APRIL NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

I wrote this article for the April Newsletter for the West Danville United Methodist Church.  You can find the whole newsletter posted on the church website at www.westdanvilleumc.org

Meanderings of the Pastor

Extreme Supermoon of 3-29-2011

 An Extreme Supermoon!  What a way to welcome Spring 2011!  It was an awesome sight on its rising to see the moon at its closest to the earth in its orbit on March 19^th. Wikipedia tells us that there are approximately four to six supermoons annually - not really a rare occurrence. For a supermoon to be called “extreme” means that the moon must be at its closest and also be aligned with the Earth and the Sun. There have only been 14 “extreme supermoons” from 1900 to the present date.

And here we are in Lent.  The word Lent comes from the Old English word “Lencten” and means “spring.”  Christians use the word to designate the 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon (on April 18, 2011) after the Vernal Equinox (the first day of spring, March 21, 2011).  Thus, Easter in 2011 is about as late as it comes: April 24^th.   Perhaps this year on Easter we will witness a full spring (“lencten”) actually springing forth.  Meanwhile, in these 40 days of Lent, we prepare for the heart wrenching events of Holy Week and the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter morning.  Be sure to check out the times and places for our special times to gather to worship during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.  They are listed in this bulletin.  If you like to sing, plan to practice and sing with the Ecumenical Choir.  And be sure to attend our Easter Breakfast at the West Danville United Methodist Church, graciously prepared by the Fleurie family and their helpers.

Spring reminds us of new life and growth.  And that reminds me of the many new ministries we are planning and growing.  Perhaps you have already visited our new website.  However, one visit is not enough.  The site is constantly changing, growing, adding new things.  The latest is our own store or stores.  We now have a bookstore affiliated with Cokesbury, the United Methodist bookstore.  It you purchase books or other items through this site, Cokesbury will donate 5% of the sale to support our church.  The same is true of the personalized items available on Cafépress.  Very soon we will have other shopping places as well.  What a totally innovative way to help finance the work and mission of the church! 

Another new thing in the planning is Church School for children and adults.  More on this later, as plans develop.

And in late May or early June we will celebrate with United Methodists around the world in the Change the World Event.  One of our mission projects for this event will be to see how many malaria nets we can buy (at a cost of $10 each) to donate to countries where malaria is the leading cause of death among children. 

Also coming in May is a “coffee house.”  Our coffeehouse - known as “HeBrews” - will be open one night a month for all who wish to come for fun and fellowship.  Each month there will be a different program of interest – music, comedy, game night, open mic night, movie night – and always coffee, food, fun and fellowship. 

Continue to have a Holy Lent.  Worship with us on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  And try out some of the new things that are springing into being at the West Danville United Methodist Church.

God’s Shalom (peace, health and well-being) be with you!