News from Marietta FUMC for January 5, 2016

ACCOUNTING

The very idea of a "new year" is an interesting phenomenon, is it not? To think that on an annual basis we are given the opportunity to examine ourselves, to take Sam's Picture

some measure of where we are and where we want to go, and to evaluate our decisions and actions of the
previous year can be one of life's greatest gifts and life-giving in itself. I don't know anyone who can't benefit from such self-examination.

The federal government will help us evaluate ourselves financially. Those folks will want a full accounting of what we made, what we spent (and how we spent it), what we gave, and to whom we gave it. The commercials for companies to help us with that accounting have already begun!

Perhaps in your work you have an annual review. The folks in charge of that will ask about the goals we set last year and how we engaged them, then ask for any new ones, and perhaps any specific plans we have to make ourselves better and more valuable in the workplace.

Do you have an annual physical examination? Your doctor will tell you that you need to exercise more. She'll tell you to stay away from fried foods, fast food, and most other things that taste good. Your financial planner will explain why most of the market projections were wrong, but should improve in the new year. An actor who doesn't work much anymore will tell you that you need to buy silver. Or gold. Or buy his program to teach you how to flip houses since the evaluations with the IRS, your boss, and your doctor have convinced you that you made a lot of wrong decisions in 2015.

And the church falls in the category of those places and institutions that recommend an accounting. We don't take roll, so there will be no accounting for your presence in worship, in educational opportunities, or in missional outings. There will be no actual summation of time spent in volunteering for the benefit of others. The Finance Office will give you a detailed summary of your gifts to the church. But the greater accounting, the accounting for our souls and spirits, is a greater endeavor and will require a more diligent effort.

This Sunday is a great part in that spiritual accounting. This Sunday we will remember the baptism of Jesus and reflect a bit on our own baptism. If you are a member of a church, of this church or of any other, then you have received holy baptism. Perhaps you received it as a child. Perhaps you walked the sawdust trail at a campmeeting or revival. Perhaps you received it as a part of your confirmation. Whatever the case, we share the moment of
baptism. So the accounting starts there. First, we are baptized, baptized into something and baptized for some purpose.

We'll reflect on our baptism together. We will remember together. And, perhaps the best of all, we will anticipate together. It will be a good day.
And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Help prevent hunger in our community. Volunteer at the food pantry of our community development partner, the Center for Family Resources in the Mansour Building. Shifts are available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Short training classes will be held Thursday, January 7 at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 14 at 9 a.m. To sign up or for more information, please contact Michelle Paracha at michelleparacha@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7803.

Join the Senior Adults on Sunday, January 17 to attend the play On Golden Pond at the Elm Street Theater in Woodstock. Tickets are $10. We will depart from the Polk Street parking lot at 1:15 p.m. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

The AARP Safe Driving class will be offered at MFUMC on Thursday, February 4 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 322. The cost is $15 for AARP members, and $20 for non-members. Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835.

We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking getting to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

2016 Women's Retreat registration is open. Join us Feb. 5-6, 2016 at Serenbe. Pick up a brochure or click here to dowload a form. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)

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 Senior Adults will ring in the New Year with a trip to the Booth Western Art Museum tomorrow, Wednesday, January 6, 2016 to view Ansel Adams' iconic images of the American West. We will depart from the Polk Street parking area at 10 a.m. The cost is $8 plus lunch at the Swheat Market in Cartersville following the museum visit. Please RSVP to Lori. (Rev Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper
returns tomorrow night, January 6!

Church Family Supper is served in the Family Life Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

January 6
Meatloaf or grilled tilapia, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Kids- chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, vegetable, rolls, salad bar and dessert

Save the Date

Wednesday, January 6

-Senior Adult Ministry Trip to Booth Museum

-Church Family Supper Returns

Thursday, January 7

Center for Family Resources

Food Pantry Training