Month: February 2020

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Come to the Table

We’ll be celebrating Holy Communion this Sunday. Whenever something is going around or in the news the way Covid-19 Coronavirus is right now, it’s natural to get a little bit concerned about communion. I’ve read everything I can get my hands on (which included an expensive subscription to a medical journal), and I’m convinced that there is nothing to worry about, but I know that some folks are uncomfortable. Either with communion or the passing of the peace. Please don’t stay home from church for those reasons.

If passing the peace makes you uncomfortable, remember that we are bumping fists and knocking elbows. If that’s not enough, (or if you are an introvert), simply come to church at 8:20 or 10:35. (I am introverted enough that if I were not your pastor, I would come to church at 8:20 or 10:35.)

If you’re worried about communion, you can come up to the front of the sanctuary with your arms crossed, and Jenny and I will simply give you a blessing (without physical contact) instead of the body of Christ. You can also, as has always been the case, remain in your pew, and the two of us won’t think anything about it.

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Funeral Services for Vernon Lyle Larson

Vernon L. Larson, passed away yesterday, Wednesday, February 26, 2020. A service of Death and Resurrection will be held Monday, March 2, 2020 at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. Burial will follow at Abilene Cemetery. There will be a funeral dinner. Please contact Cecilia Clemence if you can provide a salad, side-dish, or desert.

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In Case the Covid-19 Coronavirus Gets Ugly

I’m writing this because I fear there will be an ugly development in any possible Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic. That  ugliness will be a fear that abandons rather than helps the afflicted. We’re already seeing this as cities go to court to block victims from being quarantined within their boundaries. I fear that this type of unchristian response will become even more contagious than the disease.

One of the things the ancient Christians were known for was their care of the sick. Indeed, Christians have done this throughout the ages, whenever and wherever we have been at our best. At our best, we have overcome our fear of sickness and death through our faith in the one who went through death and came out triumphant on the other side. The outbreak of Covid-19 is a chance for us to be at our best. That doesn’t mean we won’t take recommended precautions when visiting and caring for the sick, it will mean that we treat everyone who is afflicted as if they were a beloved member of our biological family. It means we will not fear monger—and that means we double-check that anything we share on facebook or other social networks comes from a reliable source. [1] It means we won’t stereotype and single out a particular group of people for having the disease. It means we won’t engage in NIMBYism [2] as some municipalities already have. 

I would ask you to remember that, like the seasonal flu, not everyone who contracts Covid-19 dies. Also, I would remind you, that unless Jesus comes back sooner rather than later, we’re all going to die of something. (I’m hoping I’ll die of pneumonia, “the old man’s friend.”) I urge you to take heart in the knowledge that our Lord and Savior conquered death and we need not fear it. I urge you to hold fast to the faith. I urge you not to shun the afflicted. I urge you to visit and care for the sick if and when that is called for. In short I urge you to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate your love for God by displaying your love for your neighbor in real and concrete ways. I urge you to hold me to the same standard.

Amen.

[1] Dr. Brian Holmes recommends using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website: https://www.cdc.gov

[2] NIMBY means Not-in-my-back-yard.

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Your Dollars Doubled!

Any donation made to the First United Methodist Church Endowed Fund at the Dickinson County Community Foundation will be matched on Friday, March 20, 2020. You can make your donation from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in person at The Elk’s Club or online at http://www.donatedickinson.com. If you want to give, but can’t make it to the Elks on Friday, March 20, feel free to put your check in the offering plate, or bring it by the office. 

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Ash Wednesday Services

Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday (February 26, 2020). We’ll have two services. The first will be at 12:15 p.m. and the second will be at 5:45 p.m. The second service will include communion. Neither service should last more than 30 minutes.

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I Lied (Unintentionally)

Yesterday I lied (unintentionally) when I announced that we’ll be having communion every Sunday during Lent. Jenny and I will be taking a week and a Sunday off during Spring Break, that means there will not be communion on March 22, 2020. Sorry.

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Your Dollars Doubled!

Any donation made to the First United Methodist Church Endowed Fund at the Dickinson County Community Foundation will be matched on Friday, March 20, 2020. You can make your donation from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in person at The Elk’s Club or online at http://www.donatedickinson.com. If you want to give, but can’t make it to the Elks on Friday, March 20, feel free to put your check in the offering plate, or bring it by the office before then. 

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Voices: Obnoxiously Compassionate

“It is time to be loudly kind, to be obnoxiously compassionate, to be irritatingly loving. To say no to the corrosive power of contempt and to answer hatred with the strength of love. To stand up for each other. To refuse to return evil for evil and to say why that is. To have good courage and to proclaim that often. To be the strongly flavored salt we are and the beautifully bright light we are, not only on Sundays when we are all together, but even more importantly in all of those other quiet, normal times and places in our lives during the week. For being salt and light is not just what we are called to do. It is who we are. So let us live fully and loudly and publicly as who we are, for God will use our witness. And our world will change. We will be changed. That is our promise. That is our truth. Amen.” — Shannon J. Kershner [1]

[1] Kershner, Shannon J. “Adding and Shining.” Fourth Presbyterian Church, February 9, 2020. https://www.fourthchurch.org.

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Thank You From Abilene Public Schools

Received from Joan Anderson, USD 435 Board Clerk:

“Thank you so much for the hats, gloves, socks, and underwear that were donated to our district for our students. I never would have thought of socks and underwear, but they were the first things to go. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. On behalf of the USD 435 Board of Education, staff, and students, THANK YOU!”

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Funeral Services for Mary Jones

Mary Jones has died. On Thursday, February 20, 2020, there will be a visitation in the narthex at 9:30 a.m. and a Service of Death and Resurrection in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Abilene Cemetery. Many of you have fond memories of Mary, and I would love to read about them. Drop me a line at john@revcollins.com.

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Seeking a Parish Visitor

The Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is looking to hire a Parish Visitor as Pastor Jenny Collins moves to become a District Superintendent. This will be a paid position of fewer than eight hours per week directly under the pastor’s supervision. You may submit your name (and, if you want, a brief statement of interest) to John Collins or Stacy Gonzales by Wednesday, February 26, 2020. The SPRC will consider applicants at their regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020.