congregational news · 2016-12-01 · congregational news december 2016 page 3 education and youth...
TRANSCRIPT
Congregational News MONTHLY ISSUE DECEMBER 2016
Spirituality. Community. Diversity. Justice. Peace.
Worship Schedule
Adult Sunday School: 10:00 am Children’s Faith Formation Classes: 9:50-10:50 am Worship: 11:00 am Refreshments: 12:00 pm
Our Mission
As people of Congregational United Church of Christ, we seek to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, accept-ing God’s call to be a true community of love, compassion, and nurture.
Visitors
Congregational United Church of Christ is a warm, welcoming congre-gation that is always happy to receive visitors. To help you feel as comfort-able and at-home as possible when you visit us, we’ve put together some information on what the Congrega-tional experience is like. For details, check out our Visitor Page at www. congregationalucc.com.
Our Next Newsletter
Deadline: Friday, December 30 Publication: Wed., January 4
News and events can be sent to [email protected].
Can’t wait for news? Check out the Congregational UCC web site at www.congregationalucc.com. It is up-to-date, relevant, interesting, lively, and available 24 hours.
Lectionary Readings
December 4, 2016
Isaiah 11:1–10, Ps. 72:1–7, 18–19, Romans 15:4–13, Matthew 3:1–12
December 11, 2016
Isaiah 35:1–10, Psalm 146:5–10, James 5:7–10, Matthew 11:2–11
December 18, 2016
Isaiah 7:10–16, Ps. 80:1–7, 17–19, Romans 1:1–7, Matthew 1:18–25
December 25, 2016
Isaiah 52:7–10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1–12, John 1:1–14
Preparing the Way
Advent Photography Project CUCC’s Art Committee invites all
members with a digital camera or a
cellphone to participate in this year’s
Advent Project! During Advent, we
will add to our exhibit space photo-
graphs taken by our members ex-
pressing each week’s Advent theme
of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love.
What You Need to Do:
1) Take a photograph that you feel is
a visual expression of one or
more of the four Advent themes.
2) Do not edit or crop the photos.
3) Email the photographs, labeled
by theme, to the following email:
• When emailing your photo-
graphs, be sure to choose the
option that allows the photo not
to be compressed.
• Make sure you include your
name and phone number.
4) In taking your photographs,
please follow these simple guide-
lines:
• Make sure there is adequate light
in the photo.
• Be sure there is a visual center
of interest.
• Don’t zoom in too closely.
• If taking a picture of a person, be
sure to first ask permission.
• Make sure the center of interest
stands out from the background.
5) Please submit your photos as
soon as possible!
While our hope is to post all of
the photos received and use them in
a slide show, there may be some
photographs we may not be able to
use. Once the photos are received,
members of the Art Committee will
coordinate printing and exhibiting
them.
Advent Calendars
Advent Calendars are available in the Fellowship Hall. Rather than a printed booklet, these calendars are a set of cards with suggested activities for each day. They are lovely, inspi-rational, and they have a direct tie-in with our new web site Advent Video.
Christmas Cantata
Our Chancel Choir will share with us the beautiful piece, “Appalachian Winter” during worship on Sunday, December 18. “Composed in the spirit of folk music, the cantata com-bines traditional sounds with more rustic elements, creating a blend that is fresh and pleasing. Popular Amer-ican carols like Away In a Manger and O Little Town of Bethlehem dance with traditional spirituals such as Children, Go Where I Send Thee and Go, Tell It on the Mountain.” Join us for this special presentation, and invite your family and friends!
