Is the UMC Really? / The UMC Really Is

The United Methodist Church is in a time of big changes, and you may have questions. Find the answers to frequently asked questions here. 

The first series, "Is the UMC Really...?" was written in the time leading up to the 2024 General Conference. The second series, "The UMC Really Is..." is being written now about issues that affect us now and in the near future. Click the headings below to explore.

Your questions are welcome. Write to AskTheUMC@umc.org.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 

Being thankful!

Gifts of flowers and local honey because Ali was so sweet to help us!

Local Ace Hardware store employee, Ali, is the “screen wizard!” She did a great job re-screening some of our church window screens!

Thanks also to Kraig for arranging to have this work done.

Scripture lessons for August 3

We begin our time in August with readings from Colossians 3:1-4, 8-11 and Luke 12:13-21. Our focus will be on how are we applying our energies in the work of God in our lives.

July 27 @ Glenville UMC

All present and accounted for!

Roy presents Pastor Charles & Belinda
 a handmade cross

Bob shares a reflection

Cheryl was today's reader

Joys

Belinda A. thanks God for Karen Gray visiting us today! Karen’s husband was a United Methodist pastor who preached numerous times at this church. It is delightful to worship with her this morning!

Nancy B. celebrates that this coming week is her husband Roy’s birthday!

Bob S. celebrates that “someone” had painted the wrought iron railing at the entrance to the church!

Folks are really appreciating it when central air conditioning works!

Kraig S. celebrates that the Ace Hardware store’s “screen wizard,” Ali, did a great job rescreening window screens at the church. The congregation celebrated Kraig’s awesome stewardship by scouting out the business that offered the best rate to get the job done!

Belinda A. celebrates the outreach ministry of the Midwest Mission and all the good they do! They have a great campaign called “Thrift with a Mission,” inviting folks to donate items found at thrift shops, garage sales, or from cleaning out one’s own garage. Great idea! Flyer about this was placed on the church bulletin board.

The congregation is thankful for Cheryl R.’s service as Scripture reader this morning!

And, as always, the congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist Renae H.

 

Concerns

Nancy B. led the congregation in praying for the starving people in Gaza.

Prayers continue for the family and friends of Nancy’s sister Mike whose celebration of life was last week.

UMCOR at work in Gaza

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is finding ways to support on-the-ground partner organizations, bringing vital food and water aid to Palestinians in need.

Learn more about ongoing relief efforts at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Father, Son, and Spirit, come,

And with thine own abide:

Holy Ghost, to make thee room,

Our hearts we open wide;

Thee, and only thee request,

To every asking sinner given;

Come, our life, and peace, and rest,

Our all in earth and heaven.

~ Charles Wesley

What churches need to know about immigration

The U.S. government has devoted unprecedented resources to the deportation and detention of immigrants — all while working to strip legal status from more than a million people.

Such developments raise fears across the country, including among United Methodist immigrants and their church communities.

Guided by multiple Bible passages including Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger, United Methodist leaders have stepped up to keep people informed of what’s happening and where they might go for help.

The Council of Bishops and United Methodist agencies provided the most recent update in a July 17 webinar, presented in English with interpretation in eight languages. The webinar drew about 1,000 participants.

“Immigration is not just a political issue. It is a theological one,” the Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, told those gathered.

“It is not merely about policy; it’s about people,” he said. “Today, we gather to receive updates rooted in legal reality and grounded in our shared faith, and we gather in this space to learn, to question, to lament and to imagine a more just and compassionate future together.”

During the webinar, United Methodist attorneys gave an update on where things stand with birthright citizenship, travel bans and Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics. Throughout the webinar, Arroyo reminded participants that the gathering was intended to provide general legal information not personal legal advice.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for July 27

We bring July to a close next week, once again turning to Colossians and Luke for our readings. Please read Colossians 2:6-15 and Luke 11:1-13 for the lessons. Consider this during your reading: Why do you pray?

Today at Glenville UMC

Shelley was today's reader

Announcement

New News -- Glenville Fire Department Appreciation Dinner: Scheduled for Monday, September 8th, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the fire hall. Sid T. said Mrs. Gerry's will be donating sides. Sandy said the fire department folks would prefer brats and hot dogs (versus pulled pork).

Joys

+Karnella S. just moved. Her new address was shared with the church family.

