Rev. Kelley Groce, kgroce@wnccumc.net
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 11:30a to 2:00p; 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 11:30a to 2:00p
Dear Newlyn Street UMC,
“Now may the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Psalm 133
I want to thank all the staff, Rev. Angela Roberson, and Rev. Phyllis Coates for their care of the congregation which occurred during our family’s vacation. David, Meredith, and I enjoyed the beach time with my side of the family. We spent a week in Hilton Head with my parents, brother and his son, and my sister and her children. Family, other than Christ, is my core value, so anytime spent together is priceless. It was like Christmas in July. We walked on the beach, we shared meals together, we played games, we laughed, we rested, we rode bikes, we swam, and we enjoyed each other – precious time which we are often not afforded.
Our family has always enjoyed watching the Olympics together – this trip was no exception. It seemed to fall into the routine that we would eat our supper, participate in after dinner activities. We would then find ourselves in front of the television watching the Olympics Ruby or soccer games. Though I am not an athlete, I so admire and respect the athletes for all their hard work and determination. I also love the interviews following the events. I was extremely impressed with how highly the athletes would speak of their teammates as well as their opponents with words of affirmation and respect.
This is the attitude which Christ wants from each of us. To be bearers of hope, grace, love, forgiveness, and unity in his name in the world. It is not about winning the gold, silver, or bronze – it is about winning honor, respect, and dignity in the world in the name of Christ. Because of the Cross we all are winners, for we were all losers in need of grace. I pray that we take our discipleship training as seriously as the athletes do in training for their events. As they repeat their moves over and over, may we pray unceasingly, may we worship in Spirit and Truth, may we read and study the Scriptures and Christian ideals for our grounding, and may we be in service in the name of Christ as we are Unity builders in His name. The Olympic motto is the Hendiatris Citius, Altius, Fortius, which is Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” The motto was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin on the creation of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. De Coubertin borrowed it from his friend Henri Didon, a Dominican priest who, amongst other things, was an athletics enthusiast. The motto was introduced in 1924 at the Olympic Games in Paris. May our Christian Motto be that of Faith, Hope, and Love, and through our words and actions as individual disciples as well as a community of faith – may it need no introduction.
Please be in prayer for our church as we are readying ourselves for the transition to the Fall activities and events – with the beginning of our Mayberry Bible Studies the last three Wednesdays of August – the 14th at 5pm with an opening cookout, the 21st with popcorn at 6pm, and the 28th with ice cream bar at 6pm. You do not need to bring anything but your Bible.
Grace and Peace, Kelley