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Cook's United Methodist Church
June 2025 Newsletter
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We exist to make followers of Jesus Christ who love God and others. |
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It’s THAT time of year! Teachers, students, and education-administration say that about summer break (yay!). Those who work in the resort or outdoor recreation trade know this time of the year as their busy season. It seems that every area of our lives has a rhythm of seasons.
For the Church, and the United Methodist Church in particular, this is an exciting season. We are almost at the close of the 40-day season of Eastertide - on a spiritual and emotional high at the good news of Jesus’ victory over death, hell, and the grave and the promise of Resurrection for us, too. Ascension Sunday (the Sunday we remember Jesus’ ascension back to Father God and the commissioning of his disciples) is the bridge between Eastertide and Pentecost. Pentecost is our celebration of God’s promise-come-true that the Holy Spirit is available for ALL, ALL the time.
By the way, we will be celebrating Ascension Sunday on June 1 and Pentecost on June 8; we hope that you will be with us to honor this part of our story as God’s children.
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This is a special season in the life of the United Methodist Church as well. John Wesley, the “father” of Methodism called leadership - both laity and clergy - together for celebration, discernment and planning annually. (The first conference was in 1744 and with clergy only because the numbers of individuals flocking to the Methodist way of practicing discipleship with Jesus was growing so that organization and guidelines were needed.)
Annual Conference is both a thing and an event … confusing, I know. In the U.S., there are geographical boundaries in every decreasing size to help us with the tasks of organization, support and everything in-between. Annual Conferences are made up of several districts; by the same token, Jurisdictions are made up of several Annual Conferences. That’s how AC (Annual Conference) is a thing. It is also an event in that our “annual” gathering for celebration, discernment and planning is called our annual Conference. An interesting and important fact for you to know: all UMC annual conferences are attended by delegates from every local congregation - both clergy and laity. And those numbers are always equal. The clergy voice is never louder than the laity and vice versa.
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What is the work of Annual Conference (the event)? I’m so glad you asked! Your clergy and lay delegate from Cook’s UMC (Sandra Clay and Edna Vaughan, respectively, with Kathryn Kimball as an alternate) as well as Monica Cox (a lay person chosen by our district leadership to represent the larger laity of our area so that the voices of clergy and laity are equal) will be busy with much from the evening of Sunday, June 1 through early Wednesday afternoon, June 4. You can “attend” online by going to www.twkumc.org and clicking on the Annual Conference Livestream link. Or, if you happen to be in the area - we will be at Collierville UMC in Collierville, Tennessee - and would love for you to sit with us. This is what we’ll be doing:
We will be worshipping God in His fullness! Not only will we worship every day much like Cook’s worships each Sunday, but we also begin each session - whether for business or learning - with song and prayer. Some of our worship experiences center around the presence and promise of God in specific ways such as our Memorial Service and Service of Ordination, Commissioning and Recognition of new pastoral leaders.
We will be welcoming our new Bishop, Rev. David Graves and his wife, Nancy. Though we have been getting to know one another and discerning our best next steps together already, this will be our first Annual Conference (event) under Bishop Graves’ leadership. (Why don’t you take a moment and go to www.twkumc.org and click on “Meet New TWK Episcopal Leader” to learn about this great man?!)
We will be reviewing and celebrating all that God is doing through our collaborative ministries and responsibilities. Did you know that our Annual Conference (thing) supports and loves our neighbors through 3 camping and retreat centers, 15 college/university campus ministries, 7+ seminaries both within and beyond our geography, 3 adoption agencies within our boundaries, Project Transformation that helps at-risk elementary students retain hard-fought skills over the summer, Reelfoot Ministries that offers support for the counties surrounding Reelfoot Lake - historically one of the top three poorest areas of Tennessee, and Disaster Response … just to name a few?
We will be celebrating the lives of those clergy and lay leaders who have become part of the Church Triumphant since the last time we gathered.
We will be offering gratitude for those pastoral leaders who are retiring from full-time leadership and celebrating a new season for them and their families.
We will be affirming, ordaining/commissioning/recognizing and welcoming pastoral leaders who are beginning or who have finished their education and training for ministry among us.
