Clemmons UMC Blog: Latest News

Guest? Ways to Connect!

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:52:00 GMT

Two important events are coming up!

1) You Are Invited!

On Thursday, May 17, at 7:00 pm there will be a Clemmons UMC Information Forum (formerly Clemmons UMC Leadership Forum) held in the Sanctuary. What is an information forum? One of the key components to creating trust and health in the Body of Christ is the sharing of information. It is important that everyone be kept in the loop regarding major Administrative Board decisions, upcoming events, and new ministry opportunities. One of the ways to do this is with a quarterly information forum.

The goal is that as many people as possible will have the information they need in order to be a positive force for the mission and ministry of the Church. It is important that you share what you learn at these forums with your Sunday school class, Bible study, and other members of the congregation. Your active participation in sharing news will help to insure unproductive gossip stemming from inaccurate facts. In the event you have concerns about anything you hear, we ask that you share those concerns directly with a staff member or leader so your concerns can be addressed.

2) Frequent Guest Dinner - Monday May 21st from 6pm-8pm - meet the staff and find ways you can be involved in ministry here at Clemmons UMC!! RSVP here via email or call 766.6375 x 45.

It is important to remember that we are in ministry together and that we serve the entire Body.

Latest Missions Update

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Check out the update overseas missions page! >>>>>

National Day of Prayer

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT

National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 3, 2012
You are invited to the CUMC Prayer Chapel
for personal prayer and reflection
anytime from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m.
Please use the main front door of the
CUMC Prayer Chapel when you stop by on Thursday, 5/3/12.

“…if my people who belong to me will humbly pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

From the Equipping Ministry Center

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:08:00 GMT

From the Equipping Ministry Center

We tend to view Matthew 28:16-20, called “The Great Commission,” primarily as an evangelistic text. But what if we took it to heart as a discipling text, a commission to discipleship? The implications go far beyond conversion – the making of believers – to the making of disciples of Jesus who live, love, and serve the way he lives, loves, and serves. After all, Jesus is the Way. And what if being disciples went beyond study and worship at the church (campus) to everyday incarnational service away from the church (campus) – in everyday conversations, in random acts of mercy, and in reconciling relationships defined by our relationship with Jesus? Disciples of Jesus do the work of Jesus. We call this work “ministry.” And all who are called by Christ and who share his name (Christian) are called and equipped for this ministry. That’s all of us, the Church, the very Body of Christ.

Signs of Welcome

We celebrate the first fruits of teams of Clemmons folk who are focusing on welcoming and hosting our guests and frequent visitors: additional visitor spaces, new sandwich-board directional signs, additional greeters, colorful bookmarks and refrigerator magnets with a cool QR code that connects to our website, and the Clemmons Coffee Café in the Commons. Work continues behind the scenes as we expand our capabilities for keeping up with our people and supporting their discipleship journey, strengthening our processes for joining the church, and partnering with people to help them get firmly grafted into the life and ministries of CUMC.

VBS Is Coming!

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:03:00 GMT

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING!!! JUNE 25-29

9:00 am-12:00 pm for Big Sky Elementary 9:15 am-11:45 am for Little Sky Preschool

In just a few short months, our church will soar into the sky...Sky VBS, that is! Children will worship God through songs and prayer, experiment with Sciency-Fun Gizmos, and discover life-changing Bible truths in fun and memorable ways.

To have the best adventure possible, we need lots of volunteers who can give some time, energy, and love to the children who will attend. Let me share a few ideas about ways you might be able to make this ministry a success. Please check out the following list, and then pray about where God might use you.

Station Leaders: Use easy-to-follow station leader manuals and prepare one 20-minute session each day, which will repeat with five different groups of children each day.

Up & Away Sing & Play/Fly Away Finale(daily opening and closing, includes leading songs)
Imagination Station(fun, hands-on science experiments)
All-Star Games(high-energy games, with an emphasis on missions)
Sky High Movie & Missions(video adventure and discussion)
Skydive Diner(helping children make snacks)
Wild Bible Adventures(incredible, surprising explorations of Bible stories)
Preschool Little Sky Director
Preschool Station Leaders (same stations as above for preschool)

Crew Leaders/Assistant Crew Leaders: Shepherd a group of elementary children through each day’s activities...and there’s no preparation!

Crew Leaders/Assistant Crew Leaders for Preschool: Be a friend and helper to a group of preschool children... again, no preparation required!

Guess what? There are also a few spots for anyone who’s dramatically inclined! Whatever your gifts, abilities, and time commitment, we have got a place for you!

