THIS WEEK D E C E M B E R 8 | 2019
FOR THE LOVE OF TREES by Belva Sefcik
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 Joseph Boyles Dudley, father of Dolly Dudley, who died on November 25.
Thomas McGwynn Moore, father of Libby Palmer, grandfather of John and Tim Palmer, and great-grandfather of Maylin Palmer, who died on November 23. Ray Judson Boleman, father of Jennifer Ford, and grandfather of Carson, Robert, and Hank Ford, who died on November 23.
TODAY Beauty: This Advent, we continue our series on the theme of Beauty. Dostoevsky said “Only beauty will save the world.” Through worship and arts we’ll focus on what is beautiful, the beauty of the Church, the beauty of our city, and even beauty in suffering. Send us photos, quotes or stories of beauty and we’ll share them on Instagram, Facebook and our bulletin. Your submissions can go to James at james@mpumc.org or to Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org. Blessing of the Gifts: Today, we bless the gifts provided for the Jubilee Store, helping Charlotte Family Housing provide parents with a joyful Christmas for their families. The first-grade Sunday School classes, led by their teachers Mary Ann & Oliver Cross, Sarah & Scott Herr, Pamela & Alan Jenkins, Laura Murdock, and Jill & Ed Pacelli, have written the prayer that they will offer during our worship services. Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism at the 11:00 a.m. service is Henry Brackins Skinner, son of Anne and Callan Skinner. Zoe Empowers Information Meeting, today, 12:00 p.m., Francis Chapel: All interested travelers are invited to come and learn more about trips to Kenya in February. For more information, contact Rev. Nathan Arledge at nathan@mpumc.org. Register to join the trip at www.myersparkumc.org/mission/kenya-zoe. Kneeling at the Manger, today, 4:00 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for this service of story and song. A narrator will read the story of Christ’s birth, and children of all ages are invited to come forward dressed as their favorite Nativity character. Our Children’s Ensembles will participate. Poinsettias, now-December 11: Purchase a poinsettia to decorate the church in honor or memory of a loved one at www.myersparkumc.org or send a check for $14 per poinsettia to the church along with the name of the person you are honoring/remembering. Dedications will be shared in the December 22 worship bulletin. Wreaths, now-December 11: Purchase a wreath to decorate the church in honor or memory of a loved one at www.myersparkumc.org or send a check for $30 per wreath to the church along with the name of the person you are honoring/remembering. Dedications will be shared in the December 22 worship bulletin.
LOVE OFFERING: We celebrate nine years of faithfulness and love for our Director of Youth Ministries, Lauren Stines, who will be completing her time with us on December 31. A love offering is being collected to show our gratitude for her and her family. Please make your check out to the church with Love Offering in the memo line.
UPCOM ING Why Christmas Still Matters…Remembering and Preparing for Advent, Mondays through December 23, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 106: Join Rev. Uiyeon Kim as we prayerfully examine the most amazing moment in history. We will follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, and others, and share life journeys in light of the hope and new life gained with Jesus. No registration or book study required. 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. Questions: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@mpumc.org. Young Adults’ Uptown Lunch, December 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Wells Fargo Atrium: Join other young adults of the church who work uptown. Bring your own lunch and RSVP to Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
GOT ART? We invite you to submit your original artwork that engages with the worship life here at Myers Park to display in our hallways. This Advent, we are collecting art for our church-wide theme of Beauty. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Contact Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org for more information and submission details.
In God’s Image, December 10, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., room 105: Our church is offering a gathering space for those who have been hurt by the General Conference’s adoption of the Traditionalist plan regarding same gender marriage and ordination. This group offers a safe and sacred space to share feelings, seek discernment, and receive support. Contact Bill Roth at broth@mpumc.org. Young Adults’ Christmas Party, December 14, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., 2410 Valencia Terrace: The Agape Sunday School class invites all young adults to gather around an outdoor fire pit for appetizers, desserts, and fellowship. Children are also welcome and toys will be available inside. Bring your own drinks. For more information, contact Mallory Fiery at mallory.fiery@gmail.com.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Christmas Concerts, December 15, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Tryon: Join us for either of our two concerts. The 150-voice chorus, composed of our adult, youth, and children’s ensembles, will join with a full orchestra featuring our own Myers Park Strings and Myers Park Bells to ring in this season. This is a free event with free parking. Shuttle from MPUMC will be available starting at 2:30 p.m. No tickets required. Onsite childcare for ages 3 and under will be offered for the 4:00 p.m. concert only. Spaces are limited. Register with Lisa at lrsmit@mpumc.org by December 9. To reserve seating at the 4:00 p.m. service for ASL Interpretation, contact Rev. Nancy Watson at nwatson@mpumc.org. Christmas Party for College-Age Students, December 19, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 2726 Lemon Tree Lane: Anyone college age is welcome to join us for holiday snacking and socializing with friends from church. Sign up online at myerspark.org/young-adults or by contacting Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND: 100% of funds given to this second-mile giving fund go out the door to support ministry partners at Zoe, and in Costa Rica and Armenia. Give generously to Jubilee Plus! year-round online or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.
