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The monthly newsletter of Leesburg United Methodist Church: October 2021
Keys to Happiness
A Long Time Ago
Worship in October
Youth at Camp Highroad
Sunday Field Day - Oct 3
Campfire Fellowship!
Nursery Is Back
Serve in Worship
Church without a Steeple
Stories from Scripture: Rethinking the Torah
Forever Young: Has God Left the Church?
New Member Orientation
Lay Servants Course: Starts October 11
Book Review: The Pilgrim Journey
Opportunities to Serve
LHSC and Backpack Buddies
Missions Giving Opportunities
Defying Gravity: LUMC’s 2022 Stewardship Campaign is Here
Finance Update
We Can Help Promote Your Church Event
Charge Conference: October 25
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Keys to Happiness
Happiness. Not simply the circumstantial, too-soon-
ended feeling of joy; but rather the deep seated, soul
centered sense of contentment that, while shaken
during hard times, still remains a reservoir of joy,
strength, hope and love.
by Jim Wishmyer on October 01, 2021
A tsunami called COVID-19 slammed into the world with little warning. The rapid spread of COVID
around the world caught everyone by surprise. This “world-shifting” pandemic did not play favorites and
every nation on the planet has suffered. And COVID and its variants are not through. Bummer. That’s
the bad news.
No wonder that MRC Data, which provides analytics and data to the music industry, discovered that 55%
of music listeners said one of the most important thangs the music industry can do to help people is to
offer more “uplifiting” and “happy” music. Pandora, an online music streaming service saw a “whopping
111% increase” in people searching for “happy?” music on its service. According to an article this week
in Relevant, because of this Pandora now has 8 new “channels” containing “curated playlists of
encouraging music”. Here they are along with the music genre:
Feel Good - R & B
Get Happy – Pop/Hot AC’s
Happy Country
Happy Dance
Hope for Hard Times – Christian/Gospel
Rap Jubilee
Vinyl Happiness – Classic Rock
Handpicked 100: Happy Shuffle – a playlist of the 100 happiest songs of all time.
Happiness. The pursuit, longing for, striving after happiness. Not simply the circumstantial, too-soon-
ended feeling of joy; but rather the deep seated, soul centered sense of contentment that while shaken
during hard time still remains a reservoir of joy, strength, hope and love.
The Beatitudes given by Jesus to the world, offer a series of steps to experiencing such a blessed life.
While listed separately, they really form an incredible whole, when taken seriously and applied to our
lives, help nurture that inner joy that sustains us, even through COVID. During October, listen in; open
up; reach out to embrace the qualities of life that Jesus invites us to follow. The blessed life. The happy*
life. The Jesus life.
Grace and peace, Pastor Jim
--------
(* New Testament Greek for blessed is “makarios”; also translated as “happy”. This is reflected in the
Latin bible, the Vulgate”, which used the Latin word, “beati”, also translated as blessed, happy, rich.”)
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A Long Time Ago
by Angela Becek on September 27, 2021
A long time ago, in a land far, far away…so long ago, it
may as well have been another galaxy,
Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, laid siege on
Jerusalem. He destroyed the city and the temple,
bound Zedekiah, King of Judah and took him to
Babylon. So, the Jewish people went into captivity,
away from her land.
The people of Judah feared they faced extinction through assimilation, as they had seen in their
kinspeople in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They sought to retain their identity and their hope by
passing on the stories of their ancestors.
The old stories were a reminder that they were a chosen people. They were chosen by God to live
differently than other nations. They were chosen for a purpose: so that all the world would be blessed
through them.
Someday, God would come and save them. God would keep his promise to save the world through
them. Their hope lay in the stories of the past.
Our hope is in those stories, too.
Stories from Scripture: A Visitor’s Center Experience
Rethinking the Torah
The Bible is a complicated collection of old, old writings and sometimes the way verses are thrown
around, it can turn us off instead of drawing us in.
This year, we’ve created something new, so that you can explore these old stories and wrestle with their
meaning.
