News From the Pews - March 27, 2025

Greetings from The Downtown Church! This is a bi-weekly email with information about events, updates, and other fun things from the leadership of the church.

I'm getting this note finished up late because I spent Thursday and Friday at some meetings in Columbia at the Conference Office. On my drive up and back, it was wonderful to see the little bits of green dotting the barren trees along the highway. Mixed among them were the pink of the redbuds and the white of the dogwoods (and Bradford pears...).

This is my absolute favorite time of the year! I am reinvigorated by watching nature wake up from its winter slumber. The days are longer and warmer, which means we are outside more, connecting with creation and other people outside our homes. The hope of spring makes us all just feel a little better after the long winter. It doesn't hurt that baseball is back too!

And at these meetings, it was great to hear from other United Methodist pastors, as well as the Bishop and Conference staff about the good things happening around the state. Our conference and denomination are getting a chance to bloom again after a tough few years of the pandemic and a season of disaffiliation.

But I'm hopeful. I'm excited. I believe in the direction of the UMC, the leadership of our conference, and the strength of our local congregations. There is much work to be done to show the love of God, and much like spring is showing signs of life again, so is the Church in Missouri. And I have a front row seat to a congregation that has shown its willingness to try new things, meet new people, and do church differently. Thank you for all the ways you continue to show and teach me what grace really looks like.

See you Sunday (in the morning and the evening, hopefully),
—Brian

This Sunday, all ages are invited back to church for our Family Game Night! From 5ish-7ish, we will play some games (bring something you love and teach others), eat some snacks (bring something to share), and enjoy being a church of all ages. Brian will be taking anyone who think they can challenge his ping-pong skills!

During the season of Lent, we gather every Wednesday for Vespers. We gather at 5:30pm for a light soup & bread supper in the basement, and then we head upstairs for some prayer, a deeper dive into the previous sermon, and Holy Communion. This sermon series on the Atonement can be a little complex, so these Wednesday Vespers are a great chance to bring your questions...or just a chance to try 3-4 different soups!

Make plans to start your Easter morning celebration with a breakfast at church! At 9am, we will gather in the basement to enjoy breakfast and good company before worship at 10:30am. We will start taking RSVPs soon, but if you would like to prepare, serve/host, or clean up, please email us back. This is a BIG event and we need a lot of hands to help make sure it runs smoothly.

News From the Pews - March 27, 2025

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