March 18, 2021 - What's Happening at Dayspring UMC

March 11, 2021

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP - COVID-19

Dear Members and Friends of the Desert Southwest Conference,

I thank God for the diligence of people who have worked to make our churches and ministry settings safe places where the Word of God is proclaimed and practiced, even as we endure the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increasing efforts to create and distribute effective vaccines, a word of blessing and hope comes to my heart from the Psalms. It is a word of gratitude for God’s providence:

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DAYSPRING?

With our bishop’s blessing, and based on the success and broad rollout of the vaccines — please get yours as soon as it’s available to you! — we hope to resume limited capacity, in-person worship on June 6. Our Reopening Task Force has been meeting to ensure that all safety measures will be in place.

Initially, we will offer one service each Sunday at 9:00am (to be live-streamed and available following), along with childcare and Sunday School. All offerings will be limited capacity and available by online reservation only (more info to come).

The service will run about 45 minutes and include the normal elements of our Sunday celebrations, with organ and/or piano and a soloist, but not congregational or choral singing for the time being (we will continue to use prerecorded video).

We ask that those who attend in-person services commit to serving once a month as an usher or on the clean-up crew.

BORDERLANDS PRODUCE RESCUE

Borderlands hosts a monthly produce distribution event at Aldersgate UMC where families can purchase 70 pounds of rescued produce for $12. In this time of increased unemployment and food insecurity, this ministry is critical for the neighborhood. If you are healthy and looking for a chance to serve, please consider joining us there on Saturday, March 20 from 6-11am to help sort produce, pack boxes and load cars! Be sure to bring a mask and gloves if you have them. Please email Amy to sign up or for more information.

UMCOR SUNDAY

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters – be it famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire or other events—to alleviate suffering and to be a source of help and hope for those left most vulnerable. They provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants when these events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development.

This church-wide offering, formerly known as One Great Hour of Sharing, is an opportunity to share our compassion and generosity with people facing overwhelming recovery from climate disasters, war, and disease. UMCOR responds to disasters quickly, even before governments and other organizations can start relief operations due to the global presence of the United Methodist Church.

Please either mail checks made out to Dayspring UMC with "UMCOR" marked in the memo line to the church address, or make a donation online at dayspringumc.org/give. There is a special giving tile for UMCOR donations.

LIFT EVERY VOICE VIRTUAL CONCERT

Our concert initially planned for mid-January has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 28, at 2pm. The program is music composed by Black American composers, and we will be requesting donations for the newly created Dayspring HBCU Scholarship Fund. The concert features ASU faculty member Nathan De’Shon Myers (thenathanmyers.com) and will be recorded and available on all the usual live-streaming channels for Dayspring events. more

EASTER OFFERING

This year, your Easter Offering can be given in honor or memory of a loved one. You should receive an envelope for special gifts of love this Easter (you may also make your special Easter offering online HERE). Easter is a time of thanksgiving for the life of Jesus and the good news of God’s love for all creation. Dayspring strives to continue this mission to make the world more peaceful, just, compassionate and inclusive. Your gift will help Dayspring continue to live out this mission. Let us know who it is given for HERE.

EASTER MORNING EGG HUNT

You are invited to join us on Easter Sunday for a Family Easter Egg Hunt brought to you by Dayspring Children and Youth Ministries. Use the sign up below for a time slot for your family to hunt for eggs. We will allow two families in at a time to ensure safe distances and masks are required at all times. There will be photo ops, eggs to hunt, and treats to take home. Register Here

ASSISTING ASYLUM SEEKERS

Our country is again receiving asylum seekers. If you would like to learn more or help at the Welcome Center please email Pastor Jim O'Neal or call or text him at (602) 579-3490. We also we need the following items in new or gently used quality: Men’s jeans, sweatpants, all sizes; Women’s leggings or stretch pants, all sizes; Shoes for all (except infant); Men’s underwear; Women’s socks; Men’s hoodies and jackets; Winter gloves, beanies and scarves. Contact Pastor Jim to coordinate your donation, as we are still unable to accept donations at the church.

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

Parable of the Talents is back, virtually! In Sunday school next month we will be spending time talking about the story of Parable of the Talents and then we invite all of our children to record themselves doing something they love and sharing their talents with us all. All of these videos will be compiled and shared with the church community to raise money for our next Clean Water Well project in Liberia. If you would like more information please email Emily.