Thoughts from Our Senior Minister
Rev. David Clifford
The church traditionally celebrates Minister Appreciation month in October. Normally, our congregation celebrations Ministry Week (the second week in October) by having a brief fellowship time for the minister either before or after church. However, like everything else COVID has challenged the gathering of our community. Instead, our congregation has had to adjust to the way in which we have shown our appreciation to the minister. I am overwhelmed by the cards and words of encouragement shared with me over the past few weeks. While some might not even be aware, the church also provided two wonderful meals for my family at the beginning and end of Ministry Week.
I often struggle with the kind words of gratitude offered to me as a minister. On the one hand, I did not answer the call to ministry nor go into ministry to receive such praise and thanksgiving. However, on the other hand, the difficult burden of ministry is often made lighter with the encouragement and gratitude of having the congregation recognize the work and effort your minister is putting into the church (especially in the difficult tensions of leadership and ministry in today’s culture). While I may struggle with receiving such praise and encouragement, I am also thankful to be serving such a wonderful congregation.
In fact, as we move out of October and into November, Thanksgiving and gratitude are heavy on my mind. I am excited that we are planning on having our traditional Thanksgiving meal following worship on November 21st. I am also thinking a great deal about gratitude and thanksgiving. In fact, modern psychology is learning a great deal about the benefits of gratitude. Harvard Health, a publication of Harvard Medical School points to a number of psychological research in arguing that “gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.”
There are a number of ways this is manifested: gratitude is associated with helping people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Of course, as people of faith, we know all this to be true. The scriptures are full of important lessons about gratitude. We are constantly told throughout the scriptures of our need to share our praise and thanksgiving with the Lord. The truth of our faith is that our gratitude helps us to build stronger relationships with God and with one another. In sharing your own gratitude with me, I have re-learned this lesson of our faith. As we move into a season of thanksgiving, I pray we are all able to share our gratitude with one another – in this way we will grow closer with each other and with God.
Thankful Peace,
Rev. David Clifford
November
Meetings / Events / News
- Our latest episode of "The Monday Morning Preacher" : In this first part of our church history, Rev. David and Jada discuss the founding of FCCH up to the civil war. A lot of changes are happening as it relates to the podcast. We now have a designated webpage for some of the new things we are doing at the church and the podcast is moving from a video format to more traditional audio format. Check out our latest episode and our newest webpage. You can go to our Facebook page and click on the link located on the post.
- The CMF will have their monthly men's breakfast on Sunday, November 7 at 8:30 am. All the men and boys of the church are invited to attend. This is a great time for the guys to share a wonderful meal and enjoy some time together.
- The Christian Women's Fellowship. The Christmas bazaar is scheduled for Saturday, November 6 for 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. They look forward to seeing all who can come to our Christmas bazaar.
- The Elders are collecting Sureway stamps for their Thanksgiving Basket. They are also asking for can goods to put in the baskets. If you have stamps or can goods (stuffing mix) and would like to make a donation, you can drop them off at the office or put them in the Library on Sunday.
- The Christian Women's Fellowship will be collecting boxed Mac & Cheese during the month of November for the Christian Community Outreach's food bank.
- Commodities are delivered on the Wednesday after the second Tuesday of each month. If anyone would be interested in helping out in this ministry, please contact the church office. The helpers usually start at 8:00 am and are done by 9:30 am. This month's date is November 10.
- This year's FCC's Thanksgiving service and luncheon will be held on Sunday, November 21, right after our worship service. The meal will be catered. All who can are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to the church office.
- The Ministerial Association Thanksgiving Service will be held Sunday evening, November 21, at 7:00 pm. First United Methodist Church will host both in-person and an online service. The new chaplain at Deaconess Hospital, Patrick Wallace, will be preaching. All donations from the service will go to the Good Samaritan Fund.
- Want to Share your Gardening Skills? We Need a Volunteer! The small garden on the Chestnut entrance to the parking lot needs a new caretaker. For seven years or more, Jeanne Marie Gadient and Odell Watson have tended the plants and shade tree that welcome worshipers and other visitors to the church grounds. Now it is time for a new care taker. If you have gardening skills you can share with our congregation, please call the church office.
Sprinkles of Joy
The Senior Saints made a trip to Cates Farm Tuesday, October 26, where the Seniors were treated to a delicious lunch and great fellowship. This has become an annual gathering for our Seniors in October. Many good memories have been made! A big thanks to Evina Bryan and Amy Cates for making this happen!
June and Ron Skaggs have welcomed their first great grandchild, Theodora Sage Langston. Meeting her will have to wait, but they joyfully look forward to it!
