Latest Church Communication

April 5th Newsletter

Hello Church Family,

I hope you’re all doing well as we progress through Holy Week. Last Sunday, we joined Jesus in his procession into Jerusalem. On Thursday, we will receive his new commandment to love one another as we have been loved. On Friday, we will stand at the foot of the cross and witness the pain and violence that love was willing to endure. And still, we know that Sunday is coming.

On Easter Sunday, we will gather and boldly proclaim, “Christ is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!” I can’t wait for that celebration. But the days leading up to it matter too. I encourage you to attend our Maundy Thursday service at Auburn and our Good Friday service at Cotton Hill as we walk this journey together.

As you prepare for Easter, take time to read Mark 16. Notice that in the earliest manuscripts, the story ends with the women leaving the tomb bewildered and afraid. Before we rush to smooth over that discomfort with a familiar ending, let’s sit with it. What might this version of the resurrection be inviting us to consider? What does it mean to encounter good news that first unsettles us?

Be sure to check out the updates below. As always, if you need anything, please call or text me. I’ll see you in worship!

- Pastor Michael Madden

Weekly Updates

Bishop’s Open – The 2026 Bishops’ Open will be held on Friday, May 8, at the Edgewood Golf Course Club in Auburn. Registration check-in begins at 9:30 am, with a shotgun start at 11:00 am. A boxed lunch will be provided. Single registrations and foursomes can be registered at igrc.org/bishopsopen2026. All proceeds from the outing will go to the Miracle Sunday campaign, which endows scholarships for theological students outside the United States.

 Annual Conference Proposal – Lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference will be asked to consider a proposal to reduce the number of districts from five to four, effective Jan. 1, 2027. A series of District Listening Days will be held to hear the concerns and hopes about the proposed change. Listening sessions in our area are on Thursday, April 9, at 3:00 pm (via Zoom) and Friday, April 10, at 10:00 am (at the IGRC Conference Center). Register at igrc.org.

Lawn Mowing – We are looking for volunteers to help mow the church lawn. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the Sanctuary. See Steve Voyles with any questions.

Happy April Birthdays To: Rhonda Dudley-02, Will Norris-02, Konner Dudley-06, Karen Tish-08, Gay Marques-13, Megan Tomlin-14, Kaci Shepard-22, Miah McKain-26, Luke & Joel Marques-30

Happy April Anniversaries To: Greg & Liane Hamer-02, Brad & Tahney Fletcher-18