CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Living Christ s ways and exploding with love and service Sunday Worship Schedule Praise Celebration - 9 am All Ages Education Hour - 10 am Traditional Style Celebration - 11 am TOTAL STEWARDSHIP: PRAYERS, PRESENCE, GIFTS, AND SERVICE Interim Pastor Rev. James M. Pollard Minister for Christian Education & Community Life Sally J. Pollard Office Manager/Ministry Assistant Janelle Martin Minister of Music Paul Staley Financial Secretary Doris Schanzlin Custodian David Wolf 350 Saratoga Road, Amherst, NY 14226 Phone: 839-2460 Fax: 839-2166 www.christchurchamherst.org E-mail: Cumc350@gmail.com 2016 Christ United Methodist Church Principal Photography by Richard Mestler CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-5 Tuesday and Thursday, 9-Noon Children s Sabbath, Bible Presentations, and Community Youth - Peggy Bermudez Photos 12
With Joy From Sally How Can I Keep From Singing It s the day after the election and why is this song playing in my head?? You can look up the lyrics online or in our church songbook, but it s the following words from this song that are playing in my head No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I m clinging Since love is lord of heaven and earth How can I keep from singing. Here s the thing: there are some very excited people today following the election, and there are some who are feeling dejected, but there are many who feel exhausted and wrung out by the length, tone, and meanness of this year s election. Some are wondering what they will say to their children. Today and all days we need to be reminded of God s love for the world the whole world Republicans, Democrats, rich, poor, women, men, young, old, people of all races, ethnicities, and lifestyles. God loves us all. We re united not by gender or race or economic status or political affiliation, but by faith faith that God created all things and people. God sustains all things and people is redeeming all things and people all because of God s overwhelming love for all things and people. In this larger context I find comfort and hope that no matter how difficult things may seem, love remains. God will not abandon the creation God loves, and those who live in that love will persevere and be the face of God s presence in times of persecution and need. In this Advent/Christmas season we re reminded of how God works through human life bringing love, trust, compassion, acceptance, and strength to the world. Our culture is becoming indifferent to religious and other institutions. In the past the church had the support of a culture that encouraged church participation. Now, there are many options for how individuals and families can spend their time on Sunday morning and they look for meaning there. Church isn t a given. In fact it s becoming a less attractive option for a generation that doesn t see the connection between the faith we talk about and their day-to-day lives. Still, how can I keep from singing? Because God is active in the world now. I see evidence of God s goodness all around. And the proper response to the world we live in and people we meet is not fear or uneasiness or isolation but joy, wonder, and gratitude. Perhaps our response to the exhaustion and frustration of the recent political season, the uncertainty of a sluggish economy, concerns for an endangered environment, and the multitude of other things troubling us might be to sing words of joy and thanks. God is still at work in us and through us -- for the health of this world that God loves so much. How can we keep from singing?! 2 Sally FEBRUARY CALLER DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 QUESTIONS? CONTACT BARBARA MITCHELL @ 839-2435 OR BBMITCH@VERIZON.NET A Personal Word From Jim Pollard Thinking About Faith Thoughts for a new year Faith language abounds. Have faith Faith journey Keep the faith Take it on faith...grow in faith are common expressions. But what is faith? Assent to a set of beliefs? A decision made about what is true when reason seems to fail? Wishful thinking? Confidence and trust in the teachings of a particular religious tradition? Before reading any further, in the space provided below, in one or two sentences, write your definition of faith: Now, in light of what you have written, consider the following statements by Diogenes Allen, from his book Christian Belief in a Postmodern World: The Full Wealth of Conviction In Christianity, faith involves the recognition and acceptance of God s saving work in Jesus Christ. To recognize the good that God intends for us to receive is to have experienced God s grace; faith is our consent to receive that good. (p.100) Allen adds: Faith does not make its first appearance because there is a shortage of evidence. It begins with our consent to the good that God would do us, is purified with the continuing acceptance of God s judgment, and grows into maturity with the acceptance of unavoidable suffering and participation in the life of the Christian community. (p.146) These statements