The Cross & Flame. Pledge Cards. Guest Ponderings. Christmas Eve Worship

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1 The Cross & Flame The United Methodist Church, Branford 811 East Main Street, Branford, CT (203) December 2018 Guest Ponderings Some Helpful Year-End Income Tax Thoughts (for those who can use it) Upon reaching the tender age of 70½, you are required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMD s) from your IRA. If you also make charitable donations, you might want to consider the following: Instead of donating with after-tax funds, consider using IRA money to make your donation. Tax law allows individuals over age 70½ to have their IRA Trustee make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) payable directly to a charitable organization of their choice (church, college, etc.). Under the new tax law, most of us will no longer itemize deductions. In that case, your donation has no tax consequences, Example: A married couple over age 70½ with total income of $100,000. Without itemized deductions, their taxable income is $73,400 ($100,000 less new standard deduction of $26,600). Their tax is $8,427. Pledge Cards The pledge cards have been coming in steadily and we are thankful for the stewardship mindset they represent. Your pledge is a faith response to the blessing of God on your life. The amount you pledge represents your faith response to the blessings you have received from the Lord. The finance committee will then discern how to best use those funds to advance the ministry the Lord is calling us to in the communities we serve. We need pledge cards from each individual / family so we can be good stewards as we plan the budgeted expenses for the year If you haven t turned in a pledge card yet, please consider doing so after a time of personal meditation and prayer reflecting on the Lord s blessing in your life. If you still need a pledge card, please call the church office. If their $5,000 contribution went directly to their charity, their taxable income is $68,400 ($95,000 less $26,600). Their tax would be $7,827, a savings.of $600 in federal tax. In addition, their state tax would be $250 less. In the case of a couple with less income, reducing the taxable IRA may also reduce your taxable social security. With thanks to John Beatty for providing this information. Christmas Eve Worship This year we will once again offer one service on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 at 5pm. Please plan to join your church family for an inspiring time of worship as we welcome the newborn Savior into our hearts and lives.

December Events Dec 3, 6pm Dec 3, 7pm Dec 5, 7pm Dec 11, 5:30pm Dec 15, 8pm Dec 17, 12:30pm Dec 17, 5pm Dec 19, 7pm Dec 24, 5pm Dec 26, 7pm Dec 28, 6pm Dec 28, 7pm Weekly Calendar SUNDAYS: 9:30am

Faithful Stewards Committee Christmas Eve Service Staff Parish Committee Community Dinner Youth Night Worship Servie & Sunday School Communion at Artis Monday Morning Quarterbacking Sewing for God

Shoreline Cafe 7:30pm Al-Anon meeting December Birthdays 1 st Robin Costa Carolyn Wiegner 3 rd Alea Appleton 5 th Michael Cartwright 10 th Jamie Holcomb 14 th Anna Halten 16 th Cyrus Kapadia Suzanne

2 December Events Dec 3, 6pm Dec 3, 7pm Dec 5, 7pm Dec 11, 5:30pm Dec 15, 8pm Dec 17, 12:30pm Dec 17, 5pm Dec 19, 7pm Dec 24, 5pm Dec 26, 7pm Dec 28, 6pm Dec 28, 7pm Weekly Calendar SUNDAYS: 9:30am 11:30am MONDAYS: 10am 4:30pm TUESDAYS: 7-8:30pm 7:30pm Nominating Committee Finance Committee Church Council Bishops Day On The District Men s Breakfast Ladies Christmas Luncheon Night In Bethlehem Faithful Stewards Committee Christmas Eve Service Staff Parish Committee Community Dinner Youth Night Worship Servie & Sunday School Communion at Artis Monday Morning Quarterbacking Sewing for God Pastor s Bible Study Group AA meeting WEDNESDAYS: 10am Learn & Play Chapel 10:30am Prayer Shawl Ministry 11am Faith Talk at Artis THURSDAYS: 10am Pastor s Bible Study Group 7pm Devotional Bible Study Shoreline Cafe 7:30pm Al-Anon meeting December Birthdays 1 st Robin Costa Carolyn Wiegner 3 rd Alea Appleton 5 th Michael Cartwright 10 th Jamie Holcomb 14 th Anna Halten 16 th Cyrus Kapadia Suzanne Lee 18 th Bob Massage Linda Noe 21 st Daniel Appleton 30 th Steven Schickler December Anniversaries 17 th Cyrus & Shanta Kapadia 17 th Lisa & Steven Schickler SUNDAY SCHEDULE Worship & Sunday School - 9:30am (No Sunday School first Sunday of the month) CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Tues thru Thurs 9:00am-2:00pm NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The 15th of every month - Please send article to Lori Cartwright at loriahlcart@gmail.com Missed a Sunday? Unable to attend worship? You can catch the weekly sermon video at SATURDAYS: 7pm AA meeting

Holiday Festival Wrap-Up: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! As expected, our UMC family came through in fine style for the Holiday Festival.

