“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”
Efcharisto Arigato Gratia DANKE
Toda GRAZIE KOMAPSUMNIDA
Merci GRACIAS Spasibo
!!THANK YOU!!
I was deeply moved by all the planning, participating and
caring that made our celebration of shared ministry at my
installation a joyful day.
For planning worship & sending invitations
washing windows & scrubbing walls
making signs & arranging flowers
providing treats & setting tables
writing notes & updating bulletin boards
decorating with red
getting the word out & and yes, even for taking my picture :-)
!!THANK YOU!!
For wearing red
ringing & singing
leading & praying
laying on hands & answering “We will” without too much hesitation:-)
welcoming my family and friends
!!THANK YOU!!
For symbols of
pulpit & font
Table & service
which already have sacred space in my office & in my heart
!!THANK YOU!!
I am humbled by your trust, energized by your enthusiasm and glad to be in ministry with you as we anticipate the birth of Christ which always brings the possibility yet more of wonder and joy.
In faith
Child Care Provided from 9 AM – Noon on Sundays (Dec. 30, 10 AM to Noon)
Fellowship Time each Sunday after worship in Fellowship Hall
Dec. 2 Worship for the Lord’s Day - First Sunday in Advent
10:25 AM Lighting the Advent Candle: HOPE
Scriptures: Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14
Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching
Sacrament of Communion (served)
7:00 PM St. Nicholas Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols,
F-M Combined Choirs at Immaculate Conception Church
Dec. 9 Worship for the Lord’s Day – Second Sunday in Advent
10:25 AM Lighting the Advent Candle: PEACE
Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13
Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching
Dec. 16 Worship for the Lord’s Day – Third Sunday in Advent
10:25 AM Lighting the Advent Candle: JOY
Children’s Pageant – “Carriers of the Light”
Scriptures: Isaiah 59:9-10; 21-60:3; Luke 1:47-55
Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even, worship leader
3:00 PM St. Nicholas Festival “Brass & Bells” Concert
Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, UCF Adult & Youth Handbell Choirs
Freewill donations for Refugee assistance; non-perishable food donations for the food pantry
Dec. 23 Worship for the Lord’s Day – Fourth Sunday in Advent
10:25 AM Lighting the Advent Candle: LOVE
Scriptures: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25
Rev. Dr. Linda D. Even preaching
“Christmas Joy” Offering received
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve
5:00 PM Family Service of Lessons and Carols
A Christmas Story, Youth Handbell Choir, Solos
6:00 PM The Living Crèche (at the stable in front of the church)
10:45 PM Christmas Eve Handbells and Organ Music
11:00 PM Candlelight Lessons & Carols
Congregational Carols, Senior Choir, Joyful Sign Choir
Dec 30 Worship for the Lord’s Day – Christmas Sunday
10:25 AM Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, preaching
Welcome Guest Preacher – Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown
The Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Brown
is a graduate of Cranbrook School in Michigan, Albion College, and Boston
University School of Theology. He completed his doctorate at McCormick
Theological Seminary in Chicago. He has served pastorates in Union Springs,
Sodus, North Rose, Auburn 1st, Massena, Marcellus and two years in the British Methodist Church in Yorkshire England. Tom has recently retired from 30 years as
a member of the National Ski Patrol, he continues to be an instructor for the
American Red Cross (AED, CPR, First Aid), and is a member of the Marcellus
Rotary Club. His wife Kaye retired from The Cayuga Community College
Library and they have 5 children. Since his retirement in 2000 he has
preached in different churches, has served as interim pastor in The Canandaigua
United Methodist Church and for 2 months at the United Church of Fayetteville
in 2004.
Hymn Writing Contest -- 75th Anniversary Celebration!
The United Church of Fayetteville announces a
contest for hymn writers as part of their 75th Anniversary Celebration. The
selected hymn will be based on our congregational "Vision for
Ministry" (see below) and will both honor the past and look forward to
the future. The theme of the anniversary celebration is “A Tapestry of
Grace".
