From the Pastor The Lenten Season - Germantown United Methodist Church
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February 2021
From the Pastor
The Lenten Season
In John 15, Jesus said that, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear much fruit.”
Some years ago, there was a movie entitled, “A Walk in the Clouds” about a Mexican family that owned a
vineyard and a young man who came into their lives. There is a tragic scene in which the entire vineyard is
accidentally burned. After the fire, as they sit among the ashes, the young man remembered that he had
once been shown the original vine, or the “stock” vine, as they called it. He rushed up the hill and pulled
and twisted and dug the stock vine until it was out of the ground. There they discovered that it was still
alive. In an instant their despair was washed with hope and celebration. The vineyard would return.
Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will
remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a
branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If
you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
It is traditional during Lent to give up something. Consider, are there areas of life that you are trying to
root on your own? Jesus said living a life of faith without him leaves a life withered and a heart that is
dead. If we truly want to give up something for Lent, how about giving up “false roots” that do not find life
in the Vine of Christ.
The late pastor, Rev. Craig Gates of Mississippi, once wrote about some things to give up:
“GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, remember the scripture: "In everything give thanks." Constructive criticism is
OK, but "moaning, groaning, and complaining" are not Christian disciplines. GIVE UP looking at other
people's worst points. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have
people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first. GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let
your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting. GIVE
UP your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. "Love covers a multitude of
sins." GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional
energy on something we can do nothing about. Live today and let God's grace be sufficient. GIVE UP
judging by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God.
There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.”
“I am the Vine,” Jesus said, “you are the branches”.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent . As Lent begins among the ashes, let us trust in the hope of the
True Vine, and place our lives in the hands of the Vinedresser, knowing that a vineyard can come from the
ashes.
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Worship Series Stewardship Corner Elaine Wright, Stewardship Chair
I’d like to introduce myself to those of you whom I have not met. My name is Elaine Wright, and I have
In February, we transition into the season of Lent. Lent officially been a member of Germantown United Methodist Church since 2013. I first stepped foot on
is the forty-day period, not including Sundays, between church property as a GUMP student in 1985, years later I married my husband Brad Wright in our church
Ash Wednesday and the Day of Resurrection. It is in 2007, and my children (McKinley, 10 and Cole, 7) were baptized in our church in 2011 and 2013. Brad
intended to be a time of reflection, renewal, and and I co-founded the Wesley 2.0 Sunday School class in 2015. This church holds such a special place in
remembrance, and the purple of the season calls us to my heart for so many reasons. I am honored and humbled to serve this year as the 2021 Chair of the
repentance. GUMC Stewardship Committee.
As a church membership body, we owe a huge thank you to those of you who honored your 2020 pledge
On February 17, the Ash Wednesday service is the commitments and for those who have pledged for this current year during our fall “Together We are the
beginning of the Lenten Season. According to UMC.org, Church” campaign. Your unwavering commitment during difficult times is a critical component to the
“Through the service of ashes on the first day of Lent, lifeblood of our church. Your financial support is much needed and valued as a part of the church
we come before God recognizing our humanity, budgetary process. I also want to express a special thank you to the many members who answered the
repenting of our sin, and remembering who we are and who we can be.” Our service will be both onsite call to speak publicly about their personal stewardship journey in church service or via prerecorded video
and online, in the sanctuary and live streamed. Ashes will be made available for self-imposition on the as a part of our fall stewardship campaign. If maybe you have not pledged in the past, but you have given
forehead so that safe distancing may be maintained in a similar way we have done for communion. what you can, we also thank you and encourage you to consider making generosity an important regular
spiritual discipline in the form of an annual pledge to GUMC. It isn’t too late to make a 2021 pledge!
