Pastor Tweedy Rev. Tweedy Sombrero

Transcription

1 T R I N I T Y T R A N S F O R M E R A monthly publication of Trinity United Methodist Church Our Mission: To Be Lovingly Obedient To Christ Vol. 4 No. 10 December 2013 Dear People of God We enter the Advent season celebrating Presence, not only the presence of God with us but also our Presence in church and in our small groups. I don t think we ever realize how important our presence is in our church and in our community. In American Indian communities, it is always the experience of everyone together, never alone. In the past when Indian people talked they would say we and not I but that is changing slowly, unfortunately. Each of us has an instinctual desire to belong. The African word Ubuntu is exhibited in the book of Acts as Luke describes the way the first followers of Christ devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship with one another, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. They met in the temple courts, fellowshipped in one another s homes, and praised God as more people came to know and experience the gospel (Acts 2:43-47). It is a pattern of Christian community for us to follow as well. As United Methodists, we affirm our belonging to one another in the vow of presence, which combines spiritual disciplines of corporate worship and small group community. We gather together in worship and small group life to experience God, praise God, know God, and grow together as disciples of Jesus Christ so that we become a part of God s transformation of the world. This month we will explore the importance of the spiritual discipline of presence in worship and small group life. These two community practices are primarily done in the context of this local church. These practices are essential for us as followers of Jesus trying to learn and experience what it means to be formed into his likeness. The writer of Hebrews letter challenges us to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering (Hebrews 10:23). That s not always an easy thing to do. In a world like this, it can be tough to hold on to hope. That s why the writer tells us to look for ways to provoke one another to love and good deeds encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). There are times when I come to worship to affirm the faith that I hold, but there are other times when I come to worship so that the faith the church affirms can hold me. There are times when I come to sing my song of hope, but there are other times when I need the church to sing the song for me. There are times when I am present with my small group in order to encourage someone else, and there are times when I need to be present so they can encourage me. Our presence with one another is one of the ways we hold on to hope. Come and be present so we may all celebrate the love of God through Jesus Christ, God s only Son. Emmanuel God is with us. In Jesus Name Pastor Tweedy Rev. Tweedy Sombrero

2 Our December Birthdays 1... Karen Conde 1... Geraldine Pooler 2... Fred Munger 2... Mildred Werner 4... Lee Grimes 4... Don McCravy 6... Deb Haley 8... Janette Howe 9... Donna Caffee Mike Shelton William Freridge Jaylyn Minton Tracy Fauver 22 Pastor Tweedy Sombrero Evelena Remore Marilyn Young Savannah Jarvis Join us on Sunday, December 22 nd for Birthday Cake following the service! The United Methodist Women invite all women to a "Birthday Party for Jesus" on Tuesday, December 17 th at 11:00 A.M. in Morris Hall. Ham will be furnished for the potluck lunch to be served. Women are invited to bring a baby gift which will be given to the New Life Pregnancy Center. UMW officers for the coming year will be installed. Marion Perry, President Constance Stone Circle The Constance Stone Circle will hold its regular monthly meeting in the Muriel Freeman Library at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 (Our Christmas meeting). We will be reviewing Chapter #8 in our study book. All ladies are invited to join us for devotion, study, fellowship and Christmas goodies. Carmen Hawk, Circle Coordinator The United Methodist Men meet regularly on the first Saturday of each month at 8 AM in Muriel Freeman Library for a time of fellowship, study and prayer. All men are invited to join us. Dick Lueck Christmas Pageant This year s Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 15 th. During our Sunday morning worship service. The Dress Rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 14 th from 10 to 11:30 AM for all who are interested in joining this year s Christmas Pageant. Calling all women with knitting, crocheting or sewing skills! Create prayer shawls and baby blankets for those in need. The shawls and blankets will be brought to the church to be blessed then sent to the UMW Assembly by March 1, Suggested sizes: Prayer shawl, triangle: 65"long X 32" center back Prayer shawl, rectangle: 19"X 69" or 14"X 70" Baby blankets: 30" X 30", 32" X 32", 36" X 36" or 38" X 38" These are suggested sizes and should not limit your creativity. The shawls and baby blankets may be made from fabric or yarn. If you have questions, see Marion Perry or Sharon Felty.

