THE COMMUNICATOR. Peace in Twenty Minutes. Catherine

Transcription

1 THE COMMUNICATOR OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and Friday from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Church Phone: Church Fax: Website: BEAVER RIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Catherine C. Nance, Minister... Church: , Ext Cell: cnance@beaverridgeumc.com DECEMBER 2012 Peace in Twenty Minutes I have just come from the kitchen in the Family Life Center and it smells wonderful. There has been a steady stream of church members dropping off pies and cranberry sauce and ham and dressing. There is a litany of Thank You and You re Welcome in the midst of warmth and laughter. It is a perfect picture of people working together to prepare a feast for their neighbors. We are not sure how many will be eating with us on Thursday but we are sure there will be enough! As I come back into the office, I notice on news reports that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is to take effect at 2:00. That is twenty minutes from now. A part of me wants to sit very still and pray, Let it be true. Let it be true. I want to stand outside at 2:00 and notice if I sense a wellbeing of the force as opposed to a disturbance in the force. Gaza has been bombarded with violence. We have been bombarded with pictures of Norman Rockwell s Thanksgiving picture and promises of a Black Friday that in many places will start Thursday morning. As Americans, we are thankful for our freedom and our day off from work to be with family and watch football and give thanks. Thanksgiving is a day we want to gather the family in and make sure we are all safe and healthy and well. If we cannot be together physically, we at least call relatives far away to say, Happy Thanksgiving. As Christians, though, our hearts know that we are connected to those in Gaza and Palestine and Israel and Afghanistan and Iraq and California and Chicago and I am reminded that Rockwell s painting is titled Freedom From Want. I am reminded that the prophets talked about God s kingdom being fulfilled when those who are hungry will be filled. It is 2:00 now. I am going to walk over to the Family Life Center and pray prayers of thanksgiving for men and women who are joyfully working to prepare a feast. I will pray prayers of Thanksgiving for Secretary of State Clinton and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr. I will pray prayers of thanksgiving for Jan Shoupe who shares stories of friendship and peace from Cairo. I pray that I will remember the urgency I felt fifteen minutes ago and will want to hurry to work for peace wherever I am. Catherine HOLIDAY BLUES... We ve all had them from time to time. Especially for those who are dealing with the loss of a loved one or empty nest or job changes, the holidays can be less than jolly. We are pleased to welcome JIM TITCOMB on Wednesday night, November 28, at 6:40 who will share ways of coping through this season. Jim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and had a private practice for thirty years. He is also a retired United Methodist minister. If you ve been dreading Christmas this year for whatever reason, you will find some help here this Wednesday night. Don t forget to sign up for Wednesday night dinner. The Goodwill Class is preparing a baked potato bar and dessert. See you there!

2 PAGE 2 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 Christian Sympathy We extend our love and sympathy to Bobby & Sherry Scott in the death of Bobby s mother, Dare Scott of Kingsport on November 13 th. Holiday Office Hours Our church office will be closed for Christmas holidays on December 24 & 25 and on January 1, The staff wishes you a wonderful and safe holiday season. Should an emergency arise during nonoffice hours, please call Rev. Nance at or CHURCH CONFERENCE Our Church Conference with Oak Ridge District Superintendent Rev. Adam McKee will be held Wednesday, December 5 th at 6:00 pm in the upstairs of the FLC. Officers for 2013 will be approved and we will celebrate the ministries of If you are going to participate in the dinner and blanket-making for the homeless, come at 4:30. Everyone is invited to attend. A NOTE ABOUT END-OF-YEAR GIVING In order for your giving to the church to be credited to your 2012 contribution statement, our bookkeeper, Margaret Melton, must receive all financial giving by Sunday, December 30 th. Memorials IN MEMORY OF: Roy Whitaker GIVEN BY: Benjamin & Patricia Sparks, Ralph & Betty Lois Williams IN MEMORY OF: GIVEN BY: Walter Smith (Betty Lois Williams brother-in-law) Kese Dohoney Church Membership Roll There are church members listed on our roll for whom we have no contact information. Your church staff wants to be good stewards in keeping the membership records current. If you have information on how to reach any of the people listed below (address, phone or ), please Betty Lloyd at blloyd@beaverridgeumc.com or call the church office, Andrew Abbott Charlene Abbott Laura Abbott Ann Amick Sherry Arnhart Kathryn Arnold B. J. Barnes Mary Barns Melody Belding Peggy Bouton Rita Burnette Jeffrey Carter Anthony Empting Eddy Garcia Mike Gibson David Hartman Lynn Hartman Savannah Hickey Robert Jackson, Jr. Barbara Jacobs Megan Jacobs Rachel Jacobs David James David James Jesse James Kaitlin James Lara James Susan Jones Kerry Kennedy Amber Kirkpatrick Gary Kirkpatrick Stephanie Kirkpatrick Amanda Knapik Michael Marquez Patricia Martin Janet McCowan Debra Mehta Cliff Minor David Morris Adam Morrison Erin Nicely Jennie Oliver Bill Phibbs Pete Sciarrotta Greg Sergent Dee Smith Valerie Smith Scott Stalnaker Calvin Taylor David Walker Kathy Walker Sarah Walker Tommy Walker Jo Webb Victor Webb Sharon Whitaker Joan Williams Rhonda Willumsen Anna Lisa Wisse Joy Woodie Linda Yarnell Nicolas Zetans

3 PAGE 3 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 Spread the Warmth! It's time to check the ads for sales on fleece fabric, find your sharpest pair of scissors, and join us to make Blankets For The Homeless on Wednesday, December 5. Come to the FLC gym anytime between 4:30 and 8:00 pm to help make blankets and truly be the "hands" of Christ in our community. We will have a "serve yourself" supper at 5:00. Just like last year, no sewing is required. If you can cut fabric and tie knots, you'll be in good shape! JoAnne's Fabrics and Hobby Lobby are usually the best places to catch fleece on sale (JoAnne's often has great prices online with free shipping). You'll need to buy a piece that is at least 2 yards long x the width of the fleece. The fabric usually costs between $7 - $12 per blanket. (We are making single-thickness blankets so there will be more to go around. To make a double-thickness blanket, you would buy two pieces of fleece.) If you would like to donate money for us to purchase fleece, please mark your donation for "Blankets for the Homeless" and put it in the offering plate by December 2 nd. If you would like to make a blanket ahead of time, you can find instructions at this website: We will deliver the blankets to the Water Angels Ministry at a yet-to-be-determined date. This was a WONDERFUL evening of fellowship and service last year. It's a great project for your Sunday School class, girl scout or boy scout troop, exercise class, family, etc. Mark your calendars! Invite your friends! Morgan-Scott Project We need cookies and volunteers! As part of our support to the Morgan-Scott Project this year, we will be providing goodies for people lining up to select toys and clothing for their children. We will also be providing lunch for the Morgan-Scott volunteers that help out with the gift and clothing distribution. If you can provide cookies, please bring them to the church on Wednesday morning, December 19 th. We will be taking all food items to Wartburg that afternoon. We are also looking for volunteers to greet people and hand out goodies and drinks as they arrive and wait their turn to make their gift selection for their children. A group will be going to the Boys & Girls Club in Wartburg early in the morning on Thursday, December 20 th. We hope that you will consider joining us to spread some joy and serve some goodies to those waiting or helping out with the gift distribution. If you would like to donate some cookies or volunteer, please contact Karen Billingsley at or billingsleykaren@gmail.com) Decorate Our Mitten Tree! Help decorate our mitten tree with new hats, gloves, scarves, socks, underwear, toys and children s books. All gifts will be delivered to the Morgan-Scott Project for those less fortunate the week of December 9 th. Senior Beavers Our Senior Beavers will enjoy a special Christmas meeting on Tuesday, December 11 th. Meet at 11:00 in the Education Building for a covered dish lunch (meat provided). Following lunch, a special Christmas concert by Jean Osborne will be held in the Chapel. PLEASE READ!!! Important Info About Holiday Worship Schedule On December 30 th we will be have ONE SERVICE ONLY beginning at 10:00 am. Join us as we continue to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. There will be no Sunday School on that day.

4 PAGE 4 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 Spirited Christmas - November 25 We are thrilled to welcome JONATHAN CRING AND JANET CLAZZY to our services on Sunday, November 25 th. They are both gifted musicians and Jonathan is an awardwinning storyteller and humorist. This will be an uplifting time of worship and music as we prepare for the Advent season. Bring your out-of-town Thanksgiving guests to church with you at either 9:00 or 11:00 for this special treat. We will take up a love offering for our guests and there will be an opportunity for you to purchase books and CDs. Checks should be made out to SPIRITED. Guest Flutist - Dec. 2 Beth Sampsel, flutist, will join us on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2 nd. She will play the prelude, the offertory, and will accompany our Chancel Choir for the anthem, Advent Peace Canon. Beth's beautiful flute playing will certainly lift our spirits as we enter the Advent season. Holiday Concert/Benefit - Dec. 2 Please join us in the Sanctuary on Sunday afternoon, December 2 nd, at 4:00 as our Chancel Choir Director Jean Osborne, Vocalist Jo Ludwig, and the Powell Elite Men & Women s Quartet perform a "A VERY MERRY ANTI-MALARIA HOLIDAY CONCERT" in the sanctuary. A donation offering will be taken to support the Holston Conference's pledge to save 100,000 lives next year to eradicate malaria (visit PLEASE COME for this very important and festive holiday musical event. Christmas Movie Night - Dec. 16 The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear. Can you name that Christmas movie and character?? Join your church family for a covered dish supper (church will provide meat and drink), and a fun Christmas movie night! Meet in the Family Life Center at 5:30. Bring a vegetable, salad or some Christmas cookies. (Bring an extra batch of cookies for us to freeze and take to Morgan-Scott...see page 3!) Christmas Music - Dec. 9 At 9:00 am, the Praise Team and Handbells will present special Christmas music. At 11:00, the Chancel Choir will present its Christmas program. The concert will include many pieces - both contemporary and traditional - to praise the birth of our Savior. You might want to attend both! Christmas Eve Candlelight Services We will offer two Christmas Eve services: 5:00 pm an informal service with children in mind 8:00 pm a traditional service with trumpet, choir and candlelight

