Alaskans express thanks for United Methodist scholarships

“This year,” says Kate Simeon, Chugiak [Alaska] United Methodist Church, “I am continuing my studies in international political economy with a minor in economics. With this degree, I plan on working with small non-governmental organizations internationally to promote alternative forms of development at the community level. Next year I hope to be working in a five-month internship in Uganda. I also row on the women’s varsity crew them, and this semester I participated in the university’s dance program.”

Mark Chase, Seward Memorial UMC, adds, “There's a reason the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Scholarship is called the Gift of Hope. There are no fiery hoops to jump through and no 2,000-word essays. Instead, it rewards and encourages faithful participation in The United Methodist Church. It truly is a gift, but not just a monetary one. I'm thankful this scholarship supports education and faith, for [they] go hand in hand. This scholarship is a gift; education is a chance to equip ourselves to carry out God’s will in ourselves and in our world.”

“I always have been blessed to have church support in my life,” notes Elizabeth Perry, also of Seward Memorial Church. “I am especially blessed and extremely grateful to have received the Gift of Hope scholarship. The encouragement of the United Methodist community will go with me as I experience a new culture in Denmark through Boston University's study-abroad program—and apply my experiences to my ever-adapting faith. Every little bit helps.”

Did you know that even in these tough economic times, there are still scholarships available to United Methodist students through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and other United Methodist institutions? Generous gifts on United Methodist Student Day—the last Sunday in November—ease the college journey through scholarships and loans. Thank you!-

--Adapted from e-Aurora (a weekly news update) from The Alaska United Methodist Conference, Dec. 22, 2009

To learn more about United Methodist Student Day click here.
To give to United Methodist Student Day or any other Special Sundays click here.

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications

Why should he love me so? God Knew

Do you ever suppose that He
Was thinking of the nails they’d form
To nail Him on a tree;
And when God made the trees so tall
Was he seeing far ahead
The cross to be made for lumber
Where His Son’s own blood was shed;
And when God made man’s muscle
And gave him brain and will
Did God believe these creature men
Would use that power to kill?
Oh, yes, God knew of all of this
And yet because of love
For sinful men He came to earth
And left His home above
He took on Him the form of man
And then men’s sins He took
And then redeemed by faith in Him
Our names within the Book.

--Unknown

The Gift that keeps on Giving.

To learn more about connectional giving click here.

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications

His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful

Wonderful savior! We worship before You,
Jehovah Almighty-Eternal “I Am!”
This we confess, while our hearts still adore you.
As, washed in Your blood, we cry, “Worthy the Lamb.”

Wonderful Jesus! The babe in the manger;
Though born of the virgin, Your nature all clean:
Thine was the Kingdom, yet counted a stranger,
Your welcome how cold, and Your lodging how mean!

Wonderful Person! The Son of the Father;
Known only to Him can this mystery be:
We may not fathom its meaning: but rather
Our faces we veil as we think upon Thee!

Wonderful too, in Your manifestation:
Revealing the Father, declaring His name
Who but Yourself to procure our salvation
God’s justice could meet, and His love could proclaim?

Wonderful price of Eternal Redemption;
Oh! Marvelous work with which none can compare!
The blood that has bought our exemption
From judgment, which else we forever must bear.

Wonderful object of Worship in heaven:
Unspeakable gift from the heart of our God!
Countless the blessings with You which are given
To sinners made nigh to Himself by Your blood.

Wonderful Savior! We love to adore Thee;
And blessed the hope that ere long You will come:
Then shall we see all Your beauty and glory,
And praise You up there in Your wonderful home!
--Author Unknown

Give the gift that lasts this holiday season. Give a gift of $10, 25, or $50 to the churchwide Specials Sundays and help someone in your congregation or beyond have an opportunity to go to college. Click here.

God is still in Control!!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications

Experiencing Abundance and Scarcity

Why do church people often seem the poorest people in the world? That poverty has little to do with the financial resources available for ministry.

