Western North Carolina Conference UMC will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. The service will be at Saint Luke United Methodist Church (52 16th Avenue NW, Hickory, NC 28601).

The theme of the event is Remember! Reflect! Act! Building a Beloved Community in a Wounded World, and the focus scripture is Micah 6:8. Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis, president-dean of Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, will be the keynote speaker.

In addition, there will be a Children and Youth Art/Poetry/Essay Contest in the categories of Elementary, Middle School and High School Students. The prompt is “We Can Build a Beloved Community in a Wounded World.”

The response to this contest may be any of the following:

• Original Essay (450 words or less)
• Original Painting
• Original Picture/Drawing
• Original Poem
• Original Sculpture

Participants will be required to submit a short video of their submission. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 30, 2023. Submit contest entries to Tina McLendon (see SMUMC Sunday Bulletin, Dec. 10, for contact information).

Three cash awards will be given in each category. Winners, along with their winning submissions, will be formally recognized at the Commemoration Service.

This event and contest are sponsored by WNCC Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR), WNCC Commission on Religion and RACE (CORR), WNCC-Justice and Reconciliation Team (J&R). Contact: Rev. Tamara Ingram (see SMUMC Sunday Bulletin, Dec. 10, for contact information).

Beginning Dec. 31, Saint Matthews UMC’s Outreach, Shepherding and Witness ministries will present Faith, Family and Friends Day every fifth Sunday at the 10 a.m. worship service.

Congregants are encouraged to invite family, friends, co-workers and others in the community to join us for worship. A reception will follow in The Coley Hooker Jr. Fellowship Hall to ring in the New Year.

For more information, you contact Wanda Edgerton, Ramona Miller, Lydia McNeill, Ouida Scarborough or Vallerie Boger Bass.

The United Methodist Men of Saint Matthews United Methodist Church will have its annual Thanksgiving Concert on Sunday, Nov. 19. The concert will begin at 3 p.m. Be certain to bring canned and/or nonperishable items for the Food Pantry.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all announcements and videos for the Sunday, Nov. 26, worship service and Saturday, Nov. 25, phone tree are due in the church office no later than noon on Monday, Nov. 20. 

Ministry leaders, have you determined your calendar of events for 2024? If so, please submit a facility request form to save the dates, which will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. This includes rehearsals, Bible studies, meetings, gatherings, etc. Except for Sunday worship services, 2023 events will not automatically carry over to 2024.

The Facility Request Form A is available on the church website under Resources. For a paper form, please contact the church office. 

Performance and non-performance positions are still available for the Liturgical Arts Christmas program that will take place Sunday, Dec. 17. If you are interested in participating, contact Gwen Poole as soon as possible.

Join us at the third annual Saint Matthews UMC Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the festival, stay and participate in the Trunk or Treat activity that will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Candy donations are requested.

Contact the church office for details.

FirstFruits Drama Ministry will present “Parables & More” and “Glory Train” in October.

“Parables & More” will be Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Come witness Bible stories presented through a different lens.

The “Glory Train” will ride Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, 2445 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310.

Admission is free for both presentations.

The #IGiveUMC campaign encourages support for local United Methodist Churches and the ministries they offer through donations. Donors are encouraged to give to their local church in honor or memory of someone who has made a difference in their life and then express their appreciation on social media. Will you help share joy, kindness and gratitude? 

There are three goals for this campaign: 

1. Help local churches raise funds to support the ministry of their church 
2. Assist churches to increase social media engagement and awareness 
3. Inspire hopeful messages to honor/remember those who positively impact others 

Local churches make every effort to support the needs within their communities and rely on the generosity of the body of Christ. The #IGiveUMC campaign was designed to inspire and encourage appreciation for others while raising funds for local church needs. Seven specific celebrations were created and scheduled through the year, but we encourage you to not limit it to just these celebrations. Use the evergreen resources to celebrate all special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduations and recognitions. Tying the campaign to a specific celebration will encourage participation because people are already seeking ways to honor loved ones on special occasions. Check out this video and other resources to see how you can get involved: IGiveUMC Campaign Resources.

