“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NRSV) Whenever I read this passage of Scripture, my mind is immediately filled with memories from Vacation Bible Schools past. I can see the faces of children, many of them now grown to adulthood, singing that old Sunday School song – “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” In my experience, young children have always liked the second verse of that old song the best – “Hide it under a bushel . . . NO! I’m gonna let it shine!” With gusto they would always shout that word “NO” at the suggestion of hiding it under a bushel. I’m gonna let it shine! I’ve loved the way that some of the leaders would then personalize the song by leading the children in singing: “Shine all over (insert the name of your town here) , I’m gonna let it shine!” We all love that old song, but I have a question for you today – Do we really let it shine? As individual Christians, and as a congregation, how do we let the light of Christ shine through our lives? Ten years ago, several of us had the opportunity to tour some United Methodist historic sites with a group that was visiting from our church’s partner congregation in the city of Zwickau in eastern Germany. On one beautiful day, we visited Old Otterbein UMC in the city of Baltimore. Located mid-way between Camden Yards ballpark and the Inner Harbor, this was the place where Philip William Otterbein spent the last thirty-nine years of his life and ministry. During his long pastorate there, Otterbein was known for his very direct (some might say “meddling”) pastoral style. He was determined to ensure that all of his parishioners actually lived the faith which they professed. In the spring of 1807, Otterbein was informed that one of his sheep had strayed quite dramatically from the path of the Christian life. This man, by the name of Hoefflich, had left his wife and family in Baltimore while he traveled to a town some miles away for his business. Word soon began to reach the 81 year old no-nonsense preacher that Hoefflich was bringing dishonor to his family and to his faith by his lifestyle away from home. On June 5 th of that year, old Otterbein wrote his wayward parishioner a scathing pastoral letter that included these words: “ A man that knows the truth and confesses it fallen so awfully! This we had not expected. We hoped that you would be salt in your neighborhood – a light and a leader. Alas, it is to the contrary.” I continue to be challenged by those words. Be salt in your neighborhood, a light and a leader! Those old words, written by one of our denomination’s founders, are good advice for us today. Salt, light, and leaders have one thing in common – when present, they fundamentally change the circumstance into which they have been placed for the better. Your church leadership continues to investigate ways in which we can be salt, light, and leaders in our neighborhood from our very prominent location on the corner of Scott Road and West Liberty Avenue. Consult the other pages of this newsletter for more information about our congregation’s work of mission and outreach and help us to shine the Light of Christ throughout our community in the weeks ahead. Yours in Christ, Thomas Q. Strandburg Pastor
Twenty-five Zwickauers, ranging in age from 10 - 55, visited us from October 5 - 15. This partnership with the Friedenskirche (Peace Church) was begun at the suggestion of Rev. Jeff Miller in 1995. This year’s visit was filled with mission work, cultural events, and common worship events. Language does not seem to matter, but our common beliefs and values do matter!  Lori and Deanna would also like to thank everyone who has supported the Zwickau partnership and the Zwickau Committee work through our Schnitzel lunches, our election day bake sales, and, of course, our Mission/Outreach donations. Because of this help we already have a fund begun for our 2027 Zwickau trip. Planning will begin in 2026. Consider joining up! Questions? Contact Lori Barr (lbarr@mlumc.org), or Deanna Baird (fraubaird@aol.com)
Social Principles Survey Outcomes Thanks to all who completed Social Principles Survey. Our purpose for it was multiple: 1. Providing you and me with exposure and consideration of these “clearly marked signposts… toward living fully into God’s gracious love for the world” (per Social Principles of the UMC 2025-2028)  2. Our German guests from Zwickau completed the survey too, indicating which social principles were A-Urgent, B-Important or C-less of a priority, and we compared results with the MLUMC congregation at the 10/14 Terrific Tuesday dinner. Both groups agreed that issues of Poverty and Income Inequality, along with Global Warming & Climate Change and are Urgent! Food Insecurity is of great concern to our congregation. 3. Following identification of Urgent Issues is “What does or can the church do” in response! Consider how you might help or work to mitigate a social issue that is important to you. For example, the Food Lift welcomes new drivers; the Mission and Outreach Committee prepares and serves Thanksgiving meals; our Sunday evenings welcome Hispanic friends with worship and dinner. Contact the church office for these or new opportunities of service.