We invite you to come and interpret the Bible through the lens of the person of Jesus and through God’s
overarching mission to restore the earth and end suffering.
We invite you to come and see how the stories work together, not as one-off moral lessons, but as an
epic vision of God moving through time, through individuals, and through communities to change the
world.
It is our hope that you will identify with that hope that has nurtured and sustained humanity for
millennia.
It is our hope that you will discover God’s blessing of presence and that you would connect with God’s
mission so that others will be blessed through you.
What to Expect:
Stories from Scripture is set-up with a visitor’s center experience in mind in the Aldersgate Building of
Leesburg UMC (109 West Market Street).
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When you visit an historical site and pass through the visitor’s center, there are exhibits that help tell
the story of that space, and that’s what we’ve done, only instead of telling the story of the space, it’s a
selected portion from the Bible.
It is self-guided. There are video components that you can watch, and you can move through at your
own pace while you allow the art, text and artifacts to speak life to the stories.
Kids. We have some interactive elements for kids to play with while you explore. Please always
supervise your children.
Artifacts and art? Well, we don’t have the original ark of the covenant if that’s what you’re looking for.
That was either destroyed by the Babylonians or is possibly (but probably not) sitting in a government
warehouse somewhere. We do have some cool replicas from the vast collection that is Amazon (and
others).
Who is this for?
This is for you if you have an open mind to Scripture.
This is for you if you’re curious and don’t know where to begin.
This is for you if you are willing to accept that Renaissance painters interpreted the stories through the
lens of their cultures.
This is for you if you are willing to accept that we have often interpreted the stories through the lens of
our culture, and maybe we need to look again.
This is for you if you if you want to bring family or friends to have a good discussion and wrestle with
what the stories meant for the original hearers and might mean for you today.
This is for you if you if you want to come alone to sit and reflect.
This is for you if you want your kids to know these stories and have the freedom to wrestle with them
but have realized that they don’t.
This is for you if you want to be supportive of the church trying new things.
Hours may vary. Please reserve free tickets in advance.
At this time, masks are required for all guests over age 2.
Worship in October: The Beatitudes
Our October Worship will consider the Beatitudes
by Jim Wishmyer on October 01, 2021
October 3:
World Communion
“What the Heart Longs For” – Introducing the Beatitudes Matthew 5
October 10:
Sacrament of Christian Baptism
Matthew 5:3-4 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
October 17:
Matthew 5:5-6 - "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."
October 24:
Matthew 5: 7-8 - "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
October 31:
Leadership Recognition Sunday
Matthew 5: 9-12 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."
Youth @ Camp Highroad
Saturday, Oct. 16 at 9:30 am - 2:15 pm
Come for fellowship and fun!
We'll be doing the challenge course with Zip Line Course and archery.
Cost: $50 per person
Bring your own lunch.
2021-22 Youth Participation Form must be completed. See confirmation info for link.
21164 Steptoe Hill Road, Middleburg 20117
We must have a minimum of 10 people signed up by October 10 to go ahead.
Sunday Field Day
K - 5th grade
Kids' Field Day events are designed to provide kids a fellowship experience tied with the Bible Adventure
theme while parents participate in 9 am worship.
Kids will be dropped off at Toby Atwell Field (no earlier than 8:45 am; across from the hospital, behind
the senior center) and we will walk them back to the church playground by 10 am.
Youth are invited to volunteer so they can also have some fellowship time.
Sunday, Sept. 19 and Oct. 3
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Campfire Fellowship
Join us for a fun evening around the campfire on
Saturday October 23rd from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the
Talbot’s home. We will have fun outdoor games,
fixing for s’mores, and maybe even some campfire
songs! Come enjoy a laid back evening of fun for all
ages.
Once registered for the event you will receive an email with the address and parking directions.
Nursery Is Back
Children are welcome in worship service, but we're pleased to share that childcare is now available the
first Sunday of the month for kids under five.
Serve in Worship
As we enter the fall, and more in-person gathering on Sunday mornings, we are in need of volunteers to
serve in worship at both of our in-person services. We will also be continuing our live stream and need
help with running and hosting our online worship.
