News­let­ter

Dear friends in Christ,Greetings and peace to you all! It was a blessing to be reunited with you in our service of worship this past Sunday. I am thankful to you all for your support and prayers as I concluded my period of mission itineration in the US. It was an honor for me to spend five weeks traveling in the US, visiting local congregations in four different states, sharing the story of our ministry here in Austria, and receiving inspiration from the faith witness of the local congregations I visited.On behalf of ESUMC, again we offer our special and heartfelt thanks to the Rev. Dr. Tom Garrison for leading worship and preaching the gospel over these last weeks. Pastor Tom is a true friend of our congregation, and a faithful brother in Christ who joyfully shares his spiritual gifts with our community. Pastor Tom, thank you for your friendship and Christian ministry!In this edition of our monthly newsletter, you shall read of a number of ministry programs and activities that shall begin in the coming weeks: our annual congregational BBQ and potluck (see the photo from last year, below), the resumption of Sunday School for our children, a short course for prospective ESUMC new members, a series of conversations about creation care and our climate, and a new Bible study series.I invite you to take part in the life of our ministry and offer your spiritual gifts, for the building up of our one body in Christ.Yours in Christ, Pastor John

Dear friends in Christ,Greetings and peace to you from New York, where I am in the midst of my period of itineration, visiting local congregations in the US to share stories and images of our ministry in Vienna. You can read more about my visits below.We give thanks to God for the Rev. Dr. Tom Garrison, who continues to lead worship services at ESUMC through Sunday 20 August. To mark his first month of ministry with the congregation, Pastor Tom offers below a few words of encouragement. Pastor Tom, we thank you for your ministry!Yours in Christ, Pastor John+ + + + + + +Summer brings a number of people going on holiday or traveling for different reasons. This summer is no different, and Pastor John's visit to churches in the US has allowed me to be with you a few weeks. Over the years it has been a blessing to me to be of service to ESUMC. I would like to thank Pastor John and the church for inviting me to lead the congregation in worship during these 8 weeks. It is my feeling that the final act of grace is being gracious, and that is what I have experienced from this congregation. I enjoyed our time in July and look forward to the first 3 Sundays of August. It is my prayer that Pastor John has been successful and wish him a safe trip home. Yours, Pastor Tom

Dear friends in Christ,Greetings and peace to you, and welcome to the new ESUMC newsletter! Starting in July, our regular e-newsletter will come to you in this new format, with links below to news from the congregation, upcoming events in the life of the community, and a list of worship services. We hope you enjoy this new layout.As I prepare to travel to the US to begin my mission itineration, I wish to thank you all for your prayers for my safe travels, and for the warm welcome you extended to Pastor Tom Garrison during our worship service last week. Beginning this Sunday 2 July, Pastor Tom will lead our services of worship, and will be available to the congregation for pastoral care.You shall be in my prayers over the next weeks, and I shall stay in touch via our newsletter!Yours in Christ, Pastor John