Subject: This Week at Medford UMC -- May 22, 2020


This week at Medford UMC for {today}.

A Word from the Pastor

Friends - 

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

 



 

Join Us In Saying Farewell
to Pastor Kathleen

We want to celebrate all that God has done through the ministry of our friend, the Rev. Kathleen Stolz. We invite you to take part in any (or all!) of the opportunities to help mark the occasion of her retirement and her transition alongside her husband Rich to life at their new home in Maryland, where they will be nearer their family. We hope every single person who has been blessed by her presence with us can find some way to share in these opportunities.

Video Tribute - We will collect short video tributes to celebrate Kathleen's ministry. We'll share ALL the videos with her, and excerpt some for her final worship service with us on June 14. Please email videos to Wayne Adams (wadams5641@yahoo.com). Please submit all videos by June 6.

Card Shower & Financial Gift - We invite you to take a few moments to share words of encouragement with Kathleen through a card. You can send to 33 Forest Avenue, Medford NJ 08055. If you'd like to make a financial gift, there will be a selection in the drop-down menu in our app and on our website. You can also send a check to the church office with "Kathleen" in the memo line.

Drive By/Wave Parade at the Church - On Saturday, May 30 at noon, Kathleen and Rich will be at the church for folks to drive by, wave, and offer greetings through their car windows. There will also be a place for you to deposit cards, gifts, gift cards, etc.

Zoom Celebration with Kathleen - We will gather on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 pm to share stories, memories and laughs with Kathleen. If you'd like to coordinate a song, a poem, or some other tribute with friends, please reach out to Bethany Carl (bethany@medfordumc.org). Click here on June 5 at 7:00 pm to join the Zoom Celebration. (Meeting ID: 846 3950 3596, Password: 019408) One tap mobile: +19294362866,,84639503596#,,1#,019408# US (New York)

Kathleen's Final Worship Services - Kathleen will share stories and lessons from her years of ministry during our Facebook live worship services on June 7 & 14 at 9:30 am. June 14 will be her last Sunday of worship with us and feature special tributes as we bless and thank her for all she's done for us.

 



 

Confirmation Sunday

On 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 Deadline

In 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 Thanks

Blood 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 Drive

Each 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).

 



 

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
Men’s Study – 3rd Saturday of the month – 8:00 am
Women’s Study – Every Thursday – 10:00 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 
Middle School -- 6:00 pm 
High School -- 7:30 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.

 



 

Get our app for easy access to worship videos, daily devotionals, giving, and all the latest news! Text "medfordapp" to 77977 to download.

 
 
 
Medford United Methodist Church
2 Hartford Road, Medford NJ 08055
609/654-8111

 

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