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The Connection


A weekly newsletter from United Methodist Church of Lenox
Rev. Nami Yu, Pastor

 

                       Notes from our Pastor

                                  The Bishop recommends ...
 

As he does each year, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar recommends some reading for NEAC clergy and laity.
 
This year, the bishop encourages us to read Piloting Church: Helping Your Church Take Flight by Pastor Cameron Trimble (available from Chalice Press and Amazon).
Find a link on our website: www.neumc.org/bishopsbooks

In announcing his selection at Annual Conference, Bishop Devadhar said:
 
“[Pastor Trimble] draws upon her experience and lessons learned as a pilot to help churches that feel grounded by shrinking membership and resources to take off, making the changes needed to be a vital faith community. As a church that is always growing and learning how to be the church in these anxious times, I request that all clergy and laity read [this] book.”
 
The author, Trimble, became a pilot at a young age, and part of her longing was to be an airline pilot. But, while she continues to fly, she ended up as a pastor and now as a consultant. The piloting image, however, serves as the defining image for the book. She tells us that every pilot goes through a checklist before taking off, making sure everything is in order. With that in mind, each chapter in the book begins with a checklist, just as one would use as a pilot to check out the plane and prepare for flight. She begins the conversation with a chapter on the decision to start flying. In this chapter she invites the reader to discern whether they want to be a leader and what that involves. So, since pilots have to check everything over before taking off, the same is true of church leadership. Know what it involves before beginning. Once you discern what it means to be a pilot, you will need to discern what kind of pilot you will be—will you be an amateur or professional. In other words, will you decide to put your entire being into the pursuit or not, whether that involves being a pilot or a church leader.
 

With these questions behind us, we can explore the "fundamentals of flight." This is an introduction to the process of discernment. From there she moves to the "flight crew" or the ministry team. Then we move to "Charting Your Course." Where do we intend to go? Pilots don't just get into a plane and start flying. The have a flight plan. They check the weather and the terrain. The same is true for the church. There is need for research, whether studying the congregation itself or the community demographics. What is the plan? The next chapter is titled "Preflight Checklist." After determining mission and goals, one must determine if the congregation’s programs are aligned with its mission and goals and theology. Being a pilot is not cheap. The same is true with being church. Even small churches have significant expenses. Thus, the need to address financial security. This is the subject of chapter seven, which explores various ways of funding, both traditional and non-traditional, the work of the church.  There is also chapter on managing our communication, including social media.

Pilots have to be prepared for emergencies and unexpected events, but are we as church prepared for them? She tells the story of a church that experienced the devastating effects when a tree branch fell on a child on the playground, eventually killing the child. When the parents sued, they discovered their insurance wouldn't cover the damages. Thus, they had to sell their building, give the funds to the family, and now meet in rented space in another church. Churches can suffer storm damage, embezzlement, sexual misconduct, and numerous other challenges. So, how do we prepare for them?
 
Chapter ten brings the book to a close, and appropriately she uses the image of a successful landing to bring things to close. This is essentially a summary chapter that reminds us that these are difficult times for the church, with declining attendance, aging members, and financial challenges. None of this is news, but the question is one of response. Do we run from the challenges, or stay engaged? She believes there is reason for hope, so her advice is to stand strong, face the challenges, and be open to new opportunities.  

 If you are looking for a new book to read, I strongly encourage you to read this book!

 

Upcoming Events ( Mark these events on your Calendar!!)

Being a Vendor at Craft Fair & Festival in the Park at Park Place in Lee: August 3, Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Our church booth will feature hand crafted cooking, kitchen & dining items such as aprons, table runners and our just completed church cookbook.
 
Churchwide Picnic at Richmond Pond: August 18, After Sunday Worship Service, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
Church supper with our new cookbook: September 7, 5-7 p.m. All meals will be made from recipes in the cookbook.
 
Apple Squeeze 2019: September 21 -22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
 
Fall Tag Sale: October 17, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. / October 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. / October 19, 9 a.m. to noon
 
The Holiday Craft Fair at UMCL:
November 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

 
 

         Church Schedule


            Thursday, July 18

            Strategic Planning Meeting
            6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

            Sunday, July 21

            Summer Worship Hour
            9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.

            Thursday, July 25

            No Church Council Meeting

            Sunday, July 28

            Contemporary Worship
            9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.

Copyright ©  2019 United Methodist Church of Lenox; All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
United Methodist Church of Lenox, 6 Holmes Road, Lenox, MA 01240
413-445-5918
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United Methodist Church of Lenox · 6 Holmes Road · Lenox, MA 01240 · USA

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