At The Crossroads
September 2018 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
A Way Forward for The Church
Many of you over the past few weeks have been asking me about the United Methodist denomination’s future concerning the issue of homosexuality. We had a good Wednesday Night Supper program about it in August. Here’s where we’ve been and where we are going in the next several months.
The debate over prohibiting or accepting homosexuals in the UMC has been around for since the denomination formed 50 years ago. In more recent years, the debate in churches is more heated with the Supreme Court ruling three years ago that homosexual marriage is legal in the US. Since the UMC is a connectional system with a wide variety of opinion on matters of human sexuality and marriage, this issue reveals the deeper need for conversation about the interpretation of scripture, theological tradition, reason, and personal experience in this matter.
At our last General Conference in 2016, the issues related to homosexual marriage, ordination, and inclusion in churches were set aside for a special called General Conference on February 23rd-26th, 2019. Our Bishops nominated a diverse 32 member “Commission on a Way Forward” to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality. The commission finished its work in May 2018 and submitted three ways forward for our denomination.
The three plans are 1) the One Church Plan, 2) the Traditionalist Plan, 3) the Connectional Conference Plan. Here’s summary of the plans:
- The One Church Plan: The one-church model would allow different United Methodists in different places to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons rather than maintaining a single standard that operates everywhere throughout the worldwide church. This plan would remove restrictive language from the Book of Discipline and give conferences, churches and pastors the flexibility to “uniquely reach their missional context in relation to human sexuality without changing the connectional nature of The United Methodist Church." United Methodists in central conferences in Africa, Asia and Europe would retain the authority to adapt the Book of Discipline and could continue to include their traditional language and values. This plan would also protect the rights of United Methodists whose theological convictions will not allow them to perform same-sex weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
- The Traditionalist Plan: The Traditionalist Model would affirm the current Book of Discipline statement that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” Boards of Ordained Ministry would still be prohibited from recommending LGBTQ candidates for ordination. Officiating same-sex marriages would still be a chargeable offense, and being a self-avowed and practicing homosexual clergy would continue to be a chargeable offense. The Traditionalist Model would demand increased accountability to the Book of Discipline—not only for individual pastors but also for churches, bishops, and even annual conferences, all of which could face punishment.
- The Connectional Conference Plan: In the U.S., the five geographically distinct jurisdictional conferences would be replaced by three overlapping conferences: one traditional conference, one progressive conference, and one centrist or “uniting” conference. Each annual conference would choose to be a member of one of the three connectional conferences based on their affinity to the conference’s theological stance on homosexuality. Any local church that disagrees with the annual conference decision could vote to join a different branch conference.
In February of next year, one of these plans will decide the shape of our denominational organization. Until then, I urge you to do three things:
- Pray for the unity of the church and for civil behavior from friends on both sides of these issues.
- Participate in the two week bible study on homosexuality I will offer at another date. We need to discuss the issues and how and why Christians disagree on this issue.
- Review the full reports on your own: Click Here
There is more reading at ngumc.org and umc.org if you want more.
Christian ministry in the world will continue whatever may happen in February. The history of church splits and divisions since Jesus and Judaism went separate ways are the norm for us. Until Jesus comes back and straightens it all out, we will “see through a mirror dimly”, as Paul might say.
Peace,
Rev. Zack Martin
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Gospel According to Sam Sermon Series
During the month of September, Sam, the Martin family dog, will teach us about the Christian life inspired by the Book of James. It’s a new sermon series called, “The Gospel According to Sam”. Come each week to dive deep into the important lessons we can learn from Pastor Zack's best friend and our good book of James.
Sept 2nd - The Gospel According to Sam: Hearing and Doing
James 1:17-27
Sept. 9th - The Gospel According to Sam: A Better Breed of Dog?
James 2:1-17
Sept. 16th – Varsity Sunday – (Hot Dogs!)
Sept. 23rd – The Gospel According to Sam: Dog Fight!
James 3:13-4:3
Sept. 30th – The Gospel According to Sam: Reward for a Lost Dog
James 5:13-20
Refuge Pregnancy Center
College Students
Name
College
Mailing Address
Favorite Fast Food (McDonalds, Chic-Fil-A, Starbucks, etc.)
You may call the church office with this information or look for an insert in the bulletin in the next few weeks.
Varsity Sunday
Varsity Sunday Game Day will be held Sunday, September 16th, at 10:00am with Varsity lunch afterwards. All kids are invited to play on the playground! Everyone is asked to wear shirts of their favorite team! Rev. Derrick Moore, former NFL player, motivational speaker for the Atlanta Falcons and Chaplain of the Georgia Tech football team will be our guest speaker. $5 lunch tickets are on sale Sunday September 2nd, and September 9th after church services or during the week in the church office.
Operation Christmas Child
Blessing of the Animals Service
Ladies Bible Study
ONGOING MINISTRIES
Rockdale Emergency Relief
We collect food donations for Rockdale Emergency Relief on the first Sunday of each month. This week, Crossroads received a "thank you" card from RER in appreciation of all the food and financial donations we have sent to them. It is posted on the bulletin board in the Communications Center. On Sunday, September 2nd, you may leave your donations on the cart in the Narthex.
