Agree to Disagree
“How can two walk together unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3)
The question posed in the Bible verse above is answered in my title. Of course, Amos 3:3 is a rhetorical question that suggests disagreement is a serious problem in relationships and that’s true. We’d much rather experience Psalm 133:1, “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” But this is the real world. There is bound to be differences of opinion in a complicated society, especially when people are stressed and dare I say, in some cases, privileged. Please remember that this article is not directed at anyone in particular and relates to many challenges that we all must deal with, like it or not. Most situations can be helped at least some, if we disallow ourselves to nurture a disagreeable attitude while looking for commonality. When that’s not possible, then it still helps to agree to disagree, and so you’ll be agreeing on at least something.
Agreeing to disagree works to a degree. (pun intended) Agreement is the ideal. Anyone who has been married knows you’re happier when you walk through life agreeing on most things. A marriage where two walk separately is not what God intended. Neither is divorce. What is the common excuse for a divorce? Irreconcilable differences. But could some of those divorced couples have agreed to disagree? Sometimes people give up too quickly. However, the United Methodist Church has not. It is possibly on the verge of a divorce after over 50 years of attempting to agree to disagree about homosexuality and the inspiration of Scripture. Personally, I think a divorce in this instance is long overdue. We see too many stark theological differences as well as a longstanding refusal to follow our by-laws. Yet some unifiers still attempt to require all Methodists to remain essentially “in a bad marriage” with a spouse that pursues a grossly different agenda while holding to a vastly different world view. Amos posed the question “How can two walk together unless they are agreed?” It always depends on how vital an issue has become.
When it comes to the difficult issues regarding Covid-19 and the variants, we should use plenty of tolerance in our attempts to be agreeable. Everyone has a free will and making decisions for ourselves is protected by the constitution. I’ve never wanted to engage in Covid-19 arguments and I can see both sides of the mandate controversies. Let’s try to be nice. It’s a virus, a potentially deadly virus - but it’s not the Black Plague and the vaccination is not the mark of the beast. Obviously, people are very sensitive about a health issue like Coronavirus. Remember though, that for most of us, it’s ok to agree to disagree, on it.
Sometimes politicians, pastors and many types of employed people need to change their venue because people in power are not pleased. It happens regularly. Certain situations like that are a matter of power and votes. It’s also a matter of authority when parents control their children. But then they grow up to become adults and make decisions and then everything seems to become a negotiation. The Taliban, ISIS, and even some Asian leaders disrespect people and often block human rights. They attempt to force their will onto others. They act like the queen of hearts in the animated Disney movie “Alice in Wonderland” - if the other cards disagreed with the queen then it was “my way, always my way - off with his head!” Forced agreement is tyranny. God gave us free will. Let’s make decisions that praise God, and as much as possible, keep an agreeable attitude. Paul said it well in Romans 12:18, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes, it’s possible to agree to disagree.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mo Dunn
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Children & Youth Ministries |
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Kids Sunday School
Each Sunday Following Worship & Fellowship Time (approximately 10:05am)
Wednesday Nights at 6:30pm
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
of each month.
All kids Kindergarten - 6th grade are invited!
Family Meal and Games start at 6pm for those interested
Special Events and Mission Projects throughout the year as announced.
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Youth Sunday School
Sundays at 10am
Youth Meeting
Sunday, October 10 following worship - Road Clean-Up
Fun events and mission projects throughout the year.
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Spiritual Hospitality - Room 2
Relying on the Holy Spirit - Room 5
Heaven - Fellowship Hall
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Cardio Drumming is held on Wednesdays at 5pm. Great exercise for all ages and skill levels.
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Community Breakfast
Saturday, October 2
7:30-10:30am
If you can lend a hand,
contact Joyce Cavanaugh or
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Saturday, October 2
beginning at 5pm
Hay rides, Bon Fire, Games, Crafts
Hot Dogs and Smores
will be provided
Bring lawn chairs and
a snack to share!
In case of rain, we will still have food and fun inside!
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Help make homemade noodles!
Tues., Oct. 5 & Wed., Oct. 6, 1pm
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Saturday, October 9
9 am - 4 pm
Bring your current scrapbook project and come work and share with fellow scrapbookers.
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Sunday, October 10 at 2:30pm
St. Paul's UMC, Defiance
Everyone is welcome to attend and vote! Board members are encouraged to attend.
