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Week of Prayer 2023

by marionmethodist

Our dear Lord Jesus commands his followers to be a praying people. In all things we are encouraged to pray frankly, faithfully, and fervently. Prayer is one of the five marks we at Marion Methodist understand as critical to the life of a disciple. Prayer is when we “Speak to and Listen to God” and there are moments when we need to deliberately set aside or manufacture time for both.

For that purpose, the pastor has designed a “Week of Prayer” with essential opportunities and expressions of prayer the week of August 13th through August 20th.  Each day will have a different target for our prayers or engage in a specific type of prayer. Please manipulate your schedule to accommodate at the very least one of these opportunities into your discipleship.

Scheduled Activities Marion Methodist Week of Prayer 2023

Sunday, 8/13 6:00 PM                    Praying for our Schools                                                

Monday, 8/14 6:30 AM                  The Men of the Church Pray                                      

The Scriptures are clear that when the men of the church prayer, blessings abound in the ministry and people of the church. Every man is invited to participate in this 40 minute guided time of prayer before their work day. (The Center)

Tuesday, 8/15 noon (CDT)             The Digital Church Prays

We have a substantial congregation that fully relates to us online. If you are part of our digital congregation, please join us. (Online)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86193820101  

Meeting ID: 861 9382 0101 Passcode: 571015                                                

Wednesday, 8/16 6:30 PM           Service and Prayers for Healing                                                                

This service is a dedicated time to pray for the healing of body, mind, spirit and soul of those you know or yourself. (Sanctuary)                

Thursday, 8/17 10:00 AM             The Women of the Church Pray                                                        

The church throughout the centuries has been nourished and fortified by the prayers of faithful women. Every woman is invited to participate in this guided time of prayer. (Sanctuary)

Friday, 8/18 noon                             Holy Communion                                                             

The liturgy for Holy Communion of the Global Methodist will be said for the first time at Marion Methodist. (Sanctuary)

Saturday, 8/19  All Day                    “I pray” at Marion Methodist                                    

You and/or your family is invited to sign up to be at the church for 20 minutes to pray on the church grounds your personal/family prayers. You may remain in your car, do a prayer walk around the property or pray anywhere on the grounds/property of the church. Please sign up to help us grow the volume of prayer! (Church Property)

Sunday, 8/20 6:00 PM                    The Church prays for the Church                              

Gather to pray for the church and the various ministries of the church as we launch our new program year. (Sanctuary)                                               

Sign up links

August 13 Praying for our Schools
August 19 “I Pray” at Marion Methodist

Marion Cares Backpack to School

by marionmethodist

It is that time of the year again to help local kids prepare to go back to school. Adopt a student to fill a backpack so they have the supplies to return to school in the fall.

Here are the easy steps to participate in adopting a student in need:

1.  Select a student to purchase a backpack for.

Select a Student

2.  Purchase a backpack and fill it with the supplies listed.

3.  Write the STUDENT # on a piece of paper and put it in the front pocket of the backpack.  This is crucial as it is the only way we will be able to match it up with the student at the event.

4.  Drop it off at your church on or before July 30th.

Important Information from Church Council

by marionmethodist

Since 2015 the church has received information regarding the dissonance and now splintering of the United Methodist Church. In 2019 the General Conference of the United Methodist Church provided pathways for churches who felt in faithfulness the necessity to disaffiliate from the denomination. 

Following the 2019 divisive General Conference, a consortium of leaders within the United Methodist Church came together to construct a “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation” which would be fully supported at General Conference 2020. However, with COVID and the ultimate postponement of General Conference to 2024, the progressive supporters of the Protocol have discerned they will no longer support it. Thus, a simple separation from the denomination allowing a church to take their property and assets with them has evaporated. 

This left the provisions of the 2019 General Conference known as paragraph 2553 the only option for churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church to become independent or affiliate with another denomination. The “sunset” to begin the process of that paragraph is December 31st of this year. 

That background to say this. The Church Council has considered the issue at their past meetings, and over the past week each member has attended information sessions to further prepare them. Monday evening, September 19th at their regularly scheduled meeting these two options were put before the council: 

  • Option 1 – remain a United Methodist Church 
  • Option 2 – disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church and become independent (paragraph 2553 Book of Discipline United Methodist Church) with the possibility of affiliating with another Wesleyan denomination. 

Option 2 was unanimously selected by forty-two members of the Church Council. This is important because as elected representatives, the members of the council felt that every member in good standing should have the opportunity to vote via a Church Conference, on the future of Marion Methodist. The request to convene a Church Conference, to hold the vote, will be made to the District Superintendent after we have made appropriate arrangements to plan and organize opportunities for members of the congregation to learn more regarding all the benefits and difficulties of disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. 

Every member and friend of the church is encouraged to pray and become informed regarding the background of why we have come to this point and investigate the groups involved. Links to a great deal of information are below: 

Tim Atwood, Church Council Chair                                                        Mike Morgan, Pastor    

Additional Information