Nearly 75 years ago in 1933,
the Presbyterian (PCUSA, dating from 1829) and American Baptist (dating from
1831) churches of Fayetteville, New York united to become a single congregation
while remaining tied to both denominations. We have experienced unity
under God within the diversity of gifts and thinking that such a union
produces. We have tried to be a living example of Jesus' wish in his
prayer, "May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent
me." (John 17:21). We welcome all persons regardless of
age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or differing
abilities, and seek to include everyone in all aspects of the life and
leadership of this church.
In 2005 the congregation participated in a mission study in ministry and developed "A Vision for Ministry" based on a study of the Beatitudes and Isaiah 61:1-2.
"The United Church of Fayetteville is a welcoming, inclusive community of faith that demonstrates
Christ's love by seeking justice and nourishing each person's spiritual
journey. With God's help, we seek to realize this vision through vibrant
worship, caring fellowship, challenging study, open and democratic governance,
and active partnerships in mission and service -- locally, nationally and
internationally."
The hymn's debut
will take place during the 75th anniversary worship service March 30, 2008.
The prize will be the honor of having the hymn played and sung at the
anniversary worship service plus a certificate for dinner for two at The
Arad Evans Inn, a historic Fayetteville restaurant. (7206 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY, www.aradevansinn.com) Three generations of the Arad Evans
family were active in the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church in the 19th century.
o The hymn writing contest is a search for a new text, incorporating the use of an easily sung meter, using a familiar hymn tune. New music for the winning hymn may be sought in the future. Hymns previously published or currently entered in other contests should not be submitted.
o We suggest avoiding archaic language (e.g. "Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be") and non-inclusive language (e.g. "O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother").
o The contest will be "blind" and open to anyone who is familiar with our church history, mission and goals.
o Entrants should provide two copies of each hymn. The entrant's name must not appear on these copies. Please provide a cover letter with your name, address, telephone number, email address and the title of your entry or entries.
o All entries must be postmarked by January 15, 2008. All entries will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt.
o The judges will arrive at their decision by February 15, 2008. The winning hymn will be announced by February 29, 2008. Only one winning entry is anticipated. Each entrant will receive notification of the contest winner and a copy of the winning hymn. Copyright for the winning hymn will be retained by the author, but the author agrees to permit the use of this hymn by the United Church in perpetuity.
Please mail
entries to the church office marked:
Hymn Contest, The United Church, 310 East Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY 13066.
Worship, Music and Spiritual
Life
Advent Wreath Ceremony
During Advent worship services we will share in the traditional Lighting of the Advent Candles of hope, peace, joy and love. It will be led by families, Men’s Covenant, and church committee groups.
Advent Devotions ~
“Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Together Times” A booklet will be available for the Intergenerational Event on November 25th and on the first Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2nd. The booklet contains candle lighting ceremonies, and a simple idea for family or household together time.
Advent Artists. . .
Children and youth are invited to use their talents to
draw covers for the four Advent Sundays and Christmas Eve family service
bulletin covers. Work begins at the Advent Intergenerational program on
November 25th; the covers are based on the weekly worship themes and
Advent candle names, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We wait in anticipation of
their creative gifts! If there are too many wonderful designs they will be
posted on the bulletin board art gallery!
Your design needs to be based on one of the themes - Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, or the Christmas Eve story. Artists will use black pen only, line drawings are suggested for ease of copying for use on bright colored paper for Advent bulletins. Size: You may use 8 1/2 x 14" white paper (from the church office), cut in half, to get the bulletin size, with ½” margins.
Front Back Door & Back Front Door
"How did it get so late so soon? My goodness, how the time has flewn!" Dr. Seuss
It happens to all of us . . . running late on Sunday morning. Because of the design of our beautiful sanctuary, our "front door" is at the "back" of the church and many of us enter through the "back door" which is at the front of the church --- and this means that latecomers often find themselves walking through the Handbell Choir or across the Chancel during a prayer.
"It gets late out there early." Yogi Berra
Out of respect for the choir and the liturgists, please wait to enter the church during a time when the congregation is standing. The bulletins will now offer a note "Latecomers may be seated at these times" with an asterisk as a clue to a good time to enter.
"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open." Alexander Graham Bell
Another option, for those who are able, would be to go downstairs and walk thru the hallway under the sanctuary so that you might slip into a pew through the Genesee Street doors. Thank you for your consideration. (Worship & Spiritual Life Committee)
Thanks for participation with Installation Service!
A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the joy and celebration of Linda Even’s installation service, November 11. Thanks go to all those who planned the service, provided and arranged the flowers, updated our bulletin boards, provided some spot cleaning around the church, made and placed the signs needed, prepared for and served at the reception, served as greeters and ushers, participated in and created parts of the service, and provided the wonderful music.
Thank you, also, to all those who attended the service and for the afternoon sunshine God sent flooding through our beautiful stained glass windows. This service marked a significant day in the life of United Church, one of celebration and hope as we, as a church, now joined by Rev. Even, seek to enter fully into our “springtime,” fulfilling God’s call, in our church, our community and our world.
St. Nicholas Festival Choirs, Sunday Dec. 2nd , 7 PM
The annual Combined Choir “Lessons and Carols” ushers in the Advent season in an ecumenical way. It features choirs from the F-M churches, including our Senior Choir, Youth and Joyful Sign Choirs. The Youth Choir will join our choir to sing “Bring us peace” by Craig Courtney. Join us and be inspired by the beautiful music, including selections from Handel’s “Messiah.” Bring a gift of canned food in the spirit of St. Nicholas for the F-M Food Pantry.
Church Family Christmas Caroling –
Saturday, Dec. 8th, 3:15-5 pm. Sing all your favorite Christmas carols, play tone chimes, and join others to go caroling to our homebound friends. Meet at church in Women’s Lounge with the Congregational Care Committee.
“Carriers of the Light” - Sunday, Dec. 16th the children will present a musical pageant in worship. The story is about passing God’s Light ~ from Mary to Joseph, to the animals in the manger, and from the shepherds to wise men, and then to all of us here at United Church.
“Brass & Bells” Concert – New time 3:00 PM, Sun. Dec. 16th
A Christmas tradition at UCF! The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, directed by UCF member Jim Spencer will give a concert on Sunday, Dec. 16th at 3:00 PM. The SU Brass Ensemble will be joined for their tenth year by our two Handbell Choirs. Our youth and adult handbell choirs will play holiday music for English handbells. The brass ensemble will play a variety of seasonal, classical and popular selections, including Holly and the Ivy, Little Drummer Boy, The Christmas Song, Christmas Festival, Bizet's Farandole, a jazzy tuba solo of Frosty the Snowman, plus the sing-along carols Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and Silent Night, as well as For Unto Us a Child is Born from Handel's Messiah. The concert will also feature the classical and popular selections, Espana by Chabrier, Evocations by Ellerby, Army of the Nile by Alford, and Pirates of the Caribbean by Badelt. A free-will donation will be collected for the Refugee Resettlement Fund. People are invited to bring a can of food for the food pantry in the spirit of St. Nicholas. A reception coordinated by the Missions Committee follows the concert.
Christmas Eve at United Church
5 PM Family Service and Living Creche at 6 PM
The 5 PM Family Service will be a service of lessons and carols with a Christmas story. Youth singers and the Youth Handbell Choir will offer Christmas music for the service. Luminarias light the way after the family service at 6 PM to the outdoor “Living Creche” with stable, animals, costumed characters at the nativity scene in front of the church.
Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols
The traditional candlelight Festival of Lessons & Carols service begins with a time of preparation with the Adult Handbell Choir and Organ Prelude at 10:45 p.m. The service at 11 PM includes scriptures of the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus, with carols by congregation and music by Senior Choir, with Joyful Sign Choir interpreting some carols and anthems. Rev. Dr. Linda Even will lead the service.
Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship, Jackie Meyer, W&SLC Chr.