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2nd Sundays - October 10, 5pm
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Food, Fellowship & the Word |
Bring a dish to share, invite a friend and come enjoy food and fellowship as we do dinner and church around the table. Hope to see you on Sunday, October 10 at 5pm! |
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Homemade Donuts Drive Thru |
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
3rd Saturday of every month
Cinnamon, Sugar, Plain
& Apple Spice
Next dates: Sat., October 16,
starting at 7am while supplies last
Ayersville dozen for $4
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Thursday, October 21, 1-3pm |
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Come for an afternoon of fun and fellowship at our monthly Games & Goodies! The 3rd Thursday of each month come and play games and enjoy refreshments from 1 - 3pm. Everyone is invited! Bring a friend! |
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Tunnel of Treats
Thursday, October 28
6-7:30pm
If you would like a treat station, please contact the church office. Can be inside or outside (weather permitting)
If you would like to donate candy, please bring it to the church by Wednesday, October 27 at Noon. Help is needed to decorate on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 27 or Thursday morning (Oct. 28)
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You're invited to our next Movie Night on Sunday, October 31 at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall. Featured movie is Left Behind. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. |
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Click here or on the picture for October's Church Events Calendar.
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Collection ideas for Operation Christmas Child:
October : Balls, Playing Cards, Tools, Water Bottles, Dominoes, Rubik's Cubes, Items for Boys ages 10-14
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Collection continues for this year's Operation Christmas Child. You may bring donations to the church and place them in the collection box outside the Sanctuary. Spread love to children around the world by giving them the gift of Jesus. Shoeboxes will be due by November 15
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Continue to
Worship God
through Giving
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Offering plates are in the back
at each worship service or
Send donations to:
27728 Ayersville Rd.,
Defiance, Ohio 43512
or a donation drop box is available
under the carport at the church
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Give online through Tithe.ly |
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Catalogs available at the church. To guarantee Christmas delivery, deadline is November 21. Fundraiser will close December 5. |
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Rada Cutlery
Church Fundraiser
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Start your Christmas Shopping and support the church through our Rada Cutlery Fundraiser! Great cutlery and other kitchen items, food items, cook and gift books and more are available through catalog orders and online orders (there is a shipping charge for online orders). Ask family and friends to place an order too! Proceeds will benefit the general fund with a portion going to Kids Ministry & Mission
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Be a part of the AUMC Prayer Chain! When someone needs prayer the pastor, the church office or the first person on the list will be contacted and they will start the prayer chain so that the request is prayed for by everyone on the chain. Chain members will also prayer for our weekly prayer list. To join contact Janet Stevens or the church office.
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Congrats to Alex and Emilly Young who were married on July 10 and to Jared and Erica (Smay) Bare who were married on September 4. We wish them God's blessings as they begin their lives together! |
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Congrats to Korbyn Martin and Trevor Leichleidner on the birth of their son, Hayes Lawrence, who was born on September 9. We wish them God's blessings as they celebrate the joy of a child! |
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Thank you so much to our church family. We really appreciate the meals, all the love and support and the prayers!
Jenni & Jeff Martin and family
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Happy Birthday!
Jackson Johnson October 2
Marshall McConnell October 3
Doug Gerken October 5
Kaylor Martin October 6
Alexis Wallace October 9
John Peoples October 9
Chelsea Marckel October 9
Abbey Baldwin October 11
Dan Frederick October 12
TJ Nafziger October 13
Jo Diamond October 15
Nick Diamond October 19
Lizzie Hall October 21
KJ Martin October 22
Lucy Marckel October 25
Fred Marckel October 25
Mandi McConnell October 26
Cindy Vandemark October 28
Korbyn Martin October 29
Kortni Martin October 29
Cassie Hall October 30
April Johnson October 31
Joe Ewers October 31
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Happy Anniversary!
Dan & Tracy Frederick Oct. 2
Sean & Mandi McConnell Oct. 8
Matt & Heather Fedderke Oct. 22
Keith & Karen Kratzer Oct. 22
John & Maribeth Peoples Oct. 25
Fred & Lucy Marckel Oct. 26
AJ & Linda Loeffler Oct. 26
John & Jane Lime Oct. 31
God's blessing to you on your special day! If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary this month, we rejoice with you too! Please let us know so we may add it to our calendar.
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Thank you, Pastor Mo and Leanne for all you do! October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Let them know how much they are appreciated!
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Ayersville United Methodist Church, 27728 Ayersville Rd., Defiance, OH 43512
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