In this issue:
Pastor’s Page
Upcoming Events
Birthdays/Anniversaries/Our Church Family
Message from Staff Pastor
Parish Relations Committee
Pastor’s Page
"Not a Silent Night"
This Advent, we will explore each week during Sunday morning
worship, themes from Pastor Adam Hamilton's book, "Not A Silent
Night”. We will turn to Mary "the mother of Jesus", to her witness of Jesus' life and ministry. We will consider how Jesus' divine conception and human birth, shows us, as Christians today, how God's grace and love for humanity shined in the conception, birth, life, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year may we experience Advent and Christmas anew, through the eyes of Mary, who was willing to humble herself to be God's servant, that the world could receive its' Messiah King.
More than anything else, this Advent/Christmas season, my prayer is that we can see Christmas as a time that God's love came down to earth, as we, like Mary, open our lives to be vessels in which God's power of love may flow. Like our own time in human history, the first Christmas didn't happen under idyllic, peaceful circumstances, but in a world oppressed by evil and tyrannical political powers.
“Not a Silent Night" reminds us that Christmas doesn't depend on sparkling trees and pretty packages. Christmas depends on human beings opening their hearts and minds to the power of God's loving grace, to heal us all, even in the midst of the adversity and brokenness of human life.
Pastor Adam Hamilton writes: "There was no one who ever had a greater connection to Jesus Christ, no one who ever experienced and was a more central part of God's plan, than Mary." The early church spoke of Mary as Theotokos, - a Greek title meaning "God bearer," or one who gives birth to God. A question for us to think about this Advent/Christmas season, is how can we become Christ bearers in this world, who through our discipleship give rebirth to the light and love of Jesus for humanity in this world? How can we show a world with very few silent nights, amidst war zones and human cries for
help, that Christ comes each Christmas anew to show the world that God is Love?
May love come down again this Christmas, as we as Christ bearers in this world, show all of humanity, by our witness, that Jesus is the incarnation of God's love for all of humankind. May love come down this Christmas, as we become Christ bearers who shine the light and love of Jesus in our world.(Pastor Anne)
"Love Came Down At Christmas"
Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, Love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Star and Angels gave the sign
Worship we the Godhead
Love incarnate, Love divine
Worship we our Jesus
But wherewith for sacred sign
Love shall be our token
Love be yours and love be mine
Love to God and all men
Love for plea and gift and sign.
[Words—Christina G. Rossetti 1830-1894
Music—”Garton” Traditional Irish Melody]
Upcoming Events
Special Events this November and December in our church:
Coping With Grief During the Holidays Season: will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, November 4 - December 11 (participants can
choose to come either Tuesday or Thursday evenings) from 6:30pm - 8pm in our church's lounge. Therapist Jane Lane will help participants understand the stages of grief and how to get through the first Thanksgiving and Christmas without a loved one. Pastor Anne will lead one session on understanding how faith helps us find
healing as we grieve, with the hope of God giving us new purpose in life, on November 25 from 6:30-8pm. The six week group will conclude with our annual healing and remembrance service for those who have lost a loved one. “The Blue Christmas Service” will be on Sunday December 14, 2014 at 2pm, in our chapel, followed by fellowship and refreshments downstairs in our fellowship hall.
Turkey Supper - On November 8, the church will host a turkey supper. Take outs will be available from 3-4pm, and at 5pm an eat-in, family style dinner will be served in the fellowship hall. The cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 5-11, preschoolers free. Menu to include turkey, gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, cranberry sauce, roll and butter, beverage, and apple crisp for dessert.
Ladies Day Out/Holiday Shopping/Luncheon November 22, 10am-3pm
in the church fellowship hall. Popular vendors/lunch available/craft table for kids while moms shop.
(There will be a $5 fee for the children’s table) All monies benefit the church’s general fund.
Covenant Bible Study - Session One will conclude Wednesday morning November 19, from 10am-Noon, and the evening session December 3 from 6-8pm. (There will be no evening session the night before Thanksgiving).
Session Two— eight week Bible study will begin Wednesday January 7 at 10am – Noon in the lounge and in the evening that same day from
6-8pm in the lounge. Come discover, in the year 2015, how immersing yourself in scripture and the study of the Word, with other Christians, can deepen your spiritual understanding of God's love
for you through your relationship with Jesus Christ and fellow Christians.
**Young Adults - will meet at the home of Jason and Aline Petlock on Friday November 14. Child Care will be provided at the church. Please check the bulletin for times.
Senior Citizen’s Brunch will be held in the fellowship hall on Friday, December 5, at 10am. Breakfast pizza, fruit, juice,
and coffee will be served. Shirley Goble will accompany us as we sing some of our favorite Christmas carols. All seniors in our church are invited, please
feel free to invite a quest. Please call the office by Wednesday, December 3, if possible, to let us know you are coming, so we can have enough food. (607-565-8650) Devotions will be led by Pastor Anne
Special Sunday Services December 21 - we will have only two services on Sunday morning: 8:15 Chapel service and a special service at 10am, led by our Sunday School children. The Sunday school children will present their Christmas pageant, and the youth / young adult band, conducted by Shirley Goble, will play several favorite Christmas carols as the prelude. The senior choir will also sing, and after the service the congregation is invited downstairs to have "Birthday Cake for Jesus”. Coffee and punch will be served. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support our children and young people in our church.
The Church Family is encouraged to join with the children as we make our annual Christmas visitations to the Elderwood Nursing Home, and Assisted Living, and the Elizabeth Square Senior Living Apartments,
on Sunday December 21, staring at 6pm. Everyone who is able, is invited to visit the elderly and extend Christian love to the seniors in our church and community. We would appreciate donations
of Christmas cookies, small toiletries and devotional books, as gifts to our seniors. Please call Pastor Anne for more details. 607-565-8650
Christmas Eve Service
December 24—Pre-service music starts with our praise band, "Waves
of Praise” at 6:30pm, followed by the service at 7pm. This is a family service. Children and visitors are most are welcomed and embraced.
