DECEMBER Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat. Phone# Like Us On Facebook. 1 Brownsville. 2 Coffee Oasis 3:30pm. Tree Lighting.

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1 P a g e 1 Tracyton United Methodist Church PO Box 127 Tracyton, WA Naomi St Bremerton, WA Phone# DECEMBER 2016 Visit us at Like Us On Facebook Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Brownsville Tree Lighting 6:00pm 2 Coffee Oasis 3:30pm 3 4 Tree Lighting 5:30pm 5 6 Nominations 5:30pm UMW Unit 10:00am Finance 5:30pm Church Council 6:30pm (Return Angle Tree Gifts) SPR 5:00pm Longest Night 7:00pm Dinner 6:00pm Candlelight Service 8:00pm 25 Service in Brownsville 11:00am Trustees 5:30pm

2 P a g e 2 December 2016 Advent, 2016 Beloved Church! The other day I was reminded of a dream that s stuck with me for a couple decades. At the time, I wrote it down, and set it aside. I won t tell you the whole dream, but it involved the wearing of masks, and took a decidedly northwest coastal Native American flavor. To accomplish my mission to the powerful Bear people, I wore the mask of a Bear, carved in the style of the Tsimshian people with whom I lived as a child in southeast Alaska. It was, like some northwest masks, hinged. The face of the Bear could split open, revealing an inner mask. The inner mask could open as well, to reveal my human face. If I had not worn the bear mask, I would have been in great danger when I entered the sumptuous home of the bears; they would not have received me at all, they would have eaten me. Yet at some point, I would need to reveal the inner mask, and at some point, also reveal my human face. The biggest mystery to me in that dream is: What was the inner mask? I did not know, and I still do not know. I ve been told that the dream is important, shamanic. When it is the right time, I will meditate on it. The right time will come. Today, though, at the beginning of Advent, that dream launches me to Christmas, to the mystery of the Incarnation: the mission of God to humanity, the mission of God to be for us wholly, truly and unreservedly human, yet still bearing the unknowable mystery, and underneath it all, when all masks are lifted to reveal the reality underlying and surpassing all images, the One whose creative spark lights up the cosmos. Today, the dream reminds me that deeper, far deeper than all the wrappings with which we hide the event, it s not going to be a psychologist or a scientist who catches the holy mystery in words. Emmanuel, God-with-us, as Isaiah said. Or, the Word of God, the Light that shines in the uncomprehending darkness, as John put it. Or, the Love that moves the sun and all the stars, the words of wonder with which Dante closed his Divine Comedy. Or, No words. No words to describe it. Poetry! They should've sent a poet! (That last quote, of course, Jodie Foster s character, Dr. Arroway, in the film, Contact.) That which is deepest and most essential in all the universe, far beyond the power of words to express or thoughts to comprehend, chooses to come to us, to be among us, to be one with us, to be available for us, and, when the time is right, to open to us (even to us!) wonders beyond all imagining. We ll need to send a poet. Love, Wes

3 P a g e 3 Christmas Day Worship Brownsville UMC at 11:00am We designate the first Sunday of the month as Food Bank Sunday But we gladly except donations anytime. October Totals 438 lbs. of food and $40 November Donations 85 lbs. Of Food Your generosity means a lot to many families. for the year so far 1331 lbs. of food and $1115 First Friday Fest We will be able to continue this monthly mission for a while longer thanks to your generous donations the next first Friday is December 2nd. We feed between 20 & 30 kids. Even with sale shopping and discount pricing it still costs between $100 and $150 a month. They are always looking for volunteers and mentors. Check out their web page at or like them on Facebook Any and all financial donations marked Coffee Oasis are greatly appreciated. Tracyton United Methodist Woman Year End Wrap-up The final meeting of Tracyton UMW for the year of 2016 is tentatively set for Saturday the 10th of December at 10:00am. We will dicuss the year end finances and decide where and how our monies should be distributed. Please come and add your voice. The Gleaning Table Will be closed for the season! We have had a wonderful verity of items this year appear on our Gleaning Table from spices to cookie jars, from plants to produce we would like to thank those who were able to leave a donation to missions. Our Gleaning Table earned $ TUMW Charity Knitting Group Will resume their monthly meetings beginning on the 3rd Sunday (the 15th) of January. If you would like to join this group of talented, giving and creative folks please call Sally Klein for more information.