If you would like to have ashes for your household to participate online, please register online or call
754-7216, and the ashes may be picked up at the church during church hours by Wednesday evening 2020 was a difficult year for many of our congregants and our church as a whole. While the church has
the 17th. found many cost saving measures to stay on track, we still have a significant need to increase our regular
giving to accomplish our goals and expand Gods work through GUMC. To share some perspective, back in
2017 we had the largest church budget to date at $3.48 million and a large membership base. For 2021
LENTEN WORSHIP SERIES we are working with a proposed $3.1 million dollar budget. It is my goal for us to get back to the 2017
level. It is more important now than ever to continue your regular monetary gifts to GUMC.
During the six Sundays of Lent, we will have a
Worship Series entitled, “The Lonesome Road.” As Methodists we commit to prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Throughout 2021 we hope to
be able to emphasize each one of these spiritual disciplines at different points throughout the year.
Jesus took a lonesome road to Jerusalem and invited Proverbs 3:9-10 states “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your
his followers to go with him. Ultimately, it led to the barns will be filled to overflowing…” The Bible tells us to give to the church generously. The Proverb writer
cross before revealing an empty tomb. goes on to say in 11:24-25 that your generosity defines your experience – “One person gives freely, yet
There were many lessons for disciples to learn on gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper;
the Lonesome Road that are still valuable lessons for whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” In this year of renewal, as a congregation let us be refreshing
our own lives today. in that same manner as we consider our monetary gifts to GUMC.
Join us during the Sundays of Lent as we apply these I’m excited to work with this year’s Stewardship Committee to develop a plan that will transform the way
lessons to our own walks of faith. we think about stewardship in regards to pledging and campaigns, but rather center our hearts and minds
on the act of generosity that is needed to continue growing our community of faith. I dream of a day
On-site and online at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. where our church has month-over-month increases in regular and pledged giving that would enable us to
do so many more good works to spread the Gospel in our community. I envision this shift would
United Methodist Women Chesley Porteous, chesleyporteous@gmail.com ultimately bring more people to Christ.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Therefore, an
Germantown United Methodist Women Update outward and visible sign of our hearts residing in the colony of Heaven here on earth, the church, is that
our money and our service are seen supporting the missions and ministries of our beloved GUMC. Please
Germantown United Methodist Women (GUMW) is sad to announce that all events through the end of May know that my heart is here at GUMC, and I hope that yours is, too.
2021 have been cancelled in the interest of everyone’s health and safety. This includes GUMW’s February
luncheon, Lent by Candlelight, Spring/Summer Children’s Consignment Sale, Spring Bridge & Games
Benefit and Unique Boutique, and the GUMW May luncheon.
We look forward to gathering again in fellowship and service later in the new year. Until then, stay safe,
stay connected, and keep finding ways to bless others. We are still “Blessed to Be a Blessing!”
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Adult Education Mary Groh, mgroh@germantownumc.org Adult Education Continued...
Epiphany Celebration Recap Adult Lenten Study!
On January 6th, a cold winter’s night, GUMC members gathered, socially distanced and masked in the Lent is the season of the church calendar that comes before Easter, and like Advent, is a season of
Sanctuary (still decorated for Christmas with poinsettias and candlelight) to celebrate the 12th Day of preparation. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 17 this year) and ends just before Easter Sunday.
Christmas and Epiphany, as we marked the arrival of the Wise Men to visit the Christ child. Epiphany Historically, the church has recognized Lent as a time to bring people closer to God through prayer, study,
celebrates the Light of Christ revealed for all people. Stars in the sky, light in the darkness, Magi and and reflection. This Lent, join Rev. Dr. Brad Gabriel for
myrrh, frankincense and gold, wonder and riches! What’s not to love and celebrate?!!
Rev. Dr. Brad Gabriel and his wife, Rev. Linda Gabriel, Associate Pastor of Emmanuel UMC, shared some of
the history and traditions associated with Epiphany and read the story from the Gospel of Matthew. Just as
the light of the star guided the Magi to Jesus, the Church is called to be the Light of the World as we make
Christ manifest, or apparent, in our lives and communities.
