NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
2021 NEWSLETTERS |
UNITED METHODIST NEWS
DAILY DIGEST
Why I’m not leaving The United Methodist Church
By the Rev. Steve West
Feb. 17, 2020 | ARAB, Ala
A few weeks ago, hundreds of North Alabama Methodists who consider themselves traditional, orthodox, and conservative met at Clearbranch UMC to talk about splitting from The United Methodist Church.
I have had good interactions with the pastors who organized the meeting. They are my colleagues. They are part of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, an organization of 1,500 churches nationwide and about 60 clergy here in North Alabama planning to launch a new denomination a few months from now, once the General Conference in May allows for their gracious exit.
I respect their convictions. But I won’t be joining them. Here’s why. Read story
Ask The UMC
How are decisions made at General Conference?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — At General Conference, delegates gather from all over the world to consider revisions to church law and the official ritual of the church and to adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explains how the legislative body makes decisions.
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Diverse leaders’ group offers separation plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A diverse, 16-member team of church leaders, including bishops and advocacy group leaders, has offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. Proposal backers say it could end the denomination’s impasse over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A diverse, 16-member team of church leaders, including bishops and advocacy group leaders, has offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. Proposal backers say it could end the denomination’s impasse over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
District Office Transitions
November 08, 2019
Friends in Christ,
I give thanks to God for your faithful and effective ministries led by the Holy Spirit for the sake of Jesus Christ. You continue to find ways each day to share the love of God in Jesus Christ with your neighbors here and around the world encouraging growth in discipleship.
By December 30th of this year, the physical office spaces that have been used for district superintendents and district administrative assistants will be closed. This transition is taking place to lower administrative costs that require Apportionment funding.
District Superintendents and District Administrative Assistants will continue to have their regular phone number and
Read Story
BREAKING NEWS...
Nov 02, 2019
Church exit plan already in effect, court says
EVANSTON, Ill. (UM News) — Legislation setting special provisions for United Methodist churches that want to leave the denomination took effect last February, the church’s top court has ruled. The Judicial Council also issued no opinion on the “constitutionality, meaning, application or effect” of certain petitions of the Traditional Plan, adopted at the same special General Conference. And the court deferred until its next session a request on the question of improper voting related to the disaffiliation legislation. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Nov 02, 2019
Church exit plan already in effect, court says
EVANSTON, Ill. (UM News) — Legislation setting special provisions for United Methodist churches that want to leave the denomination took effect last February, the church’s top court has ruled. The Judicial Council also issued no opinion on the “constitutionality, meaning, application or effect” of certain petitions of the Traditional Plan, adopted at the same special General Conference. And the court deferred until its next session a request on the question of improper voting related to the disaffiliation legislation. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story
Welcome Pastor Carolyn and David!
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She was born in 1963 in Grinnell, Iowa. Her Dad, Bob Bowers, is a United Methodist pastor (retired) and when she was three, her family moved to Seward, Alaska. Two years later they moved to Kenai, Alaska, then two years later to Anchorage, where she primarily lived until she left Alaska in 1993 to attend seminary. She has two brothers (one older, one younger) and a younger sister. Her oldest brother, Steven, is living with his family in Mitchellville, where their dad was raised. Her sister, Christine, lives with her family in Ketchikan, Alaska, and her younger brother lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon.
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After graduating from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, Pastor Carolyn served as a pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Troutdale, Oregon (14 miles east of Portland) from 1997-2001. She and her husband David then moved to Idaho where she served the United Methodist churches of Middleton and Wilder, 25 miles west of Boise, for six years. They then moved back to Oregon, where she served the United Methodist churches of Rainier and Clatskanie, 50 miles north and west of Portland near the coast for six years. They then moved to back to Idaho where she served Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Blackfoot (250 miles east of Boise) for three years.
Pastor Carolyn has been married to David Buss for 22 years. They have no children, but are currently the proud “parents” of three cats. In 2013 they made the decision to move to Iowa to be closer to David’s mother who lives in Elysian, Minnesota (near Waterville and Mankato).
Pastor Carolyn has been serving Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly, Iowa for three years before being called to serve here at Oakland. The SPRC Team met with Pastor Carolyn and will be making plans for their move and transition to our community at the end of June or first of July. We are looking forward to meeting Pastor Carolyn and David and welcoming them to our Church and community.
2019 IOWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE WRAP-UP
Click here for details
Click here for details
Planning new directions for the church
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UM News) — More than 600 United Methodists from across the U.S. spent three days grappling with possible options for forging what they hope will be a more inclusive future in Methodism. What united the UMCNext group, which met behind closed doors, was a rejection of the Traditional Plan adopted by the special General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
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LEAWOOD, Kan. (UM News) — More than 600 United Methodists from across the U.S. spent three days grappling with possible options for forging what they hope will be a more inclusive future in Methodism. What united the UMCNext group, which met behind closed doors, was a rejection of the Traditional Plan adopted by the special General Conference. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
Faith sustained MLB umpire during job crisis
ATLANTA — Major League Baseball umpire Paul Nauert endured a job crisis in 1999 when he was fired during a labor dispute, but his involvement with a United Methodist church gave him the perspective to use the time off to focus on his family. Now he is thriving personally and professionally. Rebecca Wallace has the story.
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Faith sustained MLB umpire during job crisis
ATLANTA — Major League Baseball umpire Paul Nauert endured a job crisis in 1999 when he was fired during a labor dispute, but his involvement with a United Methodist church gave him the perspective to use the time off to focus on his family. Now he is thriving personally and professionally. Rebecca Wallace has the story.
Read story
Iowa Conference
Church helps 93-year-old recover after flood
HAMBURG, Iowa — The pastor and members of Hamburg and Shenandoah United Methodist churches are helping 93-year-old Virginia Lynn rebuild her life after flooding destroyed most of her possessions. The Rev. Luke Fillmore had been Lynn’s pastor for just seven months before the tragedy struck.
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Watch video
Church helps 93-year-old recover after flood
HAMBURG, Iowa — The pastor and members of Hamburg and Shenandoah United Methodist churches are helping 93-year-old Virginia Lynn rebuild her life after flooding destroyed most of her possessions. The Rev. Luke Fillmore had been Lynn’s pastor for just seven months before the tragedy struck.
Read story
Watch video
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFICE HOURS ARE 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tues – Fri. If you need assistance please call (712) 428-5530. After hours please call Pastor Carolyn at (319) 559-0678.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 17, 2021, WE HAVE RETURNED TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES
WORSHIP AND SCHEDULE
- 9:00 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL please enter through the basement (kitchen) door.
- 9:00 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE IN SANCTUARY (Masks will be required at this service)
- 10:00 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE IN SANCTUARY (Masks will be optional at this service)
- WORSHIP SERVICE WILL BE PRE-RECORDED The Worship Service and Sermon will also be posted online for those who don't feel comfortable getting out yet, so that in this way, we can worship together in Spirit, even if we cannot, for now, worship in person.
- Oakland UMC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZ3Y0jN-zGpLxJ-BZbu4dA
- Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oakiamethchurch
- Church website: https://www.oaklandiaumc.org/warrior-worship-recordings.html
TITHES AND OFFERINGS Please continue to give your financial offerings even when we are not able to worship in person. Some of you have set up your tithes and offerings to be automatically sent to the church. If you haven’t, you can do so by contacting your financial institution and setting up an automatic bill-pay. Or you can mail your check to Oakland UMC, 200 N Main St., Box 4, Oakland Iowa 51560. Your continued financial support of the ministry of Oakland UMC is crucial.
RCA FOOD PANTRY: Items the food pantry is in need of: Ramen Noodles, Boxed Potatoes, Dressing/Stuffing Mixes, Canned Vegetables of all kinds, Rice, Canned Spaghetti / Spaghettios. There is a shopping cart in the Narthex where these can be dropped off.