Adult Education – December 2007
“Saving Jesus” - DVD discussion series
(sequel to “Living the Questions”)
Forums, Bible Study, and Parents Place on Sunday mornings
I. Adult Forums [Meet in Beard Lounge]
Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, exploration of our Christian heritage, and study of world religions. Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.
December 2: Fred Davey (member of the United Church) on the history, mission, organization and beliefs of the Salvation Army. Fred grew up in the Salvation Army, as his parents were full-time officers (clergy) of the Salvation Army.
December 9: Dr William West (musicologist and professor at LeMoyne, University College and OASIS). British and American Christmas carols and their use in classical music.
December 16: Dr. Timothy Volk (Research Associate, SUNY College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences). "International and National Energy Use and Emerging Proposals.” Dr. Volk has consulted internationally with different countries, as well as with various groups in the United States on the production of alternative fuels.
December 23: Video presentation on stained glass, introduced by Marge Julian.
December 30: (No Adult Forum and no Sunday School)
II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge [Meets in Women’s Lounge]
9:00 AM. Led by Fred Davey and Jason Larson, this relatively small group (5 to 10 on average) engages in in-depth study and discussion of a book of the Bible or biblical theme using a study guide. The group will be studying the Gospel of Matthew this fall, using the study guide “Matthew” by Tom Wright.
III. A Parents’ Place [Meets on the basement level in Room 5]
9:15 AM. A Parents Place provides an opportunity for informal, unstructured conversation about the joys and challenges of raising children. Coffee and tea are available.
IV. “Saving Jesus” This DVD-based discussion group will resume on Sunday evenings during Lent 2008. Three sessions were conducted in November. “Saving Jesus” is a sequel to the “Living the Questions” series which was offered during fall 2006 and Lent 2007. In November 2007, we viewed the first 4 parts of this 12-part series. The series is described as follows: ”Saving Jesus is a revolutionary DVD-based small group exploration of Jesus Christ for the third millennium. Featuring leading religious voices of our day, the 12-part program includes a printable participant reader and a facilitator guide offering discussion questions. The basic format for each weekly 1 - 1½ hour session includes conversation around the readings, a 20-minute video segment and guided discussion. Join Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill Levine, James Forbes and many others for a conversation around the relevance of Jesus Christ for today.”
Submitted by Norman Hatt, Chair
What’s Up from Down Under
Sharing
and Caring by the Young People
Of United Church
Mark these new events on your calendars!!
Sat. Dec. 8 1-3 p.m. Pageant Rehearsal
3:15-5 p.m. Christmas Caroling
Sun. Dec. 9 Christmas Luncheon
Sat. Dec. 15 1-3 p.m. Pageant Rehearsal
Sun. Dec. 16 “Carriers of the Light” Pageant
3 p.m. Brass and Bells Concert
Sun. Dec. 23 Choir Christmas Party
Mon. Dec. 24 5 pm Family Christmas Eve Service
6 pm Living Creche
10:45 pm Traditional Candlelight Lessons & Carols
Sun. Dec. 30 Sunday School vacation
Sun. Jan. 6 Sunday School classes resume
A Season of Hope, Joy, Peace and
Love . . .
Advent is a time for preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas. Many families enjoy decorating a shoebox or other container as Jesus' crib. During Advent, family members can add a piece of straw or strip of colored paper for each good deed they do, preparing a nice, soft bed for Jesus when he arrives. Every activity during this season is an opportunity to prepare to receive God's truly special gift to us - Jesus!
Christmas Caroling . . .
Join the whole church family on Sat., Dec. 8 as we bring the beautiful carols of Christmas to the homebound in our church. Meet at the church at 3:15 p.m. Bring your sleigh bells!!!
Carriers of the Light . . .
This children’s Christmas musical focuses on Jesus as the Light of Salvation, asking, “Will you be a Carrier of the Light?” Rehearsals scheduled for Sat., Dec. 8 & 15 at 1-3 p.m. The musical to be presented in worship December 16th.
Brass and Bells Concert . . .
