Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
October 21, 2020
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Message from Pastor Mitzi
The AME Church:
Our Spiritual Brothers & Sisters
You’ve probably heard of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist movement. And you may have heard of Francis Asbury, a Methodist bishop who logged more miles on his horse as a circuit-rider on the frontier than most of us will ever put on our cars. But what do you know about Richard Allen, founder of the AME Church? As we prepare to worship with St. Matthew AME Church this Sunday, why not pause a moment to understand how the AME Church became our spiritual brothers and sisters?
Allen was an active leader in the Methodist Church from its very beginnings. Instead of circuit-riding as many Methodists did, he moved to Philadelphia, a center of free blacks, and became the early-morning preacher to the racially diverse congregation at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC).
One Sunday in 1787, while praying on his knees at the altar rail, the church's white leadership pulled him off his knees and asked him to move to the new balcony of the church, an area set aside for the Black congregation members. In protest, Allen led the Black members out of St. George's and formed a non-denominational mutual aid society that assisted fugitive slaves and new migrants to the city. The society’s leaders bought a piece of land in Philadelphia that is now the oldest parcel of US real estate owned continuously by Blacks. It was on this land where, in 1794, Allen established the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. At first still affiliated with the MEC, the church relied on white ministers for Holy Communion. In 1799, Bishop Francis Asbury made Allen the first fully ordained Black Methodist minister. But with white oversight an ever-present pressure, the AME ultimately separated to become the first fully independent black denomination in the US.
Allen was a minister, educator, writer, and freedom fighter. He is known as one of the most active and influential Black leaders of his time. Through the congregation and pastoral leadership of St. Matthew AME right here in Saxapahaw, Allen’s proud legacy continues.
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Joint Outdoor Service
at St. Matthew AME Church
5562 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd., Graham
This Sunday, October 25 @ 11:00 am
Join Rev. Dr. Sarah Springs and the congregation of St. Matthew AME as well as Pastor Mitzi Johnson (preaching) and the Sax UMC Praise Team for this special time of worship. Please bring your own chair and wear a mask.
The service will NOT be broadcast live or available via ZOOM, but a recording will be made available by Monday at noon here.
For more on St. Matthew AME Church, click here.
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Worship Schedule
Sundays. 11:00 am
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October 25, Outdoor at St. Matthew AME (see above)
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Nov. 1, Outdoor - All Saints Day, Holy Communion. We will remember the dead, both of the Church universal and our own congregation. More details below.
- Nov. 8, Outdoor
- Nov. 15, Indoor
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Nov. 22, Outdoor, Youth Sunday, Holy Communion - Our youth will lead worship through word, song and a dramatic reading of the play, "The Ripple."
Collecting names for All Saint's Day
All Saints Day, Nov. 1, is a day of remembrance for the saints, with the New Testament meaning of all Christian people of every time and place. On All Saints, Nov. 1, we will remember the dead, both of the Church universal and our own congregation, through a ceremony of lighting candles and reading of names during Holy Communion. Please submit any names you would like to have read to Laurie Newlin.
Things to know for Indoor Worship:
Click here for our Healthy Gathering Policy.
Things to know for Outdoor Worship:
- In the case of rain, we'll meet indoors
- Please wear a mask. We have extras.
- Please bring a chair and distance at least 6 feet from other families. We will provide chairs for those who need them.
- Children will be asked to remain at their seats for the children's message.
- A no-contact drop-box will be provided for tithes and offerings.
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Free Fall Family
Party Packs
On October 25 from 5 - 6:30 pm, Saxapahaw UMC youth will dress up in costume and distribute family bags (for a family of four) with candy, games, crafts, and decorations via a drive-through line in our parking lot, while supplies last.
Our hope is that these bags will offer your family a fun, low-contact way to celebrate the season -- and offer joy to our community's children in a time when so many traditions have been limited.
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Youth Group Schedule
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This Sunday: Youth gather at 4 to set up and decorate. Wear your costume! We will pass out bags from 5-6:30 pm.
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Sunday, Nov. 1 5-6:30 pm Youth Sunday Planning and Practice/Ice Cream Party
- Friday, Nov. 13-14 - Pilgrimage Retreat at Pastor Mitzi's House. Depart church at 4 p.m. on Friday and return Saturday at 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 15 - No youth group
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Sunday, Nov. 22 - Pack Zoe Empowerment fundraiser jars.
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Requesting Quart Mason Jar
and Lids/Rings
The Sax UMC youth need lots of Quart Mason jars by Nov. 15. Please drop off in the sanctuary entrance to the church. We will sterilize them and fill them with dry ingredients for delicious holiday soup and desserts to raise money for our ZOE Empowerment Working Group.
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SAFE Food Pantry 2020
End of the Year
Financial Campaign
Dear SAFE Supporters,
First, I would like to thank each of you for your donations to SAFE this year. Your commitment to our community has allowed SAFE to serve 115% more individuals already than in 2019! Since COVID 19 entered our community in March, SAFE has been able to increase food distribution to families and we have distributed over 2787 Kids Bags on Thursdays!
"Thank you, Sax UMC for your ongoing support of SAFE! These snacks and cans of soup (see photo) were donated by Allison Brothers -- enough to supply lunches for about 125 children!"
Now, we are facing a critical time in our services as we need to raise more funds to continue services at our current rate in addition to purchasing Holiday Meals for families.
In September, we served our highest numbers ever, so now is not the time to pull back services.
Ways that you can contribute:
- Mail your donation to SAFE, PO Box 286, Saxapahaw, NC 27340
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Click on the DONATE button at our website www.safealamance.org
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Order cards from the SAFE Christmas Card Fundraiser http://bit.ly/SAFEChristmasCardFundraiser
- Donate food items directly to SAFE
- Pray for SAFE, those in our community, and share our/their stories so more may know where to come for assistance and how to support SAFE!
I know that I can expect your support to continue these vital services to our community as “It takes all of US” to make a difference! So, I ask each of you…Can you assist SAFE once again in making a financial donation?
Blessings,
Lynne Pierce, Executive Director at SAFE
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Save the Date:
Celebrating One
of Our Own
Saxapahaw UMC congratulates Barbara Christy, our long-time pianist and Chair of our Trustees committee, who will soon be sworn in as the President of the North Carolina State Bar.
The NC State Bar is the agency responsible for regulating our state's legal profession in order to protect both the public and our system of justice.
Cheer on Barbara from home by watching the ceremony live on Youtube, Friday, October 23 at 8:30 a.m.
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Financial Support for Those in Need
Saxapahaw UMC offers two financial resources for local families and individuals in need:
Micro Loan Program - Loans of $250 to $2,500 along with relational support. During the pandemic health crisis, all or part of the loan may be forgivable. Loan applications confidentially reviewed by Pastor Mitzi Johnson and our Finance Team. To learn more, click here.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund - Smaller grants ($30 and $150) for one-time crisis assistance (utility bills, medicines, etc.)
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Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
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Contact Pastor Mitzi
919-522-5540 (voice or text)
Pastor Mitzi observes Sabbath on Mondays but can still be reached in case of immediate need.
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Have Information for the E-Newsletter, Calendar, Bulletin, or Prayer List?
Contact Laurie Newlin, Administrative Assistant
336-266-0743 (voice or text)
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Saxapahaw United Methodist Church | PO Box 268 | Saxapahaw, NC 27340 | 336-525-2545 |
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