Christmas Eve Worship
There will be special music, includ-ing harp, at both services. Don’t for-get to invite friends and family and strangers and neighbors! 5:00 pm: Family Oriented Service 11:00 pm: Candlelight and
Communion Service
Page 2 December 2016 Congregational News
400 West Radiance Drive Greensboro, NC 27403 336-274-5378 www.congregationalucc.com
The Rev. Julie Peeples
Senior Pastor [email protected] 336-202-3691
The Rev. Paul Davis
Associate Pastor [email protected] 336-207-5656
Mr. Ches Kennedy
Asst. Minister for Emerging Ministries [email protected]
Ms. Terry Moore-Painter
Asst. Minister for Spiritual Direction & Special Ministries [email protected]
Mr. Jimmy Buchanan
Director of Music [email protected]
Ms. Laura Coffee
Youth Group Coordinator [email protected]
Mr. Robin Morace
Organist [email protected]
Ms. Judy Page
Office Manager [email protected] On Medical Leave
Ms. Kathi Perry
Nursery Director [email protected]
Ministries
• Bible Study • Children & Adult Choir • Handbell Choir • Youth Programs • Women’s Fellowship•
Outreach Programs
• Greensboro Urban Ministry • Mobile Meals • Faith Action International House • Higher Ground • and many more . . .
Congregational News is published by Congregational United Church of Christ,
Greensboro, North Carolina
As the world de-
bates the US elec-
tions, NC counts
votes in the gover-
nor’s race, winter
creeps in and the
year’s end ap-
proaches, we
Christians are once again doing this
crazy, off-beat thing we call Advent.
For four weeks we speak of
waiting, of searching for hope,
peace, joy and love in the darkest
time of the year. The words of the
prophets ring in our ears, reminding
us whose world this is and to whom
we belong. We retell for the mil-
lionth time the story of a young
woman and an angel’s surprising
visit, culminating in a scene in a
simple stable.
In the news, there are refugees
fleeing the horrors of war, Native
Americans struggling to protect land
they call sacred, growing political
tensions here and abroad. Friends
are having a tough time, loved ones
are doing battle with serious ill-
nesses.
So what’s Advent got to do
with it all? Nothing, and everything.
Nothing, in that much of the world
will continue on, oblivious to our
candles and our singing “O Come, O
Come Emanuel.” Everything, in that
this beautiful season calls us to turn:
turn toward the light, turn toward the
One whose love holds the world
still, turn toward those who, like
Jesus, entered this world poor and
dispossessed. Turn toward each
other, reflecting enough of the light
to help each other find our way.
Advent beckons to us to
remember: there is much going on
beneath and beyond the surface ap-
pearance of things that we cannot
see with our physical eyes. Advent
tells us again how love comes in
surprising ways, how what seems so
small and vulnerable and insignifi-
cant can yield the greatest, most
lasting power. No matter our cir-
cumstances, no matter the chaos
swirling around us, Advent insists
in its own quiet, starlit way, that
hope is alive, for God is yet making
all things new.
I invite you to join me in
making the most of this crazy, off-
beat season. Practice daily prayer
and meditation, come and worship,
engage in random acts of kindness
and peace. And unplug from the
world just enough to know how
very deeply you are loved.
― Julie
The Longest Night Service
Monday, December 21, 6:00 pm Peace UCC
2714 West Market St, Greensboro
We welcome all those in need of a
more meditative, quiet time to a
beautiful service of music, reflec-
tion and prayer. The idea is to offer
a break from the rush and over exu-
berant noise of the season to those
who might be struggling from grief
or other issues. We will join with
our Peace UCC neighbors as well as
those from First Friends Meeting,
and First Christian. Please plan to
join us for this very special service.
From the Pastor
What’s Advent Got to Do With It?
Congregational News December 2016 Page 3
Education and Youth
Youth Group News, Godly Play, Confirmation On November 5th, the Youth Group
had a day of team-building and high
ropes adventure at Camp Weaver.
The youth worked together to con-
quer challenges given by the guides.
Everyone agreed they went beyond
their comfort zones and learned
something about themselves and
one another. What seemed
impossible was accomplished! Fear
and doubt were overcome with team
work, encouragement, faith and
courage!