We will be considering Constitutional amendments that grow out of the work of General Conference. (Did you even know that we have a Church Constitution? Yep, we do. It outlines how we are organized, our doctrine and mission, how we intend to be a connectional body and what restrictions we place on ourselves. You can find it in Part 1 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline, hard copy or online.) Amendments that we have the responsibility to consider, and which will impact the whole of the denomination are presented at every Annual Conference (event) and each vote counts. Meaning: we will know how many yea and nay votes were made at our AC (event), but we won’t know the full outcome until ALL the yea’s and nay’s from every AC (event) around the world are totaled. There are four Constitutional Amendments that we will consider:
1. Regionalization would allow regional conferences (Annual Conferences, per se, outside of the U.S.) to contextualize ministry in their own setting. To vote “yea” would NOT allow a change in what we believe or how we organize, but WOULD allow the publishing of their own hymnal, setting requirements for ordination, develop practices around marriage ceremonies and other rites, etc.
2. Protecting membership for all … by adding the words gender and ability to the current list of descriptors (race, economic status, national origin, etc.) by which we will NOT regard in allowing persons to participate in the ministries and membership of our denomination.
3. Working for Racial Justice is more than simply standing against racial injustice. This resolution calls for acknowledgement of and response to how the church has been complicit in our world’s history of racism, for commitment to active anti-racism and for emphasis and work toward unity and healing.
4. Educational Requirements of Clergy … this resolution clarifies what standards must be met in order for clergy to have the privilege and right to vote for clergy delegates to General Conference (the conference gathering - i.e.: event - that is much like Annual Conference but for the whole denomination; it happens every four years).
We will be considering resolutions submitted by our own laity/clergy/congregations. This year we will be hearing resolutions that call for support in the rebuilding of Altadena UMC - an historic black church destroyed in the California fires at the beginning of 2025, for approval to include paternity leave for male clergy who are welcoming babies into their families, for acknowledgement of necessary church leadership in energy conservation and creation care in the way we live … and more.
We will be affirming new leadership for the coming year; in the same way that Cook’s UMC needs leaders to help guide the work of caring for our property (Trustees), overseeing staff (Staff-Parish Relations Committee), leading Sunday School Classes or small groups (teachers), etc., each Annual Conference (thing) elects leaders to do the work of the Conference between our gatherings.
Sandra
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TWK Annual Conference
Sunday, June 1 – Wednesday, June 4
Collierville UMC, Collierville TN
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SPRC Meeting
Thursday, June 5 @ 6pm
Seekers Room
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United Methodist Men’s Club Breakfast
Sunday, June 15 @ 7:45am
Youth Room
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Common Table
Rev. Sandra will pick up the tab for what wets your whistle
You are always free to stay however long you want and can.
There is no agenda; YOU bring the questions, celebrations, beefs, and burdens, and we will share them.
Love will hold us together no matter what.
Come to one or both, invite a friend, meet a new friend, just come!
Tuesday, June 10 @ 5:30 p.m. at Corner Pub in Mt. Juliet
Tuesday, June 17 @ 10 a.m. at Billy Goat Coffee Cafe in Mt. Juliet
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Caregivers Coffee Connection
A Caregivers Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm in Cook’s UMC Youth Room. Our purpose is to surround each other with support and friendship as we encourage the journey of a Caregiver by offering respite and support. If you or someone you know would benefit from a loving time of encouragement or just a place to meet and have conversation, please know you are welcome to meet with us. If you have any questions, call Judy at 615-417-9002.
NEXT Meeting Wednesday, June 18 @ 1pm.
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Wednesday, June 11 Movie
In this gentle and funny film, 78-year-old Milton, played by Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Schindler's List), lives a quiet and mostly lonely life in a small town—until something extraordinary lands in his backyard. What follows is a heartwarming story of unlikely friendship, discovery, and purpose. Co-starring Jane Curtain (Saturday Night Live, Kate & Allie) and Harriet Sansom Harris (Phantom Thread, Desperate Housewives), Jules is a thoughtful and charming film that reminds us it’s never too late for life to surprise us.
