PHOTO: Volunteers sort produce boxes at the monthly Borderlands Produce Rescue event - Dayspring United Methodist Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PHOTO: Volunteers sort produce boxes at the monthly Borderlands Produce Rescue event.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
OPENING TO GOD
This new opportunity to come together on
Friday mornings from 10:30-11:30am via Zoom
offers an enriching time to deepen our The Explorer's Class will continue
relationship with God and other members of the to meet online (via Zoom) each
Dayspring community. Here are some of the week at 10:00 a.m. We will
ways this sacred time is impacting the explore both contemporary
participants: issues and Biblical themes as we
always do and there will be
"Opening to God has been a calming part of plenty of opportunity for
my week in particular during this difficult discussion. We hope you will join
season of waiting for the pandemic to be over. us! Email Jim Baker at
The moments of silence, the meditation and the jameshbaker@cox.net for the
variety of practices have been wonderful." meeting link.
-Suzanne Harbster
“Opening to God is a Spiritual Journey where
we connect with the Holy Spirit through prayer,
stillness, sharing our inner thoughts and
feelings with our sisters and brothers. Come
join us on Friday mornings at 10:30. All are
welcome.”
-Patie Hawley The 10:30 Adult Contemporary
Issues class continues its study
“Opening to God is a time I can leave the Healing the Heart of Democracy,
concerns of this life and center in on my The courage to Create a Politics
relationship with God. It is a time to regain my Worthy of the Human Spirit by
focus on Him and spend time worshiping. It is a Parker J. Palmer. In this book,
time of cleansing.” Palmer quickens our instinct to
-Kris Bullock seek out the common good,
“Participating in Opening to God on Friday proposing practical ways to
mornings is like stepping from a busy, noisy bridge our political divides. The
street into the soft quiet of a church sanctuary. It author explores five "habits of the
is a space to let your mind slow down, your heart" that can be developed in
body settle into stillness, and your heart open, everyday settings like families,
so that you can hear the gentle whisper of the neighborhoods, classrooms,
Spirit.” congregations and work place to
-Scott Bennett help restore a government of the
people, by the people and for the
“I so look forward to this time of coming people. The class will be lead by
together and Pastor Shirley’s gentle, guiding Suzanne Harbster.
presence blessing us all. I especially like the use
of scripture, silence and sharing how God’s
word speaks to each of us. If you are interested
in learning more, please contact Pastor Shirley
at shirley@dayspringumc.org.”
-Sandy Somers
March 2021 1
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
As we move into the season of Lent we want to share an
opportunity for you and your family to participate in a Lenten
Calendar full of activities and practices to help bring your family
closer together and closer to God as we prepare for Easter. (See the
calendar on the next page.)
Parable of Talents is back, virtually! In Sunday school next month we
will be spending time talking about the story of Parable of Talents
and then we invite all of our children to record themselves doing
something they love and sharing their talents with us all. All of
these videos will be compiled and shared with the church
community to raise money for our next Clean Water Well project in
Liberia. If you would like more information please email Emily.
March 2021 2
March 2021 3
DAYSPRING YOUTH MINISTRY
The Dayspring Youth online Formation classes have shifted to focus on the
season of Lent and the coming of Easter. The youth are encouraged to reflect
upon ‘intentional spiritual focus’ during this season of Lent. Thank you to
Pastor Joel for encouraging us to ask ourselves, “How am I doing?” Our youth
have placed intentional focus on how we are doing with God, family, friends,
earth, and self. Formation classes continue to emphasize the importance of
self-care. This practice empowers us to be the best version of ourselves,
which in turn, enables us to further help others in the world.
Thanks to our gorgeous spring weather, the youth were able to go on a
reflective wilderness hike in the desert. The youth enjoyed getting some sun,
visiting with church friends, and spending some time reflecting on the
question, “How am I doing?”
