A note from Pastor Travis 6/27/24
A few weeks ago, Chuck and I had a Facebook “chat” about the deep privileged to be the pastor of First UMC Melrose. Our church is a gift and a blessing. The reason that it is such a wonderful church community can be summed up in one word – you. Thank you for all that you do for the church and for the world through the ministry of the church.
I won’t name any names in this article for fear that I will forget someone. However, I encourage you to take time to say thank you to each other this coming Sunday to show your appreciation to each other. Then, take a moment to appreciate the gifts that you share with and through our church. I am grateful beyond words for you.
In the past weeks I have posted a number of upcoming events in my article as a way to keep these opportunities before you. I am not doing that this week, but that information is still in the e-news. So keep reading to find out more!
Thank you,
Pastor Travis
Church Wide Book Study and Zoom with Author:
On Sunday, June 30, 7pm Bishop Johnson and her wife Mary will join us via Zoom to discuss Bishop Johnson’s book The Every-Expansive Spirit of God. This book shares the story of Bishop Johnson’s spiritual journey to understand the nature of God’s all inclusive love and grace. You can order the book from this link:
Ever-Expansive Spirit of God: Hope for All Who Feel Left Out: Johnson, Peggy A
*** Please contact church office for zoom link information
Union Services:
Union Services begin in *July. If you are unfamiliar with them, in the month of July, 4 Melrose churches will worship together, each hosting a Sunday in July. One of the gifts of our Union Services is that they remind us that remind us that we are a part of a larger movement for God in the world. Our Union services give us the opportunity to join with some of our Protestant siblings in Christ from Melrose as we celebrate our common faith.
When you are in town this July, I invite you to join us at the Union Services. I especially hope you will join us on July 21 when we host. Each church will be worshiping on its own.
*(Please note the Union Services start on June 30. However, we have events planned for our church on June 30, so we will be joining the Union Services starting July 7).
July 7 – Green Street Baptist Church
July 14 – Highland Congregational Church
July 21 – First United Methodist Church
July 28 – First Baptist Church
Special Offering/Trans Campership Fund:
Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover is one of the United Methodist Camps in New England. Many of you know it well. Over the last year it has been working hard to connect the Trans. Community to the life of the Church and to provide time and space for Trans. children and youth to gather with their families for support and learning. To this end, it has created a fund to provide scholarships for Trans campers, named the “Bishop Peggy and Reverend Mary Trans Campershiper Fund.”
For the rest of pride month, our church is holding a special offering to contribute funds to this fund. You can give by placing a check in the offering plate or by giving online. Either way, be sure to mark “Rolling Ridge” in the memo line. https://fumcmelrose.com/e-giving/
Mission Trip:
Our joint mission trip with Carter UMC last summer was such a success that we are going to do it again! We have room for 4 people to join us. The trip will go from Sunday, July 21st – Friday, July 26th (the work days will be Monday through Thursday). We will again be going to the United Methodist Economic Ministry (previously known as Salem Economic Ministry) that serves the people in the regions around Salem and Howland, Maine.
Cost for the trip will be $250 for church members. There are scholarships available for church members who need them – we do not want for anyone to have a barrier to coming and serving on this mission trip.
Last year all who went had a wonderful time! To sign up, let Pastor Travis know at tbonnettekim@gmail.com. We only have room for 4 people, so the first 4 to email will get a spot.