Our congrega�on has been discerning a way forward for years–seeking the spirit’s guidance about how our sanctuary design can support our crea�ve worship and the inclusive community who seeks to “recognize God in each other.”

In this work we are spirit-led, strategic, faithful in forming a more communal family of Christ willing to bring our whole selves to the community and share deeply of our experiences. We long for a space to support our mission to welcome the risks involved in ministry. We want to remove the barriers (physical but also spiritual) that keep us locked into one place. We recognize the gospel is moving in us and our world rather than being bolted-in-place.

So what we need is greater flexibility to embody the living gospel.

We need a space that encourages the shaping of us into those who are raising the level of hope.

We need a space that puts our rela�onships with each other and our experiences at the center where we find the word of God within us.

We need a space that builds up the communal nature of our family of faith so we can learn to love those who are different from ourselves, so we can hear those who cry out, so we can be shaped into those who engage in jus�ce ministries.

Our denomina�on is on a similar journey to discern the way forward, to remove the barriers of harmful, discriminatory and hateful language against LGBTQ folks in the Book of Discipline that keeps us from being the social holiness people we were designed to be at our founding. So the Commission on the Way Forward has been discussing the ma�er over the last year and recognized the current language does not live into Jesus’ vision for the church or our Wesleyan roots to first, do no harm.

They recognize that the church is most faithful when it does NOT deny the value of a certain people. The church, at its best, embodies the scriptural metaphor as the body of Christ with a broad diversity of parts. In a culture that ascribes more value to some over others, asser�ng that all are equal in Christ may seem pre�y “queer” but we want to reclaim that word and the joy of being queer enough to believe that in Christ, “there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gala�ans 3:28)

The Commission on the Way Forward has recommended a complex “One Church Model” to be considered at a called Special Session of General Conference in 2019 (February 23-26). There is also a Simple Church model created by Reconciling Ministries’ Queer Clergy Caucus which provided a streamlined model to simply remove the discriminatory language.

When Andrew Samuelson and I a�ended the For Everyone Born convoca�on in St. Louis this July (sponsored by the Love Your Neighbor Coali�on), we learned about, debated, and considered these plans. We’ll be saying more about this called session in the coming months but in the mean�me, we ask you to join us in praying for the United Methodist Church. Set an alarm as a reminder to li� up the church each day between 2:23- 2:26 (the dates of the called session).

We’re not praying for uniformity in our “United” church, we’re not even praying for the survival of the denomina�on, we’re praying for ways to be the family of Christ who embody the inclusive love of the gospel. Let us pray to be faithful to Christ, whether that’s within the structure of the UMC denomina�on or beyond it. For surely, the Spirit is guiding us to seek jus�ce, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.

Shalom,

A Wa y F o r w a r d photo by Fred Gagnon

Pastor Kelly

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Special health concerns: Bob & Diane Ferguson, Hank & Bev Kalloch, Tom Ryan, & Phyllis Rathbun.

Church office hours for the summer: Monday – Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Regular hours will resume

September 6 Pastor on vaca�on August 8-21

For pastoral emergencies during office hours contact Carol at the office. For a�er hours emergencies call chaplains Tom McGowan at 413-478-1015 or Rev. Karen Gutowski at 413-736-3531.

Thank you for your donation to The Rainbow Community Garden. Your gift of $500 is truly appreciated and gratefully accepted.

Rev. Peter Swarr, Rector St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

N������� N���� O�� August 7, 5:00 pm

East Longmeadow High School

National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, be�er place to live. Please let the church office know if you would like to volunteer.

Baked cookies in bags are needed for distribution for this event. Please deliver to the church by Tuesday morning, August 7th.

From the Music Director:

Hi everyone,

I am looking forward to the next chapters in worship at ELUMC. First, the services on the lawn will be a lot of fun – as long I remember the bug spray! Plus, I am really

excited about the new, flexible Sanctuary configuration plans! We are working on ways for more flexibility with our music, as well as increased and better involvement by the children. Stay tuned, and I hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Grace & Peace, Rick

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Bob & Diane Ferguson share wedding day joy with newlyweds, Tally & Sarah.

Marilyn Burns - LifeCare, Wilbraham

Dot Buzzelle - Redstone

Joan Kearns - Wells Country Village,

Vernon CT

Paul Willer - Reeds Landing

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Celebrating the marriage of Ryan Fisk and Becky Fulton on July 7th at Elms College. Proud mom Beth Fisk said Billy was the best man.

