Crosswinds Newsletter
April 27, 2022 - Volume 614
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I want to make you aware of an important meeting coming up this Sunday where we will be discussing the latest developments regarding the conflict within the United Methodist Church (UMC). While we will go into more detail at Sunday’s meeting, allow me to offer a brief overview.
The UMC has often been thought of as a “big umbrella church,” where everyone can find a home regardless of their particular beliefs, but that idea has reached its breaking point in recent years. Theological differences and concerns over church polity have pushed the church to the brink of a split. The theological differences range from the authority of scripture to the church’s understanding of gender and human sexuality, which has been the presenting issue. The concerns regarding church polity include growing apportionments, an itinerant appointment system, and the denomination’s ownership of local church property, to name a few.
Several years ago, a coalition of Methodists from varied backgrounds and beliefs was formed with the purpose of addressing an amicable separation within the denomination. “The Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation Agreement,” otherwise known as The Protocol, came out of their work. The Protocol would allow for the traditional, or conservative, churches to break away from the UMC to form a new denomination called The Global Methodist Church (GMC).
The meeting of the global leadership of the UMC, known as the General Conference, was set to meet in summer of 2020 to vote on The Protocol. Due to COVID, the 2020 General Conference was postponed. It would end up being postponed again in 2021 and in 2022. The decision to postpone the General Conference until 2024 was disappointing to many. With that news, the GMC chose to launch their new denomination on May 1, 2022, for those churches that have been eager to disaffiliate from the UMC. Those are the events that lead us to our meeting on Sunday.
At Sunday’s meeting, we will be presenting this information to the church, along with the Administrative Council’s plan for how we will address these issues within our church. I know this is a lot to absorb in a letter or even a meeting.
This news has led many Methodist laity and churches to feel a heightened sense of urgency. Let me suggest that we take a different approach. I’m going to borrow Bishop Lowry’s motto for a moment, “Breathe deep. Jesus is still Lord.” There is no need to panic. We do not have to act right now. We will take the time we need to walk through this season together as a church family as there are a number of items we must consider in making a decision. Sunday’s meeting is about information and next steps.
Speaking of being family, I want us to be mindful of how we walk through this together. There is a saying, “The end justifies the means.” That is not Biblical. How we walk through this season is just as important as where we end up at some point in the future. So regardless of our opinions, let us all take up the call to “love each other deeply” as 1 Peter 4:8 suggests.
Pastor Brady Johnston
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State of the UMC
Church Town Hall Meeting
This Sunday, May 1st
4 PM in the Sanctuary
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Land workday on May 14th from 8 AM to 12 PM.
VBS registration is open to volunteers (and students). Click on VBS Registration.
Help prepare communion 2-3 times per year. Contact Pastor April for more details.
Children's Sunday School volunteers are needed. Please contact Keelee by email or phone, M-Th, 8- 4.
Help with Audio/Visual at 8:30 or 11 AM worship services. Please email Tyler Coherd for more information.
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Sewing Projects Meeting
This Thursday, April 28th
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If you are interested in sewing projects for Midlothian schools, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the hospital, etc., please come to an information meeting this Thursday, April 28th at 10 AM. We will meet in room 201 in the FLC (Upper Room Sunday school classroom).. Some of the projects will include lap blankets, heart pillows for heart patients in hospital, pillows for mastectomy patients to provide protection from the seat belt, art aprons for PK & K; teddy bears for police dept. to give to kids in distress, and the list goes on. For more info, call Sandra Hill, 214-354-1984
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You're Invited
to a Reception for Our High School Seniors!
This Sunday, May 1st at 10:15 AM
in the Family Life Center (FLC)
Join us in celebrating our seniors this Sunday, May 1st, in Worship and at 10:15 AM for cake and reception.
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You're Invited
to a Reception Honoring Paul Martin
Sunday, May 8th at 9:30 AM
in the Family Life Center (FLC)
Join us in celebrating Paul Martin, as his last day as Choir Director is May 8th. We are grateful to know Paul and for all he has done for our church and especially God's Kingdom. He will be greatly missed! Join us in thanking Paul.
