This Week at Myers Park United Methodist Church | May 31–June 6

THIS WEEK M AY 3 1 | 2020

PENTECOST by Mark Wiggin www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207

704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org

LIVESTREAM WORSHIP TIMES 8:45 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. | 11:00 a.m.

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.

Our Deepest Sympathy

Mental Health During COVID–19 B Y R E V. B I L L R O T H Pastor of Congregational Care

Gladys Quinn, mother of Susan Wade, grandfather of Carney Wade, Malone Lockaby, and Quinn Yi, and greatgrandmother of Lillian Lockaby, Elli, Winsley, and Adaline Yi, died on May 25.

Allison "Allie" Boyle England,

daughter-in-law of Janet and Bill England, died on May 21.

Charles "Charlie" Hall Ashford, Jr.,

father of Charlie Ashford, and grandfather of Hall and Lillemore Ashford, died on May 15.

In Celebration Madeline Estelle Maciag, daughter of

Meghan and Steve Maciag, and sister of Owen and Everett Maciag, was born on May 18.

M. Grayson James Herwig, son of Whitney and John Herwig, brother of Carter Herwig, and nephew of Meredith Pinson and Scott Bowder, was born on March 3.

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oday, more and more Americans are reporting significant depressive symptoms from the stress and grief caused by the coronavirus. Nearly three in five Americans report they are fearful they will contract the virus. Add to this financial and health concerns, and we have significant stressors all around us.

These stressors make it challenging to diagnose mental health issues like Major Depression. A crucial delineation between feeling low and major depression is how long a time one has exhibited depressive symptoms. A clinical diagnosis of depression requires the presentation of symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE: • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood • Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism • Irritability • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

OUR DIGITAL CONNECTIONS

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

SUNDAY WORSHIP: There are multiple ways to remain together even if we’re not in the same room with one another! With multiple avenues of accessing our worship services, we can join together each Sunday online at 8:45, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m. Access our livestream at the link below or on Facebook. We look forward to continuing to worship with you on Sunday! Watch live at: myersparkumc.org/watch-live

• Decreased energy or fatigue

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday’s live Bible study will be at 11:00 a.m. and led by one of our pastors. They will share with us insights that they've learned from the Bible. The study will gather virtually at livestream.com/mpumc.

Also, if you'd like to receive Dr. Howell's weekly emails, you can sign up here.

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

VIRTUAL YOGA : We may find ourselves more sedentary as a natural side effect of this season, but we should not feel guilty or fear physical decline. One of the ways you can join others in finding healthy movement opportunities is through our weekly Zoom Yoga classes taught by Meredith Starling. Classes are offered Mondays and Thursdays at noon and Thursday evenings at 8:00 p.m. These classes are for all skill levels. If you are interested in joining please email Meredith. If you have any questions about the ministry, please email Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot.

MIDDAY MUSIC: MPUMC's very own Jimmy Jones, Director of Music, and Evan Currie, Music Associate and Organist, will perform musical pieces for you! These live mini-concerts will begin at noon and will air on the first and third Wednesday of each month. We'd love for you to join us for Midday Music and we hope that these performances will bless you! To tune in, click here.

• Moving or talking more slowly • Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping • Appetite and/or weight changes • Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment Major Depression is a medical diagnosis and thus is best diagnosed by a physician or psychiatrist. Depression treatments can and often include both medicines and psychotherapy.

SOME LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO HELP ALLEVIATE DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: • Try to be active and exercise • Set realistic goals for yourself • Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative • Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you • Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately • Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation • Continue to educate yourself about depression • For more information, visit: - The National Institute for Mental Health - Information from Healthline

Better Together

BY BRIT T YET T Missions Program Director

We have begun the Phase II plan for our state and while there are some changes and some loosening of restrictions, our church will continue to proceed with an abundance of caution. We, the people, are God’s church and we will continue to gather remotely until a time when worshipping and serving together is safe. We understand many of you are concerned about those vulnerable neighbors in our community who are being affected by illness and/or economic loss. While we cannot gather teams to serve, we invite you to explore the options below to see what might be a good fit for you and your family.

It is important to note, however, that each of these organizations (and the many more that serve this community) need donations now more than ever. If you are so moved, consider a donation to Jubilee Plus, our mission and outreach fund. We are constantly in contact with our partners as they make adjustments to their service models in light of COVID-19 and we continue to strive to meet need where it exists.

Before serving in person, please check directly with the partner organization to understand their policies and procedures for protecting volunteers from COVID-19.

FOOD INSECURITY Loaves & Fishes – Mobile food pantries serving more than 3,500 families weekly. Volunteer operations are temporarily suspended but you can sponsor a PEER TO PEER FUNDRAISER OR donate items from their WISHLIST! There is a need for the food items, but in particular, a need for diaper donations.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina – Supplies food to programs throughout our region, including boxes containing a week of groceries to Loaves & Fishes. Several options to SERVE, including host a fund drive in your neighborhood, or volunteer your time (please review their guidelines for group size).

OurBridge on the campus of Aldersgate – OurBridge has distributed nearly 60,000 meals to our immigrant and refugee neighbors with the help of many wonderful partners and volunteers. Their resources are solid through June 9, which is the last day of school. However, they must find a way to continue feeding these children through the summer! There are two ways to help: - Volunteer - 1.5 hrs Monday-Friday to pick up and distribute CMS meals in the neighborhoods (June 15 on throughout the summer). Fill out the volunteer information form HERE to sign up and someone will be in touch with you.

