OPEN HEARTS folks and friends: We wish you a merry christmas! We will be taking a break from now till january sometime -- with the holidays coming! We thank all of the volunteers and Main Email contacts in NE.. we have no budget per se in our groups and statewide network of RUM friends and all of our gifts go to RMN..
$250 is going to RMN by years end for our yearly commitment to RMN from Open Hearts Reconciling community from offerings and fundraiser -- we do all of our work in house and as volunteers! If you want to help or be a local contact, let us know!
Blue Christmas Service at First Christian church, GI Friday at 6 PM, call the church to confirm times and info! Rev Scott Taylor is the pastor leading this service.
Time for renewing our spirits and Another Great year of Spiritual Awakening is Coming and is happening!
THOUGHTS: In viewing a movie last week with friends on the Underground RR and remembering the great danger and risk for many as they helped others get to freedom, I also think of the "underground" struggle for many in the GLBT community, their families, friends and those affected by HIV AIDS.
Harriet Tubman and many others, white and black, were part of the route to hide folks and help them find the way to get to freedom. Many slaves were abused and horribly mistreated - and yet many were called to help others - like Harriet who could have chosen to live in freedom after she found it -- and just stay there!
Let's remember those on the "spiritual Underground RR" at Christmas as we think of the great spiritual awakening that this started as folks sought their FREEDOM to be equal citizens! Many did not see their families except at Christmas as slaves and the spiritual awakening of the Underground RR led to reuniting families & restored self and dignity!
A Baby is born soon to bring us hope, Fear not the angels sang!
CELEBRATE a surprise donation from an anonymous donor of new RESOURCES for our CRATE: a Beverly's Cole's book CLEANING CLOSETS (autographed) and some new DVDS and a CD! Feb 20 we will tell you more when we meet again!
Thanks to all who shared offerings for UM Global AIDS fund, Blankets of love, Baskets of Love, TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund and more. The total on baskets is $360 when all collected! With offerings and Gifts of Love (alternative giving) we will total about $516 for the two HIV AIDS funds this advent to be given to the two funds at year's end for 2011 ministry! Thanks to EVERYONE for helping on the Baskets of Love project for our HIV AIDS funds at Trinity UMC! Baskets are being claimed this week and monies are coming in to be used to help others battling HIV AIDS! The spring HIV AIDS benefit concert is coming in GI.. more details after the date is set!
We challenge everyone to read a Bishop John S Spong book this Dec, Jan and Feb! He has written TWENTY books -- so find one to read and share on Feb 20, 10:45, Miller Hall, TUMC for the Friends for the Journey Book share! He will be the guest Theologian for the Horizons of Faith Conference March 25 - 27 at Omaha First umc on the TENTH Anniversary! go to www.horizonsoffaith.com
Giving Gifts at Christmas gives us spiritual renewal and peace! To give to Open Hearts, write your check to TUMC and in the memo put Open Hearts.. then send it to TUMC, 511 N Elm, G Island, NE 68801. You can contribute books, DVD's to our Resource Crate Feb 20 when Becca comes to speak about the GSA at GISH!
To give to HIV AIDS funds: write out a check to TUMC and put HIV AIDS funds in the memo, TUMC Emergency HIV AIDS fund, or UM Global AIDS fund, see address above. Give and Help groups that promote justice and dignity all persons!
Remember the Literacy Council in Grand Island and those who are wanting to learn to read! Get a 2011 membership for $25 or give one to a friend for Christmas! LC in G island is needing volunteers as they have a waiting list of people who want to learn how to read! You can volunteer for ONE hour a week or more! Contact Kelly OUTSON at GI LC today or in january!
Feb 20 is our next gathering and Spong books will be discussed that morning at 10:45 in Miller hall! Lots of other events at TUMC coming with the Cantata this sunday at late service and at 2 PM - Christmas Eve and day services!
Renew your spirit! Watch the church newsletter for other events in January: Trek to MONA Kearney for A GREATER SPECTRUM Art show Jan 15 (sign up needed at TUMC church offices), Wool Celbration: Jan 30 Miller Hall, Missions meeting Jan 22, VIM Mission trips Used Book sale Jan 29, worships at new times and more! We can always use new helpers and subs, folks to donate snacks -- at the Sudanese Children's ed time from 1 - 2 PM sundays!
Taking Reconciling on the Road is a goal for NE Statewide Reconciling Network now -- and supporting each other in events by hitting the road as many of us do! We want to encourage everyone to carpool to events! Thanks to those who drove to Hastings for Inspiring Communities weekend, to Lincoln for the movie "Incompatible with Christian teaching", World AIDS day Services, meetups this fall and coffee times, conversations! Believe Out Loud: tell our stories, sign up new RUM's, have house parties, movie parties, cupcake parties, bowling parties, book groups, coffee times, vsiting worship in another church --
Collaborate with other groups, denominations and give generously to RMN and other groups that promote Equality for all persons! A Reconciling Support group can be a CHOIR, a SS class, two or three people who get together in a Coffee shop --Rainbow Suitcase coming in January! www.RMNetwork.org
Maureen and Mena, Email contacts for Open Hearts Reconciling Community
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