July Ministry Update
July Ministry Update
Greetings AUMC Family!
Well, I have now served as your pastor for almost one whole month, and I continue to say my excitement in calling AUMC home only increases. As someone experiencing our church as a “new member,” let me say that our signature hospitality and warmth, passion for local and global justice, and commitment to building authentic Christian community shine through in both word and action.
I have now enjoyed over a dozen listening sessions, and have received so many stories and dreams, as well as helpful feedback. One thing I’ve heard consistently is a desire to be regularly updated on the leadership, direction, and decision-making of AUMC, since we’ve lost all that typical “hallway talk” that used to keep so many of us informed. We’ll send out these monthly AUMC Ministry Updates moving forward so that we can all be aware of the great work that continues even in the midst of a pandemic!
“We Miss Each Other!”
That’s the comment I’ve heard most in my Listening Sessions. Several weeks ago, AUMC assembled the Safe Return Task Force, composed of staff and lay members. I want to remind us that we’ve decided as a congregation that we will use the Dallas County COVID Color Coding system (say that five times fast!) as a guide for our reopening strategy. Currently we are in the “red” zone, which means no in-person Sunday worship and only gatherings of 10-or-fewer people on campus that are deemed necessary. Bishop McKee has said that churches in our district will not resume in-person worship until at least after Labor Day Weekend, and he will send an update in August. We will send more information on our safe reopening plans in the coming days and weeks, so that we can know what life will be like on campus this fall as in-person gatherings are possible.
Investing in Online Worship!
While this season has been challenging, there is a lot to celebrate as well! It’s been said before, but our online worship experience continues to increase in quality and reach. July would typically be a “slow month” in the world of Sunday worship, but this month has been our highest average live attendance this year! We can credit that in large part due to Aaron Manes’ leadership and his team of tech volunteers who have taken us from a single iPad in March, to a multi-camera, multi-location experience of excellence in worship.
We know that online worship is not just a temporary solution to the pandemic, but a trend that will continue permanently into the future. Even prior to COVID-19, most visitors do not attend in-person worship until they’ve seen a church’s online presence. Our Leadership Board has decided to invest in online worship by upgrading our Sanctuary in a few key ways. First, we’ll be adding a robust lighting system that will allow for consistent, attractive lighting in the space, greatly improving visibility both in-person and online. We are also upgrading our sound board to allow for crisp, clear, and reliable sound in worship. Lastly, we’re adding a sophisticated permanent camera to give us greater flexibility and to allow viewers to see more of our beautiful Sanctuary.
Zoom-ing our Small Groups, and Training Available!
I am so impressed with how our AUMC family has adapted to this online-only season. Many of our ongoing small groups and classes have transitioned to Zoom meetings or other online forms of gathering, and I want to encourage all of us in that work. Of course, we’re working to safely gather in person, but I want to challenge us to see online ministry as a viable part of our church’s future, and use this time to get acquainted with this new platform for reaching those who may be unable to connect with us in-person.
If you need training on how to use Zoom so that you can participate, our United Methodist Men (UMM) have volunteered to assist you. Reach out to Judy Swope (Judy@arapahoumc.org or call at 972-231-1005) and she will get you connected to a volunteer.
The Day School
I want you to know that with the full support of AUMC leadership and the Day School Board, Kara Ross (Day School Director) has made the extremely difficult decision to cancel the 2020-21 school year for our Day School. I believe Kara made the wise, challenging, and ultimately right decision, and I am so grateful for her leadership in this impossible time. We know that the Day School means so much here at AUMC and in our broader community, and while this lost year is certainly something for us to grieve, the response from families has been incredibly supportive, and we know that next year we will celebrate like never before the joy that our Day School children bring!
Roof Repair and Van Transition
As part of the Grace For All Campaign, we committed to repair our Sanctuary and adjacent flat roof, and thanks to your faithful commitments and generous support we can make good on that vision. We can now confidently say that in the coming weeks, the roof will be repaired! It is a significant project, and I’m so grateful to the members of the Building Maintenance Team (BMT) who have overseen this process. Also, in an effort to save ongoing costs and provide improved transportation, the BMT has decided to sell our two existing vans (and stop paying insurance on parked vans!). Once we know transporting individuals will be needed again, the BMT is prepared to purchase an improved vehicle that will better meet our needs. Thank you BMT for your faithful work!
Finances
Not only were we able to celebrate the retirement of our debt in June, but additionally our July 2019 - June 2020 fiscal year is in the books, and I have some good news and a challenge for us. The good news is we were able to end the year with a balanced budget, but the challenge is that to get there we had to draw from some of our reserves. Additionally, we know that some of our typical streams of revenue for church operation (like the Day School) may not be available this year as they have been in years past. What this means is we have the opportunity to come together and step up as those who love the mission and ministry of AUMC to ensure our church is well-funded this upcoming year.
We have seen a tremendous response to online giving, and many of our donors have signed up to be recurring donors for the first time. Thank you, to those who have stepped up in this way, to ensure our church operates from a position of financial strength not only during this pandemic season, but far into the future as well. To those who may not yet be giving, I want to invite you to join me in showing your support for AUMC’s ministries through financial generosity. I believe in tithing--the regular offering of our financial resources to God’s work through the Church--and plan to give regularly as a part of the AUMC family. For me, that looks like 10% of my income, but it took me time and prayer and discipline to get to that place in my faith life. No matter what you are prayerfully able to give, know that your gift matters and makes a difference in the life of our church, community, and world.
You can give online at www.arapahoumc.org/donate, mail in a check to Arapaho UMC, 1400 W Arapaho Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, or you can use your phone and text the word “GIVE” to 972-483-2862.
One month in, and I truly feel like a member of the AUMC family. I’m so grateful for the tremendous leadership throughout our congregation, and remain hopeful that God will continue to work in mighty ways through our shared ministry together here, as the people and place called Arapaho UMC. Worship continues this Sunday at 11:00 am at www.arapahoumc.org, on our Facebook page, and on our YouTube Channel. See you there!
In Christ,
Pastor Scott