Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them...

This Sunday is Pentecost. This day remembers the day that the Holy Spirit appeared among the followers of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem. We also call it the Birthday of the Church.When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:1-4

We'll gather Sunday at 5 p.m. at the church and then carpool to Rob's house where we'll sit around the bonfire and reflect on the ways the Holy Spirit can catch fire in our lives.

Bring whatever you want to cook and share over the fire. Rob will provide drinks, watermelon and fire!

Call Rob with questions 828-606-3452

...down to the river to pray

Sunday for Stone Soup we'll go to to the river to pray, to baptize and to remember our baptisms.
Meet at the church at 5 p.m. (wear a bathing suit if you want to get wet). We'll go down to one of our favorite spots on the Green River. There, we will be celebrating the sacrament of baptism during worship. Baptism is available for all who have never been baptized and who desire to be baptized. For those who have been baptized before, we have a ritual that reminds us of our baptism as we continue to claim God's work in our lives.
Bring towels and picnic food to share with all!
Call Rob with questions 828-606-3452

Awakening to Grace Week 3 May 3

Awakening to Grace: Becoming Vulnerable to Love
a series of Sunday evenings with preaching, singing and dialogue

April 19-May 10 2015

Our remaining dates are:

Participating in Grace—Rev. Brice Harris  May 3, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

Practicing Grace—Rev. Rob Parsons  May 10, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

This week our speaker is Rev. Brice Harris. He is a retired pastor from the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church currently living in Etowah, N.C. Brice is a favorite area itinerate preacher who was active for years in peace and justice ministries. In discussing Participating in Grace, Brice will speak and lead discussion on the “second blessing” of grace that ushers in growth in the comfort and power of God’s love for all. This is what John Wesley called sanctifying grace. We will explore together how we can participate in this grace.

The folks at Columbus UMC will serve lasagna for dinner time fellowship! 

Awakening to Grace week 2 April 26

Awakening to Grace: Becoming Vulnerable to Love
a series of Sunday evenings with preaching, singing and dialogue

April 19-May 10 2015

Our remaining dates are:

The Prize of Grace—Rev. Augusta Anne Anderson  April 26, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

Participating in Grace—Rev. Brice Harris  May 3, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

Practicing Grace—Rev. Rob Parsons  May 10, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

This week, Augusta Ann Anderson is preaching. She is the rector at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda, NC. She is a well-received speaker and priest in the area and currently lives in Asheville, N.C. In discussing the Prize of Grace, Augusta will speak and lead discussion about the work of the Holy Spirit, focusing on fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, generosity and self-control). She will everyone to explore together the work of the Holy Spirit and how to be open to receiving/activating it in our lives.

Our featured pianist is Steve Stone. This is event is free of charge and will be followed by a light supper and continued discussion in the fellowship hall. Saluda United Methodist Church’s address is 53 Greenville St. Saluda, NC 28773. Call Rev. Rob Parsons for more information 828-606-3452.

Awakening to Grace Week 1 April 19

Awakening to Grace: Becoming Vulnerable to Love
a series of Sunday evenings with preaching, singing and dialogue

April 19-May 10 2015

Sponsored by the Columbus and Saluda United Methodist Churches

This series of four evenings is designed help each person allow the amazing grace of God to flow over us and act within us “because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.” (Romans 5:5) The exciting aspect of this series is that this kind of grace which many of us haven’t even expected to take hold in us, is probably already at work within us. Our task, if you can have one regarding the free gift of grace, is to receive it. Our task is to understand and practice a way of living that makes us vulnerable to that amazing gift of God’s love that will fill our hearts and spread over our lives and the lives of those around us.

This Sunday will be our first event and it will be at the Columbus UMC at 5 p.m. Pizza follows at 6.

You can email each other to carpool. Rob will have to go down much earlier.

Our first speaker is Rev. Tony Sayer. He was pastor of the Saluda and Columbus United Methodist Churches from 1990 to 2008. He was the first and long-time president of the Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry Board. Tony is currently the pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Vale N.C.  In discussing the Process of Grace, Tony will speak and lead discussion on the three sides of grace; prevenient, saving and sanctifying. He will also explore how our understanding of conversion has generally become precariously narrow and how we can see our hearts being drawn to God more broadly.

Here's the full schedule. Please invite friends, young and old alike. This will be good!

The Process of Grace—Rev. Tony Sayer  April 19, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

The Prize of Grace—Rev. Augusta Anne Anderson  April 26, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

Participating in Grace—Rev. Brice Harris  May 3, 5 p.m. Columbus UMC

Practicing Grace—Rev. Rob Parsons  May 10, 5 p.m. Saluda UMC

At-One-Ment

(Time lapse pic of fun on the Pacolet...)

Psalm 133 says, " How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"1 John says that Jesus is, "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."Atonement is meant to make us one with God. It is meant to overcome the things that keep us separated from God. It is important for us to see that God's atoning work is not just for a few or the chosen but for the whole world. It truly is very good and pleasant when we can live together in unity!That's our goal for Stone Soup this week. We'll meet at the church at 5 p.m. sharp so we can all go down to the Lost Forty Trail (off Pearson's Falls Road). We'll have a short hike (with one creek crossing) to the spot to begin worship and picnic. Then those who need to get ready for school to start can head home by 6 p.m. For the rest who are interested, we can either hike the loop or go exploring the Pacolet River. If it's really sunny, and people remain adventurous, we can swim in the Secret Swimming Hole.Bring picnic food to share, a desire for unity and a sense of adventure and wonder!
Call Rob with questions 828-606-3452

He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter.
For Stone Soup on April 5 Easter day we'll meet at 6:45 a.m. on Orchard Hill for the Sunrise Service or if you need the sleep, at 11 in the sanctuary.
Peace and Joy to all
Rob