Family Candlelight service 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Handbell Choir Concert 6:30 pm Candlelight service 7:00 pm. Monday, December 24, 2018

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1 The Season of Advent & Christmas December 2018 December at-a-glance: Angel Breakfast Hanging of the Chrismons Family Advent Festival & Dinner Angel Tree Crafty Christians Bake Sale & Craft Sale Socks and Underwear Tree Project Transformation Poinsettia & Turkey sales Faith Felt Puppet Show NHN Christmas Celebration Wifi- WUMC password: disciples Monday, December 24, 2018 Family Candlelight service 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Handbell Choir Concert 6:30 pm Candlelight service 7:00 pm Like us on Facebook: Instagram: windcrestunitedmethodistchurch Twitter: windcrestumc For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. ~Luke 2:11 1/December 2018

2 Advent and Christmas greetings From Pastor Jim McClain Thank you for letting me into your home for the Holidays. It has been several years since we mailed out a monthly newsletter. For some of you, this may be the first one you have received from Windcrest United Methodist Church, for others, it is a welcomed memory. Inside this newsletter you will find all sorts of things about the life of your church, especially some of the wonderful things planned for Christmas and Advent, the season leading up to it. I hope you will find some or all of them meaningful and we will see you often. If you attend regular Sunday worship, we will still remind you of the ministries for the coming week in the bulletin, on the screens, in the announcements and through social media. The bulletin format will be much more concise, focused on details and suitable for refrigerators and bulletin boards everywhere. For those of you whom we are not able to see regularly because of distance, work schedules or other blocks, we hope we can keep in contact and remain being the Church for you. We pray this newsletter will just be one of many points of contact. We want to share with you the wonderful ministries happening here. We want to hear from you too. We want to know your joys and concerns, the high points in your day, the ministries you are doing. We want to read your texts, tweets, posts, cards and letters. I may not be able to answer all of them individually but will cherish the relationships that are formed. Christmas is a time we celebrate cherished relationships and memories. We hope you can be with us for our two services Christmas Eve, 4:30 and 7:00 pm. As this is Kercida and my first Christmas with you, I am working to keep worship as close to the way it has always been and welcome hearing from you. I want to learn about your meaningful memories and significant moments in worship and ministry leading to that special night. I look forward to meeting your extended families and friends when they are in town. Kercida and I want to invite you, your family and friends to our house. You are always welcome. This season, we want to extend a special invitation to a Christmas open house December 9, 2018, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm complete with Christmas Cookies and Methodist Wassail (non-alcoholic). The parsonage address is 634 Richfield Drive. You are invited to come and go or come and stay for as long as your schedule permits. We have enjoyed meeting many of you through the Cottage Meetings and hope some of you, whom we have not met yet, will be home for Christmas and have enough of your Christmas preparations done so that you are able to be with us. I promise no questionnaires this time. Thank you again for letting me into your home through this newsletter. Windcrest is your church family gathered in God s house, and wherever we gather as the people of God, God is present. See You Sunday, Pastor Jim McClain 2/December 2018

3 From the Windcrest UMC Church Office Love Offering Christian Greetings, It is hard to believe that we are already into the holiday season. What a year 2018 has been! We are truly blessed to be part of Windcrest United Methodist Church and especially blessed to be served by a dedicated church staff. Our staff team members reflect the love and faithfulness of God in all they do in serving our church and in helping us to do God s work in making Disciples for Christ. Throughout the month of December you have an opportunity to thank our staff through our annual Staff Love Offering. To participate, as God lays on your heart, simply make out your gift check and mark in the memo field Staff Love Offering. It s that simple and it s such a meaningful gesture. The Church office will be closed December 25 & 26, 2018 for Christmas Please take advantage of this holiday opportunity to say to our staff - THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE. Thank you, God Bless you, and have a Merry Christmas! Staff-Parish Relations Committee Thank you! As we approach the end of another year, your Windcrest UMC staff would like to say thank you for all of your love and support through the year. We love our jobs, and we love this church, and we are blessed to be part of the Windcrest UMC family! Happy Advent, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!! Rob Adkins Rev. Joan Ahrens Debbie Andrews Lupe Cano Dawn Crews Braulio Diaz Becky Fair Christal Harper Danielle Harper Nadine Mansour Jennifer McAllen Rev. Jim McClain Sara Patrick Tim Ross Auxy Salinas Lisa Scott Marcy Williams Family Advent packets are available. Contact Dawn Crews News from the Altar Guild On Saturday, December 1, 2018, we will meet in the Gathering Place at 9:00 am to decorate the church for Advent/Christmas. We are asking anyone who is able to please come out and help make our church beautiful and festive for the holiday season. We will be decorating the Sanctuary, Gathering Place and, if enough helpers show up, the outside as well. It s a fun time to be part of the church family and we encourage everyone to join in the excitement of the season! Please mark your calendar on Saturday, January 12, 2019, we will meet in the Gathering Place at 9:00 am to take down all of the Advent/Christmas decorations. Online Visit or scan the QR Code to set up and manage your one-time and recurring gifts. 3/December 2018