PEWS AVAILABLE The Trustees con�nue to seek a good home for the pews. If you know of someone who can take the pews in the next week or so, contact them and tell them to contact the Trustees as soon

as possible.

!BABY NEWS

Congratula�ons to Rick & Chris Hutchinson who welcomed their new grandson, James, 7lbs. 7oz. 20” long. James was born on July 24th to Rick & Chris’ son & daughter-in-law Jimmy

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The 4th Annual All-Church Camping Adventure was held the weekend of July 20-22 at the Partridge Hollow campground in Monson. The weekend included playing games, bouncing, swimming, hiking, singing, worship, campfires, eating well & enjoying good fellowship (and oh yes, smores.) Thanks to Rick Hutchinson and all the volunteers who made the campout a great success.

VBC 2018 We had an awesome �me this year experiencing a ride of a life�me at the Rolling River Rampage at ELUMC! Our Ra�ing Ready Verse (Isaiah 43:2) reminds us that "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." The kids joined Romper the River O�er and Paddle Captain Steve in exploring the river to reveal our Rapid Reminders — Finding Adventure, Acceptance, Joy, Rest and Peace on the river. In our interac�ve Bible Story Time, children heard the stories of Jesus calling the Disciples, Jesus accep�ng Mary and Martha, Jesus walking with Zacchaeus, Jesus sharing a special meal, and Jesus making a promise.

Students moved through the river to reach the Cra� Sta�on where they created Camp Journals, canoes, personalized picture frames, and other fun cra�s. At the Science Sta�on, they created shapes on solar paper, experimented with boat designs, learned about water filtra�on, and experienced other wonders of God's crea�on. At the Recrea�on Sta�on the kids worked together in relay races, crossed the river in tubes, and found joy in river rocks. The last two nights, they made their way through interac�ve sta�ons in the sanctuary tying the week's themes together and joining together for communion. At the Snack and

Music Sta�ons, the kids were able to take a break to recharge with delicious and crea�ve snacks before jamming to the theme music and dancing among the Rolling River Rampage set.

Thank you to all of our volunteers for their dedica�on and willingness to share their �me and talents every year to make VBC a truly exci�ng and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. Another thank you to all who donated boxes of pasta for the Loaves and Fishes ministry.

Submi�ed by Laura Kinney (For more pictures please see the last page of this on-line version of the newsle�er.)

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Making Camp Journals to record their experiences with God who is present to us wherever we go and whatever

adventure awaits.

Blessing the communion elements

Rev. Kelly, Evie Soucie, Pam Minihan, Laura Kin-ney, Ashlee Deziel, Jose & Steve Hilbun hiking on Peaked Mountain.

Photo by Kelly Greene

Smores are yummy

My daddy has big shoes to fill.

Relaxing and ge�ng the campfire ready

SAFE SANCTUARIES

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Address Service Requested

East Longmeadow United Methodist Church 215 Somers Road, STE 2

East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998

413-525-7416 • a reconciling congrega�on www.elumc.org

THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE in August

6:30 p.m. – Worship on the lawn with ice cream fellowship to follow Nursery is open but unstaffed. THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE in September

10:00 a.m. – Worship in the sanctuary Church School (star�ng Sept 17th) (pre-schoolers through Grade 5) Professional child care is provided for “Cribs & Creepers”/“Toddlers & Twos.”

The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

September 9th

Join us for a delicious French Toast Breakfast following a

special musical worship service and register your children for

Sunday School.

Sunday School starts Sept 16

Annual Celebration and Dinner Fundraiser for New England

Justice for Our Neighbors Saturday, November 10th,

5:00 PM Trinity UMC

The Springfield clinic of JFON, under the oversight of Urban Potential, Inc. is honored to host this event, as they will be celebrating five years of service to the immigrant community.

ELUMC has purchased a table for this special event.

We hope you can attend to be encouraged by the reasonable and compassionate voices engaged in this work. Get informed about the immigra�on experience so you can help others understand what is at stake in making this country the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Please let the church office know if you can be a part of this exciting celebra�on.

For the on-line church calendar follow this link:

http://57650311.view-events.com/

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Another year of Bible Camp complete with several of the adult volunteers saying versions of "can't wait un�l next year." Some�mes one has to wonder who we do VBC for--maybe it's for all disciples, regardless of age. Thanks to the leadership of Laura Kinney and all the sec�on leaders for such a special week.

Pretending to ride the rapids in a ra� or peeking out from a cozy tent, everyone was ready to experience the ride of a life�me and discover what it means to be God’s ra�ers on the Rolling River Rampage.