St.

Paul United Methodist

Church
From Pastor Nathan

I have mentioned this analogy to many people since I

have been at St. Paul, even mentioned it in a sermon.
However, as we prepare for what is coming in May, I
believe that it bears repeating (and I promise, you
wont hear it again for at least a few years):

When I was going through confirmation my family

lived in a town where football was the be all and end
all of most of the residents lives. So my mother,
trying to teach us about the nature of the United
Methodist Church, used a football analogy.

Imagine a large football field. Every belief that a person can have and can still be called a Christian fits on
this field. Conservative, liberal, Pentecostal, Calvinist;
every belief that can be considered Christian fits on
this football field.

Some denominations have designated a singular spot

on the field as the true faith. They believe that if you
are not on this spot then there is something wrong
with your faith. When taken to an extreme, these
denominations will tell you that you are not welcome
if you dont stand on the same spot as everyone else,
or worse, they will condemn you to hell.
Other denominations will say that you are welcome
no matter what. They welcome people whose faith
rests on numerous points on the field. If you are on
the field, then you are welcome here. This is a lovely concept that makes people feel very welcome.

The first group has a tendency to exclude people and

to make them feel as though something is wrong
with them for not falling into line. The second group
has too many beliefs included within it to function
properly. Many people in these denominations dont
share any beliefs with their neighbors, and this lack of
connection can quickly lead to infighting and church
splits.
What the United Methodist Church says is that you
are welcome to join our church no matter where
you stand on the field, as long as where you stand is
within this fence. If you dont find yourself able to
stand within our fence, then we wish you luck in
finding the church where you belong. This fence is
our core beliefs that bind us together: our beliefs on
the sacraments, in importance of communal worship,
prayer, music, meeting in small groups.
However, within this fence there are many other
beliefs that can be held; strong beliefs that we have
held since our first days in Sunday School.

May 2016
These are not the beliefs that hold us together,
but instead these are the beliefs that are meant to
allow us to have discussions with one another to
better understand the true nature of our own faith
and the faith of those around us. It is through
these discussion that we are able to grow stronger
in our faith and better communicate our faith with
others. And when these issues turn to arguments,
we are able to turn ourselves back to the fence to
let those core beliefs bind us together in Christian
love.

This is what it means to be a United Methodist. It

means that we can disagree about some things. It
means that we can have arguments and discussions
that dont necessarily get resolved at the end of
the discussion. It means that we continue to discuss issues and beliefs until everyone has had a
chance to be heard. And when all is said and done,
we can join together in prayer and singing around
a common table, knowing that even though we
may disagree about some things, we are still united
in Christs love.
As we prepare for General Conference, I want to
challenge each and every one of us to not look
upon the work that the delegates are doing with
fear or anger. Let us not allow ourselves to forget
about the fence as we discuss the issues it contains. Let us not allow ourselves to be tempted
into breaking our ties with the church if something
doesnt go the way we want it to, because in the
end, these issues are not going anywhere. This
General Conference does not have the final say
over the faith of the church, because the discussion will continue long afterwards. Every four
years General Conference meets and every four
years there is a possibility that something will be
passed that we dont agree with and every four
years there is the possibility that what we dont
agree with may be changed.
General Conferences decisions are not the final
say about the beliefs of the church. Our faith and
our understanding will continue to grow and to
change as we continue to discuss and to move
towards perfection. Our responsibility is to not
react with fear and hate, but to come at those
things we disagree about with love and grace. I
encourage us all to not declare an end to our
church because of anything that happens at General Conference, but instead to let that guide you
in your prayer and your studies so that you may
join the conversation in years to come.

St. Paul United

Methodist Church
618-372-3255
Office Hours
Tues, Thur, Fri 9:00-1:00

Thank You cards

Church Family,
Thank you so much for
the beautiful flowers,
cards, calls, texts, and
meals with the birth of
our daughter Alexia. It is
greatly appreciated and
we love you all!
Brian and Jenna Garner

Finance Info

We need to bring in $2,200

each week to stay on budget.
April 3$3,956.

(includes $2000 memorial)

April 10$1,282.03
April 17$2446. (includes
$500 from conference)
April 24$1450.

OFFERING FOR BUDGET:

WEEKLY:

$29657.00
Memorial designated to Pastor
salary- $2000.00
IGRC [conference] for Pastor
salary- $2000.00
TOTAL:

$33657.00

EXPENSES$34126.88

SHORTFALL-

- $559.85 With all the help.

- $4559.88 without help.

Page 2

Pioneer Club

St. Paul United Methodist Church

Monday, April 25th was our last meeting

for this school year. Trophies and attendance certificates were presented. More details to come in
the June Newsletter.

Mother/Daughter Banquet

Looking Ahead

Free Swim/Pizza Party

When Sunday, May 1

Where-Jerseyville Wellness Center

Time-4:00-5:30pm

First Meeting of 2016-17

Monday, September 12th after school until 5:00pm

For all children PreK-6th grade
Phyllis Graham

St. Paul United Methodist Church

Vacation Bible School Yes - No???
The answer was yes when nine individuals
plus myself gathered for a meeting after worship on
April 17th.
VBS

When-Monday, May 23-26

Where-St. Paul

Time-6:00-8:00 pm
We welcome all children ages PreK and up to
attend.
The Shoeman Water Project will be an important part of our VBS. This ministry provides
funding for safe water projects in developing communities around the world by collecting and selling
new or gently used shoes. Nick Lintner (member of
the shoe crew) will be with us on May 23rd in our
sanctuary at 6:00 pm for a fun presentation. This is
open to everyone so please plan to come while you
begin collecting your gently used shoes or buying
new ones.

Please help us spread the word and invite

children to attend our VBS. We need your
help in that important area as well as providing cookies, bars, etc for our snack time.
If you couldnt attend our meeting and
want to help, see Phyllis.
Phyllis Graham