november 2015 wellspring

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The Wellspring November 2015 Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated? FVUMC’s DivorceCare and GriefShare ministries offer “Surviving the Holidays” seminars especially for people for whom this time of year is a challenge. Both programs are free, nondenominational and open to people of all faiths, as well as those who do not practice a faith. You do not have to be part of a DivorceCare or GriefShare group to participate. Everyone is welcome! Surviving the Holidays - Special Programs Offered by DivorceCare and GriefShare Ministries Monday, November 2 7-9pm in room 117 Program designed for those who are separated and divorced. You’ll learn: How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays Helpful tips for surviving social events Ways to give your kids a good holiday experience How to discover hope for your future Saturday, November 7 1-3pm in room 117 Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn: How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays What to do about traditions and other coming changes Helpful tips for surviving social events How to discover hope for your future Charge Conference November 3 7:00pm Our annual Charge Conference has been set for Tuesday, November 3 at 7pm. This is the required annual business meeting where clergy salaries and lay leadership nominations are approved. We will meet in room 117. Community Thanksgiving Meal We plan to prepare, package and deliver meals to the elderly, home-bound, and hungry in our community on Thanksgiving Day. Anyone may join us at the church to dine together after the meals are prepared. Please visit http://bit. ly/fvumc-thanksgiving, to see how you can volunteer and what donations are needed. This meal relies solely on donations from church & community members and local businesses. Contact us at fvumcthanksgiving@ gmail.com or call 919-567-3419 (Jenn or James Akins) or 919-387-4512 (Tres Prince).

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Page 1: November 2015 Wellspring

The Wellspring November 2015Fuquay-Varina

United Methodist Church

Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated? FVUMC’s DivorceCare and GriefShare ministries offer “Surviving the Holidays” seminars especially for people for whom this time of year is a challenge. Both programs are free, nondenominational and open to people of all faiths, as well as those who do not practice a faith. You do not have to be part of a DivorceCare or GriefShare group to participate. Everyone is welcome!

Surviving the Holidays - Special Programs Offered by DivorceCare and GriefShare Ministries

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About GriefShareGriefShare enables your church to offer ongoing weekly support groups for people who have lost a loved one. We help you equip a lay-led team for effective ministry to people in your church and throughout your community. Through GriefShare, you can provide biblical, Christ-centered hope that will help hurting people rebuild their lives.

Monday, November 27-9pm in room 117

Program designed for those who are separated and divorced. You’ll learn:

• How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays

• Helpful tips for surviving social events

• Ways to give your kids a good holiday experience

• How to discover hope for your future

Saturday, November 7 1-3pm in room 117

Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death. You’ll learn:

• How to deal with the many emotions you’ll face during the holidays

• What to do about traditions and other coming changes

• Helpful tips for surviving social events

• How to discover hope for your future

Charge Conference November 3 7:00pmOur annual Charge Conference has been set for Tuesday, November 3 at 7pm. This is the required annual business meeting where clergy salaries and lay leadership nominations are approved. We will meet in room 117.

Community Thanksgiving Meal

We plan to prepare, package and deliver meals to the elderly, home-bound, and hungry in our community on Thanksgiving Day. Anyone may join us at the church to dine together after the meals are prepared. Please visit http://bit.ly/fvumc-thanksgiving, to see how you can volunteer and what donations are needed. This meal relies solely on donations from church & community members and local businesses. Contact us at [email protected] or call 919-567-3419 (Jenn or James Akins) or 919-387-4512 (Tres Prince).

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Will You Grow? Commitment Sunday — Pastor Gene Tyson

On Sunday, November 15, we will celebrate “Will You Grow” Commitment Sunday in all three services here at FVUMC. During the services, members will be encouraged to complete their Estimate of Giving card for 2016.

Biblical generosity is an opportunity for us as Christians to give back to God part of what God has provided to us and our families. It is an act of gratitude, worship and discipleship.