WOMENS BOOK STUDY Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Please see the Midweek Connections email or contact the office for updates and details. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6832608035 Meeting ID: 683 260 8035
CONFIRMATION EVERY WEDNESDAY at 7:00 pm via Zoom (Zoom link below). https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7034181294
OUR MISSIONS COMMITTEE is running a sock drive for the Open Door Mission. If you would like to purchase socks of any size to donate you may bring them to the church. There’s a box available to put them in. If you would rather send a donation, please
note it in the memo section of your check.
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR WEEK OF JAN 3, 2021: Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 2:15-21
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR JAN 6, 2021: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR WEEK OF JAN 10, 2021: Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR WEEK OF JAN 17, 2021: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR WEEK OF JAN 24, 2021: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR WEEK OF JAN 31, 2021: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28
THIS WEEKS DAILY READINGS
JANUARY
17 John 1:43-51
18 James 3:1-12
19 James 3:13-18
20 James 4:1-10
21 James 4:11-17
22 James 5:1-8
23 Psalm 62
24 Mark 1:14-20
JUST A REMINDER: YOUR CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUPPORT of the ministry of Oakland UMC is crucial. Please continue to give your financial offerings even when you cannot
physically attend church. There are three ways you can give:
- You can send a check to the church address: 200 N. Main, Box 4, Oakland 51560.
- You can complete the attached auto-giving form which will allow the church treasurer to set up recurring payments (according to your schedule) directly from your bank to the church.
- Or you can check with your bank to see if they have a “BillPay” option (you can call them or use online banking to set this up). Through BillPay your bank can set up the church as a regular payment they make, and they will generate an electronic check and send it to the church via the United States Postal Service.
- You can download the form on our website at: https://www.oaklandiaumc.org/forms.html
Please know that you can call the church at 712-482-5530 if there is any way that I, as your pastor, or the church can help you get through this time.
Some of you may be in a position to give above and beyond your usual offering. If you can make a special gift or gifts in excess of your normal pledge, bless you.
NURSERY CARE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN through age 3 is available on Sunday mornings.
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS available from an usher.
HEARING UNITS AVAILABLE and may be checked out at the soundboard.
MISSIONS In February the Mission Committee has decided to collect toilet paper for our local food pantry. Please place your donations in the cart in the front entry. Thank you for your support.
ATTENDANCE SLIPS We encourage you to please fill out an attendance slip, green sheets located in the pew, and place it in the offering plate as it is passed. – Thank you.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY PICTURES OF OUR CHURCH EVENTS they would like to share for the newsletter please email them to oaklandumc2@gmail.com or bring them to the office. Thank you
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 18, THERE WILL BE 2 Worship Services each Sunday at the church.
- 9:00 a.m. will be at the sanctuary and masks will be required.
- 11:00 a.m. will be at the sanctuary and masks will be optional.
- Recordings of the worship service and sermon will be posted to our FACEBOOK PAGE, our website and our YouTube channel for those people who do not feel comfortable returning to worship in person at this time.
- A video of Pastor Carolyn's message is posted to the Oakland UMC Facebook page by 10:15 Sunday morning.
- Pastor Carolyn is preaching and leading worship in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning (masks required).
- Audio of the 9:00 a.m. service will be posted by Monday following the service.
- Merlin Jones is leading worship in the church sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, with a video of Pastor Carolyn's message during the sermon time. (masks optional) Link to the recorded worship service: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZ3Y0jN-zGpLxJ-BZbu4dA Link to recorded worship and Pastor Carolyn's sermon video: https://www.facebook.com/oakiamethchurch/
- TO ACCESS PASTOR CAROLYN’S SERVICES ONLINE: Link to
- Oakland UMC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZ3Y0jN-zGpLxJ-BZbu4dA Please remember to click on “follow” to get automatic updates.
- church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oakiamethchurch
- Church website: https://www.oaklandiaumc.org/warrior-worship-recordings.html