3 The Worship Committee will be decorating the sanctuary for the Christmas Season on Saturday, November 30 th starting at 9:00 am. Anyone is welcome to come and help us, especially those young and agile that can climb in and around the balcony area. We welcome input on changes you would like to see made and what you want us to continue doing. Janet Hoy, Worship Chair Handbell Notes Just in case you haven t heard the bell choir is having a concert in December. To be exact, it will be our 34 th Christmas Concert. The concert will be music out of Christmas Movies. The choir has been working really hard at learning all this music. The concert will be Saturday, December 7 th and Sunday, December 8th 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Pam Young-Walker will be the Mistress of Ceremonies, with all the information you ever wanted concerning the program. We have two new players this year and I know they are a little nervous about all our music. We also have some concerts outside of the church. On December 12 th, at 7 PM we will be at the Assembly of God Church in the Foothills. On December 14 th we will be at the Quartermaster Depot (not sure what time yet.) On December 15 th at 3 PM we will be at the Shangri La RV Park and at 6 PM we will be at Desert Paradise RV. As always we will be playing in church on Sunday, December 8 th. You can also keep up with the Bell Choir at their Facebook Page. Just search for Cindy Klein Memorial Handbell Choir and ask to be our Friend. We hope to see you at one of our events! Blue Christmas Sunday, December 22 3:00 pm Trinity will offer our now annual Blue Christmas worship experience on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 3:00 pm. This community-wide service is for anyone who struggles with the holidays, either because of the loss of a loved one or the stress and anxiety of the season or just because of the shortness of the days of winter. Christ came to bring hope and comfort, to heal the sick, to seek the lost, to restore the broken and broken-hearted. This service will acknowledge the pain and look toward the hope to come, through music, Scripture, prayer and candlelight. This is not a gloomy service, but one of hope and light; so, if you or someone you know wants to experience hope and light in the midst of what can sometimes be a dark time, please invite them to our Blue Christmas. Everyone is invited to come as you are. Bring a friend! Please contact the church office if you have questions ( ). Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24 th 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Service of carols, choir and candle-lighting 11:00 PM Service and carols, communion and candle-lighting

4 Alternative Gift Market 2013 December 15 th and 22 nd Habitat for Humanity Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds with people in need regardless of race or religion, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. There are more than 1,500 local affiliates in the United States (including Yuma) and more than 70 national organizations around the world. Together, Habitat has helped to build or repair over 800,000 houses and serve more than 4 million people worldwide. There are many ways to help Habitat Yuma. You can hammer a few nails, bring in sandwiches, donate goods to the Restore, or donate monies. For more information United Methodist Committee on Relief UMCOR is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR s work reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States. UMCOR provides humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupt life to such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own. UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated donations on the projects the donors specify. When UMCOR donors give their time, money, and supplies, they join UMCOR as the hands and feet of Christ. Most recently UMCOR approved an emergency grant in response to Super Typhoon Haiyan, a category 5 storm, which barreled through the Philippines on Friday, November 8. The $97,000 grant will provide emergency food, water, and water purification tablets to 7,500 individuals (or 1,500 families) in Tacloban City, Leyte Province, an area worst hit by the typhoon. To ensure that food is delivered in a timely fashion, it has been UMCOR s strategy to purchase food locally to support local economies, and provide culturally-appropriate food to those who lack ready access in the aftermath of a disaster. For more information and/or ways to help go to Heifer International Heifer International believes all people deserve dignity, opportunity, and a future free from hunger. Heifer believes in providing the tools of transformation to bring about that opportunity; believing one cow can transform a life, but knowing one animal alone doesn t lead to sustainable change. Heifer believes in equipping people with the tools, education and livestock to bring about positive transformation. Together, through every small step forward, Heifer is transforming the world for the better. That's real impact. Through the Heifer Alternative Gift Catalogue you may choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Honor your loved ones with a free card from Heifer with every donation. Imagine No Malaria Malaria causes immeasurable suffering across the African continent. Without treatment, malaria's flulike symptoms - fever, chills, vomiting, headache - can lead to convulsions, organ failure and death. All of this needless suffering is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, transmitted through the bite of a tiny mosquito. Imagine No Malaria is a ministry of the people of The United Methodist Church to eliminate death and suffering from malaria in Africa by Just as the cross is a sign to us of God s love, we are called to be a sign of God s love and commitment to the world. The key to winning this fight is empowering people in Africa to achieve a sustainable victory over malaria, which we will accomplish together through: Prevention: Distributing insecticide-treated bed nets (Nothing But Nets), and working to drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Education: Teaching people how to effectively use bed nets and how best to protect themselves from malaria. Communication: Using radio and cell phones to deliver lifesaving information about malaria. Treatment: Improving access-to-care by training community-based health workers, and delivering life-saving medicines so hospitals and clinics can care for those in need.

