mainstreeter blast September 3, 2020

Message from the Pastor In a time of deep polarization and escalating hate we need an ethic of love more than ever. This is love NOT as a feeling but as a fierce commitment to care for others, even those unlike ourselves, even our opponents. It's a commitment to listen to their stories, about the injustice they experience that we might not see, and learn about the woundedness of others.  This is our work and the Revolutionary Love project (began by a interfaith group and Valerie Kaur's work) invites us to be part of it. Even if you didn't participate in our book club discussion, it's still a good time to read "See No Stranger." Because I want us to find a way to create a brave space together. Here's the Brave Space Invitation by Micky Scottbey Jones: "Together we will create brave space Because there is no such thing as a "safe space" -- We exist in the real world We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds. In this space We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world, We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere, We call each other to more truth and love We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. We will not be perfect. This space will not be perfect. It will not always be what we wish it to be But it will be our brave space together, and We will work on it side by side." **I heard from many of you who wanted to read Valerie Kaur's book, "See No Stranger" and yet could not find the time.  Here is a link to her TedTalk about the three lessons of revolutionary love.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ErKrSyUpEo . Click link for Bulletin: Worship Sunday, September 6, 2020 The latest option to help us all stay connected in this time of physical distancing is our "Virtual Coffee Hour" starting right after Sunday Worship (approximately 10:30am).    Stop by the Vestry and catch up with your friends (bring your own coffee and snacks).    The virtual rooms are via Google Meet and don't require Facebook at all, and may be attended by phone, by app on iPhone/iPad/Android/or by Computer.   Access information is below.   If you need some hints at using Google Meet there are some instructions and screen shots at https://www.mainstreet-umc.org/activities/coffee-hour that might help you get acclimated. Vestry:  https://meet.google.com/qmq-zxbb-sye  or by phone: +1 617-675-4444 PIN: ?415 456 786 8524# Prayer cycle for Sunday, September 6 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). On Sunday, September 6, 2020, please remember in your prayers: Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church-Nashua St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church-Nashua Nashua Presbyterian Church Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua First Church of Nashua Pilgrim Congregational Church-Nashua Arlington Street United Methodist Church-Nashua Main Street United Methodist Church-Nashua . Greater Nashua Crop Walk 2020 - Walking Together...Apart This year's Crop Hunger Walk for the Greater Nashua area will take place during the entire month of October. Walk our 3.4-mile route or the Milford Methodist Church route, or any walk or route that you choose. Walk with your family group or pod, or socially distanced organized groups. Raise monies by emails and phone calls. Last year we raised $47,843 and were the largest walk in New England! We aim to raise the same or more this year, as hunger and poverty are worse than ever now. It will be easiest to raise money online this year. Go to https://www.crophungerwalk.org/nashuanh. Click on register. Register as a walker within the team of your faith community so we can credit your monies appropriately. Then follow the prompts to send emails to friends and family requesting donations. The recruiter for your faith community has free Crop walk masks for you and your walkers. And details on how to collect monies. On October 1 we'll launch our kickoff video on our YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more info. As we advance the calendar from August to September, many of you are no doubt wondering where the summer has gone, and how is it possible that in a blink of an eye, we are preparing to turn the heat BACK ON, and brace for cooler weather and autumn activities.  After all, COVID stopped us in our tracks in MARCH; snow was still on the ground, trees had yet to bud, and summertime was far off in the distance. However, here we are.  The calendar changes.  The sun sets earlier, and the plans for fall are coming to the forefront. THAT is WHY you need to put October 3rd on your calendar!  Rolling Ridge is going to roll out "HOPE UNITED", a music festival from noon to 2pm to celebrate moving forward in a social and economic climate that desperately needs us to unite and bring positive light to what has been a dark time.  We invite you to bring a picnic lunch, socially distant on the lawn of Rolling Ridge, and enjoy a free music festival uniting musicians near and far, bringing hope to our hearts, as we celebrate the fact that Rolling Ridge is OPEN and relying on community, prayer, and HOPE to sustain us through COVID. The festival will also stream LIVE on Facebook and ZOOM, as well as contain video recordings for those who might prefer to minister their music remotely. There are many options to participate.  Musicians interested in participating in this event are asked to email us at thestaff@Rollingridge.org.

This email was sent to jerry.harrow.private0154nh@blogger.com why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Mainstreet United Methodist Church · PO Box 1517 · Nashua, NH 03061-1517 · USA