From the Archives: The Tiniest Bit of Something Good

On the last Sunday in June [2018] I dropped my son off at Camp Glisson. Leaving Atlanta, I’d hoped for cooler, drier air in the mountains, but it was stubbornly hot and muggy, even north of Dahlonega. The thick woods did little to cool things off, and James and I sweated even after just one trip from the car to his cabin.

It was his first sleep-away camp experience, which concerned me a little. But what bothered me more was that I had registered him for the wrong program, the one his friend Sam was not registered for. I didn’t let on that I felt worried for him going into a cabin of 12 boys, many of whom were already paired up with buddies they’d known since they were little. But in so many ways, James is more mature than I am. Where did his social confidence come from? Certainly he didn’t inherit it from me or my husband.

I helped him make his bed, a top bunk over the counselor’s desk. He was wearing his "Free Hugs" t-shirt and what looked to me like some kind of 10-year-old’s game face. It's the face you put on when you’re girding yourself, when you don’t want to reveal any vulnerability. He sternly tucked in the corners of the fitted sheet and placed his pillow at one end. A kid across the cabin called over to James that he wanted a hug in a tone that sounded a bit derisive. James’s words were “Yeah, OK,” but his attitude was “you wanna piece of me?” I noticed another kid who also appeared to be alone and was taking solace in a book. I asked James if he wanted one of his books out of the car. “OK,” he said, “72-Story Tree House.”

After another sweaty walk out to the car, I returned with the book. James was sitting on a lower bunk with three other boys, including the hug requester, playing a game of cards. In minutes the boys had gone from being mildly contentious strangers to new friends. My heart swelled, but I kept my cool, trying not to embarrass anyone. I left the book on James’s bed and told him to have a good week without too much fanfare.

The whole drive home, Barbara Day Miller’s words played themselves in my mind. She had kicked off Glenn’s Summer Lecture Series a few weeks earlier with her talk "Prayers as a Part of Worship." There was a phrase she used that struck me as relevant to the way the boys had made friends: “the tiniest bit of something good.” She had had us close our eyes as she read Mark 4:26-34, the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Before beginning she had asked us to “see what you see, without question, without analysis, without trying to figure out what this means. Just see what you see and how that feels.”

Jesus also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once the sower goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." Jesus also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds in the earth; and yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

It was a different experience –- hearing the verse read versus reading it myself. Barbara’s reading was lovely, her voice swaying with the language and pausing now and again to let our mental images form more fully. She asked what we saw as she read and showed us how the images and feelings hinted at more. An audience member said that the place was “sunny and cool.”

“Isn’t this like the kingdom of God?” she asked in response. “Haven’t you encountered God’s kingdom like this? It doesn’t feel dry or hungry or wounded, but just takes the tiniest bit of something good and pretty soon it feels like this (spreading her arms). The sower in the verse doesn’t know how it happened, no clue, just a glimpse.”

She related the idea to her own experience of singing Psalm 23 and riding the soaring crescendo that peaks with “…and I will dwell in the house of the Lord…” …how the music and the meaning combine with something else to bring us to a place of fullness. But “just like that and then it’s gone,” she said. “You’ve seen the kingdom of the Lord like this.”

I definitely have: towering, joyous, ineffable and ephemeral, but somehow more real than anything else. “The tiniest bit of something good,” is the phrase, the words that came to me over and over on the drive home from Glisson. Barbara broke character to deliver the description with a southern intonation, an emphasis on the word “good” that somehow evoked intimacy and familiarity.

Why should such a small episode as my son making friends at camp make me so happy? I could explain it as just one of life’s opportune moments, the lucky coincidence of my having had this son and that he should be fortunate enough to go to this camp with these kids. Instead, I had the idea Barbara had given me -- that of the kingdom being the tiniest bit of something good, and that that bit can grow to become even bigger. Cruising down 400, it also occurred to me that I can help it grow, that I can shower my small bit of hopeful water and help sprout the seed.

Irene Hatchett

---

Register now for Camp Glisson!  Summer camp registration is now open to United Methodists!  Many Glenn kids (and yours truly!) can share more about the wonders of Camp Glisson. Camperships available for all Glenn Church members - contact me for the form and Glenn Church helps cover up to $100 per camper. glisson.org (note that Glenn Vacation Bible School is June 8-12, 2020!)

Glenn’s Chords Across the World

Last week as Glenn Memorial celebrated its 100th Anniversary, Pastor Mark reminded us of all the chords that have been built over our first century as a church. Chords of faith, of love, of service, among many other types of chords orchestrated through the holy spirit. Many of these “ties that bind” are easy to see as we reflect on our own daily experiences as members of Glenn. Weekly Sunday school classes. Prayer circles. Book studies. Pancake breakfasts. Sing-a-longs with our homebound brothers and sisters. VBS fun with our children. And Glenn Memorial has many chords beyond the walls of our church and the borders of our state and country.

Over the past decade you, the Church, have been building ties that bind in Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Cambodia, and Honduras. Through your generous giving to our annual operating budget, we now provide full tuition scholarships to 109 students in these countries ranging from kindergarten through university studies. Students receive support every year until they graduate. Most of these scholarships are for girls, including Jessie Cevallos (pictured below). She’s studying Ecological Tourism at a university in Ecuador thanks to your faithful gifts. That’s a pretty powerful tie.

Many of these children come from families that migrated from the countryside to the Atucucho neighborhood far outside the capital of Quito. Their parents are constantly looking for day labor and are rarely at home to care for their children. Glenn’s gift provide not only tuition, books, and uniforms for these students, but also after school care provided at the Methodist Church Agua de Vida (Water of Life).

Our chords stretch directly to missionaries Marilyn Chan in Cambodia (who recently retired) and Sara Flores in Ecuador. You may remember hearing their names during weekly prayer on Sundays. Glenn’s covenant relationship with these amazing women provides the financial and spiritual support they need to spread God’s love to the vulnerable and to ensure our scholarship funding reaches those who need it most.

Our chords are tied up in a school building in Cambodia where young children can live and learn. Several years ago Glenn and several other churches helped fund the construction of a girl’s dormitory that now houses many of our scholarship recipients. And the threads of our church are literally worn in Zimbabwe where Glenn scholarship recipients proudly where school uniforms every day, uniforms supplied through gifts of our very own members.

In a sense, Glenn’s Missions Committee is dedicated to building strong Kingdom chords from 1660 North Decatur Road to many parts of the world. I’m sure these chords were celebrating our Birthday last week as well.

If you have an interest in Mission at Glenn please contact Missions Committee Chair, Aaron Hurst.

Your Century

The first worship service for the new Emory University Methodist Church was held on January 11, 1920, in the recently constructed Durham Chapel.  Remember?  The Rev. Thomas H. Lipscomb, who, like the Rev. Connor Bell, hailed from Mississippi, was the first pastor, serving also as professor of English Bible, but Bishop Warren A. Candler, chancellor of the university, preached the first sermon.  You remember all that, right?

Fifty-seven people joined that first Sunday (I’m still waiting for a Sunday like that here), among them the Johnson family, the Turners, Goodyears, Meltons, Stipes, and Rev. Lipscomb’s family, of course, along with Ms. Gardner, Mr. Chan, Mr. Paik, Mr. Beeson, Mr. Starnes, and more.*  Remember?  I do.

I remember that first Sunday, not because I was there (I’m not THAT old), but because that day and those people are all part of the story that is now my story.  And that story is yours, too.  Even if you arrived at Glenn Memorial yesterday, all of the memories that fill a hundred years of history are your memories now, too.  No, we haven’t arranged with the Brain Center down the street to implant anything in your head.  No electrodes are needed.  It’s simpler than that and more beautiful.  This transference of memories is called adoption.  It’s called communal identity.  It’s called church.