4 Socks and Underwear Tree Look for the socks and undies tree in the Gathering Place throughout the season of Advent. The Children & Youth are sponsoring this event. We are collecting socks and underwear for Christmas for adults and children. These necessities are often overlooked when we make donations to help friends in need. Bring your donations on Sunday or drop off in the church office anytime during Advent, they will be donated to Agape. Project Transformation Giving the gift of literacy changes lives! When you make an on-line donation Project Transformation will send the card directly to the recipient. Donation cards will also be available each Sunday in Advent and in the church office. projecttransformation.org/rio-texas/get-involved/donate Windcrest Hospitality Center & Felt Faith Christmas Puppet Shows- 15 years! Friday, December 14, 2018, 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 pm Saturday, December 15, 2018, 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 pm Neighbors Helping Neighbors Christmas Gathering Our annual NHN Christmas party will be held on December 13, 2018 (Thursday). We will enjoy a time of coming together as neighbors and sharing what we have with one another. Since we will be providing TWIN SIZE BLANKETS for those attending, we ask for your donations of twin size blankets wrapped individually or placed in a gift bag ready to distribute on the day of our party. Your contributions in the past have been well received and this will also be a blessing to many. You may bring your blankets to the church beginning now. Either leave them in the shopping basket in the Gathering Place or to the office, and they will let us know they are there. Thank you for your generosity and continued support of our community through this ministry. Poinsettia & Turkey Sales for Christmas Poinsettias will be on sale December 9th & 16th, 2018 in the Gathering Place. Last year s sale was a huge success, selling both Poinsettias and turkeys, and we are doing it again this year! You are being given the opportunity to purchase a poinsettia as usual, OR you may purchase a turkey to feed a hungry family. The Altar Guild is working with our Neighbors Helping Neighbors team to purchase vouchers from HEB to give to our neighbors to redeem for a turkey. The cost for a poinsettia or turkey is $10 each. You may purchase either or both. See the table in the Gathering Place for more information, and thank you for your giving spirit! The WUMC Youth are amazing! Wow! It is hard to believe this wonderful outreach started in Our wonderful puppet shows will be held on Friday & Saturday, December 14th & 15th. All ages continue to be mesmerized by the black light technique and the children are in awe of the puppets. We are so proud of all the youth and sponsors who are part of the Felt Faith Puppet ministry. Our special guest will be on Midcrown to welcome our visitors! Free cocoa and cookies also await our visitors (possibly about 400). Many of you have provided cookies through the years, thank you. We will need lots of cookies again. Please let Mona Ottinger know if you will be donating cookies. A one of a kind show. A must see for the entire family! 4/December 2018

5 Rejoice the spirit of Christmas with friends, family and colleagues. Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Love, peace & joy from Windcrest Day School & CDC Staff. The Pre-K children from Windcest Day School will be performing the Nativity Story for their parents on December 7 th at 6:30pm. The other classes will be singing Advent and Christmas songs. We would love to share this time with you. Please join us in the Sanctuary for an evening of singing and celebration. Windcrest Day School and CDC needs your help. The children of our weekday school will be going shopping for Christmas gifts for family members. Each gift costs $1.00. This activity helps children build a basic understanding of economic concepts, and teaches them to give. We need items for the children to purchase at the Christmas Market. If you have anything you can donate such as socks, ties, lotions, costume jewelry, travel mugs, cosmetic bags, nail polish, t- shirts, note cards/pads, candy dishes, decorative items, candy, Christmas tree ornaments, mugs, potpourri, candles, oven mitts, dish towels, scarves, books or the like, it would be appreciated. Please turn in any items to the school office no later than December 14th. Thank you! One of the joys of singing and playing bells is preparing the music ahead of the season. So, if you happen to be in the Music Hallway at 6:30pm on Wednesday evenings, you ll hear beautiful handbell Christmas music being practiced! The choir, as well, will soon begin rehearsing Advent and Christmas music as we prepare for the season. In a sense, we are experiencing Advent before it begins on December 2, Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. And it can be a stressful time as we seek to perfect and do the best we can. Searching for a gift can also be stressful. But then there is the anticipation of the excitement of seeing others open it once we ve found or prepared the gift. We are reminded that the whole reason we give gifts is in response to God s ultimate gift of Jesus a truth that can be easily forgotten. Have we ever thought of ourselves as a gift? For our Chancel Choir and Joyful Ringers, their gift is setting aside other demands to come to rehearsals. When they willingly repeat the same passages over and over at rehearsal so that everyone can sing or play it correctly, it is a gift. When they pour themselves fully into the music, moving it from just OK into a higher realm of artistry and proclamation, they are a gift. These gifts given out of love enrich the givers as much as the receivers. When we give ourselves as gifts, we are participating in God s continuing incarnation the ultimate gift of love. So when you hear the music this Advent and Christmas, please think of it as a gift one passed down from the hymn writers and composers to those who practice and prepare it so that they can present it to you and, most importantly, to God. Becky Fair Music Director WUMC Music Ministry Monday, December 24 at 6:30 pm 15/December 2018

