Happy October! You would have had this email blast last week but our internet failed us. The lack of working computers prevented the church’s office from doing a number of things, including communicating with our church family. A wonderful IT guy came on Friday and restored our ability to get online. Technology is wonderful (mostly) when it works. However, it is not always in operation when we need it to be available. I have been told a number of half-truths during my life. One of the biggest half-truths I have heard was, “Computers are going to make your life easier!” What was not mentioned is that we would become so dependent on computers that when they failed we would be nearly helpless to do our jobs.
           In our world we have become so dependent upon these sometimes-marvelous wonders that it is very difficult to function without them. Another item that most of us rely on is our cellphones. I have recently discovered the wonders of two factor identification. If you have no idea what “two factor identification” is, then you probably are one of those who is still refusing to fall into the technology trap.
           A number of positive things are happening in your church at the present. Rehearsals for Monticello’s 101st Community Christmas Cantata began last Sunday, October 5th, at 1:30 p.m. It's not too late to join! These rehearsals will continue every Sunday afternoon, at 1:30 p.m., until December 14th, 2025. The cantata will be at Monticello First UMC, Sunday December 14th, at 4 and 7 p.m. Joneen is ‘busy as a beaver” working and preparing for this year’s event, entitled “Christmas Carols Around the World”. Please mark your calendars and make your plans to attend this year’s Cantata.
           The United Methodist Men are preparing to have their annual fall Chicken-Que on Saturday, October 18th. The proceeds from this fund raiser are used to support the various mission projects of the UMM. Please remember this event and support their missions and enjoy some delicious chicken barbeque. More details to come in emails, bulletins,  church announcements and the Monticello News.
           Last Sunday afternoon Susanne Arena began a Christmas art project with our children and youth. We have a new Christmas tree for the sanctuary this year. The old one needed replacing, it was shedding “needles” like a dried out “real” Christmas tree. The young people are making new Chrismons for our new tree. This is a wonderful project. They are providing new Christmas decorations for the tree and also learning about the symbols of the Christian faith. Thank you to Susanne and all the other adults who are helping with this project.
           Charge Conference will be at Jackson First United Church, on Tuesday evening, October 28th, at 6 p.m. Actually, this will be our second effort at having Charge Conference this year. I made a rather embarrassing, too me, mistake. I couldn’t locate the church where charge conference was being held. I had the right date and the right time. I had the wrong place. Bill Nash arrived at the supposed church ahead of me and the people there knew nothing about a charge conference being held there. I was on my way – to the wrong place – when Bill called me and informed me that Mt. Zion UMC, in Monroe County, was not the place for our charge conference. I decided that all we could do was return home. It turned out that there was a revision of the schedule for charge conference and I overlooked the change of venue.
           What did I learn from this experience? Mistakes happen – even when we believe that we are right. What to do when this happens? Simple answer, acknowledge your mistake and try to make it right.
           God forgives all our mistakes if we confess and do better! That is why He sent His Son into the world. To forgive us and set us on the right path.
           We hope to see you in church on Sunday! It will not be the same without you and you will not be the same without worshipping our Lord and Saviour!

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Grace and Peace, Ben