What's happening this month

FELLOW TRAVELERS . . . Summer feel like such a sabbath season – a time to rest, regroup and celebrate God’s creation in our beautiful state and beyond. It’s fun to hear about everyone’s latest adventures and see all the beauty that springs from your gardens and overflows into our worship space. During this time of popsicles and play, late evening sunsets and awareness of bird songs and kid noises in the neighborhood, we can relax into newness.

As a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church, the summer season is when I actually go to school and attend classes required as part of my Course of Study (a “seminary lite” of sorts with 20 classes for licensed pastors like me). This is different than UMC elders and deacons who receive their education (earning master’s degrees) in seminary prior to full ordination. I share this because the class I just completed “Faith Formation and Discipleship” was most helpful in considering ways we currently worship and learn and serve in our faith community. The class also provided me with resources from colleagues across the country, exchanging ideas on how we may grow and understand our call as disciples in exciting new ways. I look forward to sharing these resources with you in the coming weeks through worship and discussions during fellowship time. Let’s explore faith formation in all aspects our Christian life and discover how we may enfold others in worship, education, young people’s ministry, mission and more. 

The recent events of Bannack Days are an example of how ministry and mission happen outside our church building. Friends and visitors from all walks of life had an opportunity to witness the impact a faith community has on the greater community across decades of time in the most obscure of places. Brother Van is surely smiling at the ways Grace UMC continues to extend radical hospitality to others on dusty roads, in chapels of old and through friendship-building over pie and other treats. I enjoyed watching connection, engagement and learning taking place for folks of all ages. Now it’s time to rest and reflect on all that is good!

So, for today…let’s soak up God’s goodness present in every moment, every encounter and each and every person we meet. 

Let’s journey together - 

Pastor Sue

August Worship at Grace UMC

August 2 - “Seeds of Heaven” Matthew 13:31-33,44-46 - Rev. Kama Hamilton Morton (sharing from Butte)

August 9 - “Eyes on Jesus” Matthew 14:22-33 - Pastor Sue McNicol (Communion Sunday)

August 16 - “This is Big…Really BIG” Matthew 14:11-21 - Pastor Sue (sharing from Butte)

August 23 - “Keys to the Kingdom” Matthew 16:13-20 - Pastor Sue McNicol

August 30 - “Get Out of the Box” Matthew 15:21-28 - Pastor Sue (sharing from Butte)