We meet in the Upper Elementary Room. The book is available on Amazon for $9.47 paperback ($9.15 Kindle). Speak with Pastor Kristabeth if you have any questions. This week we will discuss chapters 4-6.
Rev. Leigh Goodrich to be Pastor of Faith UMC starting July 1st.
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar intends to appoint Leigh Goodrich as pastor of the Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington effective July 1, 2018 subject to fulfilling all of the requirements needed for a successful transition by the pastor and the respective churches affected by the appointment. The appointment will be finalized at the 2018 Annual Conference Session of the New England Conference. Let us pray for Pastor Leigh and her husband, Gregory, during this time of transition.
JUMP into Spring
April is our church’s month to collect food bags for the Joint Urban Ministry Project(JUMP). Last year we collected 23. Thank you goes to Hannafords on Dorset St for kindly donating the bags. Please see the display and the food list in the Gathering Space for more information. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Compassion Team Message: Let Us Help Them
In Vermont we have hundred’s of children placed into foster care each year. Which is why the Compassion Team will be encouraging you to learn more about PINS (Partners in Service) – faith communities and human service agencies collaborating to help local children and families in need. We will be kicking off a number of PINS-related programs over the next couple of month:
1) Providing desserts for ~100 people attending the annual Foster/Kin and Adoptive Families Celebration on May 12th. Please mark your baking calendars – we’re looking for fun, kid-friendly desserts to be delivered to FUMC on 5/11 and 5/12. Let’s make this year special for the kids and their families!
2) Clothes Line for Kids – a care package of new clothes for children entering the foster program. More details coming in next month’s newsletter.
3) Mission Moment and Meet & Greet with Cathy Frost, Resource Coordinator for Burlington Department for Children and Families. Date TBD. Learn more about how you can support PINS, foster families, and other volunteer opportunities.
For more information, please contact Diane Chamberlain, 578-8035 or dgchamberlain@gmail.com.
South Burlington Community Announcement: What Kind of Community Do We Want to Be?
Save the Date for a South Burlington Community Conversation
The South Burlington Community Justice Center (SB CJC) and South Burlington faith leaders will host a Community Conversation Tuesday, April 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school, or owns a business in South Burlington is invited to attend. The event will be held at Vibrant Church, 2025 Williston Road.
This will be an opportunity for authentic dialogue with students, community leaders, people you may know, people you may not know, people who agree with you, and people who disagree with you. This is a chance to really talk and listen, and build community together by getting to know each other in ways that we often don’t have the chance or opportunity. We would love for you to attend. Any questions can be directed to Matthew Samuels at the SB CJC by email at msamuels@southburlingtonpolice.org or by phone at 802-846-4626.
Conversation series: “Relationships Across Difference: Bridging Faiths”
This provocative conversation (shared at All Souls Chapel in Shelburne) exploring relationship across difference is now available to watch:
https://www.retn.org/show/relationships-across-difference-bridging-faiths
Listen as distinguished guests (Basu Dhakal, Bidur Dahal, Melissa Ann O’Brien, and Kaylynn Sullivan TwoTrees) discuss difference from diverse perspectives and how engagement with the natural world, each other, and diverse spiritual traditions may bridge the divide.
Men’s Breakfast – First Saturday of the month at 8am at Denny’s
Women’s Breakfast – Second Saturday of the month at 9am at Trader Dukes
