Church News

Liberia 2012 Blog

Our Congregation in Bowie sent a team to Logan Town for a week in March to foster relationship between the two churches and lend support to the school. They will blog from Liberia, if possible! See Photo Album!

See Video Below!

3/14

Well our bags are packed, our “official” team shirts are here and we are a day away from heading to Liberia! We ask for prayers for:

-Traveling mercies
-Health and Safety of the team
-That we nurture the relationship between St. Matthew’s UMC in Bowie and St. Matthew’s UMC in Liberia
-That we are able to spend quality time forming relationships with students and teachers at the school
-That we are able to help support their mission of building a clinic with our strength and talents

3/15

We all made it through security at the airport in Baltimore and are awaiting our flight to Atlanta. From Atlanta we head to Ghana and then to Monrovia, Liberia. The next time we check in, we will be there! Yor bye yah! (“Liberian” for peace out!)

3/16

We landed safely in Liberia and got to experience baggage claim in a whole new way! We made it safely to our hotel and enjoyed a delicious dinner. Some of us were even brave enough to stay outside with the mosquitos and dine on the beach!

As we drove to the hotel, Rev. Ginger remarked how interesting it is that poverty looks the same in every country. We all agreed.

Today, we witnessed God in the children playing in the streets and in the faces of the men and women who are committed to rebuilding Liberia. I saw God in our team, as we came together and began this experience. No one will come home from this trip untouched or unchanged.

3/17

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Surprisingly enough, we saw someone today wearing a green t-shirt that said “Kiss me, I’m Irish!”

Today we got to experience a local village, the home village of Bai T. Moore, one of Liberia’s most respected and well-known writers and a cultural ambassador to the world. We were able to visit his grave site and were inspired by his words that are on his grave site:

It’s not the dress we have that counts but what we are
and what we mean for men will sooner or later change
but what we do will here remain.

One of the village elders reminded us of these words and encouraged all of us gathered, native and visitor, so be inspired to change the world and leave a lasting mark.

The village was full of children and by the time we were walking back to the vans, none of us from Bowie had an empty – we had at least one, if not three or four, children hanging on each hand and wanting our attention!

After the village tour, we were able to visit Jola House, a local artisan shop that empowers men and women and gives them opportunities for employment. Rev. Ginger was even able to purchase a few pieces of cloth where they learn different dying techniques to bring back and share with the congregation on our altar.

I know that we all saw God in the eyes of all those in the village today and in the moment where the children led us to the church and broke out into praise songs, singing “Alleluia Jesus!” What an amazing experience.

3/18

Today we visited St. Matthew’s UMC and had the honor and privilege to participate in a worship service that was truly an amazing experience. Rev. Ginger preached to the whole congregation and while some may say the highlight of her sermon was her singing Aretha Franklin from the pulpit, others will say that the church choir is what blew us away. We have video to share when we return that we think will help explain what an awesome treat they were!!

After church we had a tour of the school, including seeing the building that we helped build. As someone who has seen the pictures, to actually be standing there was sort of an out of body experience.

After a delicious home prepared lunch of red beans and rice, Bill took us to an orphanage that his family sponsors and we had the honor of spending the afternoon with 70 kids. Lori led us in a VBS for the younger kids while Ray and Cliff orchestrated a huge game of musical chairs with the older kids. When it was time to leave, Pete had to physically remove George from the group of children that had surrounded him.

The day was full of amazing and inspiring experiences and every one of us felt so blessed at the end of the day to have been a part of it.

3/19

Today began with a visit to the Operation Classroom warehouses where Ray and Jen were inspired to come back to Bowie and expand our efforts here in Liberia. We went to chapel at the local UMC conference center and then headed to the school. We moved brick after brick after brick after brick, but WOW what a difference at the end of the day. It was hot, it was sweaty, it was dirty, but there is a visible difference from where we were to where we are.

We relaxed at the end of the day with dinner out at a restaurant on the beach and are looking forward to tomorrow.

Tomorrow we continue moving bricks, begin painting classrooms, and offer a workshop to all the teachers in the school to help them learn new teaching techniques. We’re excited for all the ways God is moving and shaking while we are here!!

3/20

Today we really had an opportunity to work with the school in awesome ways.

Linda, Lori and Jen led the teachers in an all-day workshop, assisted at times by Bill, where we issued a challenge to the teachers to take their students to a deeper level of understanding. The key word of the day was “CREATIVITY!” We challenged the teachers to be creative by developing new ways of presenting information, testing students, and getting them to work together in the classroom.

