English-Speaking

United Methodist Church of Vienna November 2019—

January 2020

Wesley and Money Toward the end of his life, Wesley's sermons and writings began reflecting a growing concern for the future of "the people called Methodist." The movement was numerically strong with about 50,000 in England, and the new American church was growing rapidly. However, Wesley saw signs of demise. A tour of Methodist work across Britain left him somewhat discouraged and pessimistic. On Aug. 4, 1786, he wrote: "I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out." To Wesley, the most evident threat was the grow-ing wealth of the Methodists. He believed that Christianity has within it the seeds of its own de-mise. Discipleship makes us more diligent and frugal, and as we become more diligent and fru-gal, wealth increases. Wesley considered wealth and the failure to give the most serious threats to the Methodist move-ment in particular and Christianity in general. In 1789, Wesley noted that the Methodists had all but ignored the third point of his sermon on "The

Use of Money," which had been printed some 30 years earlier. He wrote: "Of the three rules which are laid down ... you may find many that observe the first rule, namely, 'Gain all you can.' You may find a few that observe the second, 'Save all you can.' But, how many have you found that observe the third rule, 'Give all you can'? Have you reason to believe that 500 of these are to be found among 50,000 Methodists? And yet nothing can be more plain than that all who observe the first rules without the third will be twofold more the children of hell than ever they were before." Wesley's own commitment to giving was con-sistent throughout his life. As a student at Oxford, he lived on £28 a year. As his earnings increased to £30 and eventually to £120 annually, he con-tinued to live on the same £28. He told people that if at his death he had more than £10 in his possession, they could call him a robber.

Excerpt from “Wesley on Giving,” www.resourceumc.org

Stewardship We take time each November to reflect on how we are using our abundant gifts—time, talents, skills, and money—in the service of Christ and Christ’s holy church. Our money and gifts are giv-en generously to us by God. Therefore, we are entrusted as followers of Jesus Christ with a

sacred task to utilize our money and gifts to share God’s love and forgiveness through prayer and worship, works of mercy and acts of justice, and mission and evangelism. You are invited to reflect and pray about how to utilize your money and gifts through our congregation in the com-ing year to fulfill our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Let us know with your annual pledge card how you plan to give. Thank you for generosity. May God richly bless our ministry in 2020!

Past Happenings and Community News

Harvest Festival Crowd Draws 265 The ESUMC Harvest Festival was 21 October. This year 265 people attended the service which featured all the ESUMC choirs. During the service, attendees were invited to make special offerings. Pastor Matthew preached on John 6 where Jesus feeds the multitudes. Pastor Matthew asked the congregation to be like the child who offered his lunch. Jesus takes the child’s lunch, multiplies it, and blesses others. During the service, attendees wrote their blessings and thanksgivings on paper fish and asked God to bless others with these gifts. Martin Schulzer, Martin Cul-ver, Jeff Greiman, Emmanuel Antwi, Esther Adomako provided music for the service. Natalie Scherer and Oscar van Rooy led the service. A large buffet was organized after the service. Thank you to all who helped organize the service, setup, and clean up.

ESUMC Goes to Albania Four ESUMC members traveled to Albania at the end of October. ESUMC has supported the Meth-odist mission in Albania for three years through the annual ESUMC mission offering. Funds from ESUMC have been used in Alba-nia to support women’s empow-erment projects, facility needs, and diaconal programs. The group was comprised of Delia Viljoen, David Lee, Hayford Yaw Boateng, and Pastor Matthew. During the visit from 24-28 Octo-ber 2019, the group visited with the Methodist congregation in Tirana and worshipped with Meth-odist congregations in Elbasan and Pogradec. The group also toured diaconal projects in Tirana and Pogradec. The group was hosted by Methodist missionaries Wilfried and Jean Nausner. See page 4 for more photos.

Leaders Participate in HIV Workshop Three ESUMC leaders—Doreen Ighama, Delia Viljoen, and Pastor Matthew—participated in a special workshop on HIV/AIDS and Hepati-tis on 18 October. The workshop was orga-nized by clergy from ESUMC and Christ Church Anglican in conjunction with AIDS Hilfe Wien. Over 60 Gather for Church Hike The annual church hike was hosted by Andrew Stones at his home in Grünbach am Schneeberg. Over 60 people attended the event organized by George Ackwonu.

The ESUMC team in the Tirana UMC sanctuary. Pictured left to right: David Lee, missionary Jean Nausner, Hayford Yaw Boateng, Pastor Matthew A. Laferty, Delia

Viljoen, translator Erisa Pashollari, and missionary Wilfried Nausner.

ESUMC members went for a hike near Schneeberg on 15 September. Photo by David Lee.

Intro to Methodism on 2 November Pastor Matthew will teach a class on “Introduction to Methodism” on Saturday, 2 November, beginning at 09:00 and ending at 12 noon. The class will offer students a brief overview of Methodist history, doctrine and theology, and polity. The event is free and open to the public. Confirmation Meeting Dates The confirmation group will meet on 10, 17, and 24 November and 8 and 15 December. Women’s Meeting, 30 November The next women’s meeting in Saturday, 30 November at 15:30 at the Karlsplatz Christ-mas Market. The meeting point is in front of the U-bahn exit ‘Resselpark’. Leadership Retreat, 23 November Members of the church council, committee on pastor-parish relations, and committee on nominations will meet for a day-long retreat on Saturday, 23 November. During the day-long retreat, ESUMC leaders will pray togeth-er, strategize for the future, and review the nominating committee’s organization review and accompanying proposals. Pastor Jörg Finkbeiner from Redeemer UMC in Munich will be the moderator for the retreat day. Su-perintendent Stefan Schröckenfuchs will also participate in the retreat. Wärmestube Opens on 3 December The ESUMC/Fünfhaus daytime winter shelter (called Wärmestube) opens on Tuesday, 3 December. The church is open from 10:00-17:00 every Tuesday until the end of March to provide hospitality, warm food, and friend-ship to our neighbors. To help please email Maria Tobler at mariatobler@yahoo.de. Gospel Choir Concert, 8 December The Vienna International Gospel Choir will hold its annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, 8 December at 18:00. VIGC is an outreach ministry of ESUMC. The event is free and open to the public. 40th Anniversary Photobook The 40th anniversary photobook is now avail-able to order. The book costs €20 and should be paid at the time of ordering. See Pastor Matthew after worship to order your copy.

Advent and Christmas 2019 • 1 December—1st Sunday of Advent—

Pastor Matthew preaching on the coming of the Son of Man from Matthew 24. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

• 8 December —2nd Sunday of Advent—Pastor Matthew preaching on John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.

• 15 December—3rd Sunday of Advent—ESUMC children and youth present the annual Christmas play during worship.

• 22 December —4th Sunday of Advent—The worship service will be a special ser-vice of lessons and carols.

• 24 December—Christmas Eve—Our fami-ly service which is geared to children begins at 14:30. Our traditional service begins at 18:00. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

• 29 December—1st Sunday of Christmas—Pastor Dr. Martin Schulzer preaching.

• 5 January—2nd Sunday of Christmas—Wesley Covenant Service with Pastor Matthew presiding.

Wesley Covenant Service, 5 January During the regular worship time on 5 January, we will use the Wesley Covenant Service. The service was developed by Methodist leader John Wesley in 1755. The covenant between us and God is not a contract in which God and human beings agree to provide particular goods and services for each other. Rather, the covenant is the means of grace by which we accept the relationship and then seek to sus-tain it. This service celebrates this covenant and calls us to renew our commitment to God. Anglican Priest to Preach at ESUMC The Rev’d Canon Patrick Curran will preach at ESUMC on Sunday, 19 January as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Fr. Patrick is the chaplain for Christ Church Vienna, Vienna’s Anglican/Episcopal Church located in the 3rd District. Israel/Palestine Trip Dates Set The ESUMC trip to Israel/Palestine will be 9-16 September 2020. See Pr. Matthew for info. Giving Tuesday Offering, 3 December The Giving Tuesday offering will go to sup-port the ESUMC Wärmestube (winter daytime shelter) project and the Methodist mission in Albania. Give generously!

Looking Ahead

English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna

Sechshauser Strasse 56, 1150 Wien • esumc@emk.at • +43 1 895 81 75 • www.esumc.at

The Reverend Matthew A. Laferty • +43 664 466 94 75 mobile • matthew.laferty@emk.at

Donations accepted at www.esumc.at/give • IBAN: AT23 1200 0006 2016 1208/BIC Code: BKAUATWW

Past Happenings and Community News, continued

Albanian Trip Photos Left top: The ESUMC team with members from Elbasan UMC, left middle: a woman sewing a bag in the Pogradec women’s project, left bottom: Pastor Matthew greet-ing the Pogradec UMC congregation, right left: locally-grown fruit in a Tirana market, right bottom: New renovated Pogradec UMC church building. Photos by David Lee.

Giving Thanks for God’s Blessings—Harvest Festival 2019

Left top: The Vienna International Gospel Choir, left middle: The Table decorated for the Harvest Festival, left bottom: the congregation listening to the Gospel reading, right top: ESUMC member YuYu Van Awi is all smiles before the Harvest Festival, right bottom: Emmanuel Antwi planning drums during sing-ing. Photos by David Lee.

Give thanks to the Lord for God is good, God’s love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16: 34

Giving Thanks for God’s Blessings—Harvest Festival 2019

Right top: Ushers Sigrid Anusie and Sheena Oteng moving into place as the processions begin. Right middle: The Osamwonyi family pictured after the Harvest Festival. Left middle: Martin Schul-zer playing bass guitar during the Harvest Festival. Left bottom: Pas-tor Matthew preaching on the lit-tle boy offering his lunch of fish and bread in John 6. Middle bot-tom: Lay leader Oscar van Rooy leading the Harvest Festival. Right bottom: Brita Ahamefule-Gansterer before the start of the worship service.