TRACYTON TIDINGS. Tracyton United Methodist Church November Newsletter. November Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PASTOR S LETTER. Beloved Church!

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1 November, 2017 TRACYTON TIDINGS Tracyton United Methodist Church November Newsletter In this issue: Letter from Pastor Finance News Letter from Backpack Brigade Missions updates Holiday Giving Nominations and Angel Tree information Dates to remember in November 7th Nominations 5:30pm 12th Turn in Angel Tree Nominations and pick up family wish lists 14th Finance/council 5:30pm 19th Thanksgiving Food cards 21st SPRC 4:00pm 26th submit Angel Tree Wish List 28th Trustees 5:30pm November 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat th November Liturgists Libby Correll Children s Following Sunday Service 10:15am 12th 19th 26th Jim Klein Jaydin Davidson Laila Davidson Classes begin at 7:45am Everyone is welcome! PASTOR S LETTER Beloved Church! Watching the news of violence in Las Vegas and New York... and in the homes of our own neighborhoods... it s hard to be grateful. Feeling the challenges of climate stress, and cultural stress, and political stress... it s hard to feel grateful. Overwhelmed by crises in our personal lives as well, it s hard to feel grateful.

2 Sitting at home with a cold (I m doing that today), it s hard to feel grateful. And yet... And yet, even when we least expect, gratefulness comes. The book of the month for me has been David Steindl- Rast s little book, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. Gratitude might be a more usual noun, but it just sits there. Gratefulness, on the other hand, is a quality of our being. Brother David talks of how gratefulness comes to us unexpected. Surprise is a beginning of that fullness we call gratefulness. The flavor of chocolate, the glimpse of a rainbow or a tree aflame with Fall color, or the waters of the Inlet reflecting the Olympics just-so Ah! We can explain the science of it, but can we explain the stirrings of our hearts? A gift! Creation didn t have to be this lovely, yet it is! Once when I was in crisis, a friend surprised me by inviting me urging me to forgive, even when I didn t think there was anything to forgive. The surprise continued: in expressing forgiveness, I found my soul lightened, and found myself grateful to my friend, and grateful to God. And actions of love these too come as a surprise, even when they come from us! Habit and duty are one thing, but that extra move of generosity or grace, forgiveness or hospitality, these are gratis, gifts, grace, and prompt gratefulness in our souls. As we move through the month toward Thanksgiving, may you be surprised by grace flowing through the world, and through your soul. Love, Wes FOOD DRIVE, Saturday November 18 th from 9-4 Fred Meyer on Wheaton Way, in Bremerton, Myra Battin at For Information about the Brigade and/or other volunteer opportunities during the school year, check our website at: Bremertonbackpackbrigade.org

3 Submitted by Kathy Bogue With 8 weeks remaining, we have surpassed the half-way mark in our drive to earn $8,500 for our operating fund by the end of this year. Way to go CHURCH! What else are you doing to build the body of Tracyton UMC? Have you invited a friend to church? Have you attended church yourself? Have you volunteered for a committee? Are you already a faithful member of a committee? Have you participated in a work party? Have you volunteered to help with an event? Have you PRAYED for your church and your friends here? Have you participated in Christian Education classes? Are you part of a bible study at TUMC? If not, have you thought of starting one? What else can you think of to increase God s presence in this community and the world? Thanks to everyone for your continuing support of Tracyton UMC through your PRAYERS, your PRESENCE, your GIFTS, your SERVICE and your WITNESS. SMILE! Recipes Wanted Dig out that old family file of recipes and bring us one or two maybe even three. We think it is time for a new Tracyton United Methodist Cookbook. Add a story about a time the dish was served, or who in the family liked it most, a picture of yourself or the family member or friend who gave you the recipe would be great as well. Let s add some history and fun to go along with the sharing of food and hospitality. We would like to thank everyone who donated funds and volunteered to help serve at Benedict House this last Oct.This meal is served and received with such dignity, grace & honor. There is an opportunity to serve at other times, besides our designated week in October. If you would like to cook and serve a meal just contact the office or Libby Correll.

