December This is Christ s Church + There is a place for you here! Inside The Contact: Annual Meeting...2. Youth Events...4. Advent Schedule...

Transcription

1 December 2017 Inside The Contact: Annual Meeting...2 Youth Events...4 Advent Schedule...3 Pastor Jane s Backpage...11 This is Christ s Church + There is a place for you here!

2 Annual Congregational Meeting Our Autumn congregational meeting will follow worship on December 3, 2017 at 11:30am. I ask you to please be present and willing to participate as we discuss several important matters. The agenda will include the discussion and adoption of the 2018 spending plan, approval of an ILC Foundation nominee(s) and nominations and approval of Congregation Council member(s). The spending plan has been sent via electronic and regular mail. A copy is available in the hallway outside the office or by request if you did not receive it. This year your Council will ask you to also discuss and approve two changes to our ILC Constitution. The first change would be to reduce the size of congregation council from 12 members to 9 members. The second change would reduce congregation council terms from 3 years to 2 years. You may be asking why the reduction for both the size and term of service for future councils? Council has consistently struggled for many years to find volunteers willing to serve. People are busy, they already have commitments, are unable to handle one more thing on their plate, not comfortable making group decisions, etcetera. Many current and former council members have voiced that 3 years is a lengthy commitment and believe a 2-year term more realistic. Lastly, our current Council size of 12 persons has not changed in decades. Incarnation is a much smaller congregation and proportionately it makes sense to reduce the number who serve. This year 4 council members are rotating off and with the congregation s approval, we will elect one replacement. --Teresa Boykin, Council President Slate of Council Candidates for 2018 Elections We will elect one to ILC Council and one to Foundation Board Shawn DeJames: Shawn and her husband Jeff have been members of Incarnation since They have four children (20, 18, 16, and 14). Shawn is a lawyer who currently works with the SC Department of Administration as the Assistant Director for the Division of Facilities Management and Property Services. Over the years Shawn has participated in a variety of committees at the Church including the Bylaws Subcommittee and the Child Development Center. Shawn has worked in the Nursery and helped with the children s choir when her children were young. Shawn has helped the Youth raise money for the National Youth Gathering by working on the Christmas Tree Fundraiser, Bread Fundraiser, Garage Sale Fundraiser and others. She attended the Youth Gathering in New Orleans in 2012 and in Detroit in Shawn enjoys baking, travel and going to the gym. She also likes to play tennis when she can find the time. John Nester: John and his wife Gloria have been members of Incarnation for several years. They have one daughter, Gabi, who is a member of the current Confirmation Class. John has served on the Oktoberfest committee and as a volunteer, and he looks forward to putting his talents to work as an active member of the church. John is a contractor and owns his own business, Loch Ness Remodeling. Foundation Nominee: Catherine Sexton: Catherine and her husband, Dr. Greg Sexton, celebrated the marriage of their daughter Julia at Incarnation this past April. Catherine grew up at Incarnation and has transferred back to our congregation now that their three children are grown. She has been active with Mary Martha and Oktoberfest since her return and is eager to serve on the Foundation Board, if elected. By day, Catherine serves as office manager of Greg s medical practice, Capital Plastic Surgery.

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4 inspire + Live Up Upcoming Youth and Family Events! Save the Date! December 10 - Parents Meeting Please plan to stay after Sunday School at 12:30 on Dec. 10th for a brief informational meeting to discuss what faith formation will look like in the new year! Thank you to all of you who shared your opinions with us either through our recent ministry survey or in person. We have discussed your opinions and ideas and are making some changes to how Sundays look for children and youth in January. December 22 - LCY Lock-in! Middle school and high school youth are invited to join Ethan and youth from across the Midlands for an LCY lock-in on Dec. 22nd! The event will be a time of games, devotions, small groups, worship, food, a movie, and more! January LCY 9th/10th Grade Retreat 9th and 10th grade youth event at Camp Kinard! Feb Family Snow Tubing Trip! Save the Date!!! We had so much fun last year, we are doing it again! All children, youth, and their families are invited for a day trip of tubing fun! Like last year, we will leave in the morning, snow tube, and finish with a pizza buffet! February LCY 11th/12th Grade Retreat 10th and 11th grade youth event at Coastal Retreat, Isle of Palms. March LCY Middle School Retreat Event for middle school youth at Camp Kinard! April Spring into Action! High school servant retreat at Camp Kinard! June 26-July 1 - ELCA Youth Gathering High school youth will be travelling with over 30,000 other youth from across the ELCA to Houston TX for a faith formation event! July GraceWorks! Rising 6th graders up to graduated high school seniors are invited to participate in this week-long servant event here in Columbia! Contact Ethan Overcash for more information or to RSVP for any of these events by clicking HERE

