Elam United Methodist Church

I just wanted to check in with you with one major question that I've
been anticipating asking you all. We've been very careful during the
course of this pandemic in making sure that we were following CDC
regulations and even holding in-person meetings while logging into Zoom
meetings weekly. Although we were still able to see each other, hear the
familiar voices of our youth Ignite family and even howl with laughter at times, I feel it's
time to re-evaluate everyone's comfort level with the possibility of holding in-person
meetings once again.  I asked the youth this past Sunday what they were feeling about this
very topic and without a doubt, I can tell you that they are ready to move on with in-person
meetings.  

With the weather being a bit colder than it was during our last in-person contact, I will admit
that we will not have the hour of "chill" time (no pun intended!), outside.  We can, however,
utilize the Pierce Family Life Center and our Youth Lounge as both would be safe
environments to practice social distancing.  We, of course, would follow through with masks
being mandatory.  

Please respond regarding your feelings about holding in-person Ignite Meetings for our youth
by responding to Meredith@elamumc.org or you can text me at 610-316-3727.

To allow for the appropriate amount of planning time, we will still hold our weekly Zoom
meeting this Sunday, February 28th at 8pm.  If your responses allow, we will most
likely begin meeting in-person the following Sunday, March 7th.

Meredith Lawler, Youth Director

Although Siloam UMC is the physical location for Loaves of Love (LOL), some Elam members regularly take an active role in its function, e.g., Pat Howard, Janet Pace, George Phillips and Robin Salvatore sit on its board. They also help by picking up Elam’s contributions, stocking and restocking shelves and with the monthly food distribution to its 25 local families.

However, Loaves of Love does not just restrict its generosity to these families, but on a monthly basis also supports Chris Battin’s work with the homeless and addiction community in Kensington, and after the GROW presentation last week, is beginning to explore donations to Dawn's Place in Germantown, where trafficked women are offered a rehabilitation program to help assimilate them back into the community. Also, following the recent winter storm disaster, it made a monetary donation to Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a mobile food truck in Texas that distributes food to those in need.

Please continue to donate to this important mainly local mission with your food and cash donations, and, if you have any spare time and would like to use it helping at Siloam’s distribution center, please contact George Phillips at retiredman2017@gmail.com or 610-719-7991 for more information.

EARTH’S RENEWAL- OUR RENEWAL

Several weeks ago my Lenten Rose bush (Helleborus) with ice and snow on its leaves began to bloom.
The flowers always surprise us as their bright pink buds burst open into beautiful flowers and every year
we are in awe of something so beautiful surviving in the deep freeze of February. They are the
harbingers of spring; an announcement that the earth’s renewal will soon happen. We as Christians are
in the Lenten season. It is a time for us to repent, examine our faith and prayerfully seek renewal as the
earth does in this season. What renewal is your heart seeking? We know where to find the answer – in
the silence of God’s presence utter your heart’s desire. Let him know your deepest thoughts and move
toward his gentle beckoning call.

Repeat this often and reflect on the depth of its meaing in your life.

 “40 Days with Wesley” by Dr. Reuben P. Job
Monday, February 22 to March 22, 2021
9:30 till 11:00 a.m.

“O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste for which you have not: What is tedious at first will afterward be pleasant. Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way … Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow.”   So wrote John Wesley in a letter to a friend.

“40 Days with Wesley” by Dr. Reuben P. Job, is a collection of Wesleyan teachings, writings and Dr. Job’s study guide for prayer, scripture and reflection/journaling. Please plan to join us for this 5-week Lenten study facilitated by Sue Kardine. It was originally begun in 2020 but interrupted by COVID 19, so some of you may already have a copy of the book. If not, it is available at  www.Cokesbury.com for $7.79.

This will be a virtual study and you will receive a ZOOM INVITE from Sue Kardine prior to beginning the study. Please let us know if you have any difficulty locating the book or if you have additional questions. Also, so that Sue can send you an invite, we will need to know if you plan to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Sue at sdkardine@comcast.net or Randy at randy@elamumc.org.

Due to low registration, this sutdy has been postponed to a future date.

Pastor John and Clint Amoss will co-lead a 9-week study based on the book Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison, beginning on Monday, February 22nd from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This New York Times bestselling book brings the reconciliation power of the Gospel to the racial tensions we face today. We Christians can truly become bridge builders through honest conversation together. Join us for this timely study. Please inform the church office (610-459-2911 or mary@elamumc.org) that you will be joining the group. Be sure to purchase the book and read the first chapter prior to the first meeting.

Delaware County is currently preparing to vaccinate Phase 1B priority groups. Included in the Phase 1B group are residents
age 75 years and older. If interested, see below for ways to express your interest in the vaccination and to receive notifications when appointments are available.

•  Individuals should complete the Vaccine Interest Survey which can be found onDelaware County’s partner website through Chester County’s Health Department.
•  To complete the Phase 1B priority group survey, visit the Chester County COVID-19Vaccine Information page at: https://chesco.org/4822/COVID19Vaccine.

More information for the time frame of distribution for all phases will be communicated once
it becomes available. Time frames are dependent upon the availability of the vaccine and are
subject to change. Other phased grouping information can be found through the Chester
County website.

Additionally, you can use social media for up-to-date township announcements: on Facebook
@ConcordTwp and Twitter @ConcordTwpPA.