The Cornerstone
For and by the People of the United Methodist Church
April2018 315-287-2440
Simple Church
Meet Jesus * Follow Jesus * Serve (with) Jesus
This year, I’m participating in a learning group with other pastors from our district (each district has a similar group) called Pastoral Leadership Development. Each month, we read a book together about some aspect of leading a healthy congregation and discuss it, trying to make concrete plans for how we might lead our own congregations to be healthier, more vital.
I confess: I have sometimes felt overwhelmed with the books we’ve been reading. Some of them recommend very elaborate, complicated plans, and suggest that pastors need to be working 24/7 to make their churches thrive. I close the book feeling exhausted, like I can’t possibly lead in such a way. And then, we got to a book called Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger.
They write: “In general, simple churches are growing and vibrant. Churches with a simple process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact. Conversely, complex churches are struggling and anemic. Churches without a process or with a complicated process for making disciples are floundering. As a whole, cluttered and complex churches are not alive.” (14, emphasis added.) They go on to define a simple church: “A simple church is a congregation designed around a straight-forward process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth.” (60)
The mission of The United Methodist Church both as a whole and in our particular context is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” That’s our mission. Are we doing it? How are we making disciples? What steps can we point to in the life of our church that result in new or growing or maturing disciples? If someone came to our church, and wanted to grow in faith, would it be clear to them how we might go about doing that? Are we transforming the world? Where’s the fruit of our work? I believe that Simple Church can lead us through asking some of these challenging questions about our congregation, and so I have tasked both the Council of Stewards and the Council on Ministries with reading this book so we can think, discuss, and act.
My personal vision for our church is that we can communicate a clear discipleship path to people as we invite them (and ourselves) to grow in faith. We’re still working on the details, but if I had to make our missions “simple,” I would say we want people to Meet Jesus, Follow Jesus, and Serve (with) Jesus. And if that is what we agree we’re all about, using those words or some other way of communicating our purpose, I want us to work together to make sure that everything about our church is set up to help people do just that: Meet Jesus, follow Jesus, and serve with Jesus. I’m not sure yet, just what changes committing to being a “simple” church might bring us, but I hope that you will be part of the conversation. If you’d like to read along with us, I encourage you to order your own copy of Simple Church. If you need help getting a copy, please contact the church office.
Blessings,
Pastor Beth
April Worship Calendar:
4/1/18Easter Sunday! Join us as we celebrate resurrection and new life. Service at 7am (N. Gouverneur at Wally Hurlbut’s) and 11am (First UMC). Sacrament of Holy Communion.
4/8/18 Second Sunday of Easter: Woven & Spun, the liturgical dance group, will join us again this year for a special worship service of music and dance. Our own Crazy Faith Dancers will also be taking part.
4/15/18 Third Sunday of Easter: Strengthen Your Core: Prayers. Nehemiah 1, Matthew 6:7-15. Sacrament of Holy Communion.
4/22/18 Fourth Sunday of Easter: Strengthen Your Core: Service. Matthew 14:13-21.We will recognize the 20th Anniversary of our Friday Lunch program during worship.
4/29/18 Fifth Sunday of Easter: Strengthen Your Core: Presence. Hebrews 10:23-25, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-12.Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
Invitation to the Old Testament
Our Spring Bible Study is Invitation to the Old Testament, and 8 week study from the Disciple Bible curriculum. Class begins on Wednesday, April 18th, at 6:30pm, and meets through early/mid-June. Each class is 90 minutes. Please sign up in the church office or in the back of the sanctuary so we can order books for each participant.
Pay It Forward Mini-Grants Applications Available Now!
We are very excited to announce that the application process for Pay It Forward Mini-Grants is officially open, after being approved by the Council of Stewards last month. Pastor Beth, Travis Dann and Joanne Stowell worked together to write the application for the mini-grants, an idea developed from a starting donation made by Travis in memory of Tim Stowell, Joanne’s husband. The grants are meant to support creative and inspiring ministry ideas in the church and community. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Pastor Beth. Pick up an application from the church office.
Save the Date!
We will be having an Enchilada Dinner! This fundraiser is to help support the general fund. More information on ways to volunteer or donate needed items coming soon.
Progressive Dinner
Date: April 27th, 5:30pm Hit the road for an evening of creative eating and fun. At this type of get-together, each course is served at a different home, so the party moves from one place to another during the course of the evening. Here's how it works: The meal splits into three stops--one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. For this activity we must have you reserve your spot, so each host knows how much food to prepare. When you sign up, you will receive the starting location and a map. You may RSVP with the office. We need your reservation no later than 1:00pm Tuesday April 24th.
