Ken Edwards, preaching

8:15 a.m. - Communion in the Chapel 9:15 a.m. - Sunday School

10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20

Sunday School classes collecting the offering for May include:

Graham-Inquirers, Covenant, Simplicity, grades 9 & 10

Recently, in teaching the Methodism Class, I heard myself trying to explain the United Methodist distinctive of connectionalism. We often speak of the "connection" as a way of understanding our relationship with other United Methodists in other places. We are connected by theology, polity and history, but we often sense a deeper, spiritual connection based on our understanding of God and our experiences of faith.

We often experience that sense of connection in the local church. Being in worship with our children or youth leading us, we sense a connection to those young people and their faith development. At baptisms and confirmation, we affirm our connection by saying, "You are a child of God. You are a part of our family. We are responsible for your spiritual care; we will surround you in love and make you feel welcome."

As United Methodists we attend conferences together; coming together to make decisions that affect local churches, areas, and the denomination. John Wesley believed that conferencing was a "means of grace," or a means of experiencing God’s love. Our recent General Conference celebrated the many ways the denomination is in ministry in the world, and many who attended that Conference shared the ways in which God’s love was experienced by those present through the presentations and worship celebrations.

But General Conference and our recent Service of Sacred Worth remind us that our connection is not perfect. There are those who continue to be excluded from the family; there are those who feel disconnected from the United Methodist Church. With honesty and openness, and even some fear and trembling, we will need to seek God’s sanctifying love to guide us and make us whole.

Several weeks ago in the Methodism Class it occurred to me that we are connected to other United Methodists, but we are also connected to everything in creation. Catherine Keller wrote, "I cannot exist without in some sense taking part in you, in the child I once was, in the breeze stirring down on my arm, in the child starving far away, in the flashing round of the spiral nebula."

This broader theological understanding of connectionalism might lead us closer to living as God wants us to live. We would say to every child, "You are a child of God. You are part of my family. I am responsible for your welfare." It would cause us to treat the planet with more respect and greater stewardship. And it would enable us to understand that everything and everyone in God’s creation is of sacred worth.

Yeshumnesh Feyisa - Select Specialty
Joe Price - NHC of Cool Springs

Marsinta, Doli, Lucy, Angela, & Bona Sinaga in the death of Doli’s sister, Marianna Sinambela of Indonesia.

Confirmation in the United Methodist Church is a time of intentional preparation leading to the first public profession of faith. It is a significant step in the journey of faith of those called be disciples of Jesus Christ. During this time young persons "make firm" what has gone before: God’s prevenient grace, baptism, the teaching and witness of parents and other persons of faith, the teachings and life together in the church, the student’s own growing faith. On Confirmation Sunday, young people are invited to claim for themselves the name of Christian and the name United Methodist.

This Sunday, May 18, these persons will be "claiming the name:" Sarah Gresham Barr, Reed Beaird, Ruth Hagler, Whatley Hamilton, Will Jones, Jackson Myers, Kate Pearce, Luma Po’e, Tiresa Po’e, Kaleb Tench, Julia Warner and Ashley Williams.

Confirmation is an exciting time in the life of the confirmands, their families and Faith Friends, as well as in the life of the church. All are invited to join us on Saturday, May 17 (6-7:15 pm) for the Confirmation Celebration Dinner in Parker Hall, for an evening of celebrating and giving thanks for journey our confirmands, their Faith Friends, teachers and pastors have shared. Hope you can join the celebration. RSVP with Lanecia (lanecia@belmontumc.org or 383-0832 ext. 26). Cost of the meal is $6 per person.

Our church newspaper will be published only four times during the month of May. Belmont households, therefore, will not receive a church newspaper next week on May 23. You will receive the next issue on May 30. If you have questions please contact Angie Slade at 383-0832, ext. 23.

The Carillon Ringers will present their spring concert this Sunday, May 18, at 4:00pm in the sanctuary. Childcare is available by reservation.

As any parent who has made countless calls to find a babysitter knows, it is great that Belmont provides childcare for many meetings and events here at the church. To request childcare please contact Clare Harbison, Nursery and Childcare Coordinator, at clare@belmontumc.org.  Make requests for childcare at least one week in advance.

