THE MYTH OF CLOSURE

I have been challenged recently to think quite a bit about grief. I mentioned in worship last week that Friday, January 29th, was the third anniversary of the death of my

dear friend Dr. Ferrol Sams (Sambo to all who knew him) in Fayetteville. Anniversaries of deaths, as some of us know, bring anew the pain of loss. In 1969, one of our circle of friends from North Cobb High School, Tommy Conrad, died at the age of nineteen. His father, living in Arkansas, died recently and one of Tommy's cousins sent a copy of Mr. Conrad's obituary to me. I shared it with a couple of friends, those who gathered at the Conrad home on the fateful day in June, 1969, and who made the trip to Arkansas for Tommy's burial. We all learned that the tender spots are still very tender. For a day or so we were all teammates together again, eating pizza at Russo's in Marietta again, singing in the "Warrior Chorus" again, and all anew came the tragic finality of Tommy's death. I still miss Sambo, and I still miss Tommy. But I honestly, shouldn't I be "over" both deaths by now?

Dr. Stephen Forman, at the City of Hope hospital/ research center/medical school in California, published an article recently to help people like me deal with grief. "We often hear how important it is to gain closure-a way of tidying up to help us move on with our lives. The reality is that 'closure' is a myth....The wound of loss is (with us) forever... though not every day or with the same intensity. Recollection is sometimes provoked by a date, (or by) a sight, sound, aroma, melody, or place that evokes that missing person....No matter how much time has passed, memories remain."

We should not attempt to close the memories of friends who are no longer with us, he said. Such attempts do not sustain the healing "or help in proceeding with life." Those moments of memory are not about closure, but rather about "the fullness in each of our lives that came from our family, loved ones, and friends..."

Surely there are moments of remembrance for you, too. In the church we formalize those moments each year on All Saints Sunday when we recall those who have lived among us and are no longer here. But the little moments come along. Perhaps they bring a smile or a chuckle. Perhaps they bring a shortness of breath, perhaps a tear. I think we are to know that God is in the smile and the chuckle, the shortness and the tear. Memory is one of God's good gifts. I am thankful, then, for those for whom I grieve and for their presence with me along the journey.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Ash Wednesday Worship Services will be held on February 10 at noon and 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

This service marks the beginning of the season of Lent, and we mark ourselves with the sign of a cross as an outward sign of our repentance and mortality. Join us for Church Family Supper in the Family Life Hall at 5:15 p.m. before the evening service.

Our Dementia Caregivers Support Group will meet next Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. (please note time change) in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

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

All men of the church are invited to an oyster roast on Thursday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Justin and Beth Gilland, 945 Mountain Brook Lane, Marietta GA 30064. Enjoy food and fellowship and find ways to get connected. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Join the Senior Adults for lunch on Wednesday, February 17 in the Reception Hall. We will hear jointly from eldercare attorney, Cindy Nelson, home health business owner, Lou Ann Thombley, and wealth manager, Steve Norris. The cost is $8. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Learn more about our 2016 Global Mission Trips on Sunday February 21 at 12:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall. Find out how you can be a part of trips to the Republic of Georgia, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, Africa and the United States as a team member, prayer partner, or through project support. Hear stories of transformation from our trip leaders and find out how MFUMC shares in God's love for the world. A light lunch will be served. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Help restock the MFUMC food pantry during the month of February. Collection bins will be located at each elevator. (Forrest Cate, ext. 8906)

Little Lambs Children's Consignment Sale returns March 10-12 here at MFUMC. Volunteers are needed, and consignor registration is open. Visit www.li-lambs.org for more information. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Fuse Soccer. Registration for our most popular sport is open. The season for ages 3K through 5th grade begins March 13 and ends on May 15. Click here to register. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

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!

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.

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)

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

Coffee and Chocolates for Valentine's Day! The United Methodist Women will sell organic coffee and organic chocolate this Sunday, February 7 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.

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.

February 3

Wear your Football jerseys and let's getting ready for some football!!

Wings (mild or lemon pepper)

Hot dogs plain or with chili and slaw

Jalapeno popper dip with tortilla chips or Fritos

Fried pickles with sauce

Mexican layered dip with tortilla chips

Tater tots

Cupcakes and brownies