| Archives | July 2004 |
| Highlights | Inside | ||
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| The Monthly Newsletter of Highland United Methodist Church |
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Well,
I’m back. It is hard to believe that my family and I are starting our
second decade with you. Wow! We began our ministry together the year that Highland
UMC began celebrating it’s centennial. Much has happened in these past
ten years. Much of the building has been renovated; more families with children
and youth have become a vital part of our faith community; attendance is up,
more special studies and group events are being provided; our giving has doubled;
and we have participated in many worthy social justice ministries. What a decade!
Highland United Methodist Church is a unique faith community and I am delighted
and proud to be a part of it. I firmly believe that no other United Methodist
Church in our conference lives out our denomination’s theme, “Open
Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”. I hope that you are as
proud of your church and its ministry as I am.
What makes HUMC special? First and foremost, we are a diverse faith community where individuals genuinely accept and respect one another. While we have our political and theological differences, we have learned the value of being a community and we respect one another as we journey together in our faith. Secondly, we care about and love one another. We warmly receive all persons into the fellowship, ministry, study and worship of this congregation. We accept and affirm everyone, all of the time. Thirdly, we are faithful stewards of our financial resources, making every effort to support the ministry of Highland UMC. We reach out to our community through Highland Community Ministries and the United Methodist Church with our time as well as our money. Did you know that we give approximately $25,000 yearly to important outreach ministries? Lastly, we are committed to justice ministries and so we lift up in worship special concerns such as the needs of children and AIDS victims. In countless ways, our hearts and hands reach out to the larger community in need. There is indeed a special spirit within the life of this church.
I covenant with you to continue my commitment and dedication
to strengthening our church’s centennial theme of “providing
another century of caring”. Will you covenant with me to
do all you can to live out that theme? We will always have challenges facing
us, but with the knowledge that the Spirit gives us courage, we will go on as
a faith community whose heart reaches out to its members and beyond. Let us
continue to be a United Methodist congregation with “open
hearts, open minds, open doors”.