Youth will be assisting the
UCC Elves on Saturday afternoon
December 10th with sorting,
organizing, and wrapping and on
Sunday, December 11th after
church with organizing, wrapping,
and loading donated items.
Youth are also assisting with
Hampton Saturday outreach and
childcare in the nursery during wor-
ship, for more information on how
you can help, contact me.
We have 10 youth confirmed
for the Winter Youth Retreat in
Blowing Rock over MLK Weekend.
The theme this year is What is your
purpose? Contact me for more
information.
—Laura Coffee
Youth Group Coordinator
336-279-0239
Confirmation
Confirmation Class will meet on
Sunday, December 11, at 9:00 am.
We will attend the Annual Budget
Hearing, and then discuss following
the meeting. Mentors are welcome
to join us.
Godly Play in Advent
Our Godly Play class is learning all
about Advent and Christmas in a
creative and reverent setting. We
welcome all children to join us,
from Kindergarten up.
Young Adult Group Forming!
Interested in getting to know other
young adults in the church? If you
identify as a young adult, come join
the fun! Our first gathering will be
at Melt, in Golden Gate Shopping
Center, on Tuesday, December 13 at
6:00 pm. Questions? Contact Julie
Peeples or Hilary Irusta (hdirusta
@gmail.com). Visitors, friends
welcome.
In Case Of Bad Weather
If we happen to get snow or ice this
winter, our church’s policy is that
we will not cancel Sunday morning
worship. We urge everyone to use
caution and sound judgment in de-
ciding whether or not to attend.
Some of us live close by, and we
promise to pray on behalf of all! For
weekday activities, we will have a
recorded message on the church an-
swering machine concerning can-
cellations, and will otherwise get the
word out as best we can.
Page 4 December 2016 Congregational News
News and Notes
Stewardship Results, Year End Financial Matters
After three weeks of receiving
pledges, our partial results are as
follows: 89 pledges totaling
$252,986. To compare, results for
2016 (present year) were 94 pledges
totaling $241,150. Our goal is to
raise our pledges for 2017 by 10%,
so we have a bit more to go. If you
have not returned your pledge form,
please do so this week. And thank
you for your support of our church!
Year-End Financial Matters
Please remember that 2016 contri-
butions must be in by December
31 to be counted as a donation for
the current year. Giving State-
ments will be available in mid-
January.
If you wish to donate stock to the
church, please provide the
following information to your
advisor: UBS Financial Services;
Account No. AD01801; DTC:
0221; Contact: John Aderholdt,
336-834-6952. In order to insure
your gift is received, processed,
and credited to you before year-
end, it is suggested that your
advisor process the transfer
beginning December 5. Transfers
after December 20 may not be
processed in time to credit your
donation for 2016.
At Congregational, we consider
giving to our church a privilege.
We try to offer optional ways to
do this.
One way is to give cash or
checks in the offering plates.
Many folks use on-line bill pay
and initiate checks from home
that are mailed by their banks.
A very popular third choice is
called E-Giving or Electronic
Funds Transfer (EFT). You
may download an authorization
form from the church website,
or pick up one outside the of-
fice. Funds can be automati-
cally transferred from your ac-
count to the church on a
monthly or semi-monthly basis.
I can also assist you with infor-
mation about how to handle
your giving through a gift of
stocks.
Offering Envelopes for 2017 will
soon be available in the Fellow-
ship Hall. Please pick yours up to
save us postage. We have extra
boxes available for any member
or regular visitor who would like
to have one.
Please see me if I can help you get
started with any of these options.
—Pam Aldridge
Financial Secretary
Psst …
Want to Cut Your Taxes?
If you are retired, you may be able
to transfer funds from your 401k and 403b accounts directly to the
church, and you may get a nice
deduction from the IRS. Consult your financial advisor.
Here are a few things you’ve done in the past month:
Fed several hundred adults and
children a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Tutored children at Hampton
Saturday.
Assisted families in need at times of crisis.
