Important Preparations

Every fall in most United Methodist Churches, people are busy making preparations for the coming year. Here at FUMC we have been at it even longer than that. Beginning last spring, not only were we carrying out services and programs each week, but we were looking ahead to what we might be about in the year to come. Those dreams are a part of the proposed Mission and Ministry plan which will be presented for adoption at our Church Conference on October 21.

However, plans are just plans unless they are resourced. You may assume that I am talking about financial resources, and to some extent I am. We will indeed have an important campaign soliciting your financial commitments for 2008, and your response will determine to some extent how far we get with the dreams that we have dreamed.

But there is more to it than that. We need people to commit some of their time, energy, and creativity to the mission of this congregation. We are about bringing people into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus. That is that on which our life together is focused. It is not just the mission of this congregation; it is the mission of the whole of the Christian church, and we are all part of that.

Several weeks ago in a sermon I talked about the need for people to serve in the various activities of our congregation. I was honest enough to say that some of those occasions are not “mountain-top experiences,” but involve effort, efforts which help to create opportunities for us and for others to be brought into that lasting, life-changing relationship. Some of you have been or will be asked to serve in a particular place and I hope you will give that request prayerful consideration. But, asked or not, all can serve. It is hard to know everyone in a congregation as large and as diverse as ours. I want you to help with our mission. I hope that if you have not been asked that you will step up and indicate your willingness to be a part of what this congregation is about.

How do you do that? Call the church office and ask for Jen Stuart or talk to any of the program staff. We will be glad to help you help our dreams become reality. Will you help us help others? Will you help us as we work to bring people into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus?