ESUMC News­let­ter

Dear friends in Christ, 

Greetings and peace to you! It was such a blessing to gather in our newly renovated sanctuary on Sunday 19 October to celebrate our annual Harvest Festival. Nearly 200 members and friends representing nations around the globe joined us for a service of music and song and dance, Scripture reading and prayer, and the giving of our offerings in support of God's mission in the world. Approximately €2,600 was donated by the congregation for United Methodist ministries in Albania, Ukraine, and Gaza. Thank you for your generosity!

We offer a special thanks to Marilyn Brandl for organizing and leading the music for the day; to all our choir members and musicians for their spirited offerings; and to Lorraine Welch-Haslinger, Franz Haslinger, and Wilfried Scherer for their leadership in decorating the altar and arranging our worship and fellowship space. We thank God for all our volunteers who made the day such a blessing.

Looking ahead, November is Stewardship Month at ESUMC. On Sunday 16 November, ESUMC Finance Chairperson Delia Viljoen will give a special presentation, with participation by our children, as we reflect on how God is calling us to share our talents with others, to God's glory. I invite you to read Delia's article below, plan to be a part of the "puzzle," and prepare to make your annual Estimate of Giving in support of ESUMC in 2026.

I also remind you that, as previously mentioned we are offering a Confirmation course for youth aged 14 to 18. The course will begin in January 2026 and will culminate with the liturgy of Confirmation in worship on Pentecost Sunday, 24 May 2026. I invite the families of our youth in this age range who have not yet been confirmed to speak with me as soon as possible. The exact schedule and format of the course will depend on the number and ages of youth who enroll in the course. Thank you for your support and participation!

Lastly, save the date: ESUMC will celebrate our annual Talent Show on Saturday 28 February 2026, starting at 17:30. All talents are welcome, and all are invited to attend. Please speak with Marilyn for more details.

May God's blessing and peace be with you!

Yours in Christ, Pastor John