Our own UCF handbell choirs and Syracuse University Brass Ensemble
will sparkle at their concert on Sunday afternooon, December 16
at 3 p.m. This concert is a more family-friendly event!!
Celebrating The
Season Together . . .
Cherub Choir is having a Christmas party during their regular choir time on Sunday, December 23. We will sing Christmas carols and play games. Come prepared to have fun!!
Wow, Another Great Evening !!!
Family Game Night on Friday evening, Nov. 2, was attended by nearly 30 fun-seekers of all ages. Delicious pizza, lively conversation and some good old-fashioned board games provided a thoroughly enjoyable get-together! Let's do it again soon!!
Operation Christmas Child . . .
Thanks to a generous outpouring from our Sunday School kids and their families, eight shoeboxes filled with all sorts of special goodies, toys and the good news of Christ are winging their way to deserving children all over the world. Check it out at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.
December Church School Mission
White Christmas Collection!!
Let's collect a blizzard of paper products and other non-food items for the FM Food Pantry! These items cannot be purchased with food stamps and are always are in great demand. Please place your donations of paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex and paper-based hygiene products in the boxes provided outside the sanctuary entrances through the month of December.
Judy Spencer
Director of Children's Ministries
Fellowship Corner
Please join us for Fellowship each Sunday immediately following worship!
Thanks to all the folks who hosted coffee hour during November- Marilyn Wehrle and Kathy Clay, Cindy Rosbrook and Barb Johnson, Bonnie Kennedy and Ron Falcone, Bonnie Lang, Diane Brundage and Betsy Nash. What a marvelous job they did. Coming up in December: Dec 2- Kathy Bohnsack and Mary Jane Woodcock, Dec 9th- Christmas Social (hosted by fellowship committee); Dec 16th- Kathy Clay and Dorothy Biven, Dec 23rd- need host and Dec 30th- youth group.
I would also like to thank all the folks who collaborated on the November 11th installation reception. Deb Bender organized the worker bees and they provided a glorious spread of goodies, punch and coffee. Again, thank you to all those who helped out.
It has been wonderful to see the response to the call for donations in the coffee basket on Sunday morning. We appreciate all the folks that have remembered to drop something in the basket…it will help cover the costs of the Christmas social and beyond. Please keep up the good work.
Tracey Kuhns, Fellowship Chair
RECIPES, RECIPES, RECIPES!!!
In honor of the 75th Anniversary Celebration, United Church is once again putting together a cookbook. We are known for being a marvelous bunch of cooks and we’d like to showcase all your wonderful recipes. As an added twist on this cookbook, we are asking you to share the history behind your recipe (if there is one), especially if the recipe you submit has a United Church history behind it (e.g., it comes from one of our women’s org luncheons, or from one of our deceased members). Please bring your recipes into the church and drop them in the box outside the office or email them to Tracey Kuhns at traceykuhns@yahoo.com. The deadline for recipes is January 1st so please take the time to do it now. Our goal is to have the book ready for March.
Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will be used to refurbish the two lounges and supplement the diminished silverware inventory. Anyone interested in helping to work on this endeavor together, please contact Tracey Kuhns (492-3036).
SOUP AND BREAD SALE
It’s
coming!!!! Yes, the youth will be doing this spectacular fund raiser again in
January. We will not be taking orders this time, but will have plenty of soup
and chili for all as well as breads to go with it! So, save January 6th
as the date to pick up your yummy soup. Please contact Lisa Graniero if you
would like to donate apot of soup or some homemade bread. Proceeds will help
to fund the Night Watch trip in February.
CHURCH AND
SOCIETY
Submitted by Cara Steiner
The Christian Citizen: Voices for Biblical Justice:
In a folder on the Church and Society bulletin board across the hall from the church office, you will find a number of copies of the most recent edition of The Christian Citizen. The copies are there so you have one to take and read. The Christian Citizen is a quarterly publication of the National Ministries Office of the American Baptist Churches, USA. The most recent edition (Volume 3, 2007) was received during the month of November and is entitled Prophetic Ministry. The issue includes a number of challenging and stimulating articles about issues of social justice, social change and the ministries of the church, related personal stories, and a questioning of our national priorities. Reading through this publication will give you a deeper understanding of the call of some persons and programs within the American Baptist Church, USA to live out what Marcus Borg calls living "Christianity as a Way, a path of transformation."
In the November issue of our church newsletter there was a summary of a day eight people from the UCF congregation spent in Ithaca listening to and dialoging with Marcus Borg. Borg talked about the two primary sources of revelation for Christians as being the "Bible as the Word of God expressed in human words, and Jesus as the Word of God expressed in a human person." Borg maintains that the "Christian life and way is about a relationship with God as known decisively in Jesus that transforms us into the likeness of Christ." This Way, he says, is both personal and political. When you read Volume 3, 2007 of The Christian Citizen, you will hear the prophetic call, and see how individual persons and programs within the ABC, USA church model a Christian way which is both personal and political.
A Collaboration to Create a More Just World: The mission of the Fair World Marketplace store is to promote social justice and economic independence for disadvantaged persons in countries around the world by providing a market for their original handmade crafts. On Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM the Fair World Marketplace store will have a congregational partnership day with the United Church of Fayetteville. On this day, 10% of the sales to persons from our congregation will be remitted back to UCF to be used for our own mission and social justice efforts.
By making purchases at the Fair World Marketplace on December 2nd, you can acquire beautiful gifts and food items for family and friends, participate in promoting economic justice, and support the on-going efforts of UCF mission activities.
Last year the amount remitted to the United Church from this sale was $188.00.
If you miss December 2nd, shop later in the month at this wonderful store situated in the DeWitt Plaza at 4471 East Genesee Street -- and do this small part in making a difference in our world.
Hanging of the Greens
Our traditional hanging of the greens to decorate United Church for
Advent and the Christmas season is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 1, at 2 PM.
All are invited to help prepare UCF for the season.
Please sign up in the hallway!
75th Anniversary Celebration
As we turn our calendar to 2008
We will start to celebrate.
We have been united for 75 years
Help us prepare as the special event nears.
Please submit copies of your family photos of weddings, christenings, and baptisms that took place at United Church to Nancy Schiffhauer or Sue Boland.
Tabitha Circle
December 12th at 6:30 pm
Pot-Luck Christmas Dinner
White Elephant Gift
Wrapping gifts for our “Adopted Family”
Where else will you find so much going on?
Plan on joining us for the fun, and pre-Christmas joy!
Call Cindy Rosbrook (682-7982) to sign up or for more information.
If you can't make plans ahead, we welcome "walk ins".
There is always enough food so don't be bashful!
Don't forget to bring your "White Elephant Gift".
The Women's Covenant Group, which meets on Tuesday mornings from 7 - 8 a.m., is open to all women of the congregation. We especially issue an invitation to all of you at this time as we begin the study of a new book for the Advent season: THE CHRISTMAS STORY by Marcus Bork and Dominick Crosson. It's coffee and lively conversation at 7 a.m. Come join us!
Lorraine Schmidt.
Mission Opportunities
The Salvation Army Tree of Lights
This year the Salvation Army plans to give more than 4000 men, women and children holiday gifts. UCF will once again support this effort through our “Giving Tree”. A Christmas tree with gift tags will be in the hallway. Please take a tag from our tree – all ages are represented, from toddler to elderly. Please purchase a gift and return it unwrapped by Friday, Dec. 7th. Contact Mary Jane Woodcock for more information.
“Christmas Joy” & “Thank-You” Offering
This annual offering collected for our American Baptist and Presbyterian denominations supports the needs of retired clergy and Presbyterian supported colleges and schools. 50% is distributed to Baptist retired clergy; 25% will be given to the United Presbyterian Church Board of Pensions’ Financial Assistance Programs; and 25% will go to the National Ministries of the General Assembly Council for scholarships and support for operating costs of Presbyterian sponsored colleges and schools. The Christmas season is the time when, through our gifts to this offering, we can return a measure of goodwill to those retired church workers and their spouses for the generous support they lovingly gave during ministry. And it will support education institutions training tomorrow’s leaders in the church. This offering will be collected on December 23rd. Please use marked envelopes in the pews.
