CT District Newsletter April 2019 - WE HAVE A WINNER!
CT District Newsletter April 2019 - WE HAVE A WINNER!
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Here is the PDF version of the newsletter.
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We Have a Winner!!!
Last month, we held a naming contest to name our CT district newsletter. We would like to thank you all for submitting your ideas. They were all good suggestions but only one name was selected by YOU.
The new name of our newsletter reflects the essence of who we are and what we do. Thanks to Ethel Grant, a member at Naugatuck United Methodist Church. The new name of our newsletter is Connecticut Connection. Please enjoy our gift to you of two $50 gift cards to the Chowder Pot Restaurant. The newsletter will continue to embrace our identity as a connectional church and connect all pastors, laity, and churches within the district.
From the Heart of the DS
by Rev. Alpher Sylvester
This section is a window to the heart and mind of our district superintendent, Rev. Alpher Sylvester. May we find a sense of guidance and pastoral care from his missive to everyone in the district.
A Contention of Sense and Faith
In his article, Rev. Sylvester takes us deeper into the Matt 14: 23-33 passage and how we-as parts of the greater United Methodist Church-have the ability to determine our responses in the face of “fluid situations":
Reverential fear or morbid fear?
Please click here to view the full article
"Funny Things Are Everywhere"
As the saying goes, "Laughter is the best medicine." We are dedicating this section in our hopes to put a smile on your face and brighten your day. And some jokes can be painful because there is a grain of truth in every joke. Let us be the people who can use our sense of humor to find some joy in our ministries and gain secret insights into our lives.
Please click here to view the full article
Do You Know Any Jokes?
If you know some that you want to share, please click here to submit them. And let us be aware that we want our humors and jokes to be Christian sensitive and not offensive.
Connecticut in Mission
by Jill Wilson, CT District Mission Coordinator
Welcome to the Missions section of this newsletter. Our District has supported and continues to support many missionaries around the world. You will hear stories of missionaries and their ministries and see ways to be connected and support them.
Jill summarized for us the district's current mission status: 1) CT Team to Puerto Rico, 2) Hygiene Kits, and 3) Missionaries-Jonh N'day from Mozambique.
Please click here to view the full article
Best Practices in Ministry
Each pastor has a passion for something they do that is unique, cutting edge, and successful in bringing people to Christ. This is the section of the newsletter where we share resources, experiences, stories, practices and ways of addressing recurring issues and problems. There is always something new to learn and bring into our pastoral ministry that is effective, life-changing and draws in new disciples.
Knowing What to Look for in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Situations by Rev. James Stinson
Pastor at Jesse Lee UMC in Easton, CT
Rev. James offers us his 3 important insights or rules that become valuable especially if you are facing the possibility of relocating to an institutional setting.
Please click here to view the full article
Gnosis 2019
The Greek word, gnosis, refers to not any knowledge but a higher form of knowledge; knowledge from experience of divinity or that which is beyond the five senses. It is conscious, experiential knowledge,not merely intellectual or conceptual knowledge, belief, or theory. In this section of the newsletter, we want to provide you a great educational tool to a wide array of topics related to our lives and ministries. Topics may include revitalizing churches, self-care, the Way Forward, etc.
Denomination's Future Under Discussion — Quietly
In this article, the author summarizes Adam Hamilton's “two possible pathways” for centrists and progressives.
One is people saying, ‘This is our church and we’re not giving it up and we’re going to resist and we’re going to disobey the Discipline”
The second pathway would be “creating two new Methodisms out of one existing United Methodism.”
Click here to view the full article
A Pastor Speaks
Pastors need to be pastored. Pastors need to be inspired by other pastor's sermons. The spiritual health of a pastor really ought to be a priority for his or her congregation. We want to share inspiring and insightful sermons from pastors within our district with the aims to minister and empower one another. It is our prayer that we keep each other accountable as we are building God's kingdom together in the Connecticut District.
Hope Rages by Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
The Wesley Seminary Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership
and Founding Director/Senior Consultant of Wesley's G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Actions by the recent Special General Conference have left many confused and despairing of the possibility of any way forward. At the same time, there is an energy and passion to shape a better future. Lovett Weems puts these troubling times in perspective by recalling the power of hope when events do not engender optimism.
Please click here to view the full article
Words of Wisdom & Respecting our Elders
The Voice of Our Retirees
Each generation has memories, stories, and values it wants to pass along to the next generation-especially the spiritual values of our faith. We want to learn from those who have come before us, who have laid the foundation, and who have preserved it. It is our desire that in this section of the newsletter, we honor and continue the legacy of our forerunners before us, learn from them their wisdom and insights on life and ministry, for the generations that are to come.
The Stories of Our Lives
by Rev. Douglas Osgood
Click here to view the full article
Connecticut Youth in Action
Ministry to youth is an essential part of the missional focus of the church, and teaching young people in the church to grow in their relationship with God prepares them to serve Christ in all they do in their adulthood. We invite you to send us articles and pictures on great things that youths are doing at your church. Let's celebrate the future of our church!
Bridgeport Youth Shed Stigmas for Higher Education
by Rev. Harron Gaston
Pastor at Summerfield UMC in Bridgeport, CT
Click here to view the full article
ASP Youth Mission Project
by Janice Allen from Monroe UMC, Monroe, CT
Click here to view the full article
Prayers
" The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go UNANSWERED because they go UNASKED." M.B.
We pray because we believe in the power of prayer. Prayer keeps us connected with God and with one another. You can submit prayer requests to the link below, and the district will keep you in thoughts and prayers.
Click here to submit your prayer requests
Mark Your Calendar
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CT District Clergy GatheringBreakfast and LunchWednesday, May 8 from 9:00am to 1:00pm |
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District Conference 2019Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 2:00pm |
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NYAC Annual Conference 2019Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9
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Thank you all for taking the time out to read the Connecticut Connection. We appreciate your input and will continue to look forward to receiving any feedback and comments about the newsletter.
Editorial Credits:
Rev. James Midgley
Pastor, FUMC of Ansonia & Derby UMC
Rev. Jacob Eun
Pastor, FUMC of Wallingford
Mariyam Muhammad
District Administrative Assistant
Rev. Dr. Alpher Sylvester
Connecticut District Superintendent
In Connecticut, After God, We Put People First