The Grace of Les Misérables
Our Praise Band sang “Light One Candle”. First performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1982, the words
were particularly appropriate on a sad and troubling day when we had watched our U.S. Capitol being Tuesdays, February 16 – March 23, 6:00-7:00 pm via Zoom; or
overrun by rioters. One verse seemed to have been written just for us on January 6, 2021: Wednesdays, February 17 – March 24, 10:00-11:00 am in-person
Light one candle for the strength that we need Cost: FREE or $11 for the study book (optional)
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are suffering
Pain we learned so long ago
Light one candle for all we believe in
That anger not tear us apart In this 6-session DVD study based on Victor Hugo’s book, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six
And light one candle to find us together ideals found in the story: grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope – each represented by a
With peace as the song in our hearts. character in Hugo’s story. Whether you’ve read the novel, seen the Broadway musical, heard its
Don't let the light go out! soundtrack, or seen the several screen adaptations, you already know the power of Les Misérables.
It's lasted for so many years! Rev. Matt Rawle draws parallels between the iconic story and musical and our Christian calling, inspiring
Don't let the light go out! us to understand our faith and live it out in the world.
Let it shine through our hope and our tears.
One way we remember that the world into which Christ entered was as dark and broken as our own is by Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Erin Beasley!
seeking out opportunities to help people in need. Those attending brought gifts destined for the United
Methodist Committee on Relief wrapped in white tissue paper and we placed them on the Chancel steps –
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Erin Beasley for having her book published and it has now
just like the Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus.
been deemed on Amazon as the #1 Best Seller in Methodist Christianity! This book is
We ended the evening of learning and song with joyful celebration as our own three wise men (Randy about ten personal narratives revealing the shared and distinct struggles of being
Lewis, Larry Groh, and Todd Wilson) processed into the Sanctuary in costume and carrying gifts. After Black in the Church, facing historic and modern racism.
their long journey to the Choir Loft, they sang a pandemic parody of “We Three Kings” allowing all of us to
“The confluence of the everyday indignities of being Black in America; the
remember that mirth making and laughter are gifts from God. As a final treat, as we left the Sanctuary,
outrageous, egregious, legalized lynching of George Floyd; and the unforgivable
we each were given a star shaped, decorated sugar cookie (individually wrapped), prepared by Barbara
disparities exposed once again by COVID–19 have conspired together to create a
Schanson, to remind us that we all are guided by the star of Bethlehem and wise men (and women!) still
seminal moment in America and in The United Methodist Church―in which we must
seek the Christ child.
find the courage to say unambiguously ‘Black Lives Matter.’ To stumble or choke on
While the season of Epiphany does not get as much hype as the preceding seasons of Advent and those words is beneath the gospel,” says Bishop Gregory Palmer, who wrote the
Christmas, it is an important time of our church year. Epiphany reminds us that Christmas is just the foreword to the collection.
beginning of the story. And in this past year of COVID, economic uncertain, riots, social isolation, and
If you would like to purchase the book, please click here.
elections, this Epiphany celebration was the encouragement we all needed to continue the journey and
shine light wherever there is darkness.
We hope to see you on January 6, 2021 for our next Epiphany Feast of Lights!
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Older Adults Luci Cromer, luci2@comcast.net, 901-755-0803 Older Adults Continued...
How to protect yourself:
Better Business Bureau Warning:
• Register your phone number with the National Do-Not-Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or
Protecting Older Americans from Fraud! donotcall.gov.
• Be wary of doing business with someone who just shows up at your door. Don’t let them in your
house.
• Check with the BBB at 901-759-1300 or bbb.org before dealing with any business or charity you are
not familiar with.
• If you need to hire a contractor or repairman, ask the BBB for a list of BBB Accredited Businesses in
that industry.
• Never pay the entire cost of a repair job upfront. Pay 1/3 upfront, 1/3 half-way through, and 1/3
when the job is finished.
• Don’t yield to high pressure or emotional sales tactics.
• Never pay money to win a prize or to enter a sweepstakes, even if you are sent a check and told to use
Older Americans are the fastest growing segment of the population to be victimized by identity fraud and it for the payment.
Internet schemes. Every day con artists bombard the telephones, mailboxes, and even email accounts of
older Americans. • Never wire money or send gift cards to a stranger.
