News

These past couple of weeks have rocked us with mass shootings in Buffalo, NY at a Topps Store and in Uvalde, TX at Robb Elementary. These two shootings are among the most deadly in U.S. History. There have been so many others across our country in California, Indiana, and else affected by shootings. We pray all the elementary students, their families, and this Texas community affected forever by this shooting. We lift all those in New York affected by what appears a hate crime toward African Americans. There some much main and fear in all of these communities broken by violence.

I'm sorry, that I have not written until now consumed in paperwork and packing. But, there is a deep brokenness in our country for shooters to choose to do so much harm. May we remember to pray for all struggling with mental health and they do need more help. God is our help when things seem like way to much for us. We pray to God to help us, "to act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8 NIV). We as Methodist live out the three simple rules to do good, to do no harm, and stay in love with God (keep the ordinances of God).

We also pray for wisdom for our leaders as they consider what regulations we should consider for cutting down violence. I believe we should consider banning assault rifles for civilian use. You might not now, but I'm an avid deer hunter, but I don't need AR-15 to harvest a deer. Let us pray for greater understanding of one another for greater compassion.

Gracious God, we pray for all those who hearts break in this hour. We pray for all those who are affected by mass shoots who lost loved one and facing fear. We pray for your heal touch for all those affected with mental health concerns. We pray that you would call us to action. Turn us from sin. Stir us up for your will. We pray this in the name of the one who comforts us, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Recommended Reading: 1 Kings 19:8-13a

“When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”

1 Kings 19:13a NIV

  I enjoy spending time in the woods. It is a place for me to connect with the Lord. I’m looking forward to camping this spring, so I can take time to plan my sermons for the last half of the year as I prepare to preach weekly at my new appointment. I believe we all have places where we feel closer to the Lord. It might be the seat you do your devotions or another space where you have time to focus on spending time with God.

   Elijah also went searching for a safe place. Even after a fruitful ministry, the Queen of Israel had given orders for him to be killed. So, Elijah fled far away. He left the country and traveled to the wilderness. To Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, where Moses had received the Ten Commandments many years before. There Elijah was tired and frustrated with his ministry, despite everything he did it seemed like his situation had changed from before. Israel leaders had killed the prophets and the people were being compelled to worship a false god. Elijah was convinced he was the only faithful person left; he was ready to be done. God told him that His presence who pass before Elijah.

   Then, a great windstorm arose that tore into the mountain, but God wasn’t in the wind. An earthquake came and shook that very place, but God wasn’t in the earthquake. A fire swept across the mountain, but God wasn’t in the blaze. Then, came a gentle whisper. That’s when Elijah recognized God was present. I believe a lot of time; God speaks in quiet places. We need to be thoughtful in making time to set apart time to spend with the Lord. In these moments God can speak to us and give us encouragement as he gave Elijah. I hope you can take some time to spend in quiet prayer and reading the scriptures to focus on how God can help you to grow this Lenten season.

I would like to share with you a prayer of self-dedication from the Book of Common Prayer.

 Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Jonathan

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

My name is Mary Dadisman, and I'm excited to be appointed as the new pastor of Bridgewater UMC! I am looking forward to getting to know the people of Bridgewater. I can't wait to see what God is already doing among you and where God will be leading us next!

A bit about me: I am originally from Harrisonburg, Va., in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I attended JUMU. I studied music for two years and then received my degree in Sociology with minors in History and Women's Studies. I was active in the Wesley Foundation (UM Campus ministry) and the Marching Royal Dukes. After college, I was commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries as a young adult US-2 missionary. My mission was working with youth in Southern California.

After serving 2 1/2 years, I returned home to Harrisonburg. I worked in Insurance customer service, volunteered in my church, working with youth and young adults, took mission trips to Russia and South Africa, and started a 'contemporary' worship service. I also took a few classes in the seminary at Eastern Mennonite.

After about ten years, I responded to God's call to pastoral ministry (which was always there) and moved to Chicago to attend seminary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. After spending three years studying on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, I return home to Virginia.

