|
"WE ARE GROWING!"
Church Staff
There are two upcoming changes to church staff that I wanted to share with you. First, Bill Bennett will be working with us as a seminary intern. Bill is a long-time member of our congregation who retired early from his secular work and is enrolled as a full-time student at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. As part of his degree program, Bill must complete a supervised experience in the Practice of Mission and Ministry (PMM). He has chosen to focus on adult discipleship and evangelism.
Bill is also a candidate for ordained ministry and is seeking the position of deacon in full connection with the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference as he responds to God's call in his life. He is building on his work as a teacher of adults in our local church and his administrative experience. Over the next year and a half, he will take on more leadership in adult discipleship and help us be more intentional in our evangelism. Bill's PMM program also requires his exposure to and involvement in a variety of activities and ministries. He has some exciting new ideas and we look forward to working together in the months to come.
Second, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), Finance Committee, and Church Council have moved to create a full-time paid position on our church staff for an associate pastor. We celebrate with Joe and Jenny Conte as Joe graduates from Wesley Seminary on May 13. As a congregation we will honor Joe at fellowship times after each service on Sunday, May 12. With his graduation, Joe completes his student pastorate with us and becomes a candidate for full-time ministry. Although we would very much like Joe to become our full-time associate pastor, the Bishop and Cabinet will decide where to best use Joe's gifts and graces. We will know who they are appointing to MUMC by June 9. We ask your prayers for our church and its leadership.!
Outreach Opportunities
We are growing in our outreach ministry as well. There will be an opportunity for you to help in one aspect of our missions work when we take a Love Offering on Sunday, May 5, at all three services of worship. The May Love Offering will go to assist in paying the expenses of youth going on short-term mission trips this summer to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through hands-on activities.
Approximately 45 of the high school youth from our church will be going to Maine as part of a Group Workcamp experience during July. Each of these youth has been working to raise money for this mission trip but your generous financial gifts will be an important expression of your support for them and for their work. In addition, Teresa and Thomas Wood are trying to raise money to go on a mission trip to Africa for ten days during July. They will be assisting in a Vacation Bible School program for missionaries' children. If you are not in church when the Love Offering is taken, please direct your contributions to the church office.
Executive Building Committee Update
Over the past months, with the help of Lee Warner Architects and the faithful and dedicated participation of our Building Committee members and representatives of all the ministries of MUMC, a master plan targeted at formulating the best course of action for church expansion has been in development. We are pleased to report that this master plan process is nearing an end, and in the coming weeks, the executive Building Committee will present the findings to the greater committee, and then to the congregation in the form of a presentation of the expansion design concept.
The design direction chosen focuses on the renovation and expansion of existing physical structures, creating an integrated facility which will enhance the form and function of all areas of church life. Careful consideration has been given to ensure that the final product will be one which addresses the needs of our church community while establishing and maintaining an atmosphere conducive toward congregational fellowship and Christian formation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the executive committee for their work in developing these design concepts, and look forward to their realization.
Grace and peace,
Susan and Joe
|
Questions
about Middletown United Methodist Church should be sent to the Church Office. |
|
7108 Fern Circle · Middletown, MD 21769
voice: (301) 371-5550 · fax: (301) 473-8090
TTY: (301) 473-9892 |
|
