September 14,
 
2016
 
DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME
 
      Heather Ann Thompson has a new book (Blood in the Water) about the Attica prison riot in 1971. In an unplanned action there, prisoners rioted against poor treatment (overcrowded conditions, inadequate food, and the inability to maintain personal hygiene, among others). When prisoners took control of the facility, forty-two hostages (guards and civilian employees) were taken. (The revolt was the impetus for some of the prison reform we have witnessed in the years following.) In the standoff between authorities and the prisoners, a group of outsiders was invited in to mediate the negotiations, among whom were celebrated attorney William Kunstler and the Associate Editor of the New York Times, Tom Wicker.
      I remember reading Wicker's book (A Time to Die: The Attica Prison Riot) about the failed negotiations (authorities stormed the facility and twenty-nine inmates and ten hostages were killed) and his particular impressions. He was astounded, he said, at the vast difference in the starting points between the inmates and the authorities. There was so little common ground, he said. The authorities began with a belief in law and order, of justice and accountability. Those terms and concepts were not necessarily in the vocabulary of the inmates, he remembered. They had witnessed little order in their lives and did not believe it to be a commodity to which they should aspire. So also with justice and accountability, he said. There was just no common starting point and no worthwhile conversation took place.
      I think now about the culture in which you and I live. Thankfully, there are not such stark differences in our communities, but there are differences. Gender, race, age, ethnicity, and others come to mind. Every time a new presidential poll is released, I cringe at the way the media glorify our differences, telling us how each compartmentalized sector of the population is leaning and voting. Thankfully our differences do not necessarily lead to violence and are not necessarily fatal, but they exist. Social, financial, educational, and racial differences come to mind, and there are others. But I honestly believe that the differences among us are lesser in scope and influence than the commonalities among us.
      I think every living person has a need to love and be loved. We have a need for hope and direction in our lives. We have a need for forgiveness and fresh starts in our lives. We have a need, deep within us, to connect to a greater authority. We have a need to make a difference in the world around us, and we have a need for some type of justice. Any good psychological diagram or a course in Psychology 101 can offer a list, but the needs are the same.
      We are different, to be sure, and we are the same. We do not all need God in the same way and do not see God in the same way. Likewise with the church. But we have the same hungers and the church offers the bread after which we will not hunger and the water after which we will not thirst. I believe that.
And I'll see you this Sunday. 
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News

A Closer Look is a class for visitors and new members who want to learn more about our church.  The class begins Sunday, September 25 at 10:10 a.m. in the Parlor and runs for five weeks.  Register through the church office or at www.mariettafumc.org/closerlook. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
 
The Acolyte Ministry offers a unique way for children ages fourth grade and up to assist in morning worship.  Training is offered throughout the year. We invite prospective adult coordinators to a meeting on Sunday, October 2 at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
(Bryan Black, ext. 7815)
 
Fuse Sports Flag Football and Cheer. The season begins October 2 and practice/games will be on Sunday afternoons from 2-3:00 pm. 
Children ages 3K (3 by 9/1/16) through 5th grade are eligible for Fuse Sports. The cost is $50 with coach and sibling discounts available. Visit www.mariettafumc.org/fuse to sign up. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7815)
 
Nursery Open House. Join us for tours and refreshments on Sunday, October 2, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  and a brief parents' meeting at 10:15 a.m. to answer any questions you might have about our Sunday nursery and Parent's Day Out.  (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
 
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)
 
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
The Bereavement Support Group will meet next Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Parlor. This group meets the third Wednesday of each month to offer support to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
 
The Bahamas Senior High Spring Break Mission Trip Info Meeting will be this Sunday, September 18 at 12:15 p.m. in the Lower Room. (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)
 
Monthly Senior Adult luncheons resume next 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 next 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.
 
Connect Through Table Fellowship

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

September 21
Savory mushroom herb pork roast or hamburger steak, rice, sautéed kale, broccoli, salad bar, rolls and desserts
Kids- Hamburger, tater rounds, grapes, salad bar, rolls and dessert  
  
   
Save the Date

For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,
 
 
Meet Our Missionary
from the Czech Republic
Wednesday, September 14
6 p.m.
Room 104
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806 
 
Children's Power 45 Retreat
September 16-18
 
Peru Mission Trip
September 17-25
 
Senior Adult Ministry
Catered Luncheon
Wednesday, September 21
11:30 a.m.
Reception Hall
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
 
United Methodist Men's Retreat
September 23-24
Family Life Hall
 
Music in Ministry Sunday
Sunday, September 25
Both Worship Services
Sanctuary
Bryan Black, ext 7815
 
A Closer Look
Sunday, September 25
10:10 a.m.
The Parlor
Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840
 
Meet Our Missionary from Russia
Wednesday, September 28
5:30 p.m.
Room 104
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806 
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org

Senior Adult Ministry
Trip to Tellus Museum
Wednesday, September 28
10 a.m.
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext 7835
loriethridge@mariettafumc.org

World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 2

A Closer Look
Sunday, October 2 
10:10 a.m.
The Parlor
Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840
  
FUSE Children's Football and Cheerleading Begins
Sunday, October 2
2 p.m.
Park on Polk
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org

Serve Supper at Women's Extension
October 6
6:30 p.m.
Away
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org 
 
 












First United Methodist Church of Marietta
56 Whitlock Avenue, N.W. Marietta, GA 30064

770-429-7800 |  info@mariettafumc.org
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