6 Windcrest UMC Children & Youth Hanging of the Chrismons On December 2, at the 9:30 & 11:00 services, the children and youth will hang the Chrismons. Chrismon is a combination of two words; Christ and Monogram. A Chrismon is just that a monogram of Christ. Because these designs have been used by His followers since the Biblical times, they are the heritage of all Christians and serve to remind each of us of the One we follow. This is a long standing tradition to begin the Advent season. Family Advent Festival & Dinner Join us on Sunday, December 2 at 4pm as we celebrate the beginning of Advent, a time to prepare for Christmas. Advent is the season when we prepare ourselves to receive God's gift of Jesus. It is a time of "getting ready" for the celebration of Christmas. Come make a family advent wreath. Following our Advent activities, we will enjoy a simple pizza dinner. RSVPs are helpful but not necessary. If you know that you plan to attend, please let the church office know. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It takes a village or a church with a great surrounding community to get the WUMC Pumpkin Patch up and running. The set up began before pumpkins arrived. Some strong muscles helped prepare the patch with pallets, fencing and transporting decorations from storage to the church. Then others decorated and set up photo areas for visitors to enjoy. When the tractor-trailer arrived, over a hundred willing volunteers helped unload the pumpkins including the Roosevelt H.S. Wrestling Team. The whole community got involved- young and old. Each day in October, church members along with some community helpers greeted visitors, took family pictures, sold pumpkins and shared Christ s love with everyone. We sold $18, in pumpkin sales. Our profit was $6, Money raised will go towards Children, Youth and Family Ministry. The pumpkins came from crops grown on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. The Navajo pumpkin project supplied jobs and income to over 700 Native Americans during our harvest months of September and October. They also have a full time off-season staff that is comprised of entirely Native Americans. This has a positive and lasting impact on a region with 42% unemployment. If you purchased a pumpkin, you helped a lot of people- not just our ministry here at Windcrest! Thank you to everyone who helped in any way! Thank you for purchasing your pumpkins at our patch! Thank you for being a supportive and loving church family! Pumpkin Blessings, Dawn Crews Upcoming Events SUNDAY SCHOOL Age/Grade Time Room Class 0-3yr 9:30-10: JAM: Jesus & Me 4yr-2 nd grade 9:30-10: Godly Play 3 rd -4 th grade 9:30-10: Club 34 5 th -6 th grade 9:30-10: Tweens 7 th -12 th grade 9:30-10: Youth December 1 Angel Breakfast December 2 Hanging of the Chrismons December 2 Family Advent Festival December 14 & 15 Puppet Shows December 15 An Introduction to Godly Play December 23 Youth Christmas Party December 23 thru January 27: No Puppet Practice January 2019 YOUTH Sunday Fellowship resumes January 9 Youth volunteer at Daily Bread Ministries January Youth Winter Retreat 5/December 2018

