Twig Bender. November Reminds Us to Give Thanks W. Greenwood United Methodist Church. November Our Ministry Of Prayer. November 2015.

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1 November 2015 Greenwood United Methodist Church Page November 2015 Twig Bender Next we might give thanks for family, friends, and people who impact our lives. We might even give thanks for the love of God. I give thanks daily for God s grace, which I need in abundance super abun- From the Pastor November Reminds Us to Give Thanks W dance some days and weeks! hile we should be thankful each and every day, sometimes we need a little nudge to remember to count our blessings and give praise to God for all that we have. Often one of those nudges is November, with the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday. When we begin counting our blessings and the things we are thankful for, we often begin with personal belongings, our homes and other possessions. Then we might move to our jobs, hobbies, capabilities, skills, knowledge and time to engage in them. This week I was reading some commentary on one of the scriptures. In it the author was talking about how DOG is GOD spelled backward and that he is to God as his dog is to him. In other words God is so great and so powerful and so much more than what we can understand, just as humans are to their pets. And yet the humans continue to care for their pets, providing shelter, food, love and other necessities. God continues to provide all for us, even the things we are not aware God is providing. As Psalm 146 says: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven Our Ministry Of Prayer Please pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ: Evelyn Daniel, Lou Gammon, Page Jackson, Rachel Lewis, Jean Mowatt, Jack Thomas, Catherine Wallace, Harold Yeary (Continued on page 11)

2 Page 2 The Twig Bender 2016 Budget, Officers Approved Greenwood s 2016 budget and church officers were approved at the Charge Conference on October 4. Next year s budget total is $133, 357, down from 2015 s $133,521, primarily due to a reduction in Greenwood s Conference and District apportionments. Other highlights of the 2016 budget include an increase in the pastor s compensation package and a 5% rise in utility estimates. Church officers and committee members elected at the Charge Conference are listed in the article on page 7. A report on Greenwood s Vital Congregation Goals was presented at the Conference along with a report from the Lay Leader. The former is available for readers at the Greenwood web site. The latter report will be published in a future edition of the Twig Bender. Vaya con Dios Nadyia and Jeremy! Readers will have heard by now that our co-music directors, Nadyia and Jeremy Horning, are leaving Greenwood. Worship services on November 1 will be their last Sunday with us. Nadyia wrote: As you know, our resignation was no small decision. Greenwood has been a blessing to us in so many ways. We love all of you and will be praying that God provides the next music director quickly and efficiently. The decision to leave was two-fold: to make time to refocus and renew our energies for our family as well as to make way for paths God has been leading us on this past year. She added. Please pray for us as we continue on this journey of faith! If you know anyone who is musically talented and would be interested in directing Greenwood s music, please contact Pastor Barbara or any member of the Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. The Twig Bender wishes all the best for Nadyia and Jeremy and sends them off with an old U.S. Navy farewell: Fair winds and following seas.

3 November 2015 Page 3 Enjoy Some Stone Soup this Month Stone Soup? What in the world? Sounds indigestible doesn t it? Well, Greenwood s Willing Workers Circle is offering free stone soup on Saturday, November 7 at 4:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone church family members, friends, neighbors and those in Greenwood s community are welcome to come and partake of this tasty dinner. All you need to bring is an appetite (but something for the pot won t be turned down). Let us know you re coming. We need to know how much Stone Soup to make, so please reserve yours by Sunday, November 1. Call the church office at or admin@gumcva.org. Take out is available. Based on legend, Stone Soup is the concept of making something significant from many small contributions. The story varies from culture to culture, but it s essentially this: Our November Communion Offering goes to Some travelers come to a village, carrying nothing more than an empty cooking pot. Upon their arrival, the hungry travelers ask for food, but the villagers are unwilling to share any of their food stores. So, the visitors go to a stream, fill the pot with water, drop in a large stone, and place the pot over a fire. One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The travelers answer that they are making "stone soup," which tastes wonderful, but needs a little bit of garnish to improve the flavor. The villager does not mind parting with a few carrots to help them out, so those get added to the soup. Another villager walks by, asking about the pot, and the travelers again mention their stone soup which has not yet reached its full potential. The villager hands them a little bit of seasoning to help them out. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient. Finally, a delicious and nourishing pot of soup is enjoyed by all. (Continued on page 11)

4 Page 4 Do you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Have members of your family suffered from these ailments? Do you have a poor diet? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may want to consider being screened for your risk of stroke by Life Line Screening on November 25 at Greenwood at 9 a.m. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, noninvasive and painless health screenings in the Fellowship Hall on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. They use ultrasound technology to view the plaque buildup in a person s carotid arteries, the main arteries that carry blood to the brain. Blockages in these arteries are a leading cause of stroke. Life Line Screening offers four screenings that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries, a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms, which can lead to a ruptured aorta; The Twig Bender Stroke Prevention Screening hardening of the arteries in the legs, a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk. The fifth scan is a bone density screening, for both women and men, to assess the risk of osteoporosis. All five screenings take minutes to complete. Register for a Wellness Package which includes four vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). To register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call or visit community-partners. Book of James Bible Study Come join ongoing the Bible study on the Book of James, led by Pastor Barbara. We meet at 4 p.m. on Sundays through November 22 (except November 1) in the Education Building. Read the Book of James, join us for the study and come prepared to experience the wisdom of God s Word.

