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"No matter where I went to church, I realized, doubt would follow, nipping at my heels. No matter what hymns I sang, what prayers I prayed, what doctrinal statements I signed, I would always feel like an outsider, a stranger. All I wanted was a safe place to
be
. Like so many, I was in search of sanctuary."
Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church
Part V Communion, pages 171-172, 174
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Friends, I have new news for you, reminders for you, and a note of hope for you.
Let's start with hope. A good place to begin, really.
Like many, I awoke Monday to news of
the violent incident in Las Vegas and was filled with emotions. Anger, sadness, and wondering how long shall we endure gun violence? It didn't take long to see people say, "Stop your 'thoughts and prayers' and do something!" I hear them. Some who have power to make change and pray and take no further action. That frustrates me, too. It should not happen that way.
And yet, some dismiss prayer as useless. I disagree. I think prayer has the power to change us and get us aligned with a God who calls us to action. And so, to me, that means:
Prayer is not where we end. It is always where we start.
Never be ashamed to hold someone or a tragedy (or even a celebration) in thoughts and prayers. And, remember God calls you to keep going. In the wake of Las Vegas, we pray, and then what? What is God calling you to do about a culture focused on solving issues with violence instead of peace? What would Jesus say to us about how we leave people to hurt alone, how we strike out at each other? This is where each of us can step in and make a change. Start in prayer, end in action. God is with you!
I also have new news for you regarding Sunday evenings.
Beginning this week, Youth Fellowship is 5:30pm-6:30pm, the Bread Break meal is 6:30pm-7:00pm, and VIDEO THEOLOGY starts at 7:00pm during Journey choir.
With Altar Choir switching to Sunday, we had wondered if we had critical mass to begin a bell choir and other opportunities in the 6:30pm-7:00pm time period on Sundays and it appears we don't have the interest in that. And that's okay. Perhaps down the road. For now, we make a slight shift in schedule to tighten up.
Finally, I have a reminder and hope you can commit!
Registration is open for the TOT-Lock, the Trail of Terror / Lock-In on October 13.
Whether you're in for a few scares at the Trail of Terror (TOT) or just sticking around for the Lock-In (Lock) or maybe both, we hope to see you.
YES, we need a parent driver AND a parent chaperone for the Lock-In!
In Christ,
Rev. Nate Melcher
Associate Pastor
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE LOCK-IN!
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1 part spooky, 1 part sleepy!
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7:00pm Oct. 13 - 8:00am Oct. 14
Meet on campus at 7:00pm to carpool to the Trail of Terror or meet on campus at 11:00pm for the Lock-In. It's going to be a great night!
YES! We need drivers AND overnight chaperones!
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Registration Deadline: October 11!
- Trail of Terror + Lock-In, $20
- Trail of Terror only, $15
- Lock-In only, $5
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Ask dad to borrow the car!
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Trunk-or-Treat
Oct. 29, 4:00pm-5:30pm
5:30pm-6:00pm Clean Up
We're returning with this amazing event aimed at families in our church and our neighborhood! Teens are in charge of the "Spooky Labs" while parents can host a car in the Treat Zone!
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Sunday Night Youth Fellowship
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LAST WEEK: Blessing of the Animals
THIS WEEK:
Trunk-or-Treat Prep
Oct. 8, 5:30pm-6:30pm
This is going to be a blast!
Youth will start planning the "Spooky Labs" for this month's Trunk-or-Treat community event on October 29. Come with your creative ideas on how we can make an age-appropriate experience for little ones to get the "shivers" near Halloween.
Parents
, be thinking about what your vehicle could be decorated as this year to host!
NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!
NEXT WEEK:
Trunk-or-Treat Prep
Oct. 15, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Depending on how far we get, we may need some more "Spooky Labs" prep.
NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!
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Thanks for a great retreat!
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Last Week:
We talked about Mother Theresa in our "Peace and Nonviolence" unit with our special guest speaker, Cecil "Rahm" Ramnaraine.
This Week: Community Commonalities
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Parent Volunteer Signups Need Volunteers!
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We can't do it without parents!
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NEW DROP-IN CLASS FOR PARENTS!
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Starting October 8, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Church of Youth Room
Parents! Invite a friend and be a part of this brand-new drop-in group! We watch a documentary episode, short film, or a film in parts and explore its themes and ideas for our faith, our lives, and our God in a casual group discussion. Gatherings are facilitated by Pastor Nate Melcher. Yes, we will have popcorn! Open to all adults, so invite a friend!
#livetoinvite
THIS WEEK'S VIDEO FEATURE IS:
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A co-production of Frontline and American Experience for PBS,
God in America
examines the history of religions in what is now the United States from around 1600 to 2010. We'll see priests and Pueblos, early Methodism, the Civil War, religion and schools, the trial of evolution, the simultaneous rise of Billy Graham and Martin Luther King, and today's religious pluralistic society.
Oct. 8:
First Nations and First Settlers - What happens when Christians meet native peoples with different views of God? See how the first colonies handle disagreement and witness one of America's first feminist theologians in action.
Oct. 16:
Spreading the Word - Friend of John Wesley, George Whitefield, takes his message to the fields and preaches to crowds of thousands! Witness how the word spreads throughout the colonies and beyond.
Oct. 23: The Rise of Methodism
- A young man on the verge of his calling stumbles upon early Methodist camp revival meetings and has a converted heart. Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson discerns how best to read scripture for his own faith.
And many more to come, including waves of religious immigration, the Civil War and Reconstruction, social gospel, monkey trials, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, church and politics, and many more.
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November Event: "The Event" at Craguns!
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Old schoolers called it "JUMYs."
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The Event at Craguns
Nov. 3-5, Cost TBA
Confirmation Students, you're not going to want to miss this weekend at Craguns resort with games, service projects, a live rock band, workshops, new friends, a pool, nature walks, worship, and one of the most fun road trips ever!
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December Event: "Force for Change" Lock-In
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"Force for Change" Lock-In & Field Trip
Dec. 15, 7:00pm - Dec. 16, 12:00pm, Cost TBA, Fundraiser event, too!
Let's be a Force for Change! We'll go to
Feed My Starving Children
, watch Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens, get some sleep, then wake up early to catch a matinee of
Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi
on opening weekend!
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Get ready for major events, like...
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10.08 Video Theology (Parent Drop-In Class)
10.13 Trail of Terror Lock-In
10.29 Trunk-or-Treat
11.03-11.05 "The Event"
12.15 "Force for Change Star Wars Lock-In
03.14 Ash Wednesday Worship
03.30 Good Friday Worship
06.24-06.30 LYFE Camp 2018
07.21-07.29 Senior High Mission Trip
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Church of Youth Ministries of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Rev. Nate Melcher, Associate Pastor
511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403-3223
This email is sent in the highest spirit of Christian love. If you think something is "lost in translation" between us, please contact me so we can explore it together. Thank you. -nm
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