#IGiveUMC is a proposed opportunity for Saint Matthews’ legacy members and our current church family and friends to contribute back to the church whether the reason stems from gratitude for their personal spiritual development; it is a fitting tribute that honors relatives or friends whose stewardship and service helped grow this church since 1866; unaffiliates can contribute; it would enhance our readiness to cover imminent structural/operational needs of our edifice; the program is a good idea; and our participation would provide the financial readiness needed for church growth in worship, witness and service to brothers and sisters in our community and world. If implemented, the program allows donors to gift church ministries or mission initiatives as well as enhances our online presence. Please read more about #IGiveUMC, ask questions and decide if you feel it is right for Saint Matthews. Remember, “YOU” are the church and a steward, your voice matters but most important–YOU DECIDE! 

The Stewardship Committee would appreciate your feedback by Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 17. Response cards will be provided for your use, so please insert your card in a depository box. Your feedback is important for future work. 

— This is a UMC PSA since 2020 and added to by the Stewardship Committee, Albertina McGirt, Chair 

Merriam-Webster defines “ally” as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.

Allyship requires hard work by people who are not self-centered, those willing to exercise good courage such as speaking truth to power relentlessly and as described in Matthew 23:23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees; hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matter of the law, justice, and mercy and faithfulness.These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Whereas, tithing is the tenth we should give in all facets of our lives, it is not more important nor less important than servanthood.

What did Jesus say about tithing in Matthew 23:23? He warns against focusing too much on the rules of tithing without paying attention to the more important things like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Bottom line? You should be giving in some way. A servant message beyond money is seldom heard in religious media today but our Stewardship Committee has started each campaign with this scripture verse since 2021. Advocating for the marginalized requires getting involved and in the words of the late congressman John Lewis, “Get into good trouble.”

Beware, sometimes advocacy is harder than just contributing money for causes, both are sorely needed. Becoming an ally means investing in issues you are passionate about in many ways.

• Learn what the church says. The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles on the Natural World is a great place to start. This section of our Book of Discipline sets forth the basic position of The United Methodist Church on important social issues, including global climate stewardship. Explore the climate justice websites and other resources provided by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and United Women in Faith. As you explore these statements and ministries, share what you learn with your friends, church family, and community. Become An Informed Ally.
• Raise your voice by making your friends, church family and community aware of problems—then act on what you see. Apathy, inaction, and silence gets no ones’ attention let alone inspire people to resolve issues. Deliberately take on and embrace a proactive attitude and a can-do spirit with God’s help.
• Contact elected officials: Urge local, state, and federal officials to social issues that improve the lives of people and our physical environments. That may include attending a rally, making a phone call, or sending an email or letter and praying without ceasing—an ally who practices knee-ology.
• SMUMC’s Stewardship Committee challenges each individual church member to get involved and find ways you can be part of the solution. There is much to do and correct. Become active in our community and develop relationships with social conscious organizations that make a good difference.

Why? Biblically, it’s our responsibility, man’s covenant with God, so complete your worship and service forms.

In Genesis 1, God entrusts the earth to the care of human beings—you and me. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to preserve, protect, and care for what God has created including, human affairs, animal and plant life, the air, land, forestry, and water.

Today the Judicial and Legislative branches of government are in-fighting about converting the U.S. from a Democracy to Aristocracy using tools of deception, silencing certain citizens, and by creating unjust laws. We pray for God’s guidance, intervention, and protection. Even as we affirm the rights to assemble peacefully, vote freely and with integrity without intimidation or violent interference; top-heavy and resourceful forces rebel against what is just or right. We condemn the rhetoric from leaders inciting violence and division. We call on all to work for justice and the common good of the country and our democracy. We continue to pray for the healing of our nation. Please join me in praying these words from the Prayer in a Time of National Crisis (United Methodist Hymnal, page 517): Heavenly Father, May leaders be led by your wisdom; May they search your will and see it clearly If we have turned from your way, reverse our ways and help us to repent. Give us your light and your truth, let them guide us; Through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.

Thanks for hearing our stewardship message and continue to praise God on this glorious Sabbath morning.

*Joe Iovino works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications; contact him by email. This story was published Sept. 19, 2017, and adapted by Albertina McGirt. Stewardship Message: Become a UMC Social Justice Ally (Sept. 4, 2023)