Senior Pastor

Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor

Our lives are consumed daily with distractions and obligations that often derail us from our relationship with Christ, and distance us further away from him. The Lenten Season is an opportunity to renew this spiritual bond. Lent is one of the most sacred observances of the Christian Year. It begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates on Easter Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Christ. This is a season of repentance, prayer, fasting and self-reflection. As a common practice, believers often choose to abstain from some of life's indulgences for a period of 40-days. Some choose to give up certain foods, activities, or volunteer their time in service to others. Some, think of it as a personal retreat with God, reconnecting with Him to elevate their spiritual growth. The 40 day observance symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism. During this experience, he fasted and prayed while resisting the temptation of Satan. Sunday is exclud-ed because it is a day of rest and considered to be a little Easter celebration.

In preparation for Lent, the Christian Education Ministry invites the entire Cascade family to participate in the 2016 Lenten Bible Study. For six weeks, we will study, “A Disciple’s Heart: Growing in Love and Grace” by James A. Harnish. Classes begin February 7 and will be offered daily, Sunday through Thursday. The study will be facilitated by both clergy and laity. Members are also encouraged to follow the “Daniel

Fast” during this period. Books are available for purchase in the church office or in class. Copies of the fast will be distributed in class. Register now to participate in this spiritual jour-ney. For more information, contact Ministry Chair, Marva F. Greene or Ministry Vice-Chair Mirhonda Studevant at christianed@cascadeumc.info.

From LENT to Lifestyle By DeBorah Hargrove

This year, make Lent more than a fast for a couple of days or even a couple of weeks like your New Year's resolution. Make Lent a life-style change for life making your body a living sacrifice (Roman12:1-2). Did you not know that your body does not belong to you but to the Ho-ly Spirit inside of you? Continued on Page 4 -

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communications, finances, resolve conflict, express forgiveness, improve intimacy and more. This year, the Heart of Marriage Retreat will be held at the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia, September 9–11. For more information, visit www.heartofmarriageretreat.com.

MEM also serves couples in the community and offers a Marriage Ministry Scholarship to assist couples with their education. Each year, the ministry awards over $1,000 to married scholars at Cascade UMC and in the community. Contributions can be made online at www.cascadeumc.org (Online Giving/Marriage Ministry Award, Account #109).

The Marriage Enrichment Ministry is co-chaired by two Christ-centered couples: Everett and Terri Garden and Edwin and Greta Tifre. The Gardens have been married for 22 years and have two lovely daughters, Chloe and Camille. The Tifres have been married for 13 years and have an adorable (feline daughter), Samantha.

All Cascade couples are encouraged to be involved in the ministry so that together we can make an impact and continue to build God’s Kingdom…one marriage at a time.

For more information, contact the ministry at marriageministry@cascadeumc.orgor cumcmarriageministry@gmail.com

By Greta Tifre The Marriage Enrichment Ministry (MEM) uses God as the foundation to encourage spiritual growth in couples through prayer, fellowship activities, Bible study and counseling. Marriage is the first institution that God ordained and we must keep it holy. The marriage covenant is sacred and couples who enter into holy matrimony can experience the depths of love that only God can manifest between a man and a woman. We believe that by studying God's Word and keeping God in the center, couples can overcome challenges, enrich their marriage, and be a blessing to other couples and the church as a whole.

The ministry is guided by the scripture, Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 (NIV) – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return on their labor. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

The MEM engages in several activities throughout the year that further its mission. The ministry believes that marriages are strengthened when there is regular interaction between spiritually-minded couples serving together. The ministry impacts marriages at Cascade by planning quarterly "Date-Your-Mate" nights, sponsoring workshops, marriage retreats, and by facilitating Bible study.

An Annual Marriage Enrichment Weekend is one of our signature events which is dedicated to God’s first institution: Marriage. The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with “Dinner and a Movie” followed by breakfast and an interactive workshop on Saturday morning, and concluding with Marriage Enrichment Sunday. Couples provide leadership in every part of the worship service and the message for the hour is focused on marriage. The 7th Annual Marriage Enrichment Weekend will be held February 12 – 14. This year’s theme is “Respect the Ring: Love Endures All… Keep it Holy!!!” Reverend Lorraine Jacques-White will facilitate the Saturday workshop, and Rev. Judge Penny Brown Reynolds will be the guest preacher for Sunday Worship Service. Couples may register online at www.cascadeumc.org (Online Giving/Marriage Enrichment Ministry).

Another signature event is our “Heart of Marriage (HOM) Retreat” held in September of each year and jointly sponsored with the marriage ministries of Ben Hill UMC and Central UMC. The retreat is a weekend getaway which is God-centered and includes sessions that help couples improve their

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Leon is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and is an honorary Ph.D. recipient of Clark Atlanta and Roosevelt Universities. He is currently serving as the Denzel Washington Chair at Fordhom University.

Matters of the Heart By Mechelle Brown

February is a perfect time to discuss all matters of the heart, including heart disease.

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer in women and disproportionally affects African-American women? In fact, of African-American women older than 20, approximately 49 percent have heart disease. Even though African-American women are a higher risk, studies show that only about 36 percent are aware that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

Why are African-Americans

more at risk?

Researchers found that there may be a gene that makes us more sensitive to the effects of salt. Additionally, African-American communities tend to have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, both risk factors for high blood pressure and heart disease.

What can we do?

• Cut back on salt intake in our diet. The recommended salt intake for African-Americans is 1,500 milligrams per day. To put that into perspective, the average restaurant salt packet contains about 200mg of salt.

• Improve overall eating habits.

• Increase physical activity.

By Quisa Foster

Cascade is pleased to spotlight our very own, Kenny Leon, who has been a member of Cascade since 1989.

