Another successful drive

Carolyn Mickens & Bev Schneider chat with Belinda Alkula

Thankyou shirts from the Red Cross

Thanks to everyone who participated in another successful blood drive at Stevi UMC!

Another successful blood drive

Prayer for Ascension Day

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, right before Your Ascension into heaven You told Your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May I be similarly inspired to spread Your Gospel message in word and deed, according to Your will for me. And may I do so prudently and joyfully, with Your help, Your guidance, and Your grace! And remembering this glorious event, help me to seek what is above, Heaven, where You are seated at the right hand of God the Father! Amen.

 

www.ourcatholicprayers.com

Blood Drive Tomorrow

Stevi UMC is hosting a blood drive tomorrow

from Noon - 6:00 pm!

Mission u and You

Note: July 26-27 will be offered at First UMC - Missoula rather than at Mission Valley UMC

What is Mission u? This yearly event offers enriching educational courses on caring for our communities, deepening our spirituality and learning about the church around the world. 

Mission u  at First UMC - Missoula, July 26-27

• • Spiritual Growth Study: Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship
    In Mark and Radical Discipleship, author Janet Wolf explores what it means to live a life of radical discipleship today using the Gospel of Mark as the foundation. Wolf explores the timeless issues of poverty, gender, justice, liberation, equality, and others using Mark as a guide. The stories of the women in Mark are a particular focus in this study and how, although often unnamed, they are prominent among Jesus’ followers and in Mark’s recounting of the gospel story.
  • Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission
    United for Change by Ellen Blue is the first in a two-year study commemorating United Methodist Women’s 150th anniversary in 2019. It will provide a historical survey of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations and amplify the voices that shaped the work through an overarching story of United Methodist Women changing the face of mission. This study is about women who established vibrant societies to support mission.
• Share meals and fellowship with other members of your community
• Learn about Christian faith and social justice issues
• Grow spiritually
• Access new books, resources, and creative ideas

Get more details about Mission u on the Mountain Sky Conference website. 

Contact Cathy Speich-Ferguson, Mission u Dean for more information on Yellowstone Legacy Conference events.

Wesley on Wednesday

Social Media Update

Blog: Now in its sixth year, our blog is a record of what Stevi UMC is doing and a place for information about our ministries here in the Bitterroot Valley and through the work of The UMC around the world. There have been 104,600+ visits / 4,068 posts to date!

Facebook: We have a page on Facebook, @SteviUmc, and it is another option to see the latest news from Stevi UMC and around the Connection. 2,903 photos have been placed on the page along with videos from our weekly worship services. Additionally we have 321 page likes and 303 page followers.
 
Twitter: Stay current with @StevensvilleUMC ... we have 1,984 Tweets and 80 followers 

Website: www.steviumc.org  If you want to know about the ministries of Stevi UMC, our website is the place to go. We've had 1,126 page views last week with 3.3 page views per average visit (354 unique visits last week).

YouTube: Videos on our channel include sermons, choir, chimes, special music, funerals, church history, and so much more! We have 45 subscribers and the 1,010 videos have been viewed 36,316 times!

Bishop Oliveto comes to Stevi UMC next Sunday

Bishop Karen Oliveto will be our preacher next Sunday as we celebrate Ascension Sunday at Stevi UMC. Come and share the Good News of the gospel on this special day in the life of our congregation!

A Memorial Day Prayer

Arlington National Cemetery

As our nation pauses today to remember those in the military who have given their lives for freedoms we enjoy, we pray You would have us all look to You for strength, comfort and guidance.

Be with all who serve in our Armed Forces. 

Bless them and their families. Grant Your loving protection. Let peace prevail among all the nations, O God. Especially let Your mercy rest upon our land, even as we acknowledge with thanksgiving Your past goodness on this country.

If it is Your will, preserve the lives of the men and women in uniform as they defend our citizenry.

Most of all, we pray that You would turn the hearts of all - military and civilian - to Your holy Word where we find the true peace for our sinful souls that surpasses all understanding. Keep us repentant of sin. Move us to know, take hold and treasure Your saving grace.

In this peace and hope for eternity, we pray.

