A weekly newsletter from United Methodist Church of Lenox
From our Pastor...
Holy Week Letter from Council of Bishops' President,
Rev. Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. , calls for forgiveness
"To read the passion narratives of Jesus closely during Holy Week is to lean more deeply into what it means to be one of his disciples. It is the way of the cross. And yet it is also the way that leads to life (John 10).
Holy Week is a complicated series of actions, with every variance of human emotion and failure. Life in a denomination can be complicated, but no more complicated than a local church or a family. The same Jesus who is surrounded with imperfect followers is the one who prays for their unity (John 17).
And yet Holy Week reveals something more. Local churches will enact the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday (John 13), remembering Jesus’ command that we love one another (John 15). They will enter into the darkness of Good Friday and the absence of Holy Saturday. And underneath all of this are deep patterns of word and table, petition and forgiveness, humility and trust.
These deep patterns reveal the way of discipleship for us. And the complications of life in a denomination, or a local church, or a family call us to walk as closely as we can to our Lord, in works of piety, and as closely as we can to one another, in works of mercy. Our deep worship flows naturally (but not easily) into a deeper engagement with one another. The conclusion of Lent historically led to readiness for baptism (or new life) and confession of our sin. As United Methodists, we would benefit from a greater capacity to forgive one another, and to ask for this same forgiveness in return. Jesus models this for us, from the cross (Luke 23).
When the disciples are least present to Jesus, he is most clear about his calling. Holy Week is the path to a garden and a cross, and after, an empty tomb and a risen life (Luke 24), and later the promised Holy Spirit that will be poured out on all flesh (Acts 2). "
Prayer Needs for Judicial Council
to Review GC2019 Actions
The Judicial Council is the highest judicial body or "court" of The United Methodist Church. Its nine members are elected by the General Conference. Members of the 2016-2020 Judicial Council. (From left) Front: Ruben T. Reyes, N. Oswald Tweh Sr., the Rev. Luan-Vu Tran. Back row: Deanell Reece Tacha, Lídia Romão Gulele, the Rev.Øyvind Helliesen, the Rev. Dennis Blackwell, and the Rev. J. Kabamba Kiboko. (Not pictured, Beth Capen)
The United Methodist Judicial Council will review the traditional plan for the LGBTQ issue at the April 23-26 meetingin Evanston, Illinois, to determine whether the decision made by the General Conference 2019 is constitutional or unconstitutional.
Church Schedule
Maundy Thursday Service, Tonight 6 p.m.—8 p.m.
Our worship service will start at 6 p.m in Fellowship Hall with a soup and bread supper. Following the meal, we will begin worship about 6:45 p.m. The service will include an opportunity to engage in foot washing or handwashing and Holy Communion. Thanks to Shirley Perkins who volunteered to prepare the soup.
Good Friday Worship Service, Tomorrow, April 19 We will gather at the Church on the Hill at 2 p.m. with the Lenox faith community for the Annual Procession of the Cross and walk through town, following a wooden cross, hearing the word, and singing. The procession will end at Trinity Episcopal Church. At 7 p.m., we will have a special worship service in the sanctuary, recalling the last hours of our Lord, and all that happened to him through listening to stories of the people who were at the foot of the cross.
Easter Sunday, April 21, 6:30 a.m.
Sunrise Service: Weather permitting, we’ll hold this service outdoors. Breakfast will follow in Fellowship Hall.
10 a.m. Celebration Service in the Sanctuary: We’ll celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in word and song, with Holy Communion. (Please note: There will be no Christian Education.)
Meetings
Hospitality and Special Event Committee meeting, Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.—12 p.m.
Prayer Shawl meeting, Thursday, April 25, 1:00 p.m.—3 p.m.
*NO Finance meeting and no Church Council meeting this month
Remembering Shelly
Our dear friend and longtime fellow congregation member Sheldon “Shelly” Allen, age 92, died peacefully at BMC surrounded by his loved ones. The obituary in the Berkshire Eagle on April 9th stated that Shelly loved his family first and foremost. He loved to do crossword puzzles, teach line dancing, help in his church, going for walks, and animals. He was also an ardent runner from his early 40's through his 60's.
The congregation remembers Shelly for his dedication to singing with the choir, serving on the Trustees and for many years as Financial Secretary/Treasurer. He loved God with ALL his heart. Besides his beloved wife, Sophie, Sheldon was predeceased by his daughter, Susan, his grandson, Daniel and his brother, Bim.
Memorial donations and sympathy cards may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.
Our mailing address is:
United Methodist Church of Lenox, 6 Holmes Road, Lenox, MA 01240 413-445-5918 Do you have an event you wish to share in The Connection? Email copy to box1655@yahoo.com; deadline is Tuesday by 5 p.m. All photos, flyers and artwork MUST be submitted in jpeg format.
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The Judicial Council is the highest judicial body or "court" of The United Methodist Church. Its nine members are elected by the General Conference. Members of the 2016-2020 Judicial Council. (From left) Front: Ruben T. Reyes, N. Oswald Tweh Sr., the Rev. Luan-Vu Tran. Back row: Deanell Reece Tacha, Lídia Romão Gulele, the Rev.Øyvind Helliesen, the Rev. Dennis Blackwell, and the Rev. J. Kabamba Kiboko. (Not pictured, Beth Capen) 