This year we are challenged by our theme, “Will You Grow”? What exactly does that phrase mean to us as it relates to our own generosity? The Scriptures teach us that being generous with our financial resources is really a spiritual issue and not so much a financial issue. It is based on the understanding that faith is more important than finances and the quality of the gift is more important than the quantity. Yet, we are challenged to grow in our generosity no matter where we may be in our spiritual journey.

• Will: This is a much different word than “can.” The word “can” implies ability, capacity or potential to grow. All of us can grow. The word “will” implies choice. That choice resides deep within us and is almost always directly linked with our walk with Christ. Ultimately, it is impossible to honestly profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and not be generous people.

• You: This word puts the focus squarely on each of us. This is not a “what about them” emphasis, it is a “what about me” emphasis. It is not about someone else’s decision – it is about my decision to grow.

• Grow: This word addresses every person in our church, whether the most mature Christian, the largest giver, the smallest giver, the new Christian or anyone else in our church family. The growth itself stays between you and God. The emphasis for our church family is that we actively grow—choosing to be open to God, thankful to be in God’s care, and willing to give out of God’s blessings.

Dr. James Harnish reminds us in A Disciple’s Path, “a biblical understanding of the relationship between our money and our faith begins not in what we do but in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. We love because he first loves us. (1 John 4:19) We give because Jesus gave. (Titus 2:14). Our generosity is a finite response to the infinite generosity of God.”

I look forward to seeing you on November 15 as we come to remember what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, remind each other of the wonderful promises of God, and recommit ourselves to be work of God through the ministry and ministries of Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Gene Tyson [email protected]

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Homemade Hospitality — Pastor Valerie Tyson

In this little corner of the FVUMC world, we are celebrating! The Greeting Team & Friends got busy with flour, sugar, butter and eggs and baked our way into the Fall Festival!

Tables were set up, leaves scattered about, and pumpkins strategically placed to anchor tablecloths from flying away in the breeze!

Our homemade cakes, pies, brownies, cookies and loaves were displayed, and as folks strolled by the Bake Sale, they just couldn’t resist purchasing one of the many yummy baked goods to choose from.

By the time all was said and done, every single crumb had been purchased!

What are we doing with the proceeds? A check for $400 plus will be given to the Methodist Home for Children where hospitality is offered by loving people to children, youth and families in North Carolina who desperately need their care.

Thank you to all who generously donated their baked goods and their time in an effort to contribute to this beautiful hospitable ministry, the Methodist Home For Children. Thanks also to those who supported the Greeting Team Bake Sale by making a purchase! What a great way to love God, learn God, serve God and share God!

Blessings, Valerie Tyson, [email protected] Pastor of Welcoming & Congregational Care

Membership & Accountability

“And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

Recently, I received an invitation to become a member at a big box store. I felt so lucky that they chose me to be a member! Then, I read the small print. After 90 days, I would have to pay a membership fee.

Is there anything truly free these days? Probably not. But we are willing to pay for membership. It gives one a sense of belonging. Often, having a membership communicates that one shares the vision and values of the place he or she is a member.

People who have a membership at store X often value low-priced goods. People who hold a membership at a gym value health. Now, how often that gym membership is used is another story!

Do you know that FVUMC has membership? You don’t have to be a member to attend Worship or participate in our Group Life. That is to say, we practice open doors to all. You don’t need a card to come to church and you don’t have to pay membership fees.

We do, however, expect all who desire to grow in Christ to make tithing a priority. Tithing is important to God and it’s important to us. Our members uphold and live out certain values. Prayer, presence, gifts, service, and witness are practices that signify membership in FVUMC.

Membership in our community is a way we hold one another accountable to the basic practices that shape our Christian life.

Matt Seaton, [email protected] Pastor of Christian Formation & Missional Outreach

Interested in Joining?FVUMC membership classes are being offered starting Sunday, November 8 at 9:30 or 11:00 on the adult wing. The 4-week class meets 11/8-15 and finishes on 12/6. For questions, contact Pastor Matt Seaton at [email protected] or 919-552-4331, ext. 103.