suggest some questions to explore: (make notes of your own responses) What are the signs in my life of the good that God intends for us? In what ways have I experienced God s grace and recognized God s goodness? In what ways do I consent to receive God s goodness? Where in my life is God s grace still seeking me? Where have I experienced God s judgment God challenging me to change and to more fully love God and love neighbor? As I experience suffering, my own and the suffering of others, how does Jesus own suffering redeem my suffering and the world s suffering from hopelessness? What can I do to alleviate suffering? What message of hope can I offer to others who suffer? How does my participation in the life of the Christian community enable my faith and the faith of others to grow? How can I strengthen Christ Church s witness to the good that God would do us? How can I share with others in alleviating suffering and providing hope to those who suffer? In Christ s service, Jim United Methodist Women Executive Board Meeting, Tuesday, December 6th, 4 pm in the Wesley Room, to work on the 2017 planning and budget. 11
Outreach Missions: December 2016-January 2017 FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER CUMC continues its partnership with the FJC to help victims of domestic violence find the courage and pathways to safety. The North Town satellite of the FJC has been open for close to 3 years now and, thanks to your help, is growing stronger. Your continued contributions to the center s food and essentials pantry have been a great help to those who seek to escape a violent relationship. Also your continued contributions to the Change a life campaign have truly made a difference. Look for the collection jar in Craft s Hall and help change a life. If you need assistance, or know someone who does, please contact the Family Justice Center at any of our three locations. The center that is most convenient to our neighborhoods is the North Town Center located at 330 North Forest Road in Williamsville. The phone number is 634-4309 and the hours of operation have changed to Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Thank you for your continued support of this deserving mission. Upcoming Opportunities for Outreach Family Promise - Our next opportunity to help is December 19 th. Please contact Lee Watson if you are able to help prepare and/or serve dinner and/or visit with the families after dinner. Cookie and Candy Sale This ever popular sale will be held through December 11. Donations of candy and cookies by December 2 are much appreciated. Human Relations Day-January 15 Human Relations Day is one of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of our Church. Human Relations Day calls United Methodists to recognize the right of all God s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with one another. The special offering benefits neighborhood ministries through Community Developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk teens. Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to all who helped with Harvest Dinner! $1000.00 was raised to support missions for women and children. Also thank you to all who participated in Keeping in Touch visits. Community Christmas Caroling On Tuesday, December 13, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, seven area United Methodist Churches will join together for caroling! We ll meet at Harris Hill Church at 6:00 pm, board a bus, and spread Christmas joy at Bristol Village in Clarence Center and FayeBrooke Senior Apartments in Williamsville. Sign-ups will be available in the Café. The Amazon Smile site gives Amazon Prime members the opportunity to direct contributions in the amount of 5% of your purchases to a charity/ nonprofit of your choice, I have selected The United Methodist Church and its Affiliated Organizations as the recipient. Check it out. Richard Mestler 10 Pre-K Grade 5 Sunday mornings 10 am Lower level Children! Youth! Adults! It s time to get ready for our Christmas pageant! Merry Christ-Mess Only God Can Turn A Mess Into A Message! Rehearsals Sundays- 10 am Saturdays, December 10 & 17 10 am Christmas pageant Sunday, December 18, 11 am Open The Door Party follows January Follow The Star - Wise men followed a star that led them to Jesus. We can follow signs that lead us to Jesus. Jan 8 - Epiphany Party - Baking cookies and hearing stories from other countries Jan 15 - Follow The Star to find treasures - Where s your favorite place in the church? Jan 22 - Game Day Jan 29 - Blessings & Gifts Community Youth - Middle & High School Youth Sunday, December 4 Snow Day at Saratoga Park (or walk the trails at the park) Meet at the church at 1 pm, Return to church for hot chocolate Sundays, January 8 & 22-1 pm Make-A-Movie - Using imovie Create a script, gather scenery & props, and star in your own movie! Practice your acting skills! Bring your friends! Consultation/Planning Process News Christ Church: making connections and creating opportunities for faith, love, and service is the statement of purpose for Christ UMC that has been developed by the consultation Planning Team, following seven focus groups held between Nov. 13 and 17. The focus groups included 42 participants, plus two members of the Planning Team at each gathering. On Sunday, Nov 20, the Planning Team heard reports from the groups, and the revised purpose statement was developed. Next steps: Working with the guidance of our consultant to set goals and strategies for the next two to three years. Stay tuned. More opportunities to be involved are ahead! 3
