Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, September 10, 2023
The collective memory of September 11th, 2001, remains strong in the minds of Americans and people worldwide. The events of that day, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and changed the world forever.
One aspect of the collective memory of 9/11 is the heroism and bravery of first responders and ordinary citizens. Firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel risked their lives to rescue people from the burning buildings and to provide medical care. Many people who were inside the buildings were able to evacuate safely because of the bravery of others.
Another aspect of the collective memory of 9/11 is the sense of unity from the tragedy. Americans of all backgrounds came together to support one another and to express their solidarity with the victims and their families. Communities held vigils and fundraisers to support the rescue and recovery efforts.
If you are in Gainesville, Georgia, or the surrounding area, we invite you to join us in a solemn and meaningful event to commemorate the victims and honor the heroes of the tragic September 11th attacks. On this solemn occasion, we will be hosting a Bell Ringing Ceremony to pay tribute to the lives lost and show our gratitude to the brave first responders who risked their lives to save others.
On Monday, September 11th, we will gather at 8:30 a.m. for prayer on the front lawn of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. The bells will ring at 8:46 a.m. and then again at 9:03, 9:37, and 10:03 a.m. to commemorate the exact moments that tragedy struck. The sound of the bell will echo through the air, a symbol of unity and remembrance.
If you cannot join us, take an opportunity to reflect on the past and take action to create a better future by honoring the heroism of those who responded to the attacks and by working toward a better, more peaceful future.
Jamey
Let's Talk About the Church and Mental Health
(Together, What If is a conversation between Michelle Alexander, Ginnie Highsmith, and Jamey Prickett from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia.)
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Click Here for Mental Health Resources
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
How do you fix a broken pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch!
What kind of shoes does a lazy person wear? Loafers!
Wisdom Nugget: Success isn’t always loud.
A Question to Consider: (ask your spouse) How do you want to be loved? What makes you feel safe?
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
As a pastor, it’s my job to pay attention
Departure: Why I Left the Church
My Wild Ride with Jimmy Buffett
Georgia's classic Southern accent may be fading away, study finds
In the desert above the Dead Sea, evidence of Jewish rebels’ capture of Roman weaponry
How a random chat with a stranger can bring joy — even if the stranger's a lizard
Youtube: How To Reinvent Your Life In 4 Months (My Full Step-By-Step Process) | Cal Newport
Book I Am Reading This Week
Jesus the Jewish Theologian by Brad H. Young
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia
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In 2007, a group of women at First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, came together with a desire to make a significant difference in the world around them. Their idea was to host an annual shopping event with a Bake Shoppe, hosted by the women’s ministry, to raise money for a beneficiary.
The beneficiary for the 2023 Emporium is Love Your Story, an organization whose mission is to “create spaces of belonging for families impacted by disabilities.” Led by God through her own personal experiences, Abby Burle, Founder and CEO of Love Your Story, operates a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home called “Molly’s House” in Gainesville, designed to be a home away from home for families who travel to our area to receive medical treatment and intensive therapies for their disabled children.
Money raised through the Emporium and Bake Shoppe will go directly to Love Your Story to assist with a custom build-out of Molly’s House. The families served require unique needs that cannot be met by a typical home. Abby hopes to modify the home to include easy access in and out of the house, accessible bathrooms, ramps in place of stairs, and wider doorways.
Click here to learn more about Love Your Story
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
September 15 / 6:30-8:30 pm / Sanctuary of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia
Ladies, grab all the girls in your life and join us at WOVEN, a women’s night of worship on Friday, September 15, from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Sanctuary. We will have dinner, fantastic worship, and a word from a special guest. Tickets are $20 per person, which includes a delicious catered meal. Trust us. You don’t want to miss any of this!
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
"Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."– Thomas A. Edison
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.