“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have

done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’” Matthew 25:40

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2015 Budget SummaryDetailed monthly financial reports are always available

in the church office for your review.

Total Annual Budget $ 1,514,405.35Budget needed YTD - 10/26/15 $ 1,090,480.32Received YTD - 10/26/15 $ 1,095,808.07 Difference $ 5,327.75

Building Fund Restricted Account - 9/30/15 $ 69,184.56Building (Brick & Mortar Expenses Only) Restricted Account $ 20,000.00 Total - 9/30/15 $ 89,184.56

YTD Budget Expenditures as of 9/30/2015 $ 1,027,244.34

Sunday Worship AttendanceOct

4Oct 11

Oct 18

Oct 25

Monthly Average

2015 Average

8:00am 74 78 62 66 70 779:30am 436 359 377 394 392 38111:00am 253 289 372 235 287 280Total 763 726 811 695 749 738

Thank YousFrom the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every person who prays for me, calls, visits, brings food, provides transportation....for EVERY act of kindness shown me and my children as our loving Heavenly Father continues to heal my body, mind and spirit. — Fran Sykes

Thanks from Wake County Human ServicesI want to acknowledge your outreach and community service to the Cleary family. As a case manager for this special needs child, I had contacted several agencies regarding the need for a wheelchair ramp for this child. One agency stated they would consider it but the family would have to use a daily service which the child does not need at this time nor does the family desire at this time.

I work with a colleague who is a member of your church, and she made the connection for me to your missions program. In August, Mr. Bob Anderson contacted me. He indicated most likely the team would complete the project in October. Much to my surprise, when I contacted Ms. Cleary in early September, she informed me the ramp was built. She is extremely pleased, happy and relieved that this need has been taken care of. I saw the ramp myself on Tuesday, and I am also extremely pleased and relieved that this need has been taken care of.

Sincerely and Thanking You Again, Rose Crickenberger, RN BSN Care Coordination for Children Southern Regional Center

Offerings and Envelopes When you make your offering on Sunday mornings, please be sure to note on the memo line what the tithe/offering is for.

Offering envelopes are not required. However, if you prefer to use an offering envelope, please go to fvumc.org/offering-envelopes or call 919-552-4331 no later than November 10.

Don’t forget that online giving is an option - please take a moment to visit fvumc.org/give-online to setup one-time or recurring gifts,

and you’ll be able to make changes at your convenience.

Thanks to all who supported missions by sitting in the pumpkin patch. We had a good year, but due to the many days of rain our proceeds are a little under what we usually do. However it is still great & we will report totals next month. — Bob Sheets and Lynne Sorrels, coordinators

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Women’s Retreat. We would like to thank our Christ filled Speakers, our wonderful Worship Team, our Holy Yoga Sisters and a big shout out to the Planning team. Without everyone coming together special times like this would not be possible.

A huge thank you to the dedicated volunteers who met over several weeks to clean our main kitchen! Every last utensil and every nook and cranny was cleaned from top to bottom. We are grateful for their time and hard work!

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Many Thanks to Everyone Who Helped Make the Fall Festival a Great Time!Thank you to EVERYONE who made this year’s Fall Festival a time of great fellowship and fun! The trunks were wonderful, the games were so much fun, the mission activities fair was exciting, and the chili was fabulous!

Congratulations to Angela Hinton for winning our Chili Cook-Off and to Maggie Davis, our runner-up! Angela will be entered into the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s Chili Cook-Off on November 7 downtown. Come out and support our church representative and taste some more great chili.

Congratulations also goes to our Pumpkin Carving Contest winners: Best Design – Maggie A., Most Original – Jacob H., and Funniest – Dakota S. Your pumpkins looked great!!

Also a special thank you to all of those who served by helping park and guide traffic, for sitting at our voting tables, and to those who came out on Saturday to get our grounds looking so great!

