Dear Friends,
While walking along the Delaware River a few days ago my husband and I came across the tree pictured above. Its roots are all tangled up, but in the middle, there was a clear space that seemed to center all the wiggly roots and branches going every which way. That central area gave a calming peace in the midst of the chaos.
There are two takeaways for me as I look at this tree. The first is the truth we know as those who find our center in the love of God in Jesus Christ. We are to center love in the midst of all the tangles and complications of our lives.
The second is a truth that I have been focusing on this summer. There is so much angry rhetoric in our country through this political season, and fear seems to drive our decisions. We face deep divides over race. The church is facing troubling times. Things look much like that tangled web of roots and branches. The world longs for the centering word that we bring as the Body of Christ. We are the ones entrusted to bring the word of love that we know in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We are called to proclaim to the world the message so that in our witness others might come to know the quiet center which brings calming peace in the midst of chaos.
My challenge to us as the church is to find our voice in as many ways as we can to reach out to our communities.
What is the word of God’s love you are being called to bring in this time and place?
Peace,
Myrna
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Church Opportunities and Resources
Church Happenings
Click here to view all the church to church happenings on the Gateway South District! Church events and flyers are updated on a regular basis so you will never miss out. You can also visit the Southern Regional Informational page to view events that are going on throughout the region. If you would like your church event to be posted on the district events page please email gatewaysouth@gnjumc.org.
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Church Conference Schedule: Now Online
A friendly reminder that all church paper work needs to be completed online by October 3. Church conference schedule for Gateway South District can be viewed online by clicking here.
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Save The Date: Bishop's Day
September 21 for Laity and September 22 for Clergy
More information to come.
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Southern Region Prayers
* Pastor Michael Turner's father passed into God's eternal care on Monday, August 15.
* Pastor Beth Malozzi's husband Tony is in the ICU
* Prayers for healing and strength for Rev. Linwood as he continues his battle with cancer
* Celebration for ALL the volunteers and amazing Vacation Bible Schools that have taken place or are happening across the Southern Region
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IGNITE: Price Break Available through August 31
Don't miss the opportunity to join hundreds of students from across the state who will gather on September 30 - October 2 in Wildwood, NJ to grow deeper in their faith journey. Click here to watch young speakers share their experience from past IGNITE conferences. Don't forget to share this inspiring video with the young people in your lives and in your congregation. Click here to register today!
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The Home Depot program for United Methodist Churches
The General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church has been working with Home Depot to help identify United Methodist churches or affiliated organizations within the districts who are undergoing construction/renovations. If your church is engaged in a building project and would like more information about The Home Depot Pro Xtra Loyalty Program, please contact Mike Daniels, Home Depot Pro Account Representative at 817-825-0279 or by email.
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"Preach with Precision, Passion and Purpose"
Preaching and Worship Workshop
Date: Saturday, September 24
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: St. Peter's United Methodist Church, 501 E 8th St, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Cost: $10 and includes lunch
For more information and to register: Click Here
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Catalyst One Day Event: Sponsored by the Southern Region Team of GNJ
Date: Wednesday, November 9
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Lancaster County Bible College, 2392 Mount Joy Rd. Manheim, PA 17545
Cost: 1-9 persons are $119 each and 10 or more persons are $99 each
For more information and to register: Click Here
Questions? Please contact Nicole Toast
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