Jubilee House Update
Congratulations to Joseph Mpinga for passing his New York State driver’s test and becoming a newly licensed driver on November 7! Several people from the United Church have worked Joseph over the last several months so that he would be prepared for the test: Brenda Hines, Scott Manuel, Chris Harrison, and Norm Hatt. Lorraine Dimon accompanied Joseph to take the test. Jackie Meyer has also been working with Joseph to improve his speaking and writing skills in English. Dorothy Harrold has been working with Immaculee Kyondwa to improve her written and spoken English. (Joseph’s and Immaculee’s first language is Swahili; their second language from the Republic of Congo is French.) Their two oldest daughters, Furaha and Lorina, have also recently acquired their driving licenses with the help of UCF members. Immaculee has recently obtained her Learner’s Permit, and we hope that she will soon be getting her license also. Submitted by Norm Hatt - Jubilee House Task Force
F.I.S.H. (Friends in Service Here)
For some people transportation is not readily accessible, and is a common problem for people who do not drive anymore and need to get to their medical appointments. F.I.S.H. is a volunteer based organization of people who give their time to dispatch, drive, or serve on various F.I.S.H. committees. F.I.S.H. was originally founded in England, and there are now chapters of F.I.S.H. all over the world. The Fayetteville-Manlius-Minoa chapter of F.I.S.H. has been operating for over 35 years and transports people from the Fayetteville, Manlius, or Minoa areas to and from doctors’ appointments. Our clients do need to be ambulatory.
F.I.S.H. is a wonderful non-profit organization that helps members of our own community, and is looking for scheduled drivers (one day a month) or random drivers (on an as-needed basis). F.I.S.H. needs dispatchers, as well. Dispatchers take the calls from clients one week a month and try and find drivers to transport them. If you would like to reach out and help members of your community get to their medical appointments, please give F.I.S.H. a call at 637-8158.
Rochester School for the Deaf trip to Greece! Some students from the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) are going to Greece this spring. Barnes and Noble is hosting a "book fair" on December 9th as a fundraiser. The parents are providing vouchers to people and when they shop at B&N on that date a % of their purchase will be donated to the RSD student trip. The voucher must be presented with the purchase. Contact the church office, John Press or Janet Price for your voucher!
Please Join 12 Neighbor Churches for Advent Lessons and Carols!
Sunday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
at the Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs Street, Fayetteville
A combined choir of 125 voices, Bell and Signing Choirs!
Hear the beloved stories leading to Christmasand anticipate your holiday with joy!
For more information: 637-9846
“The Christmas Shoppe”
by the Committee in Stitches
Sundays Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23
A fabulous collection of handcrafted treasures will be on sale every Sunday in December. Scarves, quilted placemats, cell phone carriers, and many surprises
will be available to purchase for your Christmas giving.
Great gifts at great prices!!!
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble “Christmas Pie” Concert at UCF
Syracuse Vocal Ensemble will present A Romantic Christmas Pie
at UCF on Sat. Dec. 15th at 7:30 PM. The
program of music for the season includes works dating from the 19th and early
20th centuries. The music, chosen from romantic-era includes works from Germany, France, England, and Italy, includes works by Berlioz, Bruckner, Rossini. Ottorino Respighi's
beautiful Laud to the Nativity,
scored for chorus, woodwinds, and piano, will conclude the program. Then join
us for the famous pie reception! For further information, www.syracusevocalensemble.org
Tickets: $15, $12 students and seniors.
You may reserve tickets by calling 315-637-3899,or mail check to Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, P.O. Box 6855, Syracuse, NY 13217.
Christmas Poinsettias for our Sanctuary
Your
donations of poinsettias make our church beautiful and are a meaningful way to
remember your loved ones or honor someone with whom you have shared the joys of
Christmas. If you wish to contribute a poinsettia, please fill out the form
and make a check payable to United Church, marked “poinsettia” for $10 per
plant. Return it by Dec. 2nd to United Church.