Family Worship Days, Sunday, December 22 and Sunday, December 29: There will be no Sunday School for children and youth. Nursery and worship care will be available for children 8-weeks-old through those not yet in kindergarten. Questions? Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Love Feast, December 22, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary: A special service hosted by Myers Park UMC Youth Ministry. Join us for a family friendly traditional Love Feast with Moravian Love Feast Buns, Spiced Tea, and handmade Beeswax Candles. Epiphany Party, January 5, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., rooms 103-108: Kindergarteners and 1st graders are invited to experience the journey of the Three Wise Men with stories, games, crafts, and King Cake. Please bring new or gently used baby clothing (size 0-3 months) for Baby Bundles. To RSVP, email your child’s name and grade to Leslie at llowery@mpumc.org by January 2. Parents, if you are able to volunteer as a chaperone, please email Leslie.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: visit our website at www.myersparkumc.org to learn more about what's happening at each of our Christmas Eve Services!
Forward, January 5, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., room 240: 4th and 5th graders are invited to start the new year with Forward, a ministry designed to help them grow spiritually as they journey toward middle school. Forward meets the first Sunday of each month through April. Details: Director of Children’s Ministries Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Save the Date of February 2 for our next Blood Drive. Details: contact Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org.
E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S Alternative Gift Market, now-December 23: Support local and global missions by buying gifts in honor of your family and friends. All purchases are donations to church partner organizations who work with children here in Charlotte and around the world. Choose from a variety of gifts in a range of prices so that you can find something for everyone on your list. Visit www.myersparkumc.org/alternative-gift-market to learn more.
WALK THE LABYRINTH DURING ADVENT, Francis Chapel: We invite you to make intentional space this Advent to encounter God and spend time in prayer. The Labyrinth is available throughout the month of December whenever the church is open and no other events are scheduled in Francis Chapel. Please call 704-376-8584 to verify your time.
December Collection, now through end of December, collection bins in lobby: We are collecting warm coats, gloves, scarves and hats for children and adults. Please bring new or gently used items to be given to our partner agency, Crisis Assistance Ministry. 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. College-Mexico Mission Trip, registration now: All college-age students are encouraged to join our mission team traveling to Reynosa, Mexico, May 24-30 to work alongside our mission partner, Faith Ministry, to build relationships and work on our latest construction project. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/college-mexico. Armenia Mission Learning Session and Registration, Thursday, Dec. 12, 6:00 p.m., room 105: Join us at our Armenia Mission Trip Information Meeting as trip leader, Chris Lepore, will share details of the 2020 trip to Armenia. Register to join the trip at www.myersparkumc.org/mission/armenia.
REGISTER FOR THE 14TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT, early bird discount ends December 14: The retreat is February 21-23 at the Caraway Conference Center. Double room $250/single room $280. Save now by registering at myersparkumc.org/ women or contacting Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
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
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.
REVOLUTION OF VALUES
FEATURING JONATHAN WILSONHARTGROVE Ron Knape, a member of our Race Forward group, spoke with us about our recent Jubilee Hall program where we hosted a return visit from Christian pastor, author, and activist Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and the launch of his latest book, “Revolution of Values: Reclaiming Public Faith for the Common Good”. Joining Jonathan in a conversation on values were community leaders whose passions inform and direct their daily lives in the areas of affordable housing, immigration, healthcare, and educational equity. Addressing the question, why this program and what did you hope to achieve, Ron turned to the subtitle of the book, saying it’s really about reclaiming the message of the Gospel at the intersection of faith and politics. “Folks who say that religion and politics don’t mix are really saying that our Christian values, like taking care of the least of these, like loving our neighbor as ourselves, like do unto others as you’d have them do to you, belong in the pew, not in the political realm or through a political prism. I personally don’t see how this is possible if we are to live the Gospel as Jesus taught it, not as it has been interpreted and preached by some on the religious right, or by the so-called Christian Nationalists." To make it less abstract and more tangible, take values-laden issues like housing or immigration. To be sure, these are public policy issues. But are they not
also public faith issues? That to me is the crux of Jonathan’s book and the reason we invited him to make that case here at MPUMC. Our congregation is an informed one which takes continuing education and lively discussion seriously. That’s a good thing, but it shouldn’t end there. If we are to live out the gospel, we need to take what we learn and what we believe beyond our walls and into the pubic spaces of our beloved community. Jesus didn’t check his beliefs at the synagogue doors; he took them to the streets, the public places. Avid Carolina Panther fans don’t only wear their colors and keep their pennants in their living rooms, they take them to the public places. One of our speakers, Dr. Jessica Shorr Saxe, a retired Jewish physician, explained her call and passion to work for healthcare for all through the Jewish word, “tzedakah”, meaning that doing good is not an option, as in charity. “Because it is justice”, she said, “we are required to pursue it”. That sounds a lot like Jesus’s message to his followers and a lot like what we heard from Jonathan and our community voices. So, find your passion, join the revolution, make it public, do it for the common good
Tzedakah, meaning that doing good is not an option... because it is justice, we are required to pursue it. - Dr. Jessica Shorr Saxe