Page 4 - New Project 1

“Love grows here.”  These are the words chosen to describe the faith community here at Centenary UMC.  These are wonderful, uplifting words that you all live out every day – words to which we give witness when we serve our neighbors in the Bath community, in Steuben County, in our region, state, and world.  This, our mission, is as vitally important now as it ever has been, in light of decisions that were made in late February by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, its legislative body at the highest level of the UMC.  Decisions to uphold the UMC’s current position that prohibits homosexual marriage ceremonies in its churches and by its pastors, and prohibits pastoral licensing and ordination of homosexual persons are being received negatively by some, positively by some, and with uncertainty by some.  Our faith community here at Centenary UMC has always been committed to sharing and growing love for and with all.  As your pastor, I am completely committed to sharing and growing love for and with you all, and our neighbors in all places.  Nothing that happened at the Special Session of General Conference in St. Louis changes anything we have been doing and will continue to do, for sure in the near future. There may be things our church will need or want to consider in the longer term future, but those things are in God’s hands, and will be made known to us in God’s time.  Let us continue to be the hands, the feet, the voice, the love of Christ in and to each other, in and to our community.  Let love continue to grow here.  Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

• April 14 ………Palm Sunday
• April 18 ……… Maundy Thursday

• April 19 ……… Good Friday

• April 21 …………Easter Sunday