7 Windcrest Day School & Child Development Center A Family Devotion for Christmas By Karen Jones Most of us would agree that the Christmas season can be quite chaotic. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose sight of why we celebrate. That is why it is important for you to be intentional in pointing your kids to Jesus during this Christmas season. Dedicate time to worship God as a family and explore the meaning of Christmas. There are many helpful resources for drawing your family s attention to Jesus during Christmas, but no resource is as valuable as God s Word. Consider using this short devotion to lead your family in a time of worship. Open your Bible to Luke 2. Read Luke 2:1-20 aloud or designate a child to read aloud. Consider letting children take turns reading the Bible story. Ask: Why do we celebrate Christmas? Explain that we celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus. Ask: What makes Jesus birth different from any other baby s birth? Remind family members that the Son of God was in heaven with God but came to earth as a human baby. Pick up a wrapped Christmas gift. Challenge family members to think of what it would be like to try and put the entire world in a gift box. Explain that Jesus is the mighty, all-powerful God who created everything, but He came to earth as the most tiny and helpless of all human forms. Ask the big picture question: Why was Jesus born? Say the answer together as a family, Jesus was born to rescue us (from sin). Explain that we need a Savior. As sinners, we deserve to spend forever apart from God because of our sin. Jesus kept all of God s laws perfectly while He was on earth. Jesus did not deserve to die, but He took God s punishment we deserved and died on the cross in our place. Ask: What makes Jesus birth good news? Explain that because Jesus came to earth, we can be saved from sin. Jesus rose from the dead, and one day, He is coming back to make everything new and right. Lead your family in a time of prayer. God, thank You that because of Jesus we can celebrate Christmas. As we do all the fun things that come with Christmas, help us remember Jesus most of all. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your very own Son to earth as a baby so that we could be saved from our sin and can spend forever with You. We love You! Amen. Windcrest Day School & CDC is delighted to announce Jo-Ann Chavez has been awarded a national Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, DC in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The Council recognizes and credentials early care and education professionals who demonstrate an understanding of how the Council s nationally recognized CDA Competency Standards can help support young children s early care and learning experiences. It takes special knowledge, skills, and expertise to be an effective teacher of young children, says Valora Washington, CEO of the Council. It s a great honor to earn a CDA, and it shows a commitment to quality early childhood education. To obtain a CDA credential, candidates must demonstrate through a comprehensive evaluation process their knowledge of the Council s CDA Competency Standards and be observed working with young children. Only after the Candidate successfully completes the observation and an exam at a local Pearson Vue testing center are they awarded the national Child Development Associate Credential valid for three years. Congratulations, Ms. Jo-Ann! Windcrest Day School & CDC Board of Directors and Linda Wilcoxen, Director 6/December 2018

8 Windcrest United Methodist Women SOCIAL CORNER As we come into December, the time we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, for this month I would like to share something I wrote several years ago: Christmas means The word of the mighty Prophet Isaiah Who foretold a virgin would bear a son Whose name was to be Immanuel A sign to the world redemption is won. Christmas means The prophecy, the Word made flesh When swaddled in a manger bed he lay The Babe for whom the angels sang The Child who in our hearts would stay. Christmas means The Child who grew to be a man Who on the cross would bear our shame The promise to all of forgiven sin To all who believe upon His name. ANGEL TREE Windcrest United Methodist Women will be sponsoring the Angel Tree again this year! It will be in the Gathering Place beginning Sunday, Nov 18th, The families represented on the Tree are from Wesley Health & Wellness Center in San Antonio. Our participation in this project will ensure that these families will be able to share in the Joy of Christmas! It is recommended you provide the person listed with at least one new item valued at a minimum of $10. Persons 12 years old and younger have two angels one for clothing items, and one for a toy. All items do not have to be new they can be gently used. Please wrap the gift and securely fasten the angel to the front of the gift. May you be blessed by your giving! Thank you! May you all be blessed this Christmas season. from the Windcrest United Methodist Women Marilyn Olivarez, Social Action Coordinator WUMW HELP US KEEP OUR PLANET GREEN RECYCLE Ink cartridges, cell phone, ipad, tablets, iphone There is a box on UMW table in the Gathering Place. Help us keep electronic waste out of our landfills and water source. 7/December 2018

9 Windcrest UMC December Mission Focus Neighbors Helping Neighbors 2018 has been a busy year for Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Ministry. When we hear the word "change" many of us shutter at the thought, but with life we must change and adapt. In February we were surprised by the notification that our monthly food distribution through the San Antonio Food Bank would no longer be funded by the Texas Diaper Bank. They generously had given us the support needed to make this service possible for several years, but as we all understand, change happens. So, we put our thinking caps on, and with the help of many in the community and right here at Windcrest United Methodist Church, we are pleased that the San Antonio Food Bank food distribution on our campus is now funded through April 2019 (based on the latest information from the church finance admin, Lupe). You may remember from previous articles that we serve almost 3,000 individuals and provide over 100,000 pounds of food each year through our partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank. Volunteers are a critical key to this event each month and thankfully YOU again, have been here for that along with community groups such as Rackspace, Volunteer Buddies Of SA (Meet Up) and HEB. HEB on Walzem Road funded a month of food distribution at a cost of $350. When you shop there, be sure to thank them for that!! Working together has made this possible, and we still have work to do to fully fund 2019, but we can celebrate the generous donations received each month. Neighbors Helping Neighbors also supports an "in house" pantry managed by Beverly Cunningham. She makes certain we always have a bag of groceries and sack lunches available for the church office and our pastors to distribute in emergency situations. Food goes out of the church office several times a week. Your donations of food every week and financial support have will and continue to make that possible. Desperation for a meal is probably not something most of us have experienced, but we hear it and see it very often. This pantry gives us the opportunity to respond to the desperation. We continue our interviews every 2nd Thursday, and provide bus tickets to those that need them. We brought VIA bus representatives on the campus some time ago to sign anyone up over age 60 for reduced fare tickets (and sometimes free tickets), and that has also provided a great service to our neighbors. Many of them rely on public transportation. Our annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Christmas party will take place December 13, 2018, and all are welcome to join in the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A beautiful program has been arranged by Harriet Martell. Santa will be making an appearance, and there will be plenty of pancakes and sausage. A Christmas carol sing a long will add to the festivities! The Mission focus for December is Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Each year we are able to reach out to those in need and say "Merry Christmas." Should you feel called to provide a gift to this ministry, please make a note on the check that you would like your donation to go to "NHN." We can also help you find a volunteer position with NHN to utilize your spiritual gifts in ways you may not have considered. We hope to see you in 2019! Your prayers and support in ALL ways are most appreciated. "I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." John 15: 17 Merry Christmas! 8/December 2018