Kenny Leon is a Tony Award winning Broadway and film director. In December 2015, he produced and directed, “The Wiz Live!,” a televi-sion special that aired on NBC. The performance was a new adaptation of the 1975 Broadway musical and a soul R&B reinterpretation of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

Mr. Leon is the Artistic Director of Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to co-founding True Colors Theatre Company, he` served 11 years as Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre, where he produced the premieres of Disney's Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida, Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky and Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Other directorial credits include Alicia Keys World Tour, Toni Morrison's opera, Margaret Garner, the world premiere of Flashdance, The Musical, and the complete August Wilson Century Cycle at the Kennedy Center.

Leon is a sought after motivational speaker that has done acting and theatre workshops at universities and corporate offices around the country, South Africa and Ireland. He has directed in England, and extensively throughout the US, including Chicago's Goodman Theatre, Boston's Huntington Theatre, Baltimore's Center Stage, Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group and New York's Public Theatre. Leon is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2010 Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing by the Drama League of New York.

Additionally, we, along with our loved ones, can become more aware of other risk factors, the signs and symptoms of stroke and heart attack in women and how to respond in case of stroke or heart attack.

Let’s “Go Red” this month to help raise awareness of heart disease in women, and continue the activities that improve health outcomes throughout the year. By making a few small lifestyle changes we as African-American women can improve not only our quality of life, but also the quality of life for those we love.

For more info on heart disease in women, visit www.goredforwomen.org.

Be transformed. Be transformed. Grow in loveGrow in love and grace.and grace. Take your Take your

spiritual journey spiritual journey through thethrough the

“A Disciple’s “A Disciple’s Heart” StudyHeart” Study

Classes begin the week of Feb. 7

Books - $10/set can be purchased in the

church office. Checks payable to

CUMC.

REGISTER - Sunday, Feb. 7 on Lower Level or online!

CLERGY ON-CALL NUMBER(404) 313-4225

(Please use for emergencies, after hours, and weekends.)

Sharonda Brown - February 1

Sabrina Calhoun - February 1

Gloria T. Gross - February 1

Claudine Madden - February 1

Hattie Robinson - February 1

JoAnn Scott - February 1

BreAuna Hubbard - February 2

Vickie Ogunladé - February 2

Ann Richardson - February 3

Arletha Smith - February 3

Donald Jay Smith - February 3

Nadirah Simmons - February 3

Karen Davis - February 4

Mary Ellis - February 4

Mahki T. Gordon - February 4

Gloria S. Bolds - February 5

Sandra Robinson - February 5

Willie Jackson - February 6

Barbara Lightfoot - February 7

Vivian Middleton - February 8

Agnes Hill - February 9

Neva Housch - February 9

Carol Robinson - February 11

Aquaria Smith - February 11

Denise Simpson - February 13

Tony Smith - February 13

Matthew Smith, III - Feb. 14

Mattie Wilson - February 14

General B. Works - Feb. 16

Antisha Burns - February 17

Joyce Mills - February 17

Ronald Jordan - February 18

Mable Reid - February 18

Brian Stills - February 18

Wilma Johnson - February 19

James C. Lewis - February 19

Gary L. Brown - February 20

Pat Davis - February 20

Rozie Lewis - February 20

Winnie Smith - February 22

Tia Abercrombie - Feb. 23

John Davis - February 23

Braxton East - February 24

Joan Johnson-King - Feb. 24

Andrea Briscoe - February 25

Frank Walker - February 25

Corine Hanson - February 28

Karen Young - February 28

NOTE:

Birthdays are placed in The Messenger by request only. Send birthday requests prior

to the 15th of the month of your birthday to

announce-

ments@cascadeumc.org.

COMMUNICATION RESOURCES

THE MESSENGER newsletter is published monthly and distributed to the congregation on the first Sunday of each month. Messenger announcements and articles should be submitted to announcements@cascadeumc.org by the 15th of the month. THE PATHWAY e-newsletter is sent out each Wednesday. Submit Pathway announcements by 5:00 pm on Friday, two or more weeks before event to announcements@cascadeumc.org.

milk).

Eat no sweets - instead, eat

healthy snacks like mixed nuts, raisins or veggie straws. Also, do not use high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that’s in almost everything that's sweet.

In moderation, eat twice as many

vegetables as carbohydrates. This includes salads.

Add nutritional supplements if necessary.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Affirmation: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13

The following individuals and families send their special thanks and appreciation to Cascade UMC clergy, staff and church family during their time of bereavement or illness:

The Family of Mrs. Mattie Parks The Family of Mrs. Doris Deckard The Family of Mr. Robert Sheats

Threet, Jean and Nikki Brown The Ellis Family

FROM LENT TO LIFESTYLE Continued from Page 1 -

This year, Lent starts on February 10 (Ash Wednesday) at 12:00 noon and ends on Easter Sunday, March 27. Biblical fasting is abstinence from some foods or some other ways of self-denial to help experience God's presence and His power in your life. The more popular fasts are: the Partial fast, the Daniel Fast, and Non-food fast (restricting television, internet, and other addictions such as alcoholic beverages, sex, drugs, pornography, gossiping, etc.). Each year we use the Daniel Fast as our spiritual discipline and for spiritual renewal. (Romans 12:1-2) The Daniel Fast includes fruits, vegetables and water only.

Suggestions for the Daniel Fast:

Avoid drinking sodas.

Eat only baked foods (never

fried foods)

Don't eat after 8:00 pm

Consider oatmeal and toast

for breakfast.

Eliminate all white foods -

white Sugar; white Rice (use Qui-noa, brown rice); white flour (use wheat); white bread (eat Ezekiel bread); white milk (use Almond