5 PAGE 5 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER st Sunday of Advent 12noon-UMW Christmas Gathering (FLC Lobby) 12:15pm-Handbells 2pm-KES Chorus Concert (Sanctuary) 4pm-Holiday Concert (Sanctuary) 6pm-Facilities Policy Mtg. (Library) 6-8pm-Youth Snack Supper/Activities 3 1-2pm-Food Pantry Open 6pm-Girl Scouts 6-8pm-Line Dancing (Gym) 7pm-Sarah Circle (Marty Rayburn s) 8pm-MS Boys Basketball Practice 4 7:20am-Youth Bible Breakfast (Ed. 10am-Craft Group (Library) 1pm-Women s Bible Study Group (Lib.) 5:15pm-Aerobics 7pm-Boy/Cub Sc. 7:30pm-Sr. High Boys Basketball Practice (Gym) 5 4:30-8pm- Wednesday Night Supper & Blanket- Making Night (FLC) 5:30pm-Weight Watchers (Ed. 6pm-Church Conference (Upstairs) 6:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:30-8pm- DivorceCare 7:30pm-Praise Band 6 10:30am-Dorcas Circle Christmas Brunch (Mimi s, Turkey Creek Meet at church) 5:30pm-Aerobics 7pm-Girl Scouts 7 6:30-8:30pm-Girl Scouts (Ed. 8 CPR/First-Aid Training (Ed. 8am-1pm-Church League Basketball Games (FLC) 3-5pm-FLC RE- SERVED Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9 2 nd Sunday of Advent 9 & 11 am-worship Services...Special Christmas Music 12:15pm-Hand Bells 6-8pm-Youth Snack Supper & Covenant Groups pm-Food Pantry Open 6-8pm-Line Dancing (Gym) 8pm-MS Boys Basketball Practice 11 7:20am-Youth Bible Breakfast (Ed. 11am-Senior Beavers Christmas Luncheon (Ed. Bldg./Chapel) 1pm-Women s Bible Study Group (Lib.) 7pm-Boy/Cub Sc. 7:30pm-Sr. High Boys Basketball Practice (Gym) 12 5:30pm-Weight Watchers (Ed. 6:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:30-8pm- DivorceCare 7:30pm-Praise Band 13 5:30pm-Aerobics 7pm-Girl Scouts 9pm-FLC Reserved for Floor Cleaning 14 6:30-8:30pm-Girl Scouts (Ed. 5pm-Wedding Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 5pm-Goodwill Class Christmas Party (FLC Lobby) 15 8am-1pm-Church League Basketball Games (FLC) 5pm-Tarah Childress/Rob Sanford Wedding (Sanctuary) 5pm-Ashley Gillenwaters Graduation Party (FLC) 16 3rd Sunday of Advent 12:15pm-Hand Bells 5:30pm-Movie Night/ Covered Dish Supper (FLC/Sanctuary) pm-Food Pantry Open 6pm-Girl Scouts 6-8pm-Line Dancing (Gym) 8pm-MS Boys Basketball Practice 18 7:20am-Youth Bible Breakfast (Ed. 10am-Craft Group (Library) 1pm-Women s Bible Study Group (Lib.) 7pm-Finance Committee (Rm. 209) 7pm-Boy/Cub Sc. 7:30pm-Sr. High Boys Basketball Practice (Gym) 19 5:30pm-Weight Watchers (Ed. 6:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:30-8pm- DivorceCare 7:30pm-Praise Band 20 5:30pm-Aerobics 7pm-Girl Scouts am-1pm-Church League Basketball Games (FLC) 23 4th Sunday of Advent 24 Christmas Eve 5 & 8pm-Christmas Eve Candlelight Services (Sanctuary) Church Office Closed 25 Christmas Day 26 January Newsletter Deadline 27 9pm-FLC Reserved for Floor Cleaning am-1pm-Church League Basketball Games (FLC) Church Office Closed 30 Holston Home 5 th Sunday Offering 10AM-ONE WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY NO SUNDAY SCHOOL pm-Food Pantry Open 8pm-MS Boys Basketball Practice