10 Windcrest UMC Community Outreach R.O.O.T.S. (Royal Order of Terrific Seniors) Meets from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on the third Monday of each month in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome regardless of age. Come and bring a friend or make a friend. We always have a great potluck & good speakers. Our motto is Life is short, Eat Dessert First and we do. For further information contact the church office at Senior Games Day Second & Fourth Mondays We play in Bayless Hall on the second and fourth 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Come and enjoy games with us. We play Cribbage, Pinochle, Rummikub, Mexican Train, Six-Deck Canasta. & Scrabble. Other games are available if we can get a table together. Bring a group of friends and play with us in a nice place. For information, call John Mayes at the church office at Donations Accepted. Sit & Be Fit - Tuesdays & Thursdays The senior adults enjoy a time of light exercise on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9:00 am, in Bayless Hall. $2.00 per session. Walk to Health Monday & Thursday Walk to Health is in Bayless Hall from 5:00 pm to 5:35 pm every Monday and Thursday. Get on your walking shoes and come join our walking group. We walk inside to a video which promises to give you a good workout. For information, call John Mayes, , or the church office at FREE. Line Dancing Line Dance Classes are in Bayless Hall: Beginners, Mondays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm $2.00 fee Intermediate, Fridays 9:30-11:30 am $2.00 fee Chair Yoga Wednesdays 10:30 am to 11:30 am in Bayless Hall. Registration is required, please contact the Wesley Nurse. Grief & Life-Change Support Group meets every Tuesday, 10:00 am in the Windcrest United Methodist Library. FREE TOPS Take Off Pounds Sensibly Meets every Thursday, 7:00 8:00 pm. Are you ready to stop dieting and start making real changes? TOPS can help you reach your weight-loss goals by providing you with the tools, information, support, and accountability you need to be successful. Weekly meetings provide a supportive, educational environment where people are encouraged and not judged. TOPS does not sell foods, endorse products, or push a one-size fits all meal plan. On the TOPS meal plan, we encourage you to choose foods you enjoy in moderation. The flexible guidelines help you control calories while eating real food that you make at home or order in a restaurant. Your first visit to any chapter is free! (Weigh-ins 6:15-6:55 pm). Thursdays in Bayless Hall Volunteers are needed every 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of every month from 8:30-11:00am Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a ministry started at Windcrest UMC for the people who came to our church almost every day looking for help. We provide emergency assistance to individuals and their families in our community in the form of prayer, food, a Wesley nurse, and a listening ear which is part of the Body of Christ. For more information contact the church office. Every 2nd Thursday of the month WUMC Neighbors Helping Neighbors provides worship, breakfast, assistance with other needs. Every 3rd Thursday, the food from the San Antonio Food Bank Truck will be distributed by Neighbors Helping Neighbors Ministry at Windcrest United Methodist Church. Windcrest UMC Food Pantry Ministry In an effort to keep the Windcrest UMC pantry sufficiently stocked, they are asking for the following donations each month. First Sunday Jelly Second Sunday Saltines Third Sunday Pasta Sauces Fourth Sunday Canned Vegetables Fifth Sunday Beans/Rice (in great need of bags of rice and beans) If you feel led to help out, please consider these donations when you are out doing your grocery shopping. They will have a table or cart in the Gathering Place each Sunday to collect the items and stock the shelves of the pantry. Thank you so much for your help and support of our Neighbors Helping Neighbors ministry. To see video please go to or the Church Facebook. 9/December 2018

