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Dear Friends,

It was an interesting and challenging conversation for me. The man with whom I was speaking was retired from a career in banking. We were at a meeting together where he is a volunteer for a compassionate ministry to people in the inner city. Most all of the participants at the gathering were members of United Methodist churches.
He was a very interesting person. In addition to his career in the business world, he had many interests. During their retired years, both he and his wife were volunteers in the Savannah area school system teaching reading and arts. Throughout his life, he had been deeply involved in the educational system in the city.
Retirement years were filled with leisure activities for him and his wife. After the meeting, he told me that they would be leaving in a few days for Montana and Idaho. Among the activities he was looking forward to participating in would be white water rafting.
In the course of our conversation, I asked what congregation he considered to be his home church. It was surprising to learn that he was a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation.
In his faith journey, he and his wife had been connected to Methodist, Baptist, and Episcopal churches. However, in his adult years, he had chosen a congregation that would function as a church family but without the clearly defined doctrines that are embraced by the congregations of his younger years.
When asked about his church, he told me that they were presently without clergy to serve them. A Unitarian Universalist clergy person from another area had committed to visit with them once a month to assist with administrative and other matters. Since their last clergy had left, they had not yet started the search for new leadership within their congregation. Their fellowship consisted of about 80 participants. The building where they meet for services is located on one of the squares in Savannah.
The spiritual experience of people can be such a mystery. It is formed in experiences that are outside of comfortable definitions. It is often expressed in terms that are outside of traditional language.
In my life, a relationship with God is established and sustained through Jesus Christ and defined solely by the teaching of the Bible. In my world view, the church is to be focused solely on the faith as defined in Scripture and proclaimed through the generations. The foundation of my life is distinctly Christian.
The most surprising element in my interaction with my Unitarian Universalist friend is that though he would most likely share very little of my creed, he was standing beside me in a common care for the children and families who live in the inner city. His life was a life of service and compassion. With no thought of being noticed, he was giving his time and gifts to assist children in their learning.
How many persons would affirm the faith of the church but lack the life of service that should follow? It is one thing to profess our belief through the Apostle's Creed but another altogether to express that faith as a follower of Jesus by becoming involved in the lives of people in need. Sometimes we Christians are humbled by the actions of people who may not even share our understanding of faith. This new friend challenged me to think about what I am doing with the faith the I am confident is true. In many ways, he and his wife were doing more to impact his community than I was attempting to do.
Each Sunday morning, at 8:30 and 11:00 there are services of worship that are planned to proclaim the faith and to inspire our hearts to go out into the world to make a difference through our love and service. Come and learn what we believe and how we can live in Jesus Christ. See you in church!

Blessings!
ARM

Rev Alan R Miller +

A Note Via E-Mail:
Blessings from Virginia…..
It is hard to believe that it has been a month since we left Georgia. I want to thank Alan, the staff and all of the people of HFUMC for empowering me to work last year. My experiences there will show great benefits here. We also want to make special thanks to those who gave us such a warm going away reception our last Sunday there. The breakfast, fellowship and “money tree” were very moving; it was hard to say farewell.
I am settled into my two churches and Angie is already getting prepared for her first TDY to Fort Lewis, WA. We have been well received, and this week the senior groups (like club 55) of both churches have decided to combine into a single Bible study and fellowship time. I start visiting shut-ins and nursing homes in August.
Finally, I do want to share some contact info with you all just in case anyone is coming up this way. (I have a huge parsonage!) My cell # is 757-710-0964, the parsonage number (In Painter, VA) is 757-442-9379.

I will support First United Methodist Church by…

MY PRAYERS

Grace Stevens, Jim Blocker, Elizabeth Hutton, Ann Powers, Dorothy Stagmeier, Davis Darsey, Jean Jelks, Carolyn Strickland, Chris Varmecky, Liz Muncher, Ethelda Lee, Lynn Bean Lanier, Lynn Sikes. Our soldiers and their families. Harold Lynn, Jeff Smith, Ray Barrett, Evan McLain, Ike Sallee, Brian Layer, Bruce Gannaway, James Lockridge, Spence Burnett, Jeff Starkey, Shane Baker, Tommy DeLoach, John Grady, Steve Lutsky, Bill Howard, Geoff DeTingo, Jason Matthews, James Lowe, Brian Butler, John DeStazio, Thomas Kupsh, Korey Kramer, Vanessa McCulley, Brian Hudson, Rodney Takahashi, Darryl Bell, Mario Crook, Sub Hall, Jim West, Robb Waters, Donald Smith, Richard Aaron, David Stroupe ,Matthew Wickham, Will Arnett, Justin Blackstone, Joseph Foust, Jerald Smith, Jake Rice, Steven Louviere, John Durst, Tom Mentes, Jon Sullivan, Aaron Duncan, Richard Macdougal, Timothy Plumb, Josh Lamere, Mike Musgrove, Brian Wilber, Patrick Kilby, Bob Warren, Charles Whitsel, Clifford L. McDaniel, Jr.

