e-Note from Pastor Mariellen  
CM spring flowers header

 
August 2, 2016
Touching Heaven, Changing Earth...
 
It was so interesting for me to see the movie To Kill a Mockingbird during my recent visit to Alabama. As you know, this movie (starring the amazing Gregory Peck) is based on the book by Harper Lee.
 
Harper Lee grew up in a Methodist household in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama. Everyone in southern Alabama knew of Harper Lee. Her book was, at the time, a progressive work published in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. After she wrote her book, Harper lived in New York City and was said to be more of a recluse. She sought to live more anonymously.
 
However, in her later years, Harper spent more time in Monroeville and then finally moved back to that small town. There, I understand she found a community that was accepting and supportive of her work and her beliefs. There she found her community to be helpful, loving, and protective of her celebrity. Harper sought and found connection with others.
 
Perhaps she found the paradox of community that the author Parker Palmer writes of: "our need for solitude and our need for each other, each creating and deepening the other."
 
As a contrast, Harper's sister, Alice Lee, stayed in Monroeville. She was a lawyer when not so many women were lawyers, and she was also very active in both her Monroeville church and the South Alabama conference of Methodist churches. Because of her continued engagement in and commitment to this church community, it seemed like everyone in southern Alabama knew Alice Lee and knew that she supported justice and missions as best she could. She was a positive role model for young girls like me growing up in Alabama. I am glad that I was a part of her extended community.
 
Should we live together and encourage one another? Should we grow together and be accountable with one another? Should we, together, discern actions we could take to transform our world? Should we worship together and be brought closer together as God's responsive people?
 
Absolutely. Yes. But how best to do this? How should we live together? This question is the worship theme this Sunday. This Sunday's "partner-in-preaching," Kim Jones, and I look forward to worshipping with you.
    
Blessings,
 



 
Pastor Mariellen 
   
With Head...
United Methodist Women Offer Mission U 

Mission U is an opportunity to learn about missions and develop ideas for spiritual growth programming and social action you can take back to your home church. Every year, the national United Methodist Women offer new topics based on its current Social Action priorities and Spiritual Growth emphasis. This year, the topics are:
Spiritual Growth Study: The Bible and Human Sexuality: Claiming God's Gift
Issue Study: Climate Justice
Geographic Study: Latin America--People and Faith
 
In California-Nevada, Mission U events on these topics are planned for August 5-7 in Merced, August 13 in Visalia, August 20 in San Rafael, and August 27 in Roseville. Visit the conference UMW website for more information and to register.

...Heart...
All-Church Summer BBQ This Thursday 
 
Bring your friends or just come hang out with your church family for fellowship, good food, and excellent entertainment at our second All-Church Summer Barbecues this summer, on Thursday at 6:00pm in Creekside. The Lyric Theatre Ensemble will entertain us. Admission at the door is $8/general, $5/children under 6, or $22/family. Childcare for ages 0-3 and games for older children are available with RSVP to Pat Osborne (650-948-7955).
     
...And Hands
CSA Food Donations 

Remember to bring nonperishable food items and extra produce from your garden this Sunday and place them in the red bins in the church entry for delivery to Community Services Agency. CSA will distribute the food to hungry families in our community.  
 


This Week in Worship 
 
This Sunday we continue our summer morning worship series, "The Big Questions." GroupLife Chairperson Kim Jones will join me in giving the message at all three morning services on "(How) Should We Live Together?" The scripture is Colossians 3:14-17. Holy Communion will be served.
 
At the 5:00pm Creekside Crossings service, we have a special guest preacher and worship leader, Wayne Kerr. All are welcome!    
 

Los Altos United Methodist Church

www.laumc.org

 

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