THE WOODLANDS UMC
JUNE 2021 EDITION
THESENIORPOINT PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
A MESSAGE FROM
As most of you know, I am retiring at the end of June. For 43 and a half years I have served as pastor of this church. So this is a major transition point in my life. Not just for me, but for Bev as well.
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
Written by: Dr. Robb
I am guessing that many of you are already retired and can identify with this experience. On the one hand, I am a bit sad – because I love this church and have enjoyed every day of serving here. Well, almost every day! But I also look forward to more time for family and personal interests. A number of you have asked what my future plans are. For the first six months we intend to take an extended vacation. In July and August we will take a road trip to the Great Lakes and then across to Washington State, then meander our way back home. Our intent is to have no schedule and, more or less, let each day unfold as it will. Our fall calendar includes leading a tour to the Holy Land from our church. Then in January, I will return to our church ministry team but in a parttime role, somewhat like Bishop Hayes. I will preach occasionally, teach a couple of Bible studies each year, assist with generosity and basically serve whenever Mark Sorensen needs me. I will not remain in the cockpit, nor will I serve as co-pilot. We will have one captain in charge and that is Mark Sorensen. And believe me, he is well qualified. As for me, I look forward to moving toward the back of the plane and serving as a flight attendant. Blessings to you. Ed Robb
LEE BREWER
For those of us who have lived in small towns, there is a tradition that comes with the country roads: when you pass someone going the other way, you wave at them just as a friendly hello to let them know you see them and acknowledge them. It is natural to say “hello” when you meet someone in town because everyone is a neighbor of some kind. Sound familiar to any of you? Things tend to be a little different when we live in an urban environment, however. Unless it is someone you absolutely know, you don’t wave because you might not like the kind of wave you get back! When you walk through a store the main object of everyone seems to be to make certain that you don’t make eye contact with anyone, much less talk to them. City life tends to bring with it individual protective barriers because everyone has their own things to do and places to be. There are some sensible and realistic reasons for the differences in how we approach people in various settings. Yet, as Christians, we must guard against letting our hearts and minds become hardened to the reality that wherever we are, we are still encountering people, God’s children just like we are. In the story of the Good Samaritan, a man was set upon by robbers and left beaten by the side of the road. The first two people who see him, pass him by for what were probably good, rational reasons. It is only the third man, the Samaritan, who not only sees the man, but SEES him and responds. He is willing to leave his comfort zone to make a difference. Christians are called to be salt, light, and yeast in the world: three things that make a difference. June has the longest days of the year in it. Maybe we can use a little of the extra daylight to approach those we meet along the road in life with eyes that are a little more open to really seeing other people. We never know how much a smile, or a kind word, might mean to someone who feels forgotten and alone in life. We can live out the song most of us sang in church as children: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Trying to make a difference for Jesus’ sake,