tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86711266029031093992024-03-19T03:31:24.155-04:00Grace Notes | Grace UMC Middletown VirginiaNews and Words of Faith for the Members, Families, and Friends of Grace UMCGrace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-17480883640989600532022-08-18T15:49:00.001-04:002022-08-18T15:49:55.625-04:00August Grace Notes & Calendar<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">To everything
there is a season."</span></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the
beginning of Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the first words of the song: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3kKqfTjsj0"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Turn,
Turn, Turn” by Pete Seeger.</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">
And while we are still in the season of summer with its heat, long days, and
vacations, we are reminded that fall is just around the corner. The days are
getting shorter. School is back in
session for some. And Friday night football is back this month. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">One thing that
is also back, is preparation for Charge Conference! This is the season in our
church where we look back at the past year to see where we have come from and
take a look to the future to see where we are going. Mostly, during the year,
we are just looking to the present with no thought of past or future, so this
time gives us a much-needed perspective.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">
</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Of course, we do all this in prayer.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">While I love the
different seasons of the year and its various activities and holidays that come
with them, it is the seasons of the church that I find prodding me along in
life…giving me a path to walk on with God. For instance, in this time of year,
we call</span><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-ordinary-time"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Ordinary Time</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> or the Season after Pentecost, we look at how we can walk
closer to God. We take a season to hear the parables of Jesus once again and
maybe even discern parables in our own lives: stories of times when we have
learned more about God and God’s Kingdom. We will transition to the next big
season, Advent, at the end of November. (It also starts a new church year) </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">One of the
things I have learned to do as a Christian and as a Pastor, is to take time to
listen to God’s voice, especially when I look ahead to the new season. I want
to be led into each season by God’s hand. In order to do this, I take time away
from noise and distractions to a quiet place and pray, walk, and listen with </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">God. I’m amazed
at how God answers and directs if only we give time to God. It’s time </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">beyond Sunday
morning or 30-minute devotionals. It’s immersion in God’s time.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">As I continue to
learn more about Grace UMC and each of you, I’m also reminded that it’s time to
prep for Charge Conference. And as I’m doing the Charge Conference prep, I’m
reminded that it’s time to set myself apart and be with God to prepare for the
next church seasons of Advent and Christmas. I’ll be doing this the last week
of August. (Aug 30-Sept 3).</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why not try your
own retreat? Immerse yourself in God’s time for a couple of days or if time is
valuable, one day works. Any time is good. Just make sure it is a distraction
free time! I find having access to outdoors helps me talk to God. Then I
listen. Take a blank notebook with you in case you want to journal or write
notes. Take your Bible. And take your watch off!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">You’re on God’s
time. Allow God to lead you to where God wants you to be. If you like having a
set agenda or need ideas to follow to help move the day along, see me! I have
ideas. We can come up with something suitable for you that also allows God to
lead.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Yes, everything
has its season. God knows the plans and purposes for each of the seasons.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why not tune in to God’s plans and make them
ours as well?!?</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blessings to
each of our youth as they head back to school. May you know that God goes with
you. And we all support you! Blessings to Grace UMC as we follow God’s will and
plans for us in the seasons ahead. And blessings to each of you as God guides
you in the rest of this season and into the new church year ahead.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Yours In Christ,</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;">Pastor Mary</span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fce5cd; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202020; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dbZ3mbf_eNT2Z6HQu7D8rxnx8DXSKFxT/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: #fce5cd;">View/Print Grace Notes newsletter</b></a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uyole6SGiQCVya7RjoetEr1FjCpArtQN/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><b style="background-color: #fce5cd;">View/Print August-September Calendar</b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSTfC3NTGUo9Jefzxa1FwGSMxwTRe1k4UlU9yxCTGKmTkDX4zWeQ4oLLE6xdDjPStOLK3kFb30VQtQOXCIc_LPu8equuQXxWfFZ-AkA31JuwQexUiO0veuACGxUtnm8HJ-QR4UT1b1sJftrz-ceYLk9n7rYHchqMzcCj-wnmWewjNLS0LxlyyJhGp1Q/s487/Ecc%203%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="487" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSTfC3NTGUo9Jefzxa1FwGSMxwTRe1k4UlU9yxCTGKmTkDX4zWeQ4oLLE6xdDjPStOLK3kFb30VQtQOXCIc_LPu8equuQXxWfFZ-AkA31JuwQexUiO0veuACGxUtnm8HJ-QR4UT1b1sJftrz-ceYLk9n7rYHchqMzcCj-wnmWewjNLS0LxlyyJhGp1Q/w200-h168/Ecc%203%201.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comMiddletown, VA 22645, USA39.0276078 -78.28055810.717373963821153 -113.436808 67.337841636178837 -43.124308tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-34817204230147359202022-07-20T17:02:00.002-04:002022-07-20T17:02:46.780-04:00July Grace Notes & Calendar<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZHGC3pxKboL4jxAbGu89LkMN3LGfpWS1LEkcLuyYv0ERXpXBGx5X5tiaB_eopu9XQlvtrxbiw8YrqRXxVZZLSRDceeqz_ezlhtpLW6wBca3gJCpcg2OG2JiNTsq1fSAfC2pQrV3zpBQcATxEhhnVALLcSg9wanh1JKGuUqXZe8YjSgK14rmXzkUbcg/s648/storm%20July%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="648" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZHGC3pxKboL4jxAbGu89LkMN3LGfpWS1LEkcLuyYv0ERXpXBGx5X5tiaB_eopu9XQlvtrxbiw8YrqRXxVZZLSRDceeqz_ezlhtpLW6wBca3gJCpcg2OG2JiNTsq1fSAfC2pQrV3zpBQcATxEhhnVALLcSg9wanh1JKGuUqXZe8YjSgK14rmXzkUbcg/w320-h149/storm%20July%202022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></b></div>Greetings In the Name of Christ,</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An odd thing happened to me one day. It had started to rain when I
reached Stephens City town limits and turned onto a back street. As I looked
around, I noticed that it was raining a block to my left, a block to my right,
in back of me and about two blocks in front of me. Yet, where I was stopped,
there was not a drop of rain. The storm was all around me.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I thought about how sometimes the storms of life are all around
us, threatening to come into our lives, yet God protects us and brings us
shelter and peace. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have the rains or thunder or
lightning of tragedies affect us. Christians are just as affected by storms of
life as anyone else. But what is different is that God promises to go through
the storms of life with us. God often
tells us: Do Not Fear!! <br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For that brief time, I felt protected from the rain. I felt at
peace and comforted. I also felt
comforted knowing that no matter what storms my family or I go through, God
will keep us to Him and help every step of the way.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I went to Alabama this past Spring, I quickly learned about
our “safe spot” in the house during bad storms. It is here that you wait out
the time until the “All’s Clear” is given after the storms are over. We had to
use our Safe Spot twice while storms with the possibility of tornados howled
outside. But like in the car, I felt protected and secure knowing whatever
happens, God would be there to walk with me and with my family.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May you also feel this special peace and comfort in your life this
summer and forever. God’s promises for you are real and sometimes mysterious,
just like what I experienced that day in Stephens City. Believe in God’s
presence and do not fear the storms of life.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have a great and safe summer.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blessings<br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pastor Mary</span></div><p>
</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1989kFfAkx4CE583RPug6Ba5_kgss2nC6/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> Print/View Our July Calendar</a></p><p><a href="https://mailchi.mp/eac23bae0288/grace-notes-mid-july" target="_blank">Grace Notes newsletter, emailed July 20, 2022</a></p><p>***</p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comMiddletown, VA 22645, USA39.0276078 -78.28055832.093738478424726 -87.0696205 45.961477121575271 -69.4914955tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-70761278548801334802022-06-09T16:18:00.000-04:002022-06-09T16:18:35.775-04:00Grace Notes: June newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>C</b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tV0I-MW0W9nJcjB6jsbIFuaaqXS3iyND/view?usp=sharing" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><b>lick here to view the June Grace Notes newsletter.</b></a><span style="text-align: left;"> This is a printable version. </span></div><p>Most news and updates are emailed to our email list. Very occasionally a printable version is created since Covid19. That's because there have been fewer office hours and pandemic restrictions. Few printable newsletters are needed--the mailed list includes 12-15 names. Email saves us time and expense--do we have your email address? Your correct email address? (Postage rates go up again in July.) Send us an email at <a href="mailto:graceumcmiddletown@gmail.com">graceumcmiddletown@gmail.com</a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMoVJfSIAmXjr7dEWqRliKhtqySnFJYgcppTjuV5WyD0kg7KRe140lQ82yrN2Y9yZvIKyzN8aMR9H5de2zjXvPDiIxyrTvKeHRXDY-34lTIc9ORISbC-B9CkQhBt-7I_LMjAxWgLUiPAlRG1ywqCPGHIq3l33LlnExDiWGXz6IFWd6k8HnKL2bEX-DA/s1024/R%20Arnold%20June%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Robin Arnold, Admin Assistant works on the June 2022 printable newsletter." border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMoVJfSIAmXjr7dEWqRliKhtqySnFJYgcppTjuV5WyD0kg7KRe140lQ82yrN2Y9yZvIKyzN8aMR9H5de2zjXvPDiIxyrTvKeHRXDY-34lTIc9ORISbC-B9CkQhBt-7I_LMjAxWgLUiPAlRG1ywqCPGHIq3l33LlnExDiWGXz6IFWd6k8HnKL2bEX-DA/w240-h320/R%20Arnold%20June%202022.jpg" title="Our Administrative Assistant works on the printable newsletter." width="240" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comMain St, Middletown, CT, USA41.5816385 -72.633900313.271404663821151 -107.7901503 69.891872336178835 -37.477650299999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-5511022034660315082020-12-01T20:13:00.003-05:002020-12-01T20:13:41.135-05:00Our Bells Ring on Sundays<p> Our Member, Ann Wisecarver, climbs up the narrow stairs to the bell tower each Sunday to play the bells. She plays several selections each week at 11 am. As you might expect with the start of Advent she played some familiar Christmas tunes last Sunday. </p><p>Please enjoy <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFYkyhMXXO7mmaJLAmGWLqDieAn-gjGVH" target="_blank">our playlist on YouTube.</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i2oFttfAcQk" width="320" youtube-src-id="i2oFttfAcQk"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-89709571407325071812020-11-01T22:10:00.001-05:002020-11-23T16:39:23.725-05:00Grace Notes newsletter November 2020<p><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">November 1, 2020 – All
Saint’s Sunday </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We remember the following
Grace Members today who have passed away since the last All Saints Sunday: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gretchen Scothorn Cooley<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Frances Carol Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harold Nichols<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alice Ann “Dot” Cooley<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Claudine Taylor<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mfP3Yg3aoIZdLlF6Yh2yliZRIWzreMJE8IwCOEWULB-LHZ6WP5N82DPD-VKRc0UEK-ie3rYvajQWotXbjGoTeY2ZJOR9Tp9khtY0P76p5iya-P5bCiO6jZObTB4ttUV26WJKOJQjNvHb/s739/grace+all+saints+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mfP3Yg3aoIZdLlF6Yh2yliZRIWzreMJE8IwCOEWULB-LHZ6WP5N82DPD-VKRc0UEK-ie3rYvajQWotXbjGoTeY2ZJOR9Tp9khtY0P76p5iya-P5bCiO6jZObTB4ttUV26WJKOJQjNvHb/s320/grace+all+saints+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVENmTxXLIgg4LC_dv7MSDxp6BPDYCd6wZL1djnsG6xBFCvG8-1uLk6KQw8RokNQDGIT3QAQdJcxOHDbwPBBYHMqo6kWzpWA-pI8d08mA8F0-U70crdxnHrTKDzmj2Pj-a8_QWdaknxM8B/s2048/altar+all+saints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1496" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVENmTxXLIgg4LC_dv7MSDxp6BPDYCd6wZL1djnsG6xBFCvG8-1uLk6KQw8RokNQDGIT3QAQdJcxOHDbwPBBYHMqo6kWzpWA-pI8d08mA8F0-U70crdxnHrTKDzmj2Pj-a8_QWdaknxM8B/s320/altar+all+saints.jpg" /></a></div></div></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"Give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | RSV</span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How do we give thanks in a
pandemic? Here we are in what I often call, "Gratitude Month," and we
are beset with stories of illness and death like we have never seen before. So
many are sick and dying right now all around the world, but especially in our
own nation. As I write this hospitals in Utah are considering the rationing of
health care so many are sick with COVID-19. Who could of imagined this a year
ago? And here it is the month of thanksgiving. This is an intense time in
our lives, a time we will not forget.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul's words to the
Thessalonian Christians are often disruptive. I've been asked about this
passage now and then in my years as a pastor: "Give thanks in all
circumstances? How can we do that?" How can we do this?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We begin where we are. We
look around us. Take your pulse. Are you living? Breathing? Give thanks. How
about our family members? Despite the struggles they are facing are they living
and loving you each day? I am so, so blessed to be married to Lisa! Give
thanks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As I sit and write these
words at home I can see out our dining room window. The trees are changing
their color and birds are at the feeder. The sun in shining brightly on the
leaves bringing out their color. Earlier today I was driving and could see more
color in our part of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Give thanks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yesterday Michael and
Melissa stopped by in a surprise visit. They were on their way back to</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Waynesboro from
Pennsylvania. We had a brief socially distanced visit with our masks on. They
are happy, busy, and full of life and love. Give thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A year ago I was facing
surgery, chemo, immunotherapy, and what else I did not know. A year later the
surgery and the chemo are over and I had "a massive response" (Dr.
