Dear Members and Friends of UMA,
One of the questions that came up in the Presbytery newsletter this week was not how many people sit in the pews on Sunday morning, or how to revitalize the church, what kind of music is played, the real question was, what is our purpose, why are we here? Church attendance has dropped significantly in all the mainline denominations. Rev. N Scott Cupp from the Cayuga Syracuse Presbytery Vision and Strategy Committee, says that, “At the time of the merger, (between the PCUS and the UPCUSA) we counted about 3.2 million members. Twenty years later, membership had fallen to 2.45 million people. Now, forty years later, we have about 1.14 million members.” That’s a big drop!
So, let us ask ourselves, what is our purpose? What is our mission, why do we come to church? Some of us come for the music, the choir, the organ, the familiar hymns, some of us like the liturgy and rituals of church, some hope for a good sermon, some like intellectually stimulating sermons, and some like stories of how faith plays out in everyday life. Most of us like the fellowship, the friendships, the support in times of trial and in times of joy.. But underlying all that is what I think is most important, and that is to live the Way of Jesus. Jesus teaches us through the stories of his life, the parables, his death and resurrection that it is love that conquers death, it is love that conquers evil. Hopefully when we come together in church, we are open to the holy presence of the love that permeates all of creation. But too often, as we go about our daily lives, we don’t recognize it. Hopefully church is one of the places we do recognize it, though we may also recognize it when we listen to a wonderful symphony, take a walk in the woods, enjoy painting a work of art, spending time with a grandchild, or sailing upon the lake at sunset.
And, when we recognize that eternal love, that shalom love, may we feel it for others, for the birds, the insects, the fox and deer, the fish and all that lives and breathes with us upon this earth. And, may we also recognize our responsibility to protect our interconnected web of life, and be, as I like to say, Christ’s eyes, ears, hands and feet walking upon our garden planet.
So with that little mini sermon (all my “sermons” are pretty short, is there a theme here?) Church council will be asking you to fill out a little question and answer survey the next two Sundays. As you do so, I hope you reflect upon the “why?” and then the “now how?” and provide us with some good feedback.
Also, there are several committees that could use your help as we strive to be Christ’s eyes, ears, hands and feet in our community and beyond. You do not necessarily have to join a committee, but if you would like to help out occasionally that would be great!
Hospitality always needs some extra hands, for our after church get togethers and other get togethers, Mission and Outreach will once again be having an Ice Cream Social benefit for the King Ferry Food Pantry in August that will be great fun, as well as special collections quarterly to help local non for profits and an Ecumenical Picnic in September. Many more opportunities to be Christ’s eyes, ear, hands and feet to come in the fall! I hope you get involved as you are able as we, from our blessings, become blessings onto others!!
And one last thing, the amazing Building Restoration Committee, spearheaded by our dear and wonderful Ken Furness with a great deal of help from Tracy Leffingwell, Marie Dentes, and Betty Hurley will be celebrating the successful first phase of our fundraiser this Sunday after church!!! Thank you to all who have pledged and donated!!! We will now be entering the exciting second stage of this very special fundraiser. At the same time the second stage of the four stage project is also coming to an end. It looks amazing, for those who noticed the bricks in need of replacing and how many there were, especially around the Social Room door, now you can’t even tell there was ever a problem! The new bricks match the old ones so well!
I’ll end with this short prayer from our Presbytery,
“God of peace, guide our hands to make tools for peace instead of weapons of war. Let us learn war no more. Guide our hearts to break down walls of division, not with pressure sanctions and threats, but with love, humility and understanding. Help us to make a way where there is no way. Amen
Peace out!
Barb