11 Windcrest UMC Community Outreach Meet & Greet Signup to host a Sunday Meet and Greet. More information is available at the Meet and Greet Table each Sunday in the Gathering Place from 10:30 am 11:00 am. Crop Walk THANK YOU for supporting the 35th Annual San Antonio CROP Hunger Walk! With your support and prayers the WUMC team exceeded our goal by $255 and received donations of $1,255!! The total raised for the San Antonio area was $7,386 reported to date and 25% of that will stay in the San Antonio area at four local hunger-fighting agencies: SATX Food Bank, Christian Assistance Ministries, Bethel AME Outreach Program, and Temple Beth-el Summer Food & Fun Camp. The remainder will support the global and national work of Church World Service. We had 14 walkers this year...so mark your calendars to join us on the Walk in 2019, November 3rd! Crafty Christians Meets every 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month, and every month with a 5th Wednesday at 9:30 am. Join us in room 303. Crafty Christians will be on break for the month of December and will resume in January. For more information call Project Transformation The WUMC Transportation Committee supports the Rio Texas Conference's Project Transformation. This Project's mission is to engage young adults in purposeful leadership and ministry, support children in holistic development, and connect churches with communities. WUMC provides the use of the church van Monday-Thursday to transport kids from the local elementary school to the Northern Hills Ministry Center. During the after-school program, Project Transformation provides healthy snacks to the children and youth. Here is a list of healthy snacks the kids enjoy: pretzels, peanut butter crackers, apples and mini oranges, granola bars, Goldfish, snacks like those. Basically avoid anything like potato chips or super sugary snacks, but other than that they are generally not too picky. If you're interested in donating snacks for the kids at Project Transformation, there is a grey donation bin located outside the church office in Bayless Hall. The van driver will pick up any donations on Monday afternoons when they pick up the van. For more information about Project Transformation Thank you for your consideration! 2018 Missions Giving Report This is a list of the Monthly Mission Focus ministries WUMC has supported and the amount raised. Missions does not receive budget money. All money raised comes from the sale of Scrip cards and donations from the congregation for specific ministries. This does not include Crop Walk, Neighbors Helping Neighbors regular giving, UMW, UMM, youth projects/fundraisers. 10/December 2018 Africa University $1, Agape Ministries $1, Bethany UMC Cold Weather Shelter $ Border Ministry $1, Fisher House $1, Habitat for Humanity $1, Methodist Healthcare $1, Mercy Ships $11, NHN/Food Bank $6, Prison Ministry $ Sager Brown Mission Trip $4, UMCOR Disaster Relief $2, Windcrest UMC Day School $ Total $32, *Mercy Ships receives money from a number of sources including Pumpkin Olympics.

12 What is Christian Stewardship? Each of you, as a good manager of God s gifts, shall use for the good of others the special gifts you have received from God. (I Peter 4:10) Stewardship is using, with integrity and faithfulness, the gifts that God has given us. As Christians, we are to pray daily, attend worship regularly, give sacrificially, and serve faithfully. What is the goal of giving? To declare that Jesus Christ is lord of our lives all of our lives! It is by trusting Christ that we discover the wonder and joy of God s love, and we don t really understand trust until we trust God with our wallets! In other words, we give so that we might truly open our hearts to the power and love of our loving Lord. We affirm Jesus words, where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. (Matthew 5:21). We give, knowing that as we put the Master first in our lives, we become a part of the transforming power and presence of the living God. What is a tithe? Scriptures teach that we are to give God our tithes and offerings. The tithe is our basic obligation to God. It is 10% of our income returned to God from all that He has given us. The Bible stresses that this is our minimum responsibility to God who gives us everything (Malachi 3:8-10). The offering represents special gifts made to church and community causes above the tithe. Depending on the blessing that has been received, many give well beyond the tithe. Does Windcrest UMC require members to tithe? No, but we do encourage all church members to look at the percentage of their income that they give to the Lord. Many families begin by giving 3%, and then, year by year, are able to increase their percentage of giving up to the tithe. Why pledge? For two reasons. First, the act of making a covenant through an individual financial commitment to Christ is a key spiritual discipline. Pledging means promising Christ a certain part of our life, and then keeping the promise. Second, it is the only way that the church can be run with fiscal responsibility. If our church leaders do not have a good idea of what kind of support to expect, it becomes very difficult to plan and coordinate ministries, not to mention begin any new ministries. Why make such a big deal out of this? Because Jesus did! Jesus talked about money five times more than he did about prayer. He saw that our attitude about money can be a major barrier between God and us, or it can be a real means of growing in grace. Giving our wallet to God keeping the tithe -- is essentially not a matter of money - -it is a matter of the heart! For which ministries here at Windcrest UMC do you feel a special connection? Do you love to see the smiles and laughter of the children as they learn of God s love in Sunday school or VBS or as they come and go in our church-sponsored weekday school? Do you swell with pride to see our youth go on mission camps? Do you quiver with emotion when our Chancel Choir or the Joyful Ringers perform a hymn or song that touches your heart at just the right moment? Do you pray for our local missionaries who work with our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program or the mission projects who help those in distant communities? These ministries, as well as countless others here at Windcrest, require our financial support to do God s work. And if we all gave just a little more, the increase in giving could expand the reach of these programs. The possibilities are limited only by our resources and imagination. 14/December 2018

