Greetings, Rinn Nation!
At the beginning of a new year, you
often see two different types of articles appear in the newspaper. The first
recaps what happened in the previous year. The second predicts what will happen
in the New Year so people can read and be prepared for what is coming. I’d like
to do both of these in regards to our Church. However, I’ll focus a bit more on
the future. So much is happening around Rinn that I want you all to be in the know!
All right, as for 2017, I’d say it
was a rock solid year for us. Worship attendance held steady around 75 people.
Giving ended up being great. We met our budget and ended up with a nice overage
thanks to some unexpected December gifts. Our ministries also did some
tremendous things. In April, we packed the Carbon Valley Help Center full of
canned proteins as a part of a Lenten Food Drive. Then we threw a massively
successful pig roast during the summer. Fall saw us recruit 11 people to serve
as Kids Hope Mentors and set an exciting new mission and vision and
raise a whole cot full of supplies for the Agape Center. Christmas was no
different. Your generosity flowed we sponsored a Santa Cop Family with gifts
and gathered 25 pairs of snowboots for needy kiddos. And last, but not least,
our Christmas Eve special offering raised $2000 for the Help Center.
Truly, it was a great year! And I’m
not even incorporating the smaller things that happened. The improvements to
our church building and such. So well
done, Rinn Nation! God is clearly building us up to do something great
in 2018.
As to what that could be. I see the
a few things happening in 2018. I’ll itemize them so they are a bit easier to
follow:
- · You will see the new mission and vision appear everywhere: Last November, we set a vision to “create a community where all know and are welcomed into the family of God” and a mission “to extend God’s/our family by gathering, growing and serving. “ The vision is now or ultimate purpose as Rinn Church, and the mission is how we will carry it out. Granted, we haven’t done much with these statements since they were adopted. Mainly due to how Christmas dominated the end of the year. So look for 2018 to slowly roll this vision/mission out again and give us exciting new ways to live into God’s plan.
- · We will have two exciting new ministries that need your prayer and support!: In December, we launched Messy Church. It’s a new, exciting way to reach out to the young families of our community. It’s every second Saturday from 2-4p, and the format is very similar to a night of Vacation Bible School. There are songs, crafts, games and food. Invite everyone you know, it’s for people of all ages! As for what the other ministry will be . . . we aren’t sure! Our leaders have some ideas we are working on, but God’s direction may not come from them. It might come from you! So what ministries are you dreaming of? Could you help us work with God to bring it into reality? If so, it’s going to be a great 2018!
·
Finally, on a more unfortunate note:
- We will see more discord in the United Methodist Denomination: Right now, all eyes are on special called General Conference (an administrative gathering of the whole UMC) to discuss the divisive issue of Human Sexuality. A schism or radical redefining of Methodism is expected. This conference will be in February 2019. In between then and now, I expect plenty of weirdness to go on. In particular, I think the upcoming Appointment season will be odd. For you non-Methodists, Appointment Season is the time of the year when the Bishop and her cabinet begin moving pastors who request a venue change, or who need to cover those who are retiring. It’s getting harder to do this movement effectively. For as long as I’ve been serving, we’ve had far more clergy leaving the systems than entering it. The Baby Boomer generation that has lead the UMC for so long is aging, and there are not many millennials coming in to replace them! Add in the fact that several more pastors may retire early to avoid the looming conflict, it may lead to chaos this year. Conversely, it could be a stunted season. Fewer clergy may choose to retire, opting to instead to “hunker down” for the storm of General Conferenc
- Please don’t worry about this issue. I’m trying my best not to be. Instead, I’m focusing on the joy of the coming year and all the great things God will do here at Rinn Church. As you see, they outnumber the worries. So bank on that, dear friends. Know that 2018 can be the best year ever if we believe it will be, and follow the God who’s dreaming up our path. I look forward to walking with you, as always.
In Christ,
Pastor Bryson
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