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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           Click here to Join Pastor Shirley Oskamp live on Facebook - Sunday 9:30 am

Welcome to the Rutland UMC website. This is our virtual church home, and is much more active in this time of staying home and staying healthy. I want to express my appreciation to everyone who has supported the work of the church during this time. Thanks to you, we are able to serve hot breakfast to an average of 25 people every Monday through Thursday, as well as to serve you with spiritual support and sustenance.

We have weekly worship services at 9:30 am on Sundays on Facebook Live. Fellowship, Choir and Study Group happens at ZOOM gatherings. Sunday School materials to do at home are delivered to the children regularly. It is good that we can get together virtually, but we look forward to when we can once again gather in person.

As the Choir planned our virtual rehearsal, one member sent a text saying she needed a hug.  Quickly several of us agreed!  A good hug sounds pretty nice right about now, and many of us are not in the position to give or receive them.

When I read the Scripture where Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, my thoughts often turn to a cozy kind of comforter that you can wrap yourself up in.  It may be a nice warm fuzzy blanket or a handmade quilt that holds stories in every square.  There is a wonderful warmth that a blanket gives us, a security we feel as we wrap it around ourselves. 

Since hugs are not possible for those of us who are alone during this quarantining time, maybe we can open ourselves up to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit's kind of comfort?  

Tonight when you crawl under the covers, or as you sit on your couch, I invite you to wrap a blanket or quilt around yourself and take a moment to feel the comfort. Let some quiet settle over you, calming down those busy thoughts.  Feel the
embrace as a hug from God, holding you close, whispering in your ear and in your heart, "You are beloved and precious and I love you." (see Isaiah 43:1-7)

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In Christ's Love,
Pastor Shirley

P.S. You are invited to contact the church office or me directly by email or cell phone if we can be helpful in any way.

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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.