ECHOES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT. More Outreach, page 6. Monthly Newsletter of Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) November 2014

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1 ECHOES Monthly Newsletter of Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) November 2014 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT This year we will receive our Thanksgiving Offering on November 16 and 23, please give generously to this year. The Thanksgiving Offering benefits the Colleges, Universities, Seminaries, and Divinity Houses affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). These learning communities are an extension of the church, challenging students to understand and respond to God s call to serve. Your support provides scholarships, church relations programs, and chaplaincy offices. Most importantly, your support of the 2014 Thanksgiving Offering helps Disciples Come Home! It s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year... It s that time again! Time for the Annual Christmas Pageant at Woodland Christian Church! We will be stepping it up a notch this year performing The Surprising Christmas Pageant and we need actors, readers and singers! If you know a child or have a child who would like to be involved, please contact Kathryn Perry NO LATER than November 8 (khwelch10@gmail.com). Please include whether your child would like a speaking part or not. Parts will be assigned and scripts handed out on Sunday, November 9. Once we know who is participating, we will set a rehearsal schedule that works for the most people. Thank you! - Kathryn Perry Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom - Marcel Proust Thank you Sharon and Ken Perry for gifting the bird bath to Woodland Christian Church in honor of Kathryn and Brian s wedding. It is a beautiful addition to Woodland s flower garden and will be enjoyed by many. - Woodland Christian Church H.U.G.S. (Hats, Underwear, Gloves, and Socks) will kick-off the first Sunday of Advent, November 30. We will take up donations through December and pick back up the second week of January. Donations will be used for the HOPE Center and Volunteers of America. - Mark Johnson More Outreach, page 6

2 ` 2 NOVEMBER WORSHIP NOTES NOVEMBER 2 All Saints Day Sunday Scriptures: I John 3:1-3 Revelation 7:9-17 NOVEMBER 9 We welcome the Women s Choir from Transylvania University! * Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13 NOVEMBER 16 Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 NOVEMBER 23 Thanksgiving Sunday Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 NOVEMBER 30 First Sunday of Advent We Light the Candle of Hope *WOMEN S CHOIR FROM TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY The Transylvania Singers Women s Chorus is coming to Woodland on November 9! Don t miss church that morning! The Singers, a group of 18 ladies from different majors, directed by Joanna Manring, will be present in worship on November 9 to offer music for the service from their upcoming concert program, Americana, which explores different genres of heritage music in this country. If you want a preview of these wonderful ladies, please come out this Sunday, November 2, at 3:00 pm to Transylvania s Carrick Theater. Admission is free. - Joanna Manring A Note from Dalene One advantage of now having my office beside the sanctuary is that, at least one morning a week as I walk up the stairs, I am greeted by music as Kathy practices on the organ. What a way to set the tone for the rest of my day! This morning, as I opened the door to my office with pipes singing praises in the background, a lesser known hymn, When in Our Music God Is Glorified, came to mind. The hymn begins: When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride, it is as though the whole creation cried, Alleluia! (vs. 1, Chalice Hymnal p. 7) As we step into the month of November, much of our attention is turned toward readying our hearts and homes for Thanksgiving Day. There is a part of me that gets turned off by the over commercialization and overconsumption of the fourth Thursday of November. Still, I am warmed by the realization that so many hearts are indeed turned toward reflections of gratitude for at least one day a year. I am also reminded that gratitude is at the center of our faith. Each Sunday we gather to sing our praises. Each Sunday we offer prayers of thanks. Each Sunday we gather around the table of thanksgiving. In a world of so much despair, gratitude is subversive. I m not referring to being thankful for the material wealth in our lives. On the contrary, subversive gratitude turns the status quo rat race of I ve got to have more, I don t have enough, I m not worth much into eyes and heart open in thanks for the many wonders that God has given us: Thank you, God, for the gift of this moment. Thank you, God, for the gift of this day. Thank you, God, for family and friends and a faith community that surrounds us. In gratitude, we lift our voices each Sunday in praise to our God. Sometimes we are able to sing with robust feelings of thanks. Other times we struggle with the weight of the world and need the voices of others to carry us along. Oh what a gift if we were able to begin each and every day with hearts open in gratitude! Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise! And may God give us faith to sing always, Alleluia! (vs. 4, Chalice Hymnal p. 7)

3 ` 3 SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES AT WOODLAND! Join us on Sunday Mornings before worship for study/discussion/fellowship on our faith! We have classes for all ages and all are welcome! Infants Preschool Nursery attendants will be available beginning at 9:30 am. Teachers for November are: Kindergarten 5th grade: Rita Day Youth: Rev. Kathryn Perry Elementary High School This year we are again using the lectionary-based curriculum Feasting on the Word. Each Sunday, the material introduces biblical stories in a creative way with age appropriate learning activities. In addition, the scriptures used in Sunday school will be the same ones used in worship, tying the two together in a very intentional way. Join together at 9:30 am in the Youth Room for the Opening, with singing of camp songs and reading of the day s scripture! Following the opening time, individual classes will go to their assigned rooms. Adults Who said Sunday school ends at childhood? At Woodland, we have two very dynamic adult classes: The Hayes Farish class uses the study material The Present Word. Through the exploration of biblical text, adult study groups are invited into a deepened relationship with God. The Present Word engages participants in an experiential style of learning connecting faith and life. Discussion and activities encourage participants to live out their faith in their individual and congregational activities. All are welcome! September November: Sustaining Hope (Jeremiah; Habakkuk; Job; Ezekiel; Isaiah) The Seekers Class uses a variety of study material, rotating every 4-6 weeks with lively discussion. All are welcome! For the month of November, the Seekers Class will be Pondering Parables. We began on October 26 with a general overview, exploring the questions: What is a parable? What are characteristics of a parable? Where are parables found? If you missed the October 26 class, you may still join us as we continue our ponderings: November 2: An overview of parables of Jesus/New Testament November 9: Looking at specific parables in the New Testament November 16: Continuing with specific parables in the New Testament November 23: Writing our own parable

4 ` 4 Financial Update We have completed the first quarter of our fiscal year (July-September 2014) and a financial update is in order. In a nutshell, here are the numbers: Total Revenue (including one-time annual events such as the arts festival and a portion of the Woodland Foundation gift) Revenue Notes: Giving on Pledges is 4.3% ($5,622) below budget. General fund receipts is 6% ($2,851) above budget. The Montessori lease has been renegotiated for a two-year period. Total Expenses Expense Notes: Insurance coverages were renegotiated with new companies at a savings of $12,500 per year. The property committee will undertake two large projects this fall: outside mortar repairs and upgrades to the air conditioning system at a combined cost of $9,500. $82,519 $58,413 Summary From an asset perspective, Woodland is healthy we have a debt-free building, adequate cash reserves, and no other outstanding indebtedness. From a cash flow perspective, Woodland is not so healthy. Current projections show expenses exceeding revenue by $30,000 this fiscal year. As you will remember from the annual meeting in June, we deliberately adopted a budget containing a $40,000 deficit with the understanding that everyone would increase giving to cover that deficit. We have reduced that projected deficit by switching insurance coverages. However, giving by people who made pledges is not on target, and the actual deficit could well be $40,000 unless something changes before June 30. This is the second straight year for this size budget deficit. Such deficits eat into the cash assets of the church; at the current rate, Woodland Christian Church s cash reserves will be exhausted by June 30, There are several means of addressing this situation. Hopefully, the outcomes of our current long-range planning efforts will guide us in our future fiscal planning. Because we have entered into this situation with our eyes wide open, this report need not cause alarm. Let us, however, rededicate ourselves to the financial health of the church we all love so much. Conley Salyer Financial Secretary SURVEY UPDATES As we progress deeper into autumn and also into planning stages, I wanted to write a few lines to update where we are on the church survey and our future planning. The condensed survey results have been distributed to everyone. Along with this feedback came an opportunity to participate in small group gatherings to brainstorm and to document additional feedback. Once these small gatherings are done, the feedback will be compiled and again be distributed to the congregation to review. We all want to grow our church in many categories including new members, additional revenues and also spiritual growth. Our hope is that we will see the potential positive impacts on membership, revenues, etc. of our planning process that is underway. We all need to participate and work on the future of our church. If you have missed your assigned small group gathering, don t panic. There will be a make up session to be announced once the small gatherings are complete. We hope to have the results from these small gatherings back out to the congregation sometime in December. As more information becomes available, it will be provided to you via weekly e-minder and the Sunday bulletin. - Jimmy Owens WORSHIP & WONDER AND CHIDLREN S CHURCH We always have room and need more volunteers for these very important children s ministries in our church. See Kathryn Perry if you would like to volunteer.

