Glenville United Methodist Church

06/17/2026

Wednesday with the Wesleys

By admitting the impropriety of women’s preaching, etc., we condemn that most useful body of people called Methodists; both that part of them which allows women may be endowed with authority from on high to preach, as well as that part of them which totally denies as all such authority, seeing the whole body of them allow and approve of women’s speaking to edification and comfort. Witness their love feasts, class and band meetings; they are all religious services; and I cannot see how we can allow the one and reject the other.

Lastly, let all those daughters and handmaidens of the Lord, who think it their duty to pray, prophesy, or preach in his name, occupy the talent God has given them, to his glory. As long as you are sensible that your hearts are sincere, your intentions pure, your lives holy, that you have no other end in view than gaining proselytes to Jesus Christ; continue to follow the openings of Providence, and the immediate teachings of his Spirit. If devils are cast out; souls saved; and the people willing to hear you; let no man stop you, without producing his authority from the King of heaven; and giving you good and sufficient security that he will answer for your neglect of service in the church of Christ, at the divine tribunal, in the day of awful and righteous retribution...

From what has been advanced, I think it appears, (at least to me) that female preaching, in some extraordinary cases, (and this is all I contend for) is both reasonable and lawful, consonant to Scripture, and the practice of primitive times; and I certainly think if any person could so far divest himself of any preconceived opinion on the subject, so as to weigh impartially in the balance of the sanctuary the Scriptures cited in this pamphlet, will be led to decide in the same way; ...

I trust I am endeavoring to follow scriptural truth wherever it may lead me. I know the conversion of sinners is the work of God — it is his to begin, carry on, and establish it. It is his to choose the instruments and means of doing it. And all the glory must be ascribed to him....

- Zachariah Taft (The Scripture Doctrine of Women’s Preaching)
He was married to the well respected and well-known preacher, Mary Barritt Taft.

06/17/2026

Minnesota Annual Conference - Day 1

Bishop Lanette Plambeck gave a compelling Episcopal Address on June 16 as she looked back to our past Conference theme of “Loving Boldly,” and how this has truly been a year of bold love. She also examined the word “Ecclesia”, which means a summons onto us from God. This summons calls us into reorienting our hearts to God’s service. This forming and action by God calls us into the 2026 Annual Conference theme of “Serving Joyfully,” as Bishop Lanette noted that when God calls people together, God does it so that big things can happen in our world. Read more at this link: https://www.minnesotaumc.org/newsdetail/bishop-lanettes-episcopal-address-invites-ecclesia-19842249

Day 2 Schedule: Wednesday, June 17
9-10 a.m. Worship: Sermon by Bishop Bridgeforth & Baptism
10 a.m.-noon Plenary: Historic Questions, Women’s Ordination Anniversary, Missional Report
Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch (will not be live streamed)
1:30-3 p.m. Plenary: Teaching Session by Bishop Bridgeforth, UMVIM Anniversary
3-5 p.m. Workshops (will not be live streamed)
7 p.m. Celebration of Life in Ministry Worship Service (reception to follow)

If you’re not in St. Cloud, watch the live stream on the Minnesota Annual Conference page (a Facebook account is not required). https://dkmnumc-email.brtapp.com/!x2WjwqwMk4cBXD4cF3DWxwMz3fjuXacDXHgH2HVb6f0XCbx5sPH0wfiQewQ3Wmtkw

06/16/2026

"A threat to anyone’s rights is a threat to all rights. A government that can decide which faiths count can eventually decide which consciences count. A movement that can strip protections from one vulnerable group can use the same logic against another. A politics that teaches us to accept the dehumanization of our neighbor will not stop at the edge of our own community."

The Pentagon’s faith-list purge is a warning: when any group’s rights become negotiable, everyone’s rights are at risk, writes the Rev. Jennifer Butler.

06/15/2026

We continue this week and the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost with a unique summer sermon series. Pastor Charles will be preaching this summer on the favorite hymns of the congregation each Sunday!

This week's hymn, chosen by Gloria S., is “I Need Thee Every Hour,” #397.

Our scripture lessons will come from Matthew 10:24-39 and Romans 6:1-11.

06/15/2026

Joys
+ We thank God for the gift of laughter in church. (Thanks, Sid T., for sharing a joke with us!)

+ We celebrate Sid T.’s birthday this week.

+ Praise God for the Tim and Dawn K.'s grandson Max being in worship with us today.

+ Praise God for happy reunions with family and friends.

+ Praise God for traveling mercies last week.

+ Praise God for a successful women’s retreat in Bloomington last week.

+ Praise God for the local Disabled American Veterans’ (DAV) ongoing recycling program to transfer @ 32,000 pounds/month of usable equipment/things to folks in need.

+ Praise God for last week’s wonderful musical tribute to Viet Nam veterans.

+ Praise God for the joyful opportunity to attend the Vienna Boys Choir concert at the Paramount Theater in Austin on Thursday, November 19th.

+Praise God for the faithful service of our beloved pianist, Renae H. and for Kraig S. who served as usher today.

Concerns
+ Praying for Dawn K.’s successful surgery this week.

+ Praying for all who are dealing with medical challenges: Craig R., Judy C., Karnella S., and Nancy H.

+ Praying for the family and friends of all who have recently died.

+ Praying for all who are impacted directly and indirectly by conflict in the world.

+ Praying for peace.

06/11/2026

Pastor Charles' summer sermon series is off and running! He is using the favorite hymns of members of the congregation as the source material (along with suitable scripture references).

Last week, it was "Standing on the Promises." This week, "Open My Eyes" will be the foundation of the worship service.

06/11/2026

The United Methodist Church's unique system of deploying clergy has its roots in the earliest days of Methodism.

06/10/2026

Beware you are not a fiery, persecuting enthusiast. Do not imagine that God has called you (just contrary to the spirit of Him you style your Master) to destroy [women's and] men's lives, and not to save them. Never dream of forcing [them] into the ways of God. Think yourself and let think. Use no constraint in matters of religion. Even those who are farthest out of the way never compel to come in by any other means than reason, truth, and love.

- John Wesley (The Nature of Enthusiasm)

06/08/2026

Scripture lessons for June 14

We continue this week and the Third Sunday after Pentecost with a unique summer sermon series. Pastor Charles will be preaching this summer on the favorite hymns of the congregation each Sunday!

This week's hymn, chosen by Shelley G., is "Just as I Am, Without One Plea" #357.

Our scripture lessons will come from Psalm 116:1-2,2-19 and Romans 5:1-8.

06/07/2026

Today at Glenville UMC:

Joys:

+ Pastor Charles is excited about the summer sermon series based on the congregation's favorite hymns. We began today with Mike R.'s choice of "Standing on the Promises."

+ Sid T. is happy to share about the star gazing opportunities coming up.

+ We shared the photo of Todd the Bear at the Glenville UMC (thanks to Photoshop)! Our church was part of the flurry of Facebook posts depicting Todd all around the area.

+ Belinda A. shared the news that Pastor Charles is a candidate for Albert Lea city council from Ward 4.

+ Korla K. is blessed to share that she tried raw asparagus for the first time from their garden (after running over it with the lawnmower) and loved it!

+ Pastor Charles was happy to report that our blog has recorded it's 2,500th "hit."

+ Belinda A. is looking forward to leading a United Women in Faith retreat on Tuesday at Normandale Hyland UMC. And she is looking forward to the gathering

Concerns:

+ Cheryl R. asks for prayers for those working outdoors in the summer heat.

+ Sandy D. lifted up the family of Bruce Paulson who recently died.

+ Traveling mercies are desired for those on the go this summer.