We would also like to thank our Seeds of Faith Preschool for donating the Inflatable Obstacle Course, the Men in the Morning study group for donating the Dunking Booth, and Bobby Lumsden and the Cub Scouts for setting up the Human Foosball game.

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¡Hola! from Costa Rica - The Page Family

We greatly miss our church family. Each Sunday we attend the Quaker meeting, singing for 30 minutes, then an hour of silent meditation. This is a wonderful experience, but we miss hearing His word spoken by our pastors. They did have a potluck one Sunday that would make any Methodist proud!

Angelee has settled into her classes at the Cloud Forest School (CEC), an environmentally-focused, bilingual school. Over 95% of the students are Tico (Costa Rican) with 75% of these on scholarship. This is a wonderful education that most families could not afford without scholarships.

Angelee has a 1.25 hour Spanish class each day, Environmental Ed, as well as math and other subjects. She has made friends within her school, the Friends School (Quaker), as well as many of the Tico kids living near us. Her favorite pastime is running around the community park with the kids, taking yoga, and 2 art classes in the afternoon. The local moms love her and how she takes care of the younger kids.

Karen and Les have taken three weeks of intense Spanish immersion classes at CPI. We will work with another local teacher for a few weeks then return to CPI for a fourth week. A huge thank you to the congregation for their generous gift that paid for two weeks at CPI!

We volunteered at the school to prep a building for painting and cleaned up the yard and trails. Karen helped cook a special meal for the school this month, and hopes to help with ESL for the smaller kids. We are hoping to assist a local park, Bajo del Tigre, with much needed trail repair. This park is part of the Children's Eternal Rain Forest. We also walked in the Lantern Parade, on the eve of Costa Rica's independence, celebrating the torch that is carried through Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in celebration of Central America's independence. Angelee carried a lantern she made in school.

As we have learned more about the Monteverde/Cerro Plano/Santa Elena community we have

discovered some needs that your gift is also supporting. There is no public library here. A group of local people have acquired a space, rent free for a year, and have 3 small bookshelves. This space is conveniently located in the commercial center where on Friday nights it is like a family gathering of the community at la feria ( farmer's market). Your gift has bought them a chair for the volunteer librarian, a sofa, table with 4 chairs, and 2 stools. Prior to this they sat on the floor. They are trying to raise funds to purchase the space, and we suggested letting classes, businesses, etc., purchase a square foot or square meter. If you or your group are interested in buying a portion, please email us.

There have been many adjustments: the only hot water is in the shower, an occasional small scorpion in the house, Karen was greeted at the door by a large tarantula, as well as learning a new language. But God is good! He opens new opportunities every day. And He has Blessed us with a loving family, church family, and friends who hold us in prayer.

Yours in Christ, The Page Family

UPDATE: Since the above was written, we have visited NC. It was such a blessing to worship with our church family and hug so many of you! Les joined The Early Risers study group, something he deeply misses. Angelee was able to join her Wednesday girls' Life Group. Small groups have been such a large part of our lives, and we hope to be able to have one here in Costa Rica.

With the support of FVUMC, we purchased much-needed whiteboards for the CEC along with the dry erase markers collected by the youth. This enables students to quickly practice writing and take notes as they study in the rain forest. Many, many thanks from the school; you just don't know how much this means to them. The Library is now open and checking out books. On October 30, some of our teens gathered to read scary stories to the local children before Halloween. Other opportunities have presented themselves and we are so thankful to God for allowing us to join His mission!

Independence Day Parade

School Cleanup Day

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Main Street Kitchen 11/21 One way we serve and share God is through the meal preparation and delivery of our Main Street Kitchen ministry. Preparations start at 10am and continue through the early after-noon. Contact Paula Cade at 919-753-8168.

Youth Missions UpdateWith November fast approaching, the FVUMC youth are stepping into a time of giving, both of their time and material goods.

In November, all of the girls high school Life Groups will be participating in Operation Christmas Child - an outreach event that provides Christmas gifts to children in poor communities around globe. FVUMC is the relay center for the Fuquay-Varina area, meaning that FVUMC is a collection center.