Lower Covid numbers also have allowed the youth to restart small group
gatherings (with masks and social distancing of course)! The Daysrping Youth
were thrilled to meet at the garden for fellowship and a friendly dodgeball
game. It was wonderful to see all of the smiles and eagerness to return to our
church community.
If you have a middle school or high school youth who would like to join our Jennine Ballew
wonderful group, contact Jennine for more information! Text: (480) 619-8990
jennine@dayspringumc.org
March 2021 4
3
March
VIRTUAL MEETING CALENDAR
01 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support
6:00 / Theo Pub
17 6:30 / Children’s Choir
7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
7:00 / Praying Together 7:00 / A Sacred Time
02 11:00 / Lent Study 7:15 / Youth Choir
5:30 / Lent Study 18 11:00 / Tempe Interfaith
03 10:30 / Lent Study 6:00 / Family Promise Connect
6:00 / Cherub Choir 7:00 / A Time to Wonder Lent Study
6:30 / Children’s Choir 19 10:30 / Opening to God
7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour 21 UMCOR Sunday
7:00 / A Sacred Time 8:00 / Lent Study
7:15 / Youth Choir 9:00 / Worship / dayspringumc.org/watch
04 7:00 / A Time to Wonder Lent Study 10:00 / Explorers
05 10:30 / Opening to God 10:00 / Virtual Sunday School PreK-2nd
06 9:00 / UMM 10:30 / Contemporary Issues
07 8:00 / Lent Study 10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th
9:00 / Worship / dayspringumc.org/watch 10:30 / Formation
10:00 / Explorers 22 6:00 / Theo Pub
10:00 / Virtual Sunday School PreK-2nd 7:00 / Praying Together
10:30 / Contemporary Issues 23 11:00 / Lent Study
10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th 5:30 / Lent Study
10:30 / Formation 24 10:30 / Lent Study
08 6:00 / Theo Pub 6:30 / Children’s Choir
7:00 / Praying Together 7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
09 11:00 / Lent Study 7:00 / A Sacred Time
5:30 / Lent Study 7:15 / Youth Choir
10 10:30 / Lent Study 25 7:00 / A Time to Wonder Lent Study
6:30 / Children’s Choir 26 10:30 / Opening to God
7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour 28 Palm Sunday
7:00 / A Sacred Time 8:00 / Lent Study
7:15 / Youth Choir 9:00 / Worship / dayspringumc.org/watch
11 7:00 / A Time to Wonder Lent Study 10:00 / Explorers
12 10:30 / Opening to God 10:00 / Virtual Sunday School PreK-2nd
14 8:00 / Lent Study 10:30 / Contemporary Issues
9:00 / Worship / dayspringumc.org/watch 10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th
10:00 / Explorers 10:30 / Formation
10:00 / Virtual Sunday School PreK-2nd 12:00 / Dayspring Singles
10:30 / Contemporary Issues 2:00 / Concert
10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th 29 6:00 / Theo Pub
10:30 / Formation 7:00 / Praying Together
12:00 / Dayspring Singles 30 11:00 / Lent Study
15 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support 5:30 / Lent Study
6:00 / Theo Pub 31 10:30 / Lent Study
7:00 / Praying Together 6:30 / Children’s Choir
16 11:00 / Lent Study 7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
5:30 / Lent Study 7:00 / A Sacred Time
17 10:30 / Lent Study 7:15 / Youth Choir
6:00 / Cherub Choir
March 2021 5
Morning Meditation
Are you interested in learning about meditation and mindfulness? The new
Meditation Meetup group is for you! We will meet at 7:00am online daily for
about 20 minutes to learn about meditation. We use the Calm app to guide our
practice. If you are interested in joining, please text Jennine at (480) 619-8990.
Dayspring Pride TheoPubs
All are welcome to join Dayspring PRIDE for great conversation from the
comfort of your home via zoom every Monday evening at 6:00pm Email David
at pride@dayspringumc.org for details.
