Livingston News - May 2025
- Livingston UMC
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
In this edition:
Dear Beloveds,
As I write this note, I am sitting on our back patio with a glass of cold brew coffee, listening to my wind chimes and a chorus of birds, and occasionally glancing up to check on Pax and Zeke as they roam and play. So far, the bird chorus has been heavily dominated by Cardinals and Robins, but Blue Jays, Goldfinches, Carolina Wrens, and various species of Sparrows are snagging a few solos. I learned a long time ago that there are different calls and songs, each conveying something different. I haven't mastered that language yet to know what the "words" are that I'm hearing, but distress doesn't seem to be part of the conversation. I could be wrong, of course; birds warn of trouble far earlier than we can sense it—think "canary in the coal mine" lore. In any case, the birds, especially the Carolina Chickadee that has perched in our neighbor's tree just over my shoulder, sound as though all is well.
I am grateful for this reminder from our feathered friends, even if they don't know we're friends...yet. With all that seeks to grab our attention at every moment, the songs of birds, and the buzzing of bees and dragonflies, remind us that there is a natural order, a persistent rhythm to life itself that continues to encircle us and is larger than human-driven chaos. I was also reminded of that as I drove home from the library on Tuesday and passed by my home congregation. The marquee out front says, "Our God is bigger than this chaos." They're right. God is bigger than what we're doing to ourselves, which is why immersing ourselves in that bigger-than-us environment that is creation can be so important and so healing.
Spending time outdoors isn't for everyone, I know. Sometimes our surroundings are loud or chaotic and do not lend themselves to relaxing or restoration. Sometimes it's too hot or too cold, too wet or too pollen-heavy. Time can also be a consideration for many of us. Slowing down and disconnecting for even fifteen minutes can be a lot to ask, and yet, I am asking you. I'm inviting and encouraging you to carve out some time wherever you feel comfortable and most able to connect. See what insects you can spot, how many unique bird songs/calls you can identify, or how many squirrels, rabbits, or chipmunks you can spot. This is a good centering routine because the focus on watching, listening, and counting forces us to de-centralize other things.
Right now, on Wednesday evening, I'm soaking in these last few hours of relative serenity before my whirlwind of a weekend in Dallas begins—at about the time this email goes out to you all. I'm looking forward to seeing plenty of friends while I'm there, and I'm inexplicably grateful to be present to celebrate the first anniversary of our United Methodist General Conference removing the last of the restrictive/harmful language regarding LGBTQIA+ people from our denominational laws. All that said, when I'm back on Sunday morning, I would love to hear about your experiences of sitting with and being present to God's creatures this weekend.
Soak in some goodness, my friends. God is pouring beauty upon us with abundance right now; our task is to receive it with intentionality and gratitude.
With love,
Pastor Angie
Thank you, all, for your support of the recent Kairos ministry weekend at Southeast Correctional Institution. The Holy Spirit is alive and well, working in and through each and every one of you to spread God's word to all.
– Brian Barta
We Are Collecting Bibles
Do you have any Bibles at home that you are no longer using and would like to see go to use in someone else's journey? If so, we'd love to take them off your hands! We have collected and been gifted quite a few Bibles over the six months and have placed them out in the Narthex on the resource shelves for others to take. Folks who are coming into the church are so, so grateful to be able to take home a Bible, and we go through these surprisingly fast. Our stash of Bibles is now almost depleted! We'll be submitting a grant application through the Olentangy River District to secure funding for a much larger quantity. Until such funding is granted, we'd be grateful to offer any Bibles you may not utilize to others who are seeking to learn and grow in their faith. Bibles you wish to donate can be dropped in the church office on Sunday mornings or throughout the week. Thank you in advance!
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE REGISTERED FOR OR ATTENDING ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO JOIN US FOR THIS EVENING MEAL AND SPEAKER!
If the QR code does not work for you, please visit https://tinyurl.com/WOCRMNGathering
Volunteers Needed at Annual Conference
The West Ohio Annual Conference will be held Wednesday, May 28 – Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Capital University in Bexley.
We need volunteers to serve as golf cart drivers, greeters, ushers, parking lot attendants, camera operators, to assist with transportation, and to help with the Picnic in the Park. We have a lot of fun, and you’ll get a chance to see what happens during the West Ohio Annual Conference! Free parking is available in any lot on campus, and instructions will be provided.
If you’d like to serve as an usher, please email usherwoc@butter.toast.net. For all other volunteer opportunities, please click this link: West Ohio Annual Conference: West Ohio Annual Conference 2025 Volunteers.
You can find all of the details about Annual Conference here.
Contact Rev. Dominic Mejia with any questions at dominic@worthingtonumc.com.
Service Opportunities
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Serve each month at Rosemary's Cupboard Food Pantry! This month's guest service dates are Tuesday, May 27, Thursday, May 29, and Saturday, May 31. | Volunteers are always welcome to help the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio sort and label medications. Call to arrange a time! | Our friends at Village Connections would love to welcome you to their corps of volunteers who make their mission possible! |
LUMC Swag
We now have an LUMC Swag Shop through the online print-on-demand company Spreadshop. With the button below, you'll be able to purchase clothing, bags, and mugs that show the world your commitment to treating others with kindness AND to your LUMC family!
Sign Up for Altar Flowers
We know that many times when you choose to provide flowers to decorate the altar, there is a special person or occasion that spurs your choice of that date. So next time you provide Altar flowers, if you'd like to share why, please do! We'll include your dedication in the bulletin and in the slides that are displayed on Sunday morning.
Please email Jane at lumc@livingstonchurch.org by Tuesday afternoon with your dedication so that she can add it to the bulletins, which are printed on Thursdays.
To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of members and friends such as you. You may drop off or mail your offering to the church, or click below to give online.
Newsletter Deadline
We welcome informational articles from our community. Please send monthly newsletter submissions by the end of the day on the 22nd of this month to info@livingstonchurch.org. We do not publish advertisements. We reserve the right to edit articles.
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