The Outlook

an edition of

The United Methodist Reporter

Two Sections

Outreach Opportunities | 8A

Section A

Youth News | 8A Liturgical Dance & UMW News | 4A

909160 Vol. 159 No. 30 November 23, 2012

chalk talk
BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER

A DVENT O PPORTUNITIES
With the advent of Jesus birth come many possibilities to feel the love, warmth and happiness of this very special season, especially when experienced with the people of University Circle United Methodist Church. Each of these Advent opportunities is a chance to reaffirm your spirituality and strengthen your ties with family and friends by inviting them to live the experience with you. Plan to be a part of these activities: ~ December 2: A SPIRITUAL SUNDAY Worship will feature the spiritual, Keep Your Lamps, with percussion and our Liturgical Dancers. ~ December 9: A FAMILY POTLUCKJoin us in the Great Hall following worship for an all-church potluck and carol sing. Make this a wonderful opportunity to enjoy food, song and fellowship with family and friends. There will be Christmas surprises for children and the young at heart alike! ~ December 16: A NATIVITY SUNDAY AND MUSEUM TOURSave this Sunday for a very special Advent experience. Bring your nativity set to church and display it in the Narthex before and after church on table space, sharing with folks why your nativity setting means so much to you. Following worship, spend an enlightening afternoon at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where we will view Art of the Nativity. Museum-goers can enjoy lunch at church following worship, then walk or carpool to the museum where we will gather at 1:30 p.m. to begin our tour, led by Kermit Greeneisen and Saundra Stemen, members of our congregation and experienced museum docents. Dr. Chalker will accompany us, providing Biblical commentary and insight. Reservations for lunch and the tour are required. Contact Heather Howard in the office at 216-421-1200 or hhoward@ churchinthecircle.com to RSVP. ~ December 23: A CANTATASunday worship includes the cantata, Come Ye Faithful: A Service of Carols by Hal H. Hopson. This lesson in carols is based on the theme, Witnesses to the Nativity, and includes nine familiar carols. Our Chancel Choir will be joined in performance by pipe organ, flute, string quartet and percussion. ~ December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICESOne of these gatherings is sure to warm your heart with the true meaning of Christmas. Candlelight Services will be conducted at 4pm (family friendly), 8pm (traditional service) and 11pm ( meditative theme).

Youth Food Drive:

You CAN Make a Difference

Join the Youth and Outreach Committee of UCUMC in support of the Nehemiah Mission Food Pantry. Sunday, November 25, is your last day to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to church. All food collected will be delivered to Nehemiah Mission. Yes, you can make a difference.

I remember the first time I noticed it taking place. The practice was undoubtedly going on a long time before I noticed, but my first recognition startled me. I was in a beautiful ski lodge on the top of a mountain in Vail, Colorado. I was taking a break from a day of skiing while participating in one of our church annual ski retreats. Sitting at a table while drinking some Gatorade to replenish my electrolytes for the afternoon ski runs, I noticed six people sitting at the table across from me. They had come in together and were also taking a break after several hours of skiing. What was grabbing and holding my attention was the fact that each of the six persons sitting at that tableby all signs members of the same familyhad each taken out their cell phone and were involved in conversations with people far away from their mountain-top table. There they all sat, silent and totally ignoring each other, while carrying on their texting conversations with distant persons. Since that time of first noticing such behavior, I have seen such texting practice taking place a growing number of times. It can be a couple out together at a restaurant, not talking to each other, yet texting someone far from the table. It can be people sitting in a meeting together, but seemingly paying only minimal attention to their immediate surroundings and instead talking to someone who is certainly not present in the same room. I am not the only person noticing such things. Last Easter Sunday, for instance, several people expressed concern that during the service some folks around them were busy texting. OUCH! I tried not to take it personally. Sherry Turkle is a professor of Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT. One of her recent books is entitled, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Her book of well-documented research makes the important observation that, more and more, we are people who enter less and less into actual conversation with people around us but, instead, into more and more long distance, electronic interaction with a website or faceless persons; persons who Continued on back page

Holiday Wholeness
In the midst of the hype of the holidays, Christmas can be a time when we become more acutely aware of our need for Gods comfort. As commercials depict happy family gatherings, we may be reminded of a chair that will be empty this year. As the department stores entice us with the latest gadgets, a lost job may leave us feeling depressed or discouraged. When the world is busy and celebrating, our private grief may become even more profound. For this reason, UCUMC is offering an opportunity to gather in a different kind of worship experience: A Service of Healing and Wholeness. This type of service, also called Blue Christmas, allows us to spend time with one another and with God, offering our pain and our loss at the altar and recognizing that it is okay not to be completely joy-filled at Christmas. We will share words of promise and hope from Scripture, light candles in reflection and offer anointing as an ancient sign of the grace of God. The Service of Healing and Wholeness will be held Wednesday, December 5, at 7pm in the Chapel.