On November 11, the girls will be holding a shoe-box packing party for Operation Christmas Child. Each Life Group will be assigned an item to bring on the night of the event (the shoeboxes will be provided).

Kathryn Blanton is organizing the event, and when talking about it, she said, “It’s something fun for the girls, but the kids on the receiving end get so much more; they get to feel the love of Christ.” If there are any additional questions about this specific event, contact her at (919)418-0819.

Additionally, the entire Youth Group will be helping with the Clothing Closet on November 7. The Clothing Closet is a ministry that provides free clothes to those in need within the surrounding Fuquay-Varina community. For this event, members of the Youth Group will be helping to set up, welcome guests, and clean up. Also those who are Safe Sanctuary-certified will be assisting with childcare.

Please remember that any youth are encouraged to partake in these events whether they come to the weekly youth gatherings or not. Hope to see everyone there!

— Tori C.

Fair Trade Store SuccessThrough your support of the fall Fair Trade store, our congregation and community were able to support artisans from all over the world. Approximately $9,000 in merchandise was sold, more than half of which goes directly to the artisans. In addition, over $900 will be donated to Heifer International. A full report of the impact your purchases made is being prepared for the December newsletter.

November Book ClubNovember 20

My Accidental Jihad by Krista BremerFifteen years ago, Krista Bremer would not have been able to imagine her life today: married to a Libyan-born Muslim, raising two children with Arabic names in the American South. Nor could she have imagined the prejudice she would encounter or the profound ways her marriage would change her perception of the world. But on a running trail in North Carolina, she met Ismail.

This is the story of a bicultural marriage—and aren’t all marriages bicultural? In any marriage, we might discover that our mate is foreign to us, with very different language, memories, and assumptions about home and family. How we respond to difference shapes our world. Profoundly moving and often funny, this meditation on tolerance explores what it means to open our hearts to another culture and to embrace our own. It is Krista Bremer’s unexpected struggle to reach beyond herself, her accidental Jihad.

To join the dinner and discussion on Friday, November 20 at 6:30pm, contact Suzanne Jones at [email protected] or Matilda Storm at [email protected].

Circle of Faith MeetingsCircle of Faith meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 10am. All women are encouraged to attend! This is a community of women whose purpose is to know God, to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 10:00am Room 117 Tuesday, Dec. 1 10:00am Room 117

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Youth & Family Ministries

Think About This:We all want our students to avoid temptation. We want them to eat right, make healthy choices, drive cautiously, be responsible and avoid things that will hurt them. But knowing how to help them navigate temptation can be tricky. The temptations our students deal with can look and feel different than the ones we faced as teenagers. And, no matter how much we know about their lives, there’s still a pretty good chance that they’re faced with some temptations that we don’t even know about.

Even though we can’t know everything that entices our students, helping them learn the skills to navigate tempting situations my not be as complicated as we think. Often, the best thing we can do for our student is to be intentional our

own response to their tempting situations. How we respond, our actions and reactions, not only tell students what we believe about the situation but also what we believe about them. And that’s why, even when it’s difficult, we must learn fight the urge to over-protect or under-protect our student.

1. The urge to over-protect. Knowing the many temptations our students face, the billions of dollars spent to entice them to make unhealthy choices, it’s enough to send any parent into full on isolation mode. However, experts suggest that overprotection can lead students to increased alcohol use, obesity, social anxiety, and decreased ability to cope with temptation when the parent is not around. Basically, the opposite of what we want to happen.

So, what are some ways to avoid over-protecting?

• Say yes….sometimes. There are certain situations when it’s vital for a teen’s safety that their parents say “no”. But that’s not every situation. Saying “yes” to something previously off limits

We’re Teaching This:When it comes to junk food, nearly everyone has a weak spot. Maybe for you, it’s the perfect salty bag of chips. Or maybe it’s beef jerky or those tiny pizza rolls. Maybe you have a sweet tooth and you just can’t pass on ice cream or cookies… or both. Whatever it is, we all have something that taps into our weak spot, our cravings. When it’s around us, we just can’t seem to help ourselves. And it’s more than just junk food, right? That “gotta-have-it-right-now” temptation can pop up in a lot of different areas.