+Pastor Charles celebrates that he has joined the American Legion. Sid was kind enough to sponsor him.

+Roy and Nancy B. said they appreciated over 200 folks participating in the celebration of life service for their granddaughter Tara Jean Seadlund. last week.

+Bob and Gloria S. celebrate that they were able to participate in their two grandsons' birthday parties! 

+Mike and Cheryl R. celebrate that they are pleased their grandson is playing in today's VFW baseball tournament.

+Pastor Charles is happy he could volunteer at the Albert Lea Arts Center's Art and Garden Tour this weekend.

+Belinda A. said she is happy about the invitation for her to serve as spiritual growth coordinator for the Prairie Winds United Women in Faith District, starting next year, if she is elected at the fall gathering September 20.

Concerns

+Praying for family/friends of Gloria Purdie whose memorial service was yesterday.

+Roy B. said his wife Nancy's sister Mike died last week. Praying for Mike's family and friends who are mourning her passing.

+Praying for David and Peggy Mines whose son Daniel died July 11. 

Something to think about

 

Lay Speaker Certification Training

The Certified Lay Speaker program prepares laity who have completed the    ConneXion online program to serve as worship leaders within their local churches and/or other churches. 

Nov. 7, 14, and 21, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., online. 

Visit this link to learn more: Lay Speaker Certification Training 

Wednesday with the Wesleys

As to its looking particular, I grant it does; and so does almost everything that is serious, or that may anyway advance the glory of God, or the salvation of souls, if it be performed out of a pulpit, or in the way of common conversation ; because, in our corrupt age, the utmost care and diligence have been used to banish all discourse of God or spiritual concerns out of society, as if religion were never to appear out of the closet, and we were to be ashamed of nothing so much as of professing ourselves to be Christians.

~ Susanna Wesley (letter to husband Samuel on February 6, 1712, in response to his first dismayed letter about her unauthorized prayer meeting/Bible study in his absence)

Statement from General Board of Church & Society

In a July 7, 2025, court filing, The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) declared that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates in certain circumstances without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status, despite a decades-old Congressional statute that bans political candidate endorsements.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for July 20

by Johann Friedrich Overbeck

We turn this week to Colossians 1:15-28 and Luke 10:38-42 and will look at the tension that exists between being and doing.

Prayers for July 13

Bob S. -- Grateful to always be learning from mistakes.

Nancy & Roy -- This afternoon is their granddaughter Tara Jean's Celebration of Life Service.

Nancy's sister Mike, moved into her daughter's home.

Gloria Purdy passed away last Monday ... Her service will be next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. -- Obituary: https://www.bayviewfuneral.com/obituaries/gloria-purdie

Praying for those affected by the flooding and recovery efforts in the Texas hill country. (UMCOR Advance 901670 --

https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/  )

Pastor Charles is grateful for the productive music-ministry meeting with organist Renae H. last week. 

Pastor Charles was grateful for the tow truck driver and all who helped him when the alternator went out on his car during his return trip from an Omaha business trip last week.

Belinda is grateful that this church family is committed to reading the Upper Room's daily devotional entries together.

Pastor Charles led prayers for the people who are struggling in the Sudan and in Gaza.

This morning in Glenville

After our worship service this morning, we assembled in the fellowship hall for our monthly Ad Board meeting. Thanks to Bob Sharp for leading the gathering!

Learning about Global Ministries

Global Ministries, which includes the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is the mission and development organization of The United Methodist Church. Global Ministries works in more than 115 countries, partnering with local churches and organizations to amplify the impact of its projects and programs around the world.

Through its networks, programming and missionary personnel, Global Ministries reaches thousands of people every year. In keeping with its historical legacy and through contemporary ministries that meet international standards, Global Ministries focuses its efforts in four missional priorities.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Sometimes [God] acts on the wills and affection of [people]; withdrawing them from evil, inclining them to good, inspiring (breathing as it were) good thoughts into them; So it has frequently been expressed, by an easy, natural metaphor, strictly analogous to ruach, pneuma, spiritus, and the words used in most modern tongues also, to denote the third person in the ever-blessed Trinity. But however it be expressed, it is certain all true faith, and the whole work of salvation, every good thought, word, and work, is altogether by the operation of the Spirit of God.