5 empower + Live Out Incarnation opened its doors to the community on Devine Night Out, held on November 9th. In addition to the seasonal music, sweet treats, hot cider and coffee were available for our guests. Thanks to the Communications Ministry Team for the Advent Flyers, which you may have seen in the narthex, listing all the Advent worship opportunities. Advent is a great time to reach out to a neighbor, friend, or co-worker and invite them to attend a service or two. Thanks to Dea, Melanie, Nickie, John, and Pastor Jane for helping to make the night a success for the church!

6 inspire + Live Up WE ARE DUST AND TO DUST WE SHALL RETURN As we approach the Fall Season we are reminded that we are dust. We are also reminded that at some point and time we will be faced with our death or maybe that of a loved one. ARE YOU PREPARED? Here at Incarnation we have many tools for us to do just that. Our beautiful columbarium is available for those who wish to be cremated as well as a memorial plaque to remember those we love by putting their names on this plaque. For those of you who have lost a loved one over the last year or months, now would be a good time to think about remembering them. Those who wish to have names on the memorial plaque by Christmas, please submit an order as soon as possible. Please contact Walter Lindler, Maggie Murdock, Welda McCullough or Fran Sims, if you are interested in a memorial plaque or the purchase of a niche in our beautiful columbarium. Payment plans are available for niche ($ ). Plaques are $ each. The Incarnation Columbarium Courtyard

7 inspire + Live Up THIS ADVENT SEASON! Poinsettias are available for purchase in honor of or in remembrance of a loved one or friend. This annual display graces our sanctuary on Christmas Eve. Forms are available in each pew and from the ushers. Cost is $12 per plant. Please return forms to the offering plate or office with payment no later than December 17th. Chrismon Trees Two beautiful 12 ft. Leyland Cypress trees now grace our sanctuary. They have been lovingly adorned and decorated during the Hanging of the Greens celebration. The trees come from a farm in Ridge Springs, SC and were delivered by the farm owners. Unfortunately, we have no budgeted funds designated for this purpose, so we are soliciting donations to cover the costs. If you care to do so, please make checks payable to the church and indicate Chrismon trees on the memo line. All contributions are greatly appreciated!

8 renew + Live In REAL Who is the St. Nicholas? and Why is he coming to Incarnation? Find out on Wednesday, Dec. 6 Supper at 5:00 St. Nicholas Festival at 6:00 Visit from the man himself crafts and gifts for the children fun for the whole family! Please bring a canned good for St. Nicholas to take to Harvest Hope Food Bank CHILDREN SING OF CHRISTMAS CDC PROGRAM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 5:30PM ALL ARE WELCOME!