Participated in special evening services.
Kept the lights on and the heat
running!
Voted, wrote letters, engaged in community efforts.
Contributed to UCC efforts
around the globe.
Supported justice issues with
your presence and your giving.
Welcomed new members and visitors.
Thank you, thank you, for your
faithful giving. Keep it up! There’s no telling what great things we will
do together in the coming months!
Congregational News December 2016 Page 5
More News and Notes
Flood Relief, Tote Bags, Change for Change and More
Women’s Fellowship Invites
YOU to Coffee Hour on
December 18th!
Come to not only enjoy food and
fellowship, but to join with us in an
offering to provide assistance to
those affected by Hurricane Mat-
thew.
Change for Change
Through December 4 our collection
will benefit the Darci’s Elves pro-
ject (formerly Santa’s Elves).
Collections for the remainder
of December will support Bread for
the World.
Tote Bags for
Greensboro Urban Ministry
There is an ongoing need for tote
bags for food bank clients who are
walking or biking. Your help is
greatly appreciated. Thank you to
all who are donating to this cause!
—Nancy Prairie
2017 Flower Chart:
Reserve Your Special Dates!
A unique way to remember, honor
or celebrate a special person or oc-
casion in your life is to sponsor altar
flowers here at CUCC. The 2017
Flower Chart is located in the Fel-
lowship Hall next to the styrofoam
recycling center and is wide open –
sign up today! Questions? Contact
Mary Beth Boone at 275-0385.
Food Needed!
We need to replenish the pantry for
our Cone Elementary Backpack
Program. Thank you in advance if
you are able to help in any way. We
need breakfast cereal (non-sugar-
coated), breakfast bars, peanut but-
ter, jelly, canned fruit, canned veg-
etables, canned beans, canned
tuna/meat, soup or sauce/gravy, mac
& cheese or pasta/rice, and snack
items. NO glass containers. NO ex-
tra-large sized/very heavy items.
You may place your food donations
in the multipurpose stands at each
entrance.
Have questions? Please contact
Deborah Hill (thaifrogpigs@gmail.
com) or George Ritchie (gdritchie@
gtcc.edu).
Thanksgiving Thanks
Thank you to the church volunteers
who ably helped make this year's
Thanksgiving Meal sponsored by
Greensboro’s Community Tables a
success.
Because of funding cutbacks,
the amount of food that was cooked
(and served) was about 20% less
this year. This meant we did not
need as many volunteers as we pre-
dicted. Still, between 250 and 300
people were served; and over 100
take-out meals were picked up.
Keep in Your Prayers
Brent Appleton (Deanna Lewis’
nephew), Lib Basham, Helen
Buchanan (Jimmy’s mother),
Chris Burr, Jax Carignan, Anne
Cary, Becky Causey, The
Family of Kate Foster,
Josephine Hall (Perry Morgan’s
mother-in-law), John Harmon,
Gun Hmok, Julia Howington
(Beth Davis’ sister), Alejandro
Jarrett-Morales, Esther Kernodle
(Lynn Wright Kernodle’s mother-
in-law), Linda Kohlenberger
(Krista Kohlphenson’s
stepmother), Lawrence Lambert,
Mary Mig McEntire (on the
death of her mother, Nancy
Smith), Steveland McSwain, Jill
Prior, Mary Jo Pruett, Judy
Smallwood, Frank Wheeler,
Mabel Williams, All Looking For
Employment, Our Elected
Leaders and Candidates for
Elected Office: City, County,
State, Federal, People affected
by Hurricane Matthew
Page 6 December 2016 Congregational News
Holiday Opportunities
Christmas Post Office, Honor Cards and More
The Jordan-Wisseman Christmas
Post Office will operate this year on
the following Sundays: December
4th, 11th and 18th. Bring cards that
you would normally send to local
church members to the “Post Of-
fice” in the back of the Fellowship
Hall. And, be sure to check with the
“Post Office” (through December
25th) for cards that may be sent to
you!