Ingram's words) to the treatments. The immunotherapy is using my immune system
to keep the cancer at bay and I am tolerating it very well compared to
the chemo. Give thanks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In this past year I have
had so many answered prayers, so much love and support, so many acts of
kindness and friendship, so many (!) cards, so much care and food. And I
received cards and gifts for Pastor Appreciation Month, too. Thank you for the
gifts this year. Give thanks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While we are not meeting
together in person we still meet each Sunday to hear the Word. We continue to
pray for one another when there is an illness or crisis. We are continuing in
our mission in various ways. Twice since the pandemic began we have collected
food items for</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bright Futures so that
hungry children can have food. Ryan provides us with lovely and inspiring music
each week. We are still learning how to be church during this time. The longing
we have to see one another is a gift. Ann Wisecarver has played the chimes
since March of this year for everyone to hear in Middletown. She has done this
almost every Sunday. You can even find these on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSDQDsmJSAk1O-wNMKaBHhw">YouTube under
her name.</a> She's done this with some help from Emma!" Give thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Most of all Christ is
Lord! He is with us as our Emmanuel. He remains the Good Shepherd of the sheep
(that's you and me!). We still have his words in the Gospels. They shape and
challenge us and tell us the truth. I've been reading a Psalm a day for eight months.
They have helped me so very much during the last year. The Spirit is with us to
guide, comfort, and give us power. The God of hope gives us courage to live the
life he has called us to live. </span><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Give thanks!</b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Grace + peace,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Clay+</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A word about Grace
finances from our Treasurer</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thank you to everyone who
has faithfully given during this difficult time. While all expenses and
apportionments continue to be paid in full, undesignated offerings to the
General Fund have decreased dramatically the last two months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">September offerings
totaled $8,860 while October offerings were $9,310. Expenses during
September and October were $13,400 and $14,690 respectively. For the year
our undesignated offerings have totaled $129,477 while expenses have totaled
$136,000. We have a reserve of funds available to cover expenses, however
the decrease is concerning. Expenses of the church continue even though we
are not holding services. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Please keep the church and
church leaders in your prayers and give as you are able and led by the Holy
Spirit. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to discuss the
church finances in detail. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Carolyn Bell,
Treasurer <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Youth collected
breakfast items for Bright Futures</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thankful for Charlie Higgs
and all of our youth and mentors for helping last Saturday to gather donations
of breakfast items for Bright Futures! They will help feed hungry students in
Frederick County and Winchester City. Thank you to all the church members who
donated these items for our mission project! I’m sorry not all our youth’s
photos that helped are here! We appreciate all that came! You are a blessing to
our community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thank you to one of our
youth group members, Avery, for helping me deliver the huge load of breakfast
items for Bright Futures. Between our church and my Alpha Rho teacher sorority,
we gave them seven tubs of items including apple sauce, granola bars, Pop
tarts, fruit cups, baby food, and several bags of coats. Bright Futures is
currently feeding 800 students a week!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lisa Knick</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3EcCga8LSE41XPqJSM5AXEBPksAOvNmcFTVka8cf55BK0l_qsxDNbE6XMepxBw7qE4VW3l7Koo3BF7SwyZNw9Rg1cDloU_IOVI65d9v-z0uMlH6Xz_upEarOUMzp9nHSAv7PPDitEu_-/s300/youth+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3EcCga8LSE41XPqJSM5AXEBPksAOvNmcFTVka8cf55BK0l_qsxDNbE6XMepxBw7qE4VW3l7Koo3BF7SwyZNw9Rg1cDloU_IOVI65d9v-z0uMlH6Xz_upEarOUMzp9nHSAv7PPDitEu_-/s0/youth+2.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBxSHzMsCIeDG1bcXh5JBQ7enIWT4C9lufNr_MtR5bMdfyZsBFgUmmj0zJ4VR2pN-3Ynf4SpagJUaVckvtxaP9jrHtK6EcQxNNxA_8lY8-qpAvpXXTJbm1t862CzVbFUTfH-0nj7nGXhV/s304/youth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBxSHzMsCIeDG1bcXh5JBQ7enIWT4C9lufNr_MtR5bMdfyZsBFgUmmj0zJ4VR2pN-3Ynf4SpagJUaVckvtxaP9jrHtK6EcQxNNxA_8lY8-qpAvpXXTJbm1t862CzVbFUTfH-0nj7nGXhV/s0/youth+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Volunteers
Needed for CCAP. Can you help?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thank you so
much to the volunteers that helped with our first CCAP pumpkin patch. We had
great turn out and the children were adorable picking out their little
pumpkins. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have a
few needs some are very urgent we are looking for some help with.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">We have a
driver on Fridays who picks up store donations from 8am until about 11:30am. He
needs a helper. Someone who can go with him every Friday and help load and
unload. Please let me know if you can assist with this.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Other needs description of duties:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pantry: Assist in food distributions, packing food boxes, stocking shelves, etc as needed.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">Accepting Donations: Sit in the warehouse and accept and inspect incoming donations as well as provide receipts.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Sorting: Sort clothing into correct sizing bins to be moved to clothing house.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Translators: Translate for organization, must speak Spanish and English.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">*Please feel
free to share with anyone. </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">*please
scroll down to the bottom of this message to view the flyer for our donation
needs for Thanksgiving holiday food boxes. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">Please reach
out to me if you can assist, </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">Crystal
Pruitt, </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">CCAP
Volunteer Coordinator</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">A letter
from Bishop Sharma Lewis</span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I type
this letter, I write it with an urgency to call the entire conference to join
me and the Call to Action Work Group for Racial Justice and Reconciliation for
a three-day period of “Prayer and Fasting for the Healing of the Nation” from
October 31-November 2, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">I encourage
everyone to commit to fasting and praying during these three days that we might
be more aware of Christ’s presence in our personal lives, the Commonwealth, and
the nation. Prayer is essential to sustain our faith and fasting calls us to
refocus our attention and listen for God.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">The Apostle
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms.”</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">We can no
longer pretend and turn a blind eye that our nation is in the midst of trouble.
We are witnessing the tension between party lines coupled with our anger that
governs our speech. We are fighting two pandemics—COVID-19 and systemic racism—
that have taken the lives of individuals and forced us into a world of pain and
suffering.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">How are we
as Christians called to act in this unprecedented time? How are we as
Christians called to live out our civic duties? I believe God is calling us to
a time for deeper soul searching, reflection, and repentance that leads us to
daily prayer and fasting. Our United Methodist Church Social Principles state,
“we hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of people to
free and fair elections.” I encourage all of you in the Commonwealth to
exercise your right to vote as we seek God’s direction for our country.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">In the
designated 12-hour period, I encourage you to pray, fast, and spend time with
God. You may choose a total, water, partial or juice fast. Please fast
only if your health allows it at this time. If you can’t restrict your food or
liquid intake abstain from something else – like social media, watching
television, fast foods, desserts, etc.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">If you
have reservations or want more information about fasting, </span><a href="http://doc.vaumc.org/BishopLewis/PrayerFastingResources.pdf" style="font-size: 14pt;">the attached
document</a><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"> describes the significant components in understanding the
spiritual discipline of fasting.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">I pray as an
annual conference we will experience the power and presence of God in an
extraordinary way as we commit ourselves from October 31 to November 2, 2020 to
pray for the healing of the nation.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">Peace and
Blessings, </span><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;">Bishop
Sharma D. Lewis</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3nEraZvxJiJU_jt5FjO6d0SrzfWhjzguTLGYGxyZPLkS3zjL2Sq-0mQPcp42Dq4RntFXhOR49qqyteistjsa8M4ggCJeZ-qOPs7BB5C5PM5LPr_Snw0Qs4kC8IBZ9O6upl0WO1PU3lHX/s499/CCAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="384" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3nEraZvxJiJU_jt5FjO6d0SrzfWhjzguTLGYGxyZPLkS3zjL2Sq-0mQPcp42Dq4RntFXhOR49qqyteistjsa8M4ggCJeZ-qOPs7BB5C5PM5LPr_Snw0Qs4kC8IBZ9O6upl0WO1PU3lHX/w234-h305/CCAP.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #26282a; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-53057503180049708372020-10-01T15:59:00.001-04:002020-10-01T16:02:30.769-04:00Grace Notes Newsletter - October 2020<p><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy
October All!</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your
Grace Notes newsletter is in email form this October 1 - Or subscribe to this blog. I would like to let you
know I’ll be in the Church Office afternoons, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursdays until
4 pm in the Month of October. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notes
of thanks:</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">The Hahn
family would like to thank our Grace church friends for the prayers, cards, and
messages of concern and sympathy due to the loss of our Mother. The lovely
cards brought us peace and comfort during this difficult time. We have missed
our church family and look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Sincerely,
Rob and Gail Hahn</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Again,
dear friends, I wanted to say how wonderful it was for Dan and me to see
your faces and participate in the Grace Charge Conference [Saturday, Sept 26].
