fountainsumc

“Old Wine into New Skins” with Vernon Meyer

fountainsumc — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:21:22 +0000

This year’s annual three-part series on theology with the Rev. Dr. Vern Meyer will be presented at Fountain Hills Presbyterian, The Fountains, a United Methodist Church, and Community Church of the Verdes. “Old Wine into New Skins” will begin on Thursday morning, February 23rd, from 9 to 11 am. The second and third sessions will be held on March 1st and March 8th at the same time.

In this year’s sessions, Dr. Meyer will unpack the history of our understandings of God, Jesus, and the Spirit — then break them open with contemporary perspectives at the growing edge of theological thought and dialogue. Concentrating on how we’ve taken for granted many of the traditional understandings of God, Jesus, and the Spirit, Dr. Meyer will explore how a new generation is transforming old ideas, finding new understandings, and asking new questions. Turning the old parable on its head, Dr. Meyer will ask the question, “Do we keep putting the old wine into old skins, or it is totally new wine only fit for new skins?

Dr. Meyer has led similar study groups in this community over the past years and his highly anticipated classes are attended by participants from many denominational backgrounds.

A former Catholic priest, Rev. Dr. Meyer has an MA in Theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, an MA in Pastoral theology from the University of San Francisco, and a PhD in Theology from the University of Dayton. Dr. Meyer is Director of the Arizona Center for Theological Studies (www.azcts.org) and a United Church of Christ minister in Sun Lakes.

All in the community are encouraged to attend. The classes are free, but donations will be accepted. Additional information may be obtained by calling the office at 480-837-7627.

STUDY SCHEDULE

February 23rd: God Fountain Hills Presbyterian
13001 N Fountain Hills Blvd
March 1st: Jesus The Fountains United Methodist
15300 N Fountain Hills Blvd
March 8th: Spirit Community Church of the Verdes
25419 N Danny Lane, Rio Verde

More Info: 480.837.7627 welcome@thefountainsumc.org

Win a Valentine’s Dinner from The Fountains!

fountainsumc — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:41:34 +0000

Sign up for one of our convenient electronic giving options and be entered for your chance to win a dinner for two at The Appian Way!

The Fountains has established two convenient ways to make giving easy: electronic giving via credit/debit card or auto-deductions from checking or savings.

Electronic Transfer: Fill out and sign the authorization form (available at the church or as a pdf online) and attach a voided check (or information about your savings account). Return your authorization to the church office. We will take care of completing the sign up and notify you when you will see the first transaction. (We use a test transaction to make certain the set up was done correctly. Once you verify the test transaction was done correctly, the periodic contributions you designate will happen automatically).
Credit/Debit Card: Go to our home page (www.reachtouchteach.com) and click on the “Donate” link to open a secure link to Vanco services. There you can create your own profile and arrange for transactions to be automated in the amount and frequency you choose. This option provides for the most flexibility because you manage your own profile & deductions online.

Simplify your life! With electronic deductions, you won’t have to remember to write check, you can pick the date(s) of the month on which you want your contributions to The Fountains to be deposited and your contribution will automatically be transferred and credited to our account at The Fountains. Signing up as an electronic giver will not only simplify your life, but will help us fulfill The Fountains’ financial vision to even out giving over the whole year and improve our cash flow in the leaner summer months. Take the hassle out of trying to remember to keep up with your giving during travel and summer vacations: automate it!

SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 12^th to be entered into a drawing to win a Valentine (or anytime) dinner for two (valued at $100) at Fountain Hill’s popular Italian restaurant, The Appian Way (17149 E Amhurst Dr). Thank you for considering this option in supporting the ministries and mission of The Fountains!

NOTE: A number of you have already taken advantage of the electronic giving option – thank you! If you are already contributing electronically you will be automatically entered into the drawing.

Cross Current to Stratum this Sunday!

fountainsumc — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:44:39 +0000

Yes! Bring a friend — or more!! Chaperones and drivers need to have their Safe Sanctuary clearance, so let us know if you can come along. More info? Call the office at 480.837.7627.

Get your $20 to Bruce Ferguson, Cross Current’s treasurer!

Rachel Held Evans in AZ!

fountainsumc — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:26:39 +0000

Brian McLaren says Rachel Held Evans “represents what is most hopeful and promising in a new generation of articulate, intelligent, and faithful young leaders” — and you have TWO chances to be in conversation with this vibrant and engaging young leader on Saturday, January 21st. Co-sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology AND the Wesley Foundation at ASU, Rachel is returning by popular demand: she was one of the break-out stars at last years “Big Tent Christianity” event in Phoenix.

For a glimpse into the kinds of topics Rachel tackles on a regular basis, visit her popular blog at www.rachelheldevans.com

Love Your Neighbor Training

fountainsumc — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:35:11 +0000

The Fountains is pleased to be hosting one of 54 “Love Your Neighbor” trainings hosted nationwide by the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). The goal is to train 1500 United Methodist laypeople and clergy in one-to-one meeting skills so that they can contact the 606 US delegates to the 2012 United Methodist General Conference and encourage them to vote towards establishing a Fully Inclusive United Methodist Church.

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

8:30 a.m. to 4pm at The Fountains

Registration of $15 covers materials and lunch CLICK HERE to download a Registration Form

Our training session will be attended by United Methodist volunteers from around the conference who will be coached by Rachel Harvey, Associate Executive Director of the Reconciling Ministries Network. There’ll also be an opportunity to network with other Reconciling United Methodists from around the Desert Southwest Conference .

The training will include:

Storytelling as an approach to Holy Conversations
Strategies for encouraging a friend or delegate to share their story
One-to-One meetings that facilitate dialogue and relationship building
Planning and scheduling meetings with General Conference delegates
Gospel grounded theology and the opportunity to connect with coalition partners

For more information, CLICK HERE to go to the LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR website.

Christmas at The Fountains!

fountainsumc — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:04:59 +0000

Christmas at The Fountains is always a unique and memorable experience. From our annual Christmas Eve musical gift exchange and improvised reflections to the live nativity and outstanding music, the warmth of candlelight and Silent Night tops off each Christmas Eve celebration.

With Christmas Day being a Sunday this year, we’re coming together for one service at 10am where we’ll enjoy special music, a moving Christmas story, and a time of giving thanks for our many gifts.

Join us on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day to celebrate the coming of the Christ child and the ancient echoes of the Triumph of the Unconquered Sun.

Times to note:

December 24th

4pm: Lighting of the Luminaria
4:15 Children’s Nativity Rehearsal
5pm Family Service
6pm Potluck for Participant Leaders
7pm Festival Celebration of Lessons and Carols

December 25th

10am Celebration of Christmas Day

“Thank God for Evolution” at The Fountains

fountainsumc — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:12:21 +0000

Evolutionary Evangelist to preach and teach on November 13th

Embracing our conviction to promote “Open Minds,” The Fountains is thrilled to bring best-selling author and speaker, Michael Dowd, to Fountain Hills.

Rev. Michael Dowd’s work has been featured in the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, ABC News, Fox & Friends (Click here for a complete news archive). In 2009, Dowd delivered an address to the United Nations drawing on material in his bestselling book, Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World. His book has been endorsed by six Nobel laureates and other science luminaries (including noted skeptics) and by religious leaders across the spectrum. Praise from Nobel Prize-winning scientists and dozens of religious leaders: HERE.

Dowd and his wife, Connie Barlow, an acclaimed science writer, have spoken to more than 1,500 groups since launching their itinerant ministry in 2002. Uniquely gifted at building bridges between religious and non-religious people, Michael shares our common creation story in ways that uplift and expand heart, mind, and soul. His passion is showing how a sacred, deep-time view of death, big history, and human nature can inspire each of us to live with greater integrity, joy, and zest for life.

Click HERE for Michael’s bio and publications.

Preaching Sunday, November 13th at 9am and 11:15 (Q&A at 10:15)

Michael Dowd will be in dialogue with Michael Morwood on Sunday night at 6pm at Central United Methodist in Phoenix. For more info on this Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology event, click HERE.

Cross Current Family Fun NIght for Halloween

fountainsumc — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:28:31 +0000

Cross Current Halloween!

If you didn’t have a chance to check out the fun from our Cross Current Middle School Halloween Party, CLICK HERE to see the pics — the kids and their parents not only enjoyed games and a potluck, but also assembled Halloween surprise packages and delivered them to the homes of kids from church.

Halloween God Show

fountainsumc — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:32:52 +0000

MWAH-HA-HA-HAAaaa! It’s an All-Hallow’s Eve God Show!

A little poking around in the archives has yielded a holiday-themed interview for Halloween! From October 25, 2009, Host Pat McMahon interviews Rev. David Felten for KTAR’s “God Show.” The original air date was Halloween, 2009. Go to the LISTEN tab above or click HERE to listen to the MP3

Rev. Rob Rynders at The Fountains

fountainsumc — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:56:41 +0000

The Fountains is privileged to have the Rev. Rob Rynders as our special guest on Sunday, October 23rd at both services. Rob is the United Methodist Campus Minister at Arizona State University. He leads students in spiritual formation, building community, and developing critical thinking skills. His passions are to network and to use technology to bring others together around new, innovative, and creative ideas that aim to make the world a better place.

Rob is known to many at The Fountains as Pastor Mark Lansberry’s son-in-law. But Rob is also a blogger, speaker, runner, husband, father — and loves him some baseball, too.

For Rob’s Blog Post on “Leaving Church,” click HERE.

Pastor David is a speaker this weekend in London, Ontario at the “Widen the Embrace” Conference of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity.