TheOutlook

University Circle United Methodist Church

where all are welcome all the time
December 2013

chalk talk
BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER

hanksgiving, Christmas and New Year observances are imminent. Whether we are awash in preparations, looking forward to events, planning low-key time away from mall traffic and expanded hours or a holiday mix (which beats a wintry mix) of all those things, the holidays are indeed imminent. No matter the imminent celebration of the season, however, the meanings at the base of each holiday to which our calendared, special days point can be threatened by all our doings and our schedules to keep. The meanings can also be challenged by the emotion-charged nature of these several endof-the-year holidays. Examples? A couple come to mind: 1. Nostalgia for holiday times past, for instance, can obscure the present. A good corrective for nostalgia can be looking at some old, family pictures and realizing that our nostalgia is often laden with selective memory. 2. Spiritual Nostalgia can be a real spirit-killer, diminishing or even eliminating our ability to celebrate or find great meaning in the present-tense joy of the holiday. Spiritual nostalgia results, in part, from an immersion in the all-too-frequent clich that the present holidays are overly commercialized; that all we have left is a cheap Xmas where Christ used to be. But the commercialization of Christmas is nothing new; overcoming the bah, humbug attitude of observing Christmas has been a long standing struggle. So, maybe we just suck on another candy cane and get over it. Continued on page 5

Front row: Dr. Pamela Elliott, Sally Harper, Carrie Jones, Victoria Johnson. Back row: Thea Wilson, Lee Wilson, Dr. Chalker, Jeneba Yaskey, Keith Hamilton

New Members Welcomed

This fall our University Circle United Methodist Church family expanded once again when ten new members were welcomed during worship services on November 10 and December 1. Introduced to the congregation by their Faith Friends, these delightful folks agreed to uphold the vows of membership as Dr. Chalker declared, You are in! Please introduce yourself and personally welcome them to UCUMC. DR. PAMELA ELLIOTT is a psychiatrist who divides her time between Strongsville and Florida with her husband, Kenneth Rice. She is a fourth-generation Methodist raised at Rocky River UMC and is transferring her membership from Trinity UMC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. JULIE GAMMILL GIBSON and her family relocated to Shaker Heights from Pittsburgh last summer. She had been told to check us out by Susan Ways sister, Jane, who is a member at First UMC of Pittsburgh, from which Julie and her 13-year-old Continued on page 6

I think Ive been given a glimpse of Heaven

Our first Sunday service in October, Morven, a friend of member Heidi Denman, visited our worship service with friends and was so moved by the welcome and inspiration she received that she wrote about it in her blog the next day. Heres a shortened version of her message: Oct 7, 2013 These last few months have been really hard. There have been times that Ive just wanted to crawl under a blanket and never go out of the door again. Some very painful things have happened. A very precious friend died years before her time. Someone I trusted with my life betrayed the confidences I had shared. I discovered that other friends were bigoted against certain people groups and refused to even consider Continued on page 2

Gods Promises3

Advent Celebrations4

Help the Homeless7

University Circle United Methodist Church

December 2013

SUNDAY SECOND LUNCH (SSL)

December 8, 2013 Lets celebrate Christmas by enjoying lunch at the Edgewater Yacht Club (EYC). We have been graciously invited by John and Jan Stahl to Decembers SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH at the EYC where they are members. Located on Lake Erie adjacent to the Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Reservation at Edgewater Park, EYC was chartered in 1914 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of boating. The Clubs diverse membership and the pleasant atmosphere contribute to its reputation as the friendliest club on the lake. Lunch items range from $5 to $12 for salads, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and small plates; entres are $10 to $18. RSVP to Betz Richards @ 440-2359343, or email her at chefbetz1@aol.com by December 3. ALL are welcome!