On the other side of things, the painting crew, led by General Ginger, Lieutenant “Mama Gene,” and trusty foot soldiers George and Harold – along with about 10 high school students who attend the school – managed to paint four rooms, top and bottom, with oil based paints and intense fumes. The upper half of the walls were painted blue and the bottom half gold — the school colors of St. Matthew’s.

Pete, Ray, Bill, and Cliff both worked outside and inside, wherever they were needed.

We ended the day, again, with a jam session with Cliff on his guitar and the local children providing the vocals. It was an awesome way to end a very productive day that we all feel great about!

3/21

Today we got to spend the day with the students at the school and WOW, what an experience!!

We had four different programs going this morning:

Bill, Ray and George were with the 200 high schoolers encouraging them to plan for their future.

Lori led Cliff, Ginger and Jen had 80 Elementary schoolers and led them through a VBS including singing, crafts, and a memory game. We also taught them sign language for “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Gene and Linda led the teachers in a workshop to help equip them to work with the trauma many of the students suffered during the war. What was going to be a 30 minute session actually took 2 hours, which really drove home to us just how crucial and very needed this training was.

Harold and Pete continued moving bricks outside as the clinic walls kept growing higher and higher.

After a brief break, we continued our work with the students by experiencing the middle schoolers in the afternoon. Jen led Cliff, Linda, Gene, Harold, Ginger, Bill and Lori in a six station experience that helped the students connect with God. Pete continued moving the bricks and actually inspired church members to join in the work – apparently the first time this has happened in the context of a building project at the school. George began repainting the school sign outside the compound.

We were treated to lunch by Mr. & Mrs. John Togba, former members of our church in Bowie. We had a delightful meal and enjoyed speaking to them and sharing our experiences with them. After lunch we headed out to do some shopping and then came home and crashed. Today was definitely the hardest day for all of us and we all went to bed early.

3/22

Today was Sport Day at SMHS and WOW, what a day! We started off with a basketball game between the current students and the award winning alumni team. Despite the efforts of George and Bill, who played with the current students, the alumni team won quite resoundingly! As the warm ups were commencing, we had even more excitement as Bill, Ginger and Pete were interviewed by newspaper and TV reporters to document all the work we are doing. We’re hopeful that we will get to see some of the interview before we leave.

After basketball, we all headed over to the local football pitch (or soccer field as we Americans might refer to it) and watched our faculty take on the faculty of Mercy High School. We were excited to witness a win by our St. Matthew’s faculty!

After that game, the girls kickball teams from each school held a match, which St. Matthew’s easily won.

Then the main event – boys soccer between our team and Mercy. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay for the whole game and we left at halftime while we were down 0-2. (We found out later that was the final score. Bummer.)

After heading back to the guest house, we had the honor and privilege to meet Alfred’s (Operation Classroom coordinator who spent the week with us) children. They were delightful, especially 4 year old little Alfred, who kept us all entertained.

3/23

Today was a day of good byes.

We arrived at the school and began seeking out those who we had formed connections and relationships with to make sure we got our good byes in before the formal program began. We were also amazed at how much work had been done on the clinic and know that we are leaving that part of our mission in very good hands.

The formal program was amazing – the church choir sang after each speech and each song was more powerful than the last. The heartfelt thanks from the church staff, the school staff, the PTA, the teachers and the students moved most of us to tears. We were all honored to receive traditional shirts and dresses and to be “gowned” by those we had worked with and served with this week.

Getting in the cars and seeing the faces of those we left behind was so very difficult, and yet we are so very thankful to have had this experience and opportunity and look forward to seeing how we can grow our support and connections with all of those in Logan Town.

3/24

The weary travelers have arrived home safely. It was a long 12 hour flight from Accra, Ghana to Atlanta but we made it safe and sound. Thanks for your prayers for our trip. We can’t wait to share our experiences with the congregation.

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St. Matthew’s annual participation in World Day of Prayer will be Friday, March 2, at 9:45 a.m. In the Sanctuary.

St. Matthew’s annual participation in World Day of Prayer will be Friday, March 2, at 9:45 a.m. In the Sanctuary. The one hour service is open to all. It will include opportunities to build on both a deeper understanding of ptayer and participation in individual and community prayer.

Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli will begin the service with illuminating remarks about prayer, and will then lead us in a period of prayer. This will move into the particular emphases of the World Day of Prayer international focus, and will conclude with sharing “An Order for Morning Praise and Prayer on p.876 in the hymnal.

As we move through the season of Lent, your participation in every opportunity for prayer is encouraged. This is an essential part of the Christian life, and this special opportunity to share in prayer is one more means to deepen your Lenten Journey following the words and practices of Jesus.

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Sermon – January 22, 2012 – Listen…Follow…

A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli at St. Matthew’s UMC January 22, 2012, the third Sunday after the Epiphany.

Texts: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20

Explain Community Bible Study process and that we used it on retreat…

Sunday, we heard the passages from last week—the call of Samuel and the call of Philip and Nathaniel. Heard the passages three times and the words that resounded then and now: “Listen…follow.”

This seems to be the message for me—and for US at St. Matthew’s coming out of the retreat.
And the passages this week continue this theme: Listen to God’s call and seek to follow…commit to moving forward.

In the Gospel, we hear Jesus saying to Simon and Andrew: “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

Part of what Jesus seems to be saying to these first disciples is that as they follow, they will be focused not on catching fish but on catching people. One way of interpreting this is that followers of Jesus are to be about the work of “bringing in” more followers of Jesus—just as a fisherman “brings in” the catch of fish. // I want folks to know Jesus and to experience the Life that he extends, but the fishing metaphor has always been a little frustrating for me, because, well, if you think about it who wants to get “hooked” or “caught”?

And those of us in the church can get caught up in this “fishing” metaphor in a troubling way if we’re not careful… Every congregation I have served has had, as one of its goals, to grow. We need to “get more people” is a common refrain. And, in fact, congregational growth is one of our goals here at St. Matthew’s. This is a good goal—and as we see today, a Biblical goal. But we need to take care in the ways we think about and conceive the goal.

Why do we want to grow? Are we just focused on “getting” more people “in the doors”—so that we have more people to help us do the things we want to do or so that we will have more income or so that we can feel like we’re “successful”? Is our expectation that people who we “get” will be like us or will want to become “like us”? If so, we might tend toward thinking that we need to find the right “bait” to “reel them in.” In all of these ways of thinking, those we are imagining are little more than objects that we can use for our own purposes—fish that will feed us.

But I don’t believe this is what Jesus had in mind when he called out to the fishermen so long ago. I don’t believe that Jesus intended his followers to manipulate, entrap, or devour other people. Rather, I think Jesus encountered fishermen and so he talked with them about fishing. The most basic point seems to be that Jesus invites these guys to bring WHO THEY ARE, their skills and experience and knowledge as they follow him—and that these gifts will be used for a bigger purpose, to make a larger impact on the world. If this is the real message, then “if Simon and Andrew had been carpenters, would Jesus have invited them to be “fishers of men” or might he have invited them to follow him and learn how to be “builders of the God Kingdom?” If they had been physicians, mightn’t Jesus have invited them to follow him and learn how to be “healers of people’s souls?” Or if they had been weavers, mightn’t Jesus have invited them to follow him and learn how to “weave people into God’s community of love?” Or if they had been mechanics, mightn’t he have invited them to follow him and learn how to “repair broken lives?” In short, I think Jesus invited Simon and Andrew to follow him and joined him in God’s work in a way that fit for them!”# The call of Jesus is an invitation to participate in God’s Way, in the Kingdom of God. And Jesus calls us to follow him and share in God’s work in a way that is suited—that fits who WE are.

This has at least two major implications. First, it means that the invitation we extend to others is that they can come just as they are and experience the ways in which following Jesus will help them use their gifts and talents and experiences for a larger purpose—to serve others as part of the Kingdom of God. It means that our invitation is not to try to make anyone “like us” or to get them to serve us and our purposes, but rather, our first call is to welcome them into life in Christ and to serve them. We are called to invite others to share who they are—and then, together, as followers of Jesus and by the grace of God, we will transform the world for the better. What do people “hear” when they encounter us as people or as a church family? Do we communicate Jesus’ call to a life of freedom, purpose, and joy or a desperate plea for self-preservation?

