Annual Conference: By the time you receive the June newsletter your pastors and lay members will be participating in this yearly event or we will be on our way home. Two of the primary actions (both “A” words) which occur reliably are:

Apportionments: setting the ministry budget for the annual conference which will determine the apportionment amounts each church pays for the coming year. Apportionments are not an “assessment” but rather our part in the ministry of outreach, development and administration which are our part of connectional work as United Methodists. We will also be taking the LOVE offering with us which will be given during a special worship service.

Appointments are also confirmed by the Bishop as the clergy are sent out to serve in the mission outposts (a.k.a. churches) in the communities throughout the state. I will be appointed to begin my seventh year and Pastor Lisa Dodd will be appointed to begin year 2.

Garage Sale: Thanks to the wonderful team of workers who helped make our annual sale another huge success. Over $7500 was raised through this effort. Half has been designated for mission work, with a focus on helping provide relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Our gift to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), will go directly to the needs in the area served by our mission team this spring.

Garage Sale Part 2: Every church I have served has had an annual (or more) Garage Sale. If I do the math right that means I have experienced 33 Church Garage sales (so far). This does not count craft sales, bake sales and other means of fundraising. I have observed the great energy and effort given to advertising, organizing, inviting and promoting that makes these events successful and I have often thought “we know how to do this for Garage Sales, why can’t we make it happen for other ministries and worship events of the church?” I believe we have the “know how” and the ability, but the carryover seems to be short-lived. So, once again, I am asking: Can we translate what we have learned about “evangelism and outreach” through the garage sale for the overall ministry of our church, or even special programs?

Labyrinth: Last fall the Boy Scout Troop #342 did a great job of creating a new Prayer Labyrinth on our church property. The new labyrinth is located on the lawn just east of the sanctuary. You are invited to use this ancient prayer walk any time of the day. You can tell others about it and/or invite them to come with you to experience prayer in this way. Brochures and information will be in the office and Fellowship Hall describing the tradition and practice of the Labyrinth prayer form. Future landscaping plans with flowers and benches are also being planned.

Evangelism/Welcoming: The Welcoming Ministry Team is launching a new visitor follow-up program. After much thought, prayer and discussion, I am very pleased and excited that it is taking shape. It will be described and formally launched on June 8. You can be a part of this ministry of welcoming neighbors and friends who are on the journey of looking for a deepened relationship with God through this church. A simple gift and a greeting are part of this important “can do” ministry. This ministry will be guided by Pastor Lisa and the Welcoming Ministry Team..

Witnessing: The General Conference which met in Fort Worth, Texas in May, added the word witnessing to the membership vows. When we welcome new members and invite them to profess their faith through membership we will all be asked to support Christ’s work through the church with our: “Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness”. Witnessing, evangelism and welcoming are the focus for the sermons during the month of June. We will also be hearing members of the congregation give a “witness” to their faith in worship several times during the summer months as they lead us all to think earnestly about the ways we are seeing and experiencing God at work in our lives and in the world.