On this All Saints' Sunday 2022, Rev. Kerry Smith preached about togetherness through the lens of Ruth and Naomi, as found in the Book of Ruth in the Hebrew Bible.

Dr. Lisa and Rev. Justin Hancock preached on 1 Samuel 25, specifically looking at the story of Abigail and David through the lens of their work at the Julian Way. You can find more about Disability Theology and their work at:

This Sunday is All Saint's Sunday, and sometimes you just need All Saint's Sunday.

Check out this spoken edition of Rebecca Garrett Pace's blog, which you can also read here.

And, if you need somebody to talk to, Rebecca offers this at the end:

White Rock UMC is here for you. If you are struggling with grief or another issue and need to speak with a pastor, please do not hesitate to email Rev. Kerry Smith ([email protected]) or Rev. Phil Dieke ([email protected]). Our staff can also provide resources for finding a therapist or counselor, as well as recovery resources. For more information on recovery resources, visit wrumc.org/recovery.

Join us Sunday, November 4 at 10:50am CST (don't forget to fall back an hour) in-person, or join us online (wrumc.org). 

In this conversation Rev. Phil Dieke discusses with Sammy Waters, Minister to Children, Youth and Families, about All Saint's Sunday and the need to discuss the details of this Sunday with you kids. They talk the reason behind All Saint's Sunday, and why talking with you kids about death may not be easy, but is very much necessary. They suggest so phrases to stay away from and some resources to check out if you are looking for additional verbiage (see below). 

As always, let us know if you have any questions, comments, or idea regarding how to bring faith into your everyday lives and/or what kind of content we can create that will be helpful to you and your family.

Resources:

We regularly write blogs at White Rock UMC. Now you have the opportunity to listen to those blogs. 

In this episode Rev. Phil Dieke mentions our church app as an opportunity to connect. You can download that app here:

If you are looking for opportunities to connect you can email Phil ([email protected]). Also, let us know what you think about this read version of our blogs. Is this something we should do more of? We'd love to hear from you.

Rev. Kerry Smith kicked off Chapter 9, titled "Together," by sharing the story of Esther as found in the Hebrew scriptures and reminding us that maybe we have all been called for "a time such as this."

Rev. Kerry Smith wraps up Chapter 8 with Commitment Sunday. She preached from Mark 12:38-44, exploring what God has gifted us and what we are to give back.

If you'd like to make a financial commitment to White Rock UMC for 2023, you can do so her:

In week three of Chapter 8 Rev. Kerry Smith talks about what it means to flourish, specifically through the lens of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Dara and Randy Austin also offered their reflection on flourishing and why they support the work of WRUMC.  

What does flourishing mean to you?

In week two of Chapter 8 Rev. Kerry Smith invited us to consider how our generosity helps us to be salt and light to the world, as Jesus discussed in Matthew 5:14-16. Turns out, neither salt, nor light exist for the benefit of itself, rather they both enhance other things!

Rev. Kerry Smith kicked off Chapter 8 entitled "Recognizing Abundance & Flourishing," by preaching from Genesis 12:1-2. In this text we are reminded that we, like Abraham, are blessed not for our own benefit, rather we are blessed to be a blessing to all.  

How do you understand "blessing"?