June 6, 2020
Five Reasons I can know that Black Lives Matter:
#1 – The prophetic call for action to end the suffering of those who are being oppressed and to pursue justice is found in scripture: We hear it in the voices of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Micah, just to name a few... "Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the Oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17 (CEB)
#2 – Over and over, we see Jesus, and the disciples, paying attention to a particular person or group of people who have been marginalized or outcast. This is not a devaluing of others’ lives, but a needed and necessary acknowledgement of the sacred worth of particular lives which was being denied at the time. #samaritansmatter #taxcollectorsmatter #gentilesmatter #eunuchsmatter
#3 – To acknowledge publicly that Black livse matter to ME personally- is a form of repentance.
It means acknowledging that far too often we have failed, in word and deed, to say that they DO matter, especially at those times when they most needed us to stand up and speak out.
We remember our United Methodist liturgy of confession says: “We have not loved our neighbors. We have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray.”
#4 – To all who follow Christ Jesus, he tells us: “Deny Yourself” not “Justify Yourself.”
Now is the time to check our privilege. To be grateful for those who lead the way to true equality. To elevate and amplify the voices and experiences of persons whose stories need to be heard right now.
And also to pray for the kingdom of God to be on Earth now through us.
#5 – Jesus prayed “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done” – This is a groundbreaking moment in our history where we have the opportunity to participate in a movement that draws us closer to the reality of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
And I don’t know about you, but I don't want to miss it.
-Jen
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
“God at Work” Summer 2020 @ NRUMC
“Does God really work that hard for one person?”
This is the question a student once asked me after studying Matthew 18: 12-14, where Jesus uses the
image of a shepherd leaving ninety-nine perfectly healthy sheep to find one that has wandered off
- saying that God does the same for us! That is hard for me to grasp (especially the times when I am
the wandering sheep), but if God is willing to work that hard just so one person knows they are loved,
maybe I should too.
image of a shepherd leaving ninety-nine perfectly healthy sheep to find one that has wandered off
- saying that God does the same for us! That is hard for me to grasp (especially the times when I am
the wandering sheep), but if God is willing to work that hard just so one person knows they are loved,
maybe I should too.
Jesus also tells us that what we do for the least of these, we are really doing it for him. Maybe these
“least of these” people haven’t wandered, but I believe God works just as hard in their lives.
“least of these” people haven’t wandered, but I believe God works just as hard in their lives.
That is who God is: a hard worker; someone who sees the uncomfortable and the challenging and
says “That is still worth it!” We see this through whenever he goes back to cities that kicked him out or
tried to stone him to death or when Jesus sits with those who are on the fringe of society and gets to
know them. Jesus does the hard things and steps out of his comfort zone because there is work to be
done.
says “That is still worth it!” We see this through whenever he goes back to cities that kicked him out or
tried to stone him to death or when Jesus sits with those who are on the fringe of society and gets to
know them. Jesus does the hard things and steps out of his comfort zone because there is work to be
done.
I believe that God works hard for one person, but I believe that God does that work through us.
This summer, we have some amazing opportunities to do that work! Please take a look at what we’ll be
doing in the summer of 2020 and sign up to be a part of it!
doing in the summer of 2020 and sign up to be a part of it!
M28 Camp June 28 - July 1
As God works hard for one person, sometimes that work needs to be done in us! We are excited to
return to M28 Camp at Lake Junaluska, where students will experience a weekend of fellowship and
fun in the mountains of North Carolina, while also learning about what it means to be a disciple as we
explore the call Jesus gives us in Matthew 28.
return to M28 Camp at Lake Junaluska, where students will experience a weekend of fellowship and
fun in the mountains of North Carolina, while also learning about what it means to be a disciple as we
explore the call Jesus gives us in Matthew 28.
When: June 28 - July 1
Where: Lake Junaluska Retreat Center
Who: 6th grade - 12th grade
Cost: $300
Registration and Deposit due: March 1
Register here: http://bit.ly/nrumcM28
Register here: http://bit.ly/nrumcM28
CSM Philadelphia July 12-18
For a carpenter, we never really see Jesus swing a hammer for all the work he did to show God’s love.
While using the gift and hard work of construction to serve those in need is a beautiful thing, we
wanted to provide an opportunity to step out from where we’ve grown comfortable. In this urban
mission, City Service Mission (CSM) will guide us as we serve in various ways around
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! While this image of serving may seem different from what we’ve done in
the past, this work will still provide the very hands on experience that NRUMC students have come to
know!