Special thanks to Rosemary, who provided our Santa (did you know who was beneath the beard and red hat?).

Final financial results are not complete yet, but we added at least $2,000 to our general fund. Now you can start planning your contributions for next year.

3 Holiday Festival Wrap-Up: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! As expected, our UMC family came through in fine style for the Holiday Festival. Not only did those who signed up appear, but so did many who hadn t signed up. We had crafts, food, jewelry, plants, tag sale items, and silent auction goods. The kitchen crew did a great job. Special thanks to Rosemary, who provided our Santa (did you know who was beneath the beard and red hat?). Also, a special thanks to the people who did above and beyond in helping clean up Herr Hall, which had to be done sooner than usual because of the Learn & Play Turkey Dinner. Final financial results are not complete yet, but we added at least $2,000 to our general fund. Now you can start planning your contributions for next year. But it s okay if you wait until after the holidays (wink, wink!) Ginger and Rosemary Plant Sales It is that time again when the growing season has ended, and we should give thanks to God for all the bountiful things that happened with our gardens this year. This year, our gardens were in their splendor with more abundant, bigger, and plentiful blooms than usual due to all the rain and heat we had. We saved on water too, because I did not have to water that much. With that said, I would like to thank everyone who did a tremendous job to make it all happen. On the two mulch week-ends, we had 14 people spreading mulch, which was just awesome. Thank you to Dick and Larry for hauling; Jim, what a big help you are to us each season for loaning your truck. Hugs! Behind the scenes - Roger, you did a fantastic on advertising; Brenda, you are our flyer designer and distributor. Big hugs to both of you. To our cashiers, Sam, Mary and Larry, thank you for being part of my garden team. Larry, thank you for all the extra plants and the raid we did on the garden in North Branford. Thanks to all of you who supported our plant sales. We have this great support in our church for our beautiful gardens; let us all give God thanks for this ministry. I m pleased to announce that our total sales for 2018 were $3,362. Ruby LOOKING FOR YOUR TABS!! Can we fill another bottle by the end of DECEMBER? It s amazing how fast you can fill a little baggie at home and help a child at Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Women s Annual Christmas Luncheon Ladies, mark your calendars now for December 17, 12:30 to 2:30pm. We will be going back to Café Fiore, located at 420 East Main Street in Branford.

After a time of good food and fellowship, we will view a video which will (hopefully) stimulate some energetic discussion as we reflect on its meaning for our lives and our faith.

Please join us on Tuesday nights at 7pm or Thursday mornings at 10am. In Memory of our dear friend, Don Robinson Around the world, two Christmas stories are most beloved.

Celebrate the season with Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future - and discover how the greatest Christmas classic was based on the Greatest Story

4 Women s Annual Christmas Luncheon Ladies, mark your calendars now for December 17, 12:30 to 2:30pm. We will be going back to Café Fiore, located at 420 East Main Street in Branford. Gift Exchange ($15 value, please) There may be a game or two! RSVP by Sunday, December 9 to Rosemary Luzzi Men s Breakfast Our Men s Breakfast group will meet on December 15 at 8am. After a time of good food and fellowship, we will view a video which will (hopefully) stimulate some energetic discussion as we reflect on its meaning for our lives and our faith. We are currently studying The Ten Commandments by Dennis Prager. Pastor s Bible Study The Pastor s Bible Study began a new curriculum in November. Please join us on Tuesday nights at 7pm or Thursday mornings at 10am. In Memory of our dear friend, Don Robinson Around the world, two Christmas stories are most beloved. The first and foremost is the sacred birth of Christ. And the second is Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. This holiday season, we bring both home to church with A Christmas Carol Bible Study! Celebrate the season with Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future - and discover how the greatest Christmas classic was based on the Greatest Story Ever Told - in A Christmas Carol Bible Study! An added bonus would be seeing A Christmas Carol together at Branford HS on December 6, 7, or 8 (HINT: Adam Jackson is playing Scrooge ). Youth Night Our monthly youth night is a time for fun and fellowship!!! All youth from our church (6th-12th grades) are encouraged to attend and bring their friends. We meet in the church basement from 7-9:30 PM. Snacks are being provided. Ping pong, air hockey, foosball, and video games are all available, and we ll continue to add other activities in the future. The date of our December Youth Night will be Friday the 28 th!