Dayspring Singles
ng le s Dayspring Singles continue to meet at 12 noon every two weeks during our
Dayspring closure. Meetings will be March 14th and 28th. We welcome all
Si Dayspring singles to join us for these virtual sessions that support our
friendships. Please email singles@dayspringumc.org with questions or to be
added to the list to receive zoom meeting notifications.
Dayspring Book Club
Dayspring's Book Club meets every first Wednesday of the month. In March
we'll Zoom on March 3rd at 6:30pm. If you love to read or just want to talk
about this one book we'd love to have you!
We'll be discussing "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Here's the blurb from Good Reads:
The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of
the century, Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a poignant and moving
tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache, crowded with
life and people and incident. The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie
Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has
enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns
overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of
the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with
family connectedness.
Many people read this book in school so revisiting "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"
will be like visiting an old friend. We look forward to discussing the book on
March 3rd. Please email Beth Cadman at beth@thecadmans.com if you'd like
more information.
March 2021 6
TAKING CARE:
LIVING AND LOVING WITH MEMORY LOSS
Caregiving for Loved
Ones with Dementia Good self-care includes lifestyles that can help
prevent Alzheimer’s as it promotes a healthy brain
What causes Alzheimer’s? and body. Prevention measures include getting
Information from the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute adequate exercise, eating a healthful diet,
says that the neurodegenerative disorder, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. In
Alzheimer’s, gradually becomes evident when addition, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute suggests
abnormal deposits of proteins form hard plaques t h a t y o u re d u c e s t re s s , m a i n t a i n s o c i a l
and tangles throughout the brain, causing neurons connections, stay active and engaged mentally,
to die and the brain to shrink. The brain has begun and get quality sleep.
the process years before any symptoms appear.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of
dementia, and there are some risk factors that
may contribute including:
• Age. Most people diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s are 65+ years of age. (Early
onset Alzheimer’s occurs in the 40’s and 50’s
but it is very rare.)
• Gender. More women than men have
Alzheimer’s.
• Heredity. If you have a sibling or parent
with Alzheimer’s your risk for developing it
is slightly higher.
Alzheimer’s in late life develops slowly. A sudden
• Heart health. Older adults with coronary onset of cognitive or memory decline may be
artery disease or peripheral arterial disease caused by one of several physical reasons and
have higher risk. should be evaluated asap by doctors. These may
i n c l u d e m e d i c at i o n e r ro r s , m a l n u t r i t i o n ,
• C h e m i c a l ex p o s u r e . To x i c m e t a l s ,
pesticides and industrial chemicals may dehydration, etc. Alzheimer’s is not detected by a
increase risk. single method and does not have a cure, however
getting a diagnosis will provide resources to help
with the journey.
As research continues, it is now evident that some
things are not risk factors and do not cause If you are a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s including aluminum, flu shots, silver or other dementia, remember that you are not
fillings or Aspartame (sweetener.) These were alone. Our support group meets via Zoom on the
suspected risk factors in the past, but Alzheimer’s first and third Monday of each month. Email
is not caused by any of these. shirley@dayspringumc.org for more information.
March 2021 7
United Methodist Women
Together We Are Building Our Legacy
United Methodist Women continue to build on the foundation that our foremothers set forth 150 years ago
which is changing the lives of women, children, and youth. However, difficulties continue to plague women,
children, and youth around the world – unfair practices and things that separate them from care, support,
and empowerment.
In 2014 the Board of Directors of United Methodist Women set forth a Legacy Fund Endowment Campaign
with the hopes of raising $60 million to secure service to women, children, and youth for the next 150 years.
The campaign called Together, we are building our legacy, celebrates the legacy of women who founded
the mission movement as well as the legacy of today’s members and future generations to carry on faith,
hope and love in action around the world for many decades to come.
March 23rd each year is traditionally set aside as Day of Giving to the Legacy Fund Endowment Campaign.
