Weekly E-news April 3, 2025

Volume 6 Issue 13: April 3, 2025

A Message from Pastor Tom Hallberg

Dear HUMC Family,

Isaiah 43:18-21

¹⁸Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. ¹⁹I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ²⁰The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, ²¹the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.

"Do not remember the former things...I am about to do a new thing..."

How does that scripture make you feel? If we're honest, I think that we can have 2 reactions - both of which are completely valid. We might feel excited - God is doing something new! God is working on our behalf for new and transformed lives as well as a new and transformed world. We might also feel afraid - new things can be scary...even when we know they are for our own good.

Moving into a new home is exciting—a fresh start, new possibilities. But it’s also a little nerve-wracking. There are new responsibilities, unfamiliar neighbors, and even strange sounds in the dark that take time to get used to.

The same is true for other big changes in life. Someone undergoing surgery may feel both hopeful and anxious—grateful for the healing it brings but uncertain about the pain or recovery ahead.

When God does something new in our lives, it often comes with that same mix of excitement and hesitation. Churches, too, can struggle with change. We long for the “good old days” because they were familiar. We knew what to expect, and we knew what was expected of us. But here’s the truth—the “good old days” were once new and revolutionary for the generation before us.

God is always at work, always moving, always creating something new. The question is: do we have the eyes to see it? The ears to hear it? The heart to embrace it?

What new thing is God calling you to? How might He be asking you to serve in a way that helps bring others into His saving grace? Let’s not be afraid of the new. Instead, let’s step into it with faith, knowing that God is leading us forward.

Blessings,

Pastor Tom

Rev. Tom Hallberg - Pastor Contact Number: 252-414-8737

thallberg@nccumc.org

Church Announcements

Join us for Sunday School

9:00-9:45 AM in the Crusader Classroom

Sunday School Schedule:

Here is the reading schedule:

(April 6) Exodus 21-24, 32 - Laws and the Golden Calf.
Focus: Justice, idolatry, and renewal of commitment to God.
(April 13) Exodus 33-40 - Tabernacle: God’s presence among the people.
Focus: God’s grace and holiness in community life.
(April 20) Leviticus 1-10 - Offerings and sacrifices.
Focus: Worship practices that cultivate holiness.
(April 27) Leviticus 16-19 - Atonement, holiness codes.
Focus: Holiness in personal and communal life.
(May 4) Numbers 1-12 - The journey and challenges in the wilderness.
Focus: Community, trust, and God’s provision.
May 11) Numbers 13-20 - Rebellion, Moses’ leadership.
Focus: Obedience, trust, and accountability

Be sure to invite a friend, and join us after a brief devotional and worship for a light lunch!

United Women in Faith of the North Carolina Conference has a scholarship program for female students attending one of the Methodist-related colleges in North Carolina. Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are awarded to students who have been accepted at Louisburg College, Methodist University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Duke University, Duke Course of Study (COS), or Duke Divinity School. All applicants must be members of the United Methodist Church and must reside within the bounds of the North Carolina Conference.

In order for an application to be considered, ALL required materials are due to the chairperson of the Scholarship Committee by midnight, April 15th.

Scholarship Packet

Outreach Opportunities

Here are some ways you can share God's love

OUTREACH IS CONNECTING WITH HERTFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL!

We are thrilled to announce that Hertford Grammar School has invited our church to sponsor the children’s monthly birthday parties for the 2024-25 school year! This is a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with the children and support our local school community.

If you choose to sponsor a month, you’ll need to recruit 2-3 volunteers to help distribute cupcakes and drinks to the children on the day of the party. As the sponsor, you’ll be responsible for picking up and paying for napkins, drinks, and cupcakes. Outreach will handle ordering the cupcakes from Food Lion, so all you need to do is pick them up. The cost for the cupcakes is approximately $35, plus the cost of drinks, cups, and napkins. Please remember that drinks should be low sugar!

All parties will take place on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 2:30 pm, so be sure to arrive early to set up. August will feature a combined party for July and August birthdays, and May will combine May and June birthdays.

This is a great way to engage with the children, support our local schools, and provide valuable community service. The joy on the children’s faces as they celebrate their special day is truly rewarding!

To sign up, please visit the Outreach Team Bulletin Board outside the church sanctuary. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lynne Raymond at 203-394-7062.

Let’s work together to make these birthday parties special for the kids!

District and Conference News

Turbulent Waters: Navigating Loss and Grief in Modern Times

These are times of turmoil, division, and great loss. How do we navigate these turbulent waters fraught with grief?

How do we carry this grief?

Where is the hope?

Grief and loss are the “stuff of life.” We grieve as individuals, families, congregations, and even as a country. Grief has many faces and manifests in a myriad of ways. While most grief is never fully resolved, it can certainly be integrated into our bigger life story. In this workshop, Khris Ford (see bio below) will introduce the concept of becoming an apprentice to our grief. She will present a framework for understanding the process of grief, what is most often needed in the various movements, as well as the basics of trauma and how to recognize it. All those who care for another who is grieving will find a wealth of knowledge and understanding in this workshop and be better equipped to walk alongside others.

Thursday, May 8th, 9am- 3pm

White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC

Cost: $80

REGISTER HERE (click the drop down menu at the top of the registration page and look for Turbulent Waters in the drop down menu)**Partner Church members should enter their coupon code on the registration form to receive a discount**

Share the event on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18sxgWsq5n/

About Khris Ford

Khris is NCSIDF's founder and co-director. She is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and spent her career as a licensed professional counselor focusing on grief and trauma. She is passionate about the transformative potential of the process of grief. Khris has led grief retreats for bereaved parents, for the death of a loved one, and for persons grieving the loss of innocence. As a spiritual director for 30 years, Khris often works with those who are experiencing a crisis of faith resulting from a traumatic loss. Khris’s passion for this work is fueled by her own loss history, the loss of her teenaged son and her spouse of 47 years. She is the founder of the “Austin Center for Grief and Loss” and has trained 100’s of social workers, therapists, and faith community leaders. Khris holds master’s degrees in education (Oklahoma State Univ) and Counseling (Houston Baptist Univ). She completed 3-year Spiritual Direction training at the Cenacle Retreat House. She serves as a retreat director and offers direction for those participating in the 19th annotation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Khris is an active member of Saint Francis UMC in Cary, NC. She has two adult children and finds joy as a grandmother to four grandchildren.

Kim McNeill

Program Coordinator

North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation

Upcoming Formation Programs: https://ncspiritualdirection.org/events-and-studies/

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncisdf

The North Carolina Institute for Spiritual Direction and Formation fosters spiritual growth for individuals and congregations and equips those called to spiritual direction. NCISDF is a Christo-centric organization which honors people of all faiths and creeds. Our community is unified in recognizing that each human being is created in the image of God, and by the desire to deepen our relationship with God through the instruction of the Holy Spirit so that individuals and congregations are inspired to lead with love, compassion, and justice in their communities. --

Hertford United Methodist Church Welcomes You! View our website Hertford United Methodist Church

@hertfordumc Check out our worship services on YouTube!

See more upcoming events

Volunteer opportunities

Submit a prayer request

Donate to keep our community thriving

[Phone: 252-426-5467] [humcoffice@hertfordumc.org] [hertfordumc.org]