This Sunday, May 18, at 11:30am in Parker Hall

On Sunday, May 4, the youth led our congregation in worship by continuing to offer their prayers, presence, gifts and service. Photo by Mike Graves

Thanks to a generous grant from the Trust Fund, Children’s Ministries is thrilled to announce that Wynn McGregor, creator of the Companions in Christ series; The Way of the Child, will be leading a training session for adults on Saturday, June 7, from 8:30am-4:30pm at Belmont UMC. This day- long training provides a unique opportunity to understand the theory and practice of this groundbreaking resource. The training will hone skills needed to teach children about God and explore the many ways The Way of the Child can be adapted to different settings. We will learn how The Way of the Child provides pathways for children to discover their innate spirituality. Each of us needs a "time apart" from the noise and bustle of life to learn and experience practices that will nurture our spirituality, help us develop a deeper relationship with God, and form vital community with others. This day of training is open to all interested in their own spiritual development and in the spiritual life of children. Plan to join us!

by Susan Shumaker

The annual Wisdom and Grace Conference is being held at Lake Junaluska August 11-14. "Sing unto the Lord a New Song, Crafting a Legacy for the Next Generation" is the theme.  You will be inspired with four engaging days in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

The Rev. Dr. Tommy Gray will be the worship preacher.  He started one of the fastest growing United Methodist churches in the North Alabama Conference.

The Bible study teacher is Dr, Mickey Efird.  For over 45 years he has been training new pastors at Duke Divinity School and teaching Bible studies in churches around the state.

The platform speaker, Dr. Karen Scheib, is Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, where she has taught for ten years.

World renowned Christian soloist and pianist, Paul Saik, will perform in concert Wednesday at 7:30 pm.  Paul has a passion for sacred music and a serious desire to reach others with the powerful message of Christ’s love.  The Junaluska Singers will perform Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

There are eight varied workshops, from which you select four to attend.  A brochure is posted on the Senior Adult bulletin board with a listing and information about these workshops and additional information about the conference leadership.  Also you will be able to copy a registration form.  To register online:  www.lakejunaluska.com/olderadult.aspx 

Register now and save $20!  Early bird registration fee is $65 before June 1.   Staying at the Terrace Hotel or Lambert Inn will cost $345 per person (for two in a room) for 3 nights and 9 meals. You may choose to stay elsewhere for less ($70 - $74 per night) and be on your own for meals. Call 800-222-4930 for lodging reservations.

Our ministry with the Golden Triangle Fellowship continues to grow

There are over seventy children from the Golden Triangle actively involved in our Children’s Ministry. Sunday school is a great time for them to learn the stories of our faith, be with friends, and to learn a bit more English! Over the summer, we want to make sure every Sunday is one of fellowship and learning about the Bible. We need your help! If you have been looking for the way to get more involved with our Golden Triangle Fellowship, here is the way! Meet wonderful talented children whose joy at being here is only eclipsed by their desire to learn. Sign up to be a shepherd, no preparation is required, requirements are a welcoming heart and helping hands. Try it one Sunday and you are sure to want to return. This truly is a golden opportunity and a way to make a difference in the life of a child. Call Heather Harriss, Children’s Pastor, at 383-0832, ext. 27, for more information and look for sign-up sheets in Sunday School.

he church and its offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Please adjust your schedules accordingly.

8:15 Betty Moore, pianist

Sarah Taylor, soloist

10:00 Sanctuary Choir, warm-up

10:30 Sanctuary Choir

4:30 Carillon Ringers concert

www.bumcyouth.blogspot.com    

Saturday, May 17 - 6-7:15 pm Confirmation celebration dinner, Parker Hall

Sunday, May 18 - 9:15 am Sunday school, 3rd floor; 5:30 pm Youth Ministries family potluck.

www.bumcconfirmation.blogspot.com

Saturday, May 17 - 6-7:15 pm Confirmation celebration dinner, Parker Hall

Sunday, May 18 - 8:15 am Confirmation family & faith friend photographs, sanctuary; 9 am Practice for the service; 10:30 am Confirmation Sunday

Learning about the church calendar - The season after Pentecost is the longest block of time of any season. It lasts until the beginning of Advent. During this season, after the fire and excitement of Pentecost, it is natural to look at the way the message of Christ has spread and continues to be spread, throughout the world. This is a good time to look at God’s people everywhere and find ways to be involved in hands on ministry with others. A time to get out into the world, beyond our immediate circle of friends. This spring and summer, we will have opportunities to do this through Habitat for Humanity and the Heifer Project. As a family, discuss ways you can be in ministry together.