Mainstreeter Weekly Blast March 23, 2023

View this email in your browser For forty days of Lent we consider how we might be instruments of peace and agents of change in the world. Watch Live No caffeine required There's so much energy and excitement buzzing around MSUMC these days. We have visitors every week, multi-racial families seeking us out, parents wanting their children baptized into a welcoming community, community organizers seeking out our help opposing an asphalt plant, a new green church initiative in the region that we're a leading part of, the development of a new church photo directory, the renewed activity of the NH Council of Churches, and returning groups like the AA groups and the Church of the Power of Resurrection. And of course, lots and lots of you have praised the Roll Down Justice series as inspiring and necessary. Thanks for your encouragement, for your engagement with the reading list, for your vulnerability and willingness to face the world with cultural humility. We're in this together and it's exciting as we move forward toward our all-church History & Visioning Event on May 7 (put it on your calendar!) --Pastor Kelly Click Here for Sunday's Bulletin Click here for YOUTH 2023 information and registration Early registration (with a discount) ends March 31. Registration closes May 31. Heifer Activities for Kids Here Donate online here Purchase from Amazon Wish List Here GIVING ENVELOPES Click Here to Register A new Vestry Class is starting April 2nd at 9:00 a.m., running through June 11th. (No class on Easter Sunday.) Hearing a lot of buzz about the "end times" these days? Join us as we explore Craig C Hill's study, "In God's Time," which explores the way the Bible talks about the future from a perspective of mainstream Biblical scholarship. (Hint: the Bible does not give a roadmap for predicting the end of the world!) (Second hint: the Bible does not predict an end to the world!) Led by Paul Pederzani and Pastor Kristy, group members will watch a video and then discuss. The group is always lively and all are welcome, either in person or online. Here's the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88185355974?pwd=SEpQemJ3ZzRRWm9lMFFQSlpwdUhzQT09 For those who wish to supplement their personal study (not required), the accompanying book is available. A copy or two will be available on Sunday, with three more on order, and you can order your own (new or used) on amazon or through a bookseller of your choice: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802860907/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A1VL5VILF8V5J6&psc=1 We look forward to seeing you there! Copyright (C) 2023 Mainstreet United Methodist Church. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Mainstreet United Methodist Church PO Box 1517 Nashua, NH 03061-1517 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Mainstreeter Weekly Blast March 15, 2023

View this email in your browser For forty days of Lent we consider how we might be instruments of peace and agents of change in the world. Watch Live One of the blessings of this series is how we're helped along the way with the music of Mark Miller. And I hope we can see our African-American, gay brother as he writes about the weight of discrimination and negative consequences of white superiority on his life and ministry. I have been inspired by his music and ministry. For many years, he has been the Music Director at Annual Conference and you often hear folks exclaim how attending Annual Conference is worth it if only for the worship: singing his songs, being a part of the pick-up choir he directs every year, and hearing his stories. Here's one of the videos produced for the Vital Conversations study guide to accompany our Roll Down Justice series. Take a listen and pray with him and the Psalmists. Pastor Kelly Click here for Vital Conservations video Click Here for Sunday's Bulletin GIVING ENVELOPES Watch Trailer Here Click here for YOUTH 2023 information and registration Early registration (with a discount) ends March 31. Registration closes May 31. From ADL New England and the New Hampshire Council of Churches: Building Bridges in the Human Family: Setting the Table to Talk About Race Curious about the anti-black, anti-white divide? Want to discuss race and racism but are afraid to say the wrong thing or offend someone? Want to discuss how we can move on from our tragic past? How the past impacts us today? How can we be united if we are divided by race? Join us for a dialog series for people who genuinely want to listen, learn, and be heard. Facilitated by NH Listens, and co-sponsored by multiple community organizations. Join us at 4 PM on Sundays: March 19th, April 16th, May 21st, and June 18th. Attend for one session, or all four! Learn more on Facebook Purchase from Amazon Wish List Here Donate online here Heifer Activities for Kids Here MARCH 23, 2023 NEXT PLANNING BOARD HEARING The proposed Temple St. Asphalt Plant will go before the Planning Board for the first time on: March 23, 2023 at 7:00 in the City Hall Auditorium. Newport Construction has proposed the construction of an asphalt plant on Temple Street, which will be as close as 100' from nearby properties that have been approved for redevelopment as badly needed housing. Construction of all previously approved housing development in the area–hundreds of new units–have been put on hold, as developers believe the proposed plant will destroy their property values. Newport Construction has a poor reputation in Westford and Chelmsford, MA, where they have another plant and have created problems for residents. The issue is non-partisan. Construction of this plant is bad for Nashua. A visibility event opposing the plant will be held THIS Friday (3/17) in conjunction with a number of community groups. Please reach out to Pastor Kristy Besada (kristy.besada@mainstreet-umc.org) for details, which are developing now. Another visibility event will be held at City Hall immediately prior to the Planning Board meeting (3/23), and we will be asking folks to bring signs and stand outside City Hall in a show of support for the neighbors who will be affected if the plan is approved. Some will meet at the church and walk down together. This is a developing situation. Please watch next week's blast, social media and worship announcements for more details with regard to the ways you can help. And as always, please write to the planning board at pb@nashuanh.gov to register your concerns with the board. Click Here to Register Copyright (C) 2023 Mainstreet United Methodist Church. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Mainstreet United Methodist Church PO Box 1517 Nashua, NH 03061-1517 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe