What is the annual conference? What does it do?

The annual conference is not “those people out there” who make decisions that affect "us people here.” 

The constitution of The United Methodist Church calls the annual conference “the basic body in the church” (Paragraph 34, Article II).

Note that definition. It is the basic body in the church. A “body” is an assembly of people. It’s not an assembly only of “those people out there.” It’s at least some people, lay and clergy, from your own local church gathering with laypeople and clergy from every other local church within the bounds of your conference, along with additional officers and laity from the local churches to equal the total clergy membership of the conference. United Methodists make decisions by bringing people together to confer and decide together, that is, "to conference." These decisions do not get made by people who do not know us. They are made by people we know and have sent, all working together as one body.

Read more at this link.

A new opportunity to grow in faith

News is inevitable - whether it's considered good or bad, it's how we share what's going on in our communities, nation, and the world.

Each week, The Wired Word takes a current news story and juxtaposes it next to Bible verses and stories as tools to navigate our daily walk with Christ. This is a unique way for us to extract hope and find ways to live out our faith in our journey with God.

If you would like to receive the weekly lesson (delivered each Thursday), please let Pastor Charles know!

Wednesday with the Wesleys

How shall we blush to behold that exceeding and eternal weight of glory, that is conferred upon us for that little, or rather nothing, which we have done or suffered for our Lord! That God gave us being, that preserved us, that fed and clothed us in our passage through the world; and what is infinitely more, that gave his only son to die for us; and has by his grace purified and conducted us safe to his glory. Oh, blessed grace! Mysterious love! How shall we then adore and praise what we cannot here apprehend aright! How will love and joy work in the soul! But I cannot express it, I cannot conceive it…

~ Susanna Wesley

Prayer for Memorial Day

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." — Matthew 5:4

Almighty God, before whom stand the living and the dead, we Your children, whose mortal life is but a hand’s breadth, give thanks to You: For all those through whom You have blessed our pilgrimage, whose lives that have empowered us, whose influence is a healing grace, we lift up thankful hearts.

For the dear friends and family members whose faces we see no more,                     but whose love is with us forever . . .

For the teachers and companions of our childhood and youth, and for the members of our household of faith who worship You now in heaven…

For those who sacrificed themselves, our brothers and sisters who have given their lives for the sake of others…

That we may hold them all in continual remembrance, and ever think of them as with You in that city whose gates are not shut by day and where there is no night…

That we may now be dedicated to working for a world where labor is rewarded, fear dispelled, and the nations made one, O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage. Day by day we magnify You, and worship Your name, for ever and ever. Amen.

From the website of Wellspring UMC - Oswego, Illinois

Scripture lessons for Trinity Sunday

Andrei Rublev's Holy Trinity icon (1411)

We bring the month of May to a conclusion next week as we celebrate one of the most unique aspects of Christianity: The Trinity. 

Our lessons will come to us from 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and Matthew 28:16-20.

What happened the day AFTER Aldersgate?

The moment I awakened, “Jesus, Master,” was in my heart and in my mouth; and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed upon Him and my soul waiting on Him continually. Being again at St. Paul's in the afternoon, I could taste the good word of God in the anthem which began, “With my mouth will I ever be showing forth thy truth from one generation to another.” Yet the enemy injected a fear, “If thou dost believe, why is there not a more sensible change? I answered (yet not I), “That I know not. But this I know, I have ‘now peace with God.’ And I sin not today, and Jesus my Master has forbidden me to take thought for the morrow.”

- John Wesley (journal entry May 25, 1738 -- the day after Aldersgate)

Joys & Concerns from May 24

It's Pentecost in Glenville!

Bob & Gloria S. welcome Roy B. to worship

Kraig S. is today's reader

Nancy B. shares flowers from her garden with
Donna D.

Pentecost cupcakes