Just These Lines Blog Highlights…to say that we have been experiencing a full slate of graduation ceremonies across the country and our community, which carries with it a new slate of commencement addresses that capture our attention. There is typically no set formula for what makes a good commencement speech, and the themes are as varied as the speakers themselves.

But this year, as pointed out to me by a friend, I’ve watched and read some notable commencement addresses around the country, and I’ve started to notice a common and compelling theme that many speakers seemed to emphasize: a call to empathy.

Here are a few examples:“I want to talk to you about the possibility - the requirement, even, of climbing out of your own minds. It is about listening, in a way that asks you to do something nearly fantastical: to abandon your own private self ... to acquire the language, identity, and skin of another person. What is it like to be him or her? What is their suffering and joy like?” - Author Siddhartha Mukherjee, to the University of Southern California

“By breaking free of our own tribes, even if only for a moment, and seeing things through the lens of people unlike ourselves, we can begin to close the gaps, whether they be socio-economic, racial, gender, political or otherwise.” - Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, to Wharton School of Business

“But as you leave here today, I do ask that you write the next great chapter of world history in a way that reflects your courage and your empathy ... It will be all of you who have the courage to face the painful truths, and the empathy to embrace others because of our differences and our common identity and humanity. It will be you and your generation that has the strength to bring people together to build bridges not walls, and forge a way forward.” - Darren Walker, Ford Foundation, to Hamilton College

It just seems to me that this is more than mere coincidence … that these speeches all come in the wake of Pentecost where we not only celebrate the commencement of the church, but the work of the Holy Spirit in tearing down division and empowering us to speak through the language and perspective of people different from us. (Acts 2:1-13)Ablaze with the Spirit of Pentecost,

Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson IIChuck@MatthewsUMC.org

Did You Know?Parousia Sunday School Class served Wesley UMC in April and May by painting two offices and their main hallway. The class has a goal to take on a different service project each month!

Our College-Age Mission Trip had 14 participants! Mission trip participants included: Sean Carney, Matt Dundorf, Kaitlyn Havican, Robby Hill, Carly Newton, Mike Nguyen, James Packey, Samantha Rodriguez, Cassidy Smith, Lydia Williams, Kathryn Wright, Corey Milliet, Erik Haski & Joshua Marshman.

Congratulations to Joshua Marshman and Kristen Aperfine who were married Sunday, May 27!

CELEBRATION NEWS • JUNE 1, 2018

WORSHIPGraduation Sunday

@MatthewsUMC Read the complete version of “Just These Lines” at MatthewsUMC.org or pick up a hard copy at the Welcome Center. Subscribe online to receive weekly correspondence.

CONNECTMatthewsUMC.org/Connect• Subscribe to Weekly Highlights, Just These Lines & Celebration News• Watch Live Worship & Archives• Give Online, Text to #704-885-5982, or via the ChurchLife ACS App • Submit a Prayer Request• Learn, Grow & Lead with Worship Resources on Social

COVER PHOTOMatthews UMC provides

opportunities for families to connect. Invite your family and friends to worship this summer!

COME AS YOU ARE! Sunday mornings at

8:15 (Classic)9:30 (Contemporary)

11:00 (Traditional)11:00 (801South)

12:30 Centro Cristiano Hosanna (Servicio en Español)

9:30 The Deep Family Worship (second Sunday

of each month)

Celebration is a weekly publication for families and friends of Matthews UMC. Submit content to Communications@MatthewsUMC.org. Submission deadline is noon each Monday, the week of publication.

Please note that all content is subject to editing. Subscribe to weekly correspondence under the Connect tab at MatthewsUMC.org.

801 South Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105 • (704) 847-6261MatthewsUMC.org @MatthewsUMC

Please remember in your prayers: family and friends of Ken Conley;

family and friends of Christina Keener; John Helms upon the death of his mother;

and all those in our Church family with special needs and concerns.

Global Impact Prayer: God of all creation, thank you for the labor of love that is Genesis Garden. May the work of our faithful volunteers continue to produce an abundant harvest. May this harvest of fruits

and vegetables continue to nourish both body and soul of those served through Daily Bread Ministry and Matthews Help Center

food pantry. CCH Intercessory Prayer:

Saturdays at 6 am in the Chapel.

For care and protection, we lift up all the men and women serving in our Armed

Forces throughout the world.

UPCOMING6/2 Men’s Breakfast 7:30 am in The Commons. Guest Speaker Liz Clasen-Kelley, Director of Men’s Shelter of Charlotte.

6/3 Graduation Sunday: Join as we celebrate a whole host of graduates in our United Youth who are finishing this stage of their educational journey in our area schools. During all Sanctuary services.

6/4 WillBeans 8:30 - 10:30 am in The Commons. Serving Magnolia Coffee and breakfast options. Donations appreciated.

6/7 Feast With Friends 11:30 am - 1:30 pm in The Commons. Enjoy lunch with friends. Donations appreciated.

6/18 GriefShare: 6:30 pm at Wesley UMC. Contact Karen@MatthewsUMC.org.

The Lighthouse Afterschool & Summer Camp: Register now - Limited Summer Camp spots are available. Registration for Fall Afterschool care has begun! Kids.MatthewsUMC.org

MORNING COMMUNITY PRAYERMatthewsUMC.org

Monday - Friday7:30 - 8:30 am in the Chapel

STUDIES & GROUPS

Crisis 101: Back To The BasicsSundays, June 3 - August 12, 10:45 am - 12:00 pmCost $17. Led by Carolyn Perlman

SatisfiedSundays, June 24 - July 29, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmCost $8. Led by Jeff Ennis

Connect to classes and grow in your journey by visiting MatthewsUMC.org. Childcare may be available if requested in advance. Contact Kim@MatthewsUMC.org.

New Member ClassA Disciple’s Path Classes Sundays, June 3 - July 8;

9:30 - 10:30 am. Contact Karen at Karen@MatthewsUMC.org by Tuesday, May 29, to sign up.

MAGI Spiritual Gift Discovery WorkshopSaturday, July 21, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Cost $14 (materials, snacks & lunch included).Registration required by July 16. Contact Karen at Karen@MatthewsUMC.org to register.