Members and supporters of United Methodist Women can make a
one-time gift, a recurring gift, or a pledge over time. Gifts may be
made at unitedmethodistwomen.org/150/home. To date, 30% of
the $60 million goal has been reached. Imagine what is possible if
the organization had the resources to expand its mission and to
transform lives all over the world!
Dayspring United Methodist Women will hold their meeting via
Zoom on March 18 at 7 PM. The program will be given by
Women4Women. The organization’s mission is to help homeless
and low-income women in Tempe maintain their dignity, self-
respect, and health by distributing feminine hygiene products to
those in need. Anyone interested in the Zoom meeting should
contact Bonny Sloane at bsloane@cox.net.
Mary Martha Circle will meet via Zoom at 7PM on March 8th.
Marilyn Miller will present the program. Contact Nancy Jamison for
an invitation to the meeting. Nancyjam@cox.net
Connie Reading Circle will meet via Zoom at 9:30 on March 11.
Bonny Sloane will do the book review. Contact Bonny for an
invitation to the meeting. bsloane@cox.net.
March 2021 8
United Methodist men
The Dayspring United Methodist Men continue on March 6 with the next segment of our monthly Zoom
meeting series on the "History of the Church". The January meeting covered the "History of Methodism",
the February meeting "The History and Future of the UMC General Conference". Our next segment on
March 6 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. is the "History of the Desert Southwest Conference" which will be
presented by Julie O'Neal, Executive Assistant to Bishop
Hoshibata. Ev Taylor, the UMM Program Chair, will send
out information on how to connect on Zoom.
If you would like to be added to the UMM event
n o t i fi c a t i o n l i s t , p l e a s e e m a i l R i c k O l i v e r a t
rko1946@gmail.com with your name and email
address. Rick will send out a Zoom connection prior to
the meeting. Everyone is invited.
Looking ahead, the last segment for this spring will be
"The History of Dayspring United Methodist Church" on
April 3 from 9-10:30, presented by Mary Thielemeir.
VACCINE REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE
If you have had a difficult time registering online for the COVID
vaccine, please email churchoffice@dayspringumc.org or call
(480) 838-1446. The new CDC website vaccinefinder.org is also
an easier signup resource to try. PLEASE NOTE: We do not
have access to any earlier appointments, we are simply
providing technical support to sign up.
March 2021 9MUSIC MINISTRY
Here's what's happening in Dayspring music this month:
Wednesday Music Appreciation Hour
During Lent, we are listening to and discussing Mendelssohn's
Elijah. Each week, I'll play a section of the work and comment
on it. If you enjoy music, this series will give some insight into
how we approach a grand work like this in order to understand
it and convey it as compellingly as possible to the listener.
Music Appreciation Hour is open to all, Wednesdays from 7
until about 8 p.m. on Zoom: https://asu.zoom.us/j/2417497547
Virtual Choir
Have you always wanted to sing with the Dayspring Choir (or
any choir) but hesitated? Now's your chance! We are hoping to
put together some virtual choir performances for use in future
online services. Each person makes a video of themselves
singing to recorded accompaniment, and we assemble the
recordings into a single video. To express interest, please
complete this form: https://forms.gle/ErmZT16QwSvJwWdu9
Rescheduled Concert
You may recall that we had a concert planned for mid-January
that we had to postpone for health reasons. I'm glad to report
that everyone is now well and that we have rescheduled the
concert for Sunday, March 28, at 2 p.m. The program is music
composed by Black American composers, and we will be
requesting donations for the newly created Dayspring HBCU
Scholarship Fund. The concert features ASU faculty member
Nathan De’Shon Myers (thenathanmyers.com) and will be
available on all the usual live-streaming channels for Dayspring
events. We hope you will join us!
-David Schildkert
March 2021 10GIVING GARDEN
With Spring on its way, the GG Team is clearing out cool season crops to get a good start on our favorite
warm season crops: tomato, pepper and eggplant. In row 6 by the volleyball court we are growing some
red potatoes that will be ready to harvest in May/June. Soon we will plant seeds of cucumber, beans,
Malabar spinach, melons, okra, basil and sunflowers. Extra hands are always welcome at planting time,
email garden@dayspring-umc.org if you are interested.
2021 is promising to be an exciting year for us in the Giving Garden. So far this year we have 7 newly
adopted beds. The interest in growing the food we put on our table has reached Tempe. Every year a few
people release their beds to continue their growing at home or move on to other interests, while new
members adopt a bed to begin their gardening journey with us. We are so grateful for the opportunity to
share our love of nature through this valuable ministry in the parking lot!
March 2021 11TAKING ACTION Borderlands Produce Rescue
Borderlands hosts a monthly produce distribution event at Aldersgate
UMC where families can purchase 70 pounds of rescued produce for
$12. In this time of increased unemployment and food insecurity, this
ministry is critical for the neighborhood. If you are healthy and looking for
a chance to serve, please consider joining us there on Saturday, March 20
from 6-11am to help sort produce, pack boxes and load cars! Be sure to
bring a mask and gloves if you have them. Please email amy@dayspring-
umc.org to sign up or for more information.
College Care PackageS
Let’s show our college students how much we love them! During
the week of March 7-13, Dayspring individuals and families are
invited to create care packages for our current undergraduate
students and mail them so they receive them before finals.
These care packages can be filled with snacks, pens, journals, and
cards of encouragement. Parents of college students are
requested to send their students’ current mailing addresses to
Jennine at Jennine@dayspringumc.org, or fill out the form at:
https://bit.ly/3sC4MWg. Parents, please indicate their favorite
snacks, t-shirt size, and if they have any allergies. If you and/or
your family would like to sign up to create a care package, please
email Pastor Joel at Joel@dayspringumc.org.
Thank You! Dayspring “hosted” Family Promise by providing meals to three families the
week of February 21. The families were each headed by a mother and the
children were two one year-old girls, a two year-old boy and a four year-old
girl. Due to the eviction moratorium, Family Promise does not have as many
families as it generally would. However, they foresee a crisis coming when the
moratorium is lifted. Thank you for your generous donations and delicious
meals! Dayspring is scheduled to “host” again the week of May 2.
Isaiah 58:10-11 If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of
the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like
the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in
parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered
garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
March 2021 12REFLECTIONS ON NEIGHBORING
Who is the most memorable neighbor you’ve ever What do they care about? What are their joys and
had? Some of us may name a childhood friend concerns? And what if we asked the same of
who lived down the street or a surrogate them? Would they know these things about us?
grandmother next door. For me, I remember our
What would the world look like, when we emerge
next door neighbor when we lived in Florida when
from our homes as the pandemic wanes, if each of
I was very small. Mrs. Spencer always had a kind
us started intentionally building relationships with
word and a smile. She made me a clown costume
our neighbors? I imagine a place where we can
for Halloween one year. I remember one half had
talk to people who may have different opinions
stripes and one half had polka-dots and there were
from us. I see a place where we find out someone
pom-poms down the front like buttons. Then, my
lost a job, and we have the opportunity to help
family moved to Arizona when I was 6 years old, so
them find a new one before their house is
we no longer lived next door to Mrs. Spencer. I
foreclosed. I see a place with drive-way potlucks
would see her though, when I
would go back to visit my
grandparents. My grandmother
and I would stop by and visit. or
we’d see her in the local deli and
catch up. We lost touch through
the years, but when I went back
to Florida for my father’s funeral
a couple years ago, she was
there with a kind word and a
smile. She was someone who and stories being told across generational divides.
