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Dear Friends,
Have you ever wondered how we choose the music for worship? I know many of you have because of the many comments we receive about the music that is selected. Believe me, we do no sit in a dark room and randomly open the hymnal and point to a page! Nor do we just pick from a list of staff favorites! Instead, we try our best to find music that connects with the theme and scripture of each service.
Let me explain. When I have decided on a seasonal series or on a sermon series or on the selected lectionary readings of the season, I share this with our talented music staff. Recognizing that different styles and types and moods of music speak to our diverse congregation, we then go to work finding music that connects to the scripture and theme of any given Sunday. Those responsible for leading Ten to Ten choose three or four songs to sing. Linda looks through our library of choral music and selects a choir anthem that will capture the mood of worship. Julia and John and I sit down with the many hymn and song resources we have and choose what we feel will best express the theme of worship. Centering music and postludes are chosen to add depth and meaning.
While we are making our selections of songs the congregation will sing together, we try to keep in mind a balance of styles as well as a balance of singing songs that are familiar to us and new songs that speak deeply to our faith. We draw on a rich heritage of hymnody and celebrate the reality that new texts and new melodies continue to be composed in response to God’s presence and love.
When we find new words that bring new meaning, we do our best to find a familiar melody to bring the song to life. When we find a new melody, we might choose to sing it several weeks in a row to help us make this song our own.
I am well aware that we will never please all of you all the time. We like to grumble and complain about music! Some of you want to sing out of the hymnal exclusively and others wish the hymnal would go away! Some of you love the band while others find the organ more to your liking. My prayer for us as a worshipping congregation is a sense of generosity of spirit for our neighbor in the pew when it comes to music. The hymn you dislike just might be another’s favorite. The instrument that isn’t your favorite might be bringing music to life for the person across the aisle.
I am also well aware that sometimes the music selections we make on Wednesday don’t really work on Sunday. So I ask for your patience and understanding. We are doing our very best to meet the needs of many people while recognizing the gifts and talents of those who make this church their home. Sometimes it all works and sometimes it falls short of perfection. We are after all, human!
I leave you with these words that I learned when I was in high school… “He came singing love. He lived singing love. He died singing love. But he rose in silence. If the song is to continue, we must do the singing.” Debbie
Sunday, January 23 in the Chapel after worship
“Being A Woman and Being Muslim”
Women’s panel possibly including Nargus Oskui, Susan Norris and others of Muslim faith community.
Sunday, January 30 in the Chapel after worship
“What’s It Like Being Muslim in America”?
With Ib Hamide and Friends
Calling all 2nd-5th graders
Who want to have some fun!
M&M’s!
(Meaningful Moments!)
Come join Dody once a month for
Meaningful Moments with our M&M’s group!
Jan. 23rd 3pm to 5pm
M&M’s World Religion Party!
We’ll meet at FUMC at 3pm and pick up will be at 5pm. Come for a party looking at some of the world’s religions and how they have celebrations of kindness and love throughout the world. Bring a snack to share that might be from a different culture. We will play games from around the world and have a great time!
Feb. 13th 1:30pm-5:00pm
M&M’s go to Pinocchio at the
Wildish Theater in Springfield!
We’ll meet at the Wildish Theater between 6th and 7th on Main St in Springfield at 1:30pm to watch Rose Children’s Theater perform Pinocchio. We have some actors from our church in the play and afterwards we will go to Sweetie’s across the Street for Frozen Yogurt. The cost for this trip will be $10 for the play and yogurt. Scholarships are available. Friends are always welcome!
Please RSVP to Dody Hansen at 541-255-5662 or dody@eugenefumc.org to reserve a spot for your child! Hope you can make it!
SPRING BREAK
“Meaningful Moments and Mayhem”
FUMC CHURCH DAY CAMP
Ages K-5th Grade from 8:30am to 12:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, March 22-23-24
$45 Registration Fee
($10 each day plus $15 for Enchanted Forrest on Wednesday from 10:30-5pm; Scholarships available! )
Daily Subjects
Tuesday – Truthfulness =
My heart holds the truth, my voice speaks the truth,
my life shares the truth.
Wednesday – Willingness =
My heart and my hands are willing and ready to try.
Thursday – Inclusion =
The spirit within me is the One Spirit that lives in all.
Playing, Acting, Games, Projects, Walks, Discussions, Music, Snack, FIELD TRIP TO ENCHANTED FORREST!
Call 541-345-8764 or email Dody@eugenefumc.org to reserve a spot for your child!
Adult Transformation beginning February 13, 2011
ALL SUNDAYS 8:30 AM
Feeding our Faith
Led by Donna Haines & Brian Vander Yost . DVD/ discussion inspired by people of faith, including Joan Chittister, Desmond Tutu, Chaim Potok.
Ongoing.
Exploring Women, Spirit, and Nature
Led by Molly Myers for women. Meet in the Chapel.
FEBRUARY 13, 20, 27 at 11:15 AM
Streams of Living Water:
Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith
Led by Gregg Monroe & Dennis Mullins.
Reclaiming spiritual practices. Runs 3 weeks.
The Men’s Room
Led by Dick Gann, Bill Powell, Saylor Smith, Bill McCleary, with John Pitney. From Richard Rohr’s book “From Wild Men to Wise Men” we will discuss: “Is there such a thing as male spirituality? What is Men’s Liberation? And How could John the Baptist be a role model for men?
Mapping My Exit: Planning and Expressing my Final Wishes
Led by Shirley Kingsbury and Sparky Rice. We all know death is part of life. Mapping our exit gives the gift of
pre-planning to ourselves, families and friends before the time comes. Experts in finance, health decisions, and
memorial planning assist us to complete the workbook provided. Runs 3 weeks.
The Amazing John Wesley: An Unusual Look at An Uncommon Life
Newton Malony’s book of the same title is hot off the Press. Newt is a UM minister and clinical psychologist recently retired from Fuller Theological Seminary. His book offers thought provoking insights into the founder of Methodism. Runs 3 weeks.
Happier, Healthier Couples
“The Vows We Take, The Vows We Make”
Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 9 am to 3 pm
We look forward to lots of interaction and conversation in our couples and lots of reflection time with all of us together. We will definitely spend some time on vows, promises and covenants we make when we start out in a relationship and how those can be re-written, re-promised and re-negotiated in response to what is happening in our relationships now. Spend a little time looking for the vows you made at your wedding or in the beginning of your time together, bring them with you. Call the church office at 541-345-8764 if you have not yet signed up.
The Latino community is asking for our help
February 10 at the First Congregational Church, 1050 E. 23rd St, Eugene, the Latino community will be telling their stories to local politicians and asking all of us for help in lobbying for legislative actions. We have committed to have at least 40 of us there. This will be an easy way to stand with our Latino brothers and sisters as they struggle to better their lives. And, it will be fun! Please show up at 6PM and enjoy music, followed by the meeting. Then … there will be tamales! Please contact Penny Palmer 541-687-1950 or Deb McGee 541-343-5091and let us know we can count you being there!
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