You can rent it online or watch it with a subscription to Paramount+. Then join us on Wednesday, June 11 at 6 pm in the youth room for a fun discussion.
Jules is rated PG-13 for infrequent strong language.
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Wednesday, June 18 Movie
Beloved character actor Richard Jenkins (The Shape of Water, Witches of Eastwick, Step Brothers) takes the lead in (and earned an Oscar nomination for) The Visitor as a quiet, widowed professor who finds his world transformed when he meets a young immigrant couple living in his New York apartment.
What begins as an awkward encounter becomes a deeply human story of friendship, music, and the quiet strength of those living on the margins. The Visitor explores themes of hospitality, immigration, and the dignity of every person—reminding us how compassion can break down walls and open up lives.
Rent The Visitor online or watch it for free at Tubi (www.tinyurl.com/visitormovie). Then join us on Wednesday at 6 pm in the youth room as we discuss this powerful and timely movie that Roger Ebert called, “a wonderful film”.
The Visitor is rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
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Wednesday, June 25 Movie
Nominated at this year’s Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay (from the best selling book), Nickel Boys is the story of a powerful friendship that develops between two young African American men as they navigate the harrowing trials of reform school together. Based on actual events in 1960s Florida, Nickel Boys is one of the most celebrated movies of this decade.
Rent Nickel Boys online or watch it with a subscription to MGM+ (a free trial is available through Amazon Prime). Then join us on Wednesday at 6 pm in the youth room as we discuss this stirring film named the best movie of 2024 by The New York Times, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, IndieWire, and The New Yorker!
Nickel Boys is rated PG-13 and is not appropriate for small children.
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Wednesday, July 2 Movie
Nominated for best comedy at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and winner of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards for Best Intergenerational Film, Bill Murray stars as Vincent, a grumpy and unlikely mentor to the boy next door—who's struggling single mother is played by Melissa McCarthy. As their lives intertwine, this mismatched trio discovers unexpected moments of grace, laughter, and redemption. St. Vincent is a warm, surprising story about seeing beyond first impressions and finding goodness in unexpected places.
Rent St. Vincent online or watch it with a subscription to HBO Max. Then join us on Wednesday at 6 pm in the youth room as we discuss this moving and very funny film that Variety called “a ticket to movie heaven.”
St. Vincent is rated PG-13 and is not suitable for young children.
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Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church
By Heather Hahn
May 1, 2025 | UM News
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Taking inspiration from Scripture, bishops and other denominational leaders have developed a new vision statement for The United Methodist Church.
The vision states: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
The bishops and the Connectional Table jointly unveiled the statement May 1, a year after a momentous General Conference set the denomination on a new path after years of infighting. The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table — a leadership body of lay and clergy who coordinate the denomination’s mission, ministry and resources — each unanimously adopted the statement.
The hope is this new vision makes clear both who United Methodists are and where God is leading them.
“The vision is about seeing — what we see ourselves doing as a denomination,” said Bishop Delores “Dee” J. Williamston, co-chair of the group’s Visioning Task Force. She also leads the Louisiana Conference.
“As we’re making disciples of Jesus Christ, we will all live into this vision together.”
United Methodist leaders used a “countercultural approach” in developing the vision statement, said her fellow co-chair Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez. He leads the Upper New York and Susquehanna conferences.
“Usually, the visioning process starts with asking, ‘What do we see?’” he said. “We shifted that narrative and asked, ‘What does God say? What is God’s dream?’”
To discern God’s dream, church leaders prayerfully engaged in listening sessions, starting in 2021, with United Methodists around the globe.
Church leaders also drew on the counsel of Bible passages, in both the Old and New Testaments, with an eye toward following Jesus’ example.
Each part derives from Scripture.
Love boldly, inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35, means: United Methodists passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life.
Serve joyfully, inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10, means: With a Christ-like heart, journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
Lead courageously, inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10, means: Follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation.
The new vision statement aims to complement the denomination’s nearly 30-year-old mission statement, based on Matthew 28:18-20: “The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area Bishop Christian Alsted, who retires on May 24, said mission and vision serve distinct purposes.