loved me amidst the sea of strangers. She was and As with all things worth having though,
will always be my neighbor. neighboring relationships take time and effort. All
Jesus tells us that the whole bible can be summed it take though to get started is a first step. It might
up with the invitation to love God and love our mean asking someone their name when you walk
neighbors. What would happen if we take that by with your dog. It could be offering to help
passage literally, as in our ACTUAL, NEXT- someone pick their lemons on their overflowing
DOOR neighbors? tree. Maybe you make a casserole for someone
when you notice they are getting home from work
Neighboring is an art form comprised of late every day one week. Imagine what it would
compassionate relationships, joyful experiences feel like if the people on the street or building
and an attitude of abundance. I wonder, if we think where you live cared about each other and
about the people who live in the eight front doors watched out for each other, and dare I say, loved
closest to each of us, on our streets, in our each other?
apartment complexes, on our cul-de-sacs, how
many of these neighbors do we know? Do you More neighboring news and reflections to
know their names? How about how they spend come….
their time? What are their interests and skills?
- Amy Notbohm
March 2021 13MEMBERSHIP
Are you new to Dayspring UMC or have been attending for a while and are interested to know more about
the church and what is involved in church membership? We invite you to attend a one-hour session with
Pastor Jeff to learn more about the United Methodist church and Dayspring specifically on Sunday, April
11, 2021 at 2:00 pm. We will meet via an online Zoom meeting or, if you are not able to participate online,
we can meet with you via phone.
Church membership asks these four questions of you:
1. Will you love God with your whole heart?
2. Will you love your neighbor as generously as you love yourself?
3. Will you seek to follow Jesus and live according to his teachings?
4. Will you live your life with generosity and hope?
If you want to attend the membership orientation on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm via a Zoom
meeting, please contact the church office at 480-838-1446 or email to churchoffice@dayspring-umc.org to
let us know you are interested. If this time doesn’t work for you, please contact the church office for
alternate dates or times.
March 2021 14PRAY Loving God,
we pause in this moment
to remember all who are affected
by the coronavirus.
Be with the families
of those who have died.
Be with the ones who are ill.
Be with the doctors, nurses,
health professionals,
all who care for the sick and dying.
Be with those who live in uncertainty,
fear and despair.
Help us draw closer to you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Pandemic Prayer
These are different times that we are experiencing. One way we can stay in touch, even though we are
apart, is through prayer. God hears each and every one of our prayers. We are not alone! And we want
those who are especially struggling during this time to know that we care for them and love them.
On Wednesday evenings at 7pm, please pause to chat with God about the needs of others who are
hurting. You may use your own words or the above prayer by Pastor Shirley
Praying together
A small group of people gather together on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. through Zoom to remember all
those we know who need extra care and prayer. All are welcome to participate. You need not attend each
and every week. Just attend when you choose. For more information or the link, email Pastor Shirley at
shirley@dayspringumc.org.
We created a memory place to honor those who are sick or who we
have lost during the last few months. This sacred place offers another
way to grieve. A tree along Juniper St. in Tempe has been designated
for this purpose. Ribbons and markers are in a box at the base of the
tree for you to use. You can park directly by the tree to add your ribbons
and prayers. Please socially distance as you use this. Please email Mary
at MaryT@dayspringumc.org if you want names added to the tree but
can’t make it to Dayspring.
March 2021 15FINANCE
As of the end of January 2021, Dayspring received $70,048 in income and had $72,559 in expenses. Due
to the positive cash flow carried over from 2020, Dayspring continues to have a positive cash flow in
January.
I am thrilled to report that the special fundraiser to start the Dayspring UMC Endowed Scholarship Fund at
Morgan State University, an HBCU, has received over $12,000 in donations. This endowed scholarship fund
will provide assistance to students at the historically Black university into perpetuity. Donations can be
made to this fund at any time as we hope to grow the scholarship in the future to help more students. You
can donate by writing a check to Dayspring UMC and writing "HBCU scholarship" in the memo line, or
donate online at dayspringumc.org/give. There is a special giving tile marked "HBCU scholarship fund" for
donating. Thank you!!
UMCOR Sunday is March 21st.
