Church Newsletter
We publish "The Messenger", a church newsletter which is sent to all members, each month except August. It includes information about current happenings in the church, general articles of interest from around the Conference and elsewhere, a calendar of events, a volunteers schedule for the month, and a page dedicated to keeping everyone up-dated on our church family.
The following is a portion of the current issue.
THE MESSENGER
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHOF CHATHAM Clinton E. Parker, Pastor
Volume 14, Issue 8 September, 2010
A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
What a summer! Seems like yesterday when we returned to the renovated sanctuary and celebrated Easter and Pentecost. Folks who had been away from Chatham and the Lower Cape started returning to the land along the edge of the sea. At last, summer: the 4th of July parade, Lobster Roll Suppers, a steady stream of visitors to the Thrift Shop, craft fairs, and heat, lots of warm weather. The beaches were full up and down the shoreline with lots of seals all about carefully being watched by the sharks.
Fall is just around the corner with less traffic and, if you're lucky, parking spaces everywhere you want to go. With days becoming a little cooler and fall approaching, it becomes time to sit back, relax, and take stock. Catch your breath. Things are good.
This time of year is also a good time to lean back and take a spititual check-up. Like a morning alarm clock, let us re-awaken our souls. Ask some questions. Am I really where I want my relationship with God to be? What should I set as spiritual goals for the next few months? What might be some of he ways to live out my faith with new challenges, opportunities to grow, and a renewed comitment to spiritual disciplines (prayer, study and service)? Think about seeking the leadership of God and finding out where God's Spirit leads you. God awaits your call.
The 57th Psalm tells us ... "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody! Awake my soul!...I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples...For thy steadfast love is great..." Set the alarm clock for a new day is upon us, fall is here.
Blessings, Clint
MISSION MINUTES
The committee has initiated a campaign to raise $6,000 to $8,000 to finance the building of a water well in Kamina in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On August 15th, Judith Santiago, from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, brought us news of UMCOR's project inKamina and told us of the impact water deprivation and poor hygiene have in the world.With words and video, Judith captured some of the heartbreak surrounding these issues.Our thanks to her. All donations to this fund should be sent to the church with a notation "Wells for Kamina" on the check.They will be very much appreciated!
YARD SALE
Our next church-wide Yard Sale will be held on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend. We will accet almost anything except TV sets, computers, printers and large furniture. Bring in anything else at any time before the sale.
NEW PIPE ORGAN TAKING SHAPE
Great excitement for all in the shop of Fritz Noack in Georgetown! The organ being built before ours was completed and now is enroute to its destination. The crew now can concentrate on our instrument.
We reported in the last issue that construction had started on the ranks of wooden pipes; that has progressed throughout the summer. During the last week of August, the metal pipes arrived from Germany and will now be unpacked and prepared for voicing. In addition, specifications for the two manual keyboards have been sent for their fabrication. We anticipate in the coming months, as work continues in ernest, to have further updates and some photographs available to assist all of us in visualizing the scope of he project.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
The Housing With Love Walk to benefit the Chatham Ecumenical Council to Prevent Homelessness, the Thrift Shop, our Music For A Summer's Night programs, the Strawberry Festival, the summer Craft Fairs, and the Vacation Church School for Adults all were very well received and successful. We thank all who helped and provided some enjoyment for our summer visitors as well as the local people who attended.