The second implication is that we don’t really have excuses for not following Jesus. We might want to say that we don’t have what it takes—as individuals or as a church—to follow where Jesus is wanting us to go. But if we believe that Jesus sees us just as we are (like Simon, Andrew, James, and John) and calls us to follow, then perhaps we need to reassess our resources. Jesus doesn’t call us to become something or someone we aren’t. “Instead, he frees us to bring the best of who we are to him and offer it up as we join him in God’s work in the world… Imagine the freedom and purpose Jesus offers each of us by inviting us to join him by being who we are and investing this in blessing others? …So, if Jesus calls us to invest who we are in serving others, it also means we can (and should!) quit focusing on what we don’t have or who we aren’t as an excuse for not ministering to others.”#

What is your favorite excuse for not following Jesus more closely? What is our favorite excuse as a congregation?

Today Jesus is calling you. Jesus wants YOU—and so this is the day to let go of all the excuses as disciples and as a church. The message is very clear: Listen…and FOLLOW.

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Leadership Retreat 2012

Leadership Camp was a retreat to the mountains for learning, uplifting, and creating a stronger community of faith within and among many of the leaders of St. Matthew’s. From teens to seventies, we represented the great spread of our family tree. Like every tree, our church has roots and shoots – the invisible deep roots that anchor us in the rich soil of our Christian heritage to the young shoots that are the promise of a continually renewing presence of youthful vigor that affirms new growth will maintain the spread of the tree of life of St. Matthew’s ever upward and outward. We opened our weekend with a Friday evening gathering where each of us cut a leaf to put on the tree, a visible reminder even among the bare winter trees on the mountaintop that our tree was alive and well and, indeed, ready to leaf out even in January. We each hung our leaf on the place called St. Matthew’s tree where each would serve, identifying the fruits we hoped to bring forth in ministry as we developed strength in unity of purpose with a plan for wholesome and inclusive growth. In the quietness of evening worship, we closed with wholeness of family prepared for the coming day.

A beautiful pastel dawn greeted early risers, and all gathered for breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a short devotional time under the guidance of Bob Lesche. The goals overview of “Defining Leadership Roles” was led by Rev. Ginger to assure we were working together for the BIG picture of how to mesh the diverse Leadership Roles into energized and cooperative working ministries. Of course, that dreaded word meetings had to be addressed and realigned as ways to be in ministry. Some members of the Nominating Committee brought the point home with levity in a brief skit – special thanks to Cyndy Gann, Jane Thessin, Jackie Gerard, Janis Webb, and George Wood for laughter! George Wood then paced us through a rapid but thorough overview of technology just to give us a comprehensive view of the terrific communications possibilities through varied means of technology at our disposal. Jackie Gerard and Dick Baker then grounded us in budget concepts, which are a hard line reality in any institutional life, including a church. And in a constantly moving collage of activities we found ourselves at a two hour lunch and break time from noon to 2:00 p.m. Break time can mean getting-to-know-you-time, as people went off to claim their own means of re-energizing after lunch. Jen McClurg drove a van of eager hikers over to the next ridge: Ryan, Miranda, and Linda C. where we caught up with Dawn Henry and Carl Long for a brisk walk in the crisp January air that brought us to a ridge top view of the Potomac River and Harper’s Ferry. Other hikers stayed closer to the Conference Center building, while small groups clustered inside for chatting and laughter. The afternoon found us looking at SMART goals, which some folks have heard buzzed about and put into use with COM planning. No mystery, just an acronym for organizing our goal-setting. Goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based. Good advice for life, liberty, and the pursuit of organization! Thanks, Mary McClurg, our DOT.COM (which is just a techie acronym for Director of the Council on Ministries).

Kathy Wadsley upheld the standard of spiritual care, and the special challenge to those whose job is immersed in Sunday work to “Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy”. Indeed, we all are challenged in busy urban lives and families to take that spiritual time as a serious part of our faith nurturing. Sabbath Keeping matters for keeping yourself energized. It was a treat to welcome the Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills, our District Superintendent, to bring fresh words to the balance of the afternoon and on into the evening sessions. She brought us a rich look at why people need “the church”, why people need Jesus, and why people need St. Matthew’s. Through such questions as “Who are you?”, “What are you capable of?” and “What gifts can you share?” we grew our thoughts into “What does GOD desire for St. Matthew’s” with focus on “Who is your community?”, “Who is/is not being served?, and “What are opportunities for ministry?” We could see a future of multi-cultural diversity that is multi-generational and family oriented. We are working toward a shift from 20% of the members doing 80% of the work to 60% of the members actively engaging in ministry and mission work – so get ready to jump on board ‘cause this train is truly bound for glory! After dinner, we numbered off in small groups for “Paper Bag Skits” created by Cyndi Gann and George Wood as props for ads for St. Matthew’s. George filmed them, so we don’t know where they might pop up! Lots more laughter, applause, and appreciation for ingenuity. Evening gave us a further look at “Why do people need St. Matthew’s?” with Rev. Mills presenting significant data about where we live, how we can serve, and WWJD?? It initiated thoughtful and challenging discussion. This final two-hour session closed with nighttime devotions led by Ginger, and so to sleep.