4 P a g e 4 We need donations of cookies and brownies for the Tree Lighting Party on December 4th at 5:30pm. You can drop them off at the church anytime during office hours right up until the party! December 21st at 7:00pm Dinner at 6:00pm Candle light Service at 8:00pm

5 P a g e 5 Hats, Gloves and Scarves You will find the coat rack in the narthex for hats, gloves and scarves for the homeless. It is starting to get cold out there. Holiday Food Cards Thanks to your generosity, TUMC was able to provide grocery store gift cards for Thanksgiving to four families. We are now collecting toward Christmas food cards. Please mark your donations Holiday Food Cards. On December 4th the Angle Tree will be up and decorated with children s tags. Please take one or more tags from the tree and make a child's Christmas happier. Angel Tree When you take a card, please write your name, phone number and tag number on the paper provided under the tree. If you would like to give a gift but are unable to shop, you can donate money marked "angel tree" and one of the Missions Team members will purchase the gift for you. Please return wrapped gifts to the church by December 18th. The gifts and food cards will be available for pick up from the 21st -23rd. Want to help change young lives in our community? You can do that by donating food for families in need in our community at our third annual Winter Food Drive this Saturday, from 9 am - 4 pm at the new Saars Super Saver Store on Wheaton Way (located at the old Albertson/Hagan's store). Look forward to seeing you there- If you can help with this ministry to families in need, please call Libby Correll at We need more volunteers to pack backpacks. The volunteer time is minimal. TUMC packs backpacks the third Friday of every month, starting in October. It takes under two hours. The more volunteers we have, the shorter the time it takes to pack. L I B R A R Y Kids Day at the library Thursday December 1st starting promptly at 2pm. Tracyton Community Library invites children of all ages to join them. There s make and take crafts and of course there will be a story or two maybe even some yummy treats. Be sure to come join in the fun! If you need more information call L I B R A R Y

6 If you have not designated TUMC as your Charity of Choice this year you may have to revisit account/update DON T FORGET TO USE THAT FRED MEYER REWARDS CARD TO HELP SUPPORT TRACYTON UMC! Year to Date Total $ By signing up at igive.com and then doing your online shopping thru the site, you generate a donation for Tracyton UMC for every online purchase you make! If you are an Amazon Shopper there are ways to shop thru igive.com and have your purchases generate donations to TUMC. Think about it...every little bit counts it only takes a couple of key strokes...go to and sign up P a g e 6 You are invited to bring flowers to decorate the Altar. If you have a special occasion or remembrance of a dear one you would like to acknowledge or you just want to assist in making our Sanctuary a place of beauty to share with each other, call Marilyn Winterowd and she will schedule a Sunday for you Our Prayer Group meets on Thursdays at 7:45am Arts and Crafts Group meets every Third Wednesday of the month-december 14th at 6:30pm. This group is always open to having new people join them, check it out! Prayer Shawl Ministry meets here at Tracyton UMC on the second Monday of the month at 2:00pm. There will be no meeting in December If you have any questions contact Debbie Atkinson at th December Liturgists Bonnie Chrey 11th Kathy Bogue Each week the children meet downstairs after the Sunday Service! approximately 45 min. 18th 24th Jim Klein To be Announced Classes begin at 7:45am Facilitated by Chaplin Ed Carroll Everyone is welcome to come!

