February Forum

In the month of February, we think of love, and since James and Marilyn Wright were married at Grace on February 14, they make appropriate February subjects. Gordon Wilson asked Marilyn to visit Grace when she was his piano student. She and James joined Grace after their marriage in 1986.

Although Marilyn is a native of Urbana, James is not. He was born in Seoul, South Korea. His father was in the Navy and James had the advantage of living many places including many western states. He moved to Urbana when his mother, who is from Urbana, returned. Joellen Bryant, a former Grace member, is his sister.

Marilyn is a member of the Chancel Choir, teaches Sunday School in the K-3rd grade class, and is part of the Pastor/Parish team. She has helped with children’s activities including organizing vacation Bible school. She has also been a part of the hand bell choir. James headed the Loaves & Fishes group. He worked in the food industry and put that experience to good use organizing congregational meals. Nathan and Daniel are part of the children’s Sunday School class and are members of the Cherub Choir.

James is an electrician with Glesco Electric. Marilyn works at the U of I as a records manager in Human Resources. Together, the Wright family enjoys movies and ice-skating. Marilyn likes to read mysteries. James is a hard-core Illini basketball fan who not only watches the games, but also records them to watch again later. Daniel and Nathan are in kindergarten. Nathan enjoys learning new things and especially likes computers and video games. Daniel is very imaginative and usually has a "project" in mind to share if you ask him.

The Wrights have felt comfortable at Grace. Marilyn said, "Through the years, I’ve found a lot of friends. I’ve enjoyed seeing the growth the last few years."

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The first month of the new year is already over and February is at hand. What is God calling you to do in 2004 at Grace United Methodist Church? Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to this question, but you really need to. The answer for each of us will have a major impact on our church’s programming for this year and the degree to which these programs will be successful. Perhaps you are being called to dust off some talents you haven’t used in awhile, or being called to step out in faith in an area you don’t feel very confident, or to develop new skills.

When God calls we need to respond in a positive way and have faith that God will furnish the tools for us to complete the task successfully. Yes, we are all sinners, saved by God’s grace, and sustained by his love, power, direction and wisdom. If you haven’t asked the question above, you still have time. You may be surprised at what God is calling you to do.

Prayer has a powerful impact on both the one being prayed for and the one praying. We must never forget that God still answers prayers. They are answered in his way and in his timing. Please lift up in prayer the joys and concerns of our congregation and others.

Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many blessings that you have bestowed upon us. We pray for our church members both collectively and individually. Inspire us Lord to be the best servants we can possibly be. Fill us with your love, direct us in your way, and teach us to reach out a helping hand to those in need. Help us to use the skills and abilities you gave us to serve you better in the days ahead. Give us spiritual eyes to see the world around us as you see it and spiritual ears to hear what you hear.

We lift up the joys and concerns of our family and our church. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen

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On Wednesday mornings, the aroma of coffee and hot breakfasts permeate the air at Grace church as a group of 12- 15 men gather at the church to share in food, study and fellowship.

One of the first small groups in the church, the Men’s Breakfast group began in the 70’s and has been going strong ever since. In the recent past, David Dickey, a former Army chef and currently a student of the ministry, did the cooking and also prepared the lessons. Due to a change in David’s work schedule, the cooking duties are now being shared by members of the group, with each member having his own cooking specialty. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., followed by discussion from 7 – 7:30 a.m.

The discussion leader uses Faith Link, a study which covers a different topic from current events each week and presents both a biblical and United Methodist perspective. The leader compiles a list of questions for discussion. These questions generate a lively discussion among the group, so much so that sometimes the group does not get past the first few questions.

Currently, the men are working on organizing the Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, an all-church project to be held Saturday, March 6. In the summer, the group is best known for organizing another all-church project, the sweet corn project. Due to the efforts of many people, over the past eight years $68,000 has been sent to mission projects both locally and around the world. Recently, the Men’s Breakfast group has assumed the responsibility for the Food Pantry, food deliveries and notifying the church members of the needs for the pantry.

It is a blessing to know a group of men like those of the Men’s Breakfast group. The group invites all men who are interested to join them on Wednesday morning. Just enter the church and follow the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, the sounds of a sizzling breakfast, shared laughter and fellowship. We hope you can join us.

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In Old Testament times, the Chosen People believed that God's Presence was particularly in one location at any given time, so they gathered the finest materials available to create special places. In the desert, it was highly portable; in Jerusalem, they built a magnificent and permanent temple.

.With the earliest Christians, it was clear that God could be with them anywhere. They had been taught that wherever two or three were gathered in Christ's name, He would be with them. The New Testament meeting place for Christians was in the homes, sometimes in secret. Remember the story of how one fellow sitting in the window got sleepy and fell out when the sermon lasted too long?

TThe study of church history is very much related to political impact, geographic and national influences, as well as theological understanding. In a similar way, the places where Christians met for worship and instruction were the result of these same matters. For a long time after the Emperor Constantine became a Christian convert, the style of churches often resembled ancient Greek or Roman temples.

TIn the Medieval and Renaissance periods of Europe, church builders paid little attention to ordinary people. They wanted monumental structures-at the center of the kingdom reflecting the wishes, tastes and power of the most influential and rich. Their construction, maintenance and operation, however, were supported by public taxes—a practice much different from the American separation of church and state.

A serious look at church architecture has to be rooted in the understanding of how Christians worship, and especially in the ways they interpret theologically the Celebration of the Eucharist or the sharing of Holy Communion. It also looks at changing artistic and building styles, and engineering and structural capabilities.

For most Christians, three functions dominate the final design of the place of worship: Holy Communion, Baptism, and Preaching of the Word. The total church structure, however, usually serves many other needs as well. It is a gathering place for fellowship; it provides spaces for instruction and Sunday School, and for small group gatherings; and it often includes places for community service, even physical activities for members of the congregation.

A visit to the great historic churches is both enjoyable and educational. There are the great cathedrals of Europe (e.g. St. Paul's in London, Notre Dame in Paris, St. Peter's at the Vatican). In America, the Washington National Cathedral illustrates the true Gothic style influence, the great art and stained glass, and the music capabilities. But there are other American sites worth knowing about too (e.g. the steepled New England frame churches, the oldest remaining American church building at Jamestown, Virginia, or even others like the Thorncrown Chapel at Eureka Springs, AR, the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Iowa, the California Spanish missions, and the USAF Academy Chapel).

When going about our community, it is interesting to see the various church buildings. Some have known better days; some have been restored to their original character; some have been renovated and adapted to modern tastes and needs; some look like dinner clubs; others are just store fronts. (Remember, Christian groups have met in old school houses, and one, to which we trace our roots, in a remodeled creamery).

Most of the church buildings we know have not been planned to remain for long time periods. They become obsolete in function, cost too much to maintain, and lose their strategic location in the community they serve. They are only meeting places for a Christian group. Like the children's song, we are reminded that "the Church is not the steeple, it is the people."

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Youth Spring Schedule

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