A note from Pastor Travis 10/8/20

Posted on Posted in A Message from Our Pastor

Dear church family and friends,There are a number of important things that are happening in the life of the church. I decided to dedicate my news article to highlighting several of them. In this article, I will offer “teasers” of things that are spelled out in more detail in other articles in the newsletter. I share them in the hope of piquing your interest as you read the rest of the newsletter.

  • Sunday, November first is All Saints’ day. As part of the service for that Sunday, we will be honoring those people in our lives who have died in the last year. If you have anyone to include on the list, please let me know by Sunday, November 25. Remember, we record the services on Thursday for MMTV, Facebook, and Youtube, so I really need the names by the deadline. You can send them to me at reverendtravis@gmail.com. 
  • We have partnered with Haiti Global Youth Partnership, a non-profit established and run by the Zama family of Melrose. It is dedicated to providing aid to the rural Haitian commune of L’Asile. Our first project together is to raise $2000 for an urgently needed mobile health clinic that will bring a team of doctors to L’Asile to perform emergency medical services, to advise on preventive care, and to provide information on best practices for public health. Our fundraiser deadline is All Saints’ Sunday. If you would like to offer a gift in memory of one of the saints in your life or in honor of one of your living saints, we will share the list of those honored on All Saints’ Day and in in our e-newsletter. Please note that this list is different than the list of those we will be naming and whose lives we will be honoring as part of our All Saints’ Service. To make a gift in honor or memory of someone send a check to the church or make a gift through the church website (https://fumcmelrose.com/new-donate-now/). Be sure to put both L’Asile and the name of the person you are honoring in the memo section.
  • Sandra, our church secretary, will be undergoing radiation treatment for her recent cancer diagnosis. The congregation is walking alongside of her with our prayers and by providing meals and running needed errands for the family. If you can help, please contact Sue at st.rhuda@comcast.net. Thanks for your help.
  • This fall we are offering a new and exciting opportunity for adult spiritual development called “Soul Care Matters.” It is a 4-week online spiritual formation group experience in the way of Jesus. Starting Monday, October 26, these four Zoom gatherings offer a grace-filled experience of spiritual companionship, time-honored spiritual practices, and mutual encouragement and support for our journeys. Please read the article to learn more about it. If you would like to join us in it or to sign-up for it, please email me at reverendtravis@gmail.com. 
  • Now for the most exciting news of all: we have hired a new Director of Children’s and Family Ministries. Jayleigh Lewis will be starting on Sunday, October 18. On that day, we are having a social-distance welcoming party for her on the church lawn at 11:00.We invite you join us and help Jayleigh feel welcome. Want to know more about Jayleigh? See the welcome post here on the website.

 I hope that these highlights have excited you.
Grace and Peace,Pastor Travis