Window. ADVENT 2018 Vol. 26 No. 4 PAID. The Newsletter of Fairfax United Methodist Church. Fairfax United Methodist Church Stratford Avenue

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1 Window Fairfax United Methodist Church Stratford Avenue Fairfax, Virginia Address Service Requested The Newsletter of Fairfax United Methodist Church ADVENT 2018 Vol. 26 No. 4 Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Fairfax, VA Permit No. 5

2 THE PASTOR'S CORNER My Advent Conversion I ll admit it. I spent my younger years, and even the beginning of my pastoral ministry, thinking Advent was boring. Advent hymns seemed okay but nothing compared to the familiar Christmas Carols. Chrismon Trees and Advent Wreaths seemed nice, too, but I couldn t get it out of my head they were a 20th century Johnny Come Lately invention onto the American church landscape. Four Sundays of waiting Come on! Let s get on with the Christmas thing! This way of thinking changed late one November when I went to visit Hazel, a widow in her 90s. I was a pastor in rural Virginia, so this meant visiting people who still lived on unpaved roads. Hazel s home was over a mile off the main highway, down a road that was more a dirt path than anything else. She still kept a large garden and butchered her own meat. Her home looked like what the Beverly Hillbillies lived in before moving to California. She still even had an outhouse. My first inclination had been Hazel was poor because there is certainly a sad abundance of rural poor in America. In actuality, she told me her husband left her with a good pension and she had thought about moving to the fancy old folks home but decided she would rather stay in her home of 70 years, as simple as it was. Her family was peeved she wouldn t move, but Hazel didn t care. You simply don t argue with an old lady who can slaughter a pig. You puttin up that Christmas tree in church soon? She meant the Chrismon tree. I assured her it would be up the first Sunday in Advent. In my life s chapter of being unenthusiastic about Advent I asked her, Why is putting up the Chrismon Tree important to you? Hazel paused for what seemed an entire minute. Her eyes teared up and she replied with words I ll never forget. I made the angel that s sittin near the top. I made it when my Chester died. Chester was her husband, who was killed in a farming accident many years prior. When that tree goes up, I know I ll see Chester again one day. In that moment, I was an Advent convert. The season, the tree, and the symbols gave Hazel great hope in a God who will act on her behalf to be reunited again with Chester. She lived with a great expectation of a loving God. While humankind is in the midst of darkness, Advent speaks of a God who acts through his Son, Jesus Christ. We, too, wait in darkness of many types. The darkness of sin, sickness, loneliness, fear and sadness. Advent teaches us that God does not leave us alone in these conditions; rather, God in some way, shape or form visits us. This is time well spent, and how good it is that we dedicate an entire liturgical season of worship focusing on the expected hope of God. Thanks, Hazel! Rev. David Bonney FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

3 The Case for Christmas Sundays December :45am or 12:30pm Starting on Sunday, December 2nd, all are invited to The Case for Christmas, a 4-week Advent Study led by Pamela Kipps, Wesley Pastoral Intern. This dynamic study, written by atheist turned Christian Lee Strobel, investigates the story surrounding the birth of Jesus and the claims that Jesus is indeed the divine Son of God. Open to all who seek to know more from faith explorers to those deeply rooted in their faith this study will uncover the evidence associated with the birth of Christ, and help us grow closer to God and one another this Christmas season. We ll meet on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (light snacks will be provided). Come whatever time works best for you each week. The cost for the optional study guide is $7.00 (scholarships available). Hope to see you there! Advent Family Gathering Saturday December 8 9:00-10:00 am, Together with the United Methodist Men s Pancake Breakfast is a special Advent event for children and families. Following a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage gravy, and grits, children make crafts, hear stories and enjoy a performance by ALIVE, our youth drama team. Our neighbors from New Life International and Providence Elementary School are going to be a part of this exciting Advent experience. The Mitten Tree There are people in our community who need help to have warm clothing for their families this winter. We can help by decorating the Mitten Tree with gloves, scarfs, hats and socks for them. The Mitten Tree is displayed in the church narthex during Advent and the items are distributed to those who need them in the community. For additional information or cash donations, contact Juanita Lewis at FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

4 Fusion UMYF The FUMC youth and youth from New Life International share the joy in a joint Christmas party on December 16! This is a wonderful opportunity for our two youth groups to come together as a community in Christ. It will be a fun night of good food, fellowship, Christmas games, white elephant and much more. Plan to be a part of the fun! The Problem with Christmas A 4-week series on Christmas Most people are sure they know the story of Christmas. There s a baby, and a manger, and some sheep, and Santa. Well, it s something like that. There s a problem with seeing the story of Jesus birth as just another story from the Bible. The story of Christmas is not just one of many stories in Scripture. It s part of THE story the big story of God and God's relationship with creation. In this 4-week series, we learn to see how the birth of Jesus changed the story of humanity forever in a way that was completely unexpected, undeserved, unbelievable, and undeniable. Thanks for all the Socks! Sock-tober was a great success. FUMC collected 513 pairs of socks that have been donated to The Lamb Center and other locations in our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Supplies needed for Honduras Mission Trip, January 2019 A team from FUMC is planned in early January to visit Honduras. Supplies are needed for Honduras Independence Bilingual School (HIBS) in Quimistan and the primary school in San Pedro Sula, Barrio Cabanas. HIBS, which is in a small town site, is focused on construction to accommodate students beyond 6th grade. The San Pedro site is focused on health and nutrition in an urban setting. All items are needed for both communities. Multi-Vitamins. Please, no gummy types. Chewable vitamins for kids and women s vitamins are in demand. Toothbrushes, adults and kid sizes Ibuprofen or Naproxen Glue sticks for crafts Laptops. Teachers ability to teach is greatly enhanced and organized with laptops. A donation to be used for construction, food, and medical needs. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Kennedy at andreakennedy80@gmail.com or Rev. Bonney at dbonney@fairfaxumc. org. A collection box will be in the Narthex (rear of the sanctuary) starting December 2. Your support really makes kids lives better now and for the future. Thank you! FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