Funeral Services for Retha Brown
The family of Retha Brown invites you to share in a celebration of Retha’s life on Saturday, May 5th, at 11am in the sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
Spring Household Sale
Are you ready for spring and SPRING CLEANING? We will be having our annual Spring Household Sale May 11th and 12th. We will be taking donations for this sale. Items may be dropped off in the hall off the church office. We will start accepting donations as of April 14th. We will need help setting up on Thursday the 10th and workers during the sale. Contact-Vicky Reed
Pastor Beth’s Open Hours
Pastor Beth will not have open hours this month. She will resume in May.
OUTWARD! Event Coming Soon
The Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) will host OUTWARD! 2018 fromApril 13-15at the Syracuse-Liverpool Holiday Inn,441 Electronics Parkwayin Liverpool.The schedule will include opportunities for hands-on mission work. But the event will also feature some beloved traditions, including workshops, late-night options, Spirit-filled worship experiences, and an awesome band, SAMECITY. This year's worship speaker is Michael Jordan, dean of the chapel and chair of the biblical studies, theology and philosophy department at Houghton College.Workshops and activities are designed for grades 7-12. Registration forms are in the church office. Questions regarding registration,contact-Judy Hipes at 607-624 2145
Safe Sanctuary Training
If you work with children, youth, or vulnerable adults in our congregation, training is required for all volunteers annually to maintain credentials for Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and youth activities. If you are unsure if it is time for your renewal you may contact the church office. Please sign up to attendone of the classes below.
Canton United Methodist Church,41 Court St onSaturday, April 14th from 10:00am-12:00pm in the church dining room. Please RSVP to the Canton church office(315)386-4500.
Gouverneur 1st UMC, Tuesday April 17th, 6:30-8:30pm Please call the church office to RSVP
Asbury UMC in Watertown Saturday,May 5.Gathering at8:30am.Training 9:00am- 12:00pm.Registration closes April 27th.
Lay Servant Ministries
For those of you looking to take Lay Servant Courses, the spring options are now open. Please register with the District office-315*535-5149
Basic Lay Servant Course:
Brownville UMC
April 14 and 28from9:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30
Brushton UMC
May 5 and 12from9:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30
Justice in Everyday Life:
Brownville UMC
April 14 and 28from9:30 to 3 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30
Potsdam UMC
May 5 and 19from9:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 13
Top 10 United Methodist Beliefs:
Beaver Falls UMC
April 14, 21, 28,May 5, and 12 from9:00 to 11:30
Leading in Prayer:
Norfolk UMC
April 3, 10, 17,May 1, and 8 from7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30
Malone: Centenary UMC
April 5, 12, 19, 26 andMay 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Leading in Worship:
Gouverneur First UMC
April 19, May 3, 10, and 17 from6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: March 30
Massena: First UMC
May 5 and 12from9:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Registration Deadline: April 13
Why Do I Go To Church?
Earlier this year, Pastor Beth shared a series of sermons about “Why?” questions. Her messages delved into some of the toughest issues of faith. For just a few moments, I’d like to share with you my thoughts about a question that I’ve put to myself.
It’s said that, “All politics is local.” Well, in some sense, all faith issues are personal. How I see the issue of going to church will most certainly not connect with everyone in every point. But, I hope that there may be some common threads that encourage you in your faith journey. So … here goes …
1. I go to church to worship God. So much of my life seems to pull or push me away from taking the time to acknowledge what I know in my heart to be true: that I have been created by a Creator and that coming to my Creator in humility and obedience is the good and right thing to do.
2. I go to church to witness to others of the place God has in my life. Some of you may remember Dean DeLong coming to church every week, sitting in a center aisle seat about halfway back and telling people upon query, “I may not be able to hear or see much, but people will know what side I’m on.” His presence on a regular basis was a clear statement to others.
3. I go to church because it helps me grow in and maintain an attitude of gratitude. So much in our world tells us how great we are and how much credit we should take for such greatness. Phooey! When I’m really honest with myself, I know that everything I have, everything I have attained, and everything for which I can hope, is from Jesus. Sure, I can, and am expected to work hard, but grace is the operative truth in my life. Going to church weekly reminds me of that.
4. I get to be with people who are kind and caring and loving and who are striving to be more Christ-like in their lives. Sure beats the heck out of many settings where “me first” attitudes and behavior prevail. Many of the people with whom I connect in faith are folks in whom I would trust my life or the lives of my loved ones.
