Updates on the Work on the Church

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A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL AT THE LUNCH WELCOMING PASTOR MARK AND GLENNA

HELLO ALL,

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I would like to update the congregation on the work that has been taking place on the picnic shelter and the interior of Parsonage #1.

The picnic shelter has new siding, new wiring, additional lighting, new switches and outlets, as well as new support beams and trusses. That finishes up the work we started previously when we rebuilt the brick grill, added a new cooking surface and charcoal pan, and replaced the roof shingles. I hope the church can get another 80+ years of use out of it!

Work on Parsonage #1 has taken longer than planned due to the fact that we were unable to get inside the residence when we were supposed to, plus the fact that there have been a couple of unexpected contractor delays. That aside, much progress has been achieved.

The interior of the residence has been painted, the wall-to-wall carpet has been removed, and the hard wood floors have been refinished and sealed.

Further, new water tight flooring was installed in the kitchen and bathrooms, both toilets and a sink were replaced, three ceiling lights were replaced, two ceiling fans were replaced, four window air conditioners were added, the front and rear porch lights were replaced, and the kitchen is being completely renovated.

Aside from fresh paint and a new floor, the kitchen has new oak cabinets and hardware, granite countertops, tile backsplash, a new sink and fixtures, new GE appliances, a garbage disposal, and new over-the-sink lighting.

Unfortunately, this room is not yet complete, but we’re very close to that point. We have no influence over those delays that are out of our control, but we know that all will be well in the end. The work to the pastor’s residence will be completed soon and it will be a source of pride for all of us.

I want the congregation to know that Mark and Glenna McFadden have been wonderful during this renovation process and I thank them again for their patience.

Bill Brannon, Chair
Board of Trustees

Pastoral Ponderings (August 2018)

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I look forward to this month. I have always heard of the Fiddler’s Convention in Galax but never attended. Not only do I get to hear it from my lawn, I even have the privilege of saying a prayer at it.

I also checked out the BBQ competition in late July. I sampled about 19 varieties and made a People’s Choice vote. Although a few were already empty by the time I sampled, my vote was #5. If anyone knows what #5 was, let me know. I thought the BBQ teams would sell BBQ during the competition; however, I did learn that you could obtain it later in the afternoon/evening. I went about 7:00 in the evening. I was disappointed. It was too late, but I did purchase a local Brisket sandwich and was culinarily happy.

Life is full of disappointments. Some are minor disappointments and some are major. What do with when we are disappointed? The disciples were sorely disappointed with Jesus. They witnessed the miracles of Jesus and learned what they could of what he taught. They were there when Jesus was gloriously received into Jerusalem. They were also there when he left Jerusalem on the way to crucifixion.

Disappointment perhaps does not describe fully what they must have felt when Jesus was arrested. It was abject disappointment mixed with fear and anxiety. Nevertheless, we know how the story turned out: Resurrection! In light of the resurrection, the disciples made adjustments. They found the courage to not only proclaim the Good News of Jesus. They found the courage to be faithful to God in the midst of difficult painful times.

According to traditions, many disciples suffered martyrdom. Not the type where they died with a weapon in their hand, but the type where they, like Christ, suffered because they chose to follow the way of Christ and its message of non-violence and sharing God’s kindness and love with the world. They glorified Christ with their lives to the degree that what they shared was not their life and legacy but the life and legacy of Christ.

The disappointment, fear, and anxiety of the disciple gave way to courage and hope. Life does not always flow the way we anticipate or the way we wish. Events happen in life that devastate us. May we trust God, especially in those times.

May we be faithful to God and others in the way of Christ; no matter the situation, no matter our disappointment. May we not give up on sharing the love and kindness revealed in Jesus Christ. Christ suffers with us. May we suffer with those going through hard times, and in life, we will all go through hard times where we need one another.

Pastor Mark McFadden

Sunday Reflection (July 30)

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Paul had great confidence in God and what God can do through Christ’s Church (Ephesians 3:14-21). Having been rooted and grounded in God’s love, God works through us, doing far more than we imagine. We are strengthened with an increasing comprehension of God’s love, and its great capacity to flow from us to others and transform the world.