~ John Wesley (A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion)

Responding to Texas flooding

From the Rio Texas Conference:

As we continue to walk alongside our neighbors impacted by the recent flooding, we hold in prayer the heartbreaking stories we are hearing — of lives lost, of loved ones grieving, and of families still waiting for news. Our hearts break for every community and family affected.

Amid this heartbreak, we want to provide meaningful ways for you and your congregation to respond — through worship, prayer, generosity, and preparation — so together we can offer hope and healing.

Read more at this link.

Scripture lessons for July 13

Good Samaritan window at Chartres Cathedral

Our lessons this week will come to us from Colossians 1:1-14 and Luke 10:25-37. Here we will consider the limits, both practical and spiritual, of kindness and empathy.

We will also be celebrating communion next Sunday!

New Worship Time

Our worship time will be changing

 on July 6 to 9:00 AM!

Prayer for Independance Day

                                Almighty God, You rule all the peoples of the earth. 

Inspire the minds of all women and men to whom You have committed the responsibility of government and leadership in the nations of the world.

Give to them the vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together. 

Give to the people of our country zeal for justice and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with Your gracious will. 

Forgive our shortcomings as a nation; purify our hearts to see and love the truth. 

We pray all these things through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Andy Langford, © 1992 United Methodist Publishing House

US Supreme Court rulings challenge church

Recent U.S. Supreme Court orders have left United Methodist leaders troubled but no less committed to the denomination’s longtime emphasis on caring for immigrants.

The high court closed out its term by making it easier for the Trump administration to deport people to “third countries,” where they risk torture, and making it harder for lower-court judges to stop President Trump’s salvo against birthright citizenship.

Those orders come after the court in May allowed the Trump administration to end protected status for thousands of Venezuelans and revoke parole that authorized another half million people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to stay in the U.S. Essentially, these actions clear the way for the government to declare people’s status illegal en masse — with no accusation of wrongdoing — even as their cases move forward in the courts.

Taken together, these rulings give a green light to mass-deportation plans while raising doubts about due-process protections.

“These decisions raise deep concern for us as people of faith,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops. “As United Methodists, we are called to see every person — regardless of status or origin — as a child of God.”

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Ye that are truly kind parents, in the morning, in the evening, and all the day beside, press upon all your children, “to walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us;” to mind that one point, “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

~ John Wesley (on the Education of Children)

Prayer for a new appointment

We begin a new relationship today with the beginning of Pastor Charles' time with us. His role will formally be known as "supply preacher." He is currently appointed to an extension ministry at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community by the Mountain Sky Conference bishop.

~ ~ ~

Eternal God, strengthen and sustain us in our ministries together,
with Charles as our pastor.
Give him and us patience, courage, and wisdom
so as to care for one another and challenge one another
that together we may follow Jesus Christ,
living together in love,
and offering our gifts and talents in Your service,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“An Order for the Celebration of an Appointment,” 

alt. from The Book of Common Prayer, 

The Episcopal Church, 1979. Public domain. 

Meet the Alkulas

The Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula was born in Ohio, the fourth of five children. His path into ministry took a winding path, from service in the Army, teaching, and working in a bank. While attending seminary in Washington, D.C., he met and married Belinda. He is a life-long learner with five degrees and numerous certificates. His ministry includes serving United Methodist churches in Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, Montana, Colorado, as a Navy chaplain, and currently as chaplain at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea. He serves on the board of the Albert Lea Art Center and as the chair of the City of Albert Lea Human Rights Commission. 

Cell Number: 303-916-2441 / Email: cjalkula@gmail.com

Belinda was born in England, into a military family. She has traveled extensively with the military, as a child and as an adult. She worked in a variety of civil service positions throughout her career. She has served as president of her local church’s United Methodist Women (UMW) unit, as vice president and spiritual growth / membership coordinator of the UMW District in western Montana, and as the    spiritual growth mission coordinator for the Mountain Sky Conference UMW. She belongs to P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization of women who are committed to supporting one another and fundraising to fund educational    opportunities for women.

Cell Number: 303-916-2349 / Email: Belinda.Alkula@gmail.com

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To learn more about the Alkulas, check these links.

Alkula Family Blog: www.alkula.blogspot.com

Pastor Charles’ Doctor of Ministry Dissertation: www.revdralkula.weebly.com

Pastor Charles' Art Porfolio: www.revartminnesota.com