Gossip. Movies. Spending money. Sex… Temptation is everywhere. But what are we supposed to do about it? Most of us know that giving in never makes our lives better, so what is it about the things that tempt us that makes us feel so powerless to say no? Thankfully, Scripture has a lot to say when it comes to temptation. And while there’s no promise that it will ever go away, we can find the courage to resist it, replace it, and avoid getting hooked.

QUESTIONS? Contact Bobby Rackley Director of Youth & Family Ministries [email protected] 919-552-4331

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communicates to your student you believe they’ll do the right thing and have faith in them. And, it gives them the opportunity to practice making wise choices.

• Be surprised, but don’t act surprised. Eventually, every teenager will tell you something that makes you cringe. In moments like these, it’s important to keep cool on the outside, even if you’re shaking out on the inside, because freaking out about temptation doesn’t lead students to avoid it. Many times, it just leads them to avoiding telling you about it.

2. The urge to under-protect. In a world where parents are labeled “helicopters” or “hovering”, it can be tempting to think that the best thing for your student is to take a hands-off approach. But leaving teenagers with too much freedom and not enough guidance can be just as dangerous as overprotecting them.

• Don’t check out. Sure, you’re close to the finish line, but the truth is your student needs you

now more than ever. Your teenager may look and sound like an adult, but parts of their brain are still under construction, specifically the parts that help them process risk and consequences. That’s why it’s so important, even with upper classmen, to continue to set boundaries for them, give them responsibility incrementally, and let them know that you’re there to help along the way.

• Do give them an alternative. As adults, we know that the best way to fight temptation is to do something else. It isn’t enough to say “don’t eat the cheeseburger” or “don’t sit on the couch all day.” We are most successful when we give ourselves alternatives like healthy snacks and fun ways to exercise. The same is true for our students. When we talk about temptations they may face, we’ll often find more success if we focus on the “do” instead of the “don’t”. Helping your teenager find healthy alternatives to their temptation is a win every time.

Try This:Just like any other life skill, our students are most likely to learn how to deal with temptation by paying attention to how we deal with it. This month, choose a healthy alternative to your own temptation. It can be as simple as…

• Tempted to gossip? Change the subject.

• Tempted to lose your temper? Head to the gym.

• Tempted to waste hours in front of the TV? Work on your hobby instead.

• Tempted to text while you drive? Turn off your phone and listen to the radio instead.

Whatever your temptation, simply choose to replace it with something better for you for one week. Chances are your student is paying attention, and when he or she asks, be willing to tell them why you’ve made the switch. In doing so, you may inspire them to find some healthy replacements for their own toughest temptations.

Congratulations!We celebrate that one of our high school students, Eleanor B., is sharing her testimony at Pilgrimage this year the weekend of November 13-15. She will be speaking to over 6,000 UMC youth and adults.

Youth Missions UpdateSee Page 7

Think About This: continued from page 8

Sr. High Costa Rica Mission Trip

Student/parent information session

Sunday, November 87 p.m.

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Seeds of Faith PreschoolWe’ve had a busy October. Our children visited our church pumpkin patch as many times as possible - children & pumpkins what a special love! Our F-V firemen came and spoke with our children and let them get into one of their fire trucks. We had many little “ goblins” roaming through the halls to treat with their friends, and we had great halloween parties with our parents. Our children continue to be very excited with our interactive Bible stories. On to a great November!

Peace and love, Ms. Lynne

A Special ThanksThe children’s ministry would like to thank the Seeds of Faith Preschool for their donation of a flat screen TV! This TV is used during the 9:30 Sunday school rotation time as well as for Children’s

Worship at 11:00. Thank you so much, preschool! We really appreciate it!!

