TRADITIONAL, YET CUTTING EDGE...

I read an article this week in the Washington Post and the title explains it all. "Want 'millenials' back in the pews? Stop trying to make church 'cool.'" Rachel Held ElaineWilder Evans is 33 years old and she is not interested in churches that offer flashy technology and slick worship bands. She says that she doesn't come to church to be entertained because she can be entertained anywhere. Instead, she comes to church because the church invites her to be a part of something bigger than herself. And I couldn't agree more.

She writes, "You can get a cup of coffee with your friends anywhere, but church is the only place you can get ashes smudged on your forehead as a reminder of your mortality. You can be dazzled by a light show at a concert on any given weekend, but church is the only place that fills a sanctuary with candlelight and hymns on Christmas Eve. You can snag all sorts of free swag for brand loyalty online, but church is the only place where you are named a beloved child of God with a cold plunge into the water."

I am proud to share with people that our MFUMC family spans the generations. We baptize babies, we confirm teenagers, we marry young couples, we celebrate retirements and we sing Happy Birthday to our members who reach 90 years of life. We have traditional worship with a traditional choir, but so much of what we do is cutting edge. Our community is loving, authentic and inclusive. We hold fast to Christian teaching, but we leave room for questions and conversation. We acknowledge that none of us is perfect, but we affirm that God loves us anyway. We realize that life is hard, and we help each other during difficult times.

I don't come to church because I want to be entertained. I come to church because I want to be challenged. I want to be a part of a community that is loving, authentic, and inclusive. I thank God every day for the cutting edge community of faith that we call Marietta FUMC.

News

All Senior Adults are invited to a catered picnic in the park on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the Pavilion. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet our new Director of Senior Adult Ministry, Rev. Lori Etheridge. No reservations necessary. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Please donate items for our mission trip to Guatemala. Items needed: toiletry items, dollar-type items for teenagers, soccer balls, instant soup packages, muffin mixes, athlete foot cream, NyQuil and DayQuil tablets. Look for collection bins throughout the church. (Martha Lee Sanders, trsanders@mindspring.com)

The Dementia Caregivers Support Group will meet this Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Learn about our global mission trips and the communities we visit while you sample cuisine from around the world at the Taste of Nations on Sunday, May 24 on the bridge following worship. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Please give blood on Sunday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. Visit www.mariettafumc.org sign up. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Worship for our Homebound Members. On Sunday, May 17 at 5 p.m., we will have a dinner and short worship service in the Reception Hall. This gathering is intended for those who are unable to attend regular Sunday morning worship. No cost. Please RSVP to Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Family Summer Kick-Off. On Sunday, May 17, there will be activities for nursery age through 5th grade to enjoy. The festivities and dinner will last from 3:30-6 p.m. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Vacation Bible School Needs You! We need volunteers of all ages to make VBS a success! Volunteer for one night or all week. Nursery age children of volunteers get a special VBS on the nights you help! VBS is June 8-11 from 6-8:30 p.m. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Youth Summer Kick-off Party! Sunday, May 17, 5:30
to 8 p.m. We'll kick off the summer and release the summer calendar with a great night of fun and fellowship. Food, inflatable games, water games and more. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Vacation Bible School and Summer Camp registration is open! VBS is June 8-11 from 6-8:30 p.m., and summer camps begin June 1. Click here to visit our Web site for registration details. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Need to go for a run, to the store, or just hang out with friends? We are pleased to offer Parent's Day Out on the nursery hall! Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday and the cost is $5 per hour. Ages 6 weeks to 5 years are welcome. To make a reservation, call 770-429-7850, ext. 7860.

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

This Week

The Youth Choir will sell hickory smoked barbeque from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 in the Pavilion to help fund the mission tour to England. Cost is $12 per pound, take-out only. (Bryan Black ext. 7815)

College Scholarships are available through the MFUMC Scholarship Program, designed to provide financial assistance to students who have been active members in our missions and ministries. Click here to download the application at the MFUMC Web site. Applications and all documents are due on Monday, May 11. (Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824)

The United Methodist Women will host its annual Mission Banquet and Dinner on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. This year's theme is "A Fresh Wind Blowing" from John 3:8. Tickets are $12 and available through the Church Office. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Cornerstone Sunday School, the new Young Adults group, is a gathering of couples and singles in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Join us on Sundays at 10:10 a.m. for fellowship, discussion and breakfast in Room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Registration for Weekday Preschool and Kindergarten 2015-16 is underway. For more information, visit www.weekdayministry.com. (Nancy Tatnall, ext. 7842)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Get Ready for a Picnic in the Park!

The last Church Family Supper until August is tomorrow night, May 6, from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Our kitchen staff will serve up Polish dogs and hotdogs (choose chili or not) with all the fixings. Plus, there will be corn salad, watermelon, potato salad and desserts.

The weather forecast looks great, so bring your lawn chairs, balls, Frisbees and blankets and enjoy the evening with us!

$6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

Save the Date

Wednesday, May 6

Church Family Supper concludes

Thursday, May 7

UMW Banquet

Saturday, May 9

Youth Choir Barbecue Sale

Wednesday, May 13

Dementia Caregivers Support Group

Sunday, May 17