5 I personally want to thank the hardy souls from Outreach Committee who handled the coffee fellowship during November - much appreciated by all! December 1 st and 8 th are the dates for Trinity's Angel Tree Christmas outreach. And the Alternative Gift Market is set for December 15 th and 22 nd. Both are true ongoing Christian missions done at this time of year in the spirit of Christmas. From Mission Moments during worship leading up to these events, you will have learned or will learn about the purposes for each and how to participate. Let's make a merry Christmas for others of God's children. Jean Rivers, Outreach Team Our Trinity family has the opportunity to assist incarcerated parents give their children Christmas gifts. We have 16 families with 34 children this year. These maybe the only Christmas gifts these children receive. Please pray for these prisoners and their families. Our Angel Tree will be up on December 1st and 8th with Angel tags, two tags for each child. Each child gets two gifts, one clothing and one entertainment (toy, etc.). Gifts are to be returned on December 8th or 15th. There will be a gift wrapping party on December 15th from 2-4 PM in the Freeman library. Gifts will be delivered to the families on December 22nd. Please help us purchase, wrap and deliver these gifts to the Angels on our tree. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus Joy Bradshaw, Angel Tree Coordinator Special Thanks to our dedicated Trustees who are constantly working around the Church property - cleaning, pruning, planting and making sure that our grounds and buildings are inviting and appealing to all. Special thanks to Felipe Navarrete for his attention to our lawns. Nurture Notes... Blood Pressure checks will be held in the classroom near the drinking fountain in Morris Hall (across from the kitchen and restrooms). This room will be quieter than the narthex area. One of our kindergarten children set an example for us adults when she went up to a visiting girl at Coffee Fellowship. She started a conversation. Although shy at first both were soon talking. They had first seen each other during children's sermon in church. Pastor Tweedy takes holy communion to homebound members and others unable to attend worship. Elements will be blessed during communion on the first Sunday each month. The Pastor will now be assisted by volunteers in this important Eucharistic Ministry. Condolences to Bob Meiser and his family. His wife Joan died November 8, Six Warm and Friendly Steps* 1. Smile at everyone 2. Greet many. 3. Look at everyone you greet. 4. Talk with some. 5. Introduce yourself to everyone you talk to. 6. Introduce many of these to someone you know. (From "You and Your Spiritual Gifts" Participant Manual, by Kenneth C. Haugk) Marlene Evans, Chairperson Food Bank Sunday is the first Sunday of each month! Please bring non-perishable food to support The Yuma Community Food Bank.

