Category: Blog

Rev. Gary Mason

Sunday, March 5

All three services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00)

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Who is Rev. Gary Mason?

Rev. Dr. Gary Mason is a Methodist minister and directs a conflict transformation organisation based in Belfast called “Rethinking Conflict.” Prior to this, he spent 27 years as a Methodist clergy person in parish ministry in Belfast and has played an integral role in the Northern Irish peace process. He had a key role in establishing the Skainos project which is a world class urban centre developed in a post conflict society as a model of co-existence and shared space. It is acknowledged as the largest faith-based redevelopment project in Western Europe. Mason is a close advisor to Protestant ex-combatants on the civilianisation efforts of paramilitaries. He was instrumental in facilitating negotiations with paramilitaries and government officials in Northern Ireland, and in 2007 his contribution was formally recognised by the Queen.

In 2009, Mason’s church was the stage from which Loyalist paramilitaries announced their weapons decommissioning. Mason has lectured in political and academic forums throughout Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and the U.S.A. on lessons from the Irish peace process. He has been interviewed on CNN, BBC, ITV and various radio programs. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Ulster, completed his theological studies at Queens University and has a Bachelor’s in Business Studies from the University of Ulster. Gary is a Research Fellow at the Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at Maynooth University in Ireland. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, lecturing on reconciliation, peace building and the history of the Northern Ireland conflict, racism, sectarianism and conflict transformation.

Join Tom Bandy on February 25, 2017

8:45am – 12:30pm
8:30am – Gathering with light refreshments

Register Here

The East Central District presents a morning with Tom Bandy. This is truly a unique opportunity–one that pastors and anyone involved with evangelism, missions or worship  won’t want to miss. Tom is the author of the 71 Lifestyle segment descriptions in Missioninsite’s Mosaic Application Guide. He will demonstrate how you use that information in your church’s local mission field. MissionInsite can be a wonderful ministry tool; come and learn how to use it. This information is for clergy and lay. Tom will have a Q & A session at the end of his presentation.

Tom is an internationally recognized consultant, conference speaker, and leadership coach for Christian organizations and faith-based non-profits.  He is the president of Thriving Church Consulting, LLC.

Bio

Thomas G. Bandy

Tom Bandy is an internationally recognized consultant, conference speaker, and leadership coach for Christian organizations and faith-based non-profits. He is the president of Thriving Church Consulting, LLC and can be found in his virtual office at ThrivingChurch.com. Tom is widely respected for his unique ability to understand diverse cultures, traditions, and denominational polities; and his grasp of systemic change and congregational mission. Denominational, congregational, and non-profit leaders appreciate his ability to discern truth, clarify options, and guide leaders for spiritual growth and mission impact. Tom listens, teaches, and empowers leaders to follow Christ faithfully in a world of change.

Tom’s spiritual journey in companionship with Christ began at an early age through an experience of healing. He was called to ministry and licensed to preach by the Methodist Church in High School. Ever since then he has mentored pilgrims, guided small groups, preached to seekers and disciples, and grown churches. He has been a pastor in three denominations in the United States and Canada; provided national leadership for the United Church of Canada in evangelism and congregational mission; and worked tirelessly as a church transformer and clergy coach.

For over ten years, Tom has traveled widely consulting with churches, training clergy and lay leaders, and speaking to Christian conferences small and large. He is a frequent traveler working with churches across the denominational and theological spectrum. He works with Anglo, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian churches in urban, exurban, suburban, rural, and even remote contexts. His books and articles have been translated into Spanish, Korean, and Afrikaans.

In the course of his spiritual journey, Tom has also been involved in academic theological teaching. He received his master’s degree from Princeton Seminary, and his academic doctorate in philosophical theology from the University of Toronto and Toronto School of Theology. He regularly participates in the American Academy of Religion and several societies related to the theology of culture and philosophy of religion. He is a favored guest lecturer and teacher for church development, practical theology, and postmodern Christian witness.

Tom has published over 16 books and numerous articles, and produced a variety of DVD’s. ThrivingChurch.com has a complete list of his writing.

Tom was born in Cleveland, Ohio; raised in many regions of the United States; and currently lives with his wife, Lynne, near Toronto, Ontario. Lynne is a pastor with over 30 years of experience, currently leading a growing church. They have been married for all that time and rejoice with two gifted children.