What type of world do you imagine? What do you imagine that God could do through a local congregation of Christ’s Church? Remember, God can do far more than we imagine because, through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells in our hearts and fills us with the fullness of God (C. H. Talbert).”

Prayer for the Week (July 30-August 6)

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Let us pray for the faith to recognize God’s presence in our world: God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation and in the beauty of life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, and share your blessings with others.
Amen.
(Sunday Missal, alt.)

UMW News June 2018

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The UMW will not meet in June due to Annual Conference. We will be having our annual UMW Sunday on June 24. Morgan Tompkins will be speaking to us about the Mission Trip she went on to Houston, Texas in March. We hope you will all come for our 10:30 worship service and hear about Morgan’s experiences on the trip. Our next meeting will be on July 10th at 10:00 a.m. We will begin making plans for the Fall Annual UMW meeting which will be held at FUMC, Galax on October 20, 2018.

UMW President, Peggy Chappell

“Whom Shall I Send, And Who WIll Go For Us?” ISAIAH 6:8

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“Whom Shall I Send, And Who WIll Go For Us?” ISAIAH 6:8

For 40 years when Richard heard this call he answered with – “Here I am! Send me.”

We have been very fortunate that God placed Richard in three churches in our region, including FUMC. His dedication to his congregations was evident on Sunday afternoon. The reception to honor Richard’s years of service was well attended by the people of Oakland, Floyd and Galax churches. In addition, there was a surprise visit from his sister and her family. People took the opportunity to share with Richard the many ways he positively impacted their lives. In addition to the visits, prayers, and support he has extended to us, his Bible studies and Sunday school class have been extra blessings. The congregations presented Richard with a “gift certificate” for a trip to the Holy Lands with District Superintendent Kim Goddard. Fortunately, Richard will still be in the area so we can enjoy his friendship in the years to come.

“Change”

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I am such a creature of habit. I hate change. I get upset when Head & Shoulders changes their shampoo bottle. I almost went into shock when Food City rearranged their aisles. So you can imagine how the major change in my life, going from Full Elder Status to Retired Elder Status, is affecting me!

For the past forty years my identity has been that of the preacher. I have served United Methodist Congregations as the “Pastor in Charge.” After this Annual Conference this may not be the case. My life has also been centered around the Sunday Worship Service so I will need to make a major readjustment in how I spend my time. This will not come easily for me.

Now my head knows that the change has to come. Especially in our United Methodist itinerant system. We know we are not appointed to stay an any one church or charge but realize that eventually there will be a change. However, this head knowledge never found its way into my heart!

So if I seem preoccupied or “not quite right” during the next few weeks, please bear with me. The Second Sunday in June will be my last time in the pulpit. However I will be “on call” to be your pastor should the need arise, until the new minister takes over July 1st.

Even though I will no longer be your minister I hope to always be your friend.

My new mailing address is: 412 ½ West Center Street, Apt C, Galax, VA 24333

Know that I will always love you.

—Richard

Mission Trip

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“I would like to thank everyone for all their generosity and kindness in helping make this trip possible.” – Morgan Tompkins

 
I attended a mission trip from March 3 – 9 in Texas. Working with a group from Memphis, Tennessee, we cleaned up debris, painted, and renovated houses during the day in Port Arthur that were damaged by the hurricanes in 2017. I learned so much about resilience in faith, working through diversity, and how to love others exactly where they are. It was an amazing opportunity, and I am extremely grateful for the chance to help others in their time of need.

UMW NEWS – April 2018

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Daniel Hass / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

We had seven members and one guest who attended Spiritual Enrichment Experience at Lake Junaluska April 12-14. We enjoyed the beauty and peace at the lake and experienced a very inspiring retreat. It’s always great to go to the lake. Our next UMW meeting will be May 8th. Norma is in charge of the program. Lunch plans will be announced closer to meeting time. We will be making plans for UMW Sunday which will be on June 24th. Morgan Tompkins will be our guest speaker sharing her mission trip experiences.