4 Backpack Brigade With winter rapidly approaching, the Bremerton Backpack Brigade is focused on filling the tummies of at risk children in our community, with warm, nutritious and hearty food for the weekends when the free meals at school are not available to them. During the month of November the Brigade would particularly welcome donations of boxes of Hot Cocoa mix (individual packages), Instant Oatmeal packets and cans of Chili or Chicken. (of course, ALL donations of non-perishable foods are most welcome!!!) Every Bremerton elementary school, several churches in the area, and the Habitat Store on Wheaton Way, all have donation boxes ready to receive your gift of food for a child facing food insecurity. The Brigade also welcomes volunteer help! Packing and delivering backpacks, participating in store food drives and preparing the vegetables for packing, are just a few of the regular weekly volunteer needs. If becoming a volunteer interests you, or if you have questions about the Brigade, please contact us thru our website: Bremertonbackpackbrigade.org The Brigade is most humbly grateful for your support and prayers. Thank you!! TUMW Gleaning Table This is the last week of the gleaning table for this season. You may find the odd ball item on the table for you to take if you wish and leave a donation if you are so inclined. Thank you for all the items and the donations you have brought this year. It will go to help women and children s missions. the closet is usually open Tuesday and Thursday from 10-2pm Donations and Volunteers always needed..

5 Kids Day at the library First Thursday of each month starting promptly at 2pm. Tracyton Community Library invites children of all ages to join them. There s make and take crafts and of course there will be a story or two, and maybe even some yummy treats. Thursday November 2nd! Be sure to come join in the fun! If you need more information call On the first Friday of the month we serve dinner to the youth of coffee Oasis. Sometimes this is the only hot meal these kids get all week. We try to keep it simple and affordable. We welcome any input you may have. If you would like to help purchase supplies or fix the meal, we meet at the church at 3:00pm. Please mark any financial donations Coffee Oasis Here at TUMC we designate the first Sunday of the month as Food Bank Sunday we gladly except donations anytime. Your donations help keep our community healthy! 526 lbs of food Updated Totals will follow soon. Holiday Food Cards & Angel Tree Nominations This year all names for the Angel Tree as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas food cards will come from the congregation Donations for the food cards will be accepted from now until November 15. Please designate on your check or cash envelope that it is for "Thanksgiving food cards". Donations received from November 15th thru December 17th will go toward Christmas Food and Gift cards.

6 Please nominate someone you know who is in need of help by turning in the Holiday Giving Nomination form to Lyla by November 12. At that time, you will receive Wish List forms for the families to complete for the Angel Tree. Thanksgiving food cards will be given out to nominated families at our church Pot Luck Brunch on November 19. Please turn those Angel Tree Wish Lists to Lyla or Libby by November 26. The angel tree will be set up in the Sanctuary by December 3rd. More information about Christmas will follow soon. We ask that if you wish to donate now for Angle Tree cards please signify that on your donation check or envelope. TUMC Directory Currant copies of our new photo directories are available in the Fellowship Hall. If there are no copies on the table please put your name on the list and I will make one up for you. If you feel moved to help by donating toward the cost of printing this latest version you may leave it in the donation jar also found in the Fellowship Hall. Connect our passions with God s mission Through The Advance, United Methodists can give to more than 300 missionaries. Donors also can provide support for more than 600 United Methodist-related projects worldwide. As a partner with The Advance, you provide United Methodists and others with a way to build missional relationships through a designated giving channel they can trust. As always, 100 percent of gifts to The Advance goes directly to the designated project or mission.

7 We are a multi-generational community growing together in the grace, love and service of God. Children are always welcome. Worship Time 9:00am Office hours Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm Phone number Pastor s cell Our Website Facebook page Tracyton United Methodist Church