Dear Friends,
I'm working on a sermon this week based on Acts 4:5-12. This is a story of Peter and the disciples being dragged before the temple authorities because people are beginning to respond in large numbers to their message about Jesus. They are pressed to answer by what authority they have healed a lame man and proclaim the news that Christ is alive. They proceed to speak with boldness and courage. There's a lot going on in these few verses, but the most striking thing to me is that these once fearful, timid disciples of Jesus have been transformed. That gives me great hope! God seems to always be in the business of taking fearful, imperfect people and transforming them in to bold and powerful witnesses. God can do the same with you and me. There's another thing that the temple authorities notice that is one verse beyond the lectionary reading. Acts 4:13 notes that these ordinary, unschooled folk who now speak with such confidence had been companions of Jesus. How can folks tell that you and I have been with Jesus?
I also want to share some personal news with you. After undergoing some tests the last few months, I learned this week that I have prostate cancer. My doctor says it is of low to moderate risk to spread. I'm still working on making decisions about what treatment to pursue as well as getting that scheduled. It looks like it will be this summer before that happens, so for now, things go on pretty much as normal. I will keep you posted as things progress.
In the meantime, I am thankful for a good doctor, advances in options for treatment that are less invasive than some years ago, my family, and this congregation. I appreciate your prayers and hope by this fall to have worked through this bump in the road. There will be many new opportunities to work on becoming what we hope will by then be the Centenary version of the post-pandemic church!
As always, I consider it a privilege to continue to walk with you as we walk along with Jesus to discover the fullness of God's grace in our lives and share the offer of that grace to others without hesitation or reservation.
Peace,
Matt
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Sunday Morning Worship
11:00 a.m.
This Sunday Rev. Matt Bates will be preaching from Acts 4:5-12.
His sermon is titled Maybe Sow's Ears Can Become Silk Purses After All.
Bulletin and scriptures for Sunday.
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Expanding Our Welcome: Creating Safe Spaces for Transgender and Non-Binary Folks will take place on the first four Monday nights this May, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. We will spend the first part of our time engaging with a speaker, then move to Zoom breakout rooms to facilitate discussion.
We are committed to providing an opportunity for learning that feels safe for all. Regardless of where we are in the journey to better understand the experience of transgender folks and their loved ones, we can learn much together. Our goal is to become a more welcoming, inclusive community.
Resources:
Week 1: Monday, 7:00-8:30 p.m., May 3, 2021
This will be an introduction to the overall study with a basic explanation of terms and concepts. Pastor Brenda Walker will share with us her experience of discovering only recently that her oldest sibling, who died in 1982, was transgender and how this has led her to become a transgender advocate with the message that “compassion is a matter of life and death.” She has provided Resources for Faith Leaders and Congregations.
Week 2: Monday, 7:00-8:30 p.m., May 10, 2021
Beth Roper, member of CUMC, will speak about deconstructing and reconstructing what we understand about gender. She will also walk us through what transition can involve, including legal, social, and medical aspects. Beth also recommends Gender Spectrum as an educational recsource.
Week 3: Monday, 7:00-8:30 p.m., May 17, 2021
Guest speaker Shauntelle Rose Hammonds, Executive Director of Peter's Place here in Richmond, will speak about the opportunities and challenges in providing compassionate and accessible housing, resources, and trauma-informed care to LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking individualized recovery support.
Week 4: Monday, 7:00-8:30 p.m., May 24, 2021
We will watch Jess Cook’s TEDxTalk on What Faith Communities Can Learn from LGBTQIA+ Youth. Then we will have the opportunity to discuss insights for our congregation as we expand our welcome. Reverend Jess Cook is the first openly non-binary pastor to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is the Program and Communications Manager for More Light Presbyerians, the counterpart to the Reconciling Ministries Network of the UMC. Finally, we will explore the intersections of various forms of discrimination and injustice, enhancing the understanding of our call as Christians to love and seek justice for all God's people.
You are invited to attend any or all of this study series on Monday nights in May. Also, please feel free to share the invitation and the link with friends.
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Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia Event
April 27 at 6:30 pm.
Faithe Norrell from the Black History Museum speak during our Zoom session.
Join and invite others to join. The topic will be:
Reconstruction, The Lost Cause False Narrative, and the 13th, 14th,
and 15th amendments to the Constitution of the United States
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 829 0280 1855
Passcode: 282472
Audio Only: 301 715 8592
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Weekly Bible Study
Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
Please join us as we look at the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. We meet together via Zoom for study and fellowship. The Zoom link will be sent via email on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing you there.
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The Upper Room available as a PDF
The Upper Room is continuing to support their standing order partners with a PDF of the March/April issue! You may download your copy here.
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April 24 @ 10:30 a.m. Confirmation Class
at My Olympus Farm
All events are on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
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