Spirit of Hope

01/07/2025

UPDATE:

Transferring Your Church Membership

For those who are not aware, December 29th was the final service at Spirit of Hope. With the closing of the Church, the SOH Leadership Committee was informally advised by Reverend Javier Olivares, Desert Southwest Conference, that the active SOH church membership roster would be transferred to Sunrise Methodist Church, unless the Conference was notified differently.

Changing churches is a thoughtful, spiritual decision that, for most people, cannot be made immediately nor impetuously. Many folks will be testing the waters and visiting churches in the community in order to find the right fit. Some may opt for a larger church. Some may be looking for a more intimate setting. Some need community involvement, activities, bible study, Sunday school. Some are looking for it all. Needless to say, it may not be a quick decision.

With this in mind, SOH Leadership wants to ensure that its congregation takes the necessary steps to advise the conference of their intention and where to transfer their membership.

After conferring with Pastor Rob, there are two ways to transfer your membership, which addresses both options: 1) you know where you wish to attend to church; or, 2) you have not decided yet.

If you have already picked a new Church, email the district and Pastor Rob that you would like to transfer to a specific church. However, if it is not a UMC, option two is to email the district and pastor that you are withdrawing from the UMC. Further, this is the option for those who are unsure of which UMC they'll become a member and the option for anyone leaving UMC. If the person(s) finds a UMC, their membership will be noted by the new church.

If you wish to attend Sunrise UMC, then no action is required.

The Leadership Committee wants to emphasize the importance of properly documenting your transfer intentions. We are mindful that we do not want to askew Sunrise UMC membership numbers with the automatic transfer of our membership.

Pastor Rob’s and Javier Oliveras’ emails are provided below for your communication.

For those who do not have access to email, please send a letter to Javier Olivares at the address provided below.

God Bless all of you.

Contact Information:

Javier Olivares email is: [email protected]

Pastor Robin Lee email is: [email protected]

Desert Southwest Conference
West District
Attn: Javier Olivares
PO Box 32830,
Phoenix, AZ 85064

08/01/2023

07/12/2023

Daily questions from the founder of Methodism for critical reflection.

06/03/2023

A reminder: Our Sunday worship moves to 9 AM this week

05/31/2023

Beginning this Sunday, June 4, our worship service will be at 9 AM with our Sunday Bible study following at 10:30 AM.

05/29/2023

Memorial Day Recognition
I would like to take a moment to give time for a memorial day remembrance.
Memorial day often passes in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, it has been viewed as a civic observance rather than a liturgical one. However, giving attention to memorial day can be a time of healing hurt and connecting with the rawness of loss. It offers us the opportunity to get outside of our church bubble and be present with and to others as they struggle to come to terms with war, loss, devastation, and what it all means.
As you started to read this message, you may have noticed a special table in the photograph in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table is our way of symbolizing that members of our community are missing from our midst; it is reserved to honor our missing men and women as a part of our memorial day recognition.This table is in honor of the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action who are unable to be with us.

Let me explain the meaning of this table, and then invite you to join in the prayer.

The table is round – to show our everlasting concern.
The cloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to serve.
The single red rose reminds us of the lives of these Americans and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith, while seeking answers.
The yellow ribbon symbolizes our continued uncertainty, hope for their return and determination to account for them, and bring them home.
A slice of lemon reminds us of their bitter fate, captured and missing in a foreign land.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families - who long for answers after decades of uncertainty.
The lighted candle reflects our hope for their return – alive or dead.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted – to symbolize their inability to share a toast.
The chair is empty – they are not here.
Almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen.
Pastor Christine