THIS WEEK

Mason United Methodist Church

A theologically progressive,

open, and affirming faith community.

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.

October 13th - October 20th, 2022

Pastor Susan is at the Oregon-Idaho Order of Elders Gathering this week. She will be back on Friday. Look out for her piece in the next edition of the newsletter, on October 20^th!  

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK: Thurs, Oct. 13th– Wed, Oct. 19th

Friday, 10/14

  10:00 - Art Class with Mary

  11:00 -1:00 - Pastor Susan's office hours

Sunday, 10/16

   10:00 - Worship Series continues: Looking In, Reaching Out

   11:00 - 1:00 - Pastor Susan's office hours

   5:00 - 6:00 - NOOMA - a young adult conversation

Monday, 10/17

   Church Office Closed

  Roof repairs in progress

Tuesday, 10/18

  10:00 -12:00 - Pastor Susan's office hours

  Roof repairs in progress

Wednesday, 10/19

    12:30 - 2:00 - Living the Questions

     5:30 - 7:00 - Living the Questions

   Roof repairs in progress

Thursday, 10/20

    1:00 - 2:30 - Living the Questions

     4:30 - 6:30 - Pastor Susan's office hours

     6:30 - 8:00 - Living the Questions

   Roof repairs in progress

Friday, 10/21

    11:00 -1:00 - Pastor Susan's office hours

   Church office closing at 1:30. 

Sunday, 10/23

    10:00 - Worship Series continues: Looking In, Reaching Out

     5:00-6:00 - NOOMA - a young adult conversation

MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY is on OCTOBER 23rd! PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR!

On October 23rd, we will be celebrating our commitment to this church. We will renew our vows to God and this body. That being said, there are some of you that are new visitors since our reopening in the wake of the pandemic. I'd like to offer you the opportunity to commit your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your witness and your service, and officially become members of this church—either through transfer or profession of faith. If you would like to vow before God and Mason's people that you are committed to this body, and you look forward to the body committing to your faith journey, please contact Pastor Susan before October 23rd. 

LIVING THE QUESTIONS - Week 6

Reading for October 19th and 20th:

(click title) "A Passion for Christ: Paul the Apostle"

AFTERNOON                        EVENING 

 Wed from 12:30 – 2:00pm.       Wed. from 5:30 – 7:00pm

Thurs. from 1:00 – 2:30pm.       Thurs. from 6:30 – 8:00pm

Join us anytime in person OR

by ZOOM - (Click Here for ZOOM link)

FOR YOUNG ADULTS

A video-based God study for those seeking to live their best lives possible.

SUNDAYS! 5:00 - 6:00

Feel free to bring a snack and a friend.

PRAYER IS IMPORTANT TO US

BECAUSE WE ARE A FAITH FAMILY.

Families share what's happening in our lives, and since we are a church family, we too can share our joys and concerns with one another.

JOYS

From Chandler: “I am happy I have video games. I love my aunt.” We celebrate with you, Chandler!

An anonymous congregation member (or perhaps several) rejoice that the Seattle Mariners are having a successful baseball season. 

CONCERNS

Emmie Lede shares her prayers for people who are sick and suffering.

Chandler prays for his father, who is unwell, and hopes that he will see him soon.

The Permann family ask for continued prayers for their friend Peggy, who is struggling with metastatic cancer.

Betty Serjeant prays for understanding and support in her faith community.

Please pray for the DeLarme family, the family of Pastor Shirley DeLarme of Port Orchard United Methodist Church. Following heart attack and hospitalization, Pastor DeLarme’s husband Lane is being taken off life support.  Keep the DeLarme family in your prayers as they journey through this difficult time.

We continue to pray for all of those who have lost jobs and security during this time. If you know of anyone who needs assistance with paying bills, please have them contact the church. Funds are available in our Pastor's Discretionary Fund.

Can you believe it? We're talking about decorating for Christmas! Krista, Marian Berry and Gail Simpson met with Pastor Susan to discuss the history of Mason's decorating for Christmas. Some of the traditional things we do will continue, and with so many other artists wanting to lend a hand, we will have a new flare to add. If you are interested in helping to decorate the church, please let Marian know. Once a team is in place, we can get started and create something beautiful!  

DON'T FORGET YOUR CHANGE FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL!

The children are collecting change on Sunday mornings to buy an animal from Heifer International. Whatever amount they collect at the end of the season will be used by the foundation to purchase a chicken, goat, cow, or other livestock animal for an impoverished family. Don't forget to look in your couch cushions for extra quarters. Every dime counts!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE CONTINUES!

Even though the donation box has gone, we can still help Communities in Schools serve our local schools. This charity accepts monetary donations and checks, which can be made out to COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS and mailed to:

Communities In Schools Development Department

2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 700

Arlington, VA 22202 

BLESSING BAGS for UNHOUSED PEOPLE

An Easy-Peasy Outreach Ministry 

that is so appreciated and so needed.

Consider being the coordinator!

This is an Outreach Ministry that we can all participate in. However, every project needs a leader.

The ministry is simple.