MY PRESENCE
Sunday School:..........................................................................................157
Worship 8:30:............................................................................................113
..............11:00:............................................................................................189
Total Worship:...........................................................................................302

MY GIFTS
Received Last Week:..........................................................................6,494.81

Received to Date:..........................................................................247,330.00
Youth Fund:....................................................................................10,734.00

MY SERVICE
Ushers:...............................................................................Mike Childs, Capt.
......................................................Billy Bond, Ray Martin, Hugh Southwell
Security Steward:............................................................................Billy Bond
Greeters: (Front)................................................Norman & Helen Stripling
..................(Back).........................................................................Willa Brown
Acolytes: .................................................Zachary Rollins & Elizabeth Pirkle
Crucifer:................................................................................Ashley Matthews
Altar Steward:........................................................................Shirley Giddens
Sound Room: ....(8:30)..........................................................Billy Strickland           ............................(11:00)........................................................Cameron Smith

A Note of Thanks…

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, prayers and cards during our time of loss.” The Causer & Lange Families

Something to Think About…

Today I received the following letter from Ike Sallee (one of our soldiers) in reference
to the 420 pairs of sandals that the VBS children sent for him to distribute:
Wow! I am floored! You guys are awesome. I can not believe the outpouring of support
from all of you guys in raising the funds, buying the shoes, getting them packaged, and sending them half way around the world; all for people you don’t even know. We received all of your boxes over the last few days, and have already begun distributing them to the kids here. So much of our success here depends on our relationship with the Iraqi people. Let me give you an example, we have found one cache on our own. Iraqi people that we have met have helped us find eight large weapon caches. We have found 6 IEDs on the road. Iraqi people that we have met have called us to tell us where 6 others were. We have captured 4 bad guys on our own. Iraqi people have provided information that allowed us to capture 42 bad guys in our area. You see, in order for us to do all the things we have to do to improve the security, depends a lot on our relationships and trust with the Iraqis. These shoes will help us do that because it is a good way to show their parents that we care about them, and it gives them an opportunity to come and talk to us while they are waiting in line.
Can I tell you a little bit about the Iraqi people? They have persevered through many hard times throughout history. They value their families and their respect for others. They are sensitive and ambitious. They believe in God. They want a better way of life. They want freedom and democracy. They are tired of bad guys doing bad things in their neighborhoods. Sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it? There are definitely still some people here who don’t give a hoot about safety, security or freedom. But the overwhelming majority do. For my soldiers and I, I think being a Christian helps out tremendously over here. Learning to love others, trust others and not judge others is so important. Sure, I hate some of the things that happen, but I can not blame everyone for just a few people’s actions. Let me tell you a secret, I pray for my enemies, too. I pray that they will see that their actions are senseless and futile. I pray that God enters their hearts and minds and shows them that what they are doing is wrong.
Now, a little about the kids here. They are fired up. They are excited to see us everyday. Their eyes are bright with hope. A lot of them want to grow up to be police, school teachers, doctors and engineers so they can help out their communities, too. In fact, just the other day, a group of five kids stopped my patrol to show us a bomb along the side of the road. We had it removed, and they went on swimming.
It is hot here. Yesterday, it was 126 degrees. Unbelievable. But this time we have air conditioning back in our rooms, so at least you have something to look forward to after spending 8 hours on patrol in the heat. Also, at night, the temperature drops down to about 95 degrees, so that naturally brings some cool relief (just kidding.)
Thank you so much for your generosity and for thinking about the kids you are helping and for helping us in building more relationships with their parents. It makes us feel good that you are helping us be successful over here. After seeing the contents of the box, I only have one question for you: Do you have the pink flip-flops with the flowers on top in size 10 ½?!?!
                                                                                 Your Friend,
                                                                                       Ike

We have so much to be thankful for.   Please continue to pray for our soldiers and for peace.

Blessed,

Anita