A Month of Thanks: A Family Activity for ThanksgivingNovember is here, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is sure to follow soon! Here’s a fun idea to help your family remember the blessings that have come your way during this Thanksgiving season.

Beginning November 1st and going through Thanksgiving Day, have each member of your family write what he or she is thankful for on a piece of paper and place it in a special bowl or container each day. Don’t tell the others in your family what you have written down. (If you have younger children, mom or dad may have to help write down what the child is thankful for. Even children as young as two and three can participate in this activity.)

On Thanksgiving Day, take out the pieces of paper you have collected during the month and read them aloud as you celebrate the day! The things you write down don’t always have to be serious. By the end of the month, you may begin to think of things that you may not think of on a daily basis to be thankful for! It is always fun to read what each person has written as you gather on Thanksgiving Day.

You could do this with just your immediate family, or you could also involve your extended family and use it as a way to celebrate when you get together for your big Thanksgiving meal or connect long-distance.

If your family decides to participate this year in this family activity, let me know how it went and we’ll include your story in next month’s newsletter!

Amanda Rackley [email protected] Director of Children & Family Ministries

Mark your calendars for the Kids NPraise Christmas Musical, Pancake Supper, and Birthday Party for Jesus on Saturday, December 5!

4pm – Kids NPraise musical “Wrapping All the Way”

5pm – Pancake Supper Tickets sold on Sunday mornings and by the church office on Wednesday afternoons beginning on Nov. 11. Payments may also be made online.

5:30pm – Birthday Party for Jesus Interactive family event where families welcome in the Christmas season with crafts and games.

FVUMC News & EventsYou can always check up on the latest news online at fvumc.org/news. The News page includes current articles and links to the online versions of the Wellspring newsletter, the weekly bulletin and sermon recordings. 10

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Handbell FestivalFVUMC’s FANFARE Handbell Choir will participate in the Capital Area Handbell Festival on Saturday, November 7 in the Kerr Scott Building at the NC State Fairgrounds. This event will feature 30 – 40 handbell choirs from around the area, coming together for a mass ringing extravaganza. The event culminates with a concert that is open to the public at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 7. All are invited! (The concert is held at the Kerr Scott Building.)

Save the DatesSaturday, December 5 4:00 pm - Kidz NPraise Christmas Musical “Wrapping All the Way”

Sunday, December 6 8:00 & 11:00 am WorshipSounds of the Season – Instruments of Praise

Sunday, December 13 9:30 & 11:00 am WorshipChristmas Cantata – Combined Choirs & Praise Band

Sunday, December 20 8:00 & 11:00 am Worship Sounds of the Season – FVUMC Handbell Choirs

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

We offer our sympathy and prayers to:Bob Tebo, on the death of his brother

In our prayers:Susan Buker & family, Betty Palmer, David LaBianca, Julie Banner, Glenna Eargle, Bruce Wynne, Vikki Casanave, Susan Greer, Carole Drake, Larry Rose, Anderson Ward, Doug Bennett, Joy Sarles, Fran Sykes, Mike Tucker, Joan Lesher, Nancy Patrone, Jim Cleary, Bob Pavone, Ron Richardson, Bob Sheets, PJ Ramsey, Bernard McLeod, Dan Sass, Mary-Anne Hatch, Koyla Knox, Judy Dolan, Cornelia Coble, Vicky Croft, Tom Myatt, Carol Chambers, Lois & David Stuart, Jakob Kish, Mario Marchese, Rob Matney, Iris Brown, Logan Thomas, Dee Chisenhall, Jeff Fox, Emily Ashworth, Craig Judd, Clay King, Jill Zatyko, Sue Simkiss, Bill Young, Bob & Katharine Kinton, Howard Hanmann, Fran Applegarth

Columbarium UpdateWith the required funding in place, we have been moving forward with Phase 1 construction plans for the columbarium for the last couple months. Materials have been ordered and the units are being fabricated. However, progress of the on-site construction has been delayed a bit by unexpected permitting requirements. We are scheduled to go before the F-V Board of Adjustments on December 14 for final approval, and actual construction should begin on-site shortly thereafter. This unexpected delay extends your opportunity to take advantage of special pre-construction pricing. Don’t forget, the price of each two-person niche remains at $3,000 until our on-site construction begins and then increases to $3,500 (installment plan available).For church members concerned about making such a long-term commitment, there is a provision that allows for a refund should your have to relocate. Visit fvumc.org/columbarium or email [email protected] for more information. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, support and patience!