Secret Pals REVEAL TIME: January 13th Brunch after Fellowship Hour. Let s share a dish or two together with laughter and fellowship. Secret Pal Selection for 2019!

Learn & Play and UMC Branford will be joining together in prayer for the children that attend Learn & Play. Each L&P child will be partnered with a UMCB member who will pray daily for their child.

Prayer suggestions will also be provided. The program will start at the beginning of January 2019. What better way to start the year than to be covered in prayer!

5 Secret Pals REVEAL TIME: January 13th Brunch after Fellowship Hour. Let s share a dish or two together with laughter and fellowship. Secret Pal Selection for 2019! Signup sheet for Brunch is in Connector Hall. Any questions, please see Rosemary Luzzi. New Prayer Opportunity! Learn & Play and UMC Branford will be joining together in prayer for the children that attend Learn & Play. Each L&P child will be partnered with a UMCB member who will pray daily for their child. A written introduction to each child will be provided with their name, age, class that they are in, their teachers, and any other information that the family would like to share. Prayer suggestions will also be provided. The program will start at the beginning of January What better way to start the year than to be covered in prayer! Watch for a sign-up sheets to be posted in Connector Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Torello, Ro Robinson, or Robin Costa. L&P Fundraisers In the course of your regular shopping, you can help L&P earn much-needed supplies to enhance their programs! ShopRite for Education ShopRite stores that participate in the ShopRite for Education program are committed to making a difference for the communities that their customers call home. Through this program, participating store owners provide free educational equipment and supplies to local accredited non-profit public and private schools, kindergarten through high school. Register online at or at the store. L&P s school code is Big Y Education Express In 1993, Big Y introduced Education Express, a program committed to helping local schools get the supplies they need. Education Express is an innovative program that takes the burden off the individual schools and teachers and allows the community to provide support. Just shop Big Y stores and look for the participating items marked with the Education Express logo. Each item will have a point value and savings on top of that! Register at or visit the service desk at your local store. L&P s school code is Shepherds are excited. Angels have spoken. Glory to God in the Highest. A Savior has been born! Travel with Learn & Play to A Night in Bethlehem Monday, December 17, 5 7:15 pm

Highlight for November: We gave away a total of 12 quilts to Veterans at two local diaylsis centers and a Navy Seabee Veteran. Looking for something to do for a couple of hours? Come join us!

6 Sewing For God Mondays 4:30 to 6:30 pm We will now be going back to making quilts for our friends at Artis. It seems that they have a lot of new patients, and we need to catch up so they all get their quilts ASAP. Highlight for November: We gave away a total of 12 quilts to Veterans at two local diaylsis centers and a Navy Seabee Veteran. Looking for something to do for a couple of hours? Come join us! Our patterns are easy to sew, and we provide everything you need. Fabrics, threads, machines, etc. Can t sew? Can you press/iron? It s a job that some of us really don t like, but needs to be done. Any questions, please see Rosemary Luzzi. When December 11 th 6:00pm 9:00pm WHERE Hamden Plains UMC 15 Church Street, Hamden, CT CONNECTICUT BISHOP S EVENING AT THE DISTRICT 2018 Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton Fearless Dialogue Out Of Candor The three plans unfiltered Round Table Talk/ Discussion Questions & Answers ATTENDANCE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR ALL NOTE BELOW -SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR: PASTORS & LAY LEADERS DISTRICT LEADERS FINANCE CHAIR/SECETARY/TREASURER FEARLESS DIALOGUE : THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL RULINGS THE DECISION PROCESS OF THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS THE PROCESS FOR GC2019 EXPLAINED WHAT ISSUES SHOULD CONCERN OUR CHURCHES HAVE QUESTIONS & WANT ANSWERS THE SIMPLE PLAN GRACIOUS EXIT. WOULD LIKE YOUR VOICES TO BE HEARD? EVENING S AGENDA: 5:30-6:00 Bishop/ Pastors & Lay Leaders 6:00-6:50 Dinner Served 7:00-9:00 CFO & Church s Finance Team 7:00-9:00 Bishop & All Present RSVP by: December 5 th, 2018 Mariyam Mohammed Note : special year end sign -in NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Alpher Sylvester, District Superintendent

The Cross & Flame. Pastor s Ponderings

The Cross & Flame. Pastor s Ponderings The Cross & Flame The United Methodist Church, Branford 811 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405 www.umcbranford.org (203) 488-0549 umcbranford1966@gmail.com October 2018 Pastor s Ponderings Dear Church