THIS WEEK JA N UA RY 1 2 | 2020
Photo by Susan Browning
www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207
704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org
8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 8:45 a.m. Church In The Round 9:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
WE LCO M E To O u r C h u rc h !
We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.
TODAY Blood Drive Signup, today, 9:00 a.m., lobby: Donate blood on Sunday, February 2, 7:30 a.m. in the Youth Building gym. Details: Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. Elementary Worship with Rebekah Hutto, today, 10:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: We’re excited to welcome children’s author Rebekah Hutto to a special elementary worship. She will read her book Paul and his Friends and will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase. The Cherub Choir will also sing. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Youth Group and Confirmation, tonight, 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Dinner is Moe’s taco bar for $8.
NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR YOGA AND PRAYER, Sundays, 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m., Francis Chapel: All ages and abilities are welcome. We ask for a $5 donation and we have mats available for your use. Details: Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org.
UPCOM ING The Beauty of Home, Sunday, January 19: Please bring to worship a small picture, item, or knick-knack that reminds you of the beauty of home – wherever that may be for you. During the service you will hold this, and reflect on what beckons you home, what makes you feel at home, what atmosphere of home makes you feel at peace, and what kind of “home” you might share with others. Mindful Mondays, January 13, February 10, and April 20, 10:30 a.m., Room 108: Join Bill Roth and Lauren Smith for a monthly opportunity to establish and deepen your mindfulness practice. Registration: Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org. Preschool Open House and Enrollment, January 14, 10:00 a.m., room 104: The Children’s Circle preschool will host an open house for prospective families, including a school tour. Enrollment deadline for the 2020-2021 school year is January 31 for all families, returning and new. Children must be 12 months by August 31, 2020 to enroll in the youngest class. Half day preschool is for ages one through five. Details: Patty Matthews at 704-376-5208 or pmatthews@mpumc.org.
BEAUTY AT THE TABLE, register now: Short-term groups begin January 21. Connect with one another and grow closer to our God. God made us to be in community, to break bread and share our stories together. Learn more and register at www.myersparkumc.org/small-groups.
Centering Prayer, Mondays, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., room 024 or Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: A beautiful chance to come as you are to learn and practice a form of wordless prayer alongside others. Details: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@myersparkumc.org. Middle School Small Group, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Hubee D’s: Join us for fellowship, food, and faith! Can’t come every week? That’s okay. Just join us when you can! Bring your money and bring a friend, and let’s hang out and talk about life and Jesus! Details: contact Sarah Simmons at ssimmons@mpumc.org. H.O.T. Wednesday, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday. This week’s menu will be: barbecue with sauces, buns, coleslaw, vegetarian baked beans, desserts, and ice cream. Register online on Realm or call 704-376-8584. Pastors’ Bible Study, Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Dr. Howell’s Bible Study resumes this Wednesday. He will explore how people in Bible times thought about Beauty and how we might join with them in knowing the mind and heart of God.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR WOMEN'S RETREAT, register by January 31: The retreat is February 2123 at the Caraway Conference Center. Our theme is Wholehearted: Real Life/ Real Faith. Double room $250/single room $280. Register and pay online at www.myersparkumc.org/women. Details: Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
Caregivers Support Group, January 14, 11:30 a.m., room 107: Share the challenges and rewards of the experience. Details: Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. How Has God Wired You to Serve? January 16, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. or January 27, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 106: Register for a Wired 4 Ministry class to learn how to make a difference through your unique, God-given design. Registration and pre-class exercises are required. Details: Carol Tate at ctate@mpumc.org to sign up. Monthly Brew with the Young Adults, January 23, 5:30 p.m., Legion Brewing SouthPark: Join us for happy hour and have a good time meeting other young adults from the church. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/young-adults.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Baptism Class, January 26, 9:45 a.m.., Francis Chapel: This class will deepen your understanding of this Holy Sacrament. It’s an essential first step for those preparing for Baptism for themselves or their children, including those expecting or planning for a child. For child care, email lrsmit@mpumc.org. Parenting Through the Phases, Sunday, January 26, 10:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for a monthly series of coffee and conversation that will focus on different developmental phases in a child’s life. This month’s session: Preschool (ages 3 and 4). A panel of experts, including Susan Wade, Diane Sadow, Dr. Andy Shulstad, and Katherine and Cliff Coley, will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Discover Myers Park, January 26, 11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: Come learn about our church and the beliefs and practices of our denomination. There is no obligation to join and child care is available for children ages 8 weeks old through those not yet in kindergarten. Registration: Jeanne Poole at jpoole@mpumc.org.
JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND: 100% of funds given to this second-mile giving fund go out the door to support ministry partners such as Loaves & Fishes. Give generously to Jubilee Plus! year-round online or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.
