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 12^th 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