Seniors are targeted and vulnerable because they are more likely to be at home to answer the door or • Keep careful records of your transactions such as bank or credit card statements. Check them for
phone, they tend to be more trusting and less likely to suspect a con artist, and they are often lonely and accuracy and shred them thoroughly before throwing them away.
susceptible to a friendly pitch. They may be physically incapable of making their own home repairs, on • Report scams to the BBB at bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others.
fixed incomes, or they may own their homes free and clear.
• Report identity theft and fraud at identitytheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource for
The most common scams that victimize seniors: identity theft victims.
• Foreign Lotteries/Phony Sweepstakes—You receive a call or email advising that you have won a large
amount of money in a foreign lottery, but have to send money upfront to pay taxes or other fees. The Best Times is Still Available!
• The grandparent or friend-in-peril scam—Criminals call, pretending to be your grandchild and ask for
money for an emergency such as a car wreck. The caller asks you to wire money immediately for bail,
The Best Times, the monthly news magazine for active
people age 50 and better, features articles on health,
fines, attorneys’ fees, etc.
travel, events of interest, personal finance, and
• Email phishing scams—You receive an email advising that there is a problem with your bank or credit profiles. You may pick up your FREE copy from the
card account. You’re instructed to click on a link in the email to provide verification information, such racks located in the West Street Entrance vestibule and
as your account number, Social Security Number, PIN, etc. in the lobby of the OLEC. New issues are delivered the
first week of each month, so be sure to watch for them
• Phone Scams—You receive an unsolicited phone call asking you to verify or provide personal
and keep up with the latest older adult news.
information. The caller ID may show the name of a legitimate government agency such as the Social
Security Administration.
• Phony Charities—You receive a phone call or letter from someone soliciting money for what sounds
Flu Vaccine Matters More This Year!
like a legitimate charity, but it is really a scam. Often, they appear to be associated with the fire or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all
police departments. individuals who are without contraindications to receive the influenza vaccine
• Home Repair or Improvement Scams—Crooks show up uninvited to your door offering to make repairs for the 2020-2021 flu season, saying it is even more important during the
and then do shoddy work at an exorbitant price. COVID-19 pandemic than in normal years.
• Investment Scams—You receive a letter, call or email offering large returns on investments or you are The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued updated
invited to a “free lunch” seminar to get investment or retirement advice. influenza vaccine recommendations in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report calling for everyone ages 6 months and older without
• Romance Scams—You are a member of an online social networking site and receive emails from contraindications to get the vaccine for the 2020-2021 flu season.
someone who is romantically interested in you, often asking to take the conversation off the site, Vaccination is more important this year because it can mitigate stress on the
where they can’t be tracked. US health care systems, already under strain from the COVID-19 pandemic,
• Medical Quackery—Natural ‘cures,’ miracle weight loss products, exotic potions and pills. These and according to the report’s authors.
other questionable health related products are promoted heavily in ads on TV, the Internet, and in
newspapers and magazines.
• Phony Prescription Plans—You receive a phone call, letter, or email offering a low-cost prescription
drug plan. The offer might appear to come from the government or Medicare.
• Identity Theft and Identity Fraud—Identity theft happens when someone else gets hold of your Our events are open to all adults age 55 and older, singles and couples,
personal information—your Social Security Number, bank account, or credit card number. Some of regardless of church membership. Mark your calendar and make your
these ‘hacks’ happen in online data breaches; others occur through a phishing phone call or email. reservations for these events today!
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Youth Ministry Lisa Pierce—lpierce@germantownumc.org and Brian Richards—brichards@germantownumc.org Youth Ministry Continued...
Flexibility is Key Upcoming Youth Events Continued...
Shifting mindset is never easy. Our mindset in student ministry has
long been that we should gather the greatest number of students Tuesday Mornings
possible on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and any gathering during High school students meet every Tuesday morning for breakfast, prayer, study, and conversation. Join us
the week. This allows us to efficiently share teaching and allows the at the pavilion behind Houston High School at 6:30 AM. Brian and Lisa bring breakfast and coffee – all you
students a large pool for potential friends. Win-win for everybody. need is a Bible and a mask.
