Morningside United Methodist Church | March 2020
March 2020 Newsletter
"Time in the Wilderness"
Matthew 4:1-11
Sunday, March 1, 2020
10:30 AM (Blended Service)

While facing life's temptations we are empowered by the Word of God. In these times of uncertainty, let his words of assurance be your comfort and your strength.

Join us as we come together this Sunday to pause the chaos in our lives, reflect on his calming peace and remember his sacrifices through communion and worship.

See you at Morningside!  ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
NEW SERMON SERIES
In our prayers...
Those with health concerns, illness, and loss of loved ones:

Norm & Nancy Johnson, Betsy Stuller, Francis Fredrickson, Joy Wilhite, Rev. Mario Gonzalez, Nahnie Williams, Liz Toy, Lynn Ham, Paula Kent, Allen Patterson-Sterling, Layton Gilson, Susi Bromley, Lyle Dragoo, Glen McCall, Diane and Brigitte Rolph, Robert Kuenzli, Arlen Hollinshead, and Elisa Reckendorf.
Current & Upcoming Events
Clergy Transitions Q & A Session with Pastor Wendy
Sunday, March 1st, 11:30 AM (FR)
As we all settle into the news that I will have a new appointment beginning July 1, 2020 as the Cascadia District Superintendent, many questions are being raised up. The biggest questions are: "What is the process for the new appointment given we are part of Open Door Churches," "Will the new clergy appointments be to Open Door Churches and not a specific congregation," and "How will the process be different because of this?"
 
Normally, the District Superintendent meets with the local churches Staff Parish Relations Committee and listens to the needs and desire of the congregation. This conversation along with the church's profile are reviewed by the cabinet and they discern the best clergy fit for the new appointment, this candidate has a "get acquainted" interview with the local church's SPRC and, if all goes well, the appointment is announced within 1-2 weeks at the local church.
 
In our situation, the appointment is to Open Door Churches and there will be two new clergy appointed to join continuing full-time clergy of Alyssa Baker and Mario Gonzales, and Jeff Lowery, our part-time Youth Director. (It is hoped that Mario will be returning from Cuba in April.) That new clergy team will have a lead clergy and together (along with guidance from the Open Door Church's Board) will decide how they will provide Clergy Leadership to each local congregation and Open Door Church Ministries.
 
The Cabinet and Tim Overton-Harris (DS) have already received all of the local church profiles for the congregations in Open Door Churches and input from the Open Door Churches Board which includes Morningside members: Vickie Plasker (ODC Board Chair), Rob Chenoweth and Sally Neff. Given this new development of my appointment change, Rob Chenoweth is receiving input from Morningside's SPRC and lay leadership as to the ministry needs and qualities desired in our new Open Door Clergy and specifically for Morningside.
 
The clergy candidates that the cabinet discerns for Open Door Churches will have a get acquainted interview with the Open Door SPRC which will include both Vickie and Rob.
 
I know this is a lot to wrap your heads around and probably raises even more questions. I will hold a question and answer time in the Fireside Room following worship this Sunday, March 1st.
 
Let us hold each other, our Open Door Clergy and all the Open Door Churches in our prayers during this time of transition.
 
Blessings, Wendy
New Prayer Group at Morningside
Wednesdays @ 1 PM (FR)
Begins March 4th
Come pray together for A Way Forward for the UMC, concerns for our country, and other requests! Beth Fleisher, Morningside UMC member and an experienced prayer group leader and intercessor, is facilitating a weekly prayer group at Morningside. No "permanent" commitment, drop-ins always welcome! 

We will meet every Wednesday at 1:00 pm in the Fireside Room beginning Wed., March 4th. Plan to join us for this special time of prayer, meditation and reflection.
Open Door Churches Celebration
Sunday, March 8, 2020 2 PM
Morningside UMC
Join us as we celebrate the ministry of Open Door Churches as a community! We'll share with our District Superintendent, Tim Overton-Harris, how we as United Methodists of Salem-Keizer are making a difference serving together as one church! Each local church will celebrate important parts of their local ministries as well as our accomplishments together. All are invited!
SPECIAL LENT CLASS
Begins Tuesday, March 10th 1:30 PM @ Morningside UMC
"Seven Thousand Way to Listen: 
Staying Close to What is Sacred" by Mark Nepo. Class Lead by Wendy Woodworth

We will meet 3 times during Lent on Tuesday afternoons to listen to each other share our experiences and learnings as we read and reflect on this book: 

March 10, March 24, & April 7 at 1:30 at Morningside UMC.
  
The book has several small sections under three main areas: The Work of Being, The Work of Being Human and The Work of Love. Also included are “Reflective Pauses which include Meditation practices, Journal Questions and Table Questions.

You can order you book on Amazon ($11.00) and start reading the first section, The Work of Being for March 10.
Contact Wendy if you have questions or plan to attend.
Annual UMW Rummage Sale
Fri., March 27th - 9:00 to 4:00
Sat., March 28th - 9:00 to 3:00
Well, it's that time again! Time for the United Methodist Women's Annual Rummage Sale.

