February 8, 2023 Weekly Update
Last Sunday we began our theme of “Not-so-random Acts of Kindness,” and we offered 40 kindness cards with $5 seed money to help you show kindness. We had another 15 cards without money attached – 55 total. You took over 50 of the cards! 50! Awesome! (If you didn’t get one, we’ll have some extra this Sunday!)
I hope you are praying about ways to show intentional kindness to our neighbors and community this week and next week. This Sunday we will have a flyer in the bulletin with other ideas to help spread kindness during Random Acts of Kindness week.
On February 19, the last Sunday of our kindness focus, we are going to focus on a conference wide initiative entitled “A Table for All.” As our United Methodist denomination undergoes changes, and churches choose to disaffiliate with the UMC because of their opposition to parts of the denomination desiring a more inclusive mission and theology, some communities are left without a United Methodist presence. Across our Mountain Sky conference, churches are the backbone and community center of many rural towns and regions.
That’s why our Mountain Sky Conference began the “Table for All” initiative in 2022. The goal of the initiative is to raise $1.2 million dollars to continue an inclusive United Methodist witness in communities across our region. The Table for All Fund has already raised almost $850,000, and the Church Vitality team in our conference is beginning to support new or existing faith communities with funds, coaching, and long-term partnerships that make and sustain disciples and local faith communities who welcome ALL people to the table of Jesus. Our inclusive message of God’s love needs to be heard by ALL of God’s people.
Every local church in our conference has been asked to host a Table for All Sunday to raise awareness and funds for this conference wide initiative. Our Leadership Board has expressed a desire to raise at least $1000 for this fund. A special offering to support this fund will be taken. 100% of your gift to this special offering will be given to this conference fund.
Check out this video to learn more, and make plans to join us on February 19 in worship!
https://vimeo.com/mtnskyumc/review/762390081/1c134625d7
Blessings,
Pastor Jared