9 renew + Live In December Worship Assistants If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute, then inform the office of the change. Thanks! Ushers Team 2 Crucifer Acolytes Lector Communion Dec 3 Amy Kehl Porter Boepple McNally Sowell Mary Kehl Assistants Mary Kehl Amy Kehl Eucharist Minister Mary Kehl Dec 10 Katie Sawicki Steven Cook Pierson DeJames Russ Jackson Walter Lindler Shirley Lindler Laura Jackson Dec 17 Aidan DeJames Gabi Nester Olivia Jackson Aidan DeJames Teresa Boykin Beth Rogers Walter Lindler Dec 24 10a Amy Kehl Steven Cook Noah Meyer Youth Choir N/A 5p Amy Kehl Cole Snyder Olivia Jackson Torch Bearers Henry Murdoch Ethan Johnson Dec 31 Aidan DeJames Pierson DeJames Gabi Nester Janet Hoffmann Bible Bearer Grace Sawicki Pierson DeJames Welda McCullough Janet Hoffmann Mary Kehl Teresa Boykin TBA TBA DON T FORGET THAT TH E OFFICE AND CDC WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 25 & 26 AND JANUARY 1 HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE INCARNATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFFS!

10 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 ANNUAL MEETING 11:30a NO Faith Formation Advent I Scouts 7p Sewing 10a Cub Scouts 6p 12:10 Communion/lunch St. Nicholas Program Dinner 5p/ Program 6p Yoga 10a CDC Chapels: 10a, 11;30a Transitions Meal 5:30p Mary Martha (ILC) 7p Council 12:30p Parent Mtg. 12:30p Advent II Scouts 7p Sewing 10a Cub Scouts 6p 12:10 Communion/lunch Service of Healing 6p CDC Chapels: 10a, 11;30a CDC Program 5:30p Newsletter Deadline Install Council Caroling 4-6p Advent III Scouts 7p Sewing 10a Cub Scouts 6p 12:10 Communion/lunch Holden Evening Prayer 6p NO Wonderful Wed. NO Men In Mission 10a Lessons & Carols 5p Communion Advent IV 24 Christmas Day Office/CDC Closed NO Wonderful Wednesday 31 EVENTS Every Sunday Instruments 9a; Chancel Choir 9:10 am Worship 10 am Sunday School, Faith Formation 11:30 am Lunch 12:30p; 12:45p Youth Group/Children s Music Every Wednesday Wonderful Wednesday Begins 4p; Dinner 5:15p Faith Formation 6p Handbells 6:15p Chancel Choir 7:15p

11 Pastor Jane s Back Page From Pastor Jane-- Soon it will be Advent that strange season of the church year when our longing for Christmas carols and manger scenes and gospel lessons about the sweet baby Jesus outweigh the church s call to wait wait wait! Prepare prepare prepare! Not easy in our day and time but oh how so important when all around us are wars and rumors of wars, anger, divisiveness, polarization, indifference and I could go on and on. But what could bring us more comfort and peace than to be still and listen to God s words of promise and hope? What could be more important than remembering and reflecting that God has come that God is here and that God will come again? I have a favorite book of poems I read every year this time. It s called Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems. She includes 4 poems in her Advent section. Here s my favorite. Our God is the One who comes to us in a burning bush, in an angel s song, in a newborn child. Our God is the One who cannot be found locked in the church, not even in the sanctuary. Our God will be where God will be with no constraints, no predictability. Our God lives where our God lives, and destruction has no power and even death cannot stop the living. Our God will be born where God will be born, but there is no place to look for the One who comes to us. When God is ready God will come even to a godforsaken place like a stable in Bethlehem. Watch for you know not when God comes. Watch, that you may be found whenever whenever God comes. From: Kneeling in Bethlehem, Ann Weems, The Westminister Press, 1980.

12 Incarnation Lutheran Church 3005 Devine Street Columbia, SC (803) Like us on Facebook and Instagram! Save the Date! Dec. 3 Dec. 6 Dec. 14 Dec. 31 Annual Congregational Meeting St. Nicholas Program CDC Children Sing of Christmas Annual Reports Due to the Office!! Please Look Inside for Full Advent Service Information!! Sunday Holy Communion Worship at 10 am Sunday School at 11:30 am Jane P. Mitcham Interim Pastor Nickie Riley Music Director Ethan Overcash Youth Minister Kris Esgar Parish Administrator Amy Kehl Bookkeeper Teresa Boykin Director of Child Development Centers Vacant Director of Byron Road Child Development Center