Make a Gingerbread House!

All children, tweens and teens (K12th grade) are invited to gather in the Great Hall at 11am on Sunday, December 16, when we will build and decorate gingerbread houses for Christmas! Children and youth are encouraged to bring a friend to church to join in the fun. Creativity will be the theme of the day. All of the materials will be providedgingerbread, frosting and candy. Reservations are needed, so that we have enough supplies! Please contact Amy Wheatley at 4wheatleys@sbcglobal.net or call the church office at 216-421-1200 by December 9 to RSVP.

NEW ART DISPLAY

Be sure to view the new artwork on display in our hallway adjacent to the Sanctuary. Each piece was created by our own Betz Richards, and we are grateful for her willingness to brighten our walls with this unique collection of artistic expression.

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THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

NOVEMBER 23, 2012

Liturgical Dance
UCUMC Liturgical Dancers are grateful to Sanjib Bhattacharya, visiting artist in the Cleveland Foundations International Fusion Project, who worked with director Edna Duffy and the ensemble to experience Cultural Revelations in Liturgical Dance. The collaborative choreography presented in worship on All Saints Day, November 4, was the culmination of a four-week residency which captured the hearts of UCUMC Liturgical Dancers. In this presentation, the Budding Flower movement of the hands was the symbol of eastern culture, while the tall bodies with outstretched arms, the Cross, was the symbol of western culture. Together, they reflected the theme, One God for all mankind in tribute to those who from their labors rest. We carry elements of the collaborative choreography into the Advent Season by building on the multi-cultural perspective in the art of liturgical dance. On Sunday, December 2, we present a new choreography set to the spiritual, Keep Your Lamps, arranged by Andre Thomas. Each movement represents a different culture. The introduction begins with LambaWest African Welcome Dance movements. The first and third movements are

Cedar Point Conquered

Twenty-seven UCUMC youth and adults braved rides and the fall chill to enjoy a fun fall day together at The Point. Special thanks to all who supported our youth by purchasing chocolate during their fundraiser. A true win-win situation! Veterans Day Sunday worship included a tribute to our veterans and the baptism of Jacob Jones, pictured center with family, God-parents and Dr. Chalker.

based on eastern, ritualistic folk dance, while the second and fourth movements are based on North American Martha Grahams modern dance technique. Based on the biblical story of the wise and foolish virgins, the four movements of the dance encompass the themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. If you are interested in possibly being a part of the UCUMC Liturgical Dancers, I invite you to stop and speak with me. You can participate whenever your schedule allows. The choreography is designed to fit the artistic level of the participants. Come and light a candle during Advent. Participate in one of three Christmas Eve services. Or just come and dance to invigorate and tone your body, energize your mind and lift your spirit! Edna Duffy, Director UCUMC Liturgical Dancers

On All Saints Day, Sunday, November 4, following a worship service featuring the FullCircle combo presenting jazz in the New Orleans jazz mass tradition, potluck participants created greeting cards for those in the nearby Cleveland VA Medical Center. Our MENS groups quarterly speakers forum, October 28, featured Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald. He spoke about his experience as the countys first Executive and answered numerous audience questions, offering to return next year. Pictured: Dave Hundertmark, Andrew Cox, Ed FitzGerald, Ed Dickson. During our October 21 service, Demille (PJ) Cudgell and Nikalaus (Nik) Brown (center) expressed their appreciation to the congregation for our churchs Neighborhood Basketball Program, organized by Hassan Lee (left) of our Facility Care Team; Niks father, Robert Hughes (right), attended in support.

Norine Sharp Celebrates 90 Years

Family of Norine Sharp, long-time member of Epworth-Euclid and now University Circle United Methodist Church, gather to celebrate her 90th birthday, recognized by Dr. Chalker during the November 11th service.

