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All teens (8th-12th grade) are invited for fellowship, food, and Bible study! May Youth Newsletter |
Mon. June 22- Fri. June 26 Vacation Bible School
Fri. July 17-Sun. July 26 The 2009 Poplar Springs Camp Meeting
FROM PASTOR MAC
A special Father's Day gift
Have you read about India's re-election of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a second 5-year term? He made quite a stir in 2004, elected the 14th prime minister, with no prior experience as a political leader. He was an economist by profession, and it seems his goodwill propelled him into the top spot.
Now in the first 100 days of his new term, Singh is stirring the Republic of India once again calling for business-friendly reform by selling stakes in state-owned companies and at the same time revolutionizing governance in Indias hinterland.
He is hoping the synergy of these two moves will channel money and decision-making into the hands of the village-level people resembling a New Deal-type stimulus. Backed by the powerful and popular Gandhi clan, his vision is uniquely positioned to do what no other reformer has ever done survive Indias corrupt bureaucrats, politicians, and judges.
A few weeks ago all clergy of the North Georgia Conference met to hear from our newly appointed bishop for the first time. We were all stirred as Bishop Mike Watson spoke of his passion to attend to the work of Christ and to the needs of our clergy who faithfully serve the church. Maybe that's why he is now the chairperson of the Pension Initiative Committee addressing the needs of more than 9,300 clergy in the United Methodist Church's Central Conferences (the conference are in Africa, Asia, and Europe).
Membership in some of these conferences has tripled in the last decade, even though many of our clergy in those areas live and serve amidst rampant poverty, political instability, and threats of violence.
Bishop Watson is aiming to channel the synergies of a commitment from individual U.S. UMC clergy and the churches they serve into a "New Deal" that will enable our brothers and sisters to retire with dignity and hope.
The Central Conference Pension Initiative will provide about $20 per month to these retires and their surviving spouses. Said Bishop Watson, "We are doing something new and we are doing it in a new way we are truly out there on the cutting edge."
What does that look like? With the backing of each UMC clergy family (a pledge of $1,000) as well as our local churches (according to the size of membership), Bishop Watson believes we will be able to fully fund this pension initiative.
I have to admit I was humbled by his words, for Amy and I are blessed to serve here at Royston First in ways that few of our overseas brothers and sisters have a context for. We are blessed with a home, health insurance, a pension program, and an income to help pay our bills. Yet, many of my clergy brothers and sisters only have the provision of love.
In prayer and thanksgiving to Christ for the work we are called to, Amy and I felt we had to make room in our personal budget to support to this initiative. I now want to invite you to respond in kind and in faith.
Since the timing of this request is uniquely positioned near Father's Day, maybe this could be "our church family" way to honor our fathers. Giving the gift of dignity and compassion in honor of our fathers is perhaps the best way to respond to the love and care they've had for us.
What you give is a personal decision. As far as the gift itself, we ask that you please make a "separate check to RFUMC-Father's Day" and drop it off at the office this week or place it in the offering plate Sunday.
As India's Prime Minister sets his sights on reform against the odds, so let us join Bishop Watson's vision of a new way of bringing dignity and a future to these who have given 30-to-40 years of faithful service.
To learn more about the Central Conference Pension Initiative, watch the video here.