Congregations in prosperous communities often seem as impoverished as their less affluent neighbors. The poverty to which I refer comes from the tendency of church people to focus on what they do not have, rather than what they do have.

Knowing resources are limited, we easily find ourselves using the language of scarcity rather than abundance, and in doing so fail to recognize God’s miracles in our midst.

Jesus told his disciples, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, god-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matthew 6:33, The Message)

When Jesus sent his disciples to preach, heal and cast out demons, he explicitly sent them with nothing but the coats on their backs. While they easily could have found themselves worrying about the lack of resources for ministry, they simply did what Jesus had told them to do. When they returned, they found great things had happened among them despite their poverty.

In September 2008, when the financial crisis began to show itself in our church, we engaged in the difficult conversations that come when times get hard. However, I also invited our congregation to answer the question, “What resources do we have to share the love of God with our community?” It was a call to recognize the assets and gifts among us, rather than engaging in the “If we only had…” game that often seems to guide our lives. As we identified what God gives us, we posted those gifts on the wall for all to see.

Our task is to recognize the abundance God’s gifts. Yes, we may have to simplify. Yes, we may not be able to afford all the programs we have offered in the past.

The good news, however, is God is in our midst, giving us all we need: the love and grace that transforms us into something new. That is what makes us the richest people in the world.

--Jay Voorhees

By giving 100 percent to the 7 apportion funds and 6 church-wide Special Sundays, you show God's abundance to those who do not have. To learn more about the connectional giving system of the denomination click here.

God is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications

To submit your own success stories on our blog send us an email at connectionalgiving@umcom.org

I Took Your Place

One day a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked the car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!”

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place”!

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the man stood, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.
Someone form the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?”
The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there for each and everyone of you.

--Author unknown

Share the love of Christ this holiday season. Give. Encourage. Love.

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God is Still in Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org
United Methodist Communications

Let Us Give Thanks to God

I have so much for which to be thankful. Don’t you?
This past Thursday all across this country individuals celebrated Thanksgiving Day. This has been a tough year for many people. Just about everyone has been faced with examining their priorities. Many people may feel like they do not have much for which to be thankful. A lot of people have lost their jobs. Thousands of homes have been foreclosed. Retirement funds and savings accounts have dwindled.

In reality some of us are more fortunate than others. Our circumstances are more pleasant. Our resources are more sufficient.

Do we give thanks only when times are good? Or is there always reason for thanksgiving? While it is not necessary to give thanks for our circumstances, it is always appropriate to give thanks in our circumstances.

I am grateful for God’s blessings in my life and at the moment my life is good. I have a job. I still own a house (and a mortgage). There is food on my table and I have a warm dry place to sleep. My family is scattered across the globe but we love and support each other. My health is good. My retirement account is recovering. It is easy for me to give thanks.

Paul instructed us to “give thanks in everything for this is the will of God concerning you.” He was not suggesting that everything that comes our way is the will of God. Many situations are simply the results of bad decisions by us or others. Tragic circumstances occur because of the evil in the world. Everything is not the will of God. But I believe that it is the will of God that we demonstrate an attitude of gratitude at all times.

We have faced hard times this past year and more difficulties will probably come along in the future but a spirit of thanksgiving is still appropriate. The Old Testament prophet, Habakkuk, spoke to people who were in very difficult circumstances. In desperate time when his food source was scarce and his livelihood in doubt, he said “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18).

Whatever our circumstances let us give thanks to God--today and every day.

--excerpt from Jamie Jenkins, North Georgia Annual Conference

Let’s continue to show our love for one another by giving to others that do not have. Let’s continue to help support the connectional giving of our denomination. To learn more about giving click here.

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org

If you have stories you would like to share through our blog, please send us an email at connectionalgiving@umcom.org.

Just Up the Road

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This is alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and thoses whom he places in our lives. At other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.

Author unknown.

By giving 100% to your United Methodist Apportionments, you help others locally and around the world. To learn more click here.

God is Still in Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Producer
UMCGiving.org

If you have stories you would like to share on the umcgiving.org blog, email us at: ConnectionalGiving@umco.org