St. Paul's United Methodist ChurchDa Lay Speak!
September 2009
Hola y bienvenido to our “Back To School” edition….some training
opportunities….and who knows what else?....
Da Roster
SPRC has designated Sunday, October 4, as Laity/Pastor Appreciation
Sunday. Linda will handle preaching that morning; the rest of us will be
asked to take on other duties that AM (Readers, Communion Servers,
Prayers Of The People, etc.), so please expect “da call” from SPRC as
soon as plans are complete.
I meet with SPRC on 9/13 to co-ordinate planning. Updated Roster
attached above.
Training Opportunities
Over yonder in Delta District down Sacramento way:
Saturday, September 26: Hermeneutics (freely translated “the study of
the methodological principles of interpretation—as with the Bible). UM
Conference Center 9:30-4pm. Cost $25 includes books, lunch/refreshments.
Registration deadline 9/22/09.
Pre-Registration is required for all classes. Some classes require
homework prep before attending. Contact
Delta District, Attention Cindy Buna, deltadist@calnevumc.org. Cost
includes materials, books, refreshments and lunch.
Nevada-Sierra District (that’s ours):
Saturday, 9/19 & 26, at Auburn UMC: “Preaching Extravagant Generosity”
(Also to be offered at First UMC in Reno on 10/10 & 10/17). More
information and registration form attached above. This would be a good
one to fulfill your every three-year continuing education requirement.
Listen up! Our own Pastorette, Carol, is looking for a ride to the
Auburn classes 9/19, 9/26. Please contact Carol if she can share the
ride with any of you planning to attend in Auburn those Saturdays.
Have you completed at least one class within the past 3-years to retain
your certification?
From My Notebook
This month we continue on to some more stuff from my Notebook related to
Ministries of Word and Sacrament….
Laypeople often read Scripture. Given the central and authoritative role
of Scripture in our faith and worship, this is a very important ministry
and needs to be done well. It is essential that you speak clearly and,
if necessary, use the microphone properly, in order that the Scriptures
may be clearly heard by the people. This may require some rehearsal. The
readings should be read ahead of time and carefully prepared in advance
so that their meaning is brought out. Hit a happy medium between a dull
and boring style and an over-dramatic style. Sometimes readings
containing dialogue can be effectively done in dramatic fashion by two
or more readers, in which case you will need to rehearse.
(Continued)
Segue
From the Church Newsletter in the Quincy United Methodist Church, Pastor
Cynthia Stateman talks about “spiritual questions”. Here’s the last of a
three-part feature on her words:
We also have another resource: the community of faith. If we do our
praying and choosing in isolation, we deprive ourselves of the wisdom
God has placed in individuals and in the gathered body of Christ. In
isolation it is possible to talk ourselves into believing that whatever
we want is what God wants. As we talk over our dilemmas with those who
know us well and want God’s best for us, we are protected from wild
misinterpretations of scripture and from wrong desires. Christian
friends who “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) are a treasure. A
small group that holds us accountable for how we are living our faith
offers us guidance and correction in both small and momentous choices.
The Bible tells us in many places to seek counsel, to lean on others who
know God. Reluctance to do so often conceals a desire to avoid being
accountable, since having others know the course of action we are
considering implies that they will know whether we follow through.
Seeking guidance invites the Holy Spirit into our circumstances, and
that opens the door for God to work. Even when we are unsure of exactly
what to do (which may be often), God responds to our efforts to be
faithful and acts through and beyond them to bring about good for us and
for those whose lives we touch.
Did You Know?.....
…that this monthly publication is also available Online at St. Pauley’s
Webpage? Go to www.stpaulsumcreno.com
click on the “News” link, scroll down to “Da Lay Speak” and click on
whatever month you wish to see. Let’s all tip our lids to Webmeister,
Mike Clymer, for including us Online and “around the world”!
The Lord’s Laughter (from the Joyful Noiseletter)
Questions You Might Not Think To Ask – Part 4
If an apple a day keeps a doctor away, would a watermelon a day keep a
lawyer away?
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, can it follow that
electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged,
models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
If something is “needless to say,” then why is it always said?