I never thought I would be able to do this again, so it was very special
for me. (Amazing how ordinary things become so special—and bad
things like Covid-19 have unexpected silver linings.) We are so grateful to be
with our children and grandchildren in California, but it goes without saying
that because of the many years I spent with you I still miss Virginia and
my Grace Church and Middletown friends very much. Blessings to all until we
meet again! Susan Garrett</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">It was a
great pleasure for me to meet with all my Grace Church friends. Blessings in
your vital ministry. Christopher Morse</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Great seeing all of you today. All of you looked so wonderful.
Thanks to all of you for the hard work. We had attendees from NY to California!
I'm not sure any other Charge Conference will be like this for Steve this year!
Clay Knick</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Note:
the Charge Conference reports which includes reports from the pastors above is <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MiP-Ksd2Wo7ZOGgzEcnSLwe6Jad_Gluu/view">viewable
HERE.</a> </i></b>A
printed booklet will be available sometime this month.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Youth
Project: Breakfast items collected Sat Oct 24<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Thank
you to all who donated to the school supply drop off for Bright Futures in
August. We collected seven over-flowing tubs of school supplies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b>On
Saturday, Oct 24 starting at 10:00 the Youth Group will be collecting breakfast
items for Bright Futures</b>
in a similar drop off method. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Items
needed:</b>
granola or breakfast bars, single serve applesauce, individual packages of
oatmeal, pop tarts, etc. Thank you very much for those willing to help
feed breakfast to our school children in our community. For more
information contact <a href="mailto:Lisa%20and%20Charlie%20Higgs%20(higgs215@gmail.com)">Charlie and
Lisa Higgs</a> or <a href="mailto:Knick%20Lisa%20(nytarheelfan@comcast.net)">Lisa
Knick</a>. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Healthy
Church Team Met September 8</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Attending:
Clay Knick, Sherry Jenkins, Randy Jenkins, Betsy Jenkins, Katie Fauver, Carolyn
Bell</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clay
opened the meeting with prayer. He reported that he gave Mary Lou and
Lucy permission to go down to Thrift Shop and clean and put things away, which
they have done. The Thrift Shop will remain closed. Mayor Charles
Harbaugh had previously contacted Clay about using the church kitchen for the
Farm to Table event. He was told this would not be allowed. There
have been no other requests from individuals or groups to use the building, but
should there be they will not be allowed. Clay said Robin is coming in to
the office periodically. Carolyn suggested that there be a dedicated
time/day that she is in the office so members know when she is there if they
need information. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Katie
Fauver provided the latest Covid-19 Data for the area. She said that the
trend for positive cases has recently been trending down, however with school
starting and the recent Labor Day holiday we may well see an increase in cases
in the next few weeks. Her recommendation is that the church remains closed
at this time. Everyone was in agreement. Sermons will continue to
be available on the Church’s website, Facebook and YouTube. It is also
available through a Sermon by Phone option. Clay noted that there has
been an increase in viewers of sermons recently.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Carolyn
gave a brief financial report that donations for August were nearly $17,500 and
expenses were $12,150. Financially we are doing well and meeting all
obligations.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The next
Healthy Church Team meeting will be Monday, November 9, 2020. There being no
further business the meeting was adjourned. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Respectfully
submitted, Carolyn
Bell</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">COVID-19
Data </span></b><span style="font-family: arial;">as of:
Monday, September 7, 2020</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Cases:
6,226,879</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Deaths:
188,051</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">New
cases in last 7 days: 292,055</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Virginia:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Total
Cases: 127,571 </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Total
Hospitalizations: 9,902</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">Total
Deaths: 2,684</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;">(Fairfax
County and Prince William County have highest number of cases in VA)</span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 14pt;">UMCOR</span></b><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> continues to help
those affected by natural disasters. The need from recent storms, winds,
wildfires is great. <a href="https://www.giveumcmission.org/powerofyou/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200918_USDR%20(1)&utm_content">Click
here to help if you can.</a> </span></b></p>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #202020; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #202020; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/4ea6a1878734/abbacarenewssept2020?e=33e373cab4">AbbaCare
and Other VA Pregnancy Centers Targeted</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In recent weeks, some
organizations who believe differently about the abortion issue have made
malicious accusations and false claims against many Virginia pregnancy centers,
including AbbaCare, in the media. These unfounded and unsolicited allegations
are meant to discredit the compassionate work and professional reputation of
AbbaCare and others like us. We also have reason to believe that the attacks
may be a precursor to legislation that these groups plan to introduce in the
Virginia legislature early in 2021. As a friend of AbbaCare, you can support us
in these difficult times by:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Remembering our ministry in
your prayers, as we respond with truth and grace to any inquiries that may
come our way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Staying informed about any new
legislation that may target life-affirming pregnancy centers in Virginia
in the coming months.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Contacting us directly with any
questions or concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As always, we rest in the
truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 - <em><b>"For
God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind." </b></em>Thank you for your love,
encouragement, and support as we stand for life in an increasingly hostile
culture.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><u>Race
Relations Conversations </u></b>facilitated
by Rev. Jean McDonald-Walker and Mrs. Sadie Nelson, based on the book <i><span style="color: #333333;">Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial
Reconciliation. </span></i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Starting on Thursday,
October 8 at 6:00 pm</span>. Please join us for this opportunity to study the
book & engage in conversations on racial reconciliation. Please email <a href="mailto:vamarketst@gmail.com" target="_blank">vamarketst@gmail.com</a> if
you would like to participate. We will send you the Zoom link. Thank
you, hope to be in conversation with you! Keiko Foster (Market Street UMC)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/dismantling-racism-events?utm_source=communication%20essentials&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=resourceumc&utm_content=town%20hall09/30/2020&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWVRVMVptTm1aREE0T1RGaSIsInQiOiJPcHdyK0dYdkRiZjRRT0tNN1NLOXhRc1BpM2RIVzREc1pIT1dLVytPRUdESHhQNUZpMGQ4YzFsV1V3RFcwUEpzTjVORjh0dXZkbklhd2ZWSCtRTFwvWWJvb3g3XC9HWitRSUpKYmNxVXRBNndOY3B0YjIyV3hlTTVrR1ErVTBcLzdEcyJ9">'Dismantling
Racism' Events</a> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: arial;">Around
the connection, United Methodists are gathering online and in-person to do the
difficult work of dismantling racism. Find an event to attend or watch the
video of one that has already occurred.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Upper
Room - </span></b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial;">Because Grace subscribes to </span><em style="color: #202020; font-family: arial;">The Upper Room</em><span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial;"> daily devotional, we
are reaching out to you to offer additional resources (free of charge)
for responding to the presence and call of the Good Shepherd in the midst
of such unsettling times. We are experiencing the convergence of at least three
storms—pandemic, economic downturn, and social upheaval over the bitter fruit
of persistent racism. Where is God in the midst of this “perfect storm”? How do
we hear and respond to God’s presence and call in the midst of such anxiety and
anger? These are the pastoral challenges for which we offer these resources. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202020;">Morning Prayer with The Upper Room via </span></strong><a href="https://upperroom.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b5f1dafae8900da3ef72c04d&id=cfc317f5f0&e=26f09c56a0" style="font-family: arial;"><strong><span style="color: #007c89;">Facebook Live</span></strong></a><strong style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202020;">, every Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday at 11 a.m. (CT)</span></strong><span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial;">.
These guided prayer experiences are archived so you may join us at your
convenience if you miss it live. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://upperroom.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b5f1dafae8900da3ef72c04d&id=6844cc01d1&e=26f09c56a0"><strong><span style="color: #007c89;">Resources for
Spiritual Wellness in Anxious Times</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: #202020;">.</span></strong></span><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> For navigating the pandemic, this link makes
available to you a robust list of timely practices—for individuals and families
as well as your faith leaders. Included are digital devotionals, videos,
eCourses, podcasts, etc., all of which can be accessed and distributed free of
charge to everyone in your congregation. </span><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://upperroom.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b5f1dafae8900da3ef72c04d&id=5a153ad2db&e=26f09c56a0"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><span style="color: #007c89;">A PDF File of the
September/October issue of </span></strong><em><b><span style="color: #007c89; text-decoration: none;">The
Upper Room</span></b></em></span></a><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> is available to
our standing order churches. Because you are a paid subscriber, we want to
provide this service to you since we realize many readers are currently
reticent or unable to pick up their copy of the devotional guide because of the
virus or closed church office.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Also note the Upper Room
devotionals continue to be available here at Church. Please feel free to pick
one up during office hours.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The November newsletter deadline
is October 27 by Noon. Please share notes of thanks and Thanksgiving greetings
and pictures.</span></span></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">As always you can catch video of
Pastor Knick on Sunday mornings at 10 am on Facebook. It will also be posted on
YouTube and our Blog as soon as I can get to it. If you know someone with no
Internet access, please do share our Sermon by Phone number: 1-540-283-9254. I
usually have the latest sermon loaded by Monday.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Here is the <a href="https://graceumcmiddletownva.blogspot.com/2020/09/video-message-humility-september-27-2020.html">Blog
Post for this last Sunday.</a> In my opinion this was a great sermon to listen
to this week in particular with the debates coming up, then again after!</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=graceumcmiddletown@gmail.com&ctz=America/New_York" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 11pt;">Grace Calendar</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 11pt;">Grace UMC Website</span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Make a Donation:
PayPal & Bank/Credit Cards<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">****</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-11686175481310036602020-09-30T13:51:00.000-04:002020-09-30T13:51:41.144-04:00Our Social Creed - The Book of Discipline 2016<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie-REkTv8r85a_PluoqfVvLHeVrG0onyHU479akB5-tH6jH0AQkUr9RyvWucZ4_4cOlUWQOOO2wTtHoHNAKMpvV1iYpQwflfejBjIV0fP8Y2NakvHs1eymn2lEgpLxlU80O2acg1ZfHJ_/s2048/Air+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1651" data-original-width="2048" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie-REkTv8r85a_PluoqfVvLHeVrG0onyHU479akB5-tH6jH0AQkUr9RyvWucZ4_4cOlUWQOOO2wTtHoHNAKMpvV1iYpQwflfejBjIV0fP8Y2NakvHs1eymn2lEgpLxlU80O2acg1ZfHJ_/w200-h161/Air+Grace.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><br />We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus
Christ, the Redeemer of creation.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge
God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous
ends.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate
ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings
of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children,
youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of
the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the
glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of
their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God,
collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of
economic and social distress.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the
rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people
of the world.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in
human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the
gospel in the world. Amen.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">***</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-small;">From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2016. Copyright 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.</span></em></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comMiddletown, VA 22645, USA39.0292727 -78.281783410.71903681519758 -113.43803608220901 67.339508584802417 -43.12553071779098tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-57986940114062305152020-09-27T15:41:00.001-04:002020-09-29T15:43:23.964-04:00Music Reflection: How Can I Keep from Singing<p>F<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">or this week, please enjoy the NYC Virtual Choir and Orchestra performing “How
Can I Keep from Singing,” a beautiful arrangement and reminder of togetherness
though socially apart. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLPP3XmYxXg" width="320" youtube-src-id="VLPP3XmYxXg"></iframe></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lyrics:
My life flows on in endless song above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging
Since love prevails in heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging
Since love prevails in heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing?
