Hello again!  It seems like the months are flying by lately.  We are busier than we’ve been in a while.  We are still worshipping (masked) in person in the sanctuary, Sunday mornings at 10:15.  We still post to Facebook “Alplaus United Methodist Church” and “Sunday’s Service at Alplaus”.   We also post to the website: alplausumc.org/video-message.html the “online edition” which has a slideshow with limited audio.  I have upped my game a little and added: a spoken version to accompany the Call and Response and Opening prayer and spoken joys, concerns and prayers.  This online edition is running about 30 minutes with music, prayers, scripture reading, and a message.  If you are unable or uncomfortable meeting in person for any reason, please know that our in-person service continues to hold you in prayer as well as in our hearts.  We hope that you folks at home/online will do the same.  The knitters are meeting - sometimes outside still.  The Adult Book study continues to meet in-person Thursdays at 11am.  The Boy Scouts are also meeting in-person.  At this point all folks inside the building should be masked - for this reason, we have continued to put coffee and fellowship on hold.

Earlier today, I met with the Adult Book Study and we had a great conversation.  I’d like to invite you to ponder some of the questions we raised and discussed:  What does it mean to identify as a child of God?  Do we earnestly seek to emulate a kind and loving God who calls us to love our enemies?  How do we do this?  How do we struggle with this?  How do we become a child of God?  Do we regularly, or ever, consider our baptism?  What happens in baptism?  Why/ Is it important to our daily life and actions?  Have you ever considered the baptism of Jesus and wondered why baptism is a sacrament in the Christian faith and yet Jesus (as far as we know) never baptized anyone?
If you would like to enter into further conversation - please let me know!  revklvp@yahoo.com
mobile 838-200-8602 home 518-399-0497
 
Blessings!
Pastor Kristi

  
This has been a very busy time for me and the congregation as we get ready for our Church Conference which will be in-person on Tuesday 10/5 at 7pm.  I am also in the process of attending the “usual” fall meetings:  District Clergy Gathering, District Committee on Ordained Ministry, my annual One on One with the District Superintendent.  I am also participating in the class Rev. Weihing is teaching through the Academy of Artful Leadership.   Busy times!  In addition to this we have started a book study of The Forgotten Creed.  I meet online with the folks from Plattsburgh UMC on Wednesday afternoons and then I “re-create” the structure and discussion for our in-person gathering here in Alplaus.

Newly re-started is the continuation of online and in-person gathering.  Sundays, we still gather in the sanctuary (masked) and I am posting an online version Sunday evening to both Facebook and directly to the website.  The videos include most of the worship service with varying levels of sound.  I include hymns when possible and I read our joys and concerns aloud as well.  I have heard that we may be ready to start adding the occasional “special music” as well - I will keep you posted!   If you are feeling uncertain about how to reach me or these videos, please call or text.  I will do my very best to help you connect in the way that works best for you and your comfort level!
Our building is in use for meetings as well.  Inside, please be sure to sign in and to keep your mask on.  This procedure is for all inside meetings: Boy Scouts, Church Leadership, Book Study and Knitting.
 
Blessings!
Pastor Kristi