   
Dear Church Family, This week's e-note will cover the following two topics: Beyond the Comfort Zone Coffee and Conversation Beyond the Comfort Zone: If you missed the 11:00 service on September 4th, you missed seeing your new pastor fall on the chancel steps during Holy Communion. I hear it was quite a spectacular sight! When I stood up I said, "This won't be the last time I make a mistake at BUMC." Recent listening sessions have reinforced the truth of that statement. During my first few Sundays at BUMC, we followed the familiar order and style of worship you were accustomed to. I then begin initiating numerous changes. These changes came naturally to me because of my background. However, my listening sessions revealed that for some of you, these changes felt strange and unsettling. After a lot of dialogue with the congregation, I've come to realize that I probably introduced too many new things too fast. Although many of you have loved the changes, for some of you, it has felt a bit like whiplash. I want you to know I'm aware of this discomfort and will be more sensitive to it in the future. I'm not saying the changes are going away, or that we can please everyone because that is impossible. But our worship team and I are going to work hard to plan worship
services that carefully balance our traditions along with new ways of experiencing the presence of God. I'm sure I'll stumble again in this volatile area of worship leadership-although I hope not literally because that really hurt! I appreciate your patience and support as I learn to navigate this beautiful and diverse congregation called Brentwood United Methodist Church. Coffee and Conversation: This Sunday morning, September 18th, we'll host our second "Coffee and Conversation with the Pastor." The event will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 in the chapel. Our Guest Services department, located in the narthex (the large gathering area near the entrance of the sanctuary) can help you find the chapel if you are unsure of its location. If you have been visiting BUMC over the past few weeks or months or even longer, and would like to get better acquainted with me and learn more about our church, including what it means to become a member, I hope you will attend. No reservation is needed. All you need to do is show up in the chapel at 9:45 AM. Childcare will be available for children of all ages through our nursery and Sunday school program. If you normally attend the Awakening Service during that time, we invite you to visit either our 8:30 or 11:00 service, which are also held in the large sanctuary. I look forward to meeting you at "Coffee and Conversation with the Pastor" this Sunday. Finally, it was good to receive Frank Rosato, Rachel Addison, Andrew, Ashley and Avery Allen, Brian and Amy Waymire, Elecia Lewis, and Mark, Jeanette, Samuel and Lauren Arnold as new members. Welcome to our church family. In Christ's Love and Service, Martin