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April 30, 2026
This is a big week with lots to share. Several of the topics could fill an Inlet View of their own. I’ll be as succinct as possible.
First, I want to ask, once again, that you pray for our nation. I am grateful that no lives were lost this past Saturday during yet another assassination attempt. Please pray for the agent injured, for those who are living with the fear of similar future attempts, for those working to find better ways to protect President Trump and any others who may be targeted, for changed hearts and minds of anyone who would consider doing such a heinous act, and for improved ways of speaking and interacting that are marked by kindness and respect rather than grievance and agitation. Praying for those things will not only show God our heart but will also help our heart influence our own interactions. They’ll be like the prayer in the chorus, “Let there be peace on earth – and let it begin with me.”
Last week I was part of a group seeking peace and justice, even experiencing it in meaningful ways, as we traveled. 45 of us were part of the Spring Journey of Community and Justice. We enjoyed many laughs, some tears, and time for growing friendships and in discipleship. Our two primary destinations were Koinonia Farm near Americus, GA and the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Sites in Montgomery, AL. It was a powerful experience to be in places significant to our nation’s story of working through the evils of slavery and its ongoing effects. We were inspired by courageous and faithful acts. We were encouraged by undeterred commitments to justice and hope. And, as a group, we were guided by our two primary rules: be flexible and be kind. Those are not just good rules for travel. They are good rules for all of life.
We’re asking you to bring flexibility and kindness to this Saturday’s Blessing of the Inlet. You can start early by helping prepare strawberries for shortcake this Friday, beginning at 9:30 AM in the Family Life Center. Bring a paring knife, cutting board, and apron.
Then join us for a weather-adjusted Blessing of the Inlet. We will have the blessing service at 10 AM under the tent beside The Sanctuary. The craft vendors and strawberry shortcake will be in the Family Life Center. The Kids’ Zone will be under the tent near the Field of Faith. Food vendors will be near both large tents.
The locations are slightly different and at times you may need an umbrella to move from one covered area to another, but the essential parts of the Blessing of the Inlet will remain. Invite friends and neighbors to this signature event. The Blessing is a great way to show Belin Memorial UMC’s hospitality and spirit.
We will have the opportunity to continue growing in flexibility and kindness this summer as the nearly 35-year-old sanctuary undergoes needed updates this summer. The trustees have hired a company to remove, refurbish, and reinstall the pews. While the pews are being serviced, the flooring will be improved as well. We anticipate being out of The Sanctuary July 6 through August 31.
The working plan for those 8 Sundays is to worship in the Family Life Center. The 8:45 service will be our modern service (The Harbor) and the 11:00 service will be traditional worship. Both services will be livestreamed.
As always, the Worship Team, staff, and worship leaders will do everything we can to develop services that will honor God and be very meaningful to those who worship with us. With flexibility and kindness on everyone’s part, we will not only survive this short period of disruption, we will thrive within it.
Other notes of interest:
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Congratulations to Kate Ritchey, wife of former Belin Memorial pastor Rev. J.T. Brown on being named the South Carolina United Methodist Church’s digital communicator. Read about Kate HERE.
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Chip Smith, local author and founder of Plus-One Boating, will lead a Community Creek Talk about Murrells Inlet and estuary health tonight at 6:30 PM at the Murrells Inlet Community Center.
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On Wednesday, May 6 at 10 AM, join the SCDNR S.C.O.R.E. Program in a Manufactured Wire Oyster Reef Build to help restore oyster habitats in Murrells Inlet. The build will be on the sanctuary side of Business 17 between seawall cross and the boat ramp. Here's the flyer about the project. A single adult oyster filters up to 50 gallons of water per day. The reefs help protect the shoreline from erosion. They are vital to the health of Murrells Inlet. Come have fun and help our community.
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The Adult Fellowship Luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 6 at 11:30 PM in the FLC. Bring a covered dish to share with others and enjoy the fellowship. Call Mary Mallick (843.357.5185) for more information.
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Do you have a graduate this year? Please contact Brandy Streett, Director of Youth Ministries (brandys@belinumc.org; 843.357.5177) by Monday, May 11, to have your graduate included on Graduate Sunday, May 17.
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Epworth Mother’s Day offering is Sunday, May 10 at each service. Epworth is celebrating 130 years of service.
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Belin Memorial’s Bereaved Parents group will have a special Mother’s Day service for “Honoring Our Heavenly Children” at the Seawall Cross on May 10 at 3:30 PM. For more information about this special service, please contact Sharon Doehner (919.271.2568).
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Vacation Bible School registration closes on Monday, June 1. Make sure you register soon for the VBS, which runs from Monday, June 22 through Thursday, June 25 from 5:30 PM till 8 PM in the FLC. Contact Kim Oakley (kimo@belinumc.org; 843.357.5194) for more information.
There are so many good ways to show kindness and flexibility. I’m grateful for your part in these.
See you this weekend, Will
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