December & January Anniversaries Clem and Karen Arrison... December 02, 2000 Peter and Patricia Zaleski... December 23, 1960 Joseph & Carolyn Day 65 Years!... December 27, 1951 Tom & Kathy Brunner... December 27 December Birthdays Amy Johnston... 03 Robert Paddock... 03 Hailey Wilsman... 03 Mary Parsons... 04 Jean Ericson... 05 Diane Klenk... 06 Alicia Ticconi... 07 Michael Keller... 08 Rachel Wenner... 08 Ed Fisher... 11 Gavin Gabel... 11 Geoff Hill... 11 Betty Kreib... 13 Marilyn Morris... 13 Marcia Rhinehart... 13 Chris Smith... 14 Meaghan Ramsey... 16 Guy Castellino... 17 Alexander Wilson... 19 Nicholas Terranova... 21 Lois Lewis... 23 Jocelyn Reagan... 23 Tim Reed... 25 Allen Dengler... 26 Jacqueline Morris... 26 Laurie Hannon... 27 Emily Scaringi... 27 Teresa Watson... 28 Paula Kreib... 29 4 January Birthdays Marie Miller... 01 Phyllis Nicholson... 01 Barbara Critoph... 02 Tom Weaver... 04 Guy Ferrelli... 05 Mary Jane Shanley... 07 Pam Lopez... 09 Lindsey Darling... 10 Joel Jackson... 17 Kimberly Gabel... 17 Bob Snyder... 17 Carol Teresi... 17 Lucille Mooney... 18 Nicole Sciolino... 20 Jasen Wilson... 20 Jamie Jackson... 24 Mac Sabol... 24 Elvira Gonzalez... 25 Barbara McCray... 26 Sara Thomas... 31 With Christmas Approaching, A Reminder Please save cancelled stamps (tear off the envelope corner from cards), Campbell s labels, Box Tops for Education, and Dash s register tapes. Place them in the appropriate containers on top of the microwave in the kitchen. They will be given to various charities. Thank you! Thank You We would like to thank our friends at Christ Church for their kind words and thoughts during Bob s recent stay at the hospital and in rehab. Many thanks to all- The Kreib Family CHRISTMAS AT CHRIST CHURCH Advent Fridays Give Yourself the Gift of Peace 5:30 6 p.m., Taizé Style Advent Sundays Adult Group Study, God is With Us, with Dr. David Pliss 10 a.m. Wesley Room Saturday, December 3 Sunday, December 11 Red Blazer Men s Chorus Concert Buffalo Brass Choir Concert 3 p.m. Free-Will Offering 5 p.m. $10 Sunday, December 18 - Christmas Pageant 11 a.m. Merry Christ-Mess! Beyond Time 11 a.m. with Open the Door Party to follow Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Service 9 p.m. Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day Worship ONE Service at 11 a.m. Circle News Elizabeth Circle will meet Thursday, December 1st at 6:30 pm for our annual Christmas Buffet at the home of Katie Cady, 226 Golden Pheasant Dr. Getzville NY 688-7477. Call Katie to let her know if you plan on coming and what you will bring. In January we will meet Thursday the 5th from 7-9 pm. at Paint on Tap, 5762 Main St. Williamsville. Cost is $32 per person. Reservations to Karen Hoffmann (631-0786) by Thursday, December 29th. Friends are welcome. Rachel Circle will meet for lunch at Asbury Pointe Tuesday, Dec. 20th at noon. There will be no January meeting. New Vision Circle will meet at 11am,Thursday December 15th for Christmas Tea at the church. Circle of Joy will celebrate a Winter Weekend in Zoar Valley, January 13-15 (Snow dates are February 17-19.) Stewardship & Finance Your 2017 Offering Envelopes will be available starting December 4 on the table in the Parlor. If you have not yet requested envelopes, please use the sign up pad on the above mentioned table, or call the church office. If you have not returned your 2017 Commitment card, please do so as soon as possible so we can get our 2017 Budget in place to make a pastoral decision. Any offerings you wish to show on your 2016 Financial Statement must be received by December 25, the last day we will have counters in 2016. 2016 must be closed before 2017 can be opened for the January 1 offering and once the books are closed no changes can be made. 9
United Methodist Men The next meeting of the CUMC Men's Group will be January 21. During June 2016, the Fishers toured the spectacular Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park in the US and were able to fulfill a wish that had been on their bucket list for some time. They will share images and tell about their experiences as they traveled through Glacier NP, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, and Banff. We ll meet at CUMC at 10:30 am followed by lunch at a restaurant TBD. Men, wives, guests, and others interested in scenic North America are welcomed! From the Minister of Music The Christmas season is fast upon us and along with all of our holiday celebrations, the music of the season is an integral part of our celebration