Subject: This Week at Medford UMC -- May 22, 2020
This week at Medford UMC for {today}. |
A Word from the PastorFriends - One of the biggest challenges we face right now is that there's so much we don't know. I have met with two couples this week who are planning their weddings for early fall. Will they be able to have them? Will they not? No one knows. I've been working with the staff at annual conference on plans for various events. Those dates and plans have changed and morphed multiple times already and I expect they will continue to adjust. When I read the news, it seems like we're learning more and more about the virus. Then I read something else about new, surprising symptoms, or continuing questions about whether you're immune once you've had it, and I realize we still don't know much. And as the issues around the virus become more and more politicized - like seemingly every other thing in this country - I get frustrated that none of us seem to have an appropriate set of "facts" we can work from to find common understanding. It's this lack of information that makes it hard to look beyond the next few days. I'm not a person that likes to repeat work. If I spend the time to create a plan, I don't want to throw it out and have to create a brand new plan a couple weeks later. It's too frustrating and demoralizing. So what do we do? Give up? I hope not. But somehow we have to overcome our fear of doing the wrong thing, our fear of uncertainty, and our fear of the unknown in order to keep living. Join us on Sunday at 9:30 am on Facebook as we consider how faith in God can help us find our way through. Blessings, Joe
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Join Us In Saying Farewell
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Confirmation SundayOn May 31 (Pentecost Sunday), we will have an opportunity to celebrate our current confirmation class. Join us for worship that Sunday as we recognize the lives of these special young people and the important spiritual milestone they have reached. |
Graduate Recognition DeadlineIn early June, we will celebrate the high school and college graduates of Medford UMC. We would like to include your graduates -- please click this link to submit the required information. Submissions are due no later than May 31. If you are having difficulty submitting the form, please contact the church office. |
Words of ThanksBlood Drive: Well done, church! You and the whole Medford community responded to the urgent need for blood with an amazing 41 units! Every appointment slot was filled, and the American Red Cross is so appreciative of your support. God bless all who participated for sharing the gift of life. Family Promise: Way to go! Thanks to your generosity last week, we are able to able to support families served by our mission partner, Family Promise, with a gift of over $1100 to help cover their hotel costs during this pandemic. Your support is making a difference! Your Continued Financial Support of MUMC: Though we are not physically present, the church continues its mission to care for our community. During this time, we continue to make our facilities available for essential services, like blood drives and voting. Your support helps us continue to reach out and serve. Make a gift online at: medfordumc.org/give or through our app (text "medfordapp" to 77977 to download). Our mailing address is 2 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ 08055. Thank You: Viola Anderson asked that we share these words of thanks with you: "Dear Members of Medford Methodist, I want to express my thanks for the many sympathy cards I received upon Layton's passing. I was so impressed with how many still remembered him after more than 25 years and shared experiences with me. He was quite well except for his memory until the last year. Thank you, again." |
Diaper DriveEach year between Mother's Day and Father's Day, the members of Medford UMC gather and donate hundreds of diapers to be donated to the Christian Caring Center to share with families in need. We are, of course, collecting again this year! But, to keep us all appropriately safe and at home, we are only accepting monetary donations. You may give through the MUMC app or webpage using our PushPay system (select "Diaper Drive" as the fund) or by mailing a check directly to the church at 2 Hartford Rd, Medford NJ 08055 (please note "diaper drive" on the memo line).
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Small Groups & Spiritual Growth |
As outlined below, many of our small groups have been able to continue meeting by using the ZOOM videoconferencing app. |
Meet with the Pastors: Whether you are seeking individual pastoral care or simply an opportunity to check in, Pastors Joe and Kathleen want to connect with you. We are offering weekly Zoom check-in times for informal conversation, devotions, and prayer. Click here to join Joe on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm or click here to join Kathleen on Wednesdays at noon. Alternatively, you can email Kathleen or Joe to schedule an individual time to talk. |
Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies: These groups are able to continue their regular meetings through ZOOM formats. Simply click on the group description to be taken directly to the relevant ZOOM link. Men’s Study – 1st Saturday of the month – 8:00 am *Women's Bible Study will meet through May 28. After our traditional summer break, we will begin this study again in the fall. |
Virtual Youth Groups: Only two Sunday evening Youth Group gatherings remain -- May 24 and 31! Look for the ZOOM links in the weekly youth e-newsletter, or contact Bethany Carl to connect! Our Sunday meeting times will be Elementary (grades 3-5) -- 4:30 pm Parents of youth are invited to connect with one another through the Facebook group -- see details in the youth newsletter. |
Using ZOOM for Your Small Group: If you lead a small group or wish to start a small group but need training on how you can use Zoom to connect with your people, please contact the pastors. They will be happy to assist you in setting up your group and share the basics of ZOOM use with you.
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Get our app for easy access to worship videos, daily devotionals, giving, and all the latest news! Text "medfordapp" to 77977 to download. |
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