5 November 2015 Page 5 Fa l l F e s t i va l B r i n g s i n $ 1. 6 K Many thanks to everyone who contributed, donated or volunteered for the Fall Festival and Brunswick Stew Sale on October 24. Working through the night, we made 387 quarts of our delicious Brunswick Stew plus about a gallon that Brenda and Adamarye took to the firefighters at Engine Company No. 21. Brunswick Stew sales netted $1,226 after expenses (with some pre-orders still to be paid for). Our bake sale and silent auction were yours. also successful, bringing in $115 and $300 respectively. We sold all but about 70 quarts of Brunswick Stew on the day of the fair and are still selling them. You can purchase some more for $7.50 a quart. Call the church office at or admin@gumcva.org to order The $1,640 in profits from the Fall Festival and Brunswick Stew Sale go to support our missionary in Cambodia, Clara Biswas. November Eating Opportunities Fellowship Dinner Wednesday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. Menu: Turkey and gravy, potatoes, cranberry salad, string beans, butter beans, dressing, pumpkin pie and dinner rolls. Entertainment by Amy Ladd and Friends. $7.00 per plate. Please make your reservations by Sunday, November 8. Use the form in the bulletin, call the church office at (804) or your reservation to admin@gumcva.org. FunRaisers Bag Lunches Pick up after services on Sunday, November 22, Menu: two white house rolls with pimento and cheese, chips, homemade applesauce, cookies. $7.00 each. Sign up in the narthex.

6 Page 6 November Pick Up Rotation Food Donation Connection The Twig Bender Wednesday, November 4: William Gibbs and Jean Mowatt; Thursday, November 5: Steve and Glenda Stalnaker; Friday, November 6: Adamarye Patteson. Wednesday, November 11: Betty and Raymond Ritchie; Thursday, November 12: Steve and Glenda Stalnaker; Friday, November 13: Carolyn and Ray Smith. Wednesday, November 18: Charlene and Maurice Hawkins; Thursday, November 19: Steve and Glenda Stalnaker; Friday, November 20: Brenda and Harry Shuler. Wednesday, November 25: William Gibbs and Jean Mowatt; Thursday, November 26: No pick up; Friday, November 27: Adamarye Patteson Wednesday, December 2: Betty and Raymond Ritchie; Thursday, December 3: Steve and Glenda Stalnaker; Friday, December 4: Carolyn and Ray Smith Volunteer for Petersburg Potato Drop Come help with a potato drop in Petersburg on Saturday November 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist Pathways, in partnership with the Society of St. Andrew, by bagging, loading and hand delivering a large load of potatoes to residents of Petersburg s Battersea neighborhood at their front doorstep. Pathways is a private, non-profit, 501(c) 3 community development corporation working to rebuild and strengthen the City of Petersburg and the surrounding counties. For more information or to sign up, please contact Ron Brown of Pathways atrbrown@pathwaysva.org or call ext. 324.

7 November 2015 Page 7 Yo u r L ay L e a d e rs The Charge Conference elected these Greenwood positions for next year. Church Administrative Council: Chair: Charley Banks; Lay Leader: Lewis Daniel; Staff/Pastor -Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) Chair: Open, Finance Committee Chair: Open, Trustees Chair: Bob Stapleton, Church Treasurer: Gay Stapleton, Lay Member to Annual Conference: Brenda Shuler, Lay Member to Annual Conference Alternate: Adamayre Patteson, Senior Pastor: the Rev. Barbara Denise Lewis, Recording Secretary: Glenda Stalnaker. Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development: Pastor; Lay Leader; Lay Member To Annual Conference; Classes: Charlene Hawkins (2016), Riley Patteson (2016), William Gibbs (2017), Linda Walker (2017), Carolyn Smith (2018), Charlotte Hodges (2018). Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee: Chair: Open; Lay Member to Annual Conference; Lay Leader; Classes: Raymond Ritchie (2016), Glenda Stalnaker (2016), Open (2017), Open (2018), Board of Trustees: Chair: Bob Stapleton (2016); Member Trustees: Raymond Betty Ritchie. Smith (2016); Tim Jancsics (2017); Maurice Hawkins (2017); Betty Ritchie (2017); Porter Schermerhorn (2018); Robert Smith (2018); Charlotte Hodges (2018); Dorothy Powell (2018); Vice Chair: Maurice Hawkins; Secretary: Committee on Finance: Chair: Open; Pastor; Lay Member to Annual Conference; Church Council Chair; S/PPRC Representative: Open; Board of Trustees Representative: Bob Stapleton; Lay Leader; Financial Secretary: Nancy Lloyd; Treasurer; Maurice Hawkins; Adamayre Patteson; Charlotte Hodges. We still have additional opportunities to serve; the nominations committee will be looking to fill these vacancies in the near term. Look for a complete list of Greenwood s Lay Leaders in a future issue of the Twig Bender. All members of the Greenwood church family are invited to prayerfully consider how they can best further the great commission and serve Greenwood. If you re feeling called to one of these positions, please let Pastor Barbara know.