I Lift my eyes. The cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it.
And day by day, this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, I hear the music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
How Can I Keep from singing?
Keep Singing.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O God, who would fold
both heaven and earth in a single peace:</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">let the design of thy
great love</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">lighten upon the waste
of our wraths and sorrows:</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and give peace to thy
Church,</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">peace among nations,</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">peace in our dwellings,</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and peace in our hearts:</span></em><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">through thy Son
our </span></em><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Savior</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic;"> Jesus Christ.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><em><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Amen.</span></em></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With Metta and Peace,<br /></span>Ryan Keebaugh<br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a></span></div><br /><p></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-35223898809366330082020-09-21T15:08:00.000-04:002020-09-21T15:08:02.599-04:00Music Reflection: Down to the River to Pray<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week I would like
to offer you a performance by the </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Schola</span> Diffusa</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
(dispersed choir) in a virtual performance of </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Down in the River to Pray</em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. A
beautiful piece reminding us of guidance, assurance, and stillness as we
walk together with God and Christ through our daily living.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UmBHBUFU3ZA" width="320" youtube-src-id="UmBHBUFU3ZA"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Camino prayer</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">May I walk this day </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">in the realm of grace, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">walking with You </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">my feet firmly on your earth-path, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">my heart loving all as kindred, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">my words and deeds alive with justice.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">May I walk as
blessing, meeting blessing at every turn in every challenge, blessing, in all
opposition, blessing, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">in harm’s way, blessing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">May I walk each step
in this moment of grace, alert to hear You </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and awake enough to say </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">a simple Yes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">-Robert Corin Morris</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">***</p><p class="MsoNormal">Ryan Keebaugh</p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-85287077520682123772020-09-13T15:31:00.000-04:002020-09-16T15:42:11.688-04:00Music Reflection: Listen<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">This morning, I would like to offer you another prayer by
Thomas Merton.<br /></span><em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Oh God, we are one with You. You
have made us one with You. You have taught us that if we are open to one
another, You will dwell in us. Help us to preserve this openness and to fight
for it with all our hearts. Help us to realize that there can be no understanding
where there is mutual rejection. Oh God, in accepting one another
wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept You, and we thank You, and we
adore You, and we love You with our whole being, because our being is Your
being, our spirit is rooted in Your spirit. Fill us then with love, and let is
be bound together with love as we go out diverse ways, united in this one
spirit which makes You present in the world, and which makes You witness to the
ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious, Amen.</em><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thomas Merton<br /><em>The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton</em></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The music, that I share will be slightly different. The
piece “<em>Listen</em>”
was composed as a soundscape for a new album I recently completed in
collaboration with the contemplative poet, Andō. The piece/soundscape is used
as a beginning point to accompany your prayer and meditation practice. I hope
that it bring you peace and stillness. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yx5h9OZaVrPGblc7koyLGdwAVeWAEqB3/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to play the recording in the
background as you read scripture, sit quietly, or reflect. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Ryan Keebaugh<br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a></span></div>
Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-84022927416462971242020-09-06T15:23:00.000-04:002020-09-16T15:29:52.188-04:00Music Reflection: This is My Song<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
am in fear of watching or reading the news. I quake at the thought of listening
to NPR, CNN, or opening the news app on my phone. What horrible things will I
experience and learn – updates on the infected and death toll due to a world
pandemic, political unrest, violence, senseless death, racism and hatred for
fellow humans? I do not understand. How we can treat others this way and claim
to be guided by God? How can we claim to be followers of Jesus and yet hold
hatred in our hearts for others who have different colored skin, worship
contrarily, or have a different sexual orientation? Would we still follow Jesus
if he were with us, in person, today — a brown skinned man of Jewish background
from the Middle East? I believe, given these difficult times, this is something
many of us lose sight of.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I’ve
ruminated over these questions during the past months, today I thought I would
share a recording of <b>This is My Song</b> by the vocal ensemble, Cantus. You will
discover that the tune to this piece is very familiar and is one of the most
stirring tunes in the <em>United Methodist Hymnal, the melody known as</em> known
as FINLANDIA. The melody comes from a symphonic tone poem by Jean Sibelius
(1865-1957) by the name of <em>Finlandia</em>, Op. 26. The lyrics, or poem
for the original setting was composed by Lloyd Stone (1912-1993), an American
public-school teacher. Lloyd wrote the first two stanzas of “This Is My Song”
for its inclusion in the collection, <em>Sing a Tune</em> (1934).
During the brief time of peace between two world wars, it was a song of hope
for all nations — “for lands afar and mine.” The poet acknowledges love for his
own country, but balances that with the love that others feel around the world
for their nations, their fellow countrymen, and a deeper connection to one another
without concern for political background, creed, or purpose. We are all God’s <u>BELOVED</u> sons and daughters. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is Lloyd Stone’s text:<br /><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is my song, O God of all the nations,<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a
song of peace for lands afar and mine;<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">this
is my home, the country where my heart is;<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here
are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but
other hearts in other lands are beating<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">with
hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.<br /></span></em><o:p> <br /></o:p><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but
other lands have sunlight too, and clover,<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and
skies are everywhere as blue as mine:<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O
hear my song, thou God of all the nations,<br /></span></em><em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a
song of peace for their land and for mine.</span></em><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuXrFZBforA&t=32s" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for this amazing recording. I hope you enjoy and find solace in
the powerful words and music. May peace and love be with each of you.<br /><br />
Ryan Keebaugh<br /><a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a></div>
Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-23916801202134523762020-09-02T20:45:00.001-04:002020-09-02T20:45:39.694-04:00Grace Notes Newsletter September 2020<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gu0Oouzkmy83fW16qqs8mpys2cTNYuhv/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Click here to view the September Grace Notes newsletter</a></p><p>The next newsletter deadline is September 24. You are welcome to submit letters, pictures, recipes, stories, and prayers. Send to Robin at <a href="mailto:GraceUMC2@comcast.net">GraceUMC2@comcast.net</a> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfQOjwU8dQcyqXn8CyPulcwA62c_RqfLy2AuJxr_nddGSJpub-LOJ54ROnzi6mGuUr9vE_6-d4RDMh8AuLVEmo9CAF3ZnKFXsprit1_x3UT-MiDg50GgTWz7S49AJOmB-YG04UR5mmqKX/s960/painted+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfQOjwU8dQcyqXn8CyPulcwA62c_RqfLy2AuJxr_nddGSJpub-LOJ54ROnzi6mGuUr9vE_6-d4RDMh8AuLVEmo9CAF3ZnKFXsprit1_x3UT-MiDg50GgTWz7S49AJOmB-YG04UR5mmqKX/w307-h410/painted+rock.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone has left us a lovely painted rock on our grounds! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-81450683393522634582020-08-30T15:49:00.000-04:002020-09-01T16:29:24.724-04:00Music Relection: The Human One<p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This morning I offer you a poem of
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892), a Massachusetts journalist and
anti-slavery campaigner. His work continues to find a place in modern
hymn-books, far beyond the boundaries of the Religious Society of Friends.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear
Lord and Father of mankind</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Forgive
our foolish ways!</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reclothe
us in our rightful mind,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
purer lives thy service find,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
deeper reverence, praise.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
simple trust like theirs who heard</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beside
the Syrian sea</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
gracious calling of the Lord,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let us,
like them, without a word,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rise up
and follow thee.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O
Sabbath rest by Galilee!</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O calm
of hills above,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where
Jesus knelt to share with thee</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
silence of eternity</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Interpreted
by love!</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
that deep hush subduing all</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
words and works that drown</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
tender whisper of thy call,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
noiseless let thy blessing fall</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As fell
thy manna down.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drop
thy still dews of quietness,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Till
all our strivings cease;</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take
from our souls the strain and stress,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And let
our ordered lives confess</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
beauty of thy peace.</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Breathe
through the heats of our desire</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thy
coolness and thy balm;</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let
sense be dumb, let flesh retire;</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speak through
the earthquake, wind, and fire,</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O
still, small voice of calm!</span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The musical selection, this morning, is entitled, <em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikq4ZmqjnYFp7sNSq8TVmplXy1kMexOZ/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Human One</a></span></em>.
This piece was commissioned and written for the String Trio, Musica Harmonia,
in 2015 and was premiered during the Shenandoah Valley Bach Music Festival in
Harrisonburg, VA. </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Human One</span></em> read
as <em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Son
of Man</span></em> in many translations of the Bible, is from a common
Greek word, <em><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">anthropos</span></em>, meaning human being. This humble work is a
meditation on the deity of Jesus with human appearance, characteristics, and
challenges. The Human One is God come to earth, made flesh, to live among us
within the human experience. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May you find peace,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Ryan Keebaugh<br />
<a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-71816329847612011372020-08-23T17:35:00.000-04:002020-09-01T15:39:45.356-04:00Music Reflection: A spark<p>I would like to offer you this
short, yet profound, prayer by the Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968). The
prayer demonstrates unique honesty and truth; a spark I believe we need in this
moment of history.</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Lord God,</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have no idea where
I am going.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do not see the
road ahead of me.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I cannot know for
certain where it will end.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nor do I really
know myself,</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and the fact that I
think I am following your will</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">does not mean that
I am actually doing so.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I believe that
the desire to please you</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">does in fact please
you.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I hope I have
that desire in all that I am doing.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope that I will
never do anything apart from that desire.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I know that if
I do this you will lead me by the right road,</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">though I may know
nothing about it.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Therefore will I
trust you always though</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I may seem to be
lost and in the shadow of death.</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I will not fear,
for you are ever with me,</span></em><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and you will never
leave me to face my perils alone.</span></em><span face="" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="" style="text-align: left;">I also leave you with a
composition for choir,</span><span face="" style="text-align: left;"> </span><em style="text-align: left;"><span face="">The Suffering
Servant</span></em><span face="" style="text-align: left;">, based upon the text
from Isaiah 53.</span><span face="" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span face="" style="text-align: left;">I composed this piece in 2012 in honor of Dr. Jesse Hopkins,
Professor of Music at Bridgewater College. Since then, the piece has been
performed national as well as internationally by the Western Michigan
University Chorale under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Dunn-Adams. I
hope you enjoy it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Ddv7D4J-f_3o&sa=D&ust=1597541205428000&usg=AOvVaw13RQ0wm4_5wywKa-7HeMK6" target="_blank"><span face="">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7D4J-f_3o</span></a></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span><span face="" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May each of you find
love, peace, and rest in the upcoming week.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span><span face="" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With Metta,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ryan Keebaugh </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-5550518821200743862020-08-16T17:44:00.000-04:002020-09-01T15:39:16.100-04:00Music Reflection: Mother of God<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 9pt;">I would like to offer
you this prayer by Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1842) that was set for choir by the
late Sir John Tavener. The performance recording below was recorded by the
Emulate Chamber Ensemble, at Eastern Mennonite University, from 2017. Many of
you had the opportunity to hear this performance live when the ensemble visited
Grace. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kBgpyfeDEY2ZIgPkfpczpEJs2NJX88TM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to listen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As we work through moments that seem dark,
having turned our hearts to prayer and repentance, the light of a new dawn
begins to break. We are comforted by the image of our sorrowful Mother Mary at
the foot of the cross. As we quiet our hearts and pray in thanksgiving for
Mary’s intercession on behalf of our suffering. Sir John Tavener’s <em><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Mother of God, here I stand</span></em> is
a relatively short excerpt from his incredibly large work <em><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Veil of the Temple</span></em>.