Christmas Toy Drive
This year our church will have a toy drive that will be the senior project of Sayre High School student Ryan Strope, in honor of his late sister, Sara Strope, who died when she was only twelve years old. It is Ryan's desire to bring joy to children who are in need.
The dates for the toy drive will be December 6, from 1pm-4pm, and December 13, from 1pm-4pm. The toys will be donated to the Salvation Army and The Choice Radio "Christmas is For Kids" annual appeal for toys and gifts for needy children in our community. The toys will be delivered for you to the Salvation Army/Choice Broadcast.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Beth Shaffer; Brenda Hamilton
2 John Keuhn; James Perry; Kathy MacNaughton
3 David Burlingame; Cory Satterly; Scott Roberts
4 Lorraine Scrivener
6 Ann Campbell; Kay Keeney
7 Michael Stolicker
8 Pastor Anne Canfield; Elizabeth Goode
11 Nancy Clark; Dawn Alliger
15 Jane Lane
16 Geraldine Depew
17 Julie Morales; MaryLou Keir
18 Suzanne Kuykendall
19 Richard Damian; Todd Bowers
20 Cyndi Bird; Peggy Springer; Bob Grabb
21 Barbara Koop; Clarissa Frantz
22 Jenna Stedge; Virginia Vandewall
23 Gregg Madigan
24 Greta Elston; Joshua Burlingame
25 Kathy Hendershot
26 Savannah Young
27 Lindsey Johnson
28 Erin Roney; James Stedge
30 Joseph Daniel Rooke; Lanette Wood
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
7 Christa & Kevin Frantz
12 Janet & Gary Wells
24 Lanette & Kevin Wood
29 Kathy & Donald Cron
DECMBER ANNIVERSARIES
17 Beverly & Larry Ward
18 Ann & Todd Starkweather
22 Phyllis & Fred Satterly
26 Jill & Reaford Deskins
30 Melany & Scott Roberts
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Yvonne Bostwick; Richard Dixson; Ernestine Mitchell; Kelsey Young
2 Gordon Hawthorne; Brandon Hendershot
4 Danielle Pond
5 Terri Roney; Daniel Reynolds
7 Dakin Wright
8 Parker Hendershot; Elyse Zobel; Thelma West; Nancy Frey; Nancy Arcesi
10 Karen Benton; Kathy Vinson
11 Jeff Northrop
12 Ken Collins; Dillon Madigan; Jared David Mumbulo
13 Colleen Barnes; Matthew Podolinski
14 Robert Ervine
15 Carole Keene; Beverly Ward; Camden & Kendrick Wood; Lindsey Rynone
16 Elizabeth Gorman; Brian Yost; Bradley Rynone; Judy Biery; Dalton Lunn
18 Nita Smith; Jim Mayo
19 Holly Bennett; Paula Hamilton
20 Harold Kressler
21 Jackie Ayres; Clarice Wood; Kevin Raupers
23 Kathy Collins; Jason Bennett; Caitlin Hatch; Mike Satterly
25 Jesus; Carol P. Luther; Patricia Carol Luther; Joe Frantz
26 Rachel Luther; Katelyn Gable
27 Clint Deskins
29 Andy Zobel; Lily Miller
30 Rachel Correll
31 Steven Austin; Paula Mattison; Carter Dengler
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
New Members
September 14—Charles Ronald Bostwick
September 21—Edward Henry; Kimberly Henry
Baptisms
October 5—Sophie Marie Podilinski
October 24—Ty Ramond Varga; Imajin June Mayo
Weddings
July 26—Hannah Barnhart & Jonathan Woodburn
August 2—Alice Fenton & Rodney Best Jr.
August 30—Amy Campbell & Patrick Orlandi
September 20—Terri Gore & Scoitt Kelsall
Deaths
September 7—Court F. Satterly
September 8—Phillip L. Coolbaugh
September 9—Charlene Terwilliger
September 11—Olin E. West, Jr.
September 23—Ramona C. Forman
October 29—Jeannine Rockwell Thurston
Transfer Out
September 22—Amy Powell
October 30, 2014
TO: The Congregation of WUMC
FROM: SPPRC
The SPPRC met this month to discuss recent issues that led to disruption and undeserved stress for Pastor Anne and the office staff. We wish to commend Chuck Carver for his courage in speaking
up on October 19th when many of us kept similar thoughts to ourselves. His words were thought-provoking, and we were encouraged to follow up.
We all have the right to express our opinions, but we should do so with respect and consideration of others. Pastor Anne deserves to be treated with respect…period. Our office staff deserves respect and a working environment that is free from inappropriate disruptions.
The SPPRC kindly asks that anyone who visits Pastor Anne or the office staff does so in a manner which is respectful and considerate. We ask visitors to remember that our staff has much to do in a relatively few hours so it is important not to ‘hang out’ or to be loud and disruptive in the office area.
We thank you for your cooperation. Pastor Anne and our staff will certainly appreciate your consideration in these matters.
THE WAVERLY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NOVEMBER—DECEMBER 2014
NEWSLETTER
158 Chemung Street
Waverly, NY 14892
The Rev. Anne Bey Canfield, Pastor
Phone: 607-565-8650
Fax: 607-565-8499
Pastor: annebcanfield@gmail.com
Secretary: wumcscty@gmail.com
OPEN HEARTS
OPEN MINDS
OPEN DOORS
THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
____________________________
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