| Pastor's Message |
MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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The Reverend Dr. Brian Bodt Click here to meet Pastor Brian |
| Learn more about Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church |
Milford, CT 06460
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Email us at : mtmumc@sbcglobal.net
Webmaster: Comments@mtm-umc.org
Get Directions Here!
Email us at : mtmumc@sbcglobal.net
Webmaster: Comments@mtm-umc.org
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May, 2013
Spiritual Sojourns
Dear Members and Friends of Mary Taylor Memorial Church,
Much is happening in May: Mother’s Day, Mother-Daughter banquet, Memorial Day, weddings and baptisms; even a progressive dinner for adults!
The highlight for me, however, will be the Confirmation of nineteen of our young
people into Christ’s Church and into membership into Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church. Schedules being as they are, we have planned two
Confirmations to accommodate immovable schedule conflicts. Assuming successful completion of all requirements as I write this in mid-April, ten youth
will be confirmed on Ascension Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 12; and nine will be confirmed on the Day of Pentecost, May 19.
Please plan to be present to greet these young people, their mentors and their parents. Not only have they worked long and hard, but they have taken this
faith-step into the community of faith we call the church. Welcome them and invite them into your group or ministry.
The Men’s Club has graciously agreed to provide cake at Fellowship Hour on both
occasions. Yum!
Let us all keep these young people and their families in prayer as they confirmed “in the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Brian
Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt
Pastor
Spiritual Sojourns
Dear Members and Friends of Mary Taylor Memorial Church,
Much is happening in May: Mother’s Day, Mother-Daughter banquet, Memorial Day, weddings and baptisms; even a progressive dinner for adults!
The highlight for me, however, will be the Confirmation of nineteen of our young
people into Christ’s Church and into membership into Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church. Schedules being as they are, we have planned two
Confirmations to accommodate immovable schedule conflicts. Assuming successful completion of all requirements as I write this in mid-April, ten youth
will be confirmed on Ascension Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 12; and nine will be confirmed on the Day of Pentecost, May 19.
Please plan to be present to greet these young people, their mentors and their parents. Not only have they worked long and hard, but they have taken this
faith-step into the community of faith we call the church. Welcome them and invite them into your group or ministry.
The Men’s Club has graciously agreed to provide cake at Fellowship Hour on both
occasions. Yum!
Let us all keep these young people and their families in prayer as they confirmed “in the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Pastor Brian
Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt
Pastor
| I'm typically in the office Noon at 203-874-1982, or by cell at 203-895-3753. |
MARY TAYLOR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Based on setting pastoral-function priorities (September 20th) the following goals within them have been approved for the pastor in 2013:
1. LEADING WORSHIP AND PREACHING
a. Continue to design and lead services with thematic coordination of scripture, music and preaching.
b. Use drama and first-person narrative on occasion
c. “Live through” the entire year of worship life at MTMUMC
d. Consider, as part of a strategic plan, an additional Sunday worship service
e. Consider, as part of a strategic plan, the adoption of projection and computer technology for use in worship
2. A LEADER AMONG LEADERS
a. Continue to identify and cultivate new leaders, notably finding a co-chair for Fair on the Green
b. Continue to support current leaders by consultation, training and administrative support
c. Promote and attend District leadership training (Sat., Feb. 2, 10 a.m. – Noon; Sun., Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m.
d. Consider, in consultation with Church Council, a day-apart or retreat for team building and goal setting.
3. TEACHING
a. Continue to teach two sections of the 2012-13 Confirmation Class
b. Complete recruitment, orientation and deployment of confirmation mentors
c. Continue to co-teach Disciple 2
d. Teach, or recruit teacher for, Lenten study
e. Promote adult teaching and learning through the creation of an Adult Christian Education cabinet
4. VISITING
a. Continue to expand and update pastoral care list
b. Recruit more lay visitors
c. Re-activate lay home communion distribution program
d. Continue active and direct visitation by the Pastor, notably but not limited to hospitals and skilled care facilities
e. Ascertain interest in and, if desired, implement a one-to-one home visitation program in the second half of 2013.