6 Trinity Transformation Team The Trinity Transformation Team (TTT) is now in its third year of training with DNA Coaching in an effort to enhance our surroundings and services to more effectively bring people to Christ. Over the past many months articles appearing in the newsletter have informed you about what the TTT has done, is currently doing, and what plans are projected for the future. This entry will not be about what the TTT is doing, but rather about what you can do to serve Jesus. We are fully aware that neither the TTT, nor DNA Coaching, possesses all of the "Good Ideas" to make our mission a complete success. Some of those "Good Ideas" reside with you, members of the congregation. If anyone has an idea for, or knowledge of, a program/project (p/p) that you feel will strengthen our cause; then we ask that you please bring it to the attention of the TTT with the expectation that it can be incorporated into the overall mission plan. We request that you, please, not just drop your idea on us and then walk away. We would prefer that you remain as the lead person for that program/project. If you don't feel comfortable leading perhaps you or a member of the TTT will know someone in the congregation who would be ideal for the leadership role; if so, they could be approached with a personal invitation to step into that position. In that case we would still ask you to remain connected as assistant/advisor to the leader since you are the person who has the working knowledge of this p/p. Success generally requires teamwork. That said, the TTT will be happy to help you assemble a team that will assist you in bringing your p/p to fruition. Many opportunities to serve Jesus are presented on a regular basis. We just need to remain alert to the possibilities. Some opportunities to serve will be difficult; if this is your call you will be required to expend much time and effort in Christ's service. However, there are many, many, many calls that require a much lesser degree of effort. Perhaps one, or more, of these calls will match up with your personal abilities, if so please step forward with "Here I am, Lord. Send me." As an example let us take a look at the Yuma Community Food Bank program. Not because it is a program that was initiated by the TTT, but because it is a longstanding program that was in effect when I arrived at Trinity seventeen years ago. It is not a difficult service program. It only requires us to bring one (more if you desire) food item for the Food Basket on the first Sunday of each month. One food item, one Sunday each month. It's easy! Yet very few of us participate. Why? Perhaps you feel that one food item is insignificant. When you consider all of those in our community who are hungry one food item would just be a drop in the bucket, why bother? Please be encouraged. Put your drop in the bucket. That is how the bucket gets filled to overflowing, one drop at a time. Or maybe it is because we just simply forget to bring our food item on the first Sunday. It happens. I fully understand, because when I first came to Trinity it happened to me often, so often that it became downright embarrassing. Embarrassing because I was not only failing to reach to the hungry in our community, but I was also failing Jesus. After all, He has called us to give food to the hungry. I knew that I had to devise a plan that would help me remember. Let me share that little activity with you. It worked for me in just a few first Sundays, perhaps it will be helpful for you also. When the SAMM flashed the Food Bank reminder on the screen on the first Sunday and I realized that I had forgotten my food item, again, I was ready to crawl under the pew. But instead I would turn and scan the sanctuary and I would take note of all of the people sitting in the pews; most of whom, just like me, had arrived empty-handed. Then I envisioned this huge pile of food that would be in the Morris Hall floor after the Food Basket had been filled to overflowing if each of us had brought just one item of food. Then I further envisioned the number of meals that could be prepared for the hungry from that amount of food and the figure would be astounding. With the simplest individual actions we can accomplish great things by working together as members of the body of Christ. In closing let me reiterate, opportunities to serve Jesus abound, we simply need to respond to His call. Be alert! Find your niche! Get involved! Serve the Lord! Your brother in Christ, Robert Hawk