Considered by himself to be his greatest and most important work, <em><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Veil</span></em> lasts more
than seven hours, modeled after the Orthodox all-night vigil service—another
image of our journey through darkness to morning light.</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Much like Job, who waited for an encounter with
God, we hear God’s voice in our darkest moments—those moments when we are most
empty, when divine silence can penetrate our hearts.</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mother
of God, here I stand now praying.</span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before
this ikon of your radiant brightness,</span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not
praying to be saved from a battlefield;</span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not
giving thanks, nor seeking forgiveness for the sins of my soul, nor for all the
souls</span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Numb,
joyless and desolate on earth;</span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but
for her alone, whom I wholly give you... </span></em><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 9pt; text-align: left;">I hope each of you are safe and I hope that we will have the
opportunity to see each other face to face, even if at a distance, very soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With love and peace,\</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">Ryan Keebaugh</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-14957463349730004882020-08-11T17:07:00.000-04:002020-08-11T17:07:58.385-04:00Music Reflection: Be Still<p>Silence
is terrifying. I think silence is a journey into the wilderness and into the
dark and you can’t be sure what you’re going to encounter there. I think many
people are rightly wary of silence because we use noise as a distraction and an
evasion, and it’s a way of keeping away from everything that’s inside us and
the people around us. Silence is a journey right into the heart of your being.
This “being-ness” I believe was demonstrated by Jesus’ example; often
disappearing into the desert and gardens for silent prayer and meditation. It's
a reminder that when you go into the desert, you find demons as much as angels.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thomas Merton, perhaps the greatest hymnist of silence in the 20th century,
speaks to us I think because so often he’s speaking in a voice of rage, and
restlessness, and fear. And what he’s keeping company with in his little
monastic cell is doubt as much as fear. Or Emily Dickinson, when she is in her
little room in Amherst, Massachusetts for 26 years, entertaining terror and
death as well as light and epiphany. But I always think that everybody has dark
places. They’re an experience in themselves, and those places don’t go away
just by pretending they don't exist, or turning in the other direction. Sooner
or later we have to confront them, and I found that there’s no more forgiving and
benign place in which to confront your dark spaces amidst the clatter of the
I-81 freeway or amidst the quiet of a monastery or a beautiful place in nature,
and I think the latter is always going to be a better option.<br />
<br />
Today I offer you a longer piece of music. This simple piece, <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">be still</span></em>, is an hour long
meditation on Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and know that I am God”. I know that many
of us don’t have an hour to sit and listen to one piece of music. But I offer
it to you as a moment of prayer and meditation. If, for some of you, who like
to listen to music as you fall asleep, it’s an opportunity to allow the
minimalist textures gently rock you to sleep. This performance took place
earlier this year at the Toyosu Civic Center, Japan. Enjoy!<br />
<br /><a href="https://youtu.be/CnqnJemM--c">Click here to view on YouTube</a><br /><br />Peace and Blessings to each of you,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ryan Keebaugh<br />
<a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-43494028303926231102020-08-02T15:38:00.001-04:002020-08-11T17:08:34.669-04:00Music Reflection: Kontakia<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
sit here in the early morning reflecting back over the past 17 weeks since the
beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak and reflect on the changes that have been
made to our lives, society, and environment. Not just externally, but
internally. There are numerous events in the world that have placed us in a
state of turmoil, violence, fear, and trepidation. But during this time have
any of us taken the gift of quarantine to investigate our internal being? Have
you noticed how the sounds of the world have changed?--how the birds and
natural wildlife seem to be singing more clearly every morning. The beautiful
stillness and serenity that surround everyday events and life that we have
missed due to our busyness and distracted minds? These are the gifts
that I have discovered during my almost <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Walden</span></em> experience.
There are beautiful reminders, daily, even by the minute, that God brings our
attention to. Ones that we often miss because we do not take the time to slow
down and treat every moment, opportunity, chore, and item as sacred. There is a
blessing here--a reawakening that can come out of our current events. One that
we need to grasp and put into practice--the Here and Now.<br />
<br />
I offer you one of my compositions as a moment of silence and meditation. This
piece was composed for the cellist, Aleks Tengesdal, and was premiered in 2014
at the University of Minnesota. The piece was inspired by my reflections on the
kontakia (Greek form of a hymn) prayers from the Greek Orthodox Church for Holy
Week. Sections of the first two prayers for the week are:</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night,
and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching…”</span></em></span> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Being
mindful of the hour of the end, O my soul,</span></em></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">...O hapless one - be watchful”</span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
The piece is built upon the longing for God in my life. Being awakened to the
call of the Divine. Being present and experiencing the Divine in every moment,
simplicity, and situation. As you listen, close your eyes, if you wish, and be
in the present. <br />
<br />
I wish each of you peace and love for the upcoming days. I pray that each of us
experience, accept, and demonstrate God’s compassion and love toward ourselves,
others, and Mother Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3llCtfpoi1g">Click Here to watch on Youtube</a> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-color, var(--yt-spec-text-primary)); font-size: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-font-size, var(--yt-navbar-title-font-size, inherit)); text-align: left;">(Title of Video: </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-color, var(--yt-spec-text-primary)); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: var(--ytd-video-primary-info-renderer-title-font-size, var(--yt-navbar-title-font-size, inherit)); text-align: left;">Kontakia by composer Ryan Keebaugh)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3llCtfpoi1g" width="320" youtube-src-id="3llCtfpoi1g"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
WIth Metta, </span>Ryan</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<a href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><br />Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-68377097300324467342020-08-02T15:27:00.004-04:002020-08-07T13:23:27.924-04:00Grace Notes Newsletter August 2020Click here for the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qfBk8Oj3XIgQeMCkDwrU2C_56rQLZ4GV/view?usp=sharing">August 2020 Grace Notes Newsletter</a><div><br /></div><div>The next newsletter deadline is August 24. You are welcome to submit letters, pictures, recipes, stories, and prayers. Send to Robin at <a href="mailto:GraceUMC2@comcast.net">GraceUMC2@comcast.net</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYxTuR6-45IJE4dLqEJ8c-Ysmvisy1uXOFquH-tpGAAeQoMCWj4vs2uDPHBTo714whLvQEBx5I5bxGcwSMEdaQH2hk-EStqdAeKz4_aBMOJGJrMLeY-PnhHKegmhp2AfzJBXMiyUm3NTK/s664/Grace+2020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="664" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYxTuR6-45IJE4dLqEJ8c-Ysmvisy1uXOFquH-tpGAAeQoMCWj4vs2uDPHBTo714whLvQEBx5I5bxGcwSMEdaQH2hk-EStqdAeKz4_aBMOJGJrMLeY-PnhHKegmhp2AfzJBXMiyUm3NTK/w400-h296/Grace+2020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-69621803860120184032020-07-01T22:12:00.001-04:002020-08-02T22:16:41.262-04:00Grace Notes July NewsletterClick Here to view the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1972eyEKfCg6nP34ogO1i7nqkxreqVTQ-/view?usp=sharing">July Grace Notes newsletter</a>!<div><br /></div><div><a href="mailto:graceumc2@comcast.net">Are you on our email list?</a> We send our newsletter by email so let us know if you would like to receive our newsletters. (Be sure to keep your email address updated!)</div>Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-85664279988363808972020-06-01T17:32:00.001-04:002020-07-05T18:59:35.438-04:00Grace Notes Newsletter June 2020<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hello! What follows is some important information and
communications from us, and the greater United Methodist Church. Have a
coffee or sweet tea and read the June Grace Notes: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<h4>
<b>Healthy Church Team sets to work</b></h4>
<b>Brothers and Sisters in Christ,</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Our conference has asked each church to create a Healthy
Church Team to work on opening the church again for worship. Bishop Sharma Lewis
and her cabinet will determine a specific time when we can return to worship,
but this new team is to prepare and make it's own determination as to when it
would be best to return to worship. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Our Healthy Church Team members are Charlie and Lisa Higgs,
Clay and Lisa Knick, Randy and Sherry Jenkins, Carolyn Bell, Jody Osborne,
Betsy Jenkins, and Katie Fauver. Each member was asked to read the handbook
created by our conference that each church must use to prepare to return to
worship in person. The current handbook has 77 pages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After reading the handbook and the many understandable restrictions
placed on returning to in person worship the team decided it would be in
everyone's best interest to wait until we can worship in a way rather similar
to what we are familiar with. Of course, we have no idea when this may take
place. This decision is also based on the risks involved with exposure to the
virus. The information provided by our own Katie Fauver, an RN at Winchester
Medical Center, was very helpful in making this decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This decision is also made out of love of neighbor and
the utmost concern for so many. We want to "do no harm" to anyone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The Healthy Church Team will meet again July 8th. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team
if you have questions. Remember you can always see the weekly sermon on
Facebook and Robin will add it to the blog each week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We miss all of you so very much. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Grace + peace, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Clay+<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Pastor Clay recommends the following by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michael.gorman.587?__tn__=%2CdC-R-R&eid=ARCJVJ75Re1mDowrnYwkKm3KsZpMZBjq9CRjF6kjRREVtUomYmjosP-Fd344bRwk2CU8LxSxu4NAh9SB&hc_ref=ARS4OihqJTXqymWK7WxvLajHx5s6a2O-mX5JrQjU9JE5o_VJZuV4j1iVfStky05o6mI&fref=nf"><span style="color: #385898;">Michael Gorman</span></a> of <span style="color: #1c1e21;">St.
Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore, Maryland</span>, the <span style="color: #1c1e21;">Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and
Theology, September 1991 to present. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt;">
<h4>
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
Brief Biblical Theology for the Covid Church</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, in Outline (a work
in progress, updated 5/25)<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Governing Principles in Putting This
Together<br />
A. Covid is possibly here to stay for years, not months, coming and going in
waves.<br />
B. The church is, in Tom Wright’s words, in a time of exile—though not total
and not the same everywhere (<a href="https://time.com/5837693/should-churches-reopen-thinking-about-exile/?fbclid=IwAR05h4p48mviBcV0Ixn7bwy8tpwdVU4MLh3I4xetq1VpiBgIxl9y66bxOlA" target="_blank"><span style="color: #385898;">https://time.com/…/should-churches-reopen-thinking-about-…/…</span></a>).<br />
C. This is not a time to “completely rethink” the church (as if that were
actually a possibility) or to offer theologically flawed proposals (such as
“maybe we don’t need to worship together after all”). Rather, the watchword
(actually, watch-phrase) right now needs to be “creative fidelity.”<br />
D. At the same time, this will be a time of creative tension, perhaps even
among these biblical perspectives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. *Let us love the Lord our God... and
our neighbor as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:28–31).*
The double commandment remains the same. Its expression will take on new forms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. *Let us not forsake the assembling
of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25).* Meeting together is not an option for
Christians, but a necessity. We need to meet in creative ways until, once
again, we can give full expression to the incarnational character of the faith.
We need to keep finding creative ways for worship, study, pastoral care, and
mission. *Update*: We should remember that Jesus is present with us even when
we are just gathered as two or three.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. *Let us not, by asserting our
rights, real or alleged, do harm to those for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians
8).* This is not the season for Christians and churches to insist on their
rights, constitutional or otherwise, to meet physically precisely as we used to
do, or at any cost. Caution, prudence, and creativity are signs of
neighbor-love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. *Let us proclaim the gospel in word
and deed, for it is God who is at work among us (Philippians 1:27–2:16).* It is
a time to do so without complaining about our predicament, as good witnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. *Let us seek the welfare of the city
where we are in exile (Jeremiah 29:7).* This is a season to think creatively about
the church’s outreach into whatever place we find ourselves in exile, not
because the government or the culture deems us “essential” (or not), but
because that is what God expects of the people of God in exile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. *Let us grieve and lament (Psalms;
Romans 12:15).* This is a season of sorrow and lamentation because there has
been so much loss for so many. We acknowledge our own spiritual losses (of
in-person worship, etc.), but we especially wish to cry out with and for those
among us who have lost jobs or loved ones, those who have sacrificed for others
and been emotionally or physically devastated, and those whose present and future
lives seem so uncertain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. *Let us bear one another’s burdens
and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).* This is a time to become
aware of the needs of others in our Christian communities and beyond in order
to work together to address them. This includes financial, spiritual,
emotional, and other kinds of needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. *Let us remember the poor (Galatians
2:10).* This is a time to pay special attention to the least, the poor—with a
broad understanding of poverty—both nearby and around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. *Let us embody the fruit of the
Spirit, most especially patience (Galatians 5:22–23).* This is a time to allow
the Spirit to work in and among us to bring to greater fruition all the
dimensions of the Spirit’s fruit, but perhaps most importantly what has sometimes
been called longsuffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. *Let us embody the virtues of
faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).* It is always time to practice
this triad of theological virtues and share them with others, but now they will
take on special shape and meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11.
*Let us clothe ourselves with humility (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:5).* This is
a time when we need humility because we are constantly moving into unknown
territory, and we will all make mistakes. We need to recognize our own
inadequacies and extend ourselves and one another extra measures of grace while
also humbly holding ourselves and one another accountable. God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">__<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Please DO WEAR A MASK when visiting the Church.</b> Although
there are no office hours set as yet both Pastor and Robin are sometimes there.
Pastor Knick has a compromised immune system, and Robin has several health risk
factors. Some necessary meetings have been scheduled and masks and social
distancing are required for those in attendance. Check with your Chair person
if you have a question. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Here is a very good article about grief during this time
of pandemic:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><a href="https://www.umc.org/en/content/a-pandemic-changes-everything-even-grief?utm_source=umnow&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=members&utm_content=grief05%2F18%2F2020&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWldVd016azVNV05pWTJRMiIsInQiOiJIdnBcL2lOQTh4ZlphODRVb2xmbmJOSitZMlwvK3M0cDROUTZSUjZxeXlLa1J5R0pycEJyYkEwcG5iODdqSFFqSlBJZUhxb0dLWUtQVklXVUJJVjc0d2lqWUM3SldnVmx6b0tqdHpPK3JvNDJxN3lOclk0cXlQVWpKNjF6YWRuek9ZIn0%3D&fbclid=IwAR3oMjQDp6YbJTl_aic40GxogvqO5AVIz66AJe7steA6xkF4WLkTEG_IMyk" target="_blank">A pandemic changes everything, even grief</a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Stewardship Matters<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Your Generosity Is Showing! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">You may not believe this, but it is an exciting time to be
the church! The oft-quoted phrase, ‘The church has left the building’ has never
been truer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really quite exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">God calls us to be stewards in every situation. Practicing
generosity is consistent with a desire to serve God and his church. Disciples
of Jesus Christ persevere in times of hardship and look for ways to be of
service to the Kingdom of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">I have been encouraged to hear that many churches have
continued to receive the generous gifts of a generous people in this time. My
hunch is that churches with numerous households that give online or through a
recurring bank draft will have a regular source of support and will not suffer.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Though we are not gathered for worship we are scattered for
mission. The church is thriving outside the walls of the building. That is –
when and where we continue to live and act as grateful and generous stewards of
a grateful and generous God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What are we to say about this period in human history? This
pandemic, has virtually shut down<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">life as we know it. What story are we writing even now? What
will future generations learn about this epochal event and how we, the church,
responded to it? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will be our
‘stewardship story’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">These questions are far more important than we may realize
for at present we are overwhelmed with the reality of making sure we take appropriate
precautions and consumed with just getting through each day. We look forward to
when the economy begins to open up, people return to work, and we gather for
worship in the space that means so much to us. Even then, we know it will be
different for a long time and perhaps forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">We will eventually return to a ‘new normal’ and, if we are
foolish, we will forget the lessons we have learned from this pandemic. ‘Staying
at home’ has its own challenges and rewards . There are lessons to be learned
that will make us wiser. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">So ponder these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">>How are you being a steward of your time and of
relationships now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">>Are you finding new ways to connect with God and with
others? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">>Did you give a minimum of a tithe from your government
stimulus? Can you do more than that if you are able?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">>Where did you share this windfall with someone in need? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">What a great time to be the church!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a strange and bizarre time in human
history we can write part of the story with how we make a difference in human
life. This pandemic cannot stop us from being the church and being disciples.
Only we can do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our generosity is
showing! Or not!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Please practice generosity. Always practice generosity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Rev. David A. Rash<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">© Stewardship Matters of Virginia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="mailto:info@StewardshipMattersVa.org"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@StewardshipMattersVa.org</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.stewardshipmattersva.org/">www.StewardshipMattersVa.org</a></span></u><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Honoring
our 2020 Graduates<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Got Graduates? We want to hear from you! Email <a href="mailto:Graceumc2@comcast.net">Graceumc2@comcast.net</a> please! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We heard from Nell Lunde. Congratulations to these member
graduates: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Joseph C. Lunde-A well-earned High School Diploma from
Sherando High School and Grafton School.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Catherine (Cate) M. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando
High School after 4 years being medically homebound! Continuing her attendance
at LFCC.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eleanor (Ellen) E. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando
High School-National Honors Society member, Associate of Arts and Sciences from
LFCC-Governor's Scholar-President's List, Attending George Mason University.
Entering as a rising junior. Pre-med, Majoring in Biochemistry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Craft
Bazaar Date Set<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The 2020
Craft Bazaar will not be rescheduled this year. Instead the 2021 date has been
set for Saturday, March 13, 2021 with the snowdate the following week. All confirmed
vendors from this year were notified and offered a place next year. Most have
accepted. Their fees paid this year will apply to their spaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">___<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Mow and
Trim Volunteers needed! </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Please
help keep the church yard looking good. Here is the current schedule: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 541px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Week
start<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Week
end<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Trim<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/01/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/06/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/08/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/13/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/15/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/20/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/22/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/27/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">06/29/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/04/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/06/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/11/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "docs-calibri" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Randy Jenkins 540-533-3001<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "docs-calibri" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Randy Jenkins 540-533-3001<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/13/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/18/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/20/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/25/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="background: #D9EAD3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">07/27/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C5E0B3; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/01/20</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/03/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/08/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/10/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/15/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/17/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/22/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/24/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/29/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">John Keller
540-335-4015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">08/31/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">To<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">09/05/20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 14.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: black; mso-border-left-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-left-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-right-alt: black; mso-border-style-alt: solid; mso-border-top-alt: #CCCCCC; mso-border-top-alt: solid #CCCCCC .75pt; mso-border-width-alt: .75pt; padding: 0in 2.25pt 0in 2.25pt;" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">___<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A Call to
Action on Systemic Racism<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dear Virginia Annual Conference:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On Memorial Day, when the world was honoring and
remembering all military men and women for their sacrifice to this country, Mr.
