Twig Bender. Pray, Then Vote Your Conscience. Greenwood United Methodist Church

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1 November 2016 Greenwood United Methodist Church Page November 2016 Twig Bender Pray, Then Vote Your Conscience By Steve Stalnaker V ote your conscience, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) at the Republican National Convention earlier this year. He said voters should: do what you believe is right and honorable and principled. Pope Francis recently urged American Catholics to study the proposals well, pray, and choose in conscience." Glenda Stalnaker says, If you don t vote, you don t get to complain later on. This is all good advice, to which I ll add mine: study the issues, pray and then go vote. Exercise your sovereign franchise that has been won and defended with so much sacrifice by so many Americans. It s inappropriate for the Twig Bender to endorse any candidate, party or ideology. If readers are wondering for whom I intend to vote, I will merely say that I m praying and then voting my conscience. Even if you can t stand any of the presidential candidates (there are five to choose from on the Virginia ballot), you should still show up and vote. And the pope s advice (Continued on page 5) Our Ministry Of Prayer Sue Anne Blanton, Leola Frayser, Danny Griffin, Mary Hurst, Page Jackson, Betty Lloyd, Betty Ritchie, Brenda and Harry Shuler, Kathy Walker, Harold Yeary, Greenwood s Next Music Director

2 Page 2 The Twig Bender Fr o m t h e P a s t o r W h a t A r e Yo u r P l a n s fo r T h a n k s g i v i n g? Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. Psalm 30:4. Back in colonial times, the first settlers in the colonies chose to set aside a day in the fall to celebrate the harvest, to give thanks to God for that food, for seeing them through the journey and those rough months as they began to settle in the New World, where they would have religious freedom. In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving to be held each November. The day was set aside specifically for giving thanks to God. That was the focus for the day. As the holiday evolved, not only were special worship services held in local churches, but families gathered to share the foods they had and spend time together grateful for one another. Somewhere along the way the tradition morphed and lost meaning. It became a day about eating a lot of specific foods, watching football, arguing with the in-laws and then a day for mega shopping trips. In the last few years, the shopping, and the alleged deals, have taken precedence even over gathering with friends or family for a meal. We have become more focused on turkey, cranberry sauce and whether you serve dressing or stuffing than on why we (Continued on page 10) Our November Communion Offering Goes to C h i l d re n ' s H o s p i t a l o f R i c h m o n d a t V C U

3 November 2016 Page 3 Methodism 101 W i t n e s s t o t h e Wo r l d Contributed by Linda Walker Dedicated in 1924 in the heart of Washington, D.C., the United Methodist Building is the only non-governmental building on Capitol Hill giving public witness at the seat of U.S. government that The United Methodist Church is an advocate for justice and peace throughout the world. Located across from the Capitol and next to the Supreme Court, the Italian Renaissance-style building houses offices for several United Methodist agencies and numerous other church and ecumenical groups. Filled with rich history, the structure was dedicated amid the Temperance Dedicated in 1924, the United Methodist Building (left) is the Movement and the only non-governmental building on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of the Board of Church and Society. Labor Reform/Social Gospel Movement. Weekday visitors can take a self-guided tour (or arrange in advance for guided tours) and attend noon worship services each Wednesday in Simpson Memorial Chapel. Note: This article is the fourth of a seven-part series titled Seven Sites Every United Methodist Should See, an UMC.org feature by Marta Aldrich, freelance writer from Franklin, TN. We ll feature more of these articles in future editions.

4 Page 4 Christmas is Coming So Is the Christmas Cantata The Twig Bender C h a n c e l Re n o v a t i o n, C h e c k! By the Rev. Barbara Lewis Great News, the construction part of our chancel renovation is now complete. We still have a few things yet to do, some based on the experience of working with the new layout, some needed because of the new layout. Soon we will have a large screen for the choir to see what is being projected. We ve acquired an audio cabinet to hold sound and other equipment. We are going to need some new microphone equipment. The wood work needs some tender loving care. The musical instruments need some additional care related to moving them. The bills are still coming in on some of those things, so your contributions are still welcome. At last check, we had enough on hand to pay the anticipated construction cost, but not all of the extras that had not been calculated into the estimates. Once all the bills have arrived we can update you on the difference. We plan to hold a special dedication service once all those bills have been paid. We have great confidence in the speed with which the bills will arrive and be paid. We are scheduling the dedication service for Sunday December, 11 when District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Peter Moon will be with us and will preach. Please invite your friends, family and others who might like to be part of this service. Greenwood s Choir will present the annual Christmas Cantata during worship services at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 18. The Choir and Acting Music Director Jackie Schultz invite anyone who wants to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to come out and sing!

5 November 2016 Page 5 Reverse Advent Calendar Contributed by Linda Walker Here s an idea you and your family may wish to make an annual tradition. On the first day of Advent, November 27, set up a box or basket, and each day of Advent place a food item, toy, or candy in the box. Then on Christmas Eve (or a few days earlier) donate the box and items to a local food pantry or charity. What a great way to help others and to teach children about giving. This would be a great project for groups or families. The idea was invented by Julie Van Rosendaal, a Canadian food writer. Get out the Vote (Continued from page 1) to pray is all important. St. Paul said it well: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1 2 NIV) If you can t or won t vote for a presidential candidate, there are still votes you can cast, what the pundits are calling the under-ticket. Each seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is up for election this year. Greenwood and many in the Greenwood family are in the Seventh Congressional District, with incumbent Republican Dave Bratt seeking reelection against Democrat challenger Eileen Bedell. Readers can find other district slates at the Virginia Elections website: elections.virginia.gov. There are local races to be decided, notably Richmond mayor. Also on the ballot are two proposed Constitutional amendments dealing with Virginia s right to work law and property tax exemptions (Continued on page 8)

