FRONT'N CENTER

The beginning of 2012 is upon us and we are looking toward another year that will be filled with both moments of celebration as well as moments, which will bring sadness and distress. Jesus promises' to us that, He will neither leave us nor forsake us(John 14). What a comfort it is in knowing that we enter this New Year with a God that truly loves us and will walk beside us during uncertain times.

This past year in the church, we have grown through transition and opportunity, none of which was foreseen at the beginning of 2011. Yet, through it all, we persevered because of God's faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to God. On a less popular note, the church did not fulfill all of its financial obligations; at this point as a congregation we failed to pay our conference apportionments. In addition, the congregation was unable to support two staff positions, Christian Education and Connectional Ministries, which remain un-staffed.

The New Year, 2012, will present challenges to both the congregation and to the Administrative Council. The primary role of the Administrative Council is to provide for planning and implementation of a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. The expectation of the congregation is that it will provide physical and financial resources so that their Administrative Council can fulfill its mandate from the congregation. If the congregation cannot or will not give their gifts of time, talents, or resources; then the Administrative Council cannot do the ministry to which congregation has elected them to do.

The New Year will challenge us to examine our commitment to God and to the church. How we will respond to these challenges will determine what the future of the Manchester United Methodist Church's ministries will be.

Both the church and I am inviting you to be an active participant in the life of the church; the invitation is open to each and every one of you. I hope and pray that as we begin this New Year, that those with a deep passion to do the will of God in their personal lives and in the community of Manchester will join hands and hearts in worship and praise, in duty and service, to make God's earthly kingdom a reality in the Manchester United Methodist Church.

                                                                                           Happy New Year

                                                                                             Peace & Grace,

                                                                                                    Pastor Mike

It's all "Perspective"

            Perspective. It is an understanding of how important it is to know one another so that we can all work together. It is an understanding that we are all different. We have different gifts to offer to the church. Most importantly we have all come through different life experiences along the way.

            It is vitally important to understand that very perspective the most. When I hear or see something and think, "Really, ~ how can you do that? Or think that?" I find I need to step back and consider the whole picture. What type of environment did they come from? What is the family back-round? As my mother used to say, "They do not know, what they have not been taught."

            When I first heard that quote I thought, well that sounds a little silly. But over time I have really come to understand what that really means. We all come from very different back-rounds, which is wonderful because an enormous amount of variety and gifts come to the table because of that. But we also have to step out of the "My way is the right way" type of thinking, and mentally step into the other person's shoes to understand what perspective they are coming from. We need to be willing to accept that ~ just because an idea or thought is "My perspective" it is not necessarily the only perspective.

                I invite everyone to join the "feel good perspective". Find a way to donate your God given gifts to the church. There are many behind the scenes tasks that you can use your gifts to help out with. And~ you'll feel great about yourself doing it!

            ~Happy New Year~ Alison Winn