5 ` 5 PROPERTY COMMITTEE The Property Committee has noticed some old furniture and equipment around the church that we think could be donated or auctioned. We will be setting up a table outside of the sanctuary soon with pictures of some of these items. There will be a place to bid on the items if you want to place a bid. We also want to draw your attention to the new traffic island in front of our church. The Aylesford Neighborhood Association worked with Michler s Florist to plant flowers and shrubs. Woodland provided the water (and a couple volunteers) to get the plants started. Next year, we plan on having a few workdays to keep the island looking great! We re always in need of members in the Property Committee. If you would like to help, just see one us. Gerry Hann Property Chair YOUTH Rev. Kathryn Perry Equal Exchange Fundraiser The Youth Group is once again teaming up with Green Chalice to bring you fair-trade and organic coffee, chocolate, and other goods through Equal Exchange! This year we re doing things a little differently preorders will begin November 2. Find one of our youth to look at an Equal Exchange catalog during the month of November and have everything delivered in time for Christmas! This is a fundraiser for our mission trip to Nicaragua and we hope to reach as many people as possible and help you get through that Christmas list. There will still be some chocolate and coffee ordered for same day pick up in the month of December, but we hope to get a lot of pre-orders in November! Thank you so much for supporting the Youth of Woodland! Inclement (BAD) Weather Policy If Fayette County Schools are closed, events (may not include church office hours) at Woodland are cancelled for the same day. For Sunday morning, Dalene will post to Facebook or you may call the church office for a recorded message. Disciplines 2015 Orders Want Disciplines 2015? It is the daily devotional guide based on the weekly lectionary scriptures published by Upper Room. Price will be $12-$14 each depending on the number ordered. Deadline to order will be December 8. See Jackie Diachun or tell Linda in the office (office@woodlandchristianlex.org or ). WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT WOODLAND Youth Schedule November 2: Youth Group November 9: No Youth Group November 16: Mission Trip Meeting November 23: TBD November 30: First Sunday of Advent Poinsettias With Christmas around the corner, we need to begin to think about Poinsettias. More information on pricing and the deadline for ordering will be announced later.

6 ` 6 OUTREACH by Mark Johnson Lunch & Learn On Sunday, October 12, we hosted Charlie Lanter (pictured), the City of Lexington s Director of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention; Charles Lindsay and Mary Muth, of the HOPE Mobile, for a lunch and learn on homelessness issues in our area. Mr. Lanter provided an update on the number of individuals dealing with homelessness, which are approximately 1,400 individuals and families. He discussed some of the programs offered, and thoughts on what we can do as a church to help. Mr. Lindsay and Ms. Muth spoke about what they see while serving individuals and families in our community. In 2012, the mayor authorized a study on homelessness in our city. The study led to 48 recommendations, some of which are: creation of an affordable housing trust fund, establishing an office on homelessness prevention, and a housing first program. These three recommendations have begun with seed money for the trust fund, creation of Mr. Lanter s position, and money for the housing first program. What can Woodland do to help? Mr. Lanter indicated that we continue supporting organizations like the HOPE Center and look at forming small groups to sponsor a homeless individual or family. As a caring church community, we will continue to look for ways to assist individuals in Lexington through our Outreach efforts. The HOPE Mobile Outreach Team goes to where the homeless are in Lexington to provide assistance with health care, food, referrals for shelter, employment and training programs, and counseling. Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has partnered with the HOPE Mobile Outreach Team for over six years through the donation of sandwiches every week. On Monday mornings, Charles and Mary come by and pick up sandwiches that our volunteers leave on Sunday for distribution to homeless and hungry individuals in Lexington. Please help us support this wonderful ministry by signing up to provide sandwiches. Charles Lindsay and Mary Muth are the faces of the HOPE Mobile. SANTA S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST PROGRAM The Foster Parent Association of Fayette County works in partnership with the Cabinet for Children and Family Services on behalf of foster children and families to provide support, encouragement, and educational programs. The annual Santa s Christmas Wish List Program is one of the many ways we support foster children. We need your help to make this a successful program! Woodland will take gifts for the Fayette County Foster Parent Association again this year. We will have the tree up outside the sanctuary like last year and names will be available for you to select.