7 WORSHIP SURVEY SAYS PART 3 Earlier this year before Sunday morning service began; everyone present received a questionnaire to fill out. The Questionnaire was part of the review and analysis of the church, required by the Consultant hired through the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. The job of the consultant, Don Nations, is to analyze each church, from the way the church looks on the outside (how appealing/attractive is it) to how we run our Sunday services (what type of service, how does the service flow, what technology do we use), from how we spend our budget (how much money do we spend on advertising, on mission/outreach) to how we follow-up with guests (how soon do we let our guests know we were glad that they joined us for Sunday service, and what do we do after that to welcome them back), from our signage (how do you find the front door, where are the bathrooms) to our music (musical style, choirs, any special music that we are known for), and so much more. This is Part 3 of the survey List the things you most want to see the church do in the future. The Congregation was asked to list the things they most wanted to see the church do in the future. The answers varied from grow in numbers to hiring a janitor. The summary list follows: Attract more: families, youth, young couples with children, younger members, children, young adults Grow our numbers Develop more leaders that feel a love for Christ and responsible for the church health Game night for all adults and children Provide a youth-friendly service Add a Saturday worship Become reconciling Reach out in the neighborhood More evangelistic outreach and missions Build a children s choir and program Recruit young people Reach out and minister to the unchurched Improve children s ministry More and improved youth activities/ministry Provide an 8:30 Service Hymn sings (more singing, fewer hard-to-sing songs and really long songs) Members sharing their stories about how God has blessed their lives Develop a Soup Kitchen Have community concerts More programs for snowbirds Increase attendance of our members and guests Grow financially by tithing Make children more important in the church Help the poor Accept all people (poor, homeless, gay/lesbian) Tables of 8 (for small groups and socializing) Social hour. The most frequent responses included: 1. Growing our numbers, especially with younger members and families, 2. Strengthening our financial health, and 3. Reaching out to the unchurched, the poor, and our neighbors. Which of these actions strike a yearning in your heart? Do you feel compelled to respond? Are you resisting God s gentle nudge because you think the job is too big for you or you don t know how or where to start? Offer your concerns up in prayer. After you have that conversation with God, take the next step and respond. Fill in the back of your attendance card with a note to the Trinity Transformation Team*. Let us know how you will respond to God s call. We will connect with you and move forward together. *The Trinity Transformation Team includes: Pastor Tweedy, Robert Hawk, Katie Fuchs, Bob Klein, Anna Marie Sollars, and Laurie Lineberry. Clearance Sale Greeting Cards 25 each Please check out the rack in Morris Hall and pick up a card or two.

8 Relay for Life Team Trinity April seems like a long way off for the big Relay for Life Event, but it will be here faster than you know. So the team is already in gear for money making events. Every 3 rd Sunday will be Team Trinity Sunday. In November Jackie Spears and Roy Cooper had several items up for sale. Roy s wood working items are awesome. And Jackie s crafts were just inspiring. If you want any of those items for Christmas please see Roy or Jackie, as we won t have a Team Trinity Sunday in December. Some of our upcoming events will be, Pizza and Soda Sunday in January, cookies and punch at the Bell Choir Concerts. We also will have some of the crafts set up at that the bell concerts. We will be selling Luminaries every chance we get, $5 a bag for in Memory of and Honor of. See Karen if you would like to pay for your bag now. If you would like to join Team Trinity please go to this website and sign up, Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 3 rd at 5pm in the Music Room. Please come join us as we continue our plans for the event in April. It is time for Trinity s 9 th Annual Cooke Caper. Bakers are asked to put a dozen cookies that won't stick together in a sealed plastic bag, freeze the cookies, and bring the bags to the church for placement in our freezer until Christmas Eve. Cookies may be brought to the Church anytime through Sunday, December 22 nd. Katie Fuchs will be coordinating this year s Caper... Watch the Church bulletin for more information. If you would like to help deliver cookies, please speak with Katie or make a note on your Sunday registration card.. The youth will be selling Cinnamon Rolls on Sunday, December 29 th during the 5 th Sunday Fundraiser! Please support our youth and enjoy a tasty treat. 8 TH ANNUAL JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM First United Methodist Church 298 W. 3rd Street, Yuma Friday, December 6 th 3 PM to 7 PM Saturday, December 7 th 9 AM to 3 PM Please consider letting us display your nativities. If you are willing to share your nativities with us, please contact us by Monday, December 2 nd. Crèche Cafe: Baked goods will be for sale during the event. Proceeds will benefit the Yuma Community Food Bank. Admission for the Journey is a can of food or $1 for the Food Bank. Boutique Shop: Jewelry, crafts and unique gift items will be available for purchase during the Journey. Contact Information: Cheryl Beckner or First Church Thanks to members of the Outreach Team who hosted our Coffee Hour during November. The United Methodist Women will host our Coffee Fellowship time during December. Thanks to David Combs who comes in early to brew the coffee and assists in other ways. There is also a sign-up sheet for providing cookies posted on the