George Floyd, another African-American man, while handcuffed and in police
custody, was pleading for his life. His dying statement, “I can’t breathe,”
rings again in my ears just as it did in 2014 when Eric Garner used those same
words as he was dying from being held in a chokehold by a New York Police
Department officer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As I have reflected since Monday, I find my emotions
range from sadness to anger to disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I ask myself the simple questions – “How long, Lord? How long, Lord?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Isn’t it enough that we are fighting a pandemic and at
the same time fighting life’s other challenges? Isn’t it enough that we
witnessed the senseless death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, the disturbing
exchange between Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper in Central Park, and the
barely-mentioned Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville Metro Police Department
officers executing a warrant at the wrong house in March?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When do we as children of God decide that God is calling
us into action? When do we decide that mere words or social media interactions
for a few days are just not enough?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When do we as children of God decide that the systemic
racism in our society, whether manifested overtly or covertly, is a sin that
hinders our relationship with Jesus Christ and is antithetical to the gospel?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When do we as children of God in the second largest
annual conference in The United Methodist connection decide to have the crucial
conversations and examine our own experiential and inherited stories of race
and racism? I believe that everything in life begins and ends with the story
you have accepted as truth about yourself and others. These stories shape our
thinking, actions and assumptions about different races. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The lesson from these senseless deaths is that the fight
to eradicate racism is not another person’s problem but humanity’s problem, and
I believe that I’m not the only voice in the Virginia Annual Conference that
wants to see real change and work toward the complete eradication of racism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As the Resident Bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference
of The United Methodist Church, I am requesting that leaders of the Virginia
faith community join in a conversation about policing with Governor Ralph
Northam. The requested conversation will focus on statewide community
relationships and policing training and practices. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In addition, I would like to invite the people of the
Virginia Annual Conference to join me in these call to action steps:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We need informed clergy and laity to have authentic
conversations about race and reconciliation in houses of worship, communities,
and workplaces in which we acknowledge racism as a sin and actively pursue
whatever is necessary to dismantle the injustices. One resource for starting
that conversation is the Racial Justice Conversations Guide produced by the
General Commission on Religion and Race; Community policing emphasizes working
with neighborhood residents as partners in creating public safety. We can offer
our support and involvement with law enforcement agencies that want to work
with community residents to identify problems and collaborate on implementing
solutions that produce meaningful results for the community; and<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We can encourage civilian participation in oversight of
law enforcement in order to strengthen trust with the community. Every
community should define the appropriate form and structure of civilian oversight
to meet the needs of that community.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Continue to pray for the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud
Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Let us hold close the words of the Apostle Paul,
who reminds us in Romans 12:21; “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.” (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Peace and Blessings,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
cc:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Governor
Ralph Northam<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Esq.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>From the UMC Council on Bishops: As people of faith it
is time to take a stand against any and all expressions of racism and white
supremacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/pandemic-of-racism-14011039?fbclid=IwAR0DMGSrupm9UtM5GBoAYamaulGlPYwJQWrwQfmmzHDLV6gs1tnarxyblXE">https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/pandemic-of-racism-14011039?fbclid=IwAR0DMGSrupm9UtM5GBoAYamaulGlPYwJQWrwQfmmzHDLV6gs1tnarxyblXE</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
___<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #606770; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Please do stay in touch!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #606770; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pastor Clay email: <a href="mailto:clayknick@comcast.net">clayknick@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #606770; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Administrative Assistant Robin Arnold: <a href="mailto:GraceUMC2@comcast.net">GraceUMC2@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #606770; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://graceumcmiddletownva.blogspot.com/">Grace Notes Blog</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #606770; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/">Grace Website</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-35742688129945339582020-05-16T12:37:00.001-04:002020-05-16T12:37:06.126-04:00We miss you: Making a plan to gather again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQU10Tj4sf5SatCt7pGBP28CpPsS6NKDKSr_D0CYnHwQjgsh9nTazFLBFrr0DhhDIrNhZ7-qNvYq8k2H6qXWsO4V4qkjO3WjvB6nft1-X8zey4B1B2EZcdSUtPWDlNzXcQDgGKrxmYp_o/s1600/May+15+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQU10Tj4sf5SatCt7pGBP28CpPsS6NKDKSr_D0CYnHwQjgsh9nTazFLBFrr0DhhDIrNhZ7-qNvYq8k2H6qXWsO4V4qkjO3WjvB6nft1-X8zey4B1B2EZcdSUtPWDlNzXcQDgGKrxmYp_o/s200/May+15+2020.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Office rose in </span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">bloom this week</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><br />Dear Grace Church Family,</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Lisa and I miss you all so very much.</b> We look forward to
the day when we are all together again in a similar fashion to what we are used
to. I know I miss our worship, talking before and after worship, spending time
with our children and youth, communion, and so much more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As you know Governor Northam has said that churches may
resume worship this weekend in a limited way. <b>That is not the case with the
churches of the VA Conference. Bishop Lewis is not permitting in-person worship
at this time.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The conference has designed a handbook that each church
is to use to get ready for in-person worship. We have been instructed to form a
Healthy Church Team and I have asked several people to serve as members. If you
are interested please contact me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The handbook is very extensive. As I read it yesterday I
was impressed with the care and hard work that went into it. It is also very,
very clear that worship will not be the same at all during the first weeks or
months of opening under the provisions of this handbook. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For example, everyone will have to register to attend
worship by Thursday of each week. Everyone who attends will need to wear a
mask, come with their own hand sanitizer, take their temperature at home that
morning, and sit six feet from another person or family. There will be no
nursery, children's time during worship, fellowship time, handshakes or
hugging, no choir or singing. If you are sick in any way you are to stay home.
No baptisms. No passing of the plate for the offering. There is also the
suggestion that the service be rather brief, no more than 30 minutes or so. The
longer everyone is together the higher the risk of a possible exposure to the virus.
Once the service is over everyone leaves. There will be no bulletin, hymnals,
pew Bibles, or any other similar materials. No Sunday School.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So as you can see under these strict protocols things
will be very, very different. Once the bishop decides a specific date we can
determine if that works for us or can wait until we are ready. Classes and
groups can continue to use Zoom and committees can meet with 10 or less members
present and physical distancing. I will continue to put a sermon on Facebook
each week with lots of help from Lisa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The motive for these restrictions is one taken from Mr.
Wesley who took it from the Hippocratic Oath: "Do No Harm." We also
want to hear our Lord's call to "Love your neighbor as you love
yourself" (Matthew 22:39 NIV). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We take all the precautions we need because we do not want
this to happen at Grace:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/42126834/ringgold-church-cancels-services-after-3-church-members-test-positive-for-covid19<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So at this time we seek wisdom from the Lord in how we
may best care for one another. We pray for the day when this virus subsides and
many are healed. We pray for our leaders, scientists, and those who work in healthcare
and who are first responders. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Again, we miss you and look forward to being together
again as church family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Grace + peace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Clay+<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>Resources:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="mailto:clayknick@comcast.net" target="_blank">Email Pastor Clay: clayknick@comcast.net </a></div>
<a href="http://doc.vaumc.org/News2020/BacktoIn-PersonWorshipPlan.pdf" target="_blank">Back to In Person Worship Plan</a><br />
<a href="http://doc.vaumc.org/News2020/PlanSummary-ResumingIn-PersonWorship.pdf" target="_blank">Bishop's Plan Summar</a>y<br />
<a href="http://doc.vaumc.org/News2020/HandbookforLocalChurches.pdf" target="_blank">Handbook for Local Churches</a><br />
<br />
<br />
***Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-28460550717695706572020-05-11T15:33:00.003-04:002020-05-11T15:33:18.464-04:00A Message from Bishop Sharma D Lewis: Work Group to recommend guidelines for opening<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 9, 2020</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dear
Virginia Conference,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">May
the Lord be with you and keep you. It is a wonderful day to be a United
Methodist. I know that </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Virginia
United Methodists are longing for the return to in-person worship. One of our
highest priorities must be loving our neighbors through ensuring the safety of
those who attend our services. As we reported this week, a work group of church
leaders, medical professionals, and legal professionals have been working hard
to provide guidance to help us go back to in-person worship safely. On Friday morning,
the Cabinet reviewed a draft of their work and we are preparing a list of
frequently asked questions this weekend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Friday
afternoon, Governor Northam announced that he may loosen the restrictions
related to in-person worship on May 15, 2020. Our timetable, as United
Methodists, will be phased. I will allow Drive-In worship to begin on May 24,
2020 for all churches under strict guidelines that will be released by May 15,
2020. I will also authorize some test churches (we will call them “pioneer”
churches) to open on May 24, 2020 with no more than 25 people in attendance under
strict guidelines that will also be released by May 15, 2020. These pioneer
churches will provide much needed data for the churches in our various districts
on how to open safely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please
continue to be in prayer for those who are affected by COVID-19 and those
working hard to care for them. Pray as well for those who are extending
themselves to serve at great risk and great cost. Whenever we return to
worship, we will have stories to tell of God’s goodness and provision in this
crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Peace
and Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bishop
Sharma D. Lewis</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-15559639580394884262020-05-01T19:40:00.000-04:002020-05-01T19:40:13.917-04:00Grace Notes May Newsletter<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grace UMC Family,</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have now completed five rounds of chemo and immunotherapy! One
more round to go in June and then I am finished with the chemo. I will be
having immunotherapy now and then to keep me going, but the chemo will be done.
The chemo has killed the cancer very well, but has wreaked havoc with my immune
system and caused delays in treatment. So Dr. Ingram reduced the dosage so I
can finish it. I am being given booster shots to support my immune system so
he's got that covered also. He spent 20-25 minutes with me Monday going over
options. He even considered stopping the chemo, but when he told me he could
lessen the dosage I said let's go for that. I'm all for killing cancer! As I
said above the immunotherapy will continue for a bit longer.</span></div>
<div>
<img alt="lisa knick ap 27.jpg" data-image-whitelisted="" data-surl="cid:ii_k9oplzn50" height="320" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=d326cd12ec&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r-972124650293487472&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ9lkGLJGrJ34RTFWQSHWCKlNPR6DqqIn6szPlamnjK6pCuX7q4PGOt4BHs7cNiPNagl2Vaq9SAlmFTXamhOD_sfBQ_EfPJH8HL587BYcrp-NXcq7krd6y4i0SA&disp=emb&realattid=ii_k9oplzn50" style="margin-right: 0px;" width="240" /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lisa and I appreciate all the prayers and concern and many cards
and gifts you have given us during this time. Your love has been so very
evident. What a blessing it is to be a part of our church family. We have
missed everyone so very, very much. Thank you for your patience with us as we
continue to put the sermon on Facebook and learn that technology. I'm finding
</span>that is<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> a substitute for the real thing which is the gathered body together in
worship and mission. Technology is a substitute, but not a savior. It can only
take us so far.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At this time I do not know when we will be together again in
worship. Perhaps next month, perhaps not. When we do return things will
probably be different. We may be wearing masks, not singing, receiving
communion in a different way, and continue to practice physical distancing. We
don't know all the details yet, but I do think that things will be very
different for a while.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may be wondering about the "not singing" comment
above. Since the virus is a respiratory virus it is believed that singing can
spread the virus. Perhaps you heard about the choir that practiced several
months ago and many of the members got very sick soon after practice and being
close together.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In this crisis time, when Easter was weird, we are alone together,
people are wearing masks, restaurants are limited in what they can offer, so
many have lost their jobs, and so many have died, we cry out to God for mercy
and healing and hope. I read at least one Psalm a day and that practice has
sustained me during this time when the virus and my treatments have changed my
schedule, disrupted my sleep, and caused me to be frustrated, worried, or
afraid. The Psalms are a constant reminder that our life is with God, that he
is with us, guiding us, and teaching us, and that his steadfast love never
fails us. That is very good news to me. In this Easter season we are constantly
reminded that Jesus is alive and present with us and his promise is that he
will always be with us come what may.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I do hope we get to see one another soon. Until then stay safe and
be blessed.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Grace + peace,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clay+</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/i-zUcMxtAY8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i-zUcMxtAY8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/i-zUcMxtAY8" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Grace UMC View from above</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you to Matt and Katie Fauver for making this beautiful aerial video of our church using their drone! It’s just beautiful set to the music of Amazing Grace<span class="gmail_default" style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span> <span class="gmail_default" style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">W</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">e are blessed with such talented people in this church<span class="gmail_default" style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">!</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Stewardship Matters</i></span></b></h3>
<h4 style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Generosity in a pandemic </span></span></b></h4>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My sign-off for these monthly stewardship articles is ‘Practice
generosity. Always practice generosity!” Today, even with the concerns about a
recession, it still is!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">These are most unusual of all unusual times. No one living has
ever seen anything like it unless they were alive during the 1918-1919
pandemic, which took the lives of millions around the world. The economic
struggles we have experienced in the past fifty years, however, has some
familiarity to it. A few remember the great depression. Others know the volatility
of the economy as it hits rough spots with recessions and near depressions. Now
we have the specter of serious harm to the economy.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Researchers who study the economy and philanthropy trends have
documented over many years that Americans are not particularly generous, giving
away about 2% of our income. This has been documented as a historical reality.