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) comes
alongside those who suffer from natural or human-
caused disasters – be it famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire
or other events—to alleviate suffering and to be a source
of help and hope for those left most vulnerable. They
provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants
when these events overwhelm a community’s ability to
recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address
emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development.
This church-wide offering used to be known as One Great Hour of Sharing. It is an opportunity to share our
compassion and generosity with people facing overwhelming recovery from climate disasters, war, and
disease. UMCOR responds to disasters quickly, even before governments and other organizations can start
relief operations due to the global presence of the United Methodist Church.
Please either mail checks made out to Dayspring UMC with "UMCOR" marked in the memo line to the
church address, or make a donation online at dayspringumc.org/give. There is a special giving tile for
UMCOR donations.
March 2021 16FROM OUR PASTORS
Dear Dayspring Family,
Here we are again, experiencing the season of During this season of Lent, I encourage all of us to
Lent. It was during this time last year, we were make our hope active. Without action our hope
learning about Covid-19. We were uncertain and can diminish to only a fantasy. Find ways to make
we were unprepared. your hope active by helping people get registered
for the vaccine or give them a ride to the
We didn’t know, what we didn’t know. Now a year
vaccination station. Be a gift of kindness by
later, everything has changed.
volunteering at a food bank, checking up on a
We find ourselves existing by ourselves or with our neighbor, or simply writing a handwritten note to
families, physically distant from world outside our someone who needs encouragement.
homes. When we do venture out into the world,
Notice nature, hike the beautiful desert landscape
our faces are hidden behind a mask leaving only
we live in. Father Richard Rohr, on a recent
our eyes to express our facial emotions for one
podcast, shared how he has started watching
another. Our connection to the outside world has
nature shows as way of experiencing the beauty of
become a virtual reality of faces on a computer
God’s handiwork. If getting outside isn’t possible,
screen. Who knew the creators of the Jetsons
watch and share with someone what you have
space cartoon would foretell our communication
discovered. Find ways to start recycling. Purchase
practices of today.
and consume only what you need. Activate your
But in the midst of this season, we have found hope by supporting an animal shelter or be willing
hope. to adopt a pet who needs a home. Activate your
hope by joining the listening conversation with our
We have found hope through the gifts of vaccines.
black and brown siblings. Find ways to actively be
We have found hope through human acts of involved in racial reconciliation.
kindness.
No doubt, this past pandemic year has been hard.
We have found hope through nature through However, I am thankful how Dayspring has seized
exploring the beautiful desert landscape. the day to address the hard questions and actively
participate in the hope that God calls us to lead.
We have found hope through the gift of our pets
Thank you Dayspring for being you. May we all
who bring us comfort especially during this time of
continue to discover our gifts and graces and be
isolation.
fully present in our world.
We have found hope as space is created to listen
You are loved and appreciated,
carefully to our black and brown siblings as we
Pastor Joel
listen to the harm of systemic racism in the church,
in our government, and in our country.
March 2021 17DAYSPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1365 E. Elliot Road
Tempe, AZ 85284-1608
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Koinonikos
March 2021
Volume 27, Issue 3
FREE* Published Monthly
Dayspring UMC is a Reconciling Congregation. All
DAYSPRING UNITED
people, regardless of age, sex, race, color,
METHODIST CHURCH
A Stephen Ministry Congregation ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity,
1365 E. Elliot Road economic status or ability are welcome into the
Tempe, AZ 85284-1608
full life of our congregation.
Church Office Telephone: 480.838.1446
Email: ChurchOffice@DayspringUMC.org
Virtual Office Hours: Dayspring UMC affirms the value and worth of all
Mon. - Thurs.: 9:00am-2:00pm
Website: www.dayspring-umc.org persons, recognizing that everyone is a child of
Watch: livestream.com/dayspringtempe God. We call all to live by and attest to gender
Preschool Telephone: 480.838.9097
equality and to observe Jesus' principles of love
and non-violence in all our relationships.
March 2021 18You can also read
