Ryan's Jumbled Thoughts

 

Over the next three weeks, we will be taking a closer look at John Wesley's three General Rules for Christian living. The first of these is simple to say but challenging to live out: Do No Harm.

 

At first glance, this rule seems self-explanatory. But living it well requires us to remember just how deeply we are loved by God—and how deeply everyone else is loved by God as well. That includes the neighbor whose loud music wakes us up at midnight, the person who walks in from the street with the smell of alcohol on their breath asking for a few dollars, and yes, even the Texas fan (I know—that one can be difficult!). As we'll explore together this Sunday, "Do No Harm" is more than avoiding wrongdoing; it is the foundation for who we are called to be as the Body of Christ in the world today.

 

Speaking of being the Body of Christ, our food pantry continues to grow each week, and Sue's Table remains a wonderful ministry that blesses so many in our community. I continue to be amazed by the impact First United Methodist Church of Camden has on the lives of our neighbors. I am grateful for our faithful volunteers and staff who make these ministries possible. As we continue to expand the pantry in the months ahead, I know their dedication will become an even greater blessing to our community.

 

Looking ahead, we are excited to host the Round Robin service here on August 9. We'll gather for a barbecue dinner afterward, with side dishes provided potluck-style. There will also be a bounce house in the Great Hall for the children, and following the service we will hold a youth interest meeting.

 

If you have a student entering 6th grade or above—or know someone who might be interested in being part of our growing youth ministry—we would love for them to attend. We are also looking for adults who feel called to serve with our youth, so if you are interested in volunteering, please plan to join us as well.

 

We are excited about the future as we work with Fairview Church to build a community youth ministry here in Camden. Our long-term vision is to partner with churches in Magnolia and El Dorado to create Golden Triangle youth events that will help our young people grow in faith and build lasting Christian friendships across our region.

 

The parsonage project continues to move forward. Cabinets are scheduled to arrive next week, and we are hopeful that the countertops will be installed soon afterward. The stove and oven are up and running, so we're cooking again, even if we're using folding tables for countertops in the meantime! The new flooring looks wonderful and has already proven to be easy to maintain.

 

A special word of thanks goes to Mike Murphree for faithfully overseeing the completion of this project. His time, leadership, and dedication have been an incredible blessing.

 

As school begins for many of our students, teachers, and families, I pray that this new year will be filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and experience God's presence. May everyone have a safe, productive, and joyful school year.

 

My prayers remain with each of you. Grace and peace, Ryan