- Author Unknown

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday: Memorial Day
1:00 pm, Bible Study @ The Living Center

Tuesday:
7:00 pm, Choir 

Wednesday:
10:00 am, Luke study

Friday: 
Noon-6:00 pm, Red Cross blood drive
 
Saturday:
8:00 am, UMM 
9:00 am, Church work day
Noon, Wesley House BBQ

Sunday:
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship w. Bishop Oliveto
11:30 am, Fellowship/ Potluck

Memorial Day weekend

Julie Weindel shared her musical gift with the congregation with the singing of Battle Hymn of the Republic. Pastor Charles' sermon was based on Acts 16:9-15.

Thanks today to: Mary Nelson & Julie Weindel (Fellowship), Lynn & Gail Moshier (Greeters / ushers),  Dean Diers (Liturgist), Dean Diers & Lenny Johnson (Offering Counters), Julie Ludington (Pianist), Paul Ludington (Praise music), Vicki Vernon (Power point), and Belinda Alkula (Video).

Blood drive next week

Friday, May 31, Noon - 6:00 pm

Aldersgate Day

To read Luther's Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, the work that John Wesley was hearing read the night his life was changed and a movement begun, visit this link.

Sheila Hammitt Memorial Service

The community gathered this morning to offer its goodbye to Sheila Hammitt.

Thanks to Julie Ludington, Anna Storkson, and Julie Weindel for sharing their musical gifts. Thanks also to the United Methodist Women for providing the reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

The service may be viewed on our YouTube channel.

UMCNext Concludes Meeting with Four Commitments

(Leawood, Kansas) -- More than 600 United Methodists gathered in Kansas this week for UMCNext, a conversation in response to the adoption of The Traditional Plan by the 2019 Special General Conference. The participants depart today from an event that has been remarkable for many reasons. 

"Every movement has a tipping point, a game changer, a watershed moment, this is one of them," said convening team member Rev. Junius Dotson. "In a moment none of us have experienced before and could never have fully anticipated, we have come together and held many important things in tension. We have managed ambiguity, and cared for the waves of our own emotions and reactions. It has been intense, challenging, powerful, beautiful work we have engaged together."

The depth of the discussion is evidence of the strength of this movement and points toward an authentic new beginning. Participants from every U.S. annual conference took part in the gathering. The group found ways to work together, despite differences, and found many areas of common ground including four commitments.

Read more at this link.

Email your senators: Pass universal background checks

On Feb. 27, 2019, the House of Representatives passed The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), the first gun violence prevention legislation to pass in the U.S. Congress in 20 years.

The promise of this legislation hinges upon its companion bill in the Senate, the 2019 Background Check Expansion Act (S. 42). Tell the Senate — pass universal background checks!

Together, H.R. 8 and S. 42 would create long overdue changes in U.S. law to establish background checks as an essential part of gun sales.

Currently, 22% of all guns sold in the U.S. are purchased through unlicensed and private sellers without a background check. H.R. 8 and S. 42 would close that loophole, which currently allows people who are ill-advised or barred from buying and owning guns to go around the national background check system.

The United Methodist Church calls on its congregations to advocate at the local and national level for universal background checks as part of our call to pursue “the reality of God’s dream of shalom” in Micah 4:1-4. (Book of Resolutions, 3428)

Background checks prevent gun violence. Since 1994, more than 3 million people legally prohibited from owning a gun have been denied the chance to purchase one because of existing background check laws. And yet, every day in the U.S. nearly 350 people still are shot, and almost 100 die in gun violence (34 from murder, 59 by suicide). That adds up to over 124,750 people shot and 35,000 killed (12,250 murdered, 21,500 suicides) by gunshot in the U.S. every year.

Those numbers should be unacceptable to all. Inaction is not an option. Today, there is finally a chance to advance meaningful legislation in Congress to address gun violence. Tell your senator – pass background checks now!

Get involved here.

Wesley on Wednesday

Summit plans inclusive Methodist movement

United Methodists are wrestling with what’s next in a multinational denomination still deeply divided over the role of LGBTQ Christians.

Some 350 U.S. United Methodists staked out their position during the May 17-18 gathering, launching a movement centered on voices they see as too often marginalized — namely people of color and queer and transgender individuals.

Organizers see the work started at the Our Movement Forward summit as both influencing The United Methodist Church from within and potentially leading to a completely new denomination.

The Rev. Carlos S. Reyes Rodríguez, one of the event’s organizers, set out the goal for the gathering at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church in Minneapolis.

