Edgemont Update 2019

Hello Edgemont family! A lot was said this past Sunday as an update and a look forward on where God is leading us as Edgemont UMC. Below is a summary of what was said and a reminder of what is being asked of us.

Vision Verse: Matthew 13:31-32 He (Jesus) told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Vision Statement: We as Edgemont UMC believe we are called to be the mustard seed that grows into the tree where the birds come and nest in our branches. We are called to be a place where any and all people can come and experience God’s love, the love of other people, and opportunity to explore and grow one’s faith.

Succinctly, Edgemont is a place where people can belong.

How do we do this?

We live into our vision in three distinct ministry areas: Nurture, Outreach, Witness. These three, when woven together, enable us to grow into the calling God has for us.

Nurture is how we grow our faith. We do that through Sunday morning worship, fellowship events, Sunday School, Small groups, etc..

Opportunities on the Horizon: New small groups, more study options. Are you passionate about and willing to lead a short-term study group?

Outreach is how we serve the community and the world around us. Here at Edgemont, we have wonderful opportunities to serve in outreach: Room in the Inn, Shoals Soup Kitchen, Backpack ministry and Little Red Schoolhouse partnership with Weeden Elementary School, Wesley Foundation Meals, the Help Center, Meals on Wheels.

Opportunities on the Horizon: Many years ago, a special fund called the St. Timothy Fund was created, which was set aside to help new outreach and witness ministries get started. Do you have a new idea and people who are ready to help? We can help you get started.

Witness is how we both go out to the community to share our faith as well as welcome people into our community. We do this through our ushers, who both welcome in newcomers, but also seek to connect them with others here at Edgemont. We had a neighborhood fall cookout which is going to become a regular, twice a year event.

Opportunities On the Horizon: Our Witness team is relaunching; what ideas would you want to share with them?

Two bits of Housekeeping:

First, we have some (literal) housekeeping to do, specifically, deferred maintenance projects that need to occur here at Edgemont. These include:

• Changing over the lights of the entire campus to LED.

• Remediating and re-tiling the floor in the education wing.

• Replacing the doors in the upstairs education wing.

• Replacing the front window in the Sanctuary.

• Installing showers and a washer and dryer in the FLC.

• Replacing the carpet in the Education building.

• Preparing to replace an air conditioning unit in the Education building.

To do this, the trustee committee asked, the finance committee arranged, and the Administrative Council approved getting a $50,000 loan in order to complete these projects in 2019. As you can see by going in the Family Life Center, we have already begun with the lights (we can see now!). So, we are beginning the Edgemont Capital Improvements Campaign. Use the form at the following link to indicate how you want to support this effort: form. We are asking for either (or both) a one time donation or a monthly commitment so that we can pay this off in 3 years. We ask you to prayerfully consider joining us in this project. If you have any questions about this or how we got here, please talk to me, Will Reade, Jack Townsend (our new trustee chair), or Laura Senecal (our outgoing trustee chair), and we would be glad to give you more information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION THE PASTOR LEFT OUT OF HIS NOTES AND FORGOT TO MENTION.

The Plan is for us to raise the $50,000 for Edgemont, but we also want to be good stewards to the mission God has called us. With that in mind, we are going to raise an additional 10%, a tithe of $5,000, to be used for a mission ministry either at home or abroad. As we continue to raise money, we will make a decision on who to give this to.

Finally, for a little fun, we look ahead to our summer sermon series. This summer, we are going to have a series of sermons called The Faith We Sing. Use the form at the following link to list your favorite hymn and/or worship songs: form. After everyone has had the opportunity to participate, Pastor Henry will tabulate the votes and will share the history and theology behind some of the great songs of our faith.

The last eight months have been a true blessing to be a part of Edgemont UMC for Kellie and I. I am thankful to be serving with all of you and excited for the future we have together serving God and our community.

God Bless you all!

Pastor Henry Prater