When you join Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, you join the story we all share.  It goes way back, that story—back to circuit riders and frontier churches, the Wesley brothers and their revival, Roman roads, and traveling apostles.  Remember Abraham and Sarah?  That far back and farther.  But this Sunday we’ll focus on the last 100 years, the good and even some of the bad.

At 11 a.m. (one service only), we will all gather in the Glenn Memorial Auditorium/Sanctuary (it was always conceived as dual purpose), where, as I’m sure you remember, worship was first held in October 1931, and there we will join in a grand celebration.  Friends and family will be on hand, and former pastors will participate, along with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, Dean of Candler School of Theology and Interim Provost of the University Jan Love, and Emory University President Claire Sterk.  And, if all goes as planned, another critically important guest will be there as well—you—in the middle of it all, praying and singing and rejoicing.

It’s so important, your presence, because who better than you to start work on the NEXT 100 years of ministry?  I mean, you already have a century’s worth of experience.  Remember?

In Christ,

Rev. Mark Westmoreland

*The facts I’ve shared here are from Dr. Jimmy May’s wonderful book, The Glenn Memorial Story: A Heritage of Trust.  Copies are available in the church library, if you’d like to refresh your memory.

From the Archive: Refugees: Who, What, and Why (2017)

“Refugees”: the very word likely evokes a variety of emotions for many, including our own congregation. There is much anxiety, confusion, and controversy in the air today about immigration in general, with the unfortunate result that the specific immigration category of refugees sometimes gets unfairly mixed in with other, separate concerns.

Our hope with this piece is to shed more light on the subject of refugees and to reduce some of the misunderstanding, as well as to remind ourselves and others about what Glenn has been doing and what we can still do to support the large refugee community in Atlanta. And perhaps most importantly, to remember the theological reasons that prompt us to commit to this work.

A refugee is a special category of immigrant who has undergone a lengthy and multi-step process in order to be admitted into the U.S. or other country. First, the status of “refugee” must be determined by the United Nations, based on well-founded reasons for fleeing the person’s native country because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or their political opinion. The U.S. hand-selects every person who is admitted into our country as a refugee and gives priority to refugees who have been targeted by violence. Second, for entry into the U.S. the person must be referred to the U.S. refugee admissions program by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, or by a U.S. embassy or approved humanitarian aid organization. Fewer than 1% of the nearly 20 million refugees in the world are considered for resettlement worldwide. Third, refugees undergo the most intensive vetting process of any other type of immigrant seeking to enter the U.S. Refugees seeking entry into the U.S. undergo security screenings by multiple agencies, including the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security. The total vetting process typically takes up to 36 months.

Once a refugee has been cleared for resettlement into the U.S., the U.S. government works with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and eight other national resettlement agencies to help them make a new start in America. In metro Atlanta, IRC is one of five resettlement agencies supporting our very large refugee community, many of whom have settled in the Clarkston area. Newly arrived refugees receive stipends to cover their first few months in the U.S., but they must be self-supporting after that. Many successfully assimilate into American culture, become U.S. citizens, and contribute to their communities.

Churches and other organizations and individuals assist agencies like IRC by providing funding for refugee family sponsorship, which offsets the federal funding those agencies receive and enables the federal funds to go farther in assisting the refugee community. Family sponsorship also enables a church to develop a relationship with the sponsored family, in many cases a relationship that persists long after the sponsorship period has officially ended. Glenn had been planning to undertake such a sponsorship this year, but the recent changes in U.S. policy on refugees (placing a 120-day hold on admitting any more refugees and reducing the total number of refugees for 2017 from 110,000 to 50,000) have made it impossible for IRC and other resettlement agencies to offer a family sponsorship program for the rest of this year.

Glenn has been involved with support of refugees through IRC for the past several years through the work of two of our service committees: Environmental and Missions. For our 2017 monthly day of service initiative, the service opportunity for the last two months has been focused on Atlanta's refugee population. On Saturday February 25 [2017], a group of Glenn folks spent the morning at the IRC community garden near North DeKalb Mall. We weeded, spread mulch, and climbed a mountain (of mulch)! In the process, we forged new friendships, sweated a bit, and cleared a path between garden plots. It might not seem like much, but to those who garden there, it means a lot that people are willing to come out and spend a Saturday morning to help them as they adjust to their new life in Atlanta. The garden is appropriately named the "New Roots Community Garden", a fitting name for a place for new growth. This was the Glenn Environmental Committee's third year assisting with the garden.

On Saturday March 25 [2017], a group of about 15 Glenn folks gathered at IRC’s Resettlement Store near Northlake Mall. This continued a tradition that the Missions Committee has followed for the last three years of spending a couple of hours on a Saturday morning working as “stock clerks”, sorting donated items that are in large plastic bags or cardboard boxes in the storeroom and placing them in the appropriate racks or shelves in the store itself. By the time our volunteers leave, the racks and shelves are packed full. But, we are told, by the following Tuesday the racks and shelves will all be empty as the refugee families come in and take all the items they need, free of charge. IRC depends strictly on volunteers to help keep the store stocked each week, so this remains a wonderful opportunity for Glenn to be involved in a meaningful way in helping our refugee neighbors.

We believe that when we choose to help refugees, we are engaging in Jesus’ work of being in relationship with and being of service to the least, the last, and the lost. We live into our congregation's desire to "Love God, Love Neighbor" more fully and embody Jesus' teaching of welcoming the stranger.

If you can't join us in these “hands-on” volunteer activities, but are interested in learning or doing more, here are other ways you can help (information provided by IRC). Some of these are political advocacy steps, others are for becoming better informed, others are for providing financial help. Whatever your preference, we hope you will consider becoming involved.

Albert Sheffer, Missions Chair
Lynn Speno, Environmental Chair

Urgent Need TODAY:
If you live in Georgia and have 30 seconds please call the office of Gov. Brian Kemp and ask him to sign a letter affirming that Georgia will remain welcoming to refugees. If Gov. Kemp does not sign a letter affirming that Georgia will remain welcoming to refugees and refugee resettlement by Friday, the refugee resettlement program in Georgia will not continue under an executive order issued by President Trump.

Please call Gov. Kemp 404-656-1776 and ask him to sign a letter affirming that Georgia will remain welcoming to refugees and refugee resettlement. 42 other states have already signed letters affirming their willingness to continue to resettle refugees in their state.

Christmas is Here

It is upon us, that day of days.  Or maybe I should say we have come upon it, following its trail through December, tracking it day by day, moment by moment, until at last ... See?  Just ahead.  There it is.

It’s been quite a trip so far—from the Hanging of the Greens with the youth to wreath-making and a Christmas pageant with the children.  There was the Service of Lessons and Carols in all its beauty and magnificence and the Service of Grief and Hope to acknowledge that not all of life is beauty and magnificence.  And, of course, there have been opportunities to gather around tables and study together and eat together—so vital to keeping up our strength and spirits for the journey.  And every Sunday, we lit another candle to light the way. 

All along the way, we passed signs of the good news of great joy that awaited us.

Maybe it was the lights of a lawn surprising you as you rounded a corner or the lights of your own tree whispering peace.  Christmas.  Or maybe some ornament on that tree or some scent of the season carried you back in an instant to Christmas past.  A moment with family and friends or even a journey down a shopping aisle offered a lens through which the glory of Christmas shone.

Bits of it everywhere—on television, radio or leaping from your mailbox—announcing its approach.  All of it good company for the journey.
And now, here we are.  Christmas is here.

And I do mean that Christmas is HERE.  We’ve come back to where we started this trip, the church.