“We intend to articulate the vision, values and non-negotiables of a church that prioritizes and does not compromise queer liberation,” he said. “In particular, we are interested in igniting our collective passion for a fully inclusive church.”

By acclamation, those gathered approved a statement about the movement. The statement serves as a preamble to a proclamation that includes the vision, core values, commitments discussed at the meeting. The proclamation was written by the event's organizers.   

Read more at this link.

The Glad Tider is on the way

The June Glad Tider has been printed, folded, and prepped for mailing! 

Thanks to Belinda Alkula, Ruth Cleveland, Judy Fraser, Karen Johnson, and Lisa Menery for coming and getting the job done so quickly. Thanks as well to Julie Weindel for putting together another wonderful witness to the ministries of Stevi UMC.

UMC Next

UMC Next | May 20-22, 2019

Wednesday, May 20-22, United Methodists from across the United States will gather for conversation on the future of the denomination. The priority of the gathering is to allow participants to speak freely and plainly, offer ideas, and find a shared space with one another as they consider God’s calling for the future of the UMC. The group will report its progress each evening through a daily briefing to all interested parties. Lay and clergy leaders from every annual conference will be in attendance. There are more than 600 leaders expected.

At the close of the session on May 22, United Methodist News Service, other media outlets, and communicators are invited to attend a press conference with a panel of participants to debrief the 3-day gathering. UMCNext will close with a worship experience and will begin the press conference at 1:00 pm CST in the Foundry Hall (Building B) on The Church of the Resurrection Leawood campus, 5001 W. 137th Street, Leawood, Kansas.

Members of the press are invited to attend the closing worship experience and the press conference in person or via a live stream here at umcnext.com. Questions for the panel may be submitted through the website during the live stream. Individual interview requests of panelists must be arranged in advance.

There are plans underway for a larger gathering in September 2019 also to be held at the Church of the Resurrection. Media will be invited to attend all meetings of the September event. Details will be sent after the May 20-22 gathering. #UMCNext https://umcnext.com/

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday:
1:00 pm, Bible Study @ The Living Center
7:00 pm, Trustees

Tuesday:
7:00 pm, Choir 

Wednesday:
8:00 am, WIC
10:00 am, Luke study
 
Thursday:
11:00 am, Sheila Hammitt Funeral

Friday: Aldersgate Day

Sunday:
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship  
11:30 am, Fellowship 

Scripture lessons for May 26

Sunset on the Agean Sea

The scripture lessons for next Sunday come from John 14:23-29 and Acts16:9-15.

A wet weekend in the Valley

It's been a wet weekend in the Bitterroot Valley! Still, autumnal-like weather couldn't deter the faithful from coming to learn, worship, and share in our common life!
 
This morning the choir shared "Just a Little Walk With Jesus." Pastor Charles' sermon was based on Acts 11:11-18.

Our children's ministry wrapped up the 2018-2019 school year today with a Holy Moly bash! The teachers for this year included: Dean Diers, Bob Edgar, Julie & Paul Ludington, Lisa Nicholls, Marcia Prather, & Kendra Ruff, 

Thanks today to: Ava & Katie Rose (Acolytes), The Edgar family (Fellowship), Mary Costello & Sue Pearson (Greeters / ushers), Kendra Ruff (Holy Moly), Julie McGarvey (Liturgist), Don Nelson & Kathy Wood (Offering Counters), Julie Ludington (Pianist), Paul Ludington (Praise music), Cammie Edgar (Power point), and Belinda Alkula (Video).

UMW in May

Memorial table

Goodies!

Kim Abbott speaks to the gathering

Special recognition pin for Linda K.

The May UMW meeting took place this morning with twenty-eight present for refreshments, program, and a brief meeting. Sue Pearson and Julie Weindel were hostesses this month. 

We recognized the passing of two our members since our March meeting, Sheila Hammitt and Fran Jackson. A memorial gift will be sent in their names to the District.

This month's program was shared by Kim Abbott, Co-director of  the Montana Human Rights Network. Kim shared the variety of programs and initiatives the organization is involved with to include paid family leave, pay equity, gender justice, and Medicare expansion. A gift of $100 was sent to support the work of this organization.

