February 2012
From The Pastor
Church. It seems that over the past couple years, we’ve talked a great deal about what church isn’t. Church isn’t a building. Church isn’t a social club. Church isn’t an escape from the world. But that leaves the question what is church?
I have some thoughts on this. I imagine you do as well. I’ll share my thoughts and I hope that you will take a minute to share your thoughts as well. Part of my definition of church is a place for conversation. By that I mean real conversation. Conversations that get to the heart of what it means to be human. Conversations about how we interact with one another and the rest of God’s creation. Conversation requires listening and learning. We all need to bring informed thoughts to the table and we need to listen to one another, consider the merits of each viewpoint and reflect together. It’s great to have a wide range of people in a congregation so we can have deeper conversations. We don’t need to agree on everything; we need to learn how to have conversations about the things we don’t agree on.
I have other thoughts on what church is, but I want to hear yours. After all, church is a place for conversation. Please speak with me after worship some Sunday, drop me a note, an email (pastorkim.fumcna@verizon.net) or call me (413) 329-4939. Together, we can develop an understanding of what church is. Please join the conversation.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
From Barb Toll
Earlier this month I spent some time at Asbury Seminary talking about social justice and the community of God. It was an interesting week full of discussions about justice, mercy and the life of the church.
One of the things that we talked about is how our churches can embody the idea of “Shalom” found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The word itself is not easy to translate into English. It is often translated as “peace,” but that is inadequate. It does not capture the entire meaning. “Shalom” involves a sense of wholeness and harmony; it is a total sense of wellbeing. Obviously, this idea can be applied to both individuals and communities.
So what might it look like for a church community to embody the concept of “shalom?” It means celebrating what God has done for us in worship together and exploring our faith practices together so that we can help each other grow. It also means caring for each other through the hard times, providing a listening ear and caring heart.
The church must also embody peace if it is to be a “shalom community.” This kind of peace is not only the absence of conflict; it is being a force for mercy and justice in the community. Partnering with other churches and people of faith to provide food and shelter for those in need. Being involved in long-term efforts to solve the problems plaguing our community.
The best part of my week at Asbury was being able to share the ways in which we are living out these ideas. We have come together as a church to celebrate our Gracious God, and we do our best to open our hearts to each other. We are involved in caring for our community and seeking solutions for its problems. As we continue this journey, we will find ways to continue to grow together. We will continue to cultivate peace and work for justice. What an amazing journey!
Shalom,
Barb Toll
Church World Service
Dear friends,
White Gift Sunday brought an abundance of gifts for our Church World Service Kits. I felt like a King opening all the white packages! The contents held:
55 baby washcloths
10 baby sleepers
4 receiving blankets
3 baby slip-on shirts
48 pencils
7 pencil sharpeners
8 scissors
6 nail clippers
2 wide- tooth combs
1 toothbrush
$5 cash donation
A thousand thanks for your generosity. I’m happy to report that several people are starting to make receiving blankets and school bags. I’ll be ordering diapers, diaper pins, and baby gowns with the cash donations I’ve received this far. Our work continues, as we still need the following items:
Baby undershirts (no onesies) Size: 6-12 mos.
Bars of soap (bath size in wrapper)
Toothbrushes (in original packaging)
Wide-tooth combs
Nail clippers
Pencil sharpeners
If you have items for the kits, I am happy to pick them up or you can bring them to worship on Sunday or drop them off at the church office. As always, if shopping is difficult for you, please consider a cash donation and I’ll gladly purchase these items for you.
Thank you, Barbara Kourajian
458-2798 or bkour@roadrunner.com
Northern Berkshire Relay For Life:
First United Methodist Church of North Adams and Williamstown, along with the Cheshire Methodist Church, will be again participating in the Relay For Life as the Wesley Walkers. It is June 1st and 2nd. We are looking for walkers to join our team. You can register on line at relayforlife.org. Search for North Adams, MA and then click to sign up and look for the Wesley Walkers. It costs $10 to register and you get a free t-shirt. Survivors of cancer can join a team and their fee is waived. More information as we grow closer. We will be having a few fundraisers as well to raise money for our team. Our first fundraiser is the monthly take out/eat in dinner for February. So please, come and enjoy a nice hot meal and support the Wesley Walkers.
Info from Lisa Allen 743-3060.
Dinner for Relay for Life
The First United Methodist Church of North Adams and Williamstown's February
Take-Out, Eat-In Dinner will be Beef Stew with Biscuits. For dessert, we will be serving Cranberry Crunch. The proceeds from this dinner will benefit Relay for Life.
The dinner will be held Saturday, February 11th from 5:00 - 6:00 pm at the First Congregational Church Kitchen, located at 134 Main Street, North Adams. Enter through the handicap accessible Summer Street kitchen door. We also deliver to Adams, North Adams, Clarksburg & Williamstown.
Adult dinners are $9.00 and children's dinners are $4.50. Please reserve your dinner in advance by calling 663-7585 by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 10th. Leave a message on the answering machine with your name, telephone number, number of dinners and if you will eat-in or pick-up. If you need delivery, please also leave your address and phone number.
We hope to see you there.
Envelopes?
If you would like to use envelopes for your offerings, please let us know. They will enable you to have a record of your giving for the year if you put cash into the offering plate and are also a handy reminder for staying current with your giving.
Contact the office 458-3183 or email info@umcwilliamtown.org or let Judy Turbin 458-9930 know.
Thanks
Memorial Contributions
In loving memory of Edith Anderson given by Jane Marino and Steve & Elinor Long.
The Food Pantry at the Friendship Center
Ever wonder what happens to food we collect each week? We donate it to the Food Pantry at the Friendship Center (run by the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Initiative) on Eagle Street in North Adams. The food pantry distributes food on Wednesdays during the day and the evening.
On Wednesday, Jan. 18
80 families served in the day; 26 in the evening; added 14 new households; total members 724
On Wednesday, Jan. 11
77 families served in the day; 23 in the evening
On Wednesday, Jan. 4
66 families served in the day; 26 in the evening
Thank you for helping our neighbors!