We ask that you make a dona-
tion, considering the postage saved,
to the Jordan-Wisseman Class. ALL
funds received will go to Mobile
Meals — the class’ primary project.
Honor Someone Special
Honor Cards benefitting several
area agencies will be available in
the Fellowship Hall immediately
following worship throughout Ad-
vent. They make great Christmas
gifts for friends and family and help
support some very vital organiza-
tions at the same time.
Most of the agencies sell their
honor cards for $5.00 each, though
you can give more! The purchase
price of all cards goes directly to
each agency. If you wish to pur-
chase cards by personal check,
please make the check out to the
agency name, not to the church.
Darci’s Elves: Our Annual
Christmas Project
If you would like to adopt a family
or a child, I need to know ASAP
([email protected], 336-834-2147).
Other ways to help: donate food or
gift cards (Target, Walmart, Harris
Teeter), drop your spare change (or
a check!) into the Change for
Change containers through Decem-
ber 4, help at the Darci’s Elves
Workshop on Saturday afternoon,
December 10 (fill grocery bags,
wrap gifts), or help transport items
to families on Sunday afternoon,
December 11.
Homebound Holiday Bags
We are gathering items for our
homebound friends. Ideas: puzzles,
puzzle books, coloring books, cal-
endars, candy, snacks, soaps, lo-
tions, handmade items, note cards
— be creative!! Plans are to make
15 bags. A marked box will be in
the Fellowship Hall for donations.
Bags will be assembled after wor-
ship on Sunday, December 11. Vol-
unteers for assembling and/or deliv-
ering bags are welcomed! Contact
me if you have any questions.
Thank you very much!
—Lynn Magyar
336-643-6338
The Dorothy Ballinger
Christmas Sock Tree
A Christmas tree in the east en-
trance hall is waiting to be deco-
rated with socks of all kinds and all
sizes: socks for children at Cone
Elementary School and socks for
the homeless in our community.
Please bring these throughout De-
cember and send warmth, comfort
and your love to many people.
Thanks in advance for your gener-
osity in decorating our Christmas
Sock Tree again this year!
Holiday
Office Hours
Our staff will take
holiday breaks over the
latter part of December, so
if you need to get into the
church, please call ahead to
make sure someone is
onsite to let you in.
Congregational News December 2016 Page 7
CUCC Business
Annual Budget Hearing and Church Elections Our church bylaws require us to
have two business meetings a year:
an Annual Meeting in January and a
Budget Hearing and Elections
Meeting in December – this year to
be held on Sunday, December 11, at
9:00 am. All members are asked to
attend; visitors are welcome.
We will review the proposed
budget for the coming year (final
vote to be taken at the Annual
Meeting on January 29) and vote on
new board and Church Council
members. Refreshments and child
care will be provided.
Meeting Night
Boards and Council will meet Tues-day, January 17, beginning at 6:45
pm for a time of prayer, followed by 7:00 board meetings, and the coun-
cil at 8:15.
Board & Staff Annual Reports
All church board chairs and staff are
asked to submit their 2016 annual
report of activities to the church
office by Friday, January 8, so that
they may be included in the 2016
Annual Report to be distributed at
the Annual Meeting in January.