If it’s the purity of the Christmas message you’re seeking, nowhere will you find it more gloriously than in worship with friends and strangers, saints all.  Add your voice to the carols; dive into the story of God’s love made flesh.  Shuffle past the shepherds and nudge aside the sheep and donkeys until at last, you see the mother’s face there beside the feed-trough cradle.  And in that cradle … the baby, the Christ child, full of grace and truth, right there in the midst of our worship and right in the middle of the sometimes-crazy life we share in this world.

And here is our wonderful part in it all: to sing, to love and rejoice, to worship and welcome the Christ.

Christmas is here at Glenn Memorial, and I hope you will be, too.
 
Christmas Eve
 
4 p.m.: The Christmas Story
A beautiful and unique telling of the Christmas story by children and adults, with song, dance, and wonderful costumes that recreate the most holy of nights. 
 
7 p.m.  Traditional Service of Worship
This service, new this year, will include beautiful music by the Glenn Chancel Choir, accompanied by organ and brass, the Christmas story from Luke’s gospel, a Christmas Message, and candlelighting.
 
11 p.m.  Service of Holy Communion
We’ll see in Christmas morning with carols, the story,
Holy Communion and candlelighting.

In Christ,
Mark Westmoreland

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all the church staff,
Was a little bit crazy, that you just had to laugh;

Mark was working on his sermons with care,
While Brent ensured all the Gathering details were there;

The children were hyper with their sweets galore,
Kathy and Kerry were ready to head out the door;

Connor and Jad led the Youth in the YAAB, 
While Pam and Julia with the pledge cards, kept tab,

Erin, Jordan, Kevin, & Seul-bin studied for seminary tests,
And we all were hoping that this Christmas would be the very best. 

Blair and campus ministers were cooking up pancakes in the kitchen.
And Glenn School was gathering all of the donated mittens.

When down in the Choir Room, Michael led the singing,
And up in the office, Cathy wondered if the phone would ever stop ringing.

Away to the nursing homes, Susan had poinsettias to deliver,
With a stop for a children's playgroup and a support group for caregivers.

Jessica cranked out letters and bulletins galore,
And all waited & wondered what Christmas Eve had in store,

Mary Lindsey and Katie led the children in singing,
Nativity pageants, laughter, and bell ringing.

The Chrismons were hung by the Altar Guild with care,
While Ossie & Ben did more than their fair share.

From far and wide, the congregation, they came,
New friends and old, many greeted by name;

Timothy sat down at the organ to begin,
And the holy night was upon us again. 

With candlelight and costumes, the work of each volunteer,
It all came together in a sacred night of worship and cheer.

As young Mary and Joseph walked down aisle,
A young child gasped, "Look, Mom, the baby's real!"

So then came the shepherds, and the angels on high,
The jewel-laden magi and their young pages following behind.

And then, in a twinkling, all became quiet and still,
Glory to God in the highest -- peace, and goodwill.

Later that night,  the Body and Bread are shared.
The Youth Alumni return, singing among even a few tears.

And as the last bulletins are gathered and the candles blown out,
The staff look around in the darkness and realize, this is what it's all about;

A bundle of youth, walking out with their loved ones,
A pajama-clad child. carried out on Dad's arms,

An older adult being helped down the stairs, 
Quiet laughter and conversations fill the air.

As the Advent Wreath lights the way:  Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
The true gifts of the day.

So despite all of the chaos that December brings,
It's all worth it each year as the Christmas bells ring.

The church staff head home for a long winter's nap,
until Sunday morning, and we start over...just like that!

"Happy Christmas to all, from your Glenn Church Staff!”

The Message of a Child

We are at that stage with my toddler's speech development where he knows very clearly what he is trying to communicate.  However, his pronunciation of words continues to baffle us.  This weekend we had a flurry of seasonal fun and at one point he was insisting to look at my phone at photos.  "Pictures!" "Me!"  And then, what I thought was his attempt at "Santa Claus."  So I proceeded to show my little darling elf photos of himself with the jolly ole' fellow.  Yet, he grew madder and madder.  Stomping his little feet and clearly becoming so frustrated with his ignorant mother as he pushed the phone away.  (That was a first for this #screentimegeneration.)  Finally, he reached out and held both my cheeks between his chubby little hands and slowly and emphatically articulated: "Monkey.  Oooh!  Oooh! Oooh!"

CURIOUS GEORGE!  He wanted to see Curious George!   NOT Santa Claus. 

One might wonder if our Loving Heavenly Parent spent generations and generations trying to communicate with the world.  But as clearly as love and grace and salvation were articulated through creation and the prophets and prophetesses of old, humanity remained baffled.  So at last, God came down to embody the chubby little hands of a baby boy who, as he grew up in his ordinary life as the son of a carpenter, undoubtedly became frustrated with the ignorance of a world that thought we knew the answers to what he proclaimed.  But instead of growing madder and madder and stomping his feet (minus that time in the Temple with the money-changers!), he holds our cheeks between his loving hands and slowly and emphatically articulates:  "Hope. Peace. Joy. Love."

Hope to see you and your children who teach us the best lessons of faith this week as we continue to retell the story of Emmanuel - God with us -- until we all finally understand!
         

Grace and Peace,
Rev. Susan Pinson

'Tis the Season to Be Winsome

I’ve always loved the word, but, like other words I love, such as “forgiving” or “patient” or “good,” it’s easier admired than embodied.  The word I’m thinking of is winsome.  Take a moment and say it.  It actually sounds like what it is.

1. The Oxford Shorter Dictionary gives it four definitions:

2. Pleasant, delightful, agreeable.

3. Kindly, gracious, merciful.

4. Pleasing or attractive in appearance; winning or innocently appealing in appearance, character, or manners, charming, engaging.

5. Cheerful, joyous.

I’ve known some winsome people.  They’re the kind of people other people want to be around, or at least I do.  They seem to know something the rest of us haven’t quite figured out.  They walk through their days—or maybe I should say they linger in their days, because that’s what they seem to do, they linger—with gracious confidence.

Notice that I said “confidence,” not “certainty.”  I might be splitting hairs, but I think there’s a difference.  Confidence is about being; certainty is about belief.

There’s no shortage of certainty these days, and that’s a good thing, I guess.  I mean I admire the conviction and strength of character.  Yet… I also find that certainty is the “quality” shared by pretty much everybody that annoys me—on the left, on the right, or smack dab in the center.  And by certainty, I mean CERTAINTY, the all-caps variety that assumes the worst of anyone who might disagree. The 21st-century version of self-righteousness, it seems to me, is self-certainty, and it’s just as judgmental and obnoxious.  In fact, in my vast and indisputable experience (Look it up; I’m experienced), I’ve found that even uncertain people can be annoyingly certain in their absolute certainty that nothing is certain, and of that I’m certain, or even CERTAIN (“Do I contradict myself?  I contain multitudes.”—Walt Whitman).

But to know yourself and what you believe and to allow others the space to be who they are—that’s gracious confidence, unthreatened and unthreatening—and that’s winsome, too.  Winsomeness isn’t about shared opinions; it’s about shared humanity.  Yes, there are important debates to be had, that must be had, but with what attitude do we begin?

Winsomeness is an attitude, a faith even.  It’s a way through life.  To be winsome is to anticipate, and so find, joy in our encounters.  It is to meet people with the expectation that genuine relationship is possible and thus make possible genuine relationship.

So, during these weeks of Advent, a season of joy and expectation, let’s give winsomeness a try.  Linger.  Listen.  Care.  Welcome.  Invite.  Dare to be the first to smile, the first to say hello.  I’m pretty sure that the person standing in front of you would benefit from a little kindness and grace, maybe even a dash of joy.  And I’m absolutely certain you’re just the winsome person to offer it.