Since last March, for the purposes of safety, we have had to shift to a Wednesday Evenings
new way of thinking. Gather as many as we can safely bring together
while also distancing. This is quite tricking, especially since youth are Synergy: Middle schoolers gather from 6:00-7:15 at the Prescott House for a small group time of study
drawn to one another like a moth is to light. Middle and high school and mid-week check-in. This semester, we are looking at various movies studying for themes of Jesus’
students are hard wired to desire closeness – in conversation, in sitting, teachings, life, and love.
in talking, even in travelling. So, gathering while distancing is Synago: High schoolers gather from 7:15-8:30 at the Prescott House for small group time. In February,
challenging. we will begin preparations for our DisCRAVEry weekend.
Initially, we didn’t gather. Brian and Lisa would make trips to homes and share from afar on the front Confirmation
porch. There were videos and zooms. So many zooms. Even though our students have grown up in a world
of technology, they soon tired of zoom calls. They were finding themselves zooming for six hours a day Our sixth graders have been gathering weekly either in person or through zoom to prepare for their
for school – the last thing they desired was another zoom call. upcoming confirmation. Please plan to join us on the evening of April 11, surrounding these students, as
they take their confirmation vows.
We then began to work on gathering small. We broke our students into three groups and gathered
outdoors. Face-to-face (or masked face to masked face) contact felt good. We could see eyes again, and Created By God (February 26-27)
through those eyes, we saw spirits. It was fulfilling. Our students This curriculum presents human development and sexuality to fifth and sixth grade students through the
responded amazingly well to our guidelines for safety. They were lens of love and celebration of wonderous creation. Registration is required and is limited to 20. Contact
excited to be together, so they followed the rules. They continue to Lisa Pierce with questions.
comply remarkably well to the standards that have been
established to keep them safe. As a result, we reduced the number
of large groups from three to two. At our Christmas gift exchange, Bob Ross Art Night
we had two groups of 40 students gather, remain distanced, and We are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works. God has crafted everything in the world
share in a fun evening. including us, and paints a beautiful sunset every night, so why shouldn’t we create beautiful art also? With
We are getting closer to that light at the end of the tunnel. That that in mind we gathered our youth for the first meeting of the spring semester in the OLEC and while
light is our opportunity for retreats, mission trips, and piling in the everyone was socially distant we painted, drew, and sculpted. Many of our students are gifted artists, and
church vans to go to dinner. We are grateful for students who have those who thought they weren’t were surprised at what they could create! We had Casey Smith, an art
worked with us through these transitions, volunteers who have teacher at PDS and a fantastic artist himself come and lead any who wanted in a guided painting of a Bob
stood by us every step, and parents who keep adjusting to change. Ross style landscape. Our middle school group was determined not to use help and their imaginations
took off. A few of our HS students peeked more than a few times at how Casey was painting. At the end of
the night we gave out some superlatives for, “Most Creative" and, “Most Spiritual.” We also gave a special
Upcoming Youth Events prize to the student who came in the best Bob Ross costume. It was a great, calm way to kick off our
February semester and encourage our students who might be a bit shy about their art to have confidence and share
the talents that God has given them. Pictured below: BoB-ception A Bob Ross landscape painting inside
(Unless otherwise noted, middle school meets 5:00-6:15 and high school meets 7:00-8:15) his name, sample landscape paintings, and our HS Bob Ross Costume winner.
7 - Flag Football Game – middle and high school student will meet from 2-4 to play a fervent game of
flag football. We will need players, coaches, and fans – so there is something for everyone! We will be fin-
ished in time for Superbowl Kickoff. Watch email, social media, and website for details.
14 - No Element (Presidents’ Day weekend)
21 - YOUTH-led night. Evening designed and led by students. This evening is led by our 11th, 10th, and
6th graders. Evening will include games, message, music, and small groups.
