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EASTER STAGE PRODUCTION

COVID-19 kept us apart physically at Easter, but nothing can dampen the Easter spirit! The UMC EverKids prepared a series of three short Easter plays, which they were not able to perform in the weeks leading up to Easter. But TOMORROW Saturday, June 13th at 10:30AM they will be performing live. You are invited to attend the performance!

Please come and encourage our EverKids, if you are able. The videos of the three skits will be shown over three weeks during onsite worship. Happy Belated Easter!
Six Sayings for Strength
 
  • “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling, O Lord. – Exodus 15:13
  • “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James
  • “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. – Isaiah 58:11
  • “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
  • “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”. – Proverbs 3:5-6
  • “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
Ministry Jottings

To the 2020 Graduates

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the word. God is not a secret to be kept . . . If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?” – Matthew 5: 14-15 The Message
 
“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” – Mae Jemison

We are blessed by you, our outstanding graduates. As Oprah Winfrey noted, “Even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion and energy.” I believe that we are here, we are created, to embody whatever God wants to have happen through us in our lifetimes. 

This means keeping a heart centered on Christ no matter what, being willing to sacrifice and get up when we fall short, knowing that we each have been created for great purposes. This means setting dreams and goals God would be proud of, and to not be afraid to work hard moving forward. This means being kind and valuing others. This means being honest with ourselves and others. 

Know how pleased our Lord is with how far you’ve already come. We here at UMC of Evergreen are also very proud of each of you and congratulate you. As Tom Hanks said, “In these times of uncertainty, one thing we are certain of. We are certain you won’t let us down.”

Pastor Deb Olenyik
Maddie Hornfeck
Matthew Bramer
Jane Miller
Jessie Boyne
Lucca Shields
Sophia Lamas
STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
"I am living proof that once you join a committee it’s pretty much a lifetime commitment. I have presided as Finance Chair over some of our worst financial patches here at The United Methodist Church of Evergreen and I just can’t seem to get fired. When I heard the church was going to have to be closed for an extended period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic I was concerned that we might be in for some more turbulence.

However, due to your faithful giving while the church was closed and the efforts of the Trustees to secure a federal PPP loan, we have been able to stay in the black. I trust that you will all continue to remain faithful in your stewardship as we begin to reopen the church. At the same time, I would like to recognize that some of our members have experienced negative financial impacts as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak and remind them that we are here to help.

The world has gone crazy this year and could definitely use some grace. I look forward to seeing you back in service in the weeks and months ahead." - Matt Sailor

COUNCIL OF BISHOPS STATEMENT ON
THE SCOURGE OF RACISM
The past few weeks have left many hurt, angry and outraged as we have witnessed the deaths of unarmed Black persons at the hands of police and racism; Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and the countless others whose names are known only to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends.

Many bishops have worked to amplify and magnify one another’s voices. The words of Bishop Bruce Ough, resident Bishop of Minneapolis area, were a clarion call to the crisis before us, “There is more than one pandemic ravaging Minnesota and our country at this time. In addition to fighting COVID-19, we are besieged by a pandemic of racism, white supremacy, and white on black or brown violence.”

The voice of Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, resident Bishop of the Baltimore- Washington area, gave power to the realities, “Being Black is not a pre-existing condition; being Black is not justification for probable cause; being Black is not to be inherently suspicious nor suspect. Being Black is a gift from Almighty God and a manifestation of an aspect of God.”
These prophetic voices and those of others have provided words when we had none.
As bishops of the United Methodist Church, we ask every United Methodist to reclaim their baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.

We ask every United Methodist to name the egregious sin of racism and white supremacy and join together to take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of color.

As bishops of the whole church we affirm the peaceful protests as a means of giving voice where it is needed most.

We are clear that it is beyond time for all United Methodists to act. It is time to use our voices, our pens, our feet and our heart for change .

We join with other church leaders and boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church to add strength to the message that we will no longer remain silent nor complicit but must act now!

As a next faithful step we ask United Methodists to read all they can on the subject of anti-racism and engage in conversations with children, youth and adults . Have conversations with coworkers and friends. These will not be easy but they will help us gain a greater appreciation for one another. In a recent podcast, “Unlocking Us,” lecturer, author and podcast host, Brene Brown, hosted author, historian and American University professor, Ibram X. Kendi who said, “By not running from the books that pain us, we can allow them to transform us. I ran from antiracist books most of my life. But now I can’t stop running after them – scrutinizing myself and my society, and in the process changing both.” May we listen not only with our ears but with our hearts and run after books, podcasts and conversations that transform entire communities.

For at least the next 30 days, we ask every United Methodist everywhere to join in prayer at 8:46 a.m. and p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time the officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck. Do this for at least the next 30 days. Pray for all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice and oppression. Pray for our church as we take a stand against racism. Imagine the power of a concert of prayer heard around the world.

And finally, to borrow from Bishop Easterling once again, “The time is now. Dismantle the architecture of whiteness and white supremacy; stop creating, implementing and supporting policies that perpetuate economic injustice; stop the dog-whistle political maneuverings which incite violence against people of color; commit to being an anti-racist; stop over-policing Black and brown bodies; stop using deadly force in ordinary police interactions with Black and brown people. Stop killing us.”

May the God of Grace and Peace be with you.

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey
President - Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
WESTERN CONFERENCE DELAYED
Delayed to November, 2021-- Western Jurisdictional Conference and Scheduled Retirement of Bishops  

On May 26, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church  announced new dates  for the 2020 Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States that were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jurisdictional Conferences in the U.S.  will now be held Nov. 10-12, 2021. The Mountain Sky Conference will still host the Western Jurisdictional Conference.  General Conference will have been held Aug. 29 - Sep. 7, 2021.
JOY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Child trafficking is modern day slavery of our most vulnerable children and teens. Dr. Jeff Brodsky says this heinous crime is actually flourishing during the global pandemic; predators are eager to take advantage of the desperate situation faced by families in dire poverty. Regardless of current events, JOY International continues to be committed to the rescue and healing of enslaved young people and to the prevention of child trafficking.

Now is the time to join a movement of people of all ages across our country who walk in solidarity with those who cannot stand up for themselves. Already JOY is planning for 10 Barefoot Mile walks from CO to NC, and there will be more! Our Mountain Community is scheduled for August 29, and now is the time to visit www.joy.org for more info, to register to walk (no cost), either on site at Marshdale Park OR virtual, (any time, any place) to raise financial support.

At this time of unprecedented global crisis, we CAN help save young lives that matter! Please speak with Jan Thurling, Bill Graf or Dave Loomis, all members of the JOY Team, for more information.
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN
Growing a community of faith by serving a world of need and changing lives. We affirm a spirit of openness and hospitality to all, including persons of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, financial strata, and abilities who seek a closer walk with God.

Visit us on the web:   www.evergreenumc.org