In Christ,

Mark Westmoreland

The Last Turn of the Year

We’re about to make the turn into the season.

Back in January and February we started on our way, looking for the right path into a new year, testing the road and getting comfortable with our journey.  But then came Spring, and our pace quickened.  We rolled along the scenic routes of March and April and stopped by Mom’s house in May, before hitting the long stretches of June and July with their fireworks and road trips.  With August we headed back home, only to slog along the jammed streets of September and October, yellow buses ahead of us, commuters behind, and calendar-driven parents all around.

 Maybe it was Halloween that started us looking for the turn, but with Thanksgiving we know we’re there.  We’re about to round the last bend.  Then it’s all downhill past festive lights and well-stocked stores, through malls and gatherings and trips to the church, until at last we screech into Christmas.

This last patch of the year can make for a wild trip.  If you’re not careful, you can fly straight through December and halfway into February before you know where you’ve been.  So, slow down for a moment and take a look at what lies ahead.  It’s such a small part of the journey, this last leg, but it carries us across an amazing landscape.

Thanksgiving sets the tone.  Stop for a moment and look around.  Notice the leaves caught up in wind, the smells of food, the smiles on family faces.  Count the blessings you’ve accumulated along the way this year.  Or don’t count.  But say thanks.

Now, make the turn into Advent and December, and be sure to keep your eyes open for familiar surprises.  On your way to the mall, notice the songs on the radio.  Watch a Hallmark movie (or 20).  And look carefully as you go from mall to gathering to church; you might just catch a glimpse of bath-robed shepherds following an aluminum-foil star.  Or maybe it’s the real star.  I’m not sure, but I know it’s enough to take your breath away.

While you’re out and about, be sure to stop in the sanctuary to hear the children’s voices and the soaring songs of choir, organ, and yourself.  And then, as the road levels at journey’s end, stop once more, take a breath, light a candle and join in “Silent Night.”  Listen as the engine goes quiet at last.  Angelic hosts are about.  Good news is born and God’s light shines in the waning of the year.

Wonders await just beyond that last turn.

In Christ,

Rev. Mark Westmoreland, Senior Pastor

National Caregivers Month

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP

3RD WEDNESDAY EACH MONTH

Glenn UMC Parlor

 4:30-5:30 PM

            Aubrey and I were well-acquainted with the challenges of caring for family members who could not live independently.  We had been the parents of a son who was diagnosed at birth to have Downs Syndrome and lived almost 39 years.  Also, Aubrey’s Father who had dementia due to trauma came with Aubrey’s Mother to live with us and our three children in 1975. 

            So when the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offered a training session in September 2009 for those who would be interested in facilitating a support group for persons with Alzheimer’s or other dementias we were intrigued.

            Glenn’s Lay Ministers had noted concern for Glenn members who appeared to be exhibiting dementia type behaviors and agreed that such training would be good experience.  Susan Pinson, Aubrey, and I attended the Alzheimer’s Association training.  Upon Lay Minister’s recommendation and Glenn Church agreeing to support a caregiver’s group, the three of us attended the training and initiated a Caregivers Support Group at Glenn.

            The training emphasized confidentiality,  monthly meetings that would be free and open to the public.  Providing refreshments was suggested as welcoming and group building,  The facilitators are responsible for assuring all attendees an opportunity to share their story and to support others. Providing information about available resources and scheduling helpful speakers are also activities we provide.

            The Alzheimer’s Association defines a support group as an open gathering of people with common problems, needs, and interests who come together to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences in a combined effort to cope better with and manage the shared problems of dementia in a safe environment.  Support groups do not pay fees to the chapter; they do not have bank accounts, officers or directors.  All facilitators are considered volunteers of the Association and are expected to be screened and trained through the Programs Department including cooperating with a criminal background check.

            The Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter notes that National has asked us to sponsor support groups held in neutral locations only, thereby avoiding even a whiff of conflict of interest that can complicate group dynamics in a for-profit community.

            Our first support group meeting was held on November 18, 2009 with Susan, Aubrey, and me facilitating.  Five women and two men were in attendance.  The group has met every month since then with the exception of one month when none of the facilitators was available and another when Glenn was closed because of a holiday.  Susan sends attendance reports to the Georgia Chapter.  The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and visits our meetings periodically.

Results

            Some of the issues members have shared and agonized over include:

                        Relatives - those who are helpful and those who are not

                        Loved ones getting lost

                        Travel with loved ones

                        Cognitive losses including loved one not recognizing grandchildren

                        Feeling helpless

                        Narrowing of caregiver’s life

                        Whether to replace glasses, teeth, hearing aids

                        Lack of confidence in care provided by hospitals

                        Transitioning to a care facility

                        Guilt—is it okay to be mad with mother?

                        Taking away car keys

                        Guilt associated with not wanting to visit loved one

                        Emergency rooms do not deal well with persons with dementia

Feedback from a “surviving caregiver.”

            The Caregivers Support Group including Susan Pinson was “a big part of my survival kit. . . .  The Wednesday meetings were a way to join with others in similar situations and air our trials and tribulations, along with sharing the funny things and the beautiful experiences of that journey.”    

            Lay Ministers support the Group in many ways.  They have volunteered to be with loved ones while the Caregivers are in their meetings, they have shared their professional expertise at Group meetings;  and they provide support for the facilitators.           

            A basic message for caregivers is to take care of yourself and participate in a support group.  The Caregivers Support Group is celebrating ten years of supporting caregivers.  The caregivers may be caring for loved ones in their homes or in caring facilities or long distance.  All are welcome.

For the caregivers, the support group seems to meet real practical and emotional needs. For us as facilitators, it is a humbling experience to witness firsthand the unconditional love of spouses and adult children (and other family caregivers) journeying together through the heartbreaking struggles of aging. While the group itself is open to all faiths, we share a mutual sense of walking into sacred space in the Parlor each month as unspoken prayers undoubtedly sustain each family. 

Carol T. Bush
November 2019

Love Made Real: Recent, Now, Soon

Recently

Were you here two weeks ago for Emory-Glenn Sunday?  I don’t think I have ever heard more beautiful music on a Sunday morning in church … anywhere, anytime.  We had 130 or so incredibly gifted singers at the front of our church as we celebrated our historic connections with Emory University.  The Emory Concert Choir, the Candler Singers, and our own amazing chancel choir each brought their unique gifts and voices to our worship, then they all joined in an amazing and moving rendition of “How Great Thou Art” (arrangement by Eric Nelson).  We were blessed.

In one sense it was an extraordinary Sunday, in another sense simply the ordinary magnified. Not a Sunday passes that someone doesn’t mention to me the beautiful music that fills our sanctuary.  And it keeps getting better.

Were you here November 3 for All Saints’ Sunday?  As I said that day, it is for me one of the most holy and moving moments in our church year.  We heard a beautiful sermon by Susan Pinson; we lit 14 candles for members of our congregation who passed this year into the eternal embrace of God; we celebrated Holy Communion; and each of us had a chance to light a candle for the saints who have blessed our lives.  And in and through it all, we remembered that we are a part of a great Communion of Saints, servants of God all, joined by the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ.

I could easily recall here other glorious times of worship from this year, but I think you get the point.  Here is the simple truth: On Sundays in this holy space we step into God’s time and find Christ in our midst.  It doesn’t get any better than that.

And none of this happens without the faithful financial support of our congregation.