5. Going to church regularly helps me to focus on the greater purpose of my existence. I’m not here on earth to simply eat, breath, reproduce and die. God made me … yes, me! … for a purpose, to love and serve and share and be part of the coming Kingdom in a way that I usually can’t even imagine, but of which God occasionally allows me a glimpse. It’s so beautiful when that happens. And, my God allows me, wants me to be part of it! Wow!
6. Being in church weekly helps me to grow in discipline. Discipline often brings a bilious taste to the mouth, but Richard Foster shares in his book “Celebration of Discipline,” how discipline (discipline to the call of God in our lives) can become part of our daily activities and help us toward an inner transformation that leads to, “liberation from the stifling slavery of self-interest and fear.” Weekly church attendance is a discipline in which I find myself growing in faith and love. I find myself fitting into the Kingdom of God, and being part of the Kingdom of God growing, rather than swinging my arms endless against the wind trying to build the Kingdom of Don.
7. My coming to church on a regular basis helps my church to be stronger. Each person is important to our (or any) church. We all have different roles and are at different points in our faith development, but each of us fits into the whole in a way that is quite unbelievable outside of a faith perspective. All are vital: the eye, the hand, the foot, etc.
8. Church is one of the few places in our world that still welcomes people from all walks of life, all ages, all perspectives, and all interests. Yes, there’s conflict in the church, in part because of the attempt to make church open to everyone. Open hearts, open minds, and open doors is … HARD!! It’s much easier to simply hang out with people of like mind. It can seem so comfortable, but it can also be so boring, the blandest of vanillas, and the most homogeneous of stews. Pabulum at its best … and worst. I find that in church I often disagree with people … often because I’m wrong. I come to church to fight against the partisanship of our times.
9. I come to church to help our community have a place where children can grow and become in a way that no other institution can. Church can be a place where bullying and unkindness and ostracizing are unacceptable. It was such a great thing for our children to have had the privilege of growing up in the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church. It’s such a great thing for our grandkids to be able to come visit and be part of our fellowship whether showing up during a vacation or coming for Vacation Bible School. It can be that way for your children and grandchildren, too.
10. Finally, and I guess most importantly, I come to church because I meet Jesus there. Without Jesus I would be a lonely, lost person. With Jesus in my life, the world is one of wonder and beauty and grace. I love the recent David Crowder song, “All My Hope is in Jesus.” Jesus gives me a reason to sing. I come to church, swimming upstream in our current culture, because it’s another opportunity for me to spend time with Jesus.
Well … enough. How about you? Do you have something to share with our congregation? Pray about it and then send it to Pastor Beth, or give her a call and she’ll help you figure out how to put your thoughts into words. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Don Schuessler
Lay Leader
Early Response Team Training & ERT Recertification
May 12, 2018- Clifton Springs UMC,1 E Main St, Clifton Springs 14432,8 AM - 5 PM
UMCOR’s Early Response Team (ERT) training equips individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. When disaster strikes, Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage. The work provides a caring Christian presence in times of disaster. The ERT badge is issued by UMCOR to applicants over the age of 18 after successful completion of an ERT course and a background check. Badges are valid for 3 years.
•The Early Response Team course is facilitated by Roger and Donna Cullen. This course is 8 hours.
•The 4-hour ERT Recertification is for holders of a current ERT badge. Brian Greenwald facilitates.Questions should be directed to the Cullens ator Brian at
•ERT training cost of $25.00 includes the ERT manual, background check, supplies, and badge.
•Recertification cost is $20.00 includes materials, supplies, background check, and badge.
Payment is by check written to "Clifton Springs UMC" with "ERT" written on the memo line. Bring check to the training.Training is potentially cancelled if less than 12 registrants by April 28. You are notified by email if class is cancelled.
Update from your Finance Committee
It was a snowy evening, March 8, but it was cozy inside Room 101 as the Finance Committee met to review the Treasurer’s Report for February 2018. The report showed the February income as $8,846.91: this included pledge/plate offering and contributions ($7,017.66); investment income ($1,044.89) - $772.54 of this from the estate of Dorothy Griffith; other income ($418.20) – this includes bottle return income, building use as well as some pass through to other accounts income; and, finally income received for the Friday lunch program, choir fund and the Shepherd’s Fund as well as contributions received for use of the nursery during Rip It classes.
Expenses for the same period were $15,666.44; broken down into categories this includes Payroll liabilities, Pastor payroll and benefits, Staff payroll, Office expenses, ministry expenses, church building expenses (electric, natural gas, phone, internet, water, sewer, trash and insurance), Conference obligations, online giving program expenses, Friday luncheon as well as the pass through to Memorial Funds and Shepherd’s Fund.