Dear Friends in Faith,
Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen, Indeed! Last Sunday we had a wonderful Easter celebration, including a 6:15am Sunrise Service. Because of the rain, we didn’t actually see the sunrise, but we certainly felt the rising of the Son in our hearts. And guess what? The celebration is not over. Easter isn’t just a Sunday, it is a season. We will continue to walk with the risen Christ during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost, called The Great Fifty Days in some traditions. Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Tomorrow and Forever – Thanks be to God!
Below you will find an Easter prayer, along with announcements and opportunities in your church and community.
Your Friend in Faith,
Pastor Kristabeth
We thank you
that Easter is not about
a people,
but all people,
that your love
and your Salvation
are for all who confess
with voices, hearts and lives
that the tomb is empty
because Jesus is risen,
that we might know
forgiveness,
that lives might be
reborn
and your name
glorified
now and for eternity.
~ Faith and Worship
Visit from Bishop Devadhar THIS Sunday, April 8
On Sunday, April 8 the leader of our New England Conference, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, will join us for worship. Bishop Devadhar will preach and officiate the baptism of Gryphon Riddle, son of Tim and Emily Riddle. When Tim was a youth, Bishop Devadhar was the pastor of his local church. It is a joy to welcome Bishop Devadhar to worship and to celebrate the connectional nature of our church!
Pastor Kristabeth’s Schedule April 9-13
Monday – Office in the Morning, Lunch Meeting, Afternoon Visits
Tuesday – Office in the Morning
Wednesday – Office in the Morning, Staff Parish Team 6:30pm
Thursday – Office in the Morning, Afternoon Visits
Friday – Pastor’s Sabbath
Celebrate 125 pounds of food delivered to the Food Shelf for March!
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 fundraising 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 Church Scholarhsip
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
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.
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. If you have the book, please read the first three chapters for Sunday’s class. (It’s a quick read!)
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.
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