I have served the Virginia Annual Conference as the Associate Pastor of Haygood UMC in Virginia Beach and the Pasto of Kenwood UMC in North Dinwiddie. In 2017, I was ordained an elder by Bishop Sharma Lewis at Annual Conference. Most recently, I have served as the pastor of Carson UMC in Dinwiddie.

I love being in ministry with others, especially outreach and mission. I play clarinet, saxophone, and handbells. I love to sing. My favorite music is Broadway musicals and movie soundtracks. I like working on crafts, reading novels, going to plays and movies. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, sitting in a mountain stream, and contemplating God's incredible handiwork. I like to travel and recently had the opportunity to go to Israel and see the Holy Land sites. My sites on the trip were the Pool of Bethsaida, Capernaum, Magdala, and the Dead Sea (but who can choose, they were all amazing!).

Most of my family lives in the Harrisonburg area, including my parents, Kemper and Kitty, and brother and sister-in-law, Wes and Lisa. I live with a "genuine United Methodist itinerating" cat named Peek.

I look forward to meeting you in July!

Mary K. Dadisman

"The joy of the Lord is my strength!"

The Messiah in the Passover presentation is a powerful visual message not only of Israel's freedom from slavery in Egypt but of redemption of individuals from the bondage of sin through the atoning work of Jesus. The program is designed to give participants a deeper understanding both of Passover and of the Communion table. The Messiah in the Passover presentation will take place on April 3rd at both our 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. worship services. Toby Mann from Chosen People Ministries will share with us the Jewish Passover Seder telling the same story that Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room when he instituted the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. You will leave this event with a fuller understanding of the significance of our Holy Communion Service. You are encouraged to invite a friend to this event so they too may experience it for themselves.

Registration is available for Summer Camp at Overlook. This year's theme of the Prayer Olympics. As the athletes train for the Olympics, we will learn about and practice prayer. Through our competitive games, we'll learn about growing in our faith! We will play games, spend time at the lake, and make crafts at camp. We also participate in all of the camp's Olympic games. We will have a blast and may even get a little muddy in our mud pit before rinsing off at the lake. Day Camps, Half-Week Camps, and Full-Week Overnight camps are available. 

Overnight Camps include ChrisKids, Soccer Camp, Noah's S.E.A.L.S., Overlook Pioneers, Adventure Quest, and Night Flights.  

Registration is available online at Overlook, http://overlookretreatandcampministries.weebly.com/summer-camps.html. You can also pick up a registration form at Church. Please sign up on Bridgewater UMC's Group Sign-Up Sheet, you can receive the group rate. We will need your registration forms in paper form or submitted online by Sunday, April 10th. To receive the early-bird rate. Hope you enjoy the fun at Camp Overlook!

Our Sign Up on the Table that is in the lobby under the quilts.

Living Each Day as a Steward is a three-week stewardship program starting May 1st, May 8th, and May 15th, emphasizing the three themes of:

A Steward’s Identity (May 1st). We don’t really want to be stewards. Our first impulse is that we want to be the owners. We want to have possession of things. We want to be important, to be respected, and even to be envied. That’s not how it works, though. God owns everything, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof…” (Psalm 24:1).

A Steward’s Purpose (May 8th). King David wrote, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). Just as God had a purpose for David, so he has for us as well. Have we given much thought to what purpose God may have for your life? By grace, we understand that we were created for God’s purpose, not ours.

A Steward’s Lifestyle May 15th). When God’s grace and love fill our hearts and minds, our stewardship is not limited to specific acts, but, instead, becomes a lifestyle. With transformed hearts, we express our faith in the way we live our lives. Through faith, God provides motivation and power to live the Christian life is a growing awareness of redeeming grace. 

During these three weeks, we will become better stewards of our time, talents, and treasurer through:

• Recognizing members in our church for their faithful stewardship.
• Thanking our members for their faithfulness as God’s stewards.
• Encouraging our members to become more involved by using their time and talents in service within your church.
• Growing in our understanding of what God wants us to be and do as faithful stewards by spending time in the Word.
• Giving the first part of our incomes generously and cheerfully.
• Praying to thank God for the grace that calls and enables God’s people to live each day as stewards.
• Telling our members about the mission and ministry of BUMC.