ConneXion. Road Ramblings from Running Rev. Bill. October Newsletter 2015

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1 W E S L E Y F R E E D O M U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H ConneXion W O R S H I P S C H E D U L E 8:30am and 9:45am Traditional Worship 11:00am Contemporary Worship Road Ramblings from Running Rev. Bill October Newsletter 2015 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Message from 1 Rev Bill Mission Outreach 2 United Methodist 3 Women United Methodist 4 Women Educational News 5 Youth Ministry 6 Community Life 7 Music & Worship 8 Andre Trocmé was a pastor serving in the remote French village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon during World War II who, along with his wife and congregation, fearlessly provided safe houses for Jews seeking to escape the Nazis. When asked by the Vichy authorities to produce a list of the Jews in the town, Trocmé said, We do not know what a Jew is. We only know men. It is estimated that 3500 Jews avoided capture because of the hospitality and protection they received in Le Chambon. It is hard to think of a better example of someone who knew God s Grace and shared his gift of providing safe haven for those in danger. As we enter this fall season and kick off our God s Grace Our Gifts, capital campaign, I can think of no better story to use as an example. This is our calling, to recognize the love of God in our lives and respond by sharing our gifts, whatever they may be. The reality is that we don t wake up one morning and decide to share our gifts; decide to be generous. Generosity is an intentional act and it takes planning and practice. In the end, it is the daily practice of stepping out of our comfort zones in the name of generosity that provides us the wherewithal to risk our own safety so that we may be a vehicle of Christ s self-giving love to others. I hope you will pray with me, LORD, what do YOU want to do through me? And perhaps we will discover together how we can respond to God s Grace. Peace and Joy, Rev. Bill (aka. The Running Rev.)

2 O C T O B E R, P A G E 2 Thanksgiving Boxes will be distributed to those in our community Do you want your family to be involved in mission work together? Are you looking for a way to give back to your community during this time of Thanksgiving? Then mark your calendars for Sunday, November 22 nd (Can Food Sunday) beginning at 12:30pm and come help us sort canned and boxed food items, assemble Thanksgiving Meal boxes or create a placemat/prayer card for each family who will receive a box. If you or your family would like to participate in this mission project or if you have questions, please sign up by ing Sharon Feldman at sfeldman@wesleyfreedom.org or call ext. 12. Springfield HalloweenParty Monday, October 26th, 6-8 pm You are invited to join in the fun of hosting a Halloween Party for the residents of Springfield Hospital Center. After serving snacks, we will visit with the residents while decorating mini-pumpkins and listening to "spooky" Halloween dance music. Volunteers (ages 18 and older) as well as food/drink donations are needed. Due to Health Dept. guidelines, no homemade goods can be accepted. All donations must be pre-packaged in individual portions. Sign up on the tear-off sheet or at the Outreach section of ConneXion Point where a list of specific snacks needed is posted. Donations can be left in the church kitchen clearly marked for Springfield. Please help us to share God's love with our friends at Springfield by joining us for the party and/or donating snacks. Cold Weather Shelter Human Services Programs of Carroll County sponsors a homeless shelter in Westminster from November 1 to March 31 and Wesley Freedom will be serving a hot meal twice per month, on the third Wednesday of each month and the first Tuesday of each month, during the winter season. Last year was our third opportunity to be involved with this ministry and it was a wonderful transition from Hearts Place which we had supported for ten years. Sadly, Hearts Place closed four years ago due to lack of funding support. The Cold Weather Shelter provides a hot meal as well as overnight shelter to upwards of forty men and women seven days a week during the season. WFUMC, as mentioned, will provide a hot meal including casseroles, salad with dressing, bread and butter, milk and iced tea, fresh fruit and desserts. We will also serve the meal and spend time with the clients. It is an incredible opportunity for our church to help people in need in our county and we will be asking the congregation to support by donating food stuffs and/or serving the meal. Please watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin. Our first meal will be served in November.