Business:
+Missions (Julie Weindel): Mission u will be in Missoula, July 12-13!
+Membership (Belinda Alkula): Janie Price joined our Unit!
+Treasurer (Carol Goffe): Distributions were noted.
+Receptions (Linda Kauffman): Thanks for the help at Fran Jackson's reception. Sheila Hammitt's service is this coming Thursday. Table cloths were donated by Belinda Alkula and new carafes were donated by Carol Goffe.
+Reading Program (Linda Kauffman for Marcia Prather):
Marcia P., Sue P., and Linda K. were recognized for participating in the program last year.

Upcoming:
+Kitchen clean-up, June 1
+Rummage sale, June 22
+UMW Sunday, June 30 
+Mission u, July 12-13 @ First UMC, Missoula
+UMW annual picnic, July 20 @ Bonita Z.'s  

United Methodist Women Decries Attack on Women’s Reproductive Health

For Immediate Release

United Methodist Women, the largest network of women of faith, today decried increasing efforts to limit a family’s right to make deeply personal reproductive health care decisions. Following passage of anti-abortion measures in Alabama, Ohio and other states, the network of women lay leaders issued the following statement:

“United Methodist Women, like The United Methodist Church, affirms the ability of women and families to have access to comprehensive reproductive health care and information so that they can make deeply personal reproductive health care decisions.¹ United Methodist Women, like The United Methodist Church, believes that ‘Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all the guidance required for the informed Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning abortion should be made only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with medical, family, pastoral and other appropriate counsel.’² Also, United Methodist Women, like The United Methodist Church ‘recognize[s] that tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures by certified medical providers.’

“Alabama’s new law banning abortion is the latest and most egregious affront to these principles and a woman’s right to personal decision-making.  

“Sadly, Alabama’s new law banning abortions lays bare a contempt for girls and women that is hard to fathom or deny. It is unconscionable that legislators could hold the lives of girls and women in such low esteem that they would not allow exceptions in cases of rape or incest and enact harsher penalties on doctors who performed abortions than on the rapists or incestuous pedophiles.

“It is important to note that Alabama’s law did not occur in a vacuum. Across the country, women’s right to reproductive health care is being curtailed, as legislatures force the closing of women’s health care facilities and courts block women’s access to contraception through their employer-based health care benefits. These actions make unwanted pregnancies more likely to occur and tragic pregnancies more difficult to end.

“As United Methodist Women, we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child.³ Women are crying out for not only their own survival but also the survival of their families and communities. They deserve access to services and care that empower their personal decision-making. We are called to eradicate systems of oppression and marginalization that inhibit women’s well-being.”⁴

---

1“The Right to Health Care,” ¶162 V, The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, 2016.
2“Abortion,” ¶161 K, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016.

3“Abortion,” ¶161 K, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2016.

4“Maternal Health: The Church’s Role,” ¶3203, The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, 2016.

Posted or updated: 5/17/2019 12:00:00 AM

An appeal from the General Board of Church & Society

Church and Society’s main office is in the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C.

The building is in the heart of Capitol Hill. Two of its nearest neighbors are the Supreme Court of the United States and the U.S. Capitol. It sits between the office buildings for members of Congress. 

Scripture talks about how great is the cloud of witnesses that goes before us. I often think about our foremothers and forefathers in faith who had a vision for a Christian witness on Capitol Hill. We carry their faithful legacy. 

For 95 years, this building has stood as a witness to our faith that God demands justice and peace. Every day, Church and Society lives out our faith by seeking justice and pursuing peace. 

Donate today to help carry their legacy into the future.

It’s really no exaggeration to say thousands of people walk past the United Methodist Building every day. 

Members of Congress, their staff and lobbyists all walk by the United Methodist Building. Many of these people are focused on getting votes, raising money or making massive profits.

As Christians, our focus is different. We are here to work with God to build God’s reign on earth. 

From our location on Capitol Hill, we witness to the world a better way of being. Like we did earlier this year when we put up this message on the sign in front of the building following the white supremacist terrorist attack in New Zealand.


In addition to the thousands of people who walked by it, this photo went viral on social media. It was seen by at least 2 million people. 

It is truly a testament to the power of a Christian witness for justice. We have the power to change the conversation and change the world. 

Will you support this world-changing ministry with a financial contribution of $50, $100 or $250 today? You can donate now on our website.


Peace,

Susan Henry-Crowe


P.S. We've set a goal of 250 donations this month. We had a good start, but have a ways left to go. Donate today to help us reach that goal.