Answers to Some Questions:
| Question |
Answer |
|---|
| What hours is the district office normally open? |
The district office is open 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday thru Thursday and on Fridays by appointment. The office is closed for lunch from 12pm to 1pm. |
| Dr. Dye,
I have just finished reading the article in the newsletter about the Fairgrove Campus of Christ UMC. My mother-in-law was in Catawba Valley Medical Center most of last week and in visiting with her, I passed by the church several times. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there any identifying words or symbols identifying this church as being a United Methodist Church? Maybe I just failed to see it, but I didn't see the UMC in the name or a Methodist Flaming Cross anywhere on the outside. If this is the case, why?! Are we ashamed or embarrassed to identify ourselves with this church? We should be celebrating that it is a new campus of the United Methodist Church. Since I may be wrong and just haven't spotted it yet, I will wait on your response. Am I the only one who has noticed this? If this church is not identified as a part of the UMC, this blatant oversight should be corrected immediately.
I grew up Lutheran, but have been a Methodist for over 30 years. If we fail to keep our heritage strong, our church will be diluted and it will be weakened even further than it has been in the past 40 years.
Thank-you for your expected response.
Sincerely,
Glenn Fox
Taylorsville First UMC |
Dear Mr. Fox,
Thank you for sharing your concern. At this time, the Fairgrove Campus of Christ United Methodist Church does not have the United Methodist symbol on its sign (although, when you drive around the new drive-through of the campus, you will see a prominent sign on the back side of the campus). This is a church that has only been open for six weeks so, by all accounts, this is an emerging church. This particular church has the goal of attractiving non-churched and de-churched people for Christ -- especially those between the ages of 18 and 35. As you probably know, there is a lot of mistrust and lack of respect for denominations among those who do not attend church and that is the primary focus audience for this campus.
I have had numerous conversations with the ministers and leaders at Christ UMC. The required membership course for those who decide to join at Christ church is very United Methodist. I am also convinced that the pastors and leaders of Christ UMC are very Wesleyan in their theology and practice.
We are in ongoing conversation about the best way to identify the church as United Methodist and, at the same time, still accomplish the primary goal of the church to draw in those who are unchurched. The presentation of the Christ Church campus at Fairgrove is is in no way intended to be disrespectful of our denomination and, again I remind you, is very early in its start. At Christ Church, they are living out the passionate, creative search for souls that is the heart and soul of United Methodism. The United Methodist symbol is used at the Mountainview and Statesville campuses.
We can, sadly, also identify United Methodist Churches that prominently display the cross and flame but don't live up to John Wesley's passion to reach others for Christ and call people to a complete holiness of heart and life. So let us cultivate an atmosphere of mutual prayer and support as our churches work to be the best witnesses they can be.
Again, thanks for sharing your concern. Dr. Dye |
| Dr Dye
I am a member of May's Chapel UMC in Maiden. In the past we have responded to disaster relief projects across North Carolina. Our team is comprised of licensed carpenters, electricians and plumbers and helpers numbering 8 to 10 men on any given project. One member of our team is a retired Catawba County building inspector. We have discussed using our skills as a team here in our own County and have done so on occasion. I have contacted DSS in the past for information as to who may need home repairs, wheel chair ramps ,etc. They responded with a list of elderly folks who are pretty much home bound. However, DSS cannot provide the monies to buy materials. We have budgeted $500.00 per year for this ministry and will try for more in next years budget. My question is this-----Are there funds within the District or Conference for this type of mission work?
Respectfully,
Cliff Martin
|
Cliff, this sounds like a wonderful mission! I would encourage you to apply to the District Mission Society (applications are available through the District Office) for consideration for a grant. Blessings, Dr. Dye |
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