We collect supplies from the congregation, such as socks, power bars, tissues, hand sanitizers, water, feminine hygiene products, dog food, and many other things that unhoused people need. We arrange a table for these items, and we call on a few people to fulfill the task of readying these essential items. Then EVERYONE can keep a number of bags in their car, and as we come across our homeless brothers, sisters, and siblings—maybe on a street corner, maybe at a rest stop, or maybe even near the neighborhoods call our own—we offer them these bags filled with items that are occasionally a luxury, but more often a live-saving necessity for those who are destitute.

EASY-PEASY—all we need is a coordinator. No matter what your ability or age, this is something everyone can take part in. If this is a ministry that tugs on your heart, or even a ministry that you know would be meaningful, and you're willing to coordinate these efforts, please let Pastor Susan know and we'll get this project up and running in no time.

Tropical Storm Ian has pummeled the coast of southwest Florida. It has already been labelled as a “500 year flooding event”, and President Biden has declared a state of major disaster in Florida. 

What the National Hurricane Center is describing as “catastrophic flooding” has stranded individuals, knocked out power, and devastated infrastructure. Florida’s governor stated that “this is going to require not just the emergency response now, and the days or weeks ahead...this is going to require years of effort, to be able to rebuild, to come back.” And as we have tragically seen time and time again in the past, it is the people who are already destitute and disenfranchised that lose the most when disaster hits. 

As early as this morning, UMCOR volunteers and staff have been gathering supplies in their central Decatur depot, preparing to deploy as soon as it is safe to do so. 

You can aid their efforts with your donations. Click HERE:

 UMCOR Disaster Response: Hurricane Ian

The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations in the wake of Hurricane Ian. You can find a blood drive in your area by searching your zip code at the link below:

Donate Blood

Volunteer Florida is also accepting monetary donations for Hurricane Ian relief through the Florida Disaster Fund. 

You can access their website HERE: Florida Disaster Fund

Sound for Sunday Livestream

This week we got some professional help regarding our sound quality as a live service. tune into service this coming Sunday and check it out yourself.

This link will take you to our Facebook page.

Whole Worship Video from October 9,

Believe Out Loud

Sermon-Only Video October 9, 2022

Believe Out Loud

Click below to read the manuscript of Sunday, October 9ths sermon.

Click Title: "Believe Out Loud"

WEEK of October 2nd, 2022

In attendance:

43 adults

 3 leaders of worship

3 children

3 caretakers

TOTAL: 52

Facebook attendance is unknown.

Your Generosity is Greatly Appreciated!

Click below to go directly to

paypal on our website.

Paypal on Mason's Website

Earn all you can. Save all you can.

Give all you can. - John Wesley

Looking In, Reaching Out!

Mason's stewardship campaign is about living into our discipleship. Last Sunday we considered the importance of our presence. Our attendance is nice, but to be truly present for one another—and present for God—is a gift. As you consider how you might be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I invite you to consider how Jesus was truly present for those he gathered with. Then ask yourself, how can I give myself to this church and to those outside these walls?

Next week we'll talk about being a witness of Christ. Hope you join us all on this journey toward the heart of God.

GUESS WHAT?

We have been chosen to hold the Interfaith Celebration of Gratitude this year! What an honor!

Tuesday, November 22, 7:00-8:30pm

For decades, this annual gathering has brought together people of many faith traditions. This gathering has included participants from the Baha'i Faith, Buddhists, Roman Catholics, the Center for Spiritual Living, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jewish people, Muslims, members of the Puyallup Tribe, Sufi, Unitarian Universalists, and other faith traditions.

After two years of virtual-only gathering, we will come together in person!

Hosting will be a whole lot of work, so we will need all hands on deck to volunteer. Please put this date on your calendar so you can help host and make an inviting atmosphere at Mason United Methodist Church. Let's show our neighbors what we are all about!

 Hopefully, Margaret Nelson will be a featured musician for Mason on the bagpipes!

HOW WE HAVE FUN........

Be on the look out for our upcoming Stewardship Campaign.  

We'll have more information for you coming out in October; check your mailbox for out upcoming letter!

Finance, Trustees and Lead Team meetings are listed on the calendar at the head of the newsletter. All are welcome to attend any meeting other than nominations and SPRC. Hope you'll come and learn more about how Mason works.

 PASTOR'S OFFICE HOURS set aside for you.

 Sunday from 11:00 - 1:00

 Tuesday from 10:00 - 12:00

Thursday from 4:30 - 6:30

Friday from 11:00 - 1:00

The church office will still be operating regular hours: 

Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am - 2:00pm.

NEW WEBSITE

Pastor Susan has been working on Mason's website this summer. It is a work in progress, as Emma has been editing along with Susan. 

No, it's not done, but we're getting there, and there's enough information for you to check it out and pass it on. In today's world, people find churches through the internet, so it is imperative that we present ourselves in ways that are inviting. Look it over. Remember it's a work in progress. And pass it on to your friends!

PASS THIS ON

Want to be a part of reviving Mason? Want to fill the sanctuary with folks who wish to live a meaningful life? There's one little thing you can do to help make that happen. It only takes seconds. Forward this newsletter to two people this week. Don't fear judgment. We're all judged no matter what we do; just do it. Just spread the Word without words.