This is going to be a quick post. We’re back from Catawba Salkehatchie...it was a HOT and successful week. The Epworth kids were amazing and the 2 staff were even more impressive. It was also a joy to visit our Pleasant Hill UMC family. (John grew up at Plesant Hill UMC and I worked there for 2.5 years before I came to Epworth.) It was good week but John and I are exhausted. The last Sunday at Epworth was great, the kids signed my minion stole and that was a special (if bittersweet) moment.
We’re now really in the throws of moving...boxes are everywhere! I must admit I’m a little bit over this stage; I’m ready to be settled. Work is happening to the Epworth parsonage so we’re balancing several worker folk as well as putting things in boxes. This week, I’m prepping the bulletin, the sermon for Sunday and finishing up the VBS curriculum tweaks. John is back to teaching; summer classes started today. Busy busy, but still trying to carve out a few minutes here and there to breathe deep, prepare for the move, the new start and listen for God’s guidance.
We’re on target to move July 6 and I will commute to the office July 2nd and 3rd. I plan to set up the office Monday and hopefully start some visiting. We’ll see!
Love to all. I cannot wait for Sunday July 1! Looking forward to WINNing with you!
Pastor Meg
#theCooksWinn
Monday, June 25, 2018
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Cultivate Aloha
You may have read the title for this post and thought where is she going? Aloha? Well, my folks have been in Hawaii this week, visiting my sister and her family who are stationed there. (Go Navy!) I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous pictures and heard a good amount of “Aloha!” According to the Oxford Dictionary, “Aloha” is the Hawaiian word used when greeting or parting from someone. Aloha fits. John and I are in a season of aloha both greeting and parting. This week we attended Annual Conference where new appointments were fixed by the Bishop making our move to First UMC Winnsboro official-official. Thursday, we attended an incredible minion-themed going away party at Epworth with the campus, volunteers and staff. It was sweet and touching. We are saying goodbye and hello. Aloha makes it sound simple though I know it is more complicated. It’s odd to be both sad to leave and very excited to start something new. Sentiment aside, I move forward remembering what Bishop Holston reminded us, God goes with us. And I lean into my assurance and trust that this move is in a God’s plan for Epworth and First UMC Winnsboro and that is something to be excited about.
Thankfully, we don’t have too much time to sit and ponder between packing, cleaning, and gearing up for Catawba Salkehatchie. The big mission trip which is in one week! Organizing 7 youth is keeping me very busy and makes me most grateful for the 2 outstanding Epworth staff who are also going to Salk this year. As well as the flexibility of the Catawba Camp director! And don’t worry, John will be coming to Salk too, he works in the kitchen at the Catawba camp with his twin brother (and many more amazing folks) taking good care of all of us campers. The food at the Catawba camp is truly something to write home about...the food alone may be why 3 of the 7 youth are attending this year! It is also a camp that accommodates food allergies, which makes it perfect for me to bring teams to. Pleasant Hill UMC, the host church, is where I served as the Director of Christian Education etc. before coming to Epworth as well as being John’s childhood church...so it’s a bit like going home to head to Catawba Salkehatchie. Side note: I met, and got to know, John at Columbia Salkehatchie not at Pleasant Hill; though I had pretty much met his whole family before I met him!
Speaking of home, this Sunday is homecoming Sunday at Epworth. I look forward to seeing the alumni and hearing Rev Holler preach the sermon...a rare treat to not preach on a Sunday. It’s been a season of big Sundays and busyness between graduation, homecoming, Salkehatchie and well moving! And I know starting at FUMC will be a big season between welcome Sunday, Fairfield Salkehatchie and VBS. I hope you’re ready! First UMC I look forward to “WINNing” with you!
Pastor Meg
#TheCooksWinn
Thankfully, we don’t have too much time to sit and ponder between packing, cleaning, and gearing up for Catawba Salkehatchie. The big mission trip which is in one week! Organizing 7 youth is keeping me very busy and makes me most grateful for the 2 outstanding Epworth staff who are also going to Salk this year. As well as the flexibility of the Catawba Camp director! And don’t worry, John will be coming to Salk too, he works in the kitchen at the Catawba camp with his twin brother (and many more amazing folks) taking good care of all of us campers. The food at the Catawba camp is truly something to write home about...the food alone may be why 3 of the 7 youth are attending this year! It is also a camp that accommodates food allergies, which makes it perfect for me to bring teams to. Pleasant Hill UMC, the host church, is where I served as the Director of Christian Education etc. before coming to Epworth as well as being John’s childhood church...so it’s a bit like going home to head to Catawba Salkehatchie. Side note: I met, and got to know, John at Columbia Salkehatchie not at Pleasant Hill; though I had pretty much met his whole family before I met him!
Speaking of home, this Sunday is homecoming Sunday at Epworth. I look forward to seeing the alumni and hearing Rev Holler preach the sermon...a rare treat to not preach on a Sunday. It’s been a season of big Sundays and busyness between graduation, homecoming, Salkehatchie and well moving! And I know starting at FUMC will be a big season between welcome Sunday, Fairfield Salkehatchie and VBS. I hope you’re ready! First UMC I look forward to “WINNing” with you!
Pastor Meg
#TheCooksWinn
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