Five months ago, under the leadership of the Rev. Blair Setnor, a new ministry for 20-somethings was launched.  Thanks to this new group, recent college graduates, along with graduate students from Emory and Tech, have found here at Glenn a community of love and spiritual nurture (You’ll hear from a couple of these folks this Sunday in worship).  At a critical moment in their lives, our church is there for them, offering a place, offering Christ, making love real in their days, and empowering them for service in Christ’s name.  The faithful financial support of our congregation is making possible this new initiative.

Other holy and loving work goes on for all ages within our congregation and, through vital outreach, beyond our walls.  Almost weekly, I receive a note from some service organization expressing gratitude for the financial support of this church.  We are involved in a wide array of compassion and justice ministries through our United Methodist connection and other local and national organizations.  Our Missions and Church and Society outreach ministries are robust and grace-filled.  And none of this happens without the faithful financial support of our congregation.  You are making real the love of Jesus Christ in the world.

Now

The end of the year is before us, and we are behind financially.  Through September, our giving is down $70,000 from this time last year.  Is uncertainty about the future of United Methodism or concern about recent actions of the General Conference a part of that?  I can’t say for sure.  But I do know that our church is working with many other congregations and groups to bring positive change to our denomination, and I know vital, beautiful, and powerful work continues here in our annual conference and around the world through United Methodism.  It all happens through the faithful financial support of our congregation, joined with the giving of other faithful congregations across our conference and world.  I humbly ask, in the midst of change and some confusion, that you be present, keep focused on the good to be done, and keep doing it.

Maybe we will have to reduce our budget and therefore the ministries we offer in the year ahead.  We will certainly do what we have to do to do the most good we can.  But our giving over the next two months, along with our pledges for 2020, will tell the tale.  The financial resources that can unleash God’s mercy and truth in this world are held in the hands of Glenn members and friends.  When we open our hands and share those gifts, amazing things happen.  Love is made real around the corner and around the world.

Soon

November 17 is Commitment Sunday.  That’s two Sundays away.  Next week you’ll receive a pledge card.  Please prayerfully consider what you can give in 2020 and fill out the card.  Then bring it to church on the 17th and we’ll celebrate together what happens when we give in the love of Christ, worship in the love of Christ, and serve in the love of Christ.  Together.

After Commitment Sunday, we will complete a budget, or maybe we should call it a roadmap for ministry.  Then, through the varied ministries you support, lives will be touched with grace and hope; new people will find home here at Glenn Memorial; and we will all grow in Christ together.  That’s love—eternal, divine, glorious, grace-filled, transformative love—made real in the world.

In Christ,

Mark Westmoreland

Six Square Centimeters and a Lifetime of Love

These beautiful thoughts were shared by Amy Ard during worship on November 3.

I am thinking of an object.  It’s about 2x3 centimeters, and I’m reasonably sure it’s the reason I’m standing at the lectern of Glenn Church right now.

I was born into this church; I was the first baby in the “baby room” at Glenn Preschool; I was on church council in high school and hardly ever missed a Sunday night gathering of the youth.  But this object—this tiny little object—is probably the reason I’m here today.

It’s a stamp.

When I graduated high school and left for college, I got newsletters from Glenn in my college mailbox.  I missed my Glenn family and read them hungrily for news of the community I’d left.  I wanted to know what babies had been born, who was in the hospital and, yes, which saints had passed.

Then I went to Chicago, and the newsletters kept coming.  I was on my own in an exciting city, and I can’t promise you I read much.  I might have even complained to my mother that the church was wasting postage on me.

Then I was off to divinity school, and those newsletters got a little more interesting.  I read them to learn what this community was doing, how it was responding to the issues of the day, how it treated the vulnerable, and how it engaged the world.

When I had my own children, I decided to try church again, and not feeling particularly brand-loyal, we went to Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran churches.  Still, the newsletters kept coming.  And I kept reading.

Then my family ended up back in Atlanta, 27 years after I’d left the first time.  By then even my children were receiving mail from Glenn, when they went to summer camp at Glisson and for birthdays.  They knew the logo, and they knew this community.  All because of stamps.

I imagine if I asked each of you what you love about Glenn Church, pretty high on your list would be the sense of community you find here—the people.  And that’s certainly true for me.  I have loved so many of you for my entire life.  Still, I know community is not built magically, even though when you feel it sometimes, you know it is God moving among and between you.

No, community doesn’t just happen.  It takes work.  And yes, building community takes money.

I do not know what I’ve cost Glenn Memorial through the years in postage.  I’m sure it’s a number that would shock some members of the finance committee.  But how fitting it is that this particular stamp I hold today has one word on it—LOVE.

This stamp is how God’s love has been manifested to me through a lifetime, a simple reminder that here on this sacred ground a community is always waiting to welcome me home.  And I know that without your pledges, without your generous giving through the years, there would have been no trail of newsletters and notes to lead me back home and no wonderful church home to come back to.  I am grateful for your pledges through the years and hopeful that we can continue to make God’s love real in the world … even if only one little stamp at a time.

by Amy Ard

Commitment Sunday

Sunday, November 17
Lunch Follows the 11:00 Service
You will receive your pledge cards next week.

Love Made Real: Cana Has Nothing on Us

Here is what we are all about at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church:  We make God’s love real in the world.  We take our dollars and do stuff with them—in this world—for our neighbors—for our children and congregation—for our community and the world—that makes real God’s love for all.  The wedding in Cana has nothing on the wonders worked here.  “What can you do with this money, Lord?” we ask Jesus, and he says, “Here, hold this wine, and watch.”

And Good News of grace and mercy is preached.  And music of praise and joy fills the sanctuary and fellowship hall.  And the hungry are fed.  And the sick are comforted and healed.  And children learn about God.  And teenagers learn that there is a way in this world that is gracious and good and just.  And young adults find community and a faith that can see them through the years.  And older adults share their wisdom while finding the support of generations.  And worship is offered that lifts our eyes toward heaven and brings down blessings from God.

Pretty impressive work, Lord.  What’s next?  Just watch.

It’s important, our giving.  Tax breaks?  A bonus at best these days.  No, we give because we have found grace and are called to be gracious.  It is thanks we give, and it is real love with every offering.

On November 17, we will renew our commitment to make real God’s love in the world.  We will write some numbers on a card or go online and tap some keys.  Then, the Spirit of God will move, and works of mercy will be shared, and lives will be blessed.  It’s an amazing thing to see, really.  How will you be a part of it?

In Christ,

Rev. Mark Westmoreland, Senior Pastor

Habitat Story

By DAWN FRANCIS-CHEWNING, Glenn Memorial UMC Member

How do I sing the praises of helping others?  Loving God and our Neighbor?  By doing it . . . actively seeking ways to be the positive change we work to see.  Glenn makes that easy with so very many opportunities!  This story is about Service w/Church & Society – building houses to become homes for families. 

It’s Habitat Houses and Glenn has been all about this mission for 28 years!  I’ve been on a number of ‘builds’ . . . it’s thrilling to see a plot of cleared land become a home for a family you get to meet and work alongside of, knowing they will live and thrive there. 

Habitat offers this homeowning opportunity carefully: vetting potential owners with job security, ability to save money, attendance at classes devoted to finances and home ownership, dedication with work hours on home site builds (230+ hours – and not all on their own house).  Only then are they ‘eligible’ and go on a waiting list . . . if/when they qualify fully, they continue w/classes, savings, and work hours.  They will have a mortgage, but because of what we (Glenn, Cascade and a number of other churches contribute with build/work hours) AND Habitat make happen (supplies/expertise), they will have a mortgage interest free.  Truly - Amen! 