3 O C T O B E R, P A G E 3 Operation Christmas Child Boxes It s that time of year to start collecting items for your Operation Christ Child Box. The boxes will be due on Sunday, November 15, United Methodist Women is the largest denominational faith organization for women with approximately 800,000 members whose mission is fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice. UMW members, many of whom are also members of WFUMC, participate in yearly UMW functions such as the UMW Fall Breakfast, World Day of Prayer Service, Spring Teas and the annual UMW dinner. Planning meetings take place the first Sunday of the month, January through June and September through November immediately following the third service in the conference room. What is a circle? A circle is a subgroup of the United Methodist Women in which members want to focus on special missions and spiritual growth while enjoying the fellowship of other Christian women. At Wesley Freedom we offer, to the women of the church, many circles or special interest groups from which to choose. Join us! Friendship Circle Cindy Waugh c.smithwaugh@icloud.com or Pam Valis pvalis@comcast.net We are a group of United Methodist Women (UMW) who meet on the 3 rd Friday each month from September through May from 7:00-9:00pm in homes, various venues or at WFUMC for creative and supportive fellowship while also implementing at least one mission focus a year which supports the purpose of UMW. Some of our recent outreach projects have been a church-wide Christmas winter-ware collection and a church-wide children s book collection for the Board of Child Care, along with used cell phone drives for The Shenandoah Women s Center. Susanna Circle We are a group of United Methodist Women (UMW) focus on special missions and spiritual growth while enjoying the fellowship of other Christian women. We meet the 3 rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the homes of circle members or at WFUMC for fellowship, bible study and mission projects. The Susanna Circle has made gifts to sell at the Christmas in the Country Bazaar, we collected items for Operation Christmas Child boxes, collected coats, clothes plus other items to donate to organizations in need. We love to fellowship and have fun in Christ s name. Sandy Van Cleve or Lynda Wilhelm wilhelmlk@comcast.net

4 O C T O B E R, P A G E 4 Pull Tab Program How can I help? Just start collecting! Pop pull-tabs off every soda, soup and food can; once you have collected a substantial number, bring them to church We will take care of the rest. Be sure to get everyone in your family, place of business and community involved. All funds collected from the pull tabs goes directly to purchasing gas for the shuttle buses, transferring patients back and forth from the hospitals and clinics for treatments. Wesley Freedom Book Club We will meet on Friday, October 9th and December 4th. The Reading Program encourages members to think critically about current issues through an annual selection of member-reviewed books. It offers an excellent opportunity to deepen your spirituality and to broaden your understanding of our mission work. readingprogram For more information contact Susan Kruger at (410) susank411@msn.com TRUNK or TREAT Join us on Sunday, October 18th from 3:30-4:30pm We will be meeting on the Cemetery Side of the Parking Lot. Please join us for an evening of fun! Games & Activities Trunk Decorating Costume Parade 3:30pm 3:30pm 4:15pm For more information, contact Michele Rogers at mrogers7102@gmail.com or Phone

5 O C T O B E R, P A G E 5 Our Sunday School is off to a great start! There are class options during all three service times and you are welcome to join any of the classes at any time. Please check the options below and discover a class or small group to join. 8:30am Nursery *Legos and More elementary students following the Children s Message *Adult Small Group Chapters led by Ben White in the Chapel *Adult Small Group Lectionary led by DeWayne Brown in the EYLC Office 9:45am Nursery through 12th Grade Sunday School church wide *Adult Small Group Stories Made New led by Vic Cison and Roger Demaree in the Conference Room *Adult Small Group Christianity in a Secular World led by Brittney King in the Chapel 11:00am Nursery through Preschool *Legos and More elementary students following the Children s Message *Praise Kids Choir elementary students following the Children s Message *Adult Small Group NEW led by Scott Gearhart in the Conference Room Each Sunday, there will be a take home page that provides some good discussion starters for your family to review the morning scripture. It is an easy way to incorporate your faith into your family routine. Pages are located outside the Resource Room and are also in the Worship Bags for elementary children who worship with us. Please pay special attention to ingredients when sending in snacks. Reminders: Third Grade Bibles will be presented during the 9:45am Worship Service on Sunday, October 18. Students will remain in worship for the entire service. There will be a reception for the students and their families following the service in the Community Life Center. Invitations were sent through CCB. Our second Legos and More class will be launching on October 11, during our 8:30am hour. We are seeking additional teachers to help provide support to our students. If you are interested in helping please contact Sherry Perrine in the church office. We are also in need of more Legos. Looking Ahead: Our Family Christmas Eve Services are a special way for children and youth to share the story of Jesus birth with our community. The Family Christmas Eve Services will be held at 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 5:30pm on December 24th. The cast for the 5:30pm service will be multi-generational. The practices will be held at the following times: 2:00pm Service Tuesdays at 6:00pm 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 4:00pm Service Tuesdays at 7:00pm 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 5:30pm Service Sundays at noon 12/6 and 12/20 For more information, please contact Sherry Perrine: sperrine@wesleyfreedom.org