But what is very interesting is that at one point it reached 3%. Do you know when
that was? The answer: during the Depression. The years 1929 – 1939 marked a
terrible economic downturn for the country. Massive unemployment dogged the
nation and lines stretched for blocks as people faced dire hunger, waiting to
get a little bit of food. It was a long, dark period of painful memories.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What researchers tell us is that when we all had less to give we
all gave more! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This downturn in our economy is not a time to give less. Truly. Please
do not hoard money you do not need while others are hurting. If you are
fortunate enough to retain your job and wages, give generously as you are able
to support the ongoing ministries of your church. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Let me make an appeal to my age group, senior citizens.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My wife and I are blessed to receive Social Security and a pension
(thank you very much, UM’s, after 30 years of ministry!). We have some investments
that further support our lifestyle. Therefore, we believe we can afford to be
generous with the stimulus we expect to receive. In fact, we have covenanted to
give most of it away, first to the church and secondly, to help those hit hard
by loss of wages. Seniors: as you are able this is a time to ask God to show
you who and how to help. (Gift cards may be best).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The churches that will be remembered fondly when this is over are
the churches that stretched and supported the community in which they reside,
assisting households in and out of the church family. If your church has funds
earmarked for generous acts of compassion and support, do not withhold those
thinking ‘we need to cut back’. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How do you want your church to be remembered a year from now? What will the community say about your
church? </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So please, practice generosity. Always practice generosity!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Making the plan</span></span></b></h4>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In a forthcoming book and workbook that I am writing, <i>Making
the Plan,</i> designed to help Christians do prudent planning for end-of-life
issues, one of the topics I write on is making choices now so that your family
does not have to, and so grief is not mixed with making uncertain decisions on
your behalf. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another topic is, documenting the furniture and other important
items you have in your house, its history, and who you want to pass it along to
when you are gone. (written, oral, or video) This book/workbook is the result
of my Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from The Lake Institute
(Indiana University School of Philanthropy). This is an excellent project
during this ‘shelter-in-place’ period. See below.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take pictures, tell the story, protect your valuables</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What furniture do you have which has a family story to tell? What
heirlooms are in your jewelry box that others may not know how they came to
you? Take a picture and record the story so family members will not toss them
out. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is another reason for having pictures of your possessions.
Whatever you have in your house is subject to the ravages of fire, tornado,
floods, or other destructive elements beyond your control. If this happens your
homeowner’s insurance will (hopefully) cover your costs of rebuilding. But you
WILL be asked to supply in writing what your loss entailed from furniture to
jewelry to clothes. I assure you, you will not be able to remember everything. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What to do? Take inventory! Take pictures! Take pictures of each
room with its furniture, and each piece of furniture. Take pictures of your
jewelry, the clothes hanging in your closet, the appliances. Don’t forget the
garage. If you have highly valuable art/antiques/jewelry, this is especially
important. This can easily be done with a camera, phone or otherwise, filming
items while you walk through the house, and then storing it in the Cloud for
safekeeping. Better yet, export the
pictures to a flash drive/CD, and store them in a safe deposit box or someplace
absolutely secure.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quote from State Farm: “Items
destroyed in a house fire are usually covered by insurance. Typically, the
homeowner’s policy is a replacement cost policy. When a loss occurs, you will
receive the actual cash value of your damaged items at the time of settlement
and may recover the replacement cost once the items have been replaced. To help
ensure everything is accounted for, keep an inventory of your possessions. This
inventory should include the date of purchase, cost at purchase and description
of each item, wherever possible.” </span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.StateFarm.com/simple-insights/residence/what-to-do-after-a-house-fire&source=gmail&ust=1588461069109000&usg=AFQjCNGZTaCEGiOAEW-fFBJE8bLDsbYgMA" href="http://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/what-to-do-after-a-house-fire" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">www.StateFarm.com/simple-<wbr></wbr>insights/residence/what-to-do-<wbr></wbr>after-a-house-fire</a>.
</span><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Consider scanning your receipts (if
you have them) and pictures to your computer, and then transfer them on to a
flash drive/CD and keep it in your safe deposit box, or some other safe back-up
program. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Church Trustees</span></b><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You should do the same with the
furniture in your church, everywhere, in every room. Starting with the
sanctuary and its sacred furniture, the organ, the stained glass, then moving
to the kitchen, the furnace(s), then to the classrooms. Document everything
with pictures. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rev. David A. Rash </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stewardship Matters of Virginia </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">info@StewardshipMattersVa.org <wbr></wbr>
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.StewardshipMattersVa.org&source=gmail&ust=1588461069109000&usg=AFQjCNH9xC0UCzYwHeepbPTn-RQaZZi8Fg" href="http://www.stewardshipmattersva.org/" target="_blank">www.StewardshipMattersVa.org</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stewardship: It’s Not What You Think. It’s What You Believe…and Do!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The grass keeps growing</span></span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you to Tim Roberts and Richard Callis for taking care of the
Church yard in April. Here is the schedule for May and June. Thank you so much!</span></div>
<div>
<img alt="Mow Trim Summer.JPG" data-image-whitelisted="" data-surl="cid:ii_k9optki81" height="148" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1?ui=2&ik=d326cd12ec&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-a:r-972124650293487472&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ9EaR1bh8st0Rtt_PqulmXXwexARRflQMBdr0ZztYnp2D3SJMUVXFhUFUl8-U8J5Phj3yvjYpHNRoSwh8i08zLeJ9WPAj3izDbFflJ15JcHkMxaCPvy24yAMgs&disp=emb&realattid=ii_k9optki81" width="472" /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/&source=gmail&ust=1588461069109000&usg=AFQjCNGlpLCb8BLJPiETq_LEO2XZ4Y4Vpg" href="https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember
to check our Website</span></b></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our Website is an important resource. The Bishop’s Daily prayer is
there, there’s a link to our Facebook page, and you can sign up to mow and trim
the church yard. There are links to our
New Grace Notes Blog, the Church Calendar, and to Donate. When you give via
your Credit or Debit Card using the PayPal link, your donation goes directly to
our Bank. No checks or mail to handle, or travel needed to deposit, or mask needed
to protect our treasurer, financial secretary, or our bank personnel. It’s the
safest way. Thank you to everyone who is giving this way! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/&source=gmail&ust=1588461069109000&usg=AFQjCNGlpLCb8BLJPiETq_LEO2XZ4Y4Vpg" href="https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">Grace UMC
Website</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/&source=gmail&ust=1588461069109000&usg=AFQjCNGlpLCb8BLJPiETq_LEO2XZ4Y4Vpg" href="https://sites.google.com/site/gumcmiddletown/" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">https://sites.google.com/site/<wbr></wbr>gumcmiddletown/</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be sure to explore the new Grace Notes blog. We’ve had some good
comments and people are finding it useful. On the right side, scroll down to
find some useful links, including our Mow and Trim volunteer schedule spreadsheet. <span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-20144018905506870022020-04-18T19:59:00.001-04:002020-04-18T19:59:31.602-04:00Music Reflection: Amazing Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aPYydmCzffA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aPYydmCzffA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<div name="messageBodySection" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">I hope this post finds each of you well. I’ve missed seeing you throughout the week for rehearsals and services.<br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">I’m sure many of you have heard or have seen this amazing rendition of Amazing Grace. But, given the rise of virtual concerts, choirs, and orchestras I thought I would share.<br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Peace and Love to each of you!<br />Ryan Keebaugh<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ryankeebaugh.com&source=gmail&ust=1587338278487000&usg=AFQjCNGDjbwngCZKqUOZNiWr-9gS8oP-qw" href="http://www.ryankeebaugh.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.ryankeebaugh.com</a></span></div>
</div>
Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671126602903109399.post-29586008249087700002020-04-14T13:54:00.000-04:002020-04-14T13:54:10.296-04:00A Message from Bishop Sharma D Lewis<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><img alt="BishopLewisColumnPix" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEigkmfbDZ1owATG91B3fYOLKvjwQrwo7LcQaEYhvRaKx84dz18HvOzxu-3M-9lY-RCfNEHznUzOXAd3U-x34jEGChFEj5X41lWqQb2491pDoqILqJQGydGoHCcQCOQcvsbi6dwYdJyAPqmNmZeQtoE3I2CN6644_L3qhFIlmlCpLle_iITEFy4-0pxJc_8UvAo=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none;" tabindex="0" width="207" /></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">April 14, 2020<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Dear Virginia Conference,<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">I hope you and your families had a very blessed Easter celebration. Let us remember that our hope as believers is in Jesus Christ.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Though our Easter services looked quite different this year, I hope that, especially in this challenging time of a global pandemic, you heard the Easter story anew and, with confidence assured in the resurrected Christ, said, “Alleluia! Christ IS risen!”<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Thank you to our pastors, church staff and volunteers who are continuing to find creative worship opportunities through livestream, phone, print and many other communications avenues, so we can worship, promote fellowship and do the mission of the church.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">The commitment of so many of you to be flexible and to take on the challenges that COVID-19 presents empowers us to do God’s work effectively and SAFELY. It brings joy to our congregants, communities and the heart of God. And we must persevere.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Governor Northam’s statewide stay-at-home order is in effect until June 10. As such, in-person worship cannot take place until June 11. If the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or revised before June 10, we will re-evaluate the status of in-person worship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">In-person, “drive-thru” or “drive-in” worship services on or off Virginia Conference property remain canceled until further notice.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">I ask that our Virginia Conference clergy and laity stay the course by continuing to observe social distancing, proper hygiene and follow the stay-at-home directive.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">This is not an easy time for any of us, but in Christian love we need to look out for our vulnerable communities and do our utmost to decrease the strain on our healthcare system and emergency services. It is hard not to be able to meet in-person as a community of faith, but we know God is not the church building. God is so much more than a building.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">For information about conference resources, ways churches are staying connected, church offerings and much more, please visit: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://vaumc.umcchurches.org?mailpoet_router%26endpoint%3Dtrack%26action%3Dclick%26data%3DWyI4ODIiLCIxanlmZnVleHI2am80ODhzb2trOHMwd2d3Z2Mwc2NzMCIsIjQiLCI0NDQ4Mjc3NmJlMDQiLGZhbHNlXQ&source=gmail&ust=1586969967261000&usg=AFQjCNGQMpjFJ7ymY1dU1-9zMc5ostF1fA" href="http://vaumc.umcchurches.org/?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyI4ODIiLCIxanlmZnVleHI2am80ODhzb2trOHMwd2d3Z2Mwc2NzMCIsIjQiLCI0NDQ4Mjc3NmJlMDQiLGZhbHNlXQ" style="color: #21759b;" target="_blank">https://vaumc.org/<wbr></wbr>Coronavirus2020</a>.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">May the promise of Easter remain with us during the pandemic and through the rest of our year.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Peace and Blessings,<br />Bishop Sharma D. Lewis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.2px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 20px;"><br />The Virginia United Methodist Center PO Box 5606 Glen Allen, VA 23058<br />(804) 521-1100 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Grace Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00387075987856758257noreply@blogger.com