My apologies for a late pastor's blog this week. 

I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather. I noticed the daffadils ( one of my favorite flowers) are already blooming. Spring is my favorite time of year. I love spring flowers- tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses. I think I love it so much because it is like a new beginning. The flowers that withered and died in the fall, creep back up. Everything blooms again and I love watching the birds build nests. It is a new beginning for the earth and us. This Sunday- the 2nd Sunday of Lent we be exploring the question of "can we begin again?"

Sunday night I will begin a bible study on Adam Hamilton's new book "Why Did Jesus Have to Die?" This will be a hybrid class- so a mix of online and in-person. The class begins at 4 pm and runs til roughly 5:30 pm. If you would like to join online, please email me at pastor@cowetafumc.org so that I can send you a Zoom link. I currently have two people from Tennessee joining us. 

Last, this week I met with the SPRC. We discussed the children's ministry in our church. I have been giving much prayer to this ministry. Because we primarily have children during worship services, we are going to start a program called "Kids Connection". This will be a children's worship time. The children will meet Helen for the children's moment and then follow Shannon to the kids' room for a lesson of their own. This is for children through 3rd grade. We also have kids' bulletins on the table outside the sanctuary. I am looking for a kids' table and chair to place in the sanctuary for children who do not wish to participate in Kids Connection. There will be quiet activities for children to do at the table while they absorb the worship services. If you have or know of a kid's table and chairs, please let me know. 

Monday, I will be in Oklahoma City meeting with the Board of Ordained Ministry for an interview for commissioning.  This is one of the early steps for ordination. 

I look forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!

What I see coming up:

March 8- Charge conference 8:45 am at Porter UMC. We will be voting on a lay delegate and an alternative to the annual conference. Sue Coker has agreed. We still need an alternative. 

March 8- Administrative Council Meeting after church. 

March 22- Guest Preacher- Bethany Boyd