New Year, New Ideas, Same God!

Thank you!

First, thank you for all the joy you have brought me and others during the Christmas season.  You were very generous during the Pastor Appreciation month of October and again with the staff at Christmas from all of us. Thank you!

New Technology
The new website is up and will be fleshed out over the next few weeks.  Thanks to Nick Laughridge and Matt Smith for all their work on this.  Please also note that the giving portal has changed.  We are still working on Realm, but we are ready for you to join in on the fun.  Tomorrow we will be sending out Realm invitations.   If you don’t get one, we don’t have your correct email address.  You can email Matt Smith at office@christchurchgastonia.org to get one next week if you don’t receive your invite this week. 

Also, we have upgraded the equipment for streaming our services, and soon Nick will have new software.  Please be understanding as we make these shifts, as there will undoubtedly be some hiccups along the way.  

Questions about the UMC
Over the past decade and longer, there has been an internal debate about the direction of the United Methodist Church with the tension between our orthodox and liberal constituencies. In 2019, a window opened for churches to disaffiliate from the UMC to join another denomination or become independent.  There are theological questions about disaffiliation, along with questions regarding finances, governance, clergy, and more.  Several folks will discuss the options, including our District Superintendent, David Christy.  Rev. Christy will give us some general information about the process, and he will encourage us to #beumc.  David will be with us on January 18th at 7 pm for a presentation and discussion.  Other meeting announcements are coming soon.

Christ Church is serving Christ Jesus
Whatever may come, we are here to serve Christ and to worship Him.  We do that as we engage those around us. Soon, we will start a new ministry for people moving into the area.  More information is coming.

Peace,

Pastor Burt