The mission of Thriving Church Consulting is to guide Christian leaders for ancient mission in the contemporary world. Tom’s personal mission is to help people experience the transforming power of God and walk daily with Jesus Christ. He is ready to help you follow Christ faithfully in a changing, challenging world.

PANUA CELEBRATES SELECTION SUNDAY

Thank you to all our members who have stepped out in faith and committed to partnering with one of our 200 Panua youth for the next 3 years. We even had some creative partnerships begin. Lee and Art Cross connected with Kayla Anderson to write letters and financially support Nandia in the Kihoto neighborhood. There are still 22 youth in need of Prayer Partners. If you are interested in supporting the Panua Program through a Prayer Partner, please contact Jensie Gobel, jensie@panua.org.

BROADWAY BOUND – YOUTH CHOIR FUNDRAISER

Feb. 10 and 11, 6:30pm, Matthias Family Life Center Gym

Support the Impact Singers’ Summer 2017 mission trip. Enjoy a cabaret-style performance of Broadway’s finest, featuring the music of Mame, Wicked, and theme songs from movies. Silent auction will take place both nights. Tickets avialable in the front office and online.

Dinner and a show – Feb. 10, Adults: $30, Children (9-under) $15

Desserts, coffee and a show – Feb. 11, all tickets $20

Register

Seven Experiment Schedule of Sermons and Fasting

• Feb. 26 – a sermon introduction to the series.
  • Ask congregation to read introduction and chapter one.
  • Small groups start meeting the week of March 5.
• March 5 – food
  • The fast on food runs March 6-12
• March 12 – clothing
  • The fast on clothing runs March 13-19
• March 19 – possessions
  • The fast on possessions runs March 20-26
• March 26 – media
  • The fast on media runs March 27-April 2
• April 2 – waste
  • The fast of waste runs April 3-9
• April 9 – spending
  • The fast on spending runs April 10-16
• April 16 (Easter) – stress
  • The fast on stress runs April 17-23

 

– Books will be available online and in the courtyard on Sundays in February.

 

The Wednesday morning Women’s Book Club recently met to discuss our January book, the novel “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.” It was an enjoyable time with a group of women who love to read and talk about what they have read. If this describes you, we hope you will join us for our February meeting on Wednesday, February 8th. The book we will be discussing then is “A Walk Across the Sun” by Corban Addison. It is a novel that tells the story of two sisters from India caught up in human trafficking and the people dedicated to helping them. It should be the kind of inspiring story that provokes good discussion. We meet in the church library at 10AM on the second Wednesday of every month.

Register Here

Confirmation refers to the decision a person makes to respond to God’s grace with intentional commitment, publicly reaffirming his or her baptismal vows before the congregation. During confirmation class, confirmands learn about the meaning of Christian faith, the history and teachings of The United Methodist Church, and an explanation of the baptismal and membership vows they will be professing.
Confirmation takes place over 11 weeks starting in January and ending in April on Confirmation Sunday. We meet in MFLC Room 313 during the Sunday School time (9:30-10:30am).Below is a list of dates including the Confirmation Retreat, Confirmation Sunday, and a few dates in which we will not be meeting:

• Confirmation Starts: January 22nd , 2017
• Confirmation Retreat: April 7th-9th, 2017
• Confirmation Rehearsal/Dinner: April 20th, 2017
• Confirmation Sunday: April 23rd, 2017
• Confirmation DOES NOT meet: February 26th or April 16th

Please look over these dates and take them seriously. The Confirmation class teaches a lot of information in a relatively short period of time. We ask that your student attend every session and the retreat. The material builds on itself and there will be a make-up assignment due if you are absent.

While we enjoy ministering to the students in Confirmation each year, we cannot run Confirmation without the help of our many adult and student mentors. All parents are invited to join Confirmation as mentors! Student mentors must be in high school and will be selected based on merit, with priority given to older students. Adult mentors do not need to be Biblical scholars or teach lessons to the group- all you need is a passion for students, faith, and a willingness to serve. Mentors use a curriculum to co-lead small groups each Sunday before a large group lesson. Mentors are expected to attend each Confirmation session and the retreat. There will be a mandatory training (offered on two dates- but each mentor must attend one session) for adult and student mentors in January (dates TBD). If you are interested in mentoring and have questions, please contact Michael LeBlanc at michaell@fumcwp.org.

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