I know that you continue to pray for and seek to respond to the devastation in Haiti.  This Sunday we will continue to lift prayers to God on behalf of the people of that country as well as those who are faithfully seeking to respond to the crisis there.  This week we'll take a special offering to assist in the efforts in Haiti.  The offering will be for the work of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  So, as you prepare your donations you will simply put Pleasant Valley UMC on the check and put Haiti in the memo.  Be encouraged with the knowledget that UMCOR uses none of this money for administration.  One hundred percent of the donations go to assisting the folks of Haiti directly.  If you are interested in more immediate information please click HERE. 

 

By this time I know many of you have read my note from earlier in the week to begin dreaming about a "church beyond debt."  This is your time to share the dreams you have for you, your children and your grandchildren at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.  While it is important to be mindful of our continuing campaign to free ourselves from the burden of the debt on the building it is also time to begin rethinking the relevance of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church to the current members of the church and also to the community and greater world around us. 

 

In short, if you want to have a part in how Pleasant Valley UMC continues to thrive in 2011 and beyond then you will want to participate.  No participation means you will miss this opportunity to grow with others that make up our church family.

 

For those who are members of committees and ministry teams, it would be a particularly helpful time of growth for you to participate in the session that best fits your area of leadership or you can pick something else to be part of as well.

 

Here are the sessions and the teams and committees that have a natural fit for you to think about.

 

Radical hospitality - Evangelism, New Member Care, Marketing and Communications, Trustees, youth

Passionate worship - Worship committee, choir leadership and membership of all ages, Prayer team, youth

Intentional faith development - Education council, Sunday school class participants and teachers, youth

Risk-taking mission - Mission and Service, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, Outdoorsman ministry, youth

Extravagant generosity - Youth, Finance committee, scholarship committee and Igniting Leader's follow-up team

 

If you don't find a category for yourself then choose one that interests you.  Prepare to be blessed and prepare to be part of an exciting time in the life of this congregation as we dream of a "church beyond debt!"