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GGP Silent Auction
God's Garden Preschool is hosting a silent auction in the FLC through Friday May 6th at the GGP Spring Program. You do not need to be a part of GGP to bid on items. Please feel free to peruse the items for auction and place any bids on the bid sheets.
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Church Land Work Day
Saturday, May 14th
8 AM - 12 PM
Help as you are able!
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High School Senior Scholarships
Applications are due by May 20, 2022
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It is a time-honored FUMC tradition to celebrate our graduating seniors. One of the ways we recognize them for their accomplishments is to award scholarships to those who plan to pursue a degree from a 2 or 4-year college or join the military. Since 2007, we have awarded nearly $10,000 in scholarships to FUMC seniors. The scholarships have been funded through the generosity of our congregation.
Graduates applying for a scholarship are asked to complete an application detailing their church, community, and service activities. They also must write an essay answering the question, "How has your life been changed by Jesus Christ?" or "How have you seen the lives of others changed through Jesus Christ?"
Scholarship winners will be selected by a committee of educators and youth leaders. Winners will be announced by the end of May. For more information about scholarship requirements, contact Laurie Lundberg at 972-877-8838 or email Laurie. Scholarship applications may be downloaded by request to complete by hand or completed online using the button below.
Our goal is to award as many scholarships as God gives us the funds to allow. To donate, you can send a check to the church or give online below. Whichever method you choose, please memo that it is for “Senior Scholarships.” Online, you can check "Other" and write it in.
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VBS Cookout on May 22nd!
Let's picnic together and support VBS!
Stick around to eat burgers and hotdogs after church and help support VBS! Food will be ready and served after each worship service and Sunday school. All proceeds will benefit Vacation Bible School 2022.
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VBS Registration is Open
For Volunteers and Kids!
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VBS Returns June 12th-18th
6-8:30 PM
Ages 3yrs (must be potty trained)
through entering 5th Grade
Volunteer Training is June 1st at 6:30 PM
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Communion Stewards Needed
Are you interested in helping prepare the sacraments for worship? We are looking for a few people to help prepare and clean up on Communion Sundays. We are helping to create a team volunteers that would serve in this capacity two to three times per year, the first Sunday of the month. If you were interested please click on Pastor April and let her know!
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April 27th - May 6th: GGP Silent Gift Basket Auction
May 1st: Communion
May 1st: Senior Sunday & Reception
May 1st: State of the UMC Town Hall Meeting
May 6th: GGP Program
May 8th: Mother's Day
May 8th: Reception honoring Paul Martin
May 13th: GGP Graduation
May 14th: Church Land Workday
May 15th: Confirmation Sunday
May 22nd: VBS Cookout
June 1st: VBS Training
June 5th: Pentecost
June 12th: Next Steps
June 12th-16th: Vacation Bible School (VBS)
June 19th: Father's Day
See weekly information below.
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Godly Play Children's Worship gathers during 8:30 and 11 AM worship services. Elementary age children are invited to go with our Children's Ministry Team to worship together in the Fellowship Hall. Of course, children are always welcome to stay with their parents throughout worship.
Sunday School Classes meet between services from 9:45-10:45 AM.
+Children's Sunday School Classes meet in the Sanctuary building, various rooms
+Youth Sunday School Classes meet in the FLC upstairs, Jr. High room
+Bill Theiss Fellowship Class, FLC room 109
+Adult Bible Class, FLC room 110
+Upper Room Class, FLC room 201
+Open Door Class, FLC room 107
+Servant's Hands, FLC room 204
+New Horizons Class, FLC room 203
Bell Choir meets Mondays 6-7 PM. Contact the church office or Paul Martin with any questions.
Men's Monday Night Bible Study meets Monday nights from 7-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary Building Workroom. The study is coordinated by Don Garret.
Pastor April's Bible Study meets Wednesday nights from 4:30-5:45 in the sanctuary. The study is "Gospel According to John" and it is not necessary to attend every week, as each week is a different "study".
Chancel Choir meets each Wednesday at 6 PM. Contact the church office or Paul Martin with any questions.