9 marker board in Morris Hall near the kitchen window. Please sign-up to provide treats for Sunday morning. Advent and Christmas at Trinity United Methodist Saturday and Sunday, December 7 th and 8 th 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary Cindy Klein Memorial Handbell Choir 34 th Annual Christmas Concert Music from Christmas Movies Tuesday, December 17 th 11:00 AM in Morris Hall United Methodist Women s Christmas Luncheon A Birthday Party for Jesus Sunday, December 15 th 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary Children s Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 22 nd 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary Blue Christmas Worship Service Tuesday, December 24 th in the Sanctuary 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Worship with carols, choir and candle-lighting 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Communion Worship with carols and candle-lighting 3030 S. Eighth Avenue Yuma, Arizona

10 Prayers ٠ Presence ٠ Gifts ٠ Service ٠ Witness A Five Month Focus On Our Commitment PRESENCE It s the promise we make and renew every time someone joins the congregation. It s a vow unique to the United Methodist Church as we stand with those who join with us in our mission and ministry. In that moment we also remember the promise and vow we made when we first joined the church. It s a powerful statement about who we are: our commitment to one another, our dedication to serve others, and our promise to God. The world is held together by the promises we make, the commitments we keep, and the vows we hold sacred. December - Presence Our commitment to uphold the Church by our presence is a visible witness of our faith, both in the pew and in the world. Our relationship to Christ is nurtured by our presence in worship where we find spiritual guidance, comfort and strength. But our relationship to Christ is not confined to Sunday morning alone. We also uphold the Church by our presence at home, at work, at school, and in the community. Wherever we are, our presence should be an expression of our commitment to Christ. When we join the church we make a commitment To faithfully participate in its ministries by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Presence I get that or thought I did but decided to look it up and do a little research for this article. So according to Webster pres ence is a noun meaning 1. the fact of being in a particular place : the state of being present; 2. the area that is close to someone; 3. someone or something that is seen or noticed in a particular place, area, etc. Its first known usage was in the 14 th century. Synonyms are company and sight; with related words of closeness, contiguity, immediacy, nearness, and proximity. From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16 ESV Consequently, as a member of the Body of Christ, we all need to be present to do the work He has commissioned us to do. We must work together work properly so that the Body grows. We can only do that if we are there together present. We need to be present for committee work! We need to be present in worship! We need to be present in Sunday School and Bible Study! We need to be present in small groups! We need to be present as we Nurture each other! We need to be present as we Outreach to others! We need to be present as we Witness to others! AND if you physically can be there be present in prayer!! Please prayerfully think about this commitment about how you can be present so that your part of the Body is present and the Body can work fully. Your Sister in Christ, AnnaMarie Sollars

11 Trinity United Methodist Church 3030 South 8 th Avenue Yuma, Arizona Phone: 928/ Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #149 Office Hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM 12:00 Noon 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Rev. Tweedy Sombrero, Pastor TrinityPastor@roadrunner.com Bob Klein, Church Administrator TrinityOffice@roadrunner.com Return Service Requested Church School for all ages Sunday at 9:00 AM Worship Sunday at 10:00 AM Take Note.... Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, Decembe 2 nd at 6:00 PM. Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, December 12 th at 4:30 PM. Nurture Committee will meet on Monday, December 16 th at 1:00 PM. Staff Meeting on Monday, December 16 th at 5:00 PM. Administrative Council will meet on Monday, December 16 th at 6:00 PM Christian Education Committee will meet on Wednesday, Decemebr 18 th at 5:30 PM. Deadline for the January 2014 Trinity Transformer Newsletter is Wednesday, December 18 th! Please your information to TrinityOffice@roadrunner.com. The Church Office will be CLOSED from Tuesday, December 24 th through Thursday, January 2 nd. Your Church Staff sends to you warmest greetings for a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with God s richest blessings.