6 PAGE 6 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 ALPHA OMEGA YOUTH PAGE... Sunday Night Youth Schedule DECEMBER 2, 6-8:00 pm Snack Supper provided by the Kahms. DECEMBER 9, 6-8:00 pm Covenant Group Meetings! Snack Supper prepared by Smalleys and Fees. DECEMBER 16, 5:30 pm Buddy the Elf wants to see you at the church covered dish and movie night! DECEMBER 23 & 30 No Sunday Night Youth Activities DECEMBER 30 Only one worship service; no Sunday School Mission Opportunities Helping with UMW meeting on Dec 2 - set up, serve, and clean up Visiting nursing homes See Rev. Nance! THANK YOU to Rhonda Thornton and Marc & Erica Zuckerman for helping with Shopping for Stocking night. The Salvation Army says thank you to our youth for all the gifts! Wednesday Night Nov. 28th FUSE Dec. 5th Blankets for Water Angels (see pg. 3) IT S BASKETBALL TIME! It s time to get our church league teams in place! The senior high boys have already started practicing in the gym on Tuesday nights at 7:30. See Mike Graham if you want to play on the Middle School Boys team. Practice for MS begins Monday, Dec. 3 rd at 8:00 pm. What s Happening on Tuesdays?? Breakfast and Bible Study is held every Tuesday morning at 7:20 in the Education Building. If Knox County Schools are closed, stay home! Sunday School! Christmas: It s Not YOUR Birthday! Middle School Teachers: Randy Creswell and Kelly Kelly Senior High Teachers: Lorie Briegel and Tim Brown

7 PAGE 7 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 Hands-On Missions A group from Beaver Ridge spent a recent weekend preparing firewood for the residents of Marion, Virginia. The families served have no other source for heat in the winter. Project Crossroads depends entirely on groups such as ours to come to the area to help with this important mission. Thank You for Another Successful Craft Fair! Forty-three smiling vendors filled our Family Life Center gym and both halls of the foyer for our Craft Fair. The fair brought in over two hundred visitors who were all greeted warmly by church volunteers. Communications Committee, what can I say but, Thank You, Lord, for these BRUMC members support, working for the second year to make the Craft Fair such a success. Men of the church, you know who you are! We COULD NOT have gotten those tables moved and returned without your trucks and muscles! We made close to $1, to be used for refurbishing the sign on Oak Ridge Highway! Julie Moorefield, Chairperson of Communications Pumpkin Patch All Wrapped Up for 2012 Total profits were $ Thanks to all the workers who enjoyed meeting people in our community, inviting them to other church activities, and sharing good times around the campfire. We look forward to next year s pumpkin patch! Suzanne Davidson Community Outreach Coordinator United Methodist Women Events ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GATHERING December 2nd is the UMW s special Christmas meeting and luncheon directly after the 11:00 worship service (12:00 noon). All women are invited to come to share in food and fellowship in the lobby of our Family Life Center. Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Morgan-Scott Project. Come and bring a friend! DECEMBER CIRCLE MEETINGS Sarah Circle will gather at the home of Marty Rayburn on Monday, December 3 rd at 7:00 pm. (Meet at the church at 6:30 to carpool.) Please bring a finger food to share and an unwrapped ornament to exchange. Dorcas Circle will meet at the church on Thursday, December 6 th at 10:30 am to carpool to Mimi s, Turkey Creek, for brunch. Every yesterday is a memory of dreams, Every tomorrow is a vision of hopes. Ashley Gillenwaters will graduate from The University of Tennessee School of Architecture on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 9:00 am at Thompson Bowling Arena. Her parents, Martin & Teresa, invite you to attend a Graduation Celebration Dinner that evening at 6:00 pm in the BRUMC Family Life Center. Those attending must RSVP by Wednesday, December 12 th to Teresa Gillenwaters, or , or fastpitchmom@comcast.net

8 BEAVER RIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7753 Oak Ridge Highway Knoxville, TN Non-Profit U. S. Postage PAID Permit #29 Knoxville, TN RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PAGE 8 THE COMMUNICATOR DECEMBER 2012 Sign Up for Altar Flowers The 2013 Altar Flower Calendar is now available. To sign up, fill out your information including name of provider and who the flowers are in honor/memory of. The calendar is located on the bulletin board across from the library. Beaver Ridge has a standing order with Powell Florist; cost is $25. SUPPORT FOR CHURCH MINISTRIES Thank you to everyone who has turned in a Blessings Card for This is one way to show your thanks to God for all he has blessed you with. If you have not had an opportunity to turn your card in yet, please do so before the end of the year. There are cards in the narthex and in the church pews. This will be the only church newsletter you will receive for the month of December. The next newsletter deadline (for January 2013) will be December 26 th. Please submit articles, calendar dates and photos to: blloyd@beaverridgeumc.com.