Sunday morning dawned another lovely winter’s day, and after breakfast we all rode over to the “other” ridge where the Camp and Conference Center had a beautiful chapel strikingly situated to give worshipers the view down to the Harper’s Ferry valley that was so enjoyed by yesterday’s hikers. A deeply meaningful service was guided by Isaac Borocz, Linda Cooper, and communion led by Ginger Gaines-Cirelli. We were the message, sharing our own depth of feeling for the weekend. With scripture readings, prayer, hymns, and individual words we lived our faith. It was touching, tearful, joyful, and full of personal witness and fellowship. We, representing the leadership of St. Matthew’s, were touched and honored to be able to represent this spiritually rich congregation and look forward to linking hands with each of you for future growth. By next January, we truly anticipate that 60% of you really will be alive in an active faith expression in St. Matthew’s and the communities where we live. The true “leadership” to the community lies in the actions of every one!

—Linda Cooper

See Photo Album

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Enough Classes at St. Matthew’s

EnoughThe room is larger than the group gathered in it. The tables hold five to six people each and there are extra people on the outskirts with borrowed chairs. The tables are set with coffee, tea and other light refreshments to encourage those in attendance to congregate. It is Sunday at 9:45 a.m., which is between the two regularly scheduled services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The din of collective voices fills the room like a dinner party at which everyone knows each other. No one conversation stands out but each one lends a family feeling to the high-ceilinged space. Everyone is welcome. Here there is no limit, no entrance fee and no person left out. This room is the aptly named Fellowship Hall at St. Matthews Methodist Church in Bowie, Md.; however, it was not the usual Sunday service.
It was St. Matthews’ first seminar in response to earthly problems. The Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity seminar was focused on the headlin- making topic of late – financial management.
Besides tithing, does the Bible talk about money at all? What guidance on financial management can the people of today find in the Bible? What did Jesus say about saving, spending and giving away money?
Those answers are found not only in the Bible but the Enough book written by Adam Hamilton, the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
“Jesus was not at all afraid to talk about money or possessions. So church is the perfect place to talk about it now,” said Reverend Ginger, the pastor of St. Matthew’s since July 2011. “Jesus knew money could get in the way of a deeper relationship with God.”
The goal of the seminar was to invite people to think about what truly matters in their lives and link that with how they spend.
To her it was a stimulus for why a person should structure a budget around important priorities, which puts God first, said Linda Cooper, the housing cooperation manager of St. Matthew’s and a church member since the 60’s.
“ As long as there has been humanity, money has been an issue. It is a human challenge,” said Cooper.
Christians need to be educated to make financial decisions founded in faith. This seminar educated the community at St. Matthews, said Cooper.
“It strengthened my resolve around stewardship,” Rev. Ginger said. “ Jesus said ‘You can’t serve God and wealth.’”
Even those who didn’t attend the seminar were given a free copy of the book, which also comes with Contentment Prayer key tags.
They read – Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity.
Rev. Ginger and other church members thought giving out books for free, even without the promise of attending the seminar, was a great way to model generosity, she said. The money for those books was not in the budget, but they found it.
“The church should live in the world. It should connect the teachings of the faith with the domain of the world,” said Cooper. “Ginger has already asked the congregation for ideas for future seminars. I can’t wait for more.”
With the feedback from this first one being overwhelmingly positive, more seminars are in St. Matthew’s future, Rev. Ginger said. For her is was a great thing to see members of the congregation coming together to facilitate discussions for the small group exercises during the Enough seminars.
“My vision for St. Matthew’s is to have more member- to-member interaction. I think the greater the number of opportunities for members to have conversations about their faith the better,” said Rev. Ginger.
Every member of the congregation was asked to submit topic ideas for future seminars, and church committee members are busy compiling the responses to schedule more, trying to keep them short but meaningful.
In fact, a new, five-session seminar has already started for Advent, focusing on the tensions and hopes of the season. The first meeting had so many people came that extra chairs were needed.

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