5. ADMINISTRATION
a. Educate leadership on Pastor’s role in administration
b. Supervise and educate new Administrative Assistant
c. Identify strategic planning team and process
d. Provide training, in separate event(s) or as part of on-going meetings, training on church-size theory
6. PERSONAL GROWTH
a. “Honor thy day off.”
b. Continue to make regular family time (currently Monday and Wednesday evenings, in addition to day off and some Saturdays.)
c. Resume regular running program toward the goal of a fall, 2013 marathon.
d. Participate in at least one professional education event, ideally related to one of the above-named goals.
Based on setting pastoral-function priorities (September 20th) the following goals within them have been approved for the pastor in 2013:
1. LEADING WORSHIP AND PREACHING
a. Continue to design and lead services with thematic coordination of scripture, music and preaching.
b. Use drama and first-person narrative on occasion
c. “Live through” the entire year of worship life at MTMUMC
d. Consider, as part of a strategic plan, an additional Sunday worship service
e. Consider, as part of a strategic plan, the adoption of projection and computer technology for use in worship
2. A LEADER AMONG LEADERS
a. Continue to identify and cultivate new leaders, notably finding a co-chair for Fair on the Green
b. Continue to support current leaders by consultation, training and administrative support
c. Promote and attend District leadership training (Sat., Feb. 2, 10 a.m. – Noon; Sun., Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m.
d. Consider, in consultation with Church Council, a day-apart or retreat for team building and goal setting.
3. TEACHING
a. Continue to teach two sections of the 2012-13 Confirmation Class
b. Complete recruitment, orientation and deployment of confirmation mentors
c. Continue to co-teach Disciple 2
d. Teach, or recruit teacher for, Lenten study
e. Promote adult teaching and learning through the creation of an Adult Christian Education cabinet
4. VISITING
a. Continue to expand and update pastoral care list
b. Recruit more lay visitors
c. Re-activate lay home communion distribution program
d. Continue active and direct visitation by the Pastor, notably but not limited to hospitals and skilled care facilities
e. Ascertain interest in and, if desired, implement a one-to-one home visitation program in the second half of 2013.
5. ADMINISTRATION
a. Educate leadership on Pastor’s role in administration
b. Supervise and educate new Administrative Assistant
c. Identify strategic planning team and process
d. Provide training, in separate event(s) or as part of on-going meetings, training on church-size theory
6. PERSONAL GROWTH
a. “Honor thy day off.”
b. Continue to make regular family time (currently Monday and Wednesday evenings, in addition to day off and some Saturdays.)
c. Resume regular running program toward the goal of a fall, 2013 marathon.
d. Participate in at least one professional education event, ideally related to one of the above-named goals.
The Collect (pronounced “KAL-ikt”), an ancient pattern of petitioning prayer, is short and to
the point, yet has a rich content and a standard five-part form. This form of prayer allows
one to quickly and easily compose appropriate prayers for all kinds of occasions. I have
periodically written collects for use in worship for many years and we regularly use collects
as opening prayers at MTMUMC. These are the elements of a collect, as illustrated by the
traditional “Collect for Purity” often used at Holy Communion:
1. Address to God: Almighty God
2. God’s attribute or acts unto whom all hearts are open, on which the prayer is based all
desires known, and from whom
3. The petition itself Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit
4. Intended result of the that we may perfectly love thee, petition and worthily magnify they
holy name
5. Final doxology through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As a new year begins, consider praying in this form, or to seek prayers so written. If you
want suggested resources, please be in touch.
In Christ,
Pastor Brian
*Adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, p. 447
the point, yet has a rich content and a standard five-part form. This form of prayer allows
one to quickly and easily compose appropriate prayers for all kinds of occasions. I have
periodically written collects for use in worship for many years and we regularly use collects
as opening prayers at MTMUMC. These are the elements of a collect, as illustrated by the
traditional “Collect for Purity” often used at Holy Communion:
1. Address to God: Almighty God
2. God’s attribute or acts unto whom all hearts are open, on which the prayer is based all
desires known, and from whom
3. The petition itself Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit
4. Intended result of the that we may perfectly love thee, petition and worthily magnify they
holy name
5. Final doxology through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As a new year begins, consider praying in this form, or to seek prayers so written. If you
want suggested resources, please be in touch.
In Christ,
Pastor Brian
*Adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, p. 447