This Week at MPUMC - September 22, 2019

THIS WEEK S E P TE M B E R 2 2 | 2019

Ancient of Days by Michael Maasen

www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207

704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org

8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 8:45 a.m. Church In The Round 9:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship

WE LCO M E To O u r C h u rc h !

We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.

Our Deepest Sympathy Anne Lumadue, wife of Bob Lumadue, and mother of Liz Lumadue, who died on September 19, 2019.

Richard “Dick” Hunter Barnhardt, father of Claire Herring, and grandfather of Jack and Kate Herring, who died on September 15, 2019.

Janet Susan Dertien, sister of Ron Knape, who died on September 15, 2019.

Dorothy “Dot” Phelps Cribbins, mother of Nancy Holmes and grandmother of Brandon and Whitney Holmes, who died on September 13, 2019.

TODAY Parenting Through the Phases, today, 10:00 a.m. – 10:40 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for the first in a monthly series of coffee and conversation that will focus on different developmental phases in a child’s life. A panel of experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips. This month’s session: Kindergarten/1st Grade.

High School Youth Group only, tonight, 5:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Youth 9th-12th grade are invited to join us tonight. Dinner is a Pizza/Salad Bar for $8.

Myers Park Readers, tonight, 7:00-8:00 p.m., room 149: This is a book study to consider the theological concepts within J.R.R.Tolkien’s, The Lord of the Rings series. If you have questions or would like to join, please contact Grace Pressley at gpressley03@gmail.com.

UPCOM ING How Has God Wired You To Serve?, tomorrow, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 106: Register for a Wired 4 Ministry class to learn how to make a difference through your unique, God-given design. Registration and pre-class exercises are required. Contact Carol Tate at ctate@mpumc.org to sign up.

Centering Prayer, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., room 024 or Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: A beautiful chance to come as you are to learn and practice a form of wordless prayer alongside others. Questions: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@myersparkumc.org.

LEADERS FOR 2020: Our Nominations Committee meets October 14 to discern whom God is calling to be our churchwide leaders for 2020 & beyond. Whom do you know would be a great leader of our church family? We will have openings in our governing body (Administrative Board), in personnel (Staff Parish), in Finance, and in Trustees. Submit your suggestions to james@mpumc.org.

And pray for this process! It’s vital in the life of our institution.

Caregivers Support Group, September 24, 11:30 a.m., room 105: Share the challenges and rewards of the experience. Contact Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org for questions.

H.O.T. Wednesday, September 25, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday. Our menu will be Hamburgers and hot dogs with fixings, potato salad/chips, vegetarian baked beans, desserts, ice cream. You may now register and pay online through Realm by end of day Monday or make a reservation by phone at 704-376-5520, option 6.

Yoga and Prayer: Monday mornings, 9:15 a.m., Labyrinth in Francis Chapel: Start your week off with yoga and prayer. All ages and abilities welcome to join as we join movement and faith. Questions: Taylor Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org.

A $5 donation is suggested; mats available.

Pastors’ Wednesday Bible Study, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Join Rev. Nancy Watson this week as she leads us in “Understanding the Old Testament.”

Come when you can and bring a friend. To make child care reservations, email Lisa Ross-Smi at lrsmit@mpumc.org.

FALL SMALL GROUPS, registration continues: A great way to make this large church feel smaller and more personal is to get connected through one of our small groups. To learn about current offerings and to register, visit our website at www.myersparkumc.org.

Young Professionals Women’s Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Basement: Come meet other women who are in their 20s and 30s and see if this group might be a great fit for you! For more information contact Laura Wong at lebaker01@gmail.com.

Register for Forward, now-October 6: Forward, a ministry designed to help 4th and 5th graders grow spiritually as they journey toward middle school, meets the first Sunday of each month October-April, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room 240. Details: Email Amy Harriman aharriman@mpumc.org.

UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Family Worship Day, Sunday, October 6: There will be no Sunday School for children. Nursery and worship care will be available for children 8-weeks-old– not yet in kindergarten. Questions: Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.

In God’s Image, October 8, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., room 105: Our church is offering a gathering space for those who have been hurt by the General Conference’s adoption of the Traditionalist plan regarding same gender marriage and ordination. This group offers a safe and sacred space to share feelings, seek discernment, and receive support. Contact Bill Roth at broth@mpumc.org with questions.

Evening Moms’ Groups, starting October 8, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., room 103: Join us for fellowship, faith development, and deepening relationships with other moms at MPUMC. Contact Rachel Heath at rachel.heath1@gmail.com.

JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND throughout the year: Funds help support partners such as Habitat for Humanity. Give to Jubilee Plus! online at myersparkumc.org/give year-round, or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.

Operating Fund Giving: Because you give, 152 Middle School Youth and adults are able to retreat together this weekend. We encourage you to continue to financially support our vibrant youth ministry. You can give online at myersparkumc.org/give or write a check to the church and drop it in the offering place or mail it to the church at 1501 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207.

