THIS WEEK O C TO B E R 13 | 2019
Cityscape by Chris Hood
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.
Our Deepest Sympathy Josephine “Jo” Anthony Schofield, mother of Beth Miller and John Miller, who died on October 7, 2019.
TODAY Youth Group and Confirmation, tonight, 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Youth in 9th12th grades are invited to join us tonight. Dinner is Moe’s Taco Bar and dessert for $8. Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at the 9:45 a.m. service are Lila Rhodes Baker, daughter of Caroline and Dan Baker; and Frances Townes Huntley, daughter of Megan and Banks Huntley. Being baptized at the 11:00 service is Austin Caligiuri Fann, son of Talia and Alan Fann. Labyrinth, today, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Francis Chapel: Schedule subject to change; please call 704-376-8584 to verify. October focus is Unity
Vincent “Vince” Joseph, father of Carol Ann Jarrell, who died on October 3, 2019. John Robert Shell, Sr., father of John Shell, grandfather of Blake Shell, and great-grandfather of Charles and Jacob Shell, who died on September 28, 2019.
In Celebration Jacob Edward Shell, son of Eleanor and Blake Shell, grandson of John and Linda Shell, and brother of Charles Shell, who was born on September 16, 2019.
UPCOM ING Centering Prayer, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 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. Questions: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@mpumc.org. Uptown Men’s Small Group, Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m., Amelie’s Uptown: Join other men of all ages, including those 18-30s, for fellowship and book discussion. For more information, contact Justin Lenarcic at JSLenarcic10@yahoo.com. Pastors’ Wednesday Bible Study, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Join us. Join us as Nancy Watson leads us in “Making Sense of the Bible.” To make child care reservations, email Lisa Ross-Smit at lrsmit@mpumc.org. Medicare Part D Counseling, Open enrollment is October 15-December 7: One-on-one counseling is offered. If you have Medicare Part D coverage or will soon become eligible for Medicare, you may find this counseling very helpful. Bring your list of medications and dosages. Contact Carmen Rivera at 704-295-4818 for appointment dates and times. H.O.T. Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday. Our menu will be BBQ with buns, sauces, vegetarian baked beans, cole slaw, salad, desserts, ice cream. You may now register and pay online through Realm or make a reservation by phone at 704-376-5520, option 6 by end of day Monday.
GET YOUR FLU VACCINE, October 23, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., room 108: Walgreens will host our annual fall flu vaccination clinic. Vaccines are available for ages 14 and up. Some insurance plans are accepted. Questions? Contact Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org.
Meet the Young Adults, October 17, 7:00 p.m., Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Join us for conversation and a fun night out. Sign up with Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org. Baptism Class, October 20, 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). To make child care reservations, email lrsmit@mpumc.org. Children’s Prayer Room Opens, October 20, room 257: This interactive space, made possible by a generous donation, is designed for pre-kindergarten-5th grade children and their families to explore different ways to pray. Details: Leslie Lowry at llowery@mpumc.org. Discover Myers Park, October 20, 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. Contact Jeanne Poole at jpoole@mpumc.org for details.
REGISTER FOR THE 14TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT, early bird registration now-December 14: The retreat is February 21-23 at the Caraway Conference Center. Double room $250/single room $280. Save now by registering on the website or contact Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
How Has God Wired You to Serve?, October 21, 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, Godgiven design. Registration and pre-class exercises are required. Contact Carol Tate at ctate@mpumc.org to sign up. Fall Block Party, October 25, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Parish Life Building Parking Lot: Round up your friends and neighbors, grab your tailgate chairs and picnic blankets, and head over to MPUMC for an evening of fun and fellowship for all ages. There will be a food truck, music, and bounce houses. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Question, Persuade, and Refer Training, October 28, 6:30 p.m., room 110: Offered by Mental Health America (MHA), this training equips attendees with education on how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis, and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Pre-registration is required. Contact Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. To register, contact Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org. Meet Amy at Amelie’s, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Amelie’s at Park Road Shopping Center: Amy Harriman, MPUMC’s Director of Children’s Ministries, wants to get to know you! Whether you’re a long-time church member or a recent visitor, a seasoned parent or a first-time mom, all moms are invited to join Amy for conversation, community, and coffee. Questions: Email Amy at aharriman@mpumc.org. Caregivers Support Group, October 29, 11:30 a.m., room 105: Share the challenges and rewards of the experience. Contact Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. Phanton of the Organ, October 30, 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary: Children of all ages, come in your Halloween costume for this annual concert. There will be plenty of music, singalongs, movie clips and surprise guests.
E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S 2020 ZOE-Kenya Mission Trips: Register today for either the January 21-30 or July 1423 mission trips. Our teams will visit ZOE in Maua, Kenya, to learn more about their orphan empowerment program. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/mission/zoe. Costa Rica Spring Break Family Mission, register now: Join our April 13-20 mission trip (for ages 8 and up) to work alongside our ministry partners to construct buildings and strengthen relationships. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/costarica.
JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND, throughout the year: Funds help support partners such as CareRing. Give to Jubilee Plus! online at myersparkumc.org/give year-round, or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.
