The Tables of 8 dinners that will happen next week are also an example of encouraging each other to simply get to know each other better by sharing a meal with a small group. The Mission Project experiences, volunteering in the children and youth ministry, going to Disciple Bible Study, and more all lead to us to grow together as well as individually. And every Sunday at Coffee Hour we literally get the opportunity to reach out to someone we don’t know and introduce ourselves and literally break down walls and in a simply gesture take a stance against the isolation that plagues our society.

“What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale. One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.”

Also, as United Methodists, we are by definition a connectional church. This is not always easy, and in fact can be very difficult, when there are very different viewpoints. But, one way our connection really works amazingly is through our response to crisis and disasters. For instance, through our church you can give directly to the United Methodist Committee on Relief to help those impacted by Hurricane Florence click here and for those impacted by the gas explosions in the Merrimac Valley click here. Because our church and every other UM church helps to support UMCOR, when you write a check to Harvard-Epworth and designate it to help in either of these efforts or any other disaster, you can know that 100% of your gift goes directly to help the people impacted.

So, keep making connections and building community (and see all the ways Harvard-Epworth can help you do just that). See you in church.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Herb Taylor

Pastor