United Methodist Women

Our United Methodist Women held their annual meeting, October 21, to approve plans and a budget for the coming year. Pictured here: Shirley Jefferson, Ester Crawl-Bey, Tommie Gettig, Vivian Harris, Cathy Day and Marilou Abele. The UMW thanks you for your generous support of the annual WORLD THANK OFFERING, which will be used to address programs that help eliminate racism, hunger and homelessness around the world.

Honoring their church-based friendships, this group of our young adults gathered for a time of catching up and confirmation of their valued relationships. Pictured: Alison, Domenic and Oliver Bellone; Megan, Avery and Doug Blank; Zach, Nicole, Wesley and Elliott Lewis; Laureen, Willie and Isaiah Harbert; Megan, Shawn and Ryan Hufendick

Deadline for the next Outlook issue is Monday, December 10, 2012 outlook@churchinthecircle.com

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THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

NOVEMBER 23, 2012

~Youth News~

GRACENOTES
B Y N AT H A N M O T TA
Director of Music & Arts

Kids Explore Life in Bible Times

This month, our Sunday School class (K5th grade) explored what life was like for children and their families almost 4,000 years ago. On a recent Sunday, we learned about some of the animals that provided transportation, food and clothing in Bible times. The Hansen family, who owns a small farm in Grafton, brought their goats, Clover and Shimmer. Children spent the morning outdoors interacting with the goats and learning about the care these animals require. They were most excited to feed the goats and to milk Shimmer. Fox8 News filmed the visit and featured it in several newscasts! Another Sunday morning, we shared a meal of foods similar to those eaten by people of the Old Testament. Children sampled bread and honey, dates, figs, goat cheese, olives, pomegranates, onions and grape juice. Everyone enjoyed the novelty of eating the entire meal with their hands, using bread to scoop. We concluded our study of life in Bible times with storytelling. Children know that many of the stories collected in our Bible were shared by word of mouth for centuries before they were written down. We imagined a family telling stories around a fire thousands of years ago and shared some of our own stories about special people and experiences. Alice Palda, a member of our congregation and a gifted storyteller, visited us to share some wonderful and engaging tales, among them, a couple of stories about Thanksgiving. We give thanks for the children of UCUMC! They enjoy learning, talking, eating and playing together. Why not bring a child you love to Sunday School to experience the upcoming Advent season? Dr. Amy Wheatley, Director of Education

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Actually, in our Music & Arts department, Christmas always comes early as were rehearsing Advent and Christmas music around Halloween! We have a number of exciting musical offerings from now through the Advent season: l Sunday, November 25 ~ We give thanks as a family of faith with We Gather Together and Come, Ye Thankful People, Come. The four Sundays of Advent l 1st Sunday ~ December 2, we offer Andre Thomas toe-tapping spiritual Keep Your Lamps sung by the Chancel Choir with percussion and the Liturgical Dancers. l 2nd Sunday ~ Wake, Shepherds, Wake continues to tell the story of the Nativity, and the congregation sings Christmas carols as hymns. l 3rd Sunday ~ I Wonder As I Wander, the beautiful and haunting work of John

Jacob Niles, gives the season of Advent perspective as our hymns of On This Day Earth Shall Ring,Love Came Down at Christmas and Go Tell It on the Mountain lift spirits with joy! l 4th Sunday ~ December 23, the Chancel Choir shares a lessons-in-carols Christmas cantata entitled Come Ye Faithful: A Service of Carols arranged by Hal Hopson, complete with organ, flute, string quartet and keyboards. l Christmas Eve ~ A family service featuring bells, children, and dancers at 4pm. A traditional service, with the choir singing works of Victoria and Rachmaninoff happens at 8pm. A midnight mass with soloists and meditative pieces finishes the evening at 11pm. Theres so much to be thankful for this time of year, and so much to look forward to as we celebrate life as a faith family. If you would like to participate as a singer (especially in the Christmas Cantata), dancer or instrumentalist, just find us before or after worship OR show up at a rehearsal. Join us!