“The mission is what we are about, what right now is our task,” said Alsted, who chaired the Connectional Table when the visioning work began. “As a church, the vision is where we go. So the vision, from my perspective, would paint the picture of the future in a way that is compelling and engaging, that stirs passion and involvement.”
Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone sees the vision statement as a catalyst for transformation that will help guide the work of the Leadership Gathering that the bishops are planning next year. Participants include bishops, general-agency heads, and three leaders from each of the denomination’s 53 episcopal areas. The gathering will have no decision-making authority but is intended to join in the visioning work.
“The Leadership Gathering is not setting the vision,” said Malone, who also leads the Indiana Conference. “The Leadership Gathering is gathering hope around the vision and helping us think about, ‘How do we live this into the future? How do we live this vision in light of our mission?’”
While the mission of making disciples remains unchanged, she said, the question before those at the gathering will be: “How do we get there?”
The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, says the Connectional Table’s responsibilities include discerning and articulating the vision of the church in consultation with the Council of Bishops.
That means the vision statement does not require approval by General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly. In fact, with the adoption by the bishops and Connectional Table, the vision is already official.
Williamston, the vision task force co-chair, said the Connectional Table’s past work as well as the denomination’s longtime mission statement were crucial in developing the new vision.
She drew on the West African image of the Sankofa bird, which shows a bird looking backward to pluck a jewel of wisdom out of its feathers. Simply put, she said, the image means: Remembering where we’ve come from in order to move forward.
“We didn’t just start from nothing,” she said. “We’re just not just walking into this doing something brand new.”
Both she and Burgos, as agency board presidents, are also members of the Connectional Table. Williamston is president of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, and Burgos is president of Discipleship Ministries.
Judi Kenaston, now the Connectional Table’s chief connectional officer, was a member of the group when it began the current vision work after the contentious special 2019 General Conference that led to a fracturing in the denomination.
After COVID hit, Connectional Table members worked to hold listening sessions on four continents with local United Methodists about their thoughts on identity, connection, mission and vision.
Kenaston is excited to see the fruit of those conversations. “I think the vision totally fits the answers we were getting,” she said. “People wanted us to be in ministry with the marginalized. That was across the board. Everybody said, ‘This is who we are.’”
She added that she is very excited to share the vision with her grandchildren. Her one worry is that United Methodists won’t work to put the vision into action.
“If that’s not something that I can share with my grandchild, and say, ‘This is what we do as United Methodists,’” she said, “then it’s just going to be pretty words on paper.”
United Methodist Communications will be joining the bishops, Connectional Table and other agencies in trying to get the word out and provide resources to support the vision.
The communications agency still plans to use “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” as an evangelistic tool to introduce seekers to The United Methodist Church.
Poonam Patodia, United Methodist Communications’ head of marketing, communications and public relations, said the vision statement is about the denomination's identity while the brand promise of openness is an invitation to join in the vision of Christian discipleship.
Bishop Ande Emmanuel, who leads United Methodists in Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal, said the vision statement is timely especially as Nigerian United Methodists seek to move forward after a time of conflict.
“I see this vision statement through the lens of the ministry work that we are going to do in the future in The United Methodist Church in Nigeria,” Emmanuel said. “Our congregations have been positioning to love, to serve and to be courageous in their ministry. Our pastors have been encouraged to do the same. So I am sure this vision statement will resonate very well with our mission and ministry.”
Hahn is assistant news editor for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
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Thank You
Thank you so much for your donation to the Mt. Juliet Help Center! We have had a very busy first quarter, distributing over 55,000 pounds of food and hygiene items, as well as paying over $20,000 in utility assistance. We are so grateful for donors like you who make it possible.
We are gearing up for our 7th annual Summer Food Program, which began in late May and runs through mid-July. Last year we distributed almost 1000 boxes filled with four days’ worth of breakfast, lunch, and snack items, and we expect to surpass that number this year. We are very proud of this program which fills the gap for children who receive free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches during the school year, and helps families stretch their food budgets during the summer.