of Christ s nativity. On Saturday, December 3 at 3 pm, the Red Blazer Men s Chorus will present a concert of Christmas music at CUMC. The Red Blazers have a long history and their performances are a real highlight of any season! On Sunday, December 11 at 5 pm, we welcome the Buffalo Brass Choir in a festive concert of holiday music for brass and organ. The BBC is a group of roughly twenty of the area s finest professional brass players directed by Nicholas DelBello that has rapidly taken its place as one of the Buffalo area s finest ensembles. This is a program not to be missed! During Advent, Sally Pollard will be leading services in the style of the community of Taize (France) every Friday at m. If you have never experienced a Taize service, I heartily encourage you to attend. These services are quiet, meditative, and filled with candle light, prayers, and song, and are a wonderful way to give yourself a half hour of peace and tranquility in the most hectic season of the year. On Christmas Eve, the Chancel Choir will present a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, following the format presented every Christmas Eve at the Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, England. This service was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four, had just been appointed Dean of King s after his experience as an army chaplain had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. It has been broadcast from King s College every year since 1928, with the exception of 1930. The service consists of nine lessons beginning with the creation story of Adam and the apple, and culminating with John s revelation of the mystery of the incarnation, centering on prophesy and fulfillment. It is a deeply moving service, and a wonderful way to celebrate the coming of Christ. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone of High School age and older to participate in this event. From now through December, the choir will be rehearsing music for this service every Wednesday from 7:30-8:15 pm. If you would like to participate, you need only come to the choir room on Wednesday evenings. You ll be warmly welcomed, and, of course, we will gladly welcome anyone wishing to become a regular member of the choir as well! Wishing all of you a joyous and blessed Advent and Christmas, I am 8 Yours in Christ, Paul Staley Annual Church Conference, Saturday, December 3, 10 am in Crafts Hall An Annual Church Conference is an important gathering for a United Methodist Church. It is a time when church leaders and staff report to the church members on the life and ministries of the church of the most recent year, and report goals and directions for the year ahead. Presiding at the church conference will be District Superintendent, Rev Wayne Butler. His presence embodies the accountability of the local United Methodist Church to the Annual Conference, and the connection that each United Methodist Church has with every other United Methodist Church through the annual conference. The Church Conference will include an update on the Consultation and Planning Process, an overview of the church s ministries from the Church Council and Ministry Teams, a report from the Staff-Parish Relations Team, and action on resolutions establishing pastoral compensation, reports from our church staff and interim pastor, financial reports, and reports from the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Team. The agenda also includes election of church leaders and Trustees. All church members have voice and vote at the Church Conference. Come! Participate in shaping the life and ministry of Christ UMC for the coming year. 5
4 Praise Worship 9a 11 Praise Worship 9a 18 Praise Worship 9a 1 Traditional Worship/ Communion 11a 8 Praise Worship 9a 15 Praise Worship 9a9a DCYM Youth Retreat 22 Praise Worship 9a 29 Praise Worship 9a 5 Library Team 12 13 2 Library Team Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6p Outreach Candy & Cookie Sale 10-1 Community Youth 1p Outreach Cookie Sale 10-1 MYM Lunch 1:30p Buffalo Brass 5pm Christmas Pageant 11a Open the Door Party 25 Informal Worship 11a Merry Christmas NEW YEAR S DAY 2017 Community Youth 1p COJ Zoar Valley Retreat Community Youth 1p Amherst Alumni Chorale Concert 2p Disciple l 6p 10:30a 19 20 6 UMW Executive Board 4p SPRT 7p COMMUNITY CAROLING Harris Hill UMC 6-9PM Rachel Circle 12p Trustees 7:30p 7 14 21 26 27 28 10:30a 3 9 10 16 Office Closed 17 SPRT 7p Stewardship & Finance 7p Christian Ed. 7p Trustees 7:30p 4 11 18 23 24 25 30 31 :30p :30p :30p 1 Elizabeth Circle 6:30p 8 15 New Vision Tea 11a 2 Books We Have Loved 10a 9 16 22 23 29 30 5 Elizabeth Circle 7p 12 19 26 6 GAME NIGHT 7p 13 Books We Have Loved 10a FEBRUARY CALLER DEADLINE 3 Church Charge Conference 10a Red Blazers 3p 10 17 24 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 10a Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 10a Christmas Eve Service 9p 31 7 Altar Guild 10a 14 20 21 27 Circle of Joy Zoar Valley Retreat GAME NIGHT 7p 28 UNITED METHODIST MEN 10:30a 6 7