United Church of Warsaw

Many of you have kindly kept my two churches in your prayers as they go through the transition of uniting into one new church. Thank you! By the time you read this, the Service of Union on the 24^th of April will have taken place. It has been a long journey for Blairdaff and Chapel of Garioch Churches, and if you had asked me two years ago if I thought they would unite, I would have said no! Over 112 years ago they were both part of the same parish, covering a vast amount of square miles. But after that time their relationship shifted and changed during the following decades. The two churches linked in 1982 (meaning they shared a minister), but the linkage was not always harmonious. The decision to unite, which was taken last year, was a bold and surprising proposal made by two churches determined to prove that together they could have a more secure future than if they stayed separate. It was a step of faith and courage, and I am extremely proud of them.

They and we will have to take many more steps in the weeks ahead. We had our last communion services together today, and tears were shed. There will be a few baptisms and weddings prior to my saying goodbye to these people that I’ve come to love. But before that last goodbye on 27 May, Shore Porters Movers (who have been in business since 1498) will be here to gather all our things, so I’d better start sorting and packing!

And then before we know it, the 3^rd of June will be here, and we will gather together that Sunday morning to celebrate the beginning of our ministry together. The bread will be broken and the cup shared, and that wonderful, exciting time of getting to know each other will continue – in person! While back in Scotland, Blairdaff and Chapel of Garioch Parish Church will be going through a process you know and understand only too well – letting go and opening up to what God has in store for them in the future.

We just never know what is going to happen in the future. In 1999 I never dreamed that I’d move to Scotland. And friends from my college days recently reminded me that I once vowed, as young people often do, that I’d never move back “home”. You just never know what might be around the next corner, and that is half the fun of the Christian life – it is never boring! Some theologians call being open to whatever God might do being willing to be “surprised by grace,” and I think it is one of the primary ways God likes to work. Unfortunately, we can often miss excellent opportunities or not see what God is doing, because our expectations of how things “should” be blind us to how they “might” be, if we allow grace to surprise us. We humans have a hard time letting go of our need to control and allow the Spirit to work openly and creatively in our lives. When the Spirit is free, the results can be stunning. Often surprising! But always enveloped in God love, compassion, mercy, and care.

May we open our hearts, let go of our need to control, and allow God to surprise us by grace – both individually, and in our life together as a faith family.

With love and prayers,

Kim

Updates:

Hearts for Honduras

On Palm Sunday, April 1^st, following worship, more than 70 people picnicked in the Fellowship Hall on hot dogs, salads, and fried ice cream. Joining us were many of the missionaries who recently spent two weeks in Honduras. Judy Toner, Jim Carter’s sister, presented a power point program as she discussed the many projects she and the other missionaries worked on diligently in several Honduran villages, including the building of a one room school house. Our financial support for these projects was put to immediate use and was greatly appreciated.

One Great Hour of Sharing: Who is My Neighbor?

Success!!! Almost $1500 has been received in donations for this project! Both of our denominations will benefit equally from our generosity.

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Sewing Circle News:
Please call Sandy Corey (786-8456) or George Ann Carter (786-2169) with the number of quilts that you have finished. We hope to have them displayed in the sanctuary sometime after Rev Cran arrives before Benevolence distributes them.

There is plenty of fabric available to make more quilts. Please help yourself.

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Coming Events:

Sign-up sheets for an up-coming community brunch to benefit our youth program and for our annual strawberry social will be found in the East Room following worship on Sundays during the month of May. Please help in whatever way you can to make these events successful.

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In our effort to minister to the needs of our congregation, we are attempting to assess those needs in two areas.

• Shut-Ins desiring visitation
• Those needing transportation to out-of-town medical appointments.

Volunteers would be needed in both areas. Please share your need and/or your willingness to volunteer with any Deacon. Thank you.

The Benevolence Allbright Family Baby Shower scheduled for May 5 from 2-4 pm in the Fellowship Hall must be rescheduled. The baby’s father, Andrew, is required to attend a military deployment meeting on May 5. Updated information about the shower will follow.

In January 2007 a survey was conducted of 30 Warsaw United Church members. The results of the Natural Church Development Survey reveals that The Warsaw United Church Congregation needs development in the area of Holistic Small Groups. Several church members were part of a workshop conducted by Jimmy Reader to train leaders for assisting with church development. The leaders will conduct focus groups to gather ideas from people of the congregation who attend the focus group meetings. There will be sign-up sheets in the East Room in the middle of May offering different times for the congregation to attend a meeting in order to share their ideas for strengthening and developing Holistic Small Groups. If people of the congregation can not attend a meeting, they can give their ideas to Jim or George Ann Carter, Sherry Cousins or leave the information at the Church office.