CHURCHWIDE FOOD PACKING EVENT, October 20, 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Basement: For years we’ve gathered on a Sunday in October for Stop Hunger Now, but this year we’re making an impact closer to home. We’ll pack thousands of bags of food for Marie G. Davis scholars to take home each weekend to ensure they return Monday morning well-fed and ready to learn. Visit www.myersparkumc. org/food-bags to sign up.
Welcome Legal Asylum Seekers, Sundays, 3:15 p.m., Greyhound bus station: Join us in a ministry of presence and hospitality here in Charlotte. Visit www.myersparkumc. org/bus-station to sign up, or email Janie Reynolds at jreynolds12@carolina.rr.com with questions. Make Sandwiches for Urban Ministry, 3rd Mondays, 9:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Call Martha Abbey at 704-264-6892 for details. Men’s Shelter Monthly Meals, 1st Wednesdays or 2nd Tuesdays, varying Men’s Shelter locations: Prepare and serve a meal at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte with a team of church members for about an hour and a half. Email Megan Jones at mjones@mpumc.org to sign up or learn more. Serve Lunch at Center of Hope, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Salvation Army Center of Hope: Prepare lunch for women and children at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt St. To sign up or learn more, reach Suzanne Johnson at shj422@gmail.com.
MISSIONS SURVEY: Our Missions Team wants to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete a short survey at bit.ly/mpumcmissionssurvey to help us better understand how you learn about opportunities to serve.
Sort Donations at Loaves & Fishes, 2nd Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Loaves & Fishes warehouse: We meet monthly at the Loaves & Fishes warehouse at 648 Griffith Road, to sort donated food. Email Laura Weller at lauraoweller@yahoo.com with questions. On The Table, October 23, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.: Join us for breakfast as we generate ideas around the theme of “home.” Sponsored by the Knight Foundation and Foundation for the Carolinas, ideas generated from On the Table will inform public policy. RSVP at www.myersparkumc.org/on-the-table. October Collection: School Partnerships, now-October 31, Lobby: Donate Kleenex, hand sanitizer spray, sanitizer wipes, and printer paper to be used by our partner schools. Questions? Contact Julie Wentz at jwentz@mpumc.org.
FOR THE LOVE OF READING, Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9:00 a.m., Marie G. Davis School: We need readers weekly, or on an occasional substitute basis, to work with children developing their love of books and reading. For more information, contact Amie Rucker at amierucker@gmail.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!
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
GARDEN MINISTRY AT MYERS PARK UMC by Elizabeth Field, Garden Ministry Lay Leader
Shortly after I became a member of MPUMC, I went through “Wired for Ministry.” I was informed that I would make a great Stephen’s Minister. I was not surprised because I have dedicated my life to the work of psychotherapy. However, as much as I love my work, the idea of doing more of my God given gift on my down time did not appeal to me. Instead, I asked to work on the landscape of the Church grounds or the garden. Unfortunately, I did not hear anything back so I was resigned that I was not needed at that time. As luck would have it, our small Sunday School class merged into a larger group, “Journeys.” In that group sat my friend Lindsey’s father, Mike Ferrell. Much to my surprise, at one of our classes he spontaneously stated he need additional help in the garden. So, I jumped at the opportunity to serve and announced that was exactly what I had hoped to do at our church. We were both delighted. He introduced me to a team leader, Becky Collette, and I was assigned to her team. Becky and I just clicked. It wasn’t long before she explained her role and long-time commitment to the ministry. Becky asked me to prayerfully consider taking on the lead of our little team. I accepted the position and when I did, Mike encouraged me to find a way to build community. Our small team of four consisted of the two of us, Diane Furr and Jordan Baigas. I suggested on the weeks that our team was scheduled, we meet at 5:30 PM, Tuesdays, to work in the garden together and then we could grab dinner together, as a team. The other two garden days were assigned in rotation to each of us and this plan quickly became our ritual. I took my team to a nearby Italian restaurant, Zio’s, with a garden in the back, where we could relax over dinner together monthly after finishing the gardening. What a gift these ladies have been in my life. Not only do we help refugees by planting and harvesting vegetables, we have also cultivated a circle of friends. These women are important to me. I look forward to our time together and we get together for dinner even when the garden is barren. We genuinely have grown to love each other. What a gift. Psychotherapy is like gardening the soul. The problem with it is the work is slow and the results can take years to cultivate. Frankly, most of the time I rarely see my impact on the other person. Unfortunately, sometimes there is not enough impact to make a difference. Yet, occasionally there is great transformation and that is the hook. However, planting in rich soil and watching growth happen rapidly by comparison feeds my soul’s need to see change and see my impact. There are three more reasons for me to appreciate my work in the garden:
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.
First, as a young girl, I loved to be outside. As a woman, I still love to be in God’s creation. Nature soothes me. After all gardening is just another excuse to be in Nature. Second, Church life was always a part of my family’s life. As a girl, I remember my mother taking us to church on Sunday, even on vacations. The message was clear to me: God is not on vacation. Third, on my father’s side of the family, I am a first generation American. My father’s family were refugees from Cuba. They fled their country with five dollars and one suitcase each. I cannot imagine the fear of having to choose to leave everything known to me, to hope to find a better life in an unknown place. Maybe that is all of our stories on some level.