5 A Special Holiday Market Friday, December 14 5:00-7:30pm The Holiday Marketplace focuses on Providence families and others in the immediate area surrounding our church that need support for Christmas. We offer the parent(s) an evening to come and receive a free, new, unwrapped age-appropriate toy for each of their children and then some gently used books and coats to add to their holiday gift-giving and a surprise! A gift card for $20 from Aldi or Walmart AND a Coupon Voucher to Aldi for a free turkey or ham is included. An endowment gift from the church provided the turkey or ham. During the event, there are supervised activities and a light meal for the children to enjoy while parents shop. Also, there is a free gift wrap room for the parents to festively wrap their child s toy. Lots of hands are needed to make this a success for others as a Church-wide Mission Event. All volunteer roles are in one-hour time slots but sign up for as many multiple hours or multiple tasks as you prefer. Many hands make light work! Let us bless others at this blessed time of year!. Weather Related Closings The policy of Fairfax Church is that the church will follow the guidelines of the Fairfax County Public Schools regarding closing due to weather conditions. On days that schools are closed, day and evening church activities will be cancelled. In the event of an early closing or when evening events are cancelled in schools, all evening activities at church are cancelled. Any changes to our worship schedule are made independently. Please check our website and phone system for announcements and changes. Rev. Bonney plans to be at church on Sunday mornings to officiate at worship, even in bad weather. The close location of the parsonage makes this possible. The format and order of worship will depend on staff and volunteers available. FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

6 December Sermon Series Proclaiming the Carols! In this holy season, the Pastors messages will be based on some of the most beloved and inspirational Carols with themes that express the richness of the season. These will include: O come, O come Emmanuel Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Away in a Manger Joy to the World Make worship an important part of your Advent season. And invite your family members and friends! COMMONWEALTH COMMUNITY CHURCH Rev. Minoo Kim The multi-site now has a name: Commonwealth Community Church. Our 14-member visioning team has been meeting weekly at my apartment over the past six weeks. We have talked about what it means to be a church, discussed various avenues of ministry, and contemplated our call as a new faith community here in Fairfax Circle. On October 13, we participated in the Fairfax Fall Festival. Our booth had a survey board asking, We re starting a new church. What s important to you? We engaged with more than 500 people, and approximately 124 people participated in our survey. The top three choices from our seven categories were Spiritual Formation (21%), Family Programs (19%), and Outreach/Service (15%). The other four categories were Social Justice (13%), Multicultural Community (12%), Social Meetups (10%), and Creative/Artistic Expression (9%). This Fall Festival was our first public project. It was a great time of meeting and engaging with people in the community, and it also gave us an important opportunity to learn how to work together as a team. As a team, we are now preparing for the next phase. If the past two months were a season of corporate listening, the next few months will be a season of creating. We hope to create spaces where people can experience a sense of community and belonging that is grounded in the grace of Jesus Christ, whether it is through small group gatherings, preview worship services, or other spontaneous fellowships. Jesus called his disciples friends (John 15:15). In a way, our mission to make disciples is us making friends and living in friendship with one another young and old, like and unalike. Our prayer for our new faith community is to become friends with the people of the greater Fairfax community. Please continue to support us with your prayers. Also, the financial support provide by Fairfax Church is very important as we begin this new season of creating. FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

7 2018 Christmas Poinsettias If you would like to honor or remember a loved one, you may place a poinsettia in the Sanctuary to be used in each of our services on December 23 and 24. Contributions may also be made to United Methodist Family Services or Endowment Giving as a very special commemoration of a life well lived. Please complete the form below. Place it in the offering plate or deliver it to the church office along with your check for $9.00 per poinsettia or for the desired amount of your contribution. Checks should be made payable to FUMC. Please staple your check to this form. Orders must reach the church office no later than noon December 10, in order for the plants to be delivered in time. Poinsettias may be picked up after the 9:00pm Christmas Eve service. Please mark with number desired: Red White Marble PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY: IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF GIVEN BY PHONE NUMBER If you would like to make a contribution in honor or memory of a loved one to United Methodist Family Services or Endowment Giving, please complete: IN MEMORY OF: IN HONOR OF: Please make check(s) payable to FUMC. $ Flowers $ United Methodist Family Services $ Endowment $ TOTAL FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

