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| UMC, East and WestDear Friends: When I went to Vermont to help Lizz get settled at college, I had a chance to visit the Middlebury United Methodist Church. I was impressed with the warm welcome we received. I was touched by the "retired" saints who spoke with heartfelt conviction about the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, on its relevance to hurricane and flood response. I was amused to see that whoever was in charge of cookies that day forgot. I was entertained that the Methodists had to share an organist with the Catholics, and the service couldn't start until he had rushed down the hill from St. Mary's and gotten safely settled on the bench of the tracker organ. Most of all, I was happy to find a church that I could enthusiastically recommend to my daughter. Lizz was on a backpacking trip that day--part of the Middlebury Outdoor Orientation, otherwise known as "MOO"--but two weeks later (imagine my joy!) she was able to attend. That is to say, she woke up on a Sunday morning and walked several blocks to church! When I asked her to tell me about her experience, the first thing she said was, "about a hundred people offered to give me a ride when the weather gets cold." She also met the woman that "Grandma Mary sat next to two weeks ago." This woman invited Lizz to come over and play with the grandkids any time she needed a little intergenerational activity. I find it encouraging to know that it is possible to go across the country, show up for worship at a United Methodist Church, and find kindred spirits and friendly folk. I am certainly not claiming perfection has been achieved by the United Methodist Church, but I do celebrate the existence of a community of people which has joined together to try to serve God through worship, through caring for others, through learning and giving, through prayer and Bible study, and through being friendly to a stranger. A sense of belonging to a community like this is one of the most significant gifts we can give to anyone. I'm glad my daughters feel "at home" in church, and I have you all to thank for years' worth of positive experience. I hope that we can be a supportive community for the college students who share their lives with us. I'm thankful we get to enjoy the undivided attention of our church organist/music director on Sunday mornings. I appreciate each person who takes the time to greet and converse with visitors, guests, and newcomers. I'm really clear that the church is way more than just the pastor. And I encourage you, next time you are traveling, to pay a visit to another United Methodist Church. In addition to all the wonderful spiritual benefits, you might also get some good restaurant and travel tips--we did! As the Bible is fond of saying, "Grace and peace to you, from God our Loving Parent, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Pastor April |
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