Beds cleared in anticipation of rising temperatures

Springing Up Hope

So far this month I've sweated profusely while cutting the yard for the first time this year, bought several flowers and pepper plants, and promptly found them a sunny spot inside because it's swung too cool to plant them. That's March. This whole month is about chaos and upending. The weather can't make up its mind, fish and wildlife begin to stir in earnest, the greatest postseason in American sports kicks off, and our calendars begin to point to Easter and the resurrection.

That means March is about anticipation and hope, too. I think that means it's also about doing things to clear space for hope even when we can't see its fruits just yet, whether it's Lenten disciplines or clearing out the yard for what's going to spring up next. It won't always be smooth or linear, and rarely takes into account our desired timing (My apologies for the delay on this month's newsletter after a chaotic start to March for me; I feel a bit like my pepper plants tossed about by swinging temperatures), but I encourage you to keep an eye out for those blessed green buds and the ways you can prepare space for new life.

-Geoff

The Mania of the Month After February

Did you know March Madness is a registered trademark of the NCAA? Well, now you do and you also now know that we're going to try out having a youth bracket competition! The youth winner gets their pick of a $15 gift card to Cup's or Menchie's. We all know Geoff is going to dominate, so his bracket is included just for bragging rights. To join the pool, follow this link and use phumc1994 as the password. If you're having trouble logging in but don't want to miss out, create a paper bracket and send a pic to Geoff. But time is ticking; entries close at 11am on Thursday when the men's tournament kicks off!

Panama City 2023!

As we announced last semester we're headed back to Panama City, and now it's time to start getting signed up! Registration is $380; a $50 deposit secures your spot and you're welcome to make as many payments as you need to between now and then (Click here to register via our online giving system). We'll be announcing fundraiser opportunities soon, and as always please do not let money be the reason anyone misses out. Reach out to Geoff and we will make it happen.

With the money conversation handled, here's the fun details:
•The trip is set for July 2-7; this year we're adding a stopover on the way to break up the long ride down.
•We're staying at Cottages Christian Retreat like last year. It's a great facility with a lot of amenities directly across the street from beach access.
•This year's trip will include some chances for our rising middle schoolers (completed 6th-7th at the time of the trip) to experience important spiritual formation as they enter their teenage years while our rising high schoolers (completed 8th and up) build on last year's service opportunities. Plus plenty of chances for our entire group to grow, learn, and make memories together!
•We're so excited about making new memories with last year's attendees along with lots of new faces! Reminder: if you're student is in the youth group, they now qualify for our summer trips!

Spring Spiritual Formation

Often our students ask for recommendations for further reading to grow their faith and augment topics covered in Bible study, and that's a wonderful thing! After reading a book together outside of Bible study last spring, we're going to try it again this semester with NT Wright's Surprised by Hope. With fall marching band and football behind us, we're looking at making a book read an added spiritual formation option for our students every spring.

If your student wants to join us, they grab a copy for $10 by bringing cash to church or paying via online giving. We'll meet a couple times over the course of the semester as we can to chat about what we've found.

Surprised by Hope is a great option for the spring as we move closer to Easter. In this book that arguably serves as the central hub of his entire writing and theological career, Wright encourages us to look to the resurrection and see how it affects both beliefs about the future, the Gospel, life after death, etc, and care for the concerns of our physical today like relief work, justice, and the arts. This has been a critically transformative book in Geoff's life, and we're looking forward to seeing how God uses it in our ministry!

Upcoming Events

Weekly Schedule
Sunday
9:30am: Sunday School
10:30am: Church-wide fellowship time in the Worship Center
10:45am: Church-wide worship
5:30-7:30pm: Engage

Wednesday
5:45pm: Dinner (please RSVP)
6:15pm: Activities

Dates to Know
Adults, you make what we do possible! To volunteer with youth events, sign up here. This signup will have some more entries added as the semester goes on, so check back in future PHUMC and Youth newsletters! Don't know where you fit? Contact Geoff about how to serve our youth!

March 19: Engage Out to Eat, 5:30pm. Meet at Moe's. Want to get back together after our Spring Break travels? Then grab some money and we'll see you at Moe's!

April 7: Youth Egg Hunt, after Good Friday Service

April 12: Homework night, 5:30-7:30. Monthly homework night, brown bag dinner; we'll have drinks covered.

April 21: Parents Night Out fundraiser, times TBA. Mark your calendars now to join in the effort to raise money for our summer trip! The exact times will be announced soon. Please message Geoff if your youth will be there to help.

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PO Box 1721
Madison, MS | 39130 US

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