Greetings Wonderful Parish!
George Linnaeus Banks poetically expressed his life’s purpose: “I live for those who love me, for those who know me true; for the heaven that smiles above me, and awaits my spirit too; for the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance, fort the future in the distance, and the good that I can do.”
That serves as a timely introduction to our worship service tomorrow (facebook live-stream at 10 am, then posted to our church website at www.auburnmethodist.org). I hope you will join us! I also invite you to join us for our weekly Coffee Fellowship Chat at 2 pm (zoom link invitation in follow-up email). As of July 1st, 2020, we are officially part of the new Many Waters District of the New England Conference, UMC. Our District Superintendent, Karen Munson, will be on renewal leave from July 1st to September 30th.
Our Relaunch Team is working hard to prepare our church campus for limited meetings and gathering worship, perhaps as a parking lot service (in addition to on-line live-streaming) for the summer (if approved by Church Council on 7/9). Details will be announced closer to that time. I cannot thank you enough for your patience; there are a variety of perspectives about timing and method of re-opening, and we are trying to be sensitive to all. Meanwhile, we are deeply grateful for your response surveys (62 to date) and faithful support through prayers, tithes and offerings.
Please keep Carla Daigle, our church administrative assistant, in prayer this week–her favorite Uncle Sherman (Dad’s brother) passed away on Friday. Also, continued prayer for Debra Humason-Fulgham and others recovering from surgery, etc. Carol Powell, who recently moved to Portland, is looking for someone who might take care of her beloved terrier-mix, Friskie, age 10, while she is at rehab for physical therapy.
With this email, I have attached a copy of last week’s message and the Worship Guide for tomorrow’s service. I wish I could greet you in person with God’s love and grace, but until then…
Go get ’em!
Pastor Steve Bascom, UMCA