It’s about dedication (make no mistake – this is hard work from start to finish for the homeowner and us), fortitude (ignore the weather, pay no mind to the bugs or dirt/dust), sweat equity (of so many) and love (so much love goes around!).  Love wins and tears flow free at Dedication Day (last day) when we ready the landscape with plantings of trees/shrubs/sod and yes – flowers.   This year, the Environmental Committee contributed a Glenn Canvas bag with LED bulbs and sustainable cleaning products and our newest Habitat home owner was so very moved – by our and all the other contributions (ironing board, wash baskets, & more).  Glenn’s loving Prayer Shawl Committee contributed a lovely shawl - always made with prayers of blessing for its use.  We are all blessed by being able to celebrate this new homeowner, knowing we had a small hand in this amazing home that is a testament to Christ’s love.  

So, You're Going to Attend a Pride Parade

By JESSICA BRADFORD, Glenn Communication Director

Attending a Pride event can be a happy, positive experience in your life, but there are some things you should know before you attend. Below is a list of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ everyone should be aware of before walking in the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, October 13th.

DO: Meet New People

“Pride events draw in a rich and diverse crowd.” While at Pride, step out of your comfort zone and engage with people who may not look like you, sound like you, or dress like you. This is a perfect way to show that we Love God and Love Neighbor.

DON’T: Forget the Reason for Pride Season

“Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969, which is largely credited as the catalyst of the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement. The very first Pride parade took place in New York City in 1970.” Marches took place on the last Sunday in June but have spread out across the months as traditions formed over the years. Pride is about celebrating diversity, fighting for equality and being proud of who you are. We must not forget that while LGBTQ rights have come a long way, we still have a fight before us.

DO: Take Photos

While attending Pride, it’s important to share your experience and memories with the world and show your Pride for those that cannot attend. If you decide to take photos, make sure to tag Atlanta Pride, Glenn Memorial UMC, and/or Reconciling Ministries. If you’re tagging Glenn in your posts use the hashtag #GlennChurch or #LovingGodLovingNeighbor. Even if you don’t plan on sharing photos on social media, photos are still a great way to capture memories you can revisit for years to come.

DON’T: Gawk at What You See

“Chances are you will see a lot of things at Pride that you are not regularly exposed to. Members of the leather community, drag queens, people in very little clothing, and a lot of public displays of affection by queer couples.” The LGBTQ+ community tends to go all-out during Pride, both because it’s a rare place where it’s safe to do so and as a general act of rebelliousness against heteronormative society. It’s important to respect those that feel free to be their true, authentic selves.

DO: Stay Hydrated

The Atlanta Pride Parade line-up begins a few hours before the parade begins. You will be outside for a long time that day, so it is important that you hydrate and stay hydrated. In addition, the parade route is 2 miles long and will take about 3 hours to complete. Know your limits and plan ahead to ensure that you make it through the end of the parade.

DON’T: Forget to Wear Sunscreen

Along the lines of stay hydrated, please do not forget to wear sunscreen. As mentioned above, we will be outside for many hours and walking in streets with little to no shade. Please wear sunscreen and bring some to re-apply or to share with our neighbors.

DO: Go in Judgment Free

Also see ‘Don’t Gawk at What You See’.

No matter what you see, keep your opinions to yourself. You’re going to see people who are angry; you’re going to see people who have opinions different than you. But, at Pride, let queer people express themselves as they want. This is their event to be free and authentic; respect that.

DON’T: Engage with Protesters

As mentioned above, you are going to see people at the parade who are angry. There are bound to be several protesters present, IGNORE THEM. Act as if they do not even exist. We are there to show that we have a LOVING God. Pride has no room for hate. Stay positive, loving, accepting – and don’t feed the haters.

DO: Decenter Yourself and Check Your Privilege

This may be hard to read, but if you are a cisgender, straight person, Pride isn’t about you. You can be named ally of the year, but if you do not identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community you are still entering Pride with a lot of privilege. Use that privilege thoughtfully – especially at a time when the threats of homophobia and transphobia are so apparent. It is important for us to be present as allies but remember the privileges you have that others do not.

DON’T: Assume other People’s Identities

You will see people presenting themselves at Pride in various way, it’s important to remember not to make any assumptions. In addition, there’s no better place than Pride to start asking for pronouns of the people you meet or to go neutral with the pronouns of people you don’t know.

DO: Donate to Organizations that Host or Sponsor the Event

There are so many organizations that are supporting the Atlanta Pride Parade. Even if you cannot attend, you can still show your support for our LGBTQ+ neighbors by donating to the following groups:

Atlanta Pride

Lost-N-Found Youth

Reconciling Ministries Network

Aids Walk Atlanta

Aids Healthcare Foundation

Out Front Theatre Company

If you or someone you know is interested in walking with Glenn Memorial in the parade, go to www.glennumc.org/rainbow-advocacy to learn about our work for full inclusion, to sign-up to walk and/or to order our Pride T-shirt (all proceeds go to benefit Lost-N-Found Youth).

Brighe, Mari. “10 Rules For Cis Straight People At Pride.” Bustle, 22 June 2016, www.bustle.com/articles/168075-10-rules-cisgender-straight-people-attending-pride-should-follow.

Diehl, Dustin. “12 Pride Do's and Don'ts.” PRIDE, 14 June 2017, www.pride.com/pride/2017/6/14/12-pride-dos-and-donts#media-gallery-media-10.

Dupere, Katie. “6 Ways to Be a Better Straight Ally at Pride Events.” Mashable, 28 June 2019, mashable.com/article/lgbtq-pride-straight-allies/.

Hale, James L. “9 Things All Allies At Pride Need To Know.” Bustle, 12 June 2018, www.bustle.com/p/lgbtq-allies-at-pride-need-to-know-these-9-things-before-they-go-9376627.

Them. “Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Time at LGBTQ+ Pride.” Them., Them., 6 June 2018, www.them.us/story/first-timers-guide-to-pride.

My Favorite Book - High School Retreat Reflection

By LELIA TOLBERT, High School Student and Glenn Youth Member

A lot of people say that they are religious. They’ve grown up going to some sort of religious gathering with their family and taken part in specific traditions where they sing songs, eat good food, and repeat the words from the bulletin. But there is a difference between showing up and having a relationship with your faith. 

It took a good 38 hours in the woods of Northern Georgia with no cell service for me to step into a new type of mindset on what religion means to me. It's kind of ironic actually because I’ve grown up in a Methodist church my whole life and haven’t even read the bible. I’ve seen a couple of good movies and TV shows on the Bible but I had never sat down with the most popular book ever written in the world and tried to understand it. The nice thing about getting away for a weekend with a group of other people my age with the same questions and lack of understanding as me was that we all had a chance to take our first step in trying to understand what some of the major stories from the Bible represent both literally and metaphorically.

In our thick packets filled with excerpts from the Bible that we discussed throughout our weekend, there was one line from John 14:6 that stuck out to me... “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. We spent a good hour in my group trying to understand the meaning behind this one sentence and I’ll save you the expense, we never did come to a consensus on the meaning because out of the 6 people in my group, we all interpreted this line differently, some with a positive connotation and other's with a negative one.'

You can’t interpret the Bible through one lens or view it under one genre. What makes the Bible so great is that it’s a novel, it’s a poem, it’s a short story, it’s history, it’s a mystery, it’s a biography, it’s a romance, and it’s a horror story. It’s everything, and for that reason, you can’t just pick up the Bible and read it like you would a magazine or a newspaper. You have to break it up into chunks and read each scripture, gospel, and parable with the setting and time in mind and then think about ways it can connect to your personal life in 2019. 

The bible doesn’t have to be some scary leather book that sits in a dusty corner of your room. I have found that the more I read and learn about the bible, the more I develop my own personal interpretations of its words and how I can use them to create my own morals and my own perspective of the world around me. I would definitely say that it’s one of the craziest books I’ve ever read and so far, as of right now, I’m only on the first page of the Book of Genesis.

