Building Inclusive Community, Sharing Christ’s Transforming Love April 2020 Can you believe it has only been one month? When it comes to dealing with the fallout of the coronavirus, it feels like we have been living with this “new normal” for months. I believe part of the reason it feels like it has been so long is because of the limitations that have been placed on us. First, it was no meetings larger than 50, then all non-essential businesses had to close, then came the stay-at-home order, unless you needed groceries, medicine, or were an essential employee. Everywhere we turned was another limitation. In God’s economy, limitations don’t have the final word. I’m reminded of a story about Phil Hansen that is a great example for all of us during this season of limitations. Phil Hansen was an artist with a rather unusual setback: he couldn’t keep his hands from shaking. The straightest line he could draw looked like what a child would draw to illustrate waves in a lake. No matter how hard he tried, he could not “shake” the shake. He quit art completely. What he could not shake, however, was his love for art. So he went to a neurologist to find out what was wrong. The doctor told him that he had permanent nerve damage. So he decided to embrace his limitation. First, he began stippling (making dark to light contrast with little dots). Then he started drawing with squiggles. Hansen is now one of the most creative minds in modern and cutting-edge art. He’s made art with matches, rotting bananas, candles, and frozen wine. He even painted a large portrait of Bruce Lee using only karate chops on a giant canvas. Phil recently gave a TED talk, ted.com/speakers/phil_hansen, on embracing limitations in order to drive creativity. Much like Phil Hansen, our church staff has embraced the limitations and done an outstanding job allowing God to work through them to continue to minister in new and creative ways. I have received so many emails, notes, and calls thanking the church for providing opportunities to worship, having ChristKids and ChristYouth, and still engaging in Bible studies and ChristGroups. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is ready to come back together in person, but by embracing the limitations and allowing God to lead, lives are still being changed. With God, limitations are just an opportunity for creativity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued generosity during this time. Your consistent giving helps our church in so many ways. Because of your gifts, money has not been a limitation as we continue to minister in new and unique ways. Thank you and God bless you and your family! Together in Ministry ~ Chris Morgan FAITH & FINANCES NEWSLETTER Visit christumc.net for updated information about the church. • To submit a Prayer Request: christumc.net/prayer • To Give online: christumc.net/giving • To sign-up for Weekly emails: christumc.net, click the banner for Christ Church Weekly eNews • To download resources for Kids/Youth: christumc.net/kids or christumc.net/youth Chris Morgan Senior Pastor Please let us know if there is anything that you need. It is so important that we stay connected during this time of being apart. We miss all of you and can’t wait to worship and celebrate Jesus with you in person again!
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Building Inclusive Community, Sharing Christ’s Transforming Love April 2020
Can you believe it has only been one month? When it comes to dealing with the fallout of
the coronavirus, it feels like we have been living with this “new normal” for months.
I believe part of the reason it feels like it has been so long is because of the limitations that have been placed on us. First, it was no meetings larger than 50, then all non-essential businesses had to close, then came the stay-at-home order, unless you needed groceries, medicine, or were an essential employee. Everywhere we turned was another limitation.
In God’s economy, limitations don’t have the final word.
I’m reminded of a story about Phil Hansen that is a great example for all of us during this season of limitations. Phil Hansen was an artist with a rather unusual setback: he couldn’t keep his hands from shaking. The straightest line he could draw looked like what a child would draw to illustrate waves in a lake. No matter how hard he tried, he could not “shake” the shake. He quit art completely. What he
could not shake, however, was his love for art. So he went to a neurologist to find out what was wrong.
The doctor told him that he had permanent nerve damage. So he decided to embrace his limitation.
First, he began stippling (making dark to light contrast with little dots). Then he started drawing with squiggles. Hansen is now one of the most creative minds in modern and cutting-edge art. He’s made art
with matches, rotting bananas, candles, and frozen wine. He even painted a large portrait of Bruce Lee using only karate chops on a giant canvas. Phil recently gave a TED talk, ted.com/speakers/phil_hansen,
on embracing limitations in order to drive creativity.
Much like Phil Hansen, our church staff has embraced the limitations and done an outstanding job allowing God to work through them to continue to minister in new and creative ways. I have received so
many emails, notes, and calls thanking the church for providing opportunities to worship, having ChristKids and ChristYouth, and still engaging in Bible studies and ChristGroups. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is ready to come back together in person, but by embracing the limitations and allowing God
to lead, lives are still being changed. With God, limitations are just an opportunity for creativity.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued generosity during this time. Your consistent giving helps our church in so many ways. Because of your gifts, money has not been a limitation as we continue to minister in new and unique ways. Thank you and God bless you and your family!
Together in Ministry ~ Chris Morgan
FAITH & FINANCES NEWSLETTER
Visit christumc.net for
updated information about
the church.
• To submit a Prayer Request:
christumc.net/prayer
• To Give online:
christumc.net/giving
• To sign-up for Weekly
emails: christumc.net, click
the banner for Christ
Church Weekly eNews
• To download resources for
Kids/Youth:
christumc.net/kids or
christumc.net/youth
Chris Morgan
Senior Pastor
Please let us know if there is anything that you need. It is so important that
we stay connected during this time of being apart. We miss all of you and
can’t wait to worship and celebrate Jesus with you in person again!
General Operating Statement Summary:
This Year-To-
Month Date
Income $180,672 $553,054
Expenses 155,777 471,720
Surplus/ $24,895 $81,334
(Deficit)
2019-2020 Endowment Grants
The Endowment Committee approved the following grants for a total of $42,798.34:
• Worship
• CLC stage redesign • Repayment of a loan • Camera equipment • Worship & Song singer’s edition
• Advent decorations • Update Internal and External Signage • Conferences
• Plainjoe Design - 5 attendees
• mPower Conference - 2 attendees • Replacement Office Furniture
• 2 desks and chairs
• Outreach Tithe
MISSION & OUTREACH @ CHRIST UMC
UMCOR Sunday, $3,657.50
This offering helps to underwrite the operating costs of UMCOR so that all giving for disaster relief
is applied without overhead deductions.
Helping others during this time: There are different ways to reach out and help others without being with them. Below is a list of things you can do to help others:
• Donate to your local food bank • Check on your neighbors, especially those
that live alone
• Write letters or emails • Make phone calls to check-in • Facetime
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