13 Monthly Church Meetings Altar Guild Mtg., Mon. 6:00 pm, 303 Church Council, Tues., 6:30 pm, 305 Council on Ministries, Tues., 6:30 pm, 105 Trustees Mtg., Tues., 6:30 pm, 305 Foundation Board, Thurs., 6:00 pm Finance Advisory Team Mtg., Thurs., 6:30 pm, 303 Day School/CDC Boar Mtg., Thurs., 6:30 pm, 305 Worship Planning Team, Thurs., 6:00 pm, 305 Weekly Community Events Monday 2:00 pm Line Dancing Class BH Monday 5:00 pm Walk to Health BH Tuesday 9:00 am Sit and Be Fit BH Tuesday 10:00 am Grief & Life-Change Support 105 Wednesday 10:30 am Chair Yoga BH Thursday 9:00 am Sit and Be Fit GP Thursday 5:00 pm Walk to Health BH Thursday 6:00 pm TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly) -BH Friday 9:30 am Line Dancing BH Every first Sunday is Holy Communion Sunday Every second & third Thursday of the month is Neighbors Helping Neighbors Events on December 25 & 26, 2018 are cancelled Events on January 1, 2019 cancelled Parsonage Open House Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 4 6 pm Stop in and enjoy some holiday cheer with Pastor Jim and Kercida. Like us on Facebook: Instagram: windcrestunitedmethodistchurch Twitter: windcrestumc Sunday School 9:30 am The Inquirers-McClung Bldg., 302 Millennium Miracles (M&M)-McClung Bldg., 303 The Searchers-McClung Bldg., 305 am Builders Class-McClung Bldg., :00 am Good News Bible Study-McClung Bldg., 303 The Procrastinators-McClung Bldg., 305 BIBLE STUDIES MEN S BIBLE STUDY Mondays 7:00 pm - room 305 Rehearsals Sunday 12:00 pm Felt Faith Puppet Ministry 306 Wednesday 6:30 pm Bells Bell Room Wednesday 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Choir Room Thursday 7:00 pm Praise Team Sanctuary MEETING LOCATIONS BH formally FH Bayless Hall formerly Fellowship Hall GP Gathering Place Sanctuary 105 Rooms Hilliard Bldg. 200 s Rooms Jones Bldg Rooms McClung Bldg. Worship Services Sundays Traditional 8:15 & 9:30 am Praise 11:00 am Wednesdays, 6:15 pm, Holy Communion service (Wednesday service is cancelled on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 and January 2, 2019) Hilliard Bldg. 11/December 2018

14 Council Chair Senior Pastor Lay Leader: Committee Members: CS=Council Secretary F= Finance FC= Finance Chair P=Pastor Parish Relations PC=PPR Chair T=Trustee TC=Trustee Chair TVC=Trustee Vice Chair TS=Trustee Secretary YA= Young Adult (18-30) WINDCREST NOMINATIONS REPORT for 2019 CHURCH COUNCIL & ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES Council on Ministries Representative Francie Reese 2018 Lay Delegates Bob Martindale Larry Shanklin Larry Shanklin Jim McClain Darryl Taylor Kathy Buckner (F,P,T) 2020 Mark Daigle (F. P. T) 2021 Dick Davis (F,P,T) 2020 Melissa Garza (F, P, T) 2021 Mary Hatch (F,P,T) 2019 Paula Miles (F, P, T) 2021 Joel Shields (F,P,T) 2019 Chester Varner (F,P,T) 2020 Ron Wood (F,P,T) 2019 *Format approved & Classes assigned 11/06/2018 by Leadership Council Other Elected Church Leadership ALTERNATE LAY DELEGATES Jane Martindale, to be elected, Francie Reese, Tomoko Shanklin, Darryl Taylor, Laurie Taylor, Chester Varner, Debbie Varner, Marcy Williams (These people are recommended by the congregation to serve as delegates to annual conference if needed or elected to serve by another body) ASSOCIATE LAY LEADERS Associate Lay Leaders: Gary Belcher, Bob Jones, Frank Bristow, Charles Greene, Ron Buckner, Marilyn Olivares (CLS), Loretta Morse (CLS), Larry Shanklin (CLS), Bob Martindale (CLS) (CLS: Certified Lay Speaker) NOMINATIONS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Chair: Rev. Jim McClain Lay Leader: Darryl Taylor Debbie Andrews (2019), Dan Reese (2020), Mona Ottinger (2019), Kristin Burnam (2020), Morgan Williams (2021), Dr. Don Hobaugh (2021) President Vice President Treasurer Ex-Officio Members: Members: Dan Reese (2019)*Fills an unexpired term Mary Hatch (2019) Bill Shields (2019) FOUNDATION BOARD Marc Sager Norman Graham Al Baccus Rev. Jim McClain, Marcy Williams, Darryl Taylor Al Baccus (2021) Norman Graham (2021) Noe Perez (2021) Marc Sager (2023) Ray Burns (2023) Skip Ross (2023) WINDCREST DAY SCHOOL AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER BOARD (With the exception of the chair, this board is nominated by the WDSCDC board and elected by WCUMC Charge Conference.) Chair (Church Member/Non-Parent) WUMC Member/WDS Parent Rep WDS Parent Rep WUMC Member/Non-parent Rep Advisory Members 12/December 2018 Janette Felder (Nominated and elected by Charge Conference) Sarah Bryant (Secretary) Melissa Garza Joscelyn Laurence Noah Melngailis Kristen Abel Mary Behrend Joel Shields Linda Wilcoxen School Director Dawn Crews WUMC Children and Youth Director Rev. Jim McClain (Or designee) Sr. Pastor Marcy Williams Church Administrator Dick Davis WUMC Trustee Chair