DivorceCare & DivorceCare4Kids meets Wednesdays from 6:30-8 PM in FLC rooms 201 & 203. Please contact Monica Wilson with any questions.
Guided Prayer Hour is a Wednesday night prayer service we will host through May 18th. Join us Wednesdays at 7 PM in the Sanctuary.
Discipleship Groups meet at various times trough out the week. New groups can form at any time! For more information, please contact the church office.
Confirmation Class meets every Sunday at 9:45 in the FLC Senior High room.
God's Garden Preschool follows the MISD school calendar and is only open on MISD classroom days. GGP hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM - 4 PM and Friday 8 AM - 12 PM. Pastors are available for non-emergencies, Monday through Thursday during office hours.
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Sunday, May 1st
"Times are Hard and that’s Good"
James 1:2-8
8:30 & 11 Traditional in the Sanctuary
11 AM Contemporary in the FLC
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WayPoints are daily devotionals designed to help us prayerfully engage God’s Word so that we might respond in obedience. We encourage everyone to participate in the WayPoints. They are available at Waypoint and FUMC Facebook.
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Sunday School: 9:45-10:35 AM
Godly Play: Children's Worship During all Sunday Morning Services will return soon!
Creation Kids Links:
Stay connected in Creation Kids Children's Ministry! Follow us on our Facebook page, Creation Kids, and our Instagram page, @creationkidsfumcmidlo, to keep up with resources for connection. For more information, email Keelee Allen.
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Junior & Senior High Youth meet
Wednesday nights during the school year from 6:30-8 PM and Sunday School from 9:45-10:35 AM.
Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public) and our Instagram page, @fumcmidloyouth. Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth. For Remind 101 for Youth, text @midloyouthto the number 81010. If you have any questions, please email the Youth Team.
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We offer Nursery and Early Childhood Care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. Please email Keelee with any questions. For information regarding God's Garden Preschool, go to God's Garden. Thank you!
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Though GGP is currently full, you can register to get on the waitlist. Visit God's Garden online to learn more about this program or click below to register!
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Please send your prayer request to MaryBeth or Joy. If you want to join our Prayer/Card Ministry group, send your request to Joy. Not everyone sends cards, but you can pray, thus PRAYER/CARD ministry.
New Prayer Requests:
Jean Erickson - surgery
Continuous Prayer:
Karen Wilson, Dorothy Wares, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe, Chelsea Peel, Jim Sibley
Military:
ARMY - Matt Carroll, Tim Kruettner, Harold Barton, Josh Schenck, Austin Lockwood
NAVY - Matthew Price, Andrew Cantrell, Zachary Tucker, Thomas Shirley, Matthew Watford
AIR FORCE - J.D. Culps, Andrew Miller
MARINES - Josh Dunaway, Bradley Perez, Elizia Delapaa, Cash McAdoo
NATIONAL GUARD - Derek Boots
TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - John Jackson
Remember in Prayer:
Our world, our country, our community leaders, all our military troops and first responders around the world, our church, our pastors, the staff, church members, visitors, and Midlothian community
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To the Prayer Warriors,
Thank you to all who sent condolences and cards and words of encouragement and offered up prayers. My family was very touched by the outpouring of love from you all in the loss of my stepfather as well as my father-in-law. God is good all the time.
Melodee Sieg
Men, women and children (with the help of an adult), if you'd like to thank the church in the newsletter and/or become a part of the Prayer/Card ministry, please send an email to Joy Price. Thank You.
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Thank You for Your Generosity |
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Thank you for your generosity! We continue to do great ministry as a church because of you and your faithfulness. We encourage you to continue giving to the church's ministry either by mailing in your financial gifts or giving online by clicking on the button below. Every gift helps us do greater things for God's Kingdom!
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*Please note that we are using a new online giving system. It should be much easier to use, cost effective and will help our staff be more efficient. Thank you! |
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FUMC Midlothian | 972-775-3993
Office Hours: M-Th: 8 AM - 4 PM, F: 8 AM - 12 PM
Pastors are available for non-emergencies Monday - Thursday during office hours.
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