E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S Lily Pad Haven Information Session, September 29, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., room 107: Register now to learn about human trafficking in the Charlotte area and about volunteer opportunities. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/training-lily-pad.

Join Our Women’s Choir, Mondays, 10:30 a.m., Choir Room 141: Women’s Choir has returned to rehearsals and services, so now is a good time to join this fun ensemble for the fall season. Questions: Nancy Hamff at nancy@mpumc.org.

For the Love of Reading, Tuesday or Thursday mornings, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., starting September 24, Marie G. Davis School: Encourage 2nd graders to develop a love of books and reading. You will be paired with a child to read together once a week. For more information, contact Amie Rucker at amierucker@gmail.com or 704-340-7172.

SEPTEMBER COLLECTION: BOOKS BUILD HOUSES now-September 30, Lobby: Donate gently used books to support Habitat for Humanity and our build that starts this month. Questions? Reach Megan Jones at mjones@mpumc.org.

Serve Lunch at Center of Hope, monthly, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.10:00 a.m., Salvation Army Center of Hope: Prepare lunch for women and children at the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 534 Spratt St. To sign up or learn more, reach Suzanne Johnson at shj422@gmail.com.

Pack Food Bags for Marie G. Davis, October 20, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Basement: For years we’ve gathered on a Sunday in October for Stop Hunger Now, but this year we’re making an impact closer to home. We’ll pack 10,000 bags of food.

Visit www.myersparkumc.org/food to learn more.

Prayer Requests: If you have a concern you want our Prayer Ministry Team to pray for, email Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org. You may also fill out a prayer request card located in the pew clip and drop it in the offering plate.

Ushering Opportunity: Ushers are needed to greet and seat guests for memorial services. If you want to serve in this ministry of hospitality, contact Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org.

SUBMIT YOUR ORIGINAL ART! We are looking for art that engages with the worship life here at Myers Park for eaach series we journey through as a church. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Contact Rev. Taylor Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org for more information and submission details.

CO N N E C T WITH US !

F o l l ow u s o n s o c ia l m e d ia @ my e r sp a r k u m c

FOR THE LOVE OF READING V i s i t o u r we b s i te w w w. mye r s p a rku m c .o r g to find small groups, ways to serve & engage, how to give, and plug in with other members of our church!

OUR CLE RGY Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement Rev. Uiyeon Kim Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Bill Roth Pastor of Congregational Care

Amie Rucker, our lay leader for For the Love of Reading, shares her story with us about why she’s so invested in For the Love of Reading, and why you should be, too.

For the Love of Reading has given so much to me over the last three years.

When you hear someone describe FTLOR as a reading ministry, they will be quick to add “relationship based” reading ministry, because it’s really just that.

Four years ago, I began my first FTLOR school year with a 2nd grade student at Sedgefield Elementary. Getting a chance to read and spend time with him once a week allowed us to form a bond. I got to hear how his day was, about his family, who his friends were, and what he was excited about. Just like my kids, there were days he was excited to read and tired days where I did more of the reading. But I could always count on a sweet smile hello, hug goodbye, and a confirmation of when we would see each other next.

This ministry’s mission is to follow students through elementary school, if at all possible. With moves and school changes, this can be a challenge. But we have been blessed to do this with a small group from Sedgefield to Dilworth Elementary. We will be reading for the third year in a row with 4th graders. It’s a blessing to watch these amazing volunteers make the commitment to follow their students, and witness the special relationships each have. These once beginning readers have developed into chapter book readers who are writing critical thinking responses.

I was blessed to get to read with my student again at Sedgefield in his 3rd grade year. The next school year, he and his family, along with a great number of our FTLOR friends, were moved to Marie G. Davis elementary.

To be cut off from my reading with my student left an ache in my heart as it did for so many others. I wondered how he was doing in school and felt such guilt that this commitment I made to him was cut short.

Rev. Nancy Watson Executive Pastor

My story is just one example of why so many people were called to form our Marie G. Davis school partnership. I was blessed to see my student and his brother and sister at Freedom School this summer.

This now 5th grader still met me with a sweet smile hello and hug goodbye, and I was happy that I could leave him with a confirmation that I will get to see him in the Marie G. Davis halls this year. And that we will get to start another year of FTLOR with his 2nd grade sister this Fall.

TALK WITH A PASTOR

Our 2nd grade FTLOR ministry is in its sixth year. This program will take place at the Marie G. Davis Elementary Media Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 - 10:00. We will pair an adult reader with each student.

You may choose either Tuesday or Thursday, and will read with the same student each week. Please consider joining us as we deepen our relationships with our neighbors across town, both individually and as a church community.

A pastor on staff stands ready to respond to your question or concern. Those needing immediate pastoral help should call 704-376-8584 and follow the prompts to the pastor on call.

You may email or call me (amierucker@gmail.com or 704-340-7172) with any additional questions or interest!

Amie Rucker