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Youth News | 8A
chalk talk
BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER
As I write these paragraphs for the December Outlook, our granddaughter, Adeline Grace, is on the eve of her second week of life among us. She is such a peanut. You would understand both my grandfatherly pride in and love for her. You would also not be surprised to read my admission that because of little Addie Graces birth just two weeks ago, I have been thinking of Christmastime in a particularly unique way this year. After all, a new grandchild at Christmas is not an annual occurrence. While holding and gazing upon our infant granddaughter during these days leading up to another remembering of Jesus birth, I have moments of being overcome by the love for a child. I cannot help thinking that such were the emotions of those persons God chose to cradle, protect and love the infant Jesus, too. The Gospel of John may begin by calling him the word made flesh, but Jesus was once an infant. A human family loved him beyond all describing. Christmas is like that. But Christmas includes other realities as well. It occurs to me, with renewed appreciation for the truth of it all, that loving people had to change the babys diapers; the swaddling clothes, as it were. And we should not overlook the truth that those swaddling clothes needed changing and washing...regularly. This is never the most joyous of an infants needs fulfillment responsibilities! There was more. There were the regular feeding and burping times. Joseph, the gaggle of shepherds and wisemen, would have been pretty useless at feeding time. Mary had to handle that every couple of hours. The guys could have provided assistance with the burping duties. But I suspect they were not lining up for that job. Christmas includes such realities. To be sure, for all of the wonder of the star over Bethlehem, Christmas was messy, too. It is still the case with Christmas. It is part wonder and joy. It is part messy and filled with Continued on back page
With this Christmas comes another opportunityanother chanceto make it a truly meaningful Christmas. With this Christmas comes a time of carols and candlelight and words of promise and love that help shape how you feel about lifeabout yourself and those around you. With this Christmas comes a time to share real joy and happiness with family and friends; a time to see the baby Jesus as the person who grew up to teach youall of us how to live life best. Make this Christmas your most meaningful Christmas yet by planning to be a part of these special services:
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Outreach Opportunity!
The Sundays of January 6, 13 and 20, the UCUMC Outreach Committee is again collecting supplies for the HandsOn Northeast Ohio Homeless Stand-Down. The committee welcomes any of the following itemsbasic things we often take for grantedto be included in muchneeded personal hygiene kits: Toothbrush Deodorant Shampoo Washcloth Razors Tampons Toothpaste Soap Conditioner Body wash Shaving cream Sanitary napkins
December 23, 11am: A CANTATASunday worship includes the cantata, Come Ye Faithful: A Service of Carols by Hal Hopson. This piece with scripture lessons and 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 CANDLELIGHT SERVICESOne of these services will warm your heart with the true meaning of Christmas: l 4pmA family-centered service with Bell Choir, FullCircle combo, Liturgical Dancers and Gospel Choir designed to captivate children of every age l 8pmOur traditional service featuring the reading of the biblical Christmas story and the music of Victoria and Rachmaninoff performed by the Chancel Choir l 11pmA contemplative, intimate service with soloists and meditative pieces that quietly celebrate the coming of the Christ Child
In addition, monetary donations to help HandsOn purchase these items are appreciated as well. A group of volunteers will assemble the kits on January 20, following worship, and lunch will be provided. Please email UCUMCOutreach@gmail.com with your RSVP to participate in this kit assembly or to ask any questions. And THANK YOU for your involvement.
New Members!
Our church family welcomed two new members during the November 18th service. With Dr. Chalker is Jack White (r), retired and living in Parma and introduced by his Faith Friend and wife, Barbara, a longtime member of First Church and UCUMC. John Tate, also retired, was introduced by Faith Friend Ed Dickson and lives in South Euclid.
A Nativity Sunday
Sunday, December 16, was quite a special Advent experience.
After members brought in nativity sets Sunday morning and shared why their displays held such meaning for them through the years, over 30 of our members spent an enlightening afternoon at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where they viewed the Art of the Nativity. This uniquely personalized tour was led by church members Kermit Greeneisen and Saundra Stemen, experienced CMA docents, with Dr. Chalker providing Biblical commentary and insight. Take advantage of new learning opportunities like this as your church makes them available. Youll be glad you did.
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On Sunday, January 6, 2013, we observe Epiphany which celebrates the coming of the Magi (Wise Men) to recognize Jesus as the son of God. Epiphany is the theme of our first potluck of the new year, and our United Methodist Women have arranged for Ms. Kevin Schaner to lead our faith family in a post-holiday introspective discussion about how we might keep the spirit of Christmas alive as we journey through the new year.
