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A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go white water rafting. This was not a new experience for me. I have been rafting since I was in middle school. However, what was different this time is that I did not know anyone in my boat well. Some of them were acquaintances. We are part of the same continuing education group, so I know their names, where they live, and maybe if they have kids. Three of the people in my boat, I did not know at all. I had never seen them or talked to them until we were stepping into the boat. This felt unsettling.
Two of the key elements of a successful rafting trip are listening and teamwork. The boat typically has a guide who will call out how everyone needs to row: one back, two forward, two back, etc. Then, once the instruction is given, everyone needs to row together. If the row is not in sync, the boat will get stuck or go the wrong direction. With the rapidly moving water and rocks, you really want the boat to go in the right direction. Knowing who is in your boat is important.
I have to wonder if the disciples asked this question while crossing the lake with Jesus as told in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus has been teaching in parables and as the day comes to a close, he says to the disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” Doing as he said, they readied the boat and set sail. Jesus soon fell asleep, leaving the disciples to discuss the parables and events of the day together. Without warning, the calm sea transformed into a raging one. The disciples, some who had navigated stormy waters, were scared to death, and Jesus kept sleeping. The disciples rush back to wake him and cry out, “Teacher, Teacher, don’t you care that we are drowning?” It is then that Jesus gets up, turns toward the storm, and says, “Silence, be still!” The waters settle, the wind slows, and Jesus looks at the disciples and asks, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” Puzzled, the disciples look at each other and, I imagine, say something like, “Who is this guy in the boat with us. He cannot only tell stories, but the wind and waves listen to him.”
There are some parts of this story that trouble me, like Jesus sleeping in the storm and suggesting that they even cross the lake. Yet, there is good news too. Jesus was with them in the boat. When they were facing obstacles, getting to know him, and figuring out what it meant to follow him. They might not have exactly known how to work as a team yet, but Jesus was there guiding them out of the chaos.
Getting into a raft with people I barely knew to go barreling through rough waters was an act of faith. I did it because I knew one more person was going to be there, Jesus. His presence goes with us through the calm and the storms. We may get a little wet, we may get tossed around, we may not go in the right direction, but Jesus is there.
It is easy for us to focus on the circumstances around us. They can wear us down and leave us with more questions than answers, but we can trust that Jesus is in our boat, and he knows us. This week, when life feels challenging, don't focus on the wind and waves. Instead, remember that you know who is in your boat, the One who defeated death and who will always get us to the other side.
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We are accepting gifts for the Wesley Woods Mother’s Day Offering throughout the month of May. For more than 60 years, Wesley Woods has addressed benevolence assistance, pastoral care, and wellness programming to older adults across North Georgia. It’s only with continued generosity to the annual Mother’s Day Offering that 75% of Wesley Woods’ seniors can stay in what has become their home. Now more than ever, the seniors who have cared for us need us to care for them. We pray that with your help in 2022, we can provide appropriate care for all in need. For checks and cash, please mention Wesley Woods in the memo line or on the envelope. To give online, go to our giving page and select Wesley Woods from the dropdown menu.
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RUMCK 50th Anniversary Celebration
Join us on Friday, May 13 from 4-6 p.m., to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roswell United Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten (RUMCK)! It will be a festive occasion with inflatables, face painting, a clown, balloon animals, photo booth, temporary tattoo station, DJ, music, food, and more! Wednesday For more information, contact Sally Newkirk.
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Thank You, Rev. Melissa Kime-Hall
Rev. Melissa Kime-Hall will be appointed as Associate Pastor to Covington First UMC beginning on July 1. A church-wide reception will be held on June 12, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to thank her for four years of ministry at RUMC and celebrate as she goes to her next assignment. Cards and gifts can be dropped off at Martha Graves’ office or the main office, Chapel building by June 9. Share your best wishes by participating in a love offering by June 19 online or label cash and check donations as “Love Offering.”
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Book Club
The RUMC Book Club extends an open invitation to its next meeting in the Roswell UMC library on Tuesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. Come join in the discussion of this month’s selection, The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. For more information, contact Betty Hunt.
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Hospitality
The last Wednesday Night Supper of the season is May 18 from 4:30-6:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The kitchen will be hosting a BBQ cookout, and the Mighty Mentes kids will be singing as a special treat! June 2 is the last day for take-out lunches for the summer; they will resume on August 2. Frozen meals will still be available for $5 throughout the summer. For more information, go to our website or contact Jacob Crane, 770.261.1713.
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Job Networking
Job Networking meets live on Monday, May 23 starting at 3 p.m. Join us for quality workshops, dinner speaker Tyrone Griffin, resume review, LinkedIn photos, industry guides, and Becky Bray with God’s Talking. For the full agenda and registration, visit our website.
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DivorceCare
DivorceCare, a 13-week biblically-based course begins Tuesday, May 24, 6:15-8:15 p.m. in room 251, Sanctuary building. Fee for the workbook is $15. For more information or to register, go to our website or contact Toni Fagan. To learn more about DivorceCare, go to their website.
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Patriotic Celebration Concerts
The annual Roswell Patriotic Celebration Concerts are Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 26 at 3 p.m. with complimentary tickets available beginning Tuesday, May 31, in the main office, Worship Arts office, online at itickets.com, or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to RUMC Patriotic Tickets, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, GA 30075. For more information, contact 770.594.0512.
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Disaster Relief
The DARE team will be traveling to Newnan, Georgia on May 20 and 21, providing disaster relief to the area as directed by RiverLife Nonprofit. No special skills are required. These two days are scheduled as day trips—no overnight stay will be provided unless you request accommodations. Please email Leonard Scarboro or call 706.340.2221 if you are interested in joining us.
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Vacation Bible School
Join RUMC Kids for Vacation Bible School, where kids will learn that it is possible to create a ripple effect that can impact the world around them in ways they will never forget—to Make Waves. VBS will run June 13-16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for 4-year-olds (as of September 1, 2022) through rising 5th graders. The cost per child will be $15 until May 15 and $20 per child after May 15. Check out our website for more information.
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RUMC Musical Beginnings Preschool Summer Camps
Join us for two fun weeks of singing, playing instruments, creative movement, art, games, and more. These preschool camps are designed especially for our youngest songbirds, ages 3 to 6 years old. Camp is offered Monday-Thursday, June 27-30 and July 18-21, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Camp size is limited, so make sure to register online. For more information, contact Nicole Norgaard.
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Music and Missions Week
Join RUMC Kids for Music and Missions Week July 11-15 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for community mission opportunities and learning fun songs! This week will be free for all 1st-5th graders. To register, go to our website, and for more information, contact Crisla Paynter.
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