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The Outlook

an edition of

The United Methodist Reporter


Two Sections

Mayor Jackson Speaks at Church | 4A

Section A

Youth News | 8A

Whats Second Sunday Lunch? | 4A

909160 Vol. 159 No. 34 December 21, 2012

Make This Christmas Meaningful

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:
u

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

Have a very merryand meaningfulChristmas.

Watch Night Service


On New Years Eve, December 31, gather at the church at 6pm to share in a Watch Night service, reflecting on the year past and preparing for the year ahead. This service of prayer and song offers an opportunity to look back on the years events and, with that perspective, look to the new year with resolve and promise in your heart.

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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4A

THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

DECEMBER 21, 2012

MENS Group News


Our MENS groupMen Engaged in Needed Servicessponsors several speaker forums each year, featuring high-profile presenters making a positive impact on our community. The group also sponsors our September Rally Day luncheon as a welcome-back gathering after the summer months. Their member contributions and fund-raising efforts help support various programming within and beyond the church.

Lets start something new! Introducing

Second Sunday Lunch


The second Sunday of each month, after church, lets go to lunch. It will be a great opportunity to get to know each other more personally and to START A NEW TRADITION! Well choose a local restaurant (generally not too far from UCUMC). Reservations will be made, so about a week in advance well need to know who wants to join us. AND, our first SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH (SSL) will be January 13, 2013, at the Emperors Palace, 2136 Rockwell Avenue, Cleveland. This restaurant opened on September 17, 2012 and proudly has an award-winning chef from China, Chef Wong. All food is prepared from scratch (they open no cans), they use less salt and no MSG or preservatives and they make their own broths for their fabulous sauces. Lunches are $6.95, 11:00 am4:00 pm. They also offer Dim Sum from $2.50 to $4.25 per dish. Plenty of free parking is across the street and the restaurants dcor, including the statues on the sidewalk and in the foyer, were shipped from China just for this new restaurant. Directions from UCUMC: go (right) west on Chester, north (right) on East 24th and west (left) on Rockwell. The Emperors Palace is on the left, parking is in the lot on the right. For reservations, call Betz Richards @ 440235-9343 before January 9.

UMW Hosts Missionary Program


Dr. Chalker with Mayor Frank Jackson, Dave Hundertmark and Ed Dickson

~Mayor Jackson Speaks at Church


The MENS groups Community Speaks forum held on Sunday, December 9, featured Clevelands mayor, Frank Jackson, who spoke before worship to an audience of over 120 attendees. Mr. Jackson expressed appreciation for Dr. Chalker as a person and a leader in the Cleveland community and recognized him for volunteering the former First Church as an overnight site for the citys homeless women and children when no one else would step up. The mayor offered that Cleveland is currently poised to experience an exciting new era in its history, as the Medical Mart and development in other parts of the city become realities. He expressed a belief that only as Clevelands school system excels and only as ordinary citizens have a chance to increase their earnings will Frank Jackson Cleveland once again prosper. After his remarks, the mayor remained until the time of worship to answer audience questions. The MENS group, Dr. Chalker and attendees alike express their deep appreciation to Mayor Frank Jackson for sharing his Sunday morning with University Circle UMC.

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.

Willow School Thankful for Gifts of Books


Each holiday season, our church provides Christmas gifts for the children of Willow Elementary School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School Districtsomething weve done for over a decade. At the request of the schools teachers and administrators, we again provided a book for every child in support of Willows Learn to Read effort this year. The 216 Willow children in kindergarten through eighth grade received our gifts of books with genuine appreciation. Thank you for supporting this opportunity to brighten the holidays for the children of Willow School.

~Community Support Report


Proceeds from the MENS group Rally Day (excludes annual member contributions): $500 Cleveland Food Bank $500 Relief from Super Storm Sandy $300 Freedom Schools $200 Neighborhood Basketball

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

8A

THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

DECEMBER 21, 2012

~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!

Dale Goode Artwork on Display


In the hallway leading to the Yoder Room is a small collection of artwork created by member Dale Goode. Dale offered to share his creative talents with those who are an important part of his life each Sunday and beyond. These abstracts feature the use of a variety of media to create an intriguing spatial mix of shapes, textures and color. Each work evolved to become what you see displayed. Dale attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and Hiram College, with graduate studies at Kent State University. His artwork is part of many corporate and non-profit collections across northern Ohio and beyond. His work is also a part of Peter B. Lewis personal collection. Dale has an extensive collection of personal photography and artwork available through his studio. You may reach him at: dagoode1635@sbcglobal.net or 216-229-7906.

CAROLS AND DANCING


During the Christmas Eve Services, the UCUMC Liturgical Dancers will celebrate the historical significance of dance in liturgy by performing choreography based on the Traditional Popular Sacred Dances set to the modern and contemporary musical settings of Christmas carols. The Popular Sacred Dances were developed in connection with church ceremonies and festivals. It was customary to celebrate these with a processional dance and/or round or ring dances. (Linda Coleman: Worship God In Dance) One of the definitions of the noun carol is actually, An old round dance often accompanied by singing. And these Popular Sacred Dances were usually performed to the music of hymns or carols. Most carols are divided into the stanza, meaning to stand or halt and the chorus, which also meant dance. Traditionally during the stanza, the clergy or soloist danced and during the chorus the people (congregation) danced. The most common step performed during the chorus was the Tripudium, which means three steps. (L. Coleman) The basic technique underlying the Tripudium is a repetition of movement, taking three steps forward and one step backward. The UCUMC Dancers will perform a variation on the Tripudium in the Christmas Eve processional. In addition, Edna Duffy has created a choreography, based on the Tripudium set to the carol, Go Tell It on the Mountain. The motivation for the choreography is the Magi making their way to the Christ Child. The UCUMC Liturgical Dancers perform the dance on Christmas Eve and in worship on Sunday, December 30, with guest violinist Obed Shelton. Come! Hear! and See! Edna Duffy, Director UCUMC Liturgical Dance

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.

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

Deadline for the next Outlook issue is Monday, January 7, 2013 outlook@churchinthecircle.com

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