Jack's Creek UMC

06/13/2024

UMCOR continues to provide urgent humanitarian assistance in the amid the ongoing conflict.

Additional grants have been awarded to help resource and strengthen the efforts of partners in the region. The funds are supporting basic needs and services such as medical care in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as supporting displaced Gazan families and students in Jordan.

In the face of prolonged and ever-deepening suffering for so many, join us in continuing to pray for an end to the violence and a pathway to peace.

02/25/2024

01/20/2024

Good Morning.
I hope you are well, warm, and safe.
We will NOT have church tomorrow, January 21, 2024, due to weather, unsafe roads, and cold.
I hope you find a way to Worship, even if we don't meet in person at Jack's Creek UMC.
Please let others know.

12/22/2023

Join us on Sunday, December 24th at 6:00 PM for Jack's Creek Christmas Eve "A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols" Candlelight Service. Immediately followed by Fellowship time.

10/09/2023

A good lesson for us:

“Why Not?”

I carry a small piece of paper with a small message from a small person in my wallet. Not long ago, at a Kentucky Wesleyan College alumnus gathering – at a baseball game of all places – a four-year-old girl, I’ll call her “Joy,” was “helping” her aunt, who was a college staff member at the event. Joy’s aunt was cleverly gathering alumni information by having us fill out a small piece of paper that was also used in a drawing for some fabulous prize that I once again did not win.

As I was filling out my information, little Joy handed me a piece of paper. It was the flip side of a small piece of paper like the one I was using to give the alumni office my name and address. On the paper she had written simply, “I love you” with a drawn flower as punctuation. When I saw what it was and what she had written on it, I wanted to pick her up and give her a big hug, but restrained myself since she and I had never met before, so I had to settle for saying to her, “Thank you so much! That is so nice! Thank you! You are so sweet!”

Evidently, I was not the only person to get a message from Joy that night, because behind me came a voice that I quickly realized was Joy’s mother’s because the voice said in a slightly embarrassed, almost apologetic, half-scolding tone, “Joy, don’t give those out to everyone!” And Joy – God bless her four-year-old soul that is as yet untainted by the cold cynicism, fear and suspicion of our world – immediately answered her mother, “Why not?” The voice behind me did not have a reply.

Why not indeed? Why not? Joy asked a very good question. Oh, I know. I am sure Joy’s mother, being a good mother, would have explained to her later that I was a stranger and you have to be very careful around strangers. You and I know the speech. It is unfortunately a necessary and familiar speech we all give to our children. But, think about it, why not? Why not indeed?

Is there anyone you and I ever meet who is not created in the image of God? Is there anyone you and I ever meet who is not unconditionally loved by God, and therefore, worthy of our love? Is there anyone you and I ever meet who if we had the capacity to truly see her or him as Jesus does, should want to say – in fact, are commanded by Jesus to say, and mean it – “I love you”?

Thanks for the reminder, my little, new friend Joy! Thanks for the reminder. Why not? Why not indeed?

04/02/2023

Bishop Fairley shares about finding light in a time of darkness. https://www.kyumc.org/newsdetail/light-in-darkness-17376010

02/12/2023

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12/25/2022

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Joy to the World

When I left the courthouse in Scotland County, North Carolina, I was weeping so hard I could barely see where I was going. I had gone in search of a birth certificate but discovered it was nonexistent. It was like being told you do not exist.


The walk back home, across the railroad tracks of Newtown, seemed longer than it really was. Hopelessness and despair will make any journey seem longer, and it is hard to see with water in your eyes.


This happened many years ago, and the details that seemed so spirit-crushing then are long since resolved. But I can still remember the tears I shed that day.

There has been too much weeping, too much despair of late, but in God’s spiritual economy there always comes a day when we are called upon to

“… lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” - Hebrews 12:12-13

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6



When it seems as if the weeping of darkness will last forever, God invites us on this day, Christmas Day, to rejoice with unabashed joy to behold a light that will cast out all dark, a light bright enough to chase away the evil and hatred that would poison our souls.

The weeping becomes different when the tears are of a joy that shines bright with a light that guides our future. That light is Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us, born to take away our bent to sin, born to set our course toward a future where love, peace, and justice will reign forever. Through tears of joy on this Christmas Day may we see in each other’s eyes a hope that was not there yesterday. May we sense a deep and joyful hope that runs counter to the narratives of despair, anxiety, and fear that once held us captive. In the coming of Christ our captivity to sin and death is over. My beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” - Psalm 30:5



Indeed, “Joy to the world the Lord is come, let heaven and nature sing.” It is a beautiful song giving witness to the world that joy we have on Christmas Day: The world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away. Therefore, it is a good and right thing to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May your hearts sing with joy.

Merry Christmas,

Bishop Leonard E. Fairley

11/09/2022

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11/07/2022

Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference Opening Worship.