 |
|
YOU AND ME AND THE COWBOYS
I enjoy the writing of Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment, among many others) but admit that I would have bought his last offering based simply on the dust jacket. The Last Kind  W ords Saloon is a fictional account of the demise of the American West through the eyes of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. The cover of the book is a reproduction of Frederick Remington's The Fall of the Cowboy, his depiction of the end of the cowboy who had been the "wild rider of the plains" and now was little more than a simple farm laborer (warning to the unknowing: McMurtry's language is often graphic and crude).
The original painting is a large, large thing that I was privileged to see a few years ago in the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. I have a print of the painting hanging in my office to which I refer quite often.
The painting shows two cowboys in a field of snow along a fence line, one having dismounted to open a fence gate, and illustrates two of the factors that brought an end to the cowboy's life. Severe snow storms in the 1880's across the upper midwest and west destroyed many of the cattle and ranches. But the most crippling blow was the advent of barbed wire, which ended the open range and left no need for those "wild riders."
I use the painting when people whose lives are changing come into the office. Sometimes it's a divorce or loss of a relationship. Sometimes it's the loss of a job or money, or perhaps loss of one's public standing. Sometimes the problem is merely aging or dealing with the normal vicissitudes of daily living. I point out that those cowboys had to find a new life, a new paradigm for their existence. What used to be was no more. The time for adaptation, creativity, and hope had come.
I imagine that some of the cowboys found a new life. Others perhaps became depressed and lost their way. I wonder if there exist statistics for alcoholism, depression, and suicide for those who could not find that new paradigm.
One of the great promises of our faith is that God is with us in valleys of darkness and in moments of transition. Scripture is absolutely full of people who found newness in their faith-new names, new occupations, new homes, new relationships. While there are not many cowboys in our congregation (of course Jan Poland and Charlie Crowder come to mind) we nevertheless face changes and difficulties in our lives. The church and all of its teachings are here to help. There are study groups, Bible studies, Sunday School classes, worship, music, and a trove of other avenues to seek our God's intentions for our lives. I hope you'll be a part of the journey.
I'll see you this Sunday.
|
|
We need your Legos! Starting Sunday, June 1, our children's Summer Sunday School program, Faith Builders: Building Faith Brick by Brick, will begin. If you-or people you know-have any extra Legos, please bring them to the FUSE box. Please note: we will not be using any Duplo blocks. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Our Guatemala Mission team is collecting items for its upcoming trip. Please consider donating socks, gummy vitamins, markers, pens, classroom wall clocks, deodorant, or muffin mix. Marked bins are around the church. (Forrest Cate, ext.7806)MFUMC will host a blood drive on Sunday, May 25 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806) The Beth Berman Circle is set to gather in the Hospitality Room at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21. The Senior Adult Ministry will host a covered-dish lunch on Wednesday, May 28 at 11:30 a.m. in the Reception Hall. Singer Rodney Swain will be the entertainment. (Beverly McCrary, ext. 7835)
Join a mission team without traveling! International students in Marietta are looking for English practice, mentoring and friendship. The Global Mission Ministry Team is seeking volunteers to participate in casual English conversational round tables, offer English homework help, and give support and encouragement. (Sam Casto, 770-826-8650, samxcasto@gmail.com)
VBS and Summer Camp online registration is open! Visit the MFUMC Web site for details about the Summer of Wonders! There are many great camps for nursery, preschool, and elementary ages that will keep your kids entertained and growing in faith all summer long! Contact Kelly Duncan with any questions. (Georgia Rambo, ext. 7805)
Volunteer registration for Vacation Bible School is now open. More than 300 children ages 3K to 5th grade (completed grades) will come together for "Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God" June 16-19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As a counselor, you will play a critical role in helping children experience the power of God's love! There are many fun opportunities for involvement, and no teaching experience is necessary. If you enjoy working with children and have any time to spare (even just one day), the VBS staff will tailor a schedule that works with your availability and interests. The nursery is also available to care for younger siblings free-of-charge and is reserved only for counselors. Please e-mail our volunteer coordinators, Karen Baudet and Christine Foster, by May 15th or indicate your interest in volunteering at the VBS registration link.
|
All families are invited Sunday to the FUMC Summer Kick-Off to enjoy inflatables, hamster balls, and food. Here's the day's schedule:
- 3:30-5:30 p.m.: all nursery, preschool, and elementary children are able to enjoy the inflatables and hamster balls on the activity field next to the playground.
- 5-6 p.m.: the slip and slide will be open for 3rd-5th graders to enjoy. Bring a church appropriate bathing suit and towels.
- 5:30 p.m.: pizza and popsicle dinner.
- 6-8 p.m.: youth (completed 6th-12th grade) begin activities. No younger children allowed on inflatables or hamster balls at this time.
Please bring a jar of peanut butter as a donation for the MUST summer lunch program. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Special Blessings Support Group meets again on Wednesday, May 14 at 4:15 p.m. in Room 259. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
The Dementia Caregivers Group will be in the Hospitality Room on Wednesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
The Ruby Cooper Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor.
The College Sunday School class has begun for the summer and will meet in Room 255. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
|
|
Connect Through Table Fellowship
|
Tomorrow night is the last
Church Family Supper until Fall!
Tomorrow, bring your lawn chairs, blankets, Frisbees, balls, hula hoops and jump ropes to Church Family Supper in the Pavilion at the Park on Polk.
We're planning a cookout complete with BBQ pork sandwiches or hot dogs, potato salad, corn salad, watermelon, chips and cookies.
Church Family Supper is served at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.
|
Elizabeth Dosser Circle Wednesday, May 14 Special Blessings Support Group Wednesday, May 14 Dementia Caregivers Group Wednesday, May 14 New Member Sunday Sunday, May 18 FUMC Summer Kickoff Sunday, May 18 Worship for Homebound Members Sunday, May 18 Ruby Cooper Circle Tuesday, May 20 Beth Berman Circle Wednesday, May 21 MFUMC Blood Drive Sunday, May 25 Senior Adult Ministry Covered-Dish Lunch Wednesday, May 28 |
|
Restore to Glory!
Our rose window is the measure we're using to show how our Restore To
Glory! Campaign is going. To date, we've uncovered eight of the petals, representing the more than $1.24 million in pledges and gifts so far!
(Each petal is worth $150,000 and the center is $200,000)
|
|
|