Christ is with you

Christ is with you

In the moment of sorrow

      In the moment of quiet calm

              In the moment of adulation

                      In the moment of boredom

                              In the moment of peaceful solitude

                                      In the moment of confusion

                                              In the moment of triumph

                                                     In the moment of spitting rage

                                                          In the moment of shame

                                                               In the moment of prayer

                                                          In the moment of pride

                                                      In the moment of forgiveness

                                              In the moment of failure

                                      In the moment of confidence

                              In the moment of aching loneliness

                      In the moment of excitement

              In the moment of humiliation          

      In the moment of fearful anxiety

In the moment of joy

In this moment

In Christ,

Rev. Mark Westmoreland, Senior Pastor

Update from the Draw the Circle Wide Task Force

After the UMC General Conference vote in February that tightened restrictions on the inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the United Methodist Church, the Draw the Circle Wide Task Force (DTCW) committed to finding ways for Glenn to:

• engage fully in working toward a new inclusive Methodism, whether through changes to the UMC denomination or through the creation of a new entity;

• engage in active resistance, combined with education, advocacy, and support, until a fully inclusive Methodism is born.

Here is a quick look at where we are now.

An Inclusive Methodism

The deadline for submission of legislation to be considered at the May 2020 General Conference was September 18. While we don’t yet have information about all the legislation proposed, we do know that various plans for the future of the UMC have been developed. These plans include ones that call for the dissolution of the denomination, for disaffiliation provisions, for the division of the denomination into various conferences, for the elimination of any language regarding LGBTQ persons from the Book of Discipline, and for strengthening punishments for violations of the current provisions of the Book of Discipline. Once details of the legislation to be considered at the Conference are made available, Glenn will be able to advocate for plans that we believe best reflect what our faith calls us to be as a church. As a reminder, both Blair Setnor and Jay Horton are delegates to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC. Good resources for staying up to date with what is happening in the denomination include  umnews.org, mainstreamumc.com, and hackingchristianity.net. These sources can also be followed via social media.

Resistance, Education, Advocacy and Support

• Mark Westmoreland is currently leading a book study looking at what the Bible has to say about sexuality, morality, LGBTQ persons and all persons, structured around Steve Harper’s recent book, Holy Love: A Biblical Theology for Human Sexuality. The book study is meeting Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in room 401 of the Church School Building and all are welcome.

• The task force is working with the Altar Guild to modify the language in Glenn’s wedding brochure. The new language will provide “Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church welcomes weddings for all couples who wish to plan a church wedding. As a Reconciling Ministries Network church, we are happy for our hospitality to extend to couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Our Sanctuary and Little Chapel can be used as venues for same-sex weddings because the buildings are owned by Emory University rather than by the church. Glenn welcomes and works with visiting clergy to celebrate holy unions of all kinds, including same-sex weddings, as described elsewhere in this brochure.” The language goes on to say that, although UMC ministers are currently prohibited from performing same-sex weddings, Glenn “continue[s] to be a community committed to loving God and loving neighbor and to be a church actively involved in resisting the doctrinal discrimination occurring in our denomination.”

• At least 20 members of Glenn will be marching in the Pride Parade on October 13. We have also invited other UM churches and area Reconciling Ministries Network members to join with us. DTCW has already committed to marching and hosting a booth for the 2020 Parade. It is not too late to register to walk this year: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0845abac28aafa7-walk

• Over $400 from Glenn’s Pride Parade t-shirt sales is being donated to Lost-N-Found Youth, an Atlanta-based non-profit that works to end homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth. These funds will support that organization’s work to provide emergency and transitional housing, emergency clothing and food for youth on the street, mental health evaluations and counseling, referrals to HIV/STD testing, health and dental services, referrals to GED training/testing and other education resources, and more. To learn more about Lost-n-Found Youth, including opportunities for volunteering, go to www.lnfy.org.

• DTCW is working with Emory to update our bathroom signage in the Church School Building and the Sanctuary to make it more inclusive. This includes designating bathrooms in each building as All Gender, providing signage for secure All Gender bathrooms, and improving our signage for accessible bathrooms. You may have noticed some temporary signage that DTCW has installed as we wait on Emory to install permanent signage.

The DTCW task force continues to work with other United Methodist churches and individuals to bring just and gracious solutions that move the church forward in its ministry to make disciples for the transformation of the world.  We believe in the church and in the grace and call of Jesus Christ for all people, and we continue to work in the Holy Spirit to make real the church God calls us to be.

Meet the GLENNterns

Name: Jordan Grassi

Age: 22

Hometown: Key West, Florida

Position at Glenn: Associate Director of Worship– The Gathering

What led you to seminary, and why Candler?

I started thinking about seminary after a conversation with one of my undergraduate professors where I vented about my passion for both music and theology and how I had no idea how anything intersected vocationally. He just sat there for a minute then looked up and said, “have you thought about seminary?” I started seriously considering seminary as I was leading worship in a variety of contexts during/after college and felt a consistent frustration with tendencies in contemporary worship music to be very theologically shallow and/or very individualistic. As I grew more passionate about the intersection of music & theology, I knew I’d feel more comfortable writing music for the Church with some theological training. I began considering Candler as I spoke with alumni that were mentors to me but ultimately chose Candler to be in Atlanta!

Most engaging class so far, and that one class you can’t wait to take:

I loved taking Liturgical Theology with Dr. Tony Alonso. We were exposed to so many different perspectives on worship, and our class was very denominationally diverse, which created great discussion. This class also helped me realize that my passion for worship actually goes more broadly than just the musical pieces of the liturgical service. It was also helpful in dealing with the contemporary versus traditional tensions that many denominations are working with. I am taking a class on Religious Education & Our Ecological Context with Dr. Jennifer Ayres this fall, and I am beyond excited about that as well.

Favorite book you’ve read recently?

I’ve recently re-read Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner and it has been a great reminder of the importance of remembering in the sometimes slow days of summer. Buechner’s writing is so pleasant, so I love reading his work over and over again. I’m also in the process of reading The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, which has been a fascinating read in the context of Atlanta and city change over time.

Why did you want to intern at Glenn Memorial UMC?

My desire to work at Glenn really stemmed out of trying to find a church that both felt like home but offered a variety of worship styles that were integrated well. My main interest in looking for a church home after moving to Atlanta was liturgically charged but I also wanted to find a community that was warm and cared for the community around them well. With the concerns that brought me to seminary,  I was really hoping to find a community that tried new things while still incorporating ancient elements of the Church, that offered some sort of contemporary option that still felt theologically sound, while also offering more traditional services. Glenn checked lots of boxes and I loved the crew here so it was an easy internship to say yes to!

Favorite sports team?

I know I’m in Georgia… but go Gators! Also a Braves fan, and a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. :)

Fill in the blank – We will most likely find you at Glenn _______.

Filling up my water bottle for the 10th time that day at the school building’s third floor water fountain

What are you goals in this position?

I’m really excited to get to know the community at Glenn better, but also looking to continue thinking of new ways we can be working and improving worship at The Gathering- whether that be through music, the overarching liturgy, or even what the space we worship in looks like. I’m also hoping to work with Brent to get more Emory students & young adults involved at the 5 p.m. service to continue to cultivate community in our more contemporary gathering.

---

Name: Erin Sears

Age: 23

Hometown: Huntington, WV

Position at Glenn: Associate Director for Worship - Traditional

What led you to seminary, and why Candler?