Clothing Closet Is 11/7The Clothing Closet is a ministry offered quarterly to provide free clothes. To make this community outreach possible, it takes many hours of setup and organizing donations.

• NEW TIME: Help bring the clothing from the sheds into the centrum. Trucks needed! Wednesday evening 11/4 starting at 6:30pm

• Organize and sort donations Thursday 11/5 from 9am-4pm & Friday 11/6 from 9am-2pm

• Offer a warm greeting to our guests at the give-away on Saturday 11/7 from 8-10am — Cleanup immediately following

• Donate trash bags or breakfast items

Separate items by type/size (ex: Ladies Medium). Bring donations to the centrum on Thursday or Friday. Contact Heather Williams for questions at 919-818-0453 or [email protected].

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TVR Banquet Is 11/10The Raleigh Area TVR Banquet is set for November 10 at 6:30pm at FVUMC. Tickets are $15 and include a delicious meal and entertainment (The Hall Sisters)! You will be blessed by this vocal/instrumental ensemble of sisters from Garner. Email Sandra Bass ([email protected]) for tickets.

Operation Christmas Child Seeks VolunteersOperation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. This program of Samaritan's Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas — Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift.

FVUMC is blessed to, once again, be the Operation Christmas Child Relay Center for our area from November 16-23. Therefore, not only do our own church members drop their shoe boxes at our church, but so do church members and others from all over our community. In fact, last year we packed up and delivered approximately 3500 shoe boxes to the Collection Center to then be distributed all over the world!

Volunteer at fvumc.org/christmas-child to help us staff our Relay Center. Help with greeting the church representatives and individuals and log and pack shoe boxes into cartons. It's certainly not a glamorous job, but it is rewarding and fun. With

any questions, please contact Jayne Chambers, 919-345-4318, or [email protected].

Quilt Sale Benefits Wide Variety of MissionsOur church's Quilting with Faith quilters earned over $4,000 for missions of the church in their second annual mission quilt sale. Members of our church as well as friends from the community purchased handmade quilts of all sizes, table runners, Christmas card holders, and pillow cases.

The purchasers designated the mission which was to receive the total cost of each item. Selected missions included Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN), Main Street Kitchen, FACES (formerly SWFCA), Covenant Community Garden, Congregations for Children, Quilting with Faith, Military Missions in Action, Clothing Closet, FV Food Pantry, ZOE, Seeds of Faith Preschool, and the Community Thanksgiving Meal. Thank you to all who purchased items to support the missions of our church!

In addition to this yearly sale, the Quilting with Faith quilters make comfort quilts for our pastors to give to those facing medical challenges in our congregation and pillowcases given to Wake Med for distribution to children and youth who are hospitalized. The group meets the first and third Friday of each month at 9:30 in room 117-119 on the adult wing of the church. All are welcome to join them! No quilting experience is needed!

Community Thanksgiving Worship

Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm

First UMC, Main St.

Love offering supporting Family & Community

Empowerment Services (FACES) Formerly SWFCA

Event Supporting Caring Connections on 11/12On Thursday, November 12, a special event is being held at Woodhaven Baptist Church on Kildaire Farm Rd in Cary to support the Caring Connections Ministry. Tara Furman of Knowing God Ministries is the guest speaker, and her talk is entitled “ENOUGH — Filled by God, Rather Than the World.” Melissa, a participant in the ministry, will share her testimony and how her mentor has impacted her life. Visit caringconnectionsministry.com to order tickets ($20) or call 919-231-3995 ext 109.

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