Address Change
Rob Pope
5501 Ridingate Court
Greensboro, NC 27455
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING FUND
Our Annual Plan
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Budgeted Income 41,743 21,554 21,736 33,000 27,193 24,865 31,049 19,363 26,170 30,072 30,325 35,500
Budgeted Expense 29,134 30,711 29,570 28,840 28,914 28,331 29,511 30,573 32,238 28,240 28,281 32,290
$ +/- 12,609 -9,157 -7,834 4,160 -1,721 -3,466 1,538 -11,210 -6,068 1,832 2,044 3,210
Budgeted YTD $ +/- 12,609 3,452 -4,382 -222 -1,943 -5,409 -3,871 -15,081 -21,149 -19,317 -17,273 -14,063
How We’re Doing Compared to Our Plan
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Carry-Over 11,093 924 -5,006 363 -7,466 -3,050 127 -6,898 -6,276
Actual Income 38,791 20,768 23,612 33,013 22,507 30,809 34,051 19,629 25,793 43,740
Actual Expense 27,698 30,937 29,542 27,644 30,337 26,392 30,874 26,654 25,172 33,621
$ +/- 11,093 -10,169 -5,930 5,369 -7,829 4,417 3,177 -7,025 622 10,120
Actual YTD $ +/- 11,093 924 -5,006 363 -7,466 -3,050 127 -6,898 -6,276 3,844
Budgeted = Planned income and expenses. Carry-Over = A cumulative shortage or surplus (income minus expenses) as we work our way through the year. General Operating Fund = The “pot of money” to which regular giving is deposited and from which operating expenses are disbursed.
Volunteers
December 4
Lay Reader: Marion Gamble Nursery: Taryn and Tina Kohlphenson
Coffee Hour: Jeri and Katherine Rowe Counters: North/Moore-Painter
December 11
Lay Reader: Beth Davis Nursery: Terri Way and Jeri Rowe
Coffee Hour: Bill Guill and Milton Shaw Counters: Nance
December 18
Lay Reader: Robin Dorko Nursery: Steve Haines and
Taryn Kohlphenson Coffee Hour: Women’s Fellowship
Counters: Sahr/Aldridge
December 25
Lay Reader: Kate Larson Nursery: Ben and Laura Coffee
Coffee Hour: Margaret Veatch Counters: Hertlein/Rowe
December Ushers
Gayle Currie, Fran Ditto, Trish Sutter, Connie Usry
Calendar of Events
Regular Weekly Events Upcoming Special Events
Sunday 9:30 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9:45 am Jordan-Wisseman Sunday School Class 9:50 am Godly Play for Children 11:00 am Worship 5:30 pm Dinner Church at The Creative Center (900 Sixteenth Street)
Monday 6:30 pm Adult Handbell Rehearsal
Wednesday 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday 7:30 am Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, Dec. 10 12:00 pm Darci’s Elves Workshop
Sunday, Dec. 11 Poinsettia Orders Due
9:00 am Annual Budget Hearing
12:15 pm Assemble Homebound Holiday Bags
12:15 pm Darci’s Elves Deliveries
Wednesday, Dec. 14 2:00 pm Knit Us Together Knitting Group
Thursday, Dec. 15 9:30 am Mobile Meals at Peace Church
Friday, Dec. 16 Newsletter Deadline
Wednesday, Dec. 21 11:45 am Lunch at Friends Homes Guilford
2:00 pm Knit Us Together Knitting Group
7:00 pm Longest Night Service at Peace UCC
Saturday, Dec. 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship
11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Tuesday, Dec. 27 11:00 am Serve Lunch at Higher Ground
Upcoming Birthdays 12/6 Katie Barton 12/15 Ellen Essick 12/23 Lisa Ward 1/3 Jenni Johnson
12/11 Melissa Roberts 12/17 Uldine Duckworth 12/25 Richard Humphrey 1/7 Sadie Covington 12/12 Claire Anderson 12/19 Pat Boswell 12/26 Allen Prior 1/7 Virginia Bright 12/13 James Aldridge 12/19 Arnold Humphrey 12/29 Debra Hertlein 1/10 Jim McDonough 12/13 Rosalie Martin 12/19 Susan Cromartie 12/30 Beth Mulberry 1/10 Matina Kalconnis-Rueppell
If your birthday is missing from this list, please contact the office so that we may add it to our records!
NONPROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE
PAID GREENSBORO, NC
PERMIT NO. 44 Congregational United Church of Christ 400 West Radiance Drive Greensboro, NC 27403 December 2016
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