As a teenager, I was engaged in leadership within the West Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC. A stirring in my heart and a few (or maybe many) nudges from God through important people in my life made me realize that I was called to ministry beyond just my time as a teenager. While I can use many of my gifts in other ways, nothing seems more fulfilling, challenging and just right as ministry. Ministry is my life’s vocation and so, now I am in seminary figuring out to what ministry God is calling me. Candler provides a balance between the academic study of theology and the practical experience of ministry through its Contextual Education program. I feel strongly that in order to be effective in ministry and further discern my call, I have to be engaged in practicing ministry while learning.

Most engaging class so far, and that one class you can’t wait to take:

After one full year of seminary, the most engaging class has been Skills in Conflict Transformation where I learned about the theories of conflict and practical skills for not just ending a conflict but uncovering the root of it and transforming the whole situation. Out of this class and my first-year experience as a prison chaplain, I developed an interest in exploring justice and how to make it restorative and not just punitive.  Candler offers a course in restorative justice that I can’t wait to take this coming fall semester to continue building my skills in conflict transformation and exploring the issues of justice.

Favorite book you’ve read recently?

Of course, I have been reading a lot for school and have found some wonderful books through my classes such as Becoming Mrs. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight Against Incarcerated Women by Susan Burton and Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians by John Paul Leder. I would highly recommend these books for anyone interested in in the real stories behind incarceration and the work for recovery or the theology of conflict. Most recently, I have been taking a break from the serious books and have been reading for fun while I have the chance. My favorite book of the summer has been Make Something Good Today by Ben and Erin Napier which is a memoir of a couple’s love story that has led them to a life of building strong communities and a few houses along the way. I have found kindred spirits in the stories of their lives that reminds me of the important work of building communities wherever I find myself.

Why did you want to intern at Glenn Memorial UMC?

I started attending Glenn Memorial UMC regularly part way through my first semester when I joined the choir. After creating connections and meeting all the amazing people, Glenn felt like the church I wanted to call home during seminary. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Favorite sports team?

I don’t watch a lot of sports, but when I do, I am usually watching my undergraduate team, the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Fill in the blank – We will most likely find you at Glenn _______.

Wherever there is music

What are your goals in this position?

In this position, I am hoping to continue in the work of making worship an engaging and spiritually enriching portion of Glenn Memorial members’ faith formation. I hope that people find that throughout each service, they can sense the Holy Spirit working through the words, music, arts, preaching, and prayers that allow them to more fully connect with God. Beyond that, I hope to teach about and help people to identify the ways that they can use their gifts to participate in worship as part of their discipleship.

---

Name: Seulbin Sunny Lee

Age: 26

Hometown: Gwangju, South Korea

Position at Glenn: Intern for Youth ministry

What led you to seminary, and why Candler?

Christian faith has been important part of my life journey. My passion for church and theology led me to the seminary. Candler welcomed me more than any other seminaries that I applied to.   

Most engaging class so far, and that one class you can’t wait to take:

The most engaging class is ‘History of Christianity in America’ with Dr. Kim. I loved this class because it has provided me a solid understanding of not only the history of America but also how the diverse Christian groups and figures interplayed with the history. I was invited to take an introductory course of the early Christian history(HC501) as a TA for this Fall. I am excited to take the class again and see new Candler people.

Favorite book you’ve read recently?

The varieties of religious experience: a study in human nature, William James, (Amherst, N.Y,2002) William James pushes back on reductionists who reduce the meaning of faith into a biological realm and argues that one’s religious experience should be judged by their fruits. Although there are folks who disagree with his empiricism, I enjoyed his effort to capture the complexity of faith and religion.

Why did you want to intern at Glenn Memorial UMC?

When I first arrived in America, I had a long lonely summer until the school started. Then I met an amazing person at Glenn. She has been a good neighbor and mentor for me. Glenn is my first home church in the US in which I enjoyed summer lecture series, services, met many good people, and have had may fun with the youth. I would like to get to know better Glenn.

Favorite sports team?

Glenn Basketball team?

Fill in the blank – We will most likely find you at Glenn in______.

Glenn Youth Building

What are you goals in this position?

I will be with the Glenn youth group in this fall. I would like to learn how they engage with God and how the various teams gather to form Glenn UMC.  As a member of the team and a student at Candler, I would like to bring the Candler training to Glenn and wish my skills and wisdom to continue to develop. 

Looking to the Year Ahead

While there are parts of our United Methodist Book of Discipline that we and fellow UMs are working hard to change, other passages are surprisingly powerful, even beautiful.  For instance, par. 201 defines the local church this way: “Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.”

As purpose statements go, that’s pretty powerful stuff.

And from par. 202: “The function of the local church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God.  Therefore, the local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is located, to provide appropriate training and nurture to all, to cooperate in ministry with other local churches, to defend God’s creation and live as an ecologically responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the church, as minimal expectations of an authentic church.”

And those are “MINIMAL expectations.”

Over our 100 years, Glenn Memorial has faithfully sought to live out this vision of the church, being sensitive always to shifting challenges facing our community and church members.

Over the months ahead, it is imperative that we continue our vital and ongoing ministries of outreach and service in the community and, through our UM connection, around the world.  At the same time, our staff has discerned four areas of ministry for enhancement and expansion in 2019-20:

Young Adults

Under the direction of the Rev. Blair Setnor, and with the cooperation of our Annual Conference and our Georgia Commission on Higher Education and Campus Ministries, we are building a new ministry for 20-somethings in our neighborhoods and in the graduate and professional schools of Emory University.  This is no small task, but one that can offer to young adults, at a critical moment in their lives, a loving relationship with Jesus Christ and a community of support and care where they can grow in faith and service.

(Blair will also relate to our area of outreach and missions.)

Spiritual Formation

It’s interesting that in the words from the Book of Discipline above, the “edification of all believers” and the “redemption of the world” sit side by side.  That is an important part of our Wesleyan heritage: Our inward relationship with Christ and our outward relationship with our neighbors can’t be separated.  We reach out with love to others while tending God’s love in our own lives.

So, how are things with your soul these days?

Over the year ahead, we will work to expand opportunities to connect with other Christians in Bible study, prayer, and mutual support.  Sunday School is a part of this, as are short- and long-term groups that will meet at the church or in homes in the community.  The Rev. Brent Huckaby will lead us in this realm of spiritual formation (also continuing his work with The Gathering).

Hospitality

The word for “hospitality” has its roots in the Latin hospes, which means “host,” except that hospes also means “guest.”  Confusing?  Well, that’s OK.  I’ve heard it said that when hospitality is properly practiced, you really can’t tell the difference between host and guest.

Over the coming months, we will work to improve our welcome and inclusion of all who come to worship in this place.  Under the direction of the Rev. Connor Bell and Communications Director Jessica Bradford, and with vital help from intern Kevin Lazarus, we will improve our online and community presence, build a network of ambassadors ready to welcome and assist each new worshiper, and enhance our system of follow-up and inclusion.

(Connor, of course, is also our minister to youth and their families.)

Invitation

Finally, we want to be sure people around us know who we are and what we’re about.  That means intentional outreach and invitation via all avenues available to us, but, above all, it means words of personal invitation spoken friend to friend, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.  We are a loving and embracing church, but it means little to welcome everyone if we invite no one.  This might be our simplest goal and maybe the most challenging—invite—and it’s the one we can all start working on right now.

So, there you have it, some goals for 2019-20—hardly earth-shaking stuff, but pretty big nonetheless, and important.  Again, we are not diminishing the importance of our many established and ongoing ministries; we are building on the foundation of what we have.

I thank God for the privilege of being in ministry with you here at Glenn, and I can’t wait to watch the Holy Spirit work through this church in the year ahead.

In Christ,

Mark Westmoreland