September 8,

2016

SMALL NEWS

Perhaps you heard my comments last week about the thoughts of Nitin Nohria, Dean of the Harvard Business School. Dr. Nohria extols the virtues of small business in our country, pointing out that they are significant

contributors to private economic output and the value of U. S. exports, and that half the American workforce labors in small businesses. A Harvard graduate has started an organization called "MBAs Across America" that encourages business students to spend their summers giving help to small-business owners across the country. In these arenas, the students learn the nuts and bolts of business: hiring, training, research, payrolls, and, of course, the all-important bottom line.

Granted, most Harvard MBAs supposedly see themselves working on Wall Street or silicon valley, or getting in on the ground floor of an IPO and being incredibly wealthy before their thirtieth birthday, but in running a small musical-instrument rental company, a home health care business, or a firm that tests fire hoses, the students get closer to the everyday life of real business among real people. There is great value in the program.

We in the church have long since learned about "small" life and the need to connect all our thoughts and theologies to reality. We can read the prophets, memorize the Psalms, and celebrate the words of Jesus, but we know that those thoughts and ideas have to find their way into the small, everyday things we do. One preacher wrote, "The purpose of God's love is to make us lovely. The purpose of God's grace is to make us graceful. The purpose of God's peace is to make you and me peaceful...." Finally, these virtues have to be lived out "up close and personal" in the small corners of our lives. Out here in real life, we learn the challenge of difficult neighbors, shared space, grudges, gossip, and bitterness. We learn the necessity of grace and forgiveness. Surely there is no better way to live.

I promise you that your church will help you learn the "big" lessons of our faith, then help us live out the particular graces of our Lord in the small moments and areas of our lives.

And I'll see you this Sunday.

News

The Beth Berman Mission Fund Dinner and Silent Auction

will be Thursday, October 27. This year's speaker is Tom Key who is a dynamic performing artist and creator of the off-Broadway musical hit Cotton Patch Gospel. Proceeds provide scholarships for mission team members. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

The Bahamas Senior High Spring Break Mission Trip Info Meeting will be Sunday, September 18 at 12:15 p.m. in the Lower Room. (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)

Monthly Senior Adult luncheons resume on Wednesday, Sept 21 at 11:45 in the Reception Hall, with guest speaker, Dr. Geo Sipp, Director of the School of Art and Design at Kennesaw State
University. The cost is $10. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Join the Senior Adults for a trip to Jaemor Farms in Alto, GA on Monday, September 19. Enjoy a hay ride through the orchards, eat lunch on site, and shop for fresh produce. Depart from the Polk Street lot at 10 a.m. The cost is $8 plus lunch. Please RSVP to Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835.

Congregational Care volunteers needed! Are you willing to visit a homebound member of our congregation once a month? We provide flowers and you provide friendly conversation. Our list of members needing care keeps growing. Join us in this important ministry. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Cornerstone, a gathering of Young Adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s, meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

Support Groups are available here at the church for a variety of concerns: grief, caring for a loved one with dementia, addiction, or other needs. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/support for meeting times and details. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Interested in MFUMC's history? Helping in our Archives is a great way to learn (and help preserve our past). Please contact Milli Robinson at millirobinson@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7857 to volunteer.

Help restore lives impacted by human trafficking in our area. Volunteer at the Marietta Treasure Store, a consignment store which benefits Wellspring Living located at 800 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta 30064. Wellspring Living helps victims of Human Trafficking move forward with their lives through group resident and independent living programs. For more information, contact Forrest Cate. To sign up to volunteer, click here.

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 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 Web site, 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

This Sunday, September 11, our church bell will ring at 8:46 a.m., 9:02 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. to commemorate the four crashes on September 11, 2001. At worship that day we will acknowledge our military and other public servants.

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, September 11 on the Bridge following both worship services. (Forrest Cate ext. 7806)

Church-wide "Summertime Singing" will be in the Pavilion today at 4:30 p.m. Call out your favorite hymn and enjoy the simple pleasure of voices in four-part harmony. (Bryan Black,
ext. 7815)

The Working Mom's Bible Study will meet next Monday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall. This group meets the second Monday of each month. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Dementia Caregivers Support Group will meet next Wednesday, September 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)