8 The Sacrament of Baptism... Administered on September 23, 2018 to Hope Kathleen Rowley, daughter of Matt and Kelly Rowley, born on April 17, 2018 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Logan Henry Crigler, son of Ross and Michelle Crigler, born on September 17, 2017 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Troy Miller Leach, son of Joshua and April Leach, born on August 22, 2013 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Hunter James Crawford, son of Justin & Nicole Crawford, born on June 12, 2018 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Easton James Jackson, son of Jay and Amy Jackson, born on July 20, 2017 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Adelyn Grace Williams, daughter of Jason and Jaclyn Williams, born on April 18, 2017 Administered on September 23, 2018 to Dallas Lynn Kolff, daughter of Steven and Anna Kolff, born on February 4, 2018 New Members Charles and Mihwa Childers of 9451 Lee Highway Apt# 1002 Fairfax, VA Kyle Johnson of Lisa Marie Court Fairfax, VA Michelle Annette Robinson of Unit 7140 Box 0, DPO AE Our Sympathy is Extended to the Family and Friends of: Mary Camper. Mary died on September 10, 2018 in Fairfax, VA Kenneth Ken Clemons. Ken died on September 9, 2018 in Fairfax, VA Marie Jobe. Marie Jobe s sister. Rubinette Dunaway, died on August 14 in Fairfax, VA Marlene Dew. Eugene Stull, Marlene s brother, died on August 5 in Boston, MA Leslie Bain Lord. Leslie died on September 20 in Atlanta, GA John Snyder. Patricia Ann Snyder, John s mother, died on September 12 in Elwood, PA Charles Thomas. Charles died on September 29 in Winchester, VA Lee Viar. Lee died on September 3 in Herndon, VA. FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

9 Christmas Worship Opportunities Service of Lessons and Carols December 16 at 9:30am The Chancel Choir leads worship in celebrating the season of Advent and the coming of Christ by remembering the biblical story through scripture and song in this special service. Christmas Eve, December 24 1:00 pm Daylight Christmas Eve Service For those who wish to celebrate the Birth of Christ during the daylight hours, this service includes traditional carols, a powerful message, time for prayer and reflection, and a celebration of Holy Communion. Ideally suited for those with difficulties traveling at night, other evening engagements, or those preferring to be home early; we pray this worship opportunity fills you with the love of Christ. 4:00 pm Family Christmas Eve Service The Family Service is a pageant bringing to life the Christmas story for children and families in a meaningful way. The Children s Choirs are presenting Away in a Manger to inspire families through the recreation of the Christmas story. 7:00 pm Modern Candlelight Service For a more modern worship experience this Christmas, be a part of this celebration of Christ s birth. Led by our Open Doors music team, this worship experience provides engaging music, an inspiring message, Holy Communion, and the beauty of candlelight. 9:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service Be a part of our traditional candlelight service of Holy Communion. We gather in the warmth of community to hear the story of Christ s birth and share in the holy meal together. The Chancel Choir offers a rich musical context for the congregation to sing familiar carols as together we reflect on the significance of Christ in our lives. The service closes lifting our voices to God in a shimmer of candlelight. December 30 1st Sunday after Christmas 9:30am Service only This informal worship opportunity present traditional carols, scripture and the Christmas message as the community moves toward Epiphany on January 6. Families are encouraged to worship together and Sunday School is not offered. FAIRFAX UMC ADVENT

10 SERVE NEIGHBORS In this Christmas season, we thank everyone who has supported Fairfax United Methodist Church ministries over the past year with their prayers, time, talent and financial gifts. We look forward to support from all of our members and friends in If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to check our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially at Christmas, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit fairfaxumc.org, click the start giving button at the bottom of the home page or contact the church office for assistance. A box of 2019 weekly offering envelopes should arrive at your home during December, unless you opted not to receive them. The envelopes are mailed by the printer directly to your home address. The same envelope number is retained from year to year. All end of the year gifts to the church must be postmarked by December 31, LOVE GOD BUILD DISCIPLES CONNECT BELIEVERS Fairfax United Methodist Church Stratford Avenue Fairfax, VA David J. Bonney Lead Pastor dbonney@fairfaxumc.org Elizabeth P. Barricks Administrative Ministries lbarricks@fairfaxumc.org Pamela Kipps Wesley Pastoral Intern pkipps@fairfaxumc.org Jane Ciorba Children's Ministries jciorba@fairfaxumc.org Amy Grant Associate Pastor agrant@fairfaxumc.org Linda Burke Executive Director lburke@fairfaxumc.org Kyle Johnson Youth Ministries kjohnson@fairfaxumc.org Diana Jenkins Weekday Preschool preschool@fairfaxumc.org Minoo W. Kim Church Plant Pastor minookim@vaumc.org Charles & Diane Whittaker Interim Music Ministries cwhittaker@fairfaxumc.org Rachel Ackerman Children s Music Ministries rackerman@fairfaxumc.org Chris Burke Modern Worship cburke@fairfaxumc.org