6 Page 6 The Twig Bender G re e nwo o d UMC N o ve mber 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 All Saints Cub Scouts 2 7 p.m. Circles Meet 3 Choir Practice 4 King Tut 6 p.m. Free Food 5 Guy Fawkes 8 a.m. Men s Breakfast with Road Clean Up 6 All Saints and Communion Sunday light Saving Time Ends 7 8 Election Cub Scouts 9 10 USMC Birthday (Semper Fi!) Choir Practice 11 Veteran s 6 p.m. Free Food a.m. Worship Service 14 World Diabetes 7 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting 15 Cub Scouts 16 11:30 a.m. Cornerstones 17 Choir Practice 18 6 p.m. Free Food 19 F r i e n d s h i p Q u i l t e r s 20 Christ the King Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Service Cub Scouts 7 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service Thanksgiving 25 Twig Bender Deadline 6 p.m. Free Food 26 S M V T r a i n S h o w 27 Advent Begins 11 a.m. Worship Service 28 Red Planet 29 Cub Scouts 30 S M V T r a i n S h o w

7 November 2016 Page 7 Mark Your Calendars December Chew & Chat with Bishop Lewis December 11...Chancel Dedication with DS Moon December Christmas Cantata December First of Winter December Christmas Eve Service December Hanukkah Begins December Christmas January 1, New Year s

8 Page 8 (Continued from page 5) The Twig Bender D o n t F o r g e t t o Vo t e for spouses of certain emergency services providers. Check out the Virginia Elections website for details. Henrico county voters can vote for or against a proposed $419.8 million bond issue to fund improvements to schools, libraries, parks, fire stations, roads, etc. If you have a good reason not to be able to make it to your polling place on Election, be sure to vote absentee. This affects what seems to be about half the women of Greenwood, who are poll workers. The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is Tuesday, November 1, and to request an absentee ballot by appearing in-person is Saturday, November 5. More info at the Virginia Elections web page. Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo identification when voting in person at their polling place. There are many different types of photo IDs which voters can use when they vote. Again, check out the elections web page for a detailed list of acceptable photo IDs. So, make sure you re registered, do your research, say your prayers, grab your ID and vote on Tuesday, November 8. S c i e n c e M u s e u m T r a i n S h o w Editor s Point of Personal Privilege Don t miss the 39 th Annual Model Railroad show at the Science Museum of Virginia (SMV) over Thanksgiving weekend! Featuring all the bells and whistles, guests will enjoy unique and traditional model train displays from across the state. Meet Clydesdale horses, watch a blacksmith in action and take a ride on the Teddy Bear Express! Learn how trains work, conduct experiments, check out special demonstrations and enjoy a holiday weekend filled with fun for the whole family. Show hours: Friday and Saturday November 25 and 26, 9:30 a.m. 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 27, 11:30 a.m. 5 p.m. SMV is located at 2500 West Broad Street in Richmond.

9 November 2016 Page 9 Be Prepared Read the Scriptures November Lectionary Readings November 1 All Saints November 6 All Saints Sunday November 13 November 20 Christ the King / Reign of Christ Sunday November 24 Thanksgiving November 27 1 st Sunday of Advent Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; or Psalm 150; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31 Haggai 1:15b-2:9; Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 20:27-38 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149 or Psalm 150; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31 Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; or Psalm 118; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43 Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4-9; John 6:25-35 Isaiah 2:1-5 : Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 L i k e G r e e n w o o d o n Fa c e b o o k w w w. fa c e b o o k. c o m / g u m c va

10 Page 10 Greenwood Church Family Birthdays The Twig Bender Nancy Lloyd... 11/3 Betty Henley... 11/4 Betty Ritchie... 11/5 Seth Stanley... 11/6 Kevin Favilla... 11/8 Lois Cullom... 11/10 Frank Miner... 11/21 Don t see your birthday or wedding anniversary in The Twig Bender and would like to have us publish it? Send your dates to admin@gumcva.org or call the church office at ; likewise, let us know if you d like your birthday or anniversary removed. Community Thanksgiving Service (Continued from page 2) gather for the meal! The emphasis is not on being thankful, or on God. The day began as a day for praising God, for following the instructions in the Psalms to give thanks and praise. But even in the four years I have been in this community, I have noticed how the attendance, and even the clergy participation in the local community Thanksgiving Service has decreased. And for many years it has been held on Tuesday to free people up to be with their families on Thursday! The scriptures tell us that we should not just give thanks privately, but come together in community to give thanks and praise. In 1 Corinthians 14:17, we are reminded For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. In other words, part of making disciples is to give thanks together, because it helps us learn to give thanks and for what we may be thankful. Will you join me as I preach at our Community Thanksgiving Service, at Glen Allen Baptist Church 3028 Mountain Road ub Glen Allen on November 22, at 7 p.m.? Grace and peace, Barbara

11 November 2016 Page 11 October Attendance and Offerings Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce Proverbs 3:9 19Date Sunday School Worship Giving October $2,041 October $2,029 October $3,384 October $ 873 October 30 5 th Sunday Combined Service at LPUMC Data not available at press time Weekly Averages $2,082 October Totals $8,327 YTD Avg $1,797 YTD Totals $77,280 In order to meet Greenwood s 2016 operating budget of $133,357, our goal is an average weekly offering of $2, Thank you for helping us reach our goal. Twig Bender is a publication of Greenwood United Methodist Church Greenwood Road Glen Allen, VA Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Pastor The Rev. Barbara Lewis Phone: revbarbara@gumcva.org Office Phone: admin@gumcva.org Office hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday Friday Fax: After School Phone: Acting Music Director Jackie Shultz Twig Bender editor Steve Stalnaker webmaster@gumcva.org Visit our web site at Greenwood UMC all rights reserved