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, especially if we are saddened by the loss of someone close to us. About thirty folks facing this reality gathered in the Chapel on December 5th to experience A Service of Healing and Wholeness. Dr. Chalker shared the personal healing advice that helped him through the recent loss of his mother. And Heidi Denman offered words of promise and hope from Scripture and prayers of grace and understanding that indeed helped create a calm within. As the service concluded, folks reached out to embrace and care for each othereven those they didnt knowto help each other move beyond the hurt. There was indeed healing. Afterward, one person reacted, There wont be another gift Ill receive this Christmas that will be more meaningful to me than the one I received tonight. Unique moments like this make your church the special source of genuine love and support it is.
Prayerful Opportunities
UCUMC offers a number of ways to engage in prayer. On Sunday mornings, 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 communities and for the world. We also have a prayer chain. A number of individuals will graciously receive your concerns and pray over them. Contact Heather in the church office, via email or telephone, to leave your request. Early-risers are invited to join Heidi Denman at Einsteins Bagels in Lakewood, 14615 Detroit Avenue, Thursdays at 6:45am when she facilitates an existing weekly prayer group. They discuss scripture, share concerns and praises and pray together before heading out into the world by 7:15am. See Heidi for more information.
Merry Christmas
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~Youth News~
Gingerbread Galore!
Lots of children, tweens and teens gathered in the Great Hall on Sunday, December 16, to build and decorate gingerbread houses for Christmas! It was a delicious time, as gingerbread, frosting and candy came together to create some sensational houses. Our thanks to Amy Wheatley for arranging for this fun event, to all the teachers and leaders who helped make it happen and to all the kids who helped make the morning special. We CAN Make a Difference Food Drive a Success! Our UCUMC youth join with the Outreach Committee to give a huge Shout Out of thanks to all those who donated so generously to the We CAN Make a Difference Food Drive for the Nehemiah Mission Food Pantry. You gave well over 800 cans and boxes of food! Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of those in need. Also, a special thanks to Dan and Pam Maly for delivering the food on our behalf! Confirmation Orientation All 8th-graders are invited and encouraged to attend a brief Confirmation Orientation session for students and their families on January 13, 2013, immediately following worship. The Confirmation Program is a time of intensive preparation to help our youth decide whether or not they want to affirm their baptismal vows and become a formal member of our congregation. In addition to other activities, they will meet monthly with a mentor of their choosing to develop a statement of faith that they will share with the congregation on Confirmation Sunday, May 12, 2013. Please contact Pastor Sharon if you have any questions.
GRACENOTES
B Y N AT H A N M O T TA
Director of Music & Arts
2013 brings an air of excitement, anticipation and possibilities to University Circle United Methodist Church, and particularly to our Music & Arts program. After a moving and meaningful Advent season, we look forward to a new year that begins with a great amount of promise. Here are just a few of things ahead in the coming year: l Well celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.s legacy and Black History in January and February with special music and dance. l Were offering additional worship during that important season. l Weve talked with the youth of UCUMC about an exciting presentation in the spring, featuring music, drama, dance and more. Stay tuned! l Were excited about another summer in
the intimate and cool setting of the Great Hall, featuring soloists and small ensembles l In the fall, God willing, well be worshipping in a renovated Chancel space that will help make everything we present in worship more easily seen while enabling an easier flow to the service. This reconfiguration will expand the possible uses of this sacred space and increase the types of things we can do in worship. During a Cleveland winter, making it through the snow and cold to E. 107 St. can be difficult. But we promise to make it worth your while once youre inside the warm confines of UCUMC. Join us on Sundays and, better yet, come out to a rehearsal and participate in one of the many ensembles at UCUMC. Just like in our family of faith, ALL ARE WELCOME, ALL THE TIME!
chalk talk
Continued from front page
times when sleep is at a premiumwhen peace is in short supply and chores are unrelenting. This, too, is all a part of love made flesh. As Christmas is celebrated, once again we would do well not to oversimplify it with syrupy sentiment. There is powerful, syrupy sentiment, to be sure. But, we cant live long on a sugar high. It is, among other things, dangerous. There must be more to our spiritual diet than sugar. Indeed, Christmas is far more complex than silent night, holy night. The Word Made Flesh is sometimes messy, sometimes not so pleasant but always conveying the abiding truth that God is with us through it allthrough whatever it is with which we are living. So, it is true; there is this: Star Child, Christ Child, Gods stupendous sign. Yet, it is not a one- dimensional sign; God is always in 3D! Always a rainbow; always a coat of many colors in which the Holy One is wrapped.
This year, this year, may the day arrive when Christmas is welcomed in all of its wonder and responsibility by everyone alive. May it be so. Among other things, this can be a helpful thought when its time to change the diaper...again.
Deadline for the next Outlook issue is Monday, January 7, 2013 outlook@churchinthecircle.com