Worship is the work of the people, and our services run smoothly because of the efforts of you, our
church family, committing to serve one another. Whether setting a welcoming atmosphere as an usher
or leading in worship as a musician or running the livestream in the tech booth, all the many roles in
worship contribute to everyone being able to connect with God and each other.
Serving in worship isn’t just for adults! Children and youth are welcome to serve as well, or families can
volunteer together. If you want to serve together, please indicate in the comments area of the sign up
form or email Rebekah.
Please consider how you might serve your church community on Sunday mornings. You can express your
interest by filling out the form below. For more information contact Rebekah Daugherty at
Find the Church Without a Steeple
An LUMC Story, shared by Jack King
by Church Office on September 21, 2021
"Find the Church without a Steeple," so says a clue for
a treasure hunt in Leesburg.
The church, of course, is our own Leesburg United
Methodist. Why?
Here’s the explanation from our church’s building Committee in the middle part of the 20th century:
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“Our forefathers who erected the present building were unable to carry out original plans for the front
of the church because of the unsettled conditions before and after the War Between the States."
The 1952 Building Committee goes on to explain that the Committee believes it is time to consider
major “improvement at the front” of the church hoping that “a suitable plan can be adopted and carried
out … .”
"The committee has considered a number of possible plans.… Pictured … is one such plan. It provides a
distinctive tower and steeple, an attractive entrance, and convenient stairs to the second floor.”
Stories from Scripture: Rethinking the Torah
Sunday, October 10, 2021, 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM
The Bible is a complicated collection of old, old writings and sometimes the way verses are thrown
around, it can turn us off instead of drawing us in.
This year, we’ve created something new, so that you can explore these old stories and wrestle with their
meaning. It's okay to be skeptical and walk away with more questions than answers.
We invite you to come and interpret the Bible through the lens of the person of Jesus and through God’s
overarching mission to restore the earth and end suffering.
We invite you to come and see how the stories work together, not as one-off moral lessons, but as an
epic vision of God moving through time, through individuals, and through communities to change the
world.
It is our hope that you will identify with that hope that has nurtured and sustained humanity for
millennia.
It is our hope that you will discover God’s blessing of presence and that you would connect with God’s
mission so that others will be blessed through you.
Forever Young
Sunday, October 17, 2021, 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
The Decline of the American Church Examined at Forever Young
The closing of thousands of churches nationwide and a steady decrease in church attendance will be
discussed at Forever Young on Sunday, October 17 at 12:15 in the AG building.
The program, titled “Has God Left the Building,” features filmed interviews with several experts on the
American church, including Steve Hewitt, a writer for The American Church Magazine.
“Statistically the church in America has been dying since the 1970s,” says Hewitt. “In a decade the
church in America is going to have a whole different look: what it is and where it is. And what about all
of these empty church buildings?”
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Forever Young Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a
casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Forever Young may be directed to Wayne Reynolds at 703
777 4796 or [email protected].
We invite all adults to attend this Forever Young session. It will be wats to conduct worship other than a
Church building.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 17th.
New Member Orientation
Sunday, October 17, 2021, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
New Member Orientation—October 17
Would you like to learn more about Leesburg UMC? Are you interested in becoming a member of
LUMC? Join us for our next New Member Orientation, Sunday, October 17, at 3 pm.
New Member Orientation is for people new to Leesburg UMC, those with questions about faith, or
those wanting to learn more about Christ and the church.
Lay Servant Basic Course
Every Monday, from 10/11/2021 to 11/15/2021, 6:30
PM - 8:30 PM
Lay Servant Basic Course
Ministry isn’t just a clergy endeavor; all Christians are
called to serve. Church members serve on the front
lines of engagement with our culture. Many yearn to be better equipped and knowledgeable in order to
bear vibrant witness; and yet feel inadequate to do so.
