Pastor’s Reflection: Back to the Ordinary
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish.
–John 21: 12-13
Now to read this chapter in its entirety would be to take in something as fantastic as just about any other story in scripture. The disciples have just lost their Rabbi, one whom they love, and their response is not to grieve over his death or soldier on for the sake of the mission but to return to fishing. Of course, Jesus comes along after a long night of them catching nothing and offers his advice only to fill their nets and reveal himself to his buddies.
Truly another miracle in a long line of astonishing moments, but what catches my attention in the text is not the normality of the amazing but the extraordinary appearance of the mundane. Jesus reveals himself again to the disciples, and still, his concerns are not about getting them back out, spreading the word, or hashing out tough conversations about where they were at Calvary, but rather, his response is to break bread. Jesus sits in fellowship on the beach, sand between his toes, cooking over an open fire, spending time with his brothers. Amid the impossible, Jesus settles into the ordinary.
AsChristmascomestoaclose,manyofuswillhavejustpulledoffanothermiracleovertheholidays. Whetherit was navigating COVID restrictions or reestablishing connections with our loved ones, we all managed to celebrate the birth of Christ! In a year of continued disappointments and frustrations, it is truly an accomplishment to be excited. But in the coming days, we will find ourselves headed back to the ordinary, back to the mundane. I can’t help but wonder, how will we take Christ with us? Having done what, we needed to do to accomplish the impossible, to find cheer in a very long year, how will we settle into our routine?
Will we return to fishing as though we did not just open ourselves to the promise of hope in a newborn? Will we drag our feet in the sand facing the unknown of a new year, or will we settle into the ordinary with intentional grace, carrying Jesus with us into the everyday interactions of life? Because as much as Christ exists in the inconceivable, driving hope that we might live in the impossible, we will continue to find that Jesus lives in the practical too. He will continue to seek us out, to offer advice, and to invite us to his table around the warm glow of a fire. So, as you settle back into your routine, may you find an abundance of humility in your heart, and excitement for the ordinary in your spirit. Here is to a new year.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason Leighton
Looking Ahead
June 15-18, 2022 North Carolina Annual Conference (Greenville, North Carolina) Aug. 26-Sept. 6, 2022 United Methodist General Conference (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Youth Activities
Sunday School classes for all ages are offered on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.in the Education Building and Fellowship Hall. A nursery is provided during Sunday School and Worship times.
Gwen Skinner’s Sunday School class will resume on January 2 with its study of Lysa Tuerkerst’s book Best Yes. Children's church is offered during the Worship services on Sundays. This is for children of ages 3 years to 3rd
grade. The children's church time will be after the children's moment is held.
The CMUMC Children's Committee needs volunteers for helping with the nursery during Sunday School and Worship and the Children's Church during Worship. Please contact the church office if you are willing to help with this ministry.
UMYF youth group (all middle and high school students) will meet Sunday, January 2 and 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
New Online/Print Church Directory
CalvaryMemorialisputtingtogetheranewonlineChurchDirectory. Hardcopieswillbeavailableoncecomplete,butin the meantime, we are asking our church folks to send in their contact info. Follow the link below or go to the church website and click "Directory" at the top of the site; it will provide a directory form to fill out on the church website.
https://www.calvarymemorialumc.org/directory
This info is not shared with the public but sent straight to the church office on a secure link once you click submit. Pastor Jason and Ms. Rose will also be available in the Fellowship Hall following worship on Sundays for anyone who might need help filling out the form. Please help us with this important ministry!
Sunday School Update
Gwen Skinner’s class will resume its study of Lysa Terkeurst’s The Best Yes beginning January 2.
Looking Ahead to the New Year
At the end of this newsletter is a list of church leaders for 2022, elected at our annual Charge Conference on November 23. We are all grateful for these leaders—for their acceptance of the call to servant leadership, for their willingness to offer time and talents for the benefit of the Calvary Memorial community, and for their cheerful gift of themselves to make disciples in Snow Hill, Greene County, and the world. As we look ahead to the new year, please pray for these leaders and offer them words of encouragement when you see them.
Time to Un-Decorate
On Wednesday January 5, please join willing volunteers to help un-decorate the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall from the Advent and Christmas season. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. and welcome everyone who can take down decorations, pack decorations for storage, and assist in the general cleanup.
New and Ongoing Ministries
Missions Committee completed a recent community project by purchasing needed items for the Greene Central High School clothing and personal needs closet. The committee also presented Suzi Shippen-Wagner with a monetary donation for her medical mission trip. The committee continues to deliver food boxes on first and third Thursdays for Interfaith.
Backpack Blessings is excited to announce that Backpack Blessings for the Greene County Pre-K School will begin the second week January! If you are interested in helping with packing, shopping, or delivering, please contact Patty Herring at 252-521-0555. Delivery dates vary according to the school calendar.
Grief and Loss Support Group begins its fourth year with its next meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in the Church Parlor at 6:30 pm. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to contact Linda Dunn @ 252-560-1465.
The Joy Riders need help to identify persons in the community who could benefit from a visit. Please contact Linda Dunn to put names on the list or to join in on a ride to experience firsthand the Joy of this ministry.
Days for Girls “Sewing Saturdays” will meet on January 1 and 15 from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Suzi and Rose are happy to welcome volunteers of all ages and all skill levels because there are many jobs to do! Let them know of your interest, and they will find"homework" for you that suits your interest and skill level. AlthoughthemissiontriptoGuatemalafor Unearth Hope has been canceled, the 275 kits we completed will be ready to go as soon as the mission is rescheduled! Also, we will be updating the birthing kits we have made previously, so more news and needs on those soon!
Forever Young Circle will meet on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Judy Davenport.
http://hoperestorationsnc.org/. Read more about the Duke Endowment’s support of Hope Restorations at https://www.dukeendowment.org/story/renewing-
hope-rebuilding-lives.
Tuesday Morning Study will meet January 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday Afternoon Study will meet January 5, 12, 19, and 26 via Zoom (login will be emailed).
Thursday Evening Study will meet January 6, 13, 20, and 27 via Zoom https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/91896309225.
Volunteers Needed: ongoing ministries such as Children’s Church and Nursery, Backpack Blessings, Days for Girls, Interfaith food delivery. Special volunteers are needed on Wednesday, January 5 to take down and store Christmas decorations.