6 O C T O B E R, P A G E 6 Youth Ministry What is new in Youth Ministry? High School Praise Band: (Grades 9-12); Practices are from 5:45-6:45pm in the Sanctuary in the Main building; Led by Karl Whittenburg and John McDermott Middle School Praise Band: (Grades 6-8); Practices are held on Wednesday evenings from 5:45-6:45pm in the Freedom Youth Center. Led by Karen Stebner, Joe Vincent, and Kathy Kaufman Middle School Lock-In: October 16 th -17 th 8:00pm-8:00am An evening packed with fun games and activities for our Middle School Ministry youth as they spend the night together in the church. High School Corn Maze: October 24th We are going to a corn maze! Bring your friends and family! There will be prizes for Most Creative and Best Duo costumes. The cost is $10 Signup online at wesleyfreedom.org/youth/ Youth Sunday School: Open to youth 6th-12th grades; 9:45am on Sunday Mornings High School Youth Group: (Grades 9-12); held Sundays from 7:00-8:30pm in the Freedom Youth Center (FYC). Middle School Youth Group: (Grades 6-8); Held Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm in the Freedom Youth Center (FYC). Middle School Fall Retreat: November 6 th 8 th Camp Joy El, Greencatle, PA Cost: $90 Momentum - A chance for youth to take a step outside the craziness of their daily lives and into God s creation to deepen their faith and relationships with each other. Signups available on Church Website. High School Fall Retreat: November 13 th 14 th Skycroft Conference Center, Middletown, MD Cost: $65 A weekend where our high school youth can grow closer to God as well as enjoy themselves and spend time with other youth. Signups available on Church Website.

7 O C T O B E R, P A G E 7 Bazaar 2015 November 21 9:00am until 3:00pm As we continue the hard work of preparation for the Bazaar, we would like to extend an invitation to you join us in fellowship. As you know, many hands make a lighter load and the joy of working as a community toward a common goal is inspiring. Our work days are: Mondays beginning at 7:00pm Wednesdays from 10:00am until 3:00pm Fridays from 10:00am until 3:00pm POT LUCK LUNCH (bring a dish to share) If you can t come out to craft, you can support the Bazaar using these suggestions: Make some jelly or jam Donate jelly, pint or wide mouth quart jars Have a bumper crop of green peppers? Make some pepper jelly or let us know so that we can chop and freeze them for cheeseballs. Make a craft or wood working project at home. Donate hemlock pinecones or other interesting pinecones or nuts. Start saving useful (and clean) household items for the White Elephant. No computers, clothing or large exercise equipment please. Donate hand knit or crocheted scarves, hats, etc. Plan to bake or make candy. Donate items to be upcycled. Please contact us before bringing large items. Looking Ahead: Please be on the lookout for Mixes. They will be going out in October. Watch the bulletin and look for the table in the Gathering Area. Cheeseball donations will go out on November 8 and are due back on November 15. Cheeseball Day is Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00pm in the CLC Kitchen. Candy Dipping Day is Wednesday, November 18 at 9:00am in the CLC Kitchen. Do You Like Food? If you answered, yes then I would love to discuss some ministry opportunities we currently have with you. Share your gifts with the Funeral Luncheon, Feed My Sheep, or the Human Services Programs of Carroll County s Cold Weather Shelter.

8 O C T O B E R, P A G E 8 Cantata Choir: All members of the church and community are invited to join the Chancel Choir for our 2015 Christmas Cantata, "A Festival of Lessons and Carols" by Hal Hopson. Rehearsals begin October 14th at 7:30pm, and the Cantata will be presented in worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday, December 13th. This is a great opportunity to sing a beautiful work of music with an orchestra. Contact Dan Eschliman for more details at deschliman@wesleyfreedom.org Freedom Philharmonic: Our brand new community orchestra, the Freedom Philharmonic, will begin rehearsals for the fall season on Wednesday, October 14th. All string players are welcome to join. Contact Kathryn Harsha for more details at kathrynharsha@gmail.com. What We re All About: To make disciples who share the story of God s Grace. To Offer the Community an Experience of God s Love To Raise up the Next Generation of Christian Leaders To serve those who are at risk, in our community, with the compassion of Christ 961 Johnsville Road Sykesville, MD