- Food drives - During the week of June 8, OurBridge will distribute bags of groceries because CMS is not offering meals that week. See the flyer for a list of items and information about delivery.

HOUSING INSECURITY Roof Above –Urban Ministry and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte merged and their new name is Roof Above. Roof Above is operating their established shelters and temporary shelters, as well as offering support for those neighbors who are unsheltered on the streets. They need support!

Check HERE for Amazon wish lists for their various “campuses”. All the different locations will be listed on the left side of the page.

For those looking for projects for the whole family: Assemble these kits for those currently sheltering in tent cities near the Roof Above campus off of College Street. Please include the following items: Bottle of water, two packs of crackers with cheese or peanut butter, a can of soup with a pull tab opening, a pack of beef jerky or Slim Jim, another snack (savory or sweet), self grooming item such as fingernail clippers or nail file, band-aids, and a mask or gloves or hand sanitizer (if you can find them). Don’t forget a note of love and support! Drop items in the large bin that will be outside the Parish Life building under the portico on these dates ONLY – Wednesday June 3 and Wednesday June 10 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

CHILDREN & TEENS The Relatives – This wonderful organization provides support for young people in crisis when no one else can. Their services include shelter and education. See their WISHLIST. QC Family Tree – Rooted in the Enderly neighborhood of Charlotte, QC Family Tree provides support for youth and their families, affordable housing, and creative spaces to explore God’s world. They update this WISHLIST regularly!

The Learning Collaborative – The preschool experience is more important than ever for underserved children in our area. The Learning Collaborative works with families to start a love of education. Help them get ready for next year by exploring their WISHLIST! YOU As you can see, organizations around our city are hard at work to mediate the effect that racism, social injustice, and poverty have on our most vulnerable neighbors. Take some time to explore those concepts in your own life. Consider reading THIS ARTICLE about living an undocumented life in America.

SUBSCRIBE to the Code Switch podcast from NPR. READ Heavy, An American Memoir, by Kiese Laymon, Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction, and best book of 2018 by multiple outlets, including The New York Times and Southern Living.

GIVING AT MYERS PARK Thank you for your faithful commitment to our church. Your ongoing offerings have made it possible for our music ministry to bring our congregation beautiful sounds through Midday Music and sing along to blessed hymns from our homes during Sunday worship.

Questions About Giving Opportunities?

Contact Jamie Yearwood, Director of Development, at jyearwood@mpumc.org or 704-295-4808.

Quarterly Giving Statements Be on the lookout for your quarterly statement of giving to our church in your email inbox this week. All statements will be sent to the email address in your Realm record. If you do not receive it or have questions about your statement, contact Linda Edwardsen at lindae@mpumc.org or 704-295-4842.

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he tragic death of George Floyd has grieved people of faith all across our countr y. We join them, as the moment exposes once again our need to confess that racism still riddles our institutions and our souls.

We will be restless and uneasy until we've done all we can wherever we can to ensure ‘liber t y and justice for all.’ We will reach out to AfricanAmerican friends and neighbors, and listen, and love. We will engage in prayer, study, and advocacy in our journey to reconcile through the Spirit of love.”

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

MPUMC SUMMER SMALL GROUPS FOR EVERYONE

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!

Led by the pastors of our church, these small groups will provide time/space during this ongoing time of uncertainty for all participants to share joys and concerns, offer support for one another, and prayerfully reflect on our weekly scripture lessons.

Beginning the week of June 1 Tuesdays | 11:00 a.m. | led by Rev. Uiyeon Kim Wednesdays | 10:00 a.m. | led by Rev. Uiyeon Kim Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. | led by Rev. Nancy Watson Beginning the week of June 15 Mondays | 8:00 p.m. | led by Rev. Nathan Arledge Wednesdays | 8:45 a.m. | led by Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot or Rev. Jessica Dayson FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

OU R CLE RGY Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement

Beginning the week of June 15, and led by Britt Yett, our Missions Program Director and a small business owner, this group will provide time/space for various business owners to gather to share their support for one another and best business practices in this season of COVID-19. This group will NOT use the lectionary guide as curriculum.

FOR ALL GROUPS In order to receive the Zoom pass code, please contact us at ______ and they will send it to you..

Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement

CONFIRMATION: GREAT EXPERIENCE, BETTER MEMORIES

by Nathan Howard

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.

This past Confirmation class was an interesting one. My oldest son Dane was going through the class. When we talked about it last summer, I said to him that since he was doing it, I’ll do it too. Not sure if he was embarrassed or happy!

The kids in our small group taught me just as much as we were supposed to teach them throughout the classes."

With that being said, I was nervous. We’ve only been members for a few years, but the Youth Group at MPUMC is AWESOME! Their answer to any of my hesitancies was encouragement and a sense of belief. Because of them, I felt great about being along side the students during their Confirmation journey.

The kids in our small group taught me just as much as we were supposed to teach them throughout the classes.

Because of the support, energy and compassion that the MPUMC Youth team pours over their “kids”, I believe that our Confirmation journey is a wonderful experience.

I do remember saying that some nights I was hesitant to come to Confirmation, but once I showed up along with the other mentors, I settled in and felt comfortable, happy to be there and knew that that’s where I was supposed to be. Our church is special.

Without doing more from the inside, I would miss all the opportunity to grow within its community.

I would encourage other parents to take the journey with their children. You only get one chance to do it with them and what better place than MPUMC.