The Power of Prayer

Prayer changes things. Even more, prayer changes us. We dont really understand how this happens, but somehow, when were completely transparent before God, things happen. We find ourselves feeling a deeper calm and a greater acceptance of ourselves and of others. Often, as real transformation occurs, we discover that stuff once deemed important does not matter as much any more. We delight in one another. We see the world through new eyesthrough Gods eyesand come to realize that it is good. UCUMC offers a number of opportunities to engage in prayer. On Sunday mornings, following soon after worship, the Circle of Prayer gathers in the Library next to the Chapel for a time of sharing joys and concerns and praying for one another, for UCUMC, for our A CELEBRATION OF DEAN COXS LIFE was attended by hundreds of friends, family and former associates, November 10, at University Circle United Methodist Church. Barbara and family have expressed deep appreciation to those who honored Dean with their words, music, prayers and presence. communities and for the world. We always look forward to drawing the circle wider and including you. We also have a prayer chain. A number of dedicated warriors will graciously receive your offerings and pray over them. Contact Heather Howard in the church office, via email or telephone to leave your request. Please indicate if the request is urgent and time-sensitive. A fresh opportunity: I invite early-risers to join me at Einsteins Bagels in Lakewood, 14615 Detroit Avenue, Thursdays at 6:45am when I facilitate an existing weekly prayer group. We meet to discuss scripture, share concerns and praises and pray together before heading out into the world for the day. The bagels are fresh, the coffee is hot and we usually finish by 7:15am. I am always looking for new ways to bring our geographically huge congregation together for prayer. Please tell me when and where you would like to gather. For whenever two or more are gathered in Gods name, God is present and love happens. Heidi Denman, MDiv ~ Coordinator of Pastoral Care ~ h.e.denman@gmail.com November 13, our churchs Gay-Straight Alliance, in cooperation with Clevelands Human Rights Campaign (HRC), presented the acclaimed, award-winning documentary, For the Bible Tells Me Soan analysis of how the Bible addresses homosexuality and how some parents and families have grown to accept and even become public advocates for their gay children. Over 130 people enjoyed the large-screen setting, complete with movie snacks, and a time to talk about the films message.

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could even be totally misrepresenting themselves. Dr. Turkle also suggests that, more and more, people dont particularly care about misrepresentation because they each like their electronic self far better than the real person who stares back at them in the mirror each morning. Well, such is another challenge of life in modern times. And now, with Thanksgiving approaching as I write this, there will be many welcomed and loving text messages, to be sure. There will also be many wonderful face-to-face and voice-to-voice encounters. Indeed, Thanksgiving, in its best sense, encourages us not to be alone, but together, if not in the same space, at least as authentic and known family members and friends.

I am well aware that Thanksgiving can be, for some, a very lonely day. It can be a day when the focus is on who or what is missing. And, like too many texting conversations, folks miss what is around them because their attention is not present in the room. It is on the past or in some idealized other place. Perhaps a familiar Thanksgiving prayer is particularly relevant for a time when there are alone together folks or lonely times. It is this: Be PRESENT at our table, Lord. Be HERE and everywhere adored. Thy creatures bless, and grant that we may feast and fellowship with Thee. Fellowship. FELLOWSHIP! With God or with others, fellowship always beats being alone together or just being...alone. Dont text this message. Lets write it on our hearts and make it a reality in the living of our days.

Get Active with the Outreach Committee!

During these colder months, in an effort to help you keep your muscles toned and ready for next years outdoor outreach activities, the Outreach Committee invites you to assist with the indoor calisthenics of repackaging and delivering the fruits of UCUMCs collection drives. Three such opportunities happen in the near future, all on Sunday immediately following worship (approximately 12:302pm): l Sunday, November 25Repackaging and delivering the canned goods collected for the Nehemiah Mission in partnership with the youth l Sunday, December 16Sorting and packing items for Willow Schools holiday drive l Sunday, January 20Sorting, packing and delivering items for the Homeless Stand Down Please contact Doug Blank (dblank3@gmail.com or 216.538.4763) to sign up to participate in any of these opportunities for fellowship through service.

THE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE OUTLOOK

printed every four weeks as an edition of THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER for University Circle United Methodist Church Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker, Senior Pastor 1919 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 www.churchinthecircle.com; 216/421-1200 Outlook Editor: Jim Hogg outlook@churchinthecircle.com Photographers: Jeff Day, David Hughes, Brian Misch Editorial Staff: K. Shamp, E. Prince, C. Day, M. Abele