The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is an introductory course designed to equip new and emerging
leaders, and to renew current leaders. It covers the three main categories of Lay Servant Ministries:
Leading, Caring, and Communicating. Each lesion also contains rich and informative insights on our
Wesleyan heritage. The final session entitled, “Into the World,” integrates the leadership role in and
beyond the local church.
Those who participate in all the sessions,10 hours in all over the course of 5 Monday evenings, will
receive the “Leading and Learning Certificate” from the Winchester District.
Join us for the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course in order to explore and discover your unique call and
God’s equipping to serve. This course is coming to LUMC in October, both via Zoom and in-person. Our
first session will be Monday, October 11, from 6:30-8:30 PM, led by Jill Ryan, Rev. Jim Wishmyer, Wayne
Reynolds.
Sign up here for more information and to register. All participants will need to obtain a copy of the Lay
Servant Ministries Basic Course handbook for $10 (Kindle) or $12 (Print), available at the Upper Room
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Bookstore: https://bookstore.upperroom.org/Products/KDR632/lay-servant-ministries-basic-course-
participants-book.aspx
The Pilgrim Journey
A book review of The Pilgrim Journey, A History of Pilgrimage in the Western World, by James Harpur.
Reviewed by Amber King of the Library Team.
by Church Office on September 27, 2021
A book review of The Pilgrim Journey, A History of Pilgrimage in the Western World, by James Harpur.
The author, an award-winning poet, is a passionate walker and traveler to sacred sites and lives in the
west of Ireland.
It's all because of Alvin Moore that I became interested in pilgrimages. He gave us his DVD copy of The
Way with Martin Sheen, which told the story of a man who embarked on the historical pilgrimage "The
Way of St. James" (Santiago de Compostela) to honor his son's desire to finish the journey -- a journey
in which the son had died. His father carries his ashes, protectively, as he walks.
The Pilgrim Journey, on the UMW Reading List (Education for Mission), is well-written with clear,
interesting explanations of pilgrimage -- what it is, the different motives for making the pilgrimage,
stages of preparation for it, the journey itself, sacred rituals, the return journey and integrations into the
world the pilgrim had left behind. The reader becomes immersed in the history of sacred journeys in
ancient times, the age of Constantine, Celts and Anglo-Saxons, the decline and revival of pilgrimage,
relics, shrines and the new millennium.
And now the reader comes to the history and reasons for the establishment of the most famous
pilgrimages: Rome, Santiago de Compostela, Canterbury, and Jerusalem and the Holy Land with its
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Thinking back to high school days, can many of us recall reading John
Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales? Reading about Santiago de
Compostela in Spain was especially interesting and enlightening because of its tie-in with the DVD movie
I had watched. The tale of the miraculous journey of St. James to Spain and how he became its national
saint made it even more meaningful.
Pilgrimage in this century is booming with pilgrims traveling to shrines such as Lourdes in France,
Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and the basilicas of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico and Sainte-Anne-
de-Beaupre in Canada. In some cases, the ideas of pilgrimage have changed from it being a spiritual
journey to simply hiking or sightseeing." Certain national parks, landscapes and gardens can have a
crowd-drawing magnetism similar to traditional pilgrimage destinations, perhaps offering visitors a
sense of nature and freedom and beauty seldom experienced in their everyday lives," says the author.
When I read the book's last page, I realized I was on a pilgrimage two weekends ago when my husband
and I drove to Richmond, mainly to spend time at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The reason was
there -- need for a change, to sort out thoughts, to renew spiritually. Preparation for overnight was easy
and definitely included masks. What I encountered -- complete serenity within the beauty of trees,
flowers, birds, insects, and plants as we slowly walked the winding paths.(all the things I love!)
What relics did I find? the petals of a rose, the mottled reddish bark of a Natchez crape myrtle, buzzing
of bees on goldenrod, the lounging turtle sunning itself, a perfectly rimmed water lily, the prickliness of
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a handsome cactus, the shape of a dog's face in the clouds, the bright red seeds of a magnolia pod, the
splashing of water from fountains, the soft breezes, and the smile on my husband's face -- all soothing
and peaceful and with the hand of God in it all. That was my altar on this glorious September day. That
was my Pilgrimage.