8 Page 8 The Twig Bender Greenwood UMC November 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 All Saints Day Daylight Saving Time ends LAMB s Basket Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Service 2 6 a.m. Drive Thru Prayer 3 Election Day 4 7 p.m. Women s Circles 5 Guy Fawkes Day 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 6 6 p.m. Free Food 7 8 a.m. Men s Breakfast 4:30 p.m. Stone Soup 8 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Bible Study 9 6 a.m. Drive Thru Prayer 7 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting 10 USMC est Talent Academy 7 p.m. Laurel Park United Methodist Women 11 Veterans Day 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Dinner 12 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 13 Sadie Hawkins Day (that s Sadie, not Charlene! ) 6 p.m. Free Food 14 8 a.m. Friendship Quilters Yard Sale a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Bible Study 16 6 a.m. Drive Thru Prayer 17 Homemade Bread Day 18 11:30 a.m. Cornerstones 7 p.m. Trustees 19 Great American Smoke Out 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 20 Twig Bender Deadline 6 p.m. Free Food 21 8:30 a.m. Pathways Potato Drop F r i e n d s h i p Q u i l t e r s a.m. Worship Service FunRaisers Bag Lunches 4 p.m. Bible Study 23 6 a.m. Drive Thru Prayer 24 7 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service at LPUMC 25 National Parfait Day 9 a.m. Stroke Screening by Life Line 26 Thanksgiving Day 27 6 p.m. Free Food 28 9 a.m. Hanging of the Greens 29 First Sunday of Advent 11 a.m. Fifth Sunday Worship Service at Laurel Park UMC 30 6 a.m. Drive Thru Prayer

9 November 2015 Page 9 Be Prepared Read the Scriptures November Lectionary Readings November 1 November 8 November 15 November 22 November 26 Thanksgiving November 29 Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44 and Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127 or Psalm 42; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12: Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 113; Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25; Mark 13:1-8 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18); Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 126; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Matthew 6:25-33 Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 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 Yar d Sale November 14 T h e F r i e n d s h i p Q u i lt e rs, w h o me e t a t G re e n - w o o d ea c h m o n t h, w i l l h os t a q u i lt e r s y a r d s a le on S a t u r d a y, N ov e m b e r 14 i n t h e F e l l ow - s h i p H a l l f r om 8 a. m. t o 4 p. m. T h e s e l a d ie s h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d a l ot t o G re e n w o od ov e r t h e y e a rs s o le t s g e t o u t a n d s u p p o rt t h e m a t t h e i r y a rd s a le.

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11 November 2015 Page 11 Enjoy Some Stone Soup in November (Continued from page 3) The Stone Soup legend appears in the folklore of Portugal, France, Hungary, Russia, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. In modern cultures, the Stone Soup theory of making something substantial out of many small things is carried over to more than food. Notable examples include: the Stone Soupercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory made from connecting several obsolete desktop and mini computers; a number of children s books; a 1904 play by William Butler Yeats; "The Wonderful Soup Stone" song by Shel Silverstein; and a tactic employed by General George S. Patton, Jr. in World War II. November Reminds Us to Give Thanks (Continued from page 1) and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. (Ps 146:5-8a) The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow (Ps 146: 9a) As I read this, I am reminded that I am also thankful for the opportunity to serve God in so many ways, each and every day. I am grateful that each and every one of you is in my life. I am grateful to have breath to say to God, thank you. I am grateful for life in Christ. Grace and peace, Barbara

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13 November 2015 Page 13 Greenwood Church Family Birthdays Nancy Lloyd... 11/3 Betty Henley... 11/4 Betty Ritchie... 11/5 Seth Stanley... 11/6 Kevin Favilla... 11/8 Lois Cullom... 11/10 David Stanley... 11/12 Frank Miner... 11/21 Anniversaries George & Helen Bowles... 11/28 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. Greenwood Circles Meet November 4 The Ruth Circle will meet in the home of Carolyn Smith at 7 p.m. The Willing Workers will meet in the home of Charlotte Hodges also at 7 p.m. They will be finalizing their plans for Stone Soup on November 7 (See article on page 3). Drive-Thru Prayer The Willing Workers Circle s Drive-Thru Prayer ministry is at 6 a.m. on Mondays. Anyone is welcome to come help pray or be prayed for!

14 Page 14 The Twig Bender October Attendance and Offerings Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce Proverbs 3:9 Date Sunday School Worship Giving October $2,993 October $2,032 October $1,678 October $971 Weekly Averages $1,918 October Totals $7,674 YTD Averages $1,977 YTD Totals 645 1,444 $81,068 In order to meet Greenwood s 2015 operating budget of $133,521, our goal is an average weekly offering of $2,568, ($11,127 per month). 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 revbarbara@gumcva.org Co-Music Directors Nadyia and Jeremy Horning After School Phone: Office admin@gumcva.org Fax: Office hours 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday Friday Twig Bender editor Steve Stalnaker webmaster@gumcva.org Visit our web site at Greenwood UMC all rights reserved