We believe that God will use this incredible program to reach many children with the message of his love, so please prayfully consider your role in Sky VBS. Feel free to contact me by email, phone or in person if you have any questions. Or you may go ahead and claim your spot by signing up through the website: www.clemmonsumc.org. Then, go to Children’s Ministries under programs!

Blessings,
Kathy Giff
766-6375, x42 giffk@clemmonsumc.org

Chapel Updates

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Our beloved Chapel has been receiving some updating lately as we seek to fully use all of the resources God has entrusted to us. The Chapel is now a much more functional space that can accomadate a wider range of meetings.

Men's Group News!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:36:00 GMT

CUMC Men’s Group - Starting with our April 12 meeting, “Why Men Hate Going To Church?” by David Murrow will be the focus of the CUMC Men’s Group evening discussions. Whether you are a man who knows the answer or one who has a slight inkling of the answer, come, bring your perspective and join in the fray! We currently meet Thursdays in Room A-203 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM. For more information or possible additional meeting times, please contact Pete Nehnevajsa at men.at.cumc@gmail.com. (Please note: the CUMC Men’s Group will not meet on April 5)

From Pastor Matthew

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:35:00 GMT

It's hard for us to understand but God is present even in death. The great film director and producer, Cecil B. DeMille was in a canoe in Maine one summer day, just drifting through the water in a shallow place near the shore. At one point he looked down at the water and noticed it was covered with water beetles. One of them crawled up on the canoe, fastened its feet to the gunnels and died.

Three hours later, still floating in the warm sun, DeMille said he witnessed a miracle. The shell of the water beetle cracked open and a tiny head emerged. Then the wings unfolded until finally a beautiful dragonfly with an iridescent body and gossamer wings left the dead carcass and sailed across the surface of the water, shimmering in the afternoon sun--going further in a half second than the water beetle could crawl all day long. The dragonfly sailed across the surface of the lake, but the water beetles below, unaware of the miracle of metamorphosis, couldn't see it. DeMille said, "Do you think God would do that for a water beetle and not do it for you and me?"

I love the image from the Peter Devries novel where one of the characters, buried alive in a landslide of garbage at the city dump suddenly emerges from the trash with a cantaloupe rind on his head singing the doxology. We too can rise from whatever garbage covers us singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" knowing that God can reverse anything if we will just place our trust in him.

Don't forget that God is in the business of reversing the way things are. God can even reverse death. I look forward to seeing you on Easter Sunday when we will celebrate God's great reversal.

Matthew

A Letter To Teens & Their Parent(s)

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:35:00 GMT

To: the families of Clemmons UMC

re: Project X Lock-In - April 27th

To all Clemmons UMC teenagers and their families,

Coming up on April 27th from 8pm-8am, Clemmons:One will be holding an event for grades 7-12, an event that may one of our largest and most important events ever: Project X. We're calling it Project X because yes, it is inspired by the recent movie "that celebrates bad behavior" and so in turn, we want to offer an alternative all-night party that "celebrates good behavior".

Or as we call it: a positive all-night party with a purpose.

It will feature an incredible DJ (www.djpromote.com), an outstanding cover song/worship band from Brookwood Church (Simpsonville, SC), amazing games, a service component, and a surprise late in the night that we just can't tell you about (you'll have to be there to experience it).

And I want to say this in the strongest terms possible: if you have ever, even once, attended a Clemmons:One meeting, One:AM class, or event, we expect you to be there. Furthermore, we expect you to invite your friends. I feel confident that all who attend will be glad they came. If you haven't been in a while, this is a perfect time to start back!

Why do we "expect" you to attend and/or invite people? Because Clemmons:One is a shared ministry. It is not a program. It is not a club. It is not a place of insiders or outsiders, or "us" and "them". Our events are not just products to consume; to come and be entertained. And it (hopefully) is not a place we attend only out of guilt or obligation.

It is a place, however, where we all find the blessed freedom that we're all uncool, and that God loves us anyway.

Our ministry is shared because we want to do what Jesus did: he loved God & he cared about people. He invited them to live the incredibly full life of God here on Earth. And as Jesus walks among us on the night of 27th, we want people to share in the love of God and to experience the rich power of shared Christian community. All who profess to be Christ-followers should care for their friends and in a very real sense be ministers to the world.

So by all means, register & pay online (only $10!) at www.clemmonsone.smartevents.com. Take a flier from the student ministry office and hang it up at work, school, or a local business. Pray big prayers and dream impossible dreams. Spread the word that God is going to do something amazing the night of April 27th.

