CORNATZER CONNECTION Cornatzer United 1244 Cornatzer Road Methodist Church Mocksville, NC 27028 Phone: (336) 998-0687 www.cornatzerumc.com July 2015 The Pastor’s Pen We are living in strange times; but I suppose that people frequently think the times they live in are strange. Still, the changes that have occurred in America in the last two weeks alone have had historic significance. The Supreme Court has issued historic rulings which change the landscape of our society, while the issue of civil rights is once again at the forefront of American consciousness (though our history demands that this issue is never far from the public eye). But what are our "rights?" Do we actually have any? Or are our "rights" simply an illusion that allows us to sleep at night? The Declaration of Independence begins "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The writer of the Declaration acknowledges three "inalienable" rights; in other words, they are rights that cannot be taken away from or given away by the person who possesses them. The list of rights is not exhaustive; the writer leaves room for other rights that don't appear in the document. But those that are listed are very basic, and simply allow that we should not be murdered, we should not be subjugated, and we should be allowed to live in a way that makes us happy if we can manage that. The author also acknowledges the equality of all people. This is a much different approach than many other countries in the world, in which people are oppressed and denied a chance at happiness, and in many cases, even have their lives taken away. For all its faults, shortcomings and even corruption, our nation aspires to lofty ideals which honor the intentions of our Creator God that are inherent in His creation of humanity. The ideas of equality, freedom and an opportunity for happiness are all concepts that reveal themselves in the pages of scripture. That means that we, as Christians, should be able to understand and practice the behavior that these ideals dictate. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus said '"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ I think this means that if we practice loving God, we will love our brothers and sisters, as we emulate the love, grace and mercy that God shows each of us. Even if we don't always achieve these ideals, it is good that we are reminded of them and asked to live up to them, and that this is woven into the fabric of our nation. Shane Coffee @ Cornatzer NO July Coffeehouse Last month's movie The Grace Card is in the church library and can be checked out if you missed it. It was an excellent movie. Please remember to sign the movie out before taking it. Also, please check to see if you may have a movie that needs to be returned to the library. Thanks! Resolutions Discussed by Annual Conference Resolution 20-Just Save One HIV and AidsCapitalizing on World HIV/AIDS Day to emphasize United Methodist Global AIDS Fund in December 2015. ADOPTED Resolution 21-Promote Healthy ConversationsThe Vision Alignment Team with the Justice and Reconciliation Team, shall collaborate to develop plans that lead, model, resource and cultivate holy conferencing and congregation roundtable study and conversations. ADOPTED Resolution 22-Parsonage Home Inspections for Pastoral Transitions- A church/charge undergoing a pastoral transition shall arrange and pay to have its parsonage inspected by a third-party licensed home inspector prior to the pastoral transition. ADOPTED Resolution 23-Removal of Language in ¶161 in The Book of Discipline- NOT ADOPTED ________________________________________ OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of th Hathan Allen, who passed away on June 27 . Hathan was our oldest member and will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to Cornatzer United Methodist Church. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of Niki Crouse (Kim Hafer's sister) who passed away on June th 27 after a brave battle with cancer. Memorials are requested to Morehead United Methodist Church. OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to the family of st Dot McDaniel who passed away on July 1 . Memorials are requested to the Epilepsy Foundation of NC. RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS June 7 Worship Attendance Offering Choir Fund 31 $ 1,516.00 35.00 June 14 Worship Attendance Offering 27 $660.00 June 21 Worship Attendance Offering 20 $375.00 June 28 Worship Attendance Offering Choir Fund 27 $1,019.00 30.00 Total $3,635.00 General Fund Choir Fund $3,570.00 65.00 The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her. Some sources say that the words below were written on the wall in Mother Teresa's own room. In any case, their association with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity has made them popular worldwide, expressing as they do, the spirit in which they lived their lives. They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way. Mother Teresa: "Do It Anyway" People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. JULY BIRTHDAYS July 31 Tim Miller JULY ANNIVERSARIES No Anniversaries ------------------------------------------- If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight. Build anyway. Mark your calendars! COM Meeting Saturday, August 15th @ 9 AM Breakfast provided ------------------------------------------- If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you have anyway. Why? Because in the final analysis, all of this is between you and God…. It was never between you and them anyway.
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