Monday, October 16, 2017

Mainstreeter News: October 15, 2017

 

October 16, 2017

Words from the Pastor

In his book, A Missionary Mindset: What Church Leaders Need to Know to Reach Their Community, the author and former missionary, Douglas Ruffle, notes that in order for churches today to reach people in their community they need to adopt a "missionary mindset", which means identifying our "default culture" and intentionally changing to a new mindset that will enable us to meet people where they are at. One of the qualities that Ruffle indicates is necessary is humility and he lays out a few suggestions as to how this humility might play out in a particular outreach context. If we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our context we need to:

  • Show up: be accessible to the community you seek to reach. Walk the streets.
  • Communicate for today's world: use social media.
  • Simplify your organization so newcomers have easy access to your ministry.
  • Take risks: show that you love and care about all your neighbors.
  • Don't belittle other people's religion or opinions--Respectfully disagree without disrespecting the others.
  • Trust God and obey. It's the better way.

With this first Mainstreeter email blast we are taking one small step towards using social media in order to communicate with you as church members and beyond to the community. It is a change from the past and changes take time but hopefully this will be but one of many ways in which we are able to reach beyond our walls to our neighbors and friends in the community of Nashua.

Announcements from Sunday, October 15

Calendar for the Week of October 15

Next Sunday: 10/22

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Consecration Sunday

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23; Matthew 22:15-22

Theme: Give to God the Things That Belong to God

Building Committee Update

Well, it has been just over a month since we broke ground for our new connector! As you can see by the activity in the parking lot and between the two buildings, much has been done.

To summarize, the drainage in the rear parking lot has been completed; the foundation was excavated along with an old concrete tank, which was removed--just a small surprise; and the concrete footings and floorings have been poured and tested for strength. All testing has met or exceeded our design specifications. Now, what's coming over the next couple weeks?

  • The fire alarm system for the sanctuary will be investigated as to the best way to install it.
  • There will be some demolition on the soap stone headers to get things ready for the entry way into the building.
  • The steel has been delivered and installed.
  • The lumber has been delivered.
  • The structural bolts will be installed in the steel.
  • The pressure treated header boards will be laid out and installed.
  • Elevator shaft framing will begin.
  • Framing of exterior and bearing walls to begin.
  • Framing of the second floor decking is scheduled to begin soon.

As always, if you have any question please don't hesitate to contact me at (603)493-3512.

Ted Luzey

Granite State Organizing Project Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of GSOP will take place on Sunday, November 12th from 2:00-4:30pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Church located on Lowell Street here in Nashua. This meeting provides a time for the members of GSOP (of which we are) to "reflect and evaluate, a time to plan, and a time to celebrate our many victories." All are welcome to attend. Please see the poster on the bulletin board in the vestry for more details.

We hope you like our new look for news! Feel free to send comments to mainstreeter@mainstreet-umc.org

 

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Mainstreeter News: October 3, 2017

 October 3, 2017

Words from the Pastor

"Give thanks for tomorrow, full of surprises, for knowing whatever tomorrow may bring, the Word is our promise always forever; we rest in God's keeping and live in God's love."

Verse three of "What Gift Can We Bring", UMH, #87

What will the future of the Main Street United Methodist Church look like? In all likelihood it will have some similarities to our past but will also look quite different given that we are already a very different looking congregation today than was true for most of the last 149 years. The truth is that it would be nearly impossible to predict what our future will be. Indeed, who would have thought even 25 years ago that the Main Street UMC would today be a multi-ethnic congregation that regularly attracts people from many different nations as well as people from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. As the hymn quoted above reminds us the future is likely to be "full of surprises."

Bulletin from Sunday, October 1

Calendar for the Week of October 1

Next Sunday: 10/8

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Consecration Sunday

Choir Anthem

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23; Matthew 22:15-22

Theme: Give to God the Things That Belong to God

Christian Education News

Vacation Bible School was a huge success. Look forward to next year's Rolling River! We need more volunteers to cover all areas.

Rally Day started with a BIG BANG! Every child in the congregation got a blown-up balloon, and they had to help make the bang by sitting on their balloon until it popped! We used some of the leftover crafts from VBS to make the first day fun.

Junior Choir started Sept24th. We meet during the coffee hour, rehearse in the chapel to the tapes of the songs from VBS. Look forward to our monthly performances during the 10:30 service.

Junior Youth Group (6th, 7th and 8th grades) will start in October. We have to figure out what day and time, look to the church bulletins for that.

The move out of the Welsey went smoothly; but, I am sure we forgot something in the packing. Oh well!

Classrooms are set up in the downstairs fellowship hall and the former food pantry rooms. They are as follows: Pre-school/Kindergarten with Laura Graudons in the nursery room off the vestry. First/Second grade with Phyllis Bowden is in one of the cubicles against the back wall; so is third/fourth grade with Sharon Schmidt. Fifth/Sixth grade with Meredith Campbell will be in the room between the UMW room and the Jr/Sr high class with Karen Boyer, who will be in her old classroom.

Parents will be asked to bring and pick up their child in the Fellowship Hall for safety sake. Opening music with Joyce Tagliaferro will begin in Sunday School. Adult classes will remain the same time and location.

Halloween Costume Sunday: the last Sunday in October we are asking all Sunday School members to come to church dressed as a church historical person. Do you want to be Noah? Maybe Moses? How about Jesus? Prizes will be awarded for the best costume for each class, including adults!

Fall is a time to rethink how we want to grow as a church school. The best way to get new members is for current members to invite a neighbor or friend to come to church with us. I put out the challenge for each and every person to "Invite Someone to Church" this fall. Show them what your church means to you, it is a lot of fun; not just work.

Christ's blessings upon all.

-submitted by Kathy Whitman

We hope you like our new look for news! Feel free to send comments to mainstreeter@mainstreet-umc.org