Month: May 2023

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2023 Great Plains Annual Conference Preview

The 2023 Great Plains Annual Conference (GPAC) will meet in two segments. The first segment is May 31, 2023 online to consider administrative actions, including the disaffiliation requests of 155 churches in the GPAC and the closure of a few churches not associated with disaffiliation. The second segment will be in person on June 7-10 in LaVista, Nebraska.

The Lay Member to the GPAC for CAUMC, Forrest Buhler, has prepared a summary of the actions to be taken on the budget, the Petition, and Resolutions. A link to that document is below. If you have any questions or wish to express your thoughts, you may contact Forrest by email at fbuhler@cox.net or by phone 785-477-4385.

2023 Great Plains Annual Conference Preview

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Worship Outdoors This Sunday

All are invited to join us this Sunday morning, June 4, 2023, at 10:30, for an outdoor worship service on the church’s front lawn, followed by a potluck lunch. Be sure to bring your lawn chair!

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Church Office Closed for Memorial Day

A friendly reminder that the church office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day. It’s a good day to remember those who died in service to their country as well as those who who have gone before us in general and to pray God’s presence and peace upon all those who grieve and mourn this day.

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Tomorrow is Pentecost

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. The day’s liturgical color is red, so it’s a great day to wear red to church. We’ll also celebrate Holy Communion (because we’ll be outside the first Sunday of June) and welcome Liz Collins into membership. I look forward to being in worship with you, whether you’re in person or online.

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Outdoor Worship and Potluck on June 4

We’ll worship outdoors under the big tree on Sunday June 4, 2023. Potluck to follow immediately in the fellowship hall. Bring your lawn chairs and a dish to share! Childcare will be provided.

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Voices: Elie Wiesel

Sometimes I find myself apathetic in the face of the injustice, evil, and sin that stand between the way things are and the way things out be. In those times, I’m tempted to conclude that because I cannot do everything, there is no point in doing anything. I don’t think this temptation affects only me. Elie Wiesel, who survived the greatest atrocity of the 1900’s (the Holocaust) speaks against that impulse:

“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” [1]

[1] Wiesel, Elie. “The Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech.” Essay. In Night (Night Triology), translated by Marion Wiesel. New York, NY: Hill and Wang, 2006. Kindle.

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Book Club Style Bible Study — Date Corrected

On Thursday, July 6, 2023 (time to be announced), I plan to lead a book club-style session on God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines. The book sets out a biblical case for affirming gay and lesbian men and women—and, by extension, the entire LGBTQ+ community.

As I’ve said before, the argument that the United Methodist Church is having over the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks is not a matter of biblical authority; it’s a question of biblical interpretation. This book presents the case for an LGBTQ+ affirming reading of the Bible. I think it’s vital that those who want to be an affirming church for queer people know the biblical reasons for doing so.

There will be copies of the book available in the back of the sanctuary. You can also order copies online from all the usual places, including my favorite locally owned bookstore in Council Grove at flinthillsbooks.com. (I couldn’t find any copies at the Dusty Bookshelf website.)

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Choir Potluck Tonight

I’m thankful to have been invited to the Adult Choir’s potluck dinner tonight. I spent more time than I care to admit perfecting my contribution.

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Muted Mother’s Day Celebrations

It made me happy to have my mom in worship with us two days ago. I love my mom, she was great when I was growing up and I enjoy her company even more now that I’m an adult. But I’ve also learned that no everyone can say the same. This article from Charlotte Clymer provides a different perspective that helps explain why we don’t go all in on Mother’s Day celebrations at College Avenue UMC the way some churches do.

Link: https://bit.ly/3M9gfrJ