The Beloved Community

"The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, so that when the battle is over, a new relationship comes into being between the oppressed and the oppressor."
Martin Luther King Jr. said this to express that our goal is to come together in love and not be split by the hatred that can divide us.
We'll study some about the the principles within this God-filled kind of love.
Matthew 5:43-49 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same?And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

ICE ON MAIN

We're going ICE SKATING Sunday 1/19/14 blending good skaters and not-so-good skaters into one beloved community.
Meet at the Wesley Cottage at 2 p.m. and we'll carpool planning on being back around 6 p.m. The place is Ice On Main in Greenville $10 for adults, $8 for 12 yrs and under.
Bring something snacky we can all share together during skating breaks. If anybody wants to come but not skate that's fine too. Invite some friends it should be fun

Discerning Where God Is at Work and Getting in It

Have you ever watched a windsurfer? They watch for signs on the water of where the wind is blowing and then they do their best to go get in it. I believe that is how we can live our life in the Spirit too.  Join us this Sunday as we talk about and practice the art of discerning where God is at work around us and how we can get in it.
We'll meet at 4 p.m. at the Wesley Cottage and share a regular potluck with each other.
Peace and Happy Spirit Searching...
Isaiah 42:5-9
Thus says God, the Lord,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
   and spirit to those who walk in it: 
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations, 
   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness. 
I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols. 
See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them. 

Not Doing the Thing We Hate and Doing the Thing We Love

Let's meet Sunday 1/5/14 at 4 p.m. at the Wesley Cottage to work on our habits for the new year. In the book, "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business", Charles Duhigg says that some of the most powerful work we can do with habits requires community and faith. Let's get together as a community of faith and support each other's work in becoming who God calls us to be.Paul says in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Let's work on how we can reverse that dynamic with the Holy Spirit and our community, remember, "Habits aren’t destiny, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives." This will be exciting and a perfect discussion to have with our kids too!We'll have a regular pot luck and be through around 6. Now's a great time to establish those healthy habits.

No Stone Soup 12/29-- Next week 4 p.m. Doing What We Intend to Do 1/5/14

Paul says in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate."
Let's start the new year strong. We'll look at the spiritual issues of our will and our actions and how to align our actions closer to our will. For discussion, I'll present some of the concepts from the book, "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg.

At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. 
 
Habits aren’t destiny, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

We won't meet this week, but next week we'll tackle our habits, our will and have a regular potluck.
See you at 4 p.m. on Jan. 5!

Let's Go Caroling

We'll go caroling Sunday the 22nd.  Let's meet at 3:30 p.m. and we'll go to Autumn Care and other individual homes in a pickup truck (weather permitting). So bring pillows and blankets to make the ride comfortable. When we're through, we've been invited over for refreshments at Nancy Johnson's house. Love the tradition… see you then.

Back in the Wesley Cottage!

Let's work on what we want to do in Stone Soup next year.
We'll do some dreaming and planning this Sunday.
We'll meet for worship at 4 and share a regular potluck later.
We want everyone to come so we can get input from all sectors.
We've been doing everything off site for the last couple of months so it already feels good to be back in the Wesley Cottage.
We've already begun talking some about a youth focus for the beginning of the year and want to hear your thoughts and prayers for what we can do, or focus on...

Then next week, 12/22 we'll meet at 3:30 for Caroling with refreshments to follow at Nancy Johnson's house. More to come next week.

There's Lots Going On!

Sunday 12/8/13 We've been invited to the Columbus UMC to share in their Christmas Party.
We'll leave Saluda UMC at 5:00 p.m. carpooling down to Columbus for potluck dinner and Christmas entertainment. Columbus is providing the meat and beverages so we can bring vegetables/salad or dessert. It should be over by 7 p.m.

Help with the Affordable Care Act/Obama Care
Tuesday 12/15 at 7 p.m. in the Wesley Cottage. We've got an independent insurance agent who has received training coming to help with any questions you might have about the Affordable Care Act and how to navigate the website. He said, "I think we can say that the purpose for the meeting is to better understand the new Affordable Care Act and the marketplace it has created. There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the changes. Some people are interested in it for themselves and their family and others are interested because of family members that need coverage."

Advent Overview

Dec. 3, 10 and 16 Advent Study 12-1:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 Saluda Stroll 6-8

         Community Communion 8:30

         At the Presbyterian Church

Dec. 14 Christmas Parade

Dec. 22 Christmas Cantata 11 a.m.

Christmas Brunch to follow worship

Dec. 22 Caroling 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 24 Midnight Candlelight Christmas         Eve Service