Time for you to check out those closets, attics, boxes, cupboards, bookshelves and assorted hiding places for any forgotten, abandoned, unused but clean treasures. If you are not using it anymore or don't want it anymore, think of us!

The MUMC Women's Rummage Sale is one of the most successful fundraising events of the year. We dedicate funds for local missions and for the kitchen remodeling fund.

We also need volunteers to help with the sale. Check out the bulletin board in the main hallway for more information and to sign up to volunteer to help.
Lunch Share Program
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Nearly 50 nutritious bag lunches per week are donated to the Union Gospel Mission to help feed homeless and hungry people through this program. Thanks to Norm, Eva & Alex for delivering lunches in February.

Looking forward to March, we still need a volunteer to pick up lunches at the church and deliver them to UGM on Wednesdays. It's quick and easy and is so appreciated by the folks who receive them!

NOTE : Considering the school schedule in March, there will be no lunches to deliver on Saturday, March 21st, Wednesday, March 25th or Saturday, March 28th.

Please call the office or sign up on the Wall of Helping Hands in the main hallway.
Open Door Churches Youth Group March Schedule
Y outh group will meet at First UMC for the month of March. We have lots of fun things planned. Join us on Sunday from 12:30-2.  

March 1-12:30-2 (FUMC)
March 8-12:30-2 (FUMC)
March 15-12:30-2 (FUMC)
March 22-service project location TBA
March 29-Live Action Clue in Portland

Last month our youth joined other youth from around our state for a weekend of fun at Suttle Lake Camp. We had 24 youth and 4 adults attend.

We also had an outstanding turn-out for and results from our annual Dinner and Auction, Puttin' on the Ritz. The amount raised was $35,567!!! Thanks to everyone that bought a ticket, bid on items, donated items, made lasagnas and supported our efforts.

Youth can sign up for camps at www.gocamping.org. For any youth needing financial assistance we have a scholarship program to help. Let Jeff or Brenda Bateman know if you need a scholarship application.

For more details about youth group activities  visit their Facebook page here.  
Open Door Churches Young Adults March Schedule
In February, the Open Door Church Young Adult Group took time to reflect on scriptures about God's love for us and our call to love one another.

We also joined together to bake a cake for the Open Door Youth Auction. We will continue to meet on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9. 

Please contact Pastor Alyssa ([email protected]) or see our social media pages for times and places. Thank you for your continued support of the Open Door Church Young Adults.
 
Follow us on Instagram:   CLICK HERE

Follow us on Facebook:   CLICK HERE
Lent & Easter Worship Services at Morningside and Open Door Churches
Maundy Thursday Worship
Thursday, April 9, 2020 @ 7 pm
Keizer Clear Lake UMC
 
Good Friday Worship
Friday, April 10, 2020 @ 7 pm
Salem First UMC—600 State Street
 
Easter Sunday—Wonder & Amazement
Sunday, April 12, 2020 @ 10:30 am
at Morningside - followed by a special fellowship time for the whole family
 
Quick News Items, Volunteer Opportunities, Save the Dates and Reminders
  • Pastoral Transitions Q & A - Sun., March 1st (11:30 AM - FR))
  • Prayer Group - Wednesdays, Beginning March 4th (1 PM - FR)
  • Yard Angels - Sat., March 7th (9 AM - FR/Grounds)
  • Open Door Churches Celebration of Ministries - Sun., March 8th (2 PM - HH)
  • Lent 2020 Class - Tues., March 10th (FR)
  • LGBTQI+ Fellowship - Wed., March 11th (7 PM - MUMC)
  • Lent 2020 Class - Tues., March 24th (FR)
  • Annual Rummage Sale - Fri., March 27th (9 - 4) & Sat., March 28th (9 - 3) (MUMC)
  • General Conference Q & A - Sun., March 29th (11:30 AM - FR)
  • Backpack Lunch Packing - Sun., March 29th (11:30 - HH)
March Activities Calendar - What's Happening at Morningside?

For a larger, printable version:  Click Here
Worship Schedule
Sundays
Face to Face - On break until the Spring
10:30 a.m. - Worship
11:30 a.m. - Fellowship Time
10-11:30 a.m. Childcare is offered for infants and toddlers every Sunday morning.
Contact Us
Morningside United Methodist Church
Physical Address: 3674 12th Street, SE
Mailing Address: PO Box 3076
Salem, OR 97302
 
Telephone:  503-364-5013
Web:  morningsideumc.net
 
Office Hours:  Monday - Thursday 9:30-2:30
            Office is CLOSED on Friday

Ministry Team
Ministers: All the Laity
Lead Pastor: Rev. Wendy Woodworth 
Communications/Office Administrator: Vicki DeVol
Bookkeeper: Christine Stevens
Family & Program Ministry Director:   
Chancel Choir Director: Sam Kinney 
Praise Band Leader: Jan Nelson 
Organist: Brace Langenwalter 
Keyboardist: Teresa Stewart 
Custodian: Tim Bulletset 
Childcare: Noemi Morales, Fabiola Morales, Carlee Hunt, Maya Nelson-Tilkens, Natalie Kawell
 If you need a printed copy of the newsletter, copies are available on the counter in the Narthex.