CELLPHONE NONSENSE

Glenn Frey, guitarist of the 70's musical group the Eagles, died last week. He authored some of the group's most successful and memorable tunes including "Peaceful Sam's Picture

Easy Feelin'," "Lyin' Eyes," and "Take It Easy." One pundit wrote that Frey gave the band its "sweet tang."

The group last visited Atlanta two years ago in 2014 and at that concert one of the members made a memorable statement to the crowd. He asked the people there to silence and even put away their cell phones. "This might be our last visit to Atlanta," he said, "and we would really like for you to be here with us." In other words, don't text. Don't tweet. Don't take any selfies. Don't surf the internet. We are here, right in front of you, and real. We want you to be here with us.

Oh, I love that comment. And we know exactly what he was talking about, don't we? Each of us has had a conversation interrupted by a cellphone call. We have watched a diner in a restaurant spend the entire meal texting and checking messages, completely ignoring the person across the table. Often, though, that's okay because the other person was texting, too, and never noticed! I've spoken to you from the pulpit about watching parents
ignore their children while texting and tweeting. "We want you to be here with us."

We have deluded ourselves as a culture. We have told ourselves that we are more connected and I suppose we are if one accounts only for the sources and number of information outlets now available to us. There are more options and more outlets, to be sure, but I am not at all convinced that we are more connected. We must be careful to live "in the moment." We must be careful to converse, to listen deeply to another, to watch one's
eyes and body language, and to listen for voice inflections. Such are the elements of communication. Only in observing those elements are we "more connected."

Elliott Wilder is the four-year-old son of the Rev. Elaine Wilder and he recently has discovered Siri on his mother's phone. Siri (Speech Interpretation and Recognition Interface) is the Apple product that answers questions and offers direction (an "intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator"). Siri, of course, is a computerized voice but Elliott doesn't know that. He enjoys the conversations (and even somehow changed his mother's name on her phone). In a recent conversation, he told Siri what he tells his other close friends. He said, "Siri, I love you." Siri answered, "Siri is not capable of love. I respect you."

Remember that about your phone, your tablet, your laptop, and every other electronic device that you own. "I am not capable of love." The person across from you at the table, behind the flower and the salt shaker, can love you back.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Lenten Lecture Series. Join us on Wednesdays, beginning on February 17, at 6:30 pm during Lent as our 4 ministers offer conversation on the questions people bring to Jesus in Scripture. Register online here or contact Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813.

Coffee and Chocolates for Valentine's Day! The United Methodist Women will sell organic coffee and organic chocolate on January 31st and February 7th on the Bridge and at the Reception Desk. All proceeds go to support UMW Mission projects. Purchasing these items also benefits the small farmers in Equal Exchange. For more information, please call Diana Waldrop at 770-429-0204.

Celebration of the Negro Spiritual, directed by Dr. Oral Moses, will be performed at the Marietta Performing Arts Center at Marietta High School on Sunday, February 14 at 3 p.m. This is free and open to the public. To utilize the church transportation please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge. We will depart at 2:20 p.m. from the Polk Street lot. (Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835)

Handel's Messiah Study: Lent, Easter and Beyond. Fred Finzer will be leading a 4-week class beginning March 7 that looks at the music, themes, and use of scripture in Handel's Messiah. Contact the church office to register for the class. The class meets each Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840).

The 3rd-5th grade Bible study continues on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 324. Fellowship with friends and explore the books of the Bible. For more information or to sign up, contact Kelly Duncan at ext. 7812. All are welcome, so invite friends!

Save the Date for the next MFUMC Blood Drive: Next Sunday, January 31. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

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 Thursdays and Fridays. To sign up or for more information, please contact Michelle Paracha at michelleparacha@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7803.

Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study begins a new 7-week series on Wednesday, February 3 at 9:30 a.m. in room 201-b. The group will discuss "Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story" by Angie Smith, All are welcome! (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Mark your calendars for the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance! On Friday, February 12, girls ages 3 years old to 5th grade dance the night away with their dad, or another special man in their lives. The dance will be in the Family Life Hall from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $10 per person which includes music from a DJ, photo booth, light appetizers, punch and a candy buffet! (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Marietta Singles is a group of 55 and older seniors who gather for fun and fellowship. Join them for dinner and line dancing on Monday, January 25 at 6 p.m. in the Reception Hall. For more information contact Lou Gibson at 770-590-0388.

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)

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 Church Council will be installed this Sunday, January 24, at both worship services. The council will meet on Monday, January 25 at 7 p.m. in the Family Life Hall. The meeting will begin with a short called Charge Conference to hear a report from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee regarding compensation for our ministers in 2016. To make 6:30 p.m. dinner reservations ($10), contact Erin Kimbrel at ext. 7813. (Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824)

Youth parents and families are invited to our Winter Parent Meeting and Fusion Worship this Sunday, January 24, at 5:30 p.m. We will have dinner, release the 2016 calendar, worship together and Sam Halverson will be speaking! (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

Join the Senior Adults for lunch tomorrow, Wednesday, January 20 at 11:30 a.m. with program speaker, Ray Buday, former Director of the Marietta Housing Authority, discussing affordable housing. The cost is $8. RSVP to Rev. Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper

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 20
Pork roast with cranberry sauce or chicken and rice casserole, pineapple cheese casserole, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and desserts

Kids- Grilled cheese, chicken noodle soup, salad bar and dessert

Save the Date

Wednesday, January 20

Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheon

Thursday, January 21

-Weekday Ministry Preschool

and Kindergarten Open House
-Willis Tours Preview

Sunday, January 24
Church Council Installation

Sunday, January 31