For more information call Kim Cherry at 637-8944.
Please feel free to pick up your plant after Christmas Services.
In memory of:
In honor of:
Given by:
Christmas Music Gifts
A gift of $10 or more given in memory of in honor of a loved one will help to defray the cost of special music for our celebration of Advent, Christmas and other musical services. An acknowledgement will be placed in the Christmas Eve bulletin with the information given below. Please make checks to United Church and mark “Music Fund”.
In memory of:
In honor of:
Given by:
Annual Christmas Social
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting
the annual
United Church Christmas Social
in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 9th
immediately following worship.
Sign up on the poster in the hallway!
From the Finance Committee
Financial statistics for the months of October 2007 are as follows:
This chart shows real dollars:
|
|
October |
Year to Date |
|
Income |
$22,735. |
$217,856. |
|
Expenses |
$18,195. |
$222,899. |
|
Difference |
$4,539. |
$(5,043.) |
For October, income was ahead of expenses by 4,539, putting us behind for the year by just over $5,000.
|
|
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
|
January |
9.61% |
7.5% |
7.5% |
8.2% |
|
February |
7.11% |
6.39% |
6.51% |
9.07% |
|
March |
6.26% |
6.66% |
7.97% |
6.72% |
|
April |
8.02% |
10.58% |
7.59% |
10.23% |
|
May |
5.39% |
6.28% |
7.66% |
7.65% |
|
June |
7.63% |
5.51% |
5.70% |
5.40% |
|
July |
8.79% |
7.65% |
8.69% |
5.63% |
|
August |
5.33% |
4.86% |
5.85% |
6.37% |
|
September |
7.92% |
7.23% |
7.65% |
8.21% |
|
October |
8.36% |
9.08% |
8.65% |
11.68% |
|
Year to date |
74.41% |
71.77% |
73.82% |
79.13% |
This chart compares pledge and plate giving as a percent of the budgeted amount for the year. If income was steady throughout the year and met projections, we would expect to see numbers of about 83 percent through October. The numbers show we are behind.
Submitted by Bob Craft, Finance
Stewardship Committee
In the last few weeks, we have participated once again in a Stewardship Campaign to establish a reasonable estimate of the financial support we plan to provide for the UCF in 2008. Each week during worship we have heard from a member of the congregation about how they discern their level of financial support.
Gloria Manuel exhorted us to live generously. She reminded us of God’s exuberant love for us, and the spiritual satisfaction from returning that love generously through support of the church.
Brenda Hines invited us to think seven generations ahead to discern how we should act in supporting the church: that we are not acting simply for ourselves or for our children, but that our legacy is long, and our contribution to that legacy should be correspondingly meaningful. I asked that we each imagine ways in which we can be instruments of God’s peace, and to pledge sufficiently that we can each say to ourselves that through our giving, we are enabling the UCF to be an instrument – our instrument – of God’s peace.
Jim Spencer reminded us that when we personally provide the resources of our talents and treasures to God's work, our gifts yield riches that are not measurable. We don’t simply sit back and wait for God to provide, because we have to be invested in God's work, we have to be part of God's "chemistry".
Jim Watts exhorted us to take full measure of the “Spring” we are experiencing at United Church. He asked that we be part of it, opening the windows of our souls and breath it in: to be part of worship in song, in prayer, in meditation; to be part of the work and various ministries of this church; to be part of its educational programs for adults and children; and to be part of its financial support and growth.
Many have already sent in their Estimates of Giving, and some are still planning to do so. But as we know, others have left us, and each of them is irreplaceable. We need, however, to do what we can to continue their efforts and to augment our own to support mission work; to educate our children and ourselves; to encourage worship, and to share our strengths, and our faith, with others through stewardship.
Submitted by Michael Olmsted, Stewardship Chair
The steeple series
The UNITED CHURCH OF
FAYETTEVILLE
Presents