The 2020 United Methodist Creation Justice Summit, “Local Solutions to Global Crises,” will convene online Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30-9:45 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 17, noon-2:30 p.m.

Join to address the challenges of our time through Creation Care ministry. Participants will be invited to dream boldly of ways to play a key role in healing the planet; dive deeper into Advocacy and Green Team Development training; gather wisdom from speakers and leaders; and gain strength and inspiration by worshiping together.

The registration fee is $10 and scholarships are available. Register at www.umcreationjustice.org.

The annual Fall Charge Conference will be Sunday, Nov. 8, at 11:15 a.m. The Western North Carolina Conference has some new guidelines in place for virtual charge conferences. While the charge conference is the work of the voting members of the church council, non-voting members may observe the conference. To observe, request an invitation to join the Zoom meeting by contacting the Saint Matthews’ church office.

In North Carolina, early voting for the Nov. 3, 2020, Presidential Elections is Thursday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 31. Click here for the dates, times, locations (with map) and times in Guilford County.

On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — the Greensboro Transit Agency will offer free rides to the polls. The initiative, Move to the Polls, is designed to eliminate transportation barriers for voters in Greensboro. All rides on Nov. 3 on GTA, HEAT and SCAT will be free of charge. 

Move to the Polls is also offering a nonpartisan downloadable voter guide providing election dates other resources to help equip voters with information. Coming soon, the Guilford County and the NC Board of Elections will provide that information via “Election Station” on the rideGTA.com webpage. Printed copies also will be available soon at the Greensboro Transit Agency Administrative Offices and the GTA Customer Service Office at J. Douglas Galyon Depot. Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells says voters can also get to the polls by calling (336) 456-6437 for rides organized by the NAACP of Greensboro and Democracy NC.

Pastor FitzJeffries will be offering a church-wide Transformation Bible Study each Sunday in October (beginning Oct. 4) at 9 a.m. Over the four weeks, four topics will be considered: “Why Does the Church Exist and What Should it Be Doing?,” “We Function as a Body Endowed with Wonderful Gifts,” “Living Like Jesus,” and “Praying for Transformation.” To participate, use the same Zoom link that’s used for the Sunday worship service.

The Church Transformation Journey is a three-year process of discovery for local churches where they will prayerfully engage with scripture, identify milestones that God is calling the church to achieve to fulfill God’s vision for the church, and then partner with a Navigator and Guides, to embark on a journey of living into God’s calling for their church and their role in transforming the world. Saint Matthews UMC has been nominated by the district superintendent to participate in this transformative experience. The Western North Carolina Conference wants to invest in the life and future of Saint Matthews so that we can move from good to great. Saint Matthews’ Church Council voted to enter into the first part of the transformation process, which involves a comprehensive self-study, Bible study and prayer.

Saint Matthews will be a free COVID-19 testing site on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-noon, in the Britton Street parking lot. No appointment is necessary. Please bring proper identification and insurance information. Testing is in conjunction with the Oak Street Health Clinic, which has arranged for COVID-19 testing for church members and the surrounding community. The contact person for the clinic is Leslie Daniels, 336-223-6010 or leslie.daniels@oakstreethealth.com.

Saint Matthews UMC and West Market Street UMC will present a four-part interactive series — The History of Systemic Racism in America: A Part of the Truthful Talk Series — on the third Saturday of September through December, 10 a.m.-noon. This virtual event is limited to 40 participants. Register at https://tinyurl.com/TruthTalkRegister. 

Topics include the following:

• Sept. 19 – 1619 to Emancipation
• Oct. 17 – Emancipation to Jim Crow
• Nov. 21 – Jim Crow to Civil Rights
• Dec. 19 – Civil Rights

The 40th Anniversary Greater Greensboro CROP Hunger Walk will be a virtual event this year on Sunday, Oct. 4. T-shirts are $6, and payment is due at time of order. The last day to order is Sept. 16. Donations also are being accepted. Make checks payable to Greater Greensboro CROP Walk. To place an order or make donations, call Karlah Burton at 336-772-1528. 

Volunteers are needed for this year’s Big Sweep effort to help beautify Greensboro, any day(s) between Sept. 12-26. Groups are not to exceed 10 people considering COVID 19. To sign up, contact any member of the Creation Care Ministry: Albertina McGirt, Esther Carter Buie, Adrian Fleming or Karlah Burton, chairperson. Spread the word and encourage others to participate as we work together to preserve God’s world.

Listening and Hospitality August 23, 2020
Video taken down temporarily

(1) Adult Bible Study starts back Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m., via Zoom. Participate online — use Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/s/86013680356 — or by telephone — dial 1-929-205-6099, 86013680356#).

(2) Upper Room Bible Study starts back Thursday, Sept. 10, at 1:30 p.m., via Zoom.Participate online — use Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/s/83015849077# — or by telephone — dial 1-929-205-6099,83015849077#.