7 ` 7 GREEN CHALICE by June Salyer NOVEMBER is ECO CHALLENGE MONTH at Woodland! Sponsored by the Northwest Earth Institute, the purpose of the Challenge is to increase our awareness of and reduce our impact on the earth. Here s how it works. FOR TWO WEEKS, commit to changing 1-2 habits that benefit both you and the planet. 1. Individuals and families choose a category. 2. Pick up the Eco Challenge button for the category chosen on the Welcome Table by the nametags and pin it to the nearby bulletin board. (No names necessary.) 3. Ready, begin! Have fun challenging each other and yourself at home, school, work, and Woodland. CHOOSE A CATEGORY For more ideas and information in each category, go to and FOOD Eat local and/or organic foods. When eating out, ask if anything on the menu is local or organic. Seek out restaurants that do offer these choices. Buy in quantities you know you will eat. Watch a DVD about food, food-waste. WATER Take five-minute showers. Turn off tap while brushing teeth, washing hands. Fix drips. Find out about Rain Barrels. Use re-useable water bottles. Use less toxic products for cleaning. Watch a DVD about conserving water. On the internet, find out about chemicals in personal care products. TRASH Collect and keep the trash you generate in your car, at work/school, etc. At home, freeze the organic material you would normally throw away. Start composting (check out YouTube for how to get started). Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper. Start recycling. ENERGY Turn off lights you don t need. Combine errands to reduce driving. Power-down computers and monitors if not using for two hours. Turn down thermostat 1-2 degrees. Use cold water for laundry, air dry as many clothes as you can. Watch a DVD about alternative forms of energy, climate change, pollution. Ride the free trolley around Lexington (pick up is at the corner of Maxwell and Kentucky Avenue).

8 ` 8 Birthday Cupcakes will follow worship Sunday, November 2 - Come and join us as we sing Happy Birthday to: Ellie Hawse, 11/1 Dolores Yilibuw, 11/6 Andrea Campfield, 11/9 Jon Clay, 11/11 Shannon Settles, 11/14 Britton Carr, 11/20 Rachael Deel, 11/28 Open Circle The Open Circle group will meet Wednesday, November 5, 2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The group will study the last lesson of the Women of the Bible Seeking Justice. We welcome ALL! - Dorothy Drury JOY Outing Wednesday, November 12, the JOY Group will take the trolley to downtown Lexington for lunch and a walk around. Plan to be at the church by 10:45 am. We will return to church no later than 2:00 pm. Our departure depends on the trolley schedule for picking us up close to the church. - Stacy Kaufmann Get ready to SOAR July 18-22, 2015! But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31, New International Version The Disciples General Assembly will be July 18-22, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is now open! Register today and take advantage of early registration by going to For more information, feel free to scan the CRCode at the right. WHO S IN THE PEWS! Becky Hudson Woodland welcomes its newest member, Becky Hudson, to our congregation. On Sunday, September 21, Becky came forward to place her membership with us and for that we are so blessed. Becky was born in Millersburg, Kentucky and later moved to Lexington where she graduated from Lafayette High School. She comes from a large family and is very close with all her family members. She grew up going to church and being a good example to all those around her. When Becky finished high school, she proceeded on to college and graduated from the University of Louisville. After college, she lived in California for a while teaching in the public school system. Later she moved to Virginia where she taught at a Junior College. In the 1980s, she moved back to Lexington and became the Director of Student Affairs in the College of Nursing. She retired in During her career, she was the first female athletic director in the men s sports department. Her friendship with George Pinson introduced her to Woodland. He invited her to come and check us out and she did. Her favorite thing about Woodland is that we embrace the best of Christianity with an abundance of love and willingness to help others as we journey together. Becky has always kept herself very active. Her favorite hobbies are playing golf and physical exercise. I did ask if she walks 9-18 holes when playing golf and her reply was no, I still get a golf cart. When not playing golf, Becky enjoys spending time with her family. She feels blessed to have such closeness to her biological family and getting better acquainted with her new church family. - Jimmy Owens