Dear Church Family ~ As summer winds down, children get ready to go back to school, and church ministries are gearing up for fall. But first, we celebrate Labor Day. We recognize the first Monday in September as a holiday in honor the workers who contribute to our community and to society. United Methodists have a long history in the struggle for workers' justice. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, realized that the coal miners were in need of spiritual nourishment. Breaking with the tradition of the Anglican Church, he met the miners where they were, preaching out in the field as they returned home early in the morning. "All the world is my parish," John Wesley said, explaining the importance of breaking out of church walls to share good news with those who most need to hear it. Explore more about the Methodist connections with creating fair workplaces:
http://www.umcom.org/rethink-church/dedicated-to-fairness-and-justice-in-the-workplace I hope that you will take time to rest from your labor this weekend. Thank someone whose service impacts your life. Take a moment and offer this prayer: A Blessing for Workers and All Seeking Work Blessed are you, ever-creating God, in your image, our lives are made in your glory, we offer all the work of our hearts and hands and minds. Blessed are you, O God, now and forever! Blessed are you whose work is repaid, for by your work, and by the payment you receive your lives and the lives of others around you and around the world are blessed. We thank God for you day by day. Blessed are you whose work is unpaid, who offer what you can to enrich the lives of others, through time, talents, skill, strength, and love. We praise God for your generous labor! Blessed are you who seek work but have not found it, or whose work now is not yet what it may be yet still you seek, that your gifts may be shared more fully. We praise God for your diligent seeking and pray you may soon find! Yours is the glory in their labors. Yours be the glory in all our lives, in Jesus' name. Amen. (source: umc.com) Peace, Pastor Melissa
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