15 Windcrest United Methodist Church 2019 Budget Description 2019 Approved Budget Total Connectional Giving, Personnel & Benefits $ 585, Total Church Operations $ 102, Total Reimbursables $ 6, Total Mission & Ministry Support Supplies $ 60, Total Mission & Ministry Work Areas $ 11, Total Operating Expenses $ 767, WUMC Cottage Meetings Since his arrival here at Windcrest UMC, Rev. McClain and his wife, Kercida, have met with church members in 22 different cottage meetings. Many of you have enjoyed meeting them and they have learned a lot about this church and the people who call it home. On behalf of the leadership of the church, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the meetings, especially those who hosted a meeting. Your hospitality and graciousness is a blessing to all of the members of Windcrest UMC as well as the staff. As you read the following names, please raise up a prayer of thanksgiving for each of them and their willingness to serve. Cottage Meeting Hosts: Ron & Fran Wood, Rick & Terri Walpole, Don & Carol Hobaugh, Darryl & Laurie Taylor, Rick & Rina Segura, Joel & Mary Ann Shields, Randy & Cheryl Bristow, Marc & Nancy Sager, Rich & Kim Ross, Larry & Loretta Morse, Dick & Linda Davis, Janice & Robert Parkhurst, Christel Sibert, Ginny Wilson, Chalmers & Cindy Gable, Bob & Jane Martindale, Pat Ridenour, Emily Kester, Kathy Wilkinson, Vera Canedy, Terri Bonn, Olivia Duvernay, Ron & Barbara Hoch, John & Magda Hylton, John & Lori Tarnow, Francyne & Sid Underwood, Beverly & Hob Cunningham, Dan & Francie Reese. 13/December 2018

16 8101 Midcrown, Windcrest, Texas office Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 am 5 pm, Friday 9 am-12 pm Website: Facebook: Instagram: windcrestunitedmethodistchurch Twitter: windcrestumc Office Staff: Name Extension Visit Senior Pastor Jim McClain 112 J.mcclain@windcrestumc.org M-Th Associate Pastor Joan Ahrens 113 jgahrens43@gmail.com Director of Children & Youth Dawn Crews 115 d.crews@windcrestumc.org M-Th Music Director Becky Fair 118 b.fair@windcrestumc.org M-Th Assistant Music Director Debbie Andrews d.andrews@windcrestumc.org Worship Leader Nadine Mansour n.mansour@windcrestumc.org Multimedia Coordinator Rob Adkins r.adkins@windcrestumc.org Multimedia Assistant Tim Ross Wesley Nurse Dawn Gonzales 142 dgonzales@mhm.org Church Administrator Marcy Williams 125 m.williams@windcrestumc.org M-F Finance Administrator Lupe Cano 111 l.herrera@windcrestumc.org M-F Communications Coordinator Lisa Scott 123 l.scott@windcrestumc.org M-F Lead Custodian Auxy Salinas M-F Maintenance Braulio Diaz M-F Day School Director Linda Wilcoxen 120 l.wilcoxen@windcrestumc.org M-F Worship Services - Sundays: Traditional 8:15 & 9:30 am Contemporary Praise 11:00 am Wednesdays 6:15 pm 16/December 2018