Young Adults Super Bowl Party, February 2, 6:00 p.m., 4122 Windmill Place: Plan now to join us to watch the Super Bowl. Go to www.myersparkumc.org/young-adults to RSVP and sign up to bring your favorite game food. Whether you come for the game, friends, or the commercials, we hope you will join us! Middle School Wonderfully Made Part 2, February 9, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Remember Wonderfully Made in 5th Grade? 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us for Middle School Edition: Wonderfully Made Part 2. The purpose of this workshop is to teach youth that they can live faithful lives of sexual integrity by valuing others and valuing themselves. Parents are not required to attend the event; however, the curriculum is available to view upon request. Signup is required at www.mpumcyouth.org. Details: Sarah Simmons at ssimmons@mpumc.org. ENOUGH: Transformative Giving 2020: Pledge cards for your 2020 estimate of giving can be returned via mail to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte NC 28207, in the Sunday offering plate or online at www.mypersparkumc.org/give. Your commitment to the operating budget and Jubilee Plus! matters. Through our generous giving, we continue to transform lives of those inside and outside the walls of our church.
AN EVENING WITH KATHY IZARD, Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 p.m., Francis Chapel: Kathy Izard, award-winning speaker and author of The Hundred Story Home, who helped transform Charlotte homelessness, housing, and mental health, will share her story and read her children’s book, A Good Night for Mr. Coleman. Children will make sandwiches for the Urban Ministry Center. RSVP on our website. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S Armenia Information Meeting, January 27, 6:30 p.m.: All interested travelers are invited to join us to learn more about our July 18-30, 2020 Armenia Mission Trip. Details: Chris Lepore at c.note.lepore@gmail.com. High School Winter Retreat Bible Boot Camp: January 31-February 2, registration now open: High School Winter Retreat moves to Asbury Hills Camp. Cameron Moore is back as our worship leader, and we will have another amazing senior send-off. Whether you have done many retreats or this is your first, we want you there! Details: visit www.mpumcyouth.org or contact Jason Rhymer at jrhymer@mpumc.org. Sort Donations at Loaves & Fishes, Second Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Loaves & Fishes warehouse: We meet monthly at the warehouse at 648 Griffith Road, to sort donated food. Details: Laura Weller at lauraoweller@yahoo.com with questions. January Collection, now-January 31, collection bins in lobby: We are now collecting food items for the school food bags, specifically boxes of mac and cheese and oatmeal. Details: Julie Wentz at jwentz@mpumc.org.
ROOM IN THE INN, Every Thursday and Friday night, now through March 31: We open our doors and hearts to provide warm meals, warm beds, and warm fellowship for homeless neighbors. There are various opportunities for all to participate such as driving the van, preparing and serving a meal, and staying overnight with our guests. For details, contact Greg Wells at greg@willisengineers.com.
CO N N E C T WITH US ! F o l l ow u s o n s o c ia l m e d ia @ my e r sp a r k u m c
V i s i t o u r we b s i te w w w. mye r s p a rk u m c .o r g to find small groups, ways to serve and engage, how to give, and plug in with other members of our church!
RACE FORWARD 2020
by Dave Cannon, John Clarkson, Deb Disney, Rebecca Grant, Chris Jones, and Ron Knape
Race Forward is a group of MPUMC members who seek to create a greater awareness of racism and implicit bias with the purpose of improving race relations in our church and beyond. Since the 2015 Mother Emanuel Church massacre in Charleston, this group has hosted speakers, sponsored workshops, and promoted community engagement within and beyond our walls, the most recent being a transformative Deep South Pilgrimage through Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery. All are welcome to join the discussion, participate in events, or offer ideas and suggestions to further the work of addressing and dismantling racism. Seek out any of us to learn more, or look us up on the MPUMC website.
OUR CLE RGY Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement Rev. Uiyeon Kim Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Bill Roth Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Nancy Watson Executive Pastor
TALK WITH A PASTOR A pastor on staff stands ready to respond to your question or concern. Those needing immediate pastoral help should call 704-376-8584 and follow the prompts to the pastor on call.
AN INVITATION TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS by Rev. Uiyeon Kim
Happy New Year Myers Park UMC! What a beautiful privilege to worship, to serve, to share, and to pray together as a beloved family of God. As we continue our journey in this year 2020, I want to extend an invitation to you…an opportunity to be an ambassador of hospitality of our church…to be a Greeter! As I reach out to new and established members of our church throughout the year, I constantly hear stories of warmth, kindness, and connections within the life of our church. A Greeter gets to be the first point of contact and connection with all those who enter through the doors of our church on Sundays. What will be required of you? To be present once a month to open doors, to smile, and to shake hands to bless all those who enter God’s house at MPUMC. Please contact Ed Boardman at meboard4911@gmail.com if you would like to join our team. I am so grateful for the spirit of hospitality within the life of our church, and I want you to be a part of this ministry. See you soon at the door! Be blessed this day.