28 - Combined worship night. Worship will be led by our youth worship band. Middle and high school
students will meet together from 6-8 for a time of worship, message, and small groups.
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Children’s Ministry Callie Beaver, cbeaver@germantownumc.org Health & Recreation Todd Hinton, thinton@germantownumc.org; Judy Oros, joros@germantownumc.org
Upcoming Events: How to Stay Motivated During the Winter Months
February 26-27: Created by God class for 5th/6th Graders* Because the Earth doesn’t stay in one place, our daylight, too, doesn’t last. This
April 3: Easter Egg Hunt at McVay Gardens makes it harder for us to get our workouts in during the winter. Here are a few
ways to stay motivated during the cold months:
April 4: Easter Sunday
1. Partner Up! This sounds impossible since we are told to “social distance.” But,
June 2-4: Evening VBS* Zoom and Facebook are two fabulous ways to stay in Shape!! Our own Owings
June 7-11: Vacation Bible School* Life Enrichment Center Facebook Page has wonderful videos from a few of our
instructors for you use. “Like” our page and you can watch them over and over
July 25- 31: Lakeshore Camp- Elementary #4, Jr. High #3. again. Zoom is so popular now, that many instructors are welcoming new
Please see details and register at www.lakeshorecamp.org. participants.
*Please see details and register online. 2. Get up Early! Now that we are used to staying in, moving earlier is almost next to
impossible. Sunlight is only for a short while, and the crisp, fresh air does
wonders! The Owings Life Enrichment Center, too, opens at 8 am for your reserved
WOW- Worship on Wednesdays spot. Call us at 901-753-3100 to make your reservation.
We are meeting every Wednesday (except March 17) until March 24. Elementary students will meet at the
OLEC Gym until it is warm enough to resume meeting outside at McVay Gardens. Preschoolers will meet in
the Hamilton Nursery for their special programming. We hope that your children will join us as we re- Focus on the health benefits during this time. Your family needs healthy meals, lots of
charge our hearts and spirits during this special mid-week time together. Please register online weekly by laughter and good long walks together. The O.L.E.C is always here for you if you have
Tuesdays at 5:30 so that we know how many kids to plan for and to let our Nursery workers know if they any questions.
will be needed.
Music Ministry Todd Wilson, twilson@germantownumc.org
Ignite! Organ Fund
Our retreat for 4th and 5th graders is temporarily postponed until we can gather in safer conditions. Stay The Schantz pipe organ has graced our sanctuary since its dedication on July 9, 1978, two years after the
tuned for updates! completion of the current sanctuary. Given by the family of Ruby Owings, it was dedicated as the Mary Ella
Mosby Tyler organ to honor her faithful service as organist since 1939. The instrument underwent a
complete tonal re-voicing and expansion in 1995. What was not completed in 1995 was a re-leathering of
Created by God the instrument. While not necessary then, re-leathering is becoming more and more necessary now.
Friday night, February 26 and Saturday morning, February 27 Leather pouches like those seen here,
Created by God is a program designed to communicate to fifth and sixth graders that we are a fantastic
creation made by God. The topics of human sexuality, values, and relationships are approached in a frank,
honest, and Bible-based manner. Parents are asked to register online if they are interested in their child
taking the course. There is a $25 cost for the course which covers all materials, supplies, and food.
Guests are welcome, but they must be in the fifth or sixth grades. Please email Lisa Pierce at
lpierce@germantownumc.org with any questions.
are failing our instrument, as all leather does over time. Failure of individual pouches causes specific
notes to not play. They fail one at a time and you cannot predict when. This limits the playability of the
instrument. The original 1979 leather will continue to deteriorate making a sizable instrument smaller and
smaller. We do not hear it now because our organist, Eva McPeters, expertly works around the troubles.
Do you remember the FRAM Oil Filter commercials? “You can pay me now or pay me later!” We take care of
our valued belongings. We change the oil and rotate the tires of our cars. We educate and create safety
and well-being for our children. Why? These are all things we value. GUMC values a top-quality organ to
lead worship and concertize. It is time we take measures that insure the longevity of our fine instrument.
