Matthew 21: 1-11
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people celebrated. They laid their cloaks down on the road in front of him to make a royal highway for him. They waved branches in the air, a tribute fit for a king. But as the crowds got more excited as Jesus entered the city, the Pharisees came to stop the party. “Order your disciples to stop.” (more…)

Thank you for your generous support of our ongoing efforts to provide meaningful relief and assistance to the people of Haiti. Across the denomination, we United Methodists have raised over $12 million. With so much work to be done, volunteer teams will be needed. Volunteers in Mission teams are being formed now from our conference to go to Haiti at the end of May to early June and from July 1 to July 10. These trips are specifically for youth who have completed the ninth grade and college-aged young adults. The cost has not yet been determined but will be around $1200-1400. If you are interested, speak with Pastor Bryan to fill out a registration form. If you can’t go on a trip, you can still support our work in Haiti by making a financial contribution through our church. Simply write a check to United Methodist Church of Hartford, and put in the memo line “Advance #418325.” That number designates your gift for Haiti relief. You can also give online at http://umcor.org/.

John 12: 1-8
Rev Bryan Travis Hooper

Since I left the home of my parents as a young adult, I have lived in eight distinct communities. And it is pretty interesting to consider how different these places have been. I have lived in rural towns, where the people drive pick ups and eat lunch at drive in dinners. I have lived in wealthy suburbs where shopping malls filled with exclusive stores provide the main weekend attraction. I have lived in urban centers, with diverse communities all packed into a rather small space. And I have attended or served churches in all of these very different places. (more…)

Luke 15: 1-3, 11b -32
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Let’s face it. A sibling can be a royal pain. I remember how much I hated my brother when I was a child. I use the word “hate” in this context because, well, it’s the right word. I hated my brother. Children have a way of experiencing raw and pure emotions, and I can think of all the different ways I despised my brother. He was an embarrassment, a little runt of a person who demanded that I take him with me everywhere I went. He was nerdy, klutzy, completely un-athletic. He contributed little to conversation and always seemed to get me into trouble. He was such a pest, that I found nothing more gratifying than when mom or dad were mad at him. When he was punished, I was automatically rewarded. (more…)

Camp Kingswood, a 766 acre campground operated by the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is located in Delaware County, New York approximately 150 miles northwest of New York City. During the weeks of July 18-24 and July 25-31, one week camping events known as “Woodsmoke” will provide small-group rustic camping experiences for up to forty boys and girls, ten each in four age-specific sites (youngsters entering grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 in September).Female and male counselors are needed to work with returning counselors in sites each week. Experienced program staff includes a Program Director, chaplain, nurse, lifeguards, and food service personnel. The 9-10 and 11-12 youngsters will participate in age suitable camp construction projects under skilled adult leadership.
Each Woodsmoke unit has two platform tents, one for boys and one for girls, with six beds apiece. Counselors may sleep in the tents or in separate dome tents pitched on the site. Counselors are expected to participate in an orientation/training event to be held on the site the weekend of June 12-13 at Kingswood. A $300 stipend is offered for each week served. Persons interested should contact Cynthia Price, Program Director, at caprice@liberty.edu for additional information or to receive an application form. Please also see our website at www.kwcamp.org

Luke 13: 1-9
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

A friend of mine was telling me of the challenge he faced in reconciling with his wife. He had breached her trust – once again – and she was unwilling to forgive him again. This time, she said, she was through. And she meant it, as the recently received papers from her newly acquired lawyer attested. My friend was shocked. Why won’t she give me one more chance? he asked. And I asked him, how many chances should she give you? (more…)

Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry following the dedication of shawls at a recent Sunday morning service. Prayer shawls are knitted in a spirit of prayer and reflection, and presented to individuals struggling with personal challenge or illness, or navigating important life changes.

What makes a church? That’s a really good question. This article challenged me to think about that question again.

What if we decided to create a “missional community” for the people of Hartford? It might not look like a church as we commonly think of it….but it might bring more people into an awareness of God’s love and grace.

The 2010 Cooperative School of Christian Mission will take place this year from Thursday, July 22nd to Saturday, July 24th at Western State University in Danbury Ct. It’s not too soon to begin planning for this exciting time of study and fellowship with others from the New York Conference. Attendees will choose between a study of John’s Letters, Sudan, or Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity.. In addtion there will be a children’s study Hugging of the World for grades K-6 and a youth program Embracing the World – Love, Joy, Hope in Action. Registration forms, as well as detailed program and fee information is available at the following web site. Scholarship help will be available for first time attendees through the Josephine Gibson Scholarship Fund at the Conference UMW.