Church, 

Last Sunday, January 15, it was announced at both services that Ad Council voted unanimously to hold a special Church Conference to vote on disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. As I’m writing this to you, I pray that we spend this time seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for this decision. The church conference will be held on Thursday, January 26, at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.

My prayers are with you, Church, as you reflect, pray, dialogue, and eventually vote to disaffiliate or stay United Methodist. Walking through this process with you all the last few months, I cannot tell you how proud I am of you, Church, for your honesty, authenticity, wisdom, the good questions you asked, and your faithfulness during these days. The decision to hold the disaffiliation vote was not taken lightly by our Administrative Board. Personally reflecting on our leadership, I am proud of their hard work, prayer, discernment, participation in our three large church group meetings, and time spent reflecting on the survey data collected at the church meetings.

I plan to send a second letter next week detailing more specific details about the vote. Here are a few final points of consideration:

1) You must be a voting member by profession of faith or through transfer to vote on January 26. If there’s any doubt, please clarify your membership this week. The middle of next week will be too late. Please call the church office if you’re in any doubt about your membership.

2) Regarding our homebound members voting on January 26, our leadership team has sent that question to the conference leadership team, the conference leadership did respond that members need to be present to vote at the church on January 26. If you have questions about this please contact the District Office.

3) To have the disaffiliation vote pass, 2/3 of the votes tallied need to be in favor of disaffiliation for the vote to pass.

4) Second Ave. is committed to staying in our church building, the neighborhood surrounding it, and as a church, we are committed to keeping our staff and seeing their ministries grow. 

5) Please know, Church, I will be praying for you, especially during these days. Know that God has equipped you and prepared you for this moment.

Blessings, Pastor B

Join us Sunday as we continue our series “New Beginnings” with this week’s message God Is For You (Deuteronomy 2:1-23). Services are at 8:15/10:45 and can be streamed on YouTube as well (keep in mind this is mostly for hearing the speaking parts).

Jr. Church is in need of snacks and small waters.  You can order from their Amazon Wish List here and have items shipped directly to the church or use it for ideas.  Donations can be dropped off during office hours or on Sundays to the Jr. Church classroom.  Jr. Church serves approx. 25 kids each Sunday so your donations are greatly appreciated!  

We are currently taking orders for chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day pick up.  They are $12 per dozen, money is due with order (no later than Sun, 2/12) and all proceeds benefit the 20/20 Vision Fund here at 2nd Ave.  Forms are available on the round table in the sanctuary or can be emailed.  

Upcoming dates:

• Thursday, January 26 – 7:30 pm – Special Church Conference to vote on disaffiliation
• Friday, January 27 – 11:00 am – Food Pantry
• Saturday, February 11 – Game Night here at the church. All are welcome
• Look for the February Newsletter to be emailed out early next week!

As Pastor Brian announced yesterday at both services, Church Council has unanimously voted for there to be a vote to disaffiliate from the UMC. This vote is scheduled to happen on Thursday, January 26^th at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.  (You can listen to his announcement using this link, it begins around the 1:30 mark of the recording YouTube link )

You must be a member (either joined the church or transferred your membership) to vote. If you are not sure of your status, please check ASAP by contacting me in the church office. (Just because you’ve attended church here for years, if you did not ever officially join the church, you would not be a voting member. Please contact Jill with any questions)

There needs to be a 66.6% vote to disaffiliate. If vote doesn’t reach the required 66.6%, we would remain in the UMC for now.  Please reach out to Pastor Brian or a member of church council for information on the vote

There are times available to speak with Pastor Brian prior to this vote, contact the office for days/times available)

We are taking chocolate covered strawberries orders for Valentine’s Day.  $12/per dozen, money due at time of order.  Forms are available on the round table in the sanctuary or by clicking here. (Check made to 2nd Ave UMC or exact cash only as we do not keep any cash on hand for change)

This Saturday, January 21^st is our monthly soup & sandwich luncheon. All are welcome to this free and delicious meal! The luncheon is from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. We offer dine in or take out.

Please keep in mind we are always taking food pantry donations. Any non perishable items are welcome! Call the office to make arrangements during the week for drop off or bring donations on Sundays and place them on the stage in the social hall

The Food Pantry is open the last Friday each month. January’s Food Pantry will be open Friday, January 27^th starting at 11:00 am. The Food Pantry is available for any Blair County residents in need.

Blair Senior Services will be here with their Tai Chi program beginning again this week for any one 60+. The program is held on Wednesdays from 9:30 am – 10:30 pm in the Elevation Room.  There will also be a walking group from 10:45 am – 11:15 am held in the gym.  You are welcome to attend one or both of these programs.  Both programs are free of charge.

It’s a new year! Maybe you’ve made a resolution to try something new?  Our Praise Band is always looking for anyone who would like to share their musical gifts on Sunday mornings.  Please let us know if this is something you’re interested in!

Our Children’s Ministries and the ROCK continue to grow and grow, which means we are in need of more volunteers.  Please reach out to Ashley if you are interested in helping on Sunday mornings with nursery or on Wednesdays with the ROCK! email Ashley at ashleymiller1228@gmail.com

Bible Study is Thursday at 10:00 am. Everyone is welcome

Chocolate covered strawberries will be available soon to order for Valentine’s Day.

Communion will be held this coming Sunday January, 8^th at both services

This Sunday, following the 10:45 service, we will hold our last discussion meeting. We will be discussing the church’s future. The meeting will be held in the social hall.  Please contact Pastor Brian with any questions.

The nursery is in need of several volunteers so we staff the nursery for the rest of January.  Currently the 15^th and 29^th will not be staffed.  Please reach out to Ashley if you can help.

Church, 
As we begin the new year it is my prayer that you take time to reflect and thank God for all that He has done for us. This upcoming Sunday, January 8 our final meeting about the future of our church will be held beginning at 12:15 pm in the social hall. There will be a light lunch served, and there will be childcare available for any children who are there. If you have any questions please reach out to me directly. 

Join us Sunday January 1^st at 8:15 am /10:45 am for our message “Living Hope: New Birth and A New Year.” Communion will be held Sunday, January 8^th. There will not be children’s Sunday school, a staffed nursery, or Jr. Church this Sunday January 1^st. Children’s Sunday school, Nursery, and Jr. Church will resume on January 8.

The church office will remain closed until January 3, 2023.  Please contact Pastor Brian directly with any emergencies.  

Just a reminder that our Christmas Eve services will be on Saturday at 4:30 pm & 7:00 pm.  

4:30 pm will be our Traditional service (organ, bell choir, hymns)

7:00 pm will be our Contemporary service with our Praise Band

Christmas morning we will have one service at 9 AM.

The nursery will not be staffed, but will be open as a cry room for a parent to take their child and stay with them as needed. 

Today is our Christmas Luncheon and Carol Singalong. The luncheon will be held 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in the social hall. The singalong will begin at 1:30 pm in the sanctuary.

Join us Sunday at 10:00 am (one service only, please help us spread the word!) for our children’s Christmas pageant, “WOW!” and the conclusion of our Movie Time series with the message “It’s A Wonderful Life.”  We will have a few traditional songs on the organ as well as some songs from our Praise Band and also celebrate a baptism!  Don’t be late! Around 9:55 am we will kick things off with the first viewing of our 2022 Church Christmas Card slideshow!