Welcome to this edition of Grace Notes a Newsletter from Grace United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX. This newsletter comes to let you know about happenings at Grace, and to invite you to reflect on your walk with God as you strive to follow Jesus’ summary of the commandments: to love God, one another, and oneself.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
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Greetings Grace!
Self-reflection, identifying and eliminating fears, tough questions, commitment, ownership, being specific, utilizing resources, and being held accountable. All of this in two hours; was it a counseling session? A mini retreat? No. It was the first session of “Manifest Destiny”.
What is Manifest Destiny? Phyllis Scott defined it as follows, “a future event that is sure to happen; a destiny that can be clearly seen and cannot be changed”.
Manifest Destiny is a place where we gather to grow. It is a place where we can sit, be quiet and process what action(s) we need to put in place to conquer something. It’s a place to make us think about things like: what is it that we want, what is our vision, and what strategy must we implement to live outside the box again. Manifest Destiny is another way to Experience Grace!
As I look back over the year, I see how the Lord has guided us here at Grace. There have been so many ways to Experience Grace! Your leadership team is committed to making sure that you Experience Grace in 2015.
If you missed Manifest Destiny Saturday, don’t worry, we will be gathering again in January. Have a blessed Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
Advent season, closing out 2014, preparing for 2015, and all the pressure and anxiety that goes along with this “most wonderful time of the year” makes some people experience times of hopelessness, depression and anxiety. Here’s a thought…
“Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.”[1] (1 Peter 5:8) CEB
This is a simple but relevant reflection during this busy “religious” and “commercial” season. Let’s learn to relax in the Lord. Let’s learn to lean back in the presence of God just as if you were sitting in your most comfortable chair. That comfortable place in your favorite chair where you take short but refreshing naps, enjoy easy conversations, eat a nice snack, or just taking in some quiet time. Let your place in God be the same comfortable and relaxing experience during this busy time of year.
1st Peter is closed out refreshingly with one final thought, “…Peace to you all who are in Christ.” (1 Peter 5:14b) May His peace be with us all both now and into the New Year. We continue to love and pray for your growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bates and Rona
UMNS Weekly Digest
In Jamaica, PAPA'S faithful do hard work of mission
KINGSTON, Jamaica (UMNS) — Last year, United Methodists donated more than $15,000 to Pastors and Priests Available for Service (PAPA'S) Ministries, Advance #3021286, on UMC #Giving Tuesday. Those gifts helped support the work of local preachers and lay speakers in Jamaica who have been funding ministries out of their own pockets. Sandra Brands has the story.
African women earn money via cell phone subscription
ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire (UMNS) — Cell phone subscriptions are generating income that women of The United Methodist Church in Côte d'Ivoire hope to use to start small businesses. The Côte d'Ivoire United Methodist Women received a check this month for $1,000 U.S., earnings on a social media network. Isaac Broune reports.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news .
Mission, Missions, Opportunities
Non Profit committee: Want to be with a great group of people taking care of God's business? Be a part of the Non Profit committee at Grace.
Interested in learning QuickBooks to help with church books? Business student, person who desires to be a business owner or retired individual, please see Phyllis Scott for more information on these opportunities.
Arlington Life Shelter – due to an exciting amount of interest in helping at the Life Shelter, we need to schedule you for this volunteer opportunity. Please see Scott Marshall for more information.
If you are interested in working with the children during the 2nd service (children’s church), please see Wilma Davis. Ministry safe training is Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 am. This training is mandatory for anyone working with the children and/or youth.
Be ready to imagine the impossible!
*************************
Greetings Grace!
Self-reflection, identifying and eliminating fears, tough questions, commitment, ownership, being specific, utilizing resources, and being held accountable. All of this in two hours; was it a counseling session? A mini retreat? No. It was the first session of “Manifest Destiny”.
What is Manifest Destiny? Phyllis Scott defined it as follows, “a future event that is sure to happen; a destiny that can be clearly seen and cannot be changed”.
Manifest Destiny is a place where we gather to grow. It is a place where we can sit, be quiet and process what action(s) we need to put in place to conquer something. It’s a place to make us think about things like: what is it that we want, what is our vision, and what strategy must we implement to live outside the box again. Manifest Destiny is another way to Experience Grace!
As I look back over the year, I see how the Lord has guided us here at Grace. There have been so many ways to Experience Grace! Your leadership team is committed to making sure that you Experience Grace in 2015.
If you missed Manifest Destiny Saturday, don’t worry, we will be gathering again in January. Have a blessed Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.
Blessings and Peace
Pam Pinkerton
Pastor’s Column
Grace to you,
Advent season, closing out 2014, preparing for 2015, and all the pressure and anxiety that goes along with this “most wonderful time of the year” makes some people experience times of hopelessness, depression and anxiety. Here’s a thought…
“Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.”[1] (1 Peter 5:8) CEB
This is a simple but relevant reflection during this busy “religious” and “commercial” season. Let’s learn to relax in the Lord. Let’s learn to lean back in the presence of God just as if you were sitting in your most comfortable chair. That comfortable place in your favorite chair where you take short but refreshing naps, enjoy easy conversations, eat a nice snack, or just taking in some quiet time. Let your place in God be the same comfortable and relaxing experience during this busy time of year.
1st Peter is closed out refreshingly with one final thought, “…Peace to you all who are in Christ.” (1 Peter 5:14b) May His peace be with us all both now and into the New Year. We continue to love and pray for your growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bates and Rona
UMNS Weekly Digest
In Jamaica, PAPA'S faithful do hard work of mission
KINGSTON, Jamaica (UMNS) — Last year, United Methodists donated more than $15,000 to Pastors and Priests Available for Service (PAPA'S) Ministries, Advance #3021286, on UMC #Giving Tuesday. Those gifts helped support the work of local preachers and lay speakers in Jamaica who have been funding ministries out of their own pockets. Sandra Brands has the story.
African women earn money via cell phone subscription
ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire (UMNS) — Cell phone subscriptions are generating income that women of The United Methodist Church in Côte d'Ivoire hope to use to start small businesses. The Côte d'Ivoire United Methodist Women received a check this month for $1,000 U.S., earnings on a social media network. Isaac Broune reports.
Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at www.umc.org/news .
Mission, Missions, Opportunities
Non Profit committee: Want to be with a great group of people taking care of God's business? Be a part of the Non Profit committee at Grace.
Interested in learning QuickBooks to help with church books? Business student, person who desires to be a business owner or retired individual, please see Phyllis Scott for more information on these opportunities.
Arlington Life Shelter – due to an exciting amount of interest in helping at the Life Shelter, we need to schedule you for this volunteer opportunity. Please see Scott Marshall for more information.
If you are interested in working with the children during the 2nd service (children’s church), please see Wilma Davis. Ministry safe training is Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 am. This training is mandatory for anyone working with the children and/or youth.