Rutland United Methodist Church

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60 Strongs Avenue • Rutland, VT 05701 

Phone: 802-773-2460 • Email: RutlandUMC@aol.com

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Worship: Sunday, 9:30 am with private nursery space 

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August 2, 2020 service will be live on Facebook

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Click here for info. about this week's service - August 2, 2020

Summer, 2020

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Dear Friends,

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I preached recently about how our sense of hospitality is challenged by the restrictions we are living with due to the Coronavirus. As I continue to reflect on the notion of what hospitality looks like in our current circumstances, it became clear to me that wearing a mask is an act of hospitality.

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When faced with the threat of illness, the preventative measures we take usually focus on taking care of ourselves and limiting our chances of getting sick. With COVID-19, however, choosing to wear a mask actually protects everyone else more than it protects you. Jesus charged his followers to care for one another, and most especially to care for the vulnerable people in our midst. So, in terms of our faith, wearing a mask is actually a profoundly spiritual and caring thing to do.

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Rev. Adam Taylor, of Sojourner’s, shared his experience of living in South Africa and learning the Zulu greeting, Sawbona, which means I see you, and the response, Sihkona, which means I am here. He says that these greetings reflect the African notion of Ubuntu, which translates I am because we are.

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This notion that we are most fully ourselves when we are fully a part of a community, is very much in keeping with the teachings of our faith. I think, particularly of 1Corinthians 12 where Paul writes: “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

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We are in this together. My prayer is that we seek out ways to bring our faith into practice every day. May we continue to live according to the legacy of Christ as we care for one another in these challenging times. Please reach out if I can offer you support as you deal with personal stresses and anxieties. Let me know how I might pray for you.

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In Christ’s Love, Pastor Shirley

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LOCATION

WE ARE LOCATED AT 60 STRONGS AVENUE IN RUTLAND, VT

Our building is fully handicap accessible and large print materials are available from the ushers for those who desire them.