Dear reader, let me encourage you to read The Pilgrim Journey with hopes that it will inspire you to
plan your own pilgrimage. Book on display in our library. (263.042 HAR)
Amber King, Library Team
Opportunities to Serve
by Jim Wishmyer on September 01, 2021
Our Church Leadership Team is looking for those who would be willing to serve on one of our church
committees, ministry teams, and short term task forces. Please reach out to Pastor Jim or to Dave Reith
(Church Leadership Team, Chair), for more information, or to any member of the CLT which now
functions as our old Nominations and Leadership Development Committee.
Finance Committee – oversees the finances and financial processes of LUMC
Staff-Parish Relations Committee – oversees the clergy and staff of LUMC
Trustees Committee – oversees the physical resources and legal matters of LUMC
Ministry Leadership Team:
Audio-Visual Team
Fellowship Team
Missions Team
Outreach/Evangelism Team
PRG (Post-COVID Recovery Group)
Stewardship Team
Technology Team
Worship Team – the planning group, or any of the numerous tasks that help make worship
happen.
(willing to serve on a short term task force – usually research and recommendations to a standing
committee)
Altar Guild – provide floral arrangements and other seasonal/worship themed visuals for the
sanctuary
Love Committee – provide luncheons, refreshments, following funerals and weddings, and other
special occasions
Hospitality Committee – provide healthy refreshments for in-person events in the church building
such as Sunday morning and other special occasions
Neighborhood Group leaders
Snow Removal Crew
And more!
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Opportunities from the Missions Team
Monthly Backpack Buddies packing, and 2022 LHSC meals signup coming soon!
by Church Office on September 21, 2021
Loudoun Homeless Services Center
Thank you to all who provided a meal to Loudoun Homeless Services Center this past year and to those
who will be providing meals to wrap up the end of this year. We have provided monthly dinners to the
center and we couldn’t have done it without your help!
Sign up for 2022 meals will go out in November.
Backpack Buddies
Mark your calendar for packing dates for Backpack Buddies, in Wesley Hall between 10-11am:
October 24, November 21, January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24
Please be on the look out volunteer opportunities throughout the school year so we can continue to
provide meals for those in need at Catoctin Elementary.
Defying Gravity: LUMC’s
2022 Stewardship Campaign is
Here
by Church Office on September 27, 2021
When you think of Christian stewardship, often the
first impulse is to focus on a church’s need for
funding. However, this November, through our annual stewardship campaign, Leesburg United
Methodist Church will be asking you to think about how concentrating on your need as a follower of
Christ to give for your own spiritual growth and health, as well as the health of the community.
Using Reverend Tom Berlin’s book, Defying Gravity, as a guide, together, we will expand and deepen our
biblical understanding of Christian stewardship while discovering how to live abundant and healthy lives.
Throughout the month, members of our congregation will share their own stories about how LUMC is
ministering to its community of believers and the community at large. Financial giving is an important
part of discipleship, and learning more about it can help you grow in faith while discerning your own
ability to make a financial commitment to LUMC.
The stewardship campaign culminates on Sunday, November 21, Consecration Sunday. Dr. David
McAllister-Wilson will be delivering the sermon at both the Arise and Chapel worship. Together, we will
be making our 2022 financial commitments as an act of worship in the sanctuary. In between the
services, we will celebrate with a special brunch during Fellowship and Ministry hour at 10 am.
Unable to attend in-person or wish to make your pledge now? Here’s how.
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Finance Update
Read our latest monthly financial update for August 31, 2021. We're also well on our way to pay off our
mortgage by the end of this year - stay tuned for celebration plans in January!
We Can Help Promote Your Church Event
Is your group or ministry hosting an event, a registration, or welcoming new members? LUMC's
Communications Request Form can help you promote your event with options for online, social and
word-of-mouth outreach.
Charge Conference: October 25
Our annual Charge Conference will be held October 25 at 7 pm via Zoom. That's when we and our
District Superintendent review and approve various annual administrative reports.