Pastor's Message WPUMC Members and Friends, Happy Monday! A big thank you to all who have participated in sharing your thoughts in response to the Re-Launch videos and questions we've been sending out on Thursdays. This coming Thursday, I'll be combining the last two sessions of the Re-Launch guide together, so look for that and send me your thoughts. If you were unable to join us live yesterday, you can still worship with us by clicking on THIS Link. You do NOT have to have a Facebook account to access this link. Click play above for Sunday's scripture, read by Chaz Strickland. Please click HERE to watch the Father's Day Slideshow celebration. As the staff and leadership have been engaged in conversation together with guidance from the state and from our conference, we are moving forward with a few "experiments" with in-person activities in the coming weeks. Our guiding principle for these gatherings is "Do No Harm" - this means that our caution and care for you are prioritized. For some, the pace may seem too slow. However, this approach is to care for you and your families. Many of us are, or are connected to, someone who is at risk during this pandemic. Our careful steps forward will be evaluated and balanced with the status of the coronavirus in our community. Here are the experiments to look forward to: Drive-through communion and food drive--this Sunday! Join us this Sun 6/29 from 10:45-11:30 am. Watch the instructional video above. Please approach the church on Arizona Ave from the east. Turn right into the parking lot and follow the signs to Station #1 - Food Drive drop off. Place your donations in the bin offered, and then proceed to Station #2 - Communion - for receiving individually wrapped communion elements and a blessing from Rev. Sandi. Be prepared for a right turn only out of the parking lot. Thanks for staying in your car, and be assured that all volunteers will be screened, masked, and gloved for the event.  Worship in the courtyard In late July or August, we will be offering the opportunity to join us for worship in the courtyard as we broadcast worship live. Participants will need to sign up prior, and follow safety guidelines for this experience. Look for more information mid-July. I miss seeing you all so much, and I know that you miss the connection of our in-person community. But we also know that any in-person activity, no matter how much we try to mitigate, will have inherent risk. We ask each of you to make the best decision for yourself and your family to keep you safe and healthy. If there are events that you do not feel comfortable participating in, know there is grace and care for that choice. Our online worship will continue each Sunday at 9:30 am through our Facebook page "Washington Park UMC". We care for you! If you are in need of support or connection, please reach out to me directly (pastor@washparkumc.org) or through the church office (office@washparkumc.org). Peace today, Rev. Sandi News  Anti-racism study As your pastoral leader, I am committing to reading the book White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, and holding some open conversations with others via zoom at the end of July or in August. Will you commit to this with me? If you will, please email me "YES!" to pastor@washparkumc.org. This will let me know of your commitment to read, learn, and join with me later this summer for conversation. Feel free to send along other books or resources so that we can journey with one another. There is work to do, and we need each other to do it together  #adventureswithjesus Yes! Inflatable Jesus is back and ready for new summer adventures! Our 2020 summer plans may be a little different than in years past, but it's still important for us to be connected with one another - and what is it that connects us? The love of Jesus. If you still have an inflatable Jesus from last year, then you are ready to take pictures or short videos of you and your family with Jesus to email to Rev. Sandi to share with the congregation. If you need an inflatable Jesus, you can email Rev. Sandi and she'll send one to you in the mail. Please consider giving $5 to the church to offset the cost of supplies and postage. Additionally, you can post to our Facebook page, "Washington Park UMC", with the hashtag: #advenutureswithjesus2020. Giving and ministry quick links
Track your acts of service Make sure you report your acts of service (hours spent, dollars given, items donated) by using this simple form HERE. Our Goal - 2,020 Acts of Service in 2020! Comments are closed.
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