Grace and peace to you all,

Clark Chilton

Clemmons:One Student Ministry

ps. if you are an adult or parent that is willing to help assist with this event, please contact me at chiltonc@clemmonsumc.org. Thanks!

Women's Bible Study & Service Project

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:09:00 GMT

The Sisters in Christ Bible study meets each week and is wildly popular.

In addition to meeting Wednesdays at 10am in the New Fellowship hall for Bible study, they collect money and food for "backpack snacks" for local children so they have food to eat over the weekend.

Join them for Bible study, or contribute money for the backpack snacks. Email Linda Morgan with questions.

LOCAL TEENS: Project X 4.27.12

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:11:00 GMT

If you miss it, you'll be out of the loop come Monday at school....

March Issue - Forsyth Family

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:47:00 GMT

make sure and pick up a FREE copy of Forsyth Family this Sunday at church. And pay extra special attention to pages 68-69....

Share it with friends!

Jesus Came to Save - do you know Him?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:49:00 GMT

Join us for worship this Sunday as we seek "Mid Lent Refreshment" and we read John 3:16-17. Do you know Him?

Leadership Forum - 3/20

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:09:00 GMT

LEADERSHIP FORUM

Be a part of the Body of Christ. Be informed. Be a minister.

Everyone is invited to our second Leadership Forum on Tuesday, March 20 at 7 pm in the Chapel. So, What is a Leadership Forum? Simply it is a"town meeting" where information is shared and questions are asked. If you are interested in knowing about what's happening and some of the new things on the horizon, then you will want to attend. So mark your calendar and come find out what's happening at Clemmons United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. J. Matthew Burton, Jr.

Leadership

Help Tornado Victims

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:06:00 GMT

UMCOR Stands with Conferences Affected by Tornadoes

By Linda Unger*

March 5, 2012—The Rev. Tom Hazelwood, US Disaster Response executive for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is on his way today to areas affected by last week’s tornadoes.

“I was in immediate contact with conference personnel from several of the affected areas to let them know that UMCOR stands ready to assist them,” Hazelwood reported.

Among those Hazelwood reached was Charles Wilfong, Indiana Annual Conference South District Superintendent, who reported widespread damage in the district, especially in the towns of Henryville, Marysville, Pekin, and Palmyra.

“I learned that two Pekin UMC families have lost their homes,” Wilfong said in an email message, adding that several congregants were in serious condition and hospitalized. “The church, parsonage, and Family Life Center all have power restored, and the congregation is rallying to assist the community.”

Hazelwood also spoke with Indiana Conference Bishop Michael Coyner and with Bishop Gregory Palmer of Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

Early Saturday morning, conference Disaster Response personnel in hard-hit areas, including Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, reported that they had already begun assessments of the damages caused by the severe weather that struck 12 states.

News reports indicated that as of Sunday evening 39 people were known to have been killed in the storms.

In an email message, the Rev. Julie Hager Love, director of Connectional Ministries of the Kentucky Annual Conference, reported “major, major damage” in the town of West Liberty in eastern Kentucky, as well as significant storm damage and flooding in other parts of the conference.

James Morse, the conference’s Disaster Response coordinator, indicated that there will be a need for volunteers very soon, and asked that teams register with the conference website. He reiterated the extensive damage to the town of West Liberty and said the United Methodist church there “may not be salvageable.”

Kentucky and southern Indiana suffered the greatest number of casualties due to the tornadoes, 21 and 13 deaths respectively, with hundreds injured. Three people died in Ohio and one each in Alabama and Georgia because of the severe weather.

“The scale of the outbreak was enormous, with a preliminary total of 117 tornadoes touching down in 11 states, from southern Ohio to northern Florida. The National Weather Service issued 297 tornado warnings and 388 severe thunderstorm warnings” on the evening of March 2 into March 3, reported meteorologist Jeff Masters on his Wunderblog. These storms and tornadoes follow on the heels of the Leap Day tornadoes, when 36 twisters were responsible for 13 deaths on the evening of February 28 – 29.

Hazelwood received an invitation from Bishop Palmer to accompany him today morning as he surveys the damage in Harrisburg, IL, which was severely damaged by the Leap Day tornadoes. At least nine Harrisburg residents died in that storm. The UMCOR executive will extend his stay to visit other hard-hit conferences, including Indiana.

UMCOR requests your prayers for all who have been affected by these tornadoes and storms. You can help. Please give to US Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 and choose Tornadoes 2012 from the drop-down menu.

*Linda Unger is staff editor and senior writer for UMCOR.