7 P a g e 7 Leaves of Thankfulness and Gratitude A new thing here at TUMC are the Gratitude Cards that can be filled out and put in the offering plate on Sunday. These help us to remember that our Church needs more than just our financial support. The cards give us an opportunity to express our gratitude for the talents and actions of some of those around us. Below you can see examples of edited versions of the Gratitude Cards that are posted on the mirrors in the front hallway. Please take the time to read the originals! Ed & Kim Carroll For Leading Sunday School Katherine and Don Jansen For Being Wonderful friends Amy Pastor For Her Wes Friendship and Kathy For their Wisdom and Love Roberta For her amazing Talent and Cheerful Atitude John & Dotty For Their Dovotion to each Lyla For Her Support & Information Susie White For being such an Kris For being there to listen Roger For his Generosity My Family For Food, Shelter and Support Daddy For Being in the Navy Barbara Johnson For Faithful, Cheerful, Service Veterans For their Service Where have you seen God at Work Reminds me of all the God Moments Mom & Dad For Raising us Right Libby For All she does for missions Abby For Always Stepping Up The TUMC Kids For Chal- Sally Klein For Leading by Example Marsha M For Her Caregiving & Love My Grandfather For Being a Marine TUMC For the Congregations Friendship Have you returned your 2017 Pledge yet? December is a month when we give thanks for God's gift of Christ in our lives. We exist as a church to share that gift with the world. Please help us continue that work by submitting your pledge of giving. Your Finance Team depends on your yearly pledge to plan our budget and our programming for the year. If you haven t yet turned in your pledge you can find a card on the table in the Sanctuary. You can drop your completed card into the Offering Plate. And remember, if you need to modify your pledge anytime during the year all you need to do is notify the church office or Elaine Cook, our Financial Secretary. Thank you for your continued generosity. May it be extravagant, as God's gift to the world is extravagant.

8 P a g e 8 T r a c y t o n T i d i n g s P S A L M 2 3 R E A D I N G There once was a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want"... the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life. But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23"? A most courteous and unassuming child "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23"? Psalm23 (KJV) 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent. With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. "Well sir, you know the Psalm. I know the Shepherd." don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training, but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?" The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm. I know the Shepherd."

9 P a g e 9 A few weeks ago a questionnaire about continuing to serve Benedict House was passed around in church. The result was divided opinions. About half of the congregation voted to continue and half to abandon the mission. It did not lead to a definite decision. B e n e d i c t H o u s e After talking to the staff at Benedict House, the problem may be solved. If church members could just deliver the food, the men could prepare and serve it. Some of them have worked in food service and have a Food Handler's card. Others are in cooking classes at Olympic College. Although this solution is not as effective as personally spreading God's love to these men, it will be better than not serving them at all. If you have any comments on this decision, please contact Libby Correll at or libbycorrell@msn.com U P L I F T I N G T H I N G S T O * Smile at a stranger * Drop a coin where a child can find it * Learn something new and teach it to someone * Tell someone you love them * Hug someone * Forgive someone who has wronged you * Try saying "I'm sorry" when you ought to * Tell a child how great they are * Sing a song about Jesus to yourself * Keep a promise * Call someone just to say hello * Try listening more than talking * Stand up for what you believe in * Thank God for His beautiful Creation * Encourage someone who is feeling down * Cherish today as if it were your last one * Tell someone about Jesus -- Author Unknown Post these things to do on your morning mirror and try to do as many as you can each day! Monday Wash Day Tuesday Ironing Day Wednesday Mending Day Thursday Cleaning Day Friday Shopping Day Saturday Cooking Day Sunday The Lord's Day Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead. Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others. O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others. Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart. O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love. Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness. O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

10 Tracyton United Methodist Church PO Box Naomi St Tracyton, WA D e c e m b e r T r a c y t o n T i d i n g s T r a c y t o n U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h Worship Time 9:00am We are a multi-generational community growing together in the grace, love and service of God. Children are always welcome. Should you desire, a nursery is available for children 5 years and under D e c e m b e r T r a c y t o n T i d i n g s