Items needed this month are:
Spaghetti sauce
boxed or bagged grits
canned pasta
canned chili
1 pound box of elbow macaroni
green peas
pork & beans.
CLEO's
“CLEO" (Christian Ladies Eating Out) meets the first Tuesday of every month. We will meet on September 4th at 12:00pm at Outback.
Happy Hearts
Retired and inspired members of the church normally gather the 1st Friday of every month at O'Charley's. Join us Friday, September 7th at 11:30am.
Crossroads Men's Club Breakfast
Our Men's Club meets the first Sunday of each month at 7:30am for breakfast and fellowship. Due to the first Sunday being Labor Day Weekend this month, we will meet on Sunday, September 9th.
United Methodist Women
The Walton Gang Breakfast
The Piecemakers
Promise Keepers Breakfast
Youth Group
The Youth Group meets every Wednesday, 5:00-7:00pm. All Youth 6th-12th grades are invited!
Children's Choir
Children’s Choir is every Wednesday at 5:00pm! All kids Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome!
Kid's Club
Every Wednesday at 6:00pm, Kid's Club has fun, games, refreshments and learning the Bible in a fun way! All kids Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome!
September Worship Volunteers
September 2nd
8:45am Scripture: Bruce Carey
Holy Communion: Grady & Roxanne Dukes, Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture: Brenda Hutson
Acolytes: Savannah Martin, Ben Helton
Holy Communion :Steve & Susan Brinson, Sandra Rodrick
Audio: Theresa Jones
Video: Michelle Sinclair
8:45am Scripture: David Copple
11:00am Scripture: Steve Brinson
Acolytes: Lilly Moon, Sadie Moon
Audio: Debbie Carney
Video: Theresa Jones
September 16
10:00am Scripture: Susan Brinson
Acolytes: Caylee Compton, Ben Helton
Audio: Fred Watson
Video: Reggie Charles
September 23
8:45am Scripture: Brandon Thomas
11:00am Scripture: Brenda Edwards
Acolytes: Savannah Martin, Evan Boyd
Audio: Theresa Jones
Video: Reggie Charles
September 30
8:45am Scripture: Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture:Jennifer Edwards
Acolytes: Lilly Moon, Sadie Moon
Audio: Susan Smith
Video: Sandra Rodrick
October 7
8:45am Scripture: Pat Harwell
Holy Communion: Joel & Nancy Crissman, Artis Spencer
11:00am Scripture: Charlene Hutson
Acolytes: Caylee Compton, Ben Helton
Holy Communion: Brenda Edwards, Kim Rowe, Sherry Wheeler
Audio: Kathy Edwards
Video: Fred Watson
Crossroads Shut-In List
Many of you have asked about our church members and friends who can no longer make it to Sunday Services and other fellowship events. Below is a current list with contact information if you would like to reach out to them. We ask that you keep them all in your prayers and thoughts. If you would like to add someone to the list, please contact the church office.
Barbara Finlayson
Remington House Apt. 8a
1504 Renaissance Drive
Conyers, GA 30012
678-562-4068
Ruby Straley
1611 Pratt Rd
Covington, Ga 30014
770-786-2599
Nora Pelowski
1358 Manchester Dr
Bristol Village - Room 230
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-8269
Effe Ashong
1500 Callaway Loop
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-1075
Donna Peek
131 Vickery Dr.
Central, SC 29631
Happy Birthday! September 2018
Wanda Nunnery, 9/01
Brandon Thomas, 9/02
Joan Musgrove, 9/04
Tim Davis, 9/05
Avery Reagan, 9/05
Jay Howe, 9/08
Laura Jean Christian, 9/09
Abbie Walter, 9/10
Martha Bryant, 9/13
Bruce Carey, 9/13
Irene Blair, 9/15
Theresa Jones, 9/15
Gordy Wright, 9/16
Kim Gillespie, 9/17
Patsey Schaal, 9/18
Marshall Compton, 9/19
Felton Floyd, 9/19
Megan McCrary, 9/21
George Okafor, 9/22
David Elder, 9/23
Sally Hinkle, 9/23
Nicole Swart, 9/23
Savannah Martin, 9/26
Michelle Robinson, 9/27
Mary Ann Wine, 9/27
Patsy Bright, 9/28
Debbie Carney, 9/28
Alison Sinclair, 9/28
Shonette McCalmon, 9/29
Madison Hammonds, 9/30
October 2018 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the October 2018 Newsletter is Thursday, September 27th. Submit all articles, information, and pictures to secretary@crossroadsumc.net or call 770-388-7438. If you wish to receive a mailed copy of the church's monthly newsletter, please contact the church office at secretary@crossroadsumc.net or
770-388-7438.
Crossroads United Methodist Church
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Email: secretary@crossroadsumc.net
Website: www.crossroadsumc.net
Location: 2460 State Highway 138, Conyers, GA, United States
Phone: 770-388-7438
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crossroads-UMC-Conyers/227593134052091