Your contribution to the Help Center makes a positive impact on our community, and we appreciate your support! Sincerely, Carolyn Smith, Director
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June Schedule
TWK Annual Conference June 1-4
SPR Meeting, Thursday, June 5 @ 6pm (Seekers Room)
Common Table, Tuesday, June 10 @ 5:30pm (Corner Pub)
Men’s Club Breakfast, Sunday, June 15 @ 7:45am (Youth Room)
Common Table, Tuesday, June 17 @ 10:00am (Billy Goat Café)
CareGiver Connection, Wednesday, June 18 @ 1:00pm (Youth Room)
Staff Meeting, Tuesday, June 24 @ 11:45am (Library)
TKD Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays @ 6pm (Friendship Hall)
Boy Scouts, Thursdays @ 6pm (Youth & Shine Rooms)
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Concerns: Polly Carlton; Sandra Carney's Dad;
Cashman's neighbor, Michie; David Coleman; Cora Farris;
Mike Haughey; Larry McIntire; MacKay family passing of her Ellyn; Bette Montgomery; Eli Pedigo; Erik & Jessica Page;
Danny Ray; Wanda Shaver
TWK Annual Conference
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Update to Facebook Live Videos
Facebook is updating their policies concerning live videos. This will impact Cook's in the length of time previous live videos will be stored, deleting them after 30 days. You will still be able to watch Facebook Live videos (worship services, Wilmore Wednesdays, etc.), but after 30 days the videos will be automatically deleted. If you are looking for a video older than 30 days, those should still be available on our YouTube channel (unless copyright restrictions do not allow us to publish a video to YouTube).
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SALT (Serving at the Lord’s Table)
UNSWEETENED CEREAL; CANNED SOUP & SALTINE CRACKERS (4 sleeves to a box)
All donations can be left in totes in back hall.
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Samaritan Fund
The dollars in this fund are used to help those in our community with immediate needs. The money used to fund this account comes from donations left on the altar rail during communion.
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Backpack Program
The Backpack program supports our neediest children. Students are supplied with food items to bridge the weekend gap during the school year. The Church at Pleasant Grove sponsors the Backpack Program for 5 schools in our area and they need help stocking their shelves. Items requested are: Instant Oatmeal Packages; Individual Mac & Cheese; Pudding Cups (non-refrigerated; Ravioli, Spaghetti-O's; Granola Bars; Fruit Cups; Applesauce; Juice Boxes (avoid those with lots of sugar). All donations can be left in the totes in back hallway.
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Home Centered
Miriam Appleby,
Dot Creasman,
Gladys Pennington,
Norman & Ruby Walker
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Fellowship Donuts
Volunteers needed to bring donuts for our fellowship time (between first service and Sunday School). There is a sign-up sheet on the wall next to the donut table across from the coffee pots by friendship hall. 4-5 dozen needed each Sunday and must be here by 9:15am. Keep your receipt to be reimbursed by the office. Tax exempt forms available in the office.
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Are You on Facebook?
You can help us spread Cook's news! It's easy: first, be sure to "Like" Cook's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cooksumc/). Then keep your eye out for announcements, inspiration, and invitations to worship. When they show up in your FB feed, "Like" or "Share" the posts. The more who do, the more people see it, even if they're not yet members and/or don't “Like” the CUMC page. Have photos from a church event or something you want to promote on social media? Send info/photos to Alison Nash or the church office.
| | | | In Person Giving An offering plate is passed around during traditional worship service in the sanctuary and an offering basket is available at the back of the Friendship Hall during "The Well" worship service, or you can drop your offering off by the church office during regular business hours. | | | | |
Online Giving You can give online at www.cooksumc.org or text cumc to 73256.
Standard text message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP to 73256 for help. Text STOP to 73256 to cancel.
| | | | Electronic Bank Draft If you are interested in this easy and convenient way of giving, please contact the church office. | | |
Mailing Address: PO Box 397, Mt. Juliet TN 37121
7919 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet TN 37122
615/449-2573
www.cooksumc.org
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Sunday Schedule
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary), Facebook Live & YouTube
10:00am Sunday School
11:00am "The Well" Service (Friendship Hall), Facebook Live & YouTube
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