An organ fund has been established to raise funds for the re-leathering and repairs project. Work with
our organ vendor, Milnar Organ Inc. has produced an estimate of repair of $180,000 to address the failing
leather and update 1995 era electronic recording and playback technology. This is a handsome sum, but I
share that Milnar estimates replacing our organ with a new and comparable instrument would cost
approximately $1,225,500! Giving to the Organ Repair Fund creates funding that allows us to move
forward with planning and execution of repairs. My prayer is that after repairs, another 40+ years will
elapse before major work is needed on our instrument. Your giving and faithfulness can make it so.
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Elder Care Ministry Pat Smith—psmith@germantownumc.org Elder Care Ministry Continued...
Depression During a Pandemic Senior Moments
Since the outbreak of the Corona virus, anxiety and depression feel almost universal. The sales of Senior Moments is a new feature of the Tidings publication. We are highlighting some of our senior
antidepressant medications have surged. Some may see this as negative, but the fact that people are members as a means of staying in touch and getting to know other church members better. The
seeking assistance for their emotional health is a positive sign. Coronavirus has changed our ability to socialize and inter act face to face. With these short biographies,
we will keep our elderly members in the spotlight and involved in the church community. Thanks to all
Some groups of people are more at risk for anxiety and depression during times like this. They are: who have submitted information and pictures. If you would like to be featured, just call Pat smith at
children and teens, older people, anyone with a pre-existing mental health condition, anyone with a 901-758-6513 or Laura Hairston at 901-758-6517.Watch for this feature each month and enjoy getting
chronic health condition or illness, and minority populations who are disproportionately affected by to know some members of the church!
socioeconomic factors, and people who are under financial stress. Having a good support system is key
at times like this—someone to lean on. John & Melody Chipley
Depression can be environmentally driven, and certainly in long-standing situations like we are in now
where there is no definite end in sight. The feelings of helplessness and sometimes hopelessness can
compound these feelings of depression.
So, what can be done?
Continue taking your medications and stay in touch with your physician.
Be aware of increases in substance use.
Eat a healthy diet.
Exercise regularly.
Get adequate sleep.
Seek out counseling.
Be kind to yourself.
The use of positive thinking and positive action can have a good effect on your health, happiness,
success, satisfaction, and productivity. How can you bring this positivity into your life?
Cleanse your soul—consider it a daily “shower” for your mind. Release negative thoughts daily.
Use positive affirmations.
Get up, dress up, and show up. Stay active. Melody and I joined Germantown United Methodist Church a little over thirty years ago. The church family
has always been the foundation of our lives. Over the past thirty years we have developed many strong
Forgive yourself-we all make mistakes, and we can learn and grow from them. friendships with members of the Seeker’s class and the Lamplighters class. Melody has always been a big
Take a daily “vitamin” for your emotional health. Honor yourself and recognize all that you are. quilter and over the past few years has enjoyed taking lessons in painting, watercolors. I retired from
teaching and then went back as a volunteer. MANY of our church members have helped me over the years
It is up to us to stay in the driver’s seat of our emotions. We also bear some responsibility to be while I was teaching in the inner city. To all the church members who donated their time and money, I
supportive and available to those who need an extra boost. Knowing you have been of help to someone owe you a huge amount of gratitude. I now write books for African American boys. All my books are about
else can be a very gratifying feeling that will boost your own positive emotional health. a little boy named Little A. We are now retired and have moved to Kirby Pines. We invite any member of
Most importantly, take one day at a time! our church to call us, or E-mail, if you are considering this type of move. We are not selling or promoting
anything. However, I assure you there is a lot you should know, and we would be glad to tell you our
story. You can reach us at
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Germantown United Methodist Church 2331 South Germantown Road Germantown, TN 38138 www.germantownumc.org 901-754-7216 Editor’s Note: The deadline for submitting articles for Tidings is the 10th of the month prior. Submissions received after this deadline are not guaranteed to run.
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