Our accommodations are provided by St. James UMC and Joy in the City, two organizations local to Philly! These locations will help us feel integrated in the community that we are serving. Throughout the week, we will visit different mission organizations to work and provide care for their clients and guests. Each evening, CSM will take us to local restaurants as we continue to learn about and build relationships with the community!
We are excited to say we will have a free day at the end of our week here in Philadelphia, which will give NRUMC a chance to explore the city on our own. We will ll do some sightseeing, find the best cheese steak, and celebrate the time we will have spent together that week!
While using the gift and hard work of construction to serve those in need is a beautiful thing, we
wanted to provide an opportunity to step out from where we’ve grown comfortable. In this urban
mission, City Service Mission (CSM) will guide us as we serve in various ways around
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! While this image of serving may seem different from what we’ve done in
the past, this work will still provide the very hands on experience that NRUMC students have come to
know!
Our accommodations are provided by St. James UMC and Joy in the City, two organizations local to Philly! These locations will help us feel integrated in the community that we are serving. Throughout the week, we will visit different mission organizations to work and provide care for their clients and guests. Each evening, CSM will take us to local restaurants as we continue to learn about and build relationships with the community!
We are excited to say we will have a free day at the end of our week here in Philadelphia, which will give NRUMC a chance to explore the city on our own. We will ll do some sightseeing, find the best cheese steak, and celebrate the time we will have spent together that week!
When: July 12 - July 18
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Who: 6th grade - 12th grade
Cost: $475
Registration and Deposit Due: March 1
Register here: http://bit.ly/nrumcCSM
Faith Ministries- Reynosa, Mexico July 26 - August 1
North Raleigh UMC has been working with Faith Ministry in the community of Reynosa, Mexico for
many years, building strong relationships (and strong houses!) with those who we have served.
This summer, NRUMC high school students have the opportunity to continue strengthening those
relationships while serving the citizens of Reynosa. The cinder block and cement houses we will help
build provide families with the shelter, warmth and security they need. We are thankful for the faithful
adults in our congregation who have made this opportunity possible for our youth and we can’t wait to
see our youth learn and grow alongside them.
Before going on this trip, each student is required to have a conversation with Nick or Jen. We will also
have team meetings once every month, starting in April and leading up to the trip! Lastly, we are
requiring that passport information be turned in with your registration by March 1 to help with
travel bookings!
When: July 26 - August 1
many years, building strong relationships (and strong houses!) with those who we have served.
This summer, NRUMC high school students have the opportunity to continue strengthening those
relationships while serving the citizens of Reynosa. The cinder block and cement houses we will help
build provide families with the shelter, warmth and security they need. We are thankful for the faithful
adults in our congregation who have made this opportunity possible for our youth and we can’t wait to
see our youth learn and grow alongside them.
Before going on this trip, each student is required to have a conversation with Nick or Jen. We will also
have team meetings once every month, starting in April and leading up to the trip! Lastly, we are
requiring that passport information be turned in with your registration by March 1 to help with
travel bookings!
When: July 26 - August 1
Where: Reynosa, Mexico
Who: 9th grade - 12th grade
Cost: $750Registration, Passport, and Deposit Due: March 1
Register here: http://bit.ly/nrumcReyMx
Where YOU Can Help
This Spring, we are excited to once again partner with the United Methodist Men
for our Golf Tournament Fundraiser. We are aware that students may not be able
to attend the day of the tournament, but we can still use your help!
We are always looking for businesses to sponsor this event through monetary donations,
prizes, or by providing refreshments. We have set up a few days that align with your
school calendars for you and other members of the Youth Group to campaign for sponsors!
By helping with this and getting involved with tournament preparations, students will
be able to raise money to go toward their trips specifically!
You can sign up to campaign here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4daaa923a0fd0-parent1
This Spring, we are excited to once again partner with the United Methodist Men
for our Golf Tournament Fundraiser. We are aware that students may not be able
to attend the day of the tournament, but we can still use your help!
We are always looking for businesses to sponsor this event through monetary donations,
prizes, or by providing refreshments. We have set up a few days that align with your
school calendars for you and other members of the Youth Group to campaign for sponsors!
By helping with this and getting involved with tournament preparations, students will
be able to raise money to go toward their trips specifically!
You can sign up to campaign here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4daaa923a0fd0-parent1
We are very excited for these opportunities and we hope
you’ll join us this summer as we grow and serve together!
Please watch our Youth Summer Trips 2020 video:
Please watch our Youth Summer Trips 2020 video:
Youth Summer Trips 2020 from North Raleigh United Methodist on Vimeo.
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