I think Ive been given a glimpse of Heaven

Continued from page 1
contact and beckoned me over to offer looking at these dear people in a different welcome. way. I have been grieving for the different There was glorious singing by the choir & kinds of losses that these each represent. the people. Some of it was in foreign So, it was utter delight when precious new languages with translation provided, some friends reached out to us and invited my was relatively new to me, some was of the dear husband and me on an adventure, and what a old hymn variety. There were liturgical delight it was. They took us to their favorite dancers, and both women & men took part in place of worship, a beautiful cathedral in the service. Cleveland named University Circle United The pastor modeled sensitivity and grace Methodist Church, lovingly known as the from the get-go. As the men and women who church of the holy oil can because of its were to serve communion gathered around spire. Ive lived the table to receive overseas and have their communion first, seen many cathedrals, the pastor went to but this one was each one, calling them unique to any I had by name and offering visited before. blessing. There was a The first difference very elderly couple in was that in every one of the pews ahead single entrance stood a of us, and the woman young person, was struggling with probably around getting up and college age, welcoming participating in us. There was life communion. No . . .where all are here! Within seconds matterthe pastor of entering the brought communion welcome, all the time. beautiful building, it to her and to all the They werent kidding. was pretty obvious others who were that this was a colorful unable to walk to the venueevery single hue of the human race table. And there was gluten-free communion was represented, and it was for celiac types like me. Wow. I FELT glorious. Different ethnic groups were WELCOME! wearing gorgeous garments, there were The sermon was on Luke 17:510, having babies & children, lots of white heads & loads faith like a mustard seed, which I had heard of young people, well-dressed individuals and a hundred or more times before. But this many people from the other end of the social interpretation was different. On too many scale, all equally represented. I saw people in occasions, believers have been erroneously wheelchairs, or with walkers, and some who told by perhaps well-meaning people that had mental disorders, and caring people their faith wasnt strong enough or (else) around them, making sure that every one of their cancer would be cured, that they their needs was met. wouldnt be in financial crisis, that their child And I was welcomed, perhaps like I have wouldnt use drugs, or whatever. If they just never felt welcomed as a stranger in a church believed it would all magically go away! This for a long, long time. There may have been passage isnt about magic, its about the one or two people who didnt give me eye promise of Gods presence when we are in the contact, or reach out and take my hand and pain. The pastor said, No matter how small give me a glorious smile, but I didnt see you evaluate yourself, in Gods eyes, you are them. It didnt matter my color, my age, my enough. social standing, how I was dressed, my sexual When the service was eventually done and orientationI was welcome. In fact, the sign the people were slowly leavingI whispered to outside the church said it all: where all are my friend sitting next to me, I think I have welcome, all the time. They werent kidding. been given a glimpse of Heaven today. Surely There was the bit at the beginning of the that is what it will be like when we get there service where I normally cringe. You know, people of every shape & size, color & hue, the bit where you are asked to greet your sexuality & political persuasionbecause neighboroh joybut this time was different. NONE of it will matter anymore! All running These people really meant it. They came from to greet one another, giving each other eye all over the church to welcome us, not just contact and glorious smiles, and making from the surrounding pews. Even a lady in a everyone feel welcome as we gather together wheelchair made an effort to give me eye to worship our LORD. Praise be to God.

New Schedule for Ruach

Ruach is a regular practice of meditation, contemplation and reflection shared in community while in a sacred space. It is a time away from the clamor of the world and is designed to deepen our spiritualityto rest, reflect and heal. Ruach uses the space, music, periods of silence and both sacred and secular literature as a means for entering a still and contemplative place. There are three more dates left in 2013: Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7pm and the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 12:15pm. However, beginning January 6, Ruach will be offered weekly on Mondays at 12:15pm, 5:30pm and 7pm, providing an opportunity to create a more regular practice of using meditation and contemplation. We look forward to seeing you. ~Juliette Regnier, Coordinator

December 2013

University Circle United Methodist Church

Y UTHNEWS
Gods Promises
Uth Get Bishops Perspective
Twelve youth and adults attended the closing worship service for the Commission on Religion and Race North Central Jurisdictional Learning Event that was held here in Cleveland in mid-October. They had a special opportunity to visit with Bishop Julius Trimble and his wife, Racelder, following the worship. This was an excellent opportunity for our youth to experience the broader United Methodist Church connection and to hear the bishops more global concerns about the future of our denomination. Promise is a concept weve been thinking about in Sunday School this fall. We began by focusing on the story of Gods promise to Abraham and Sarah that one day your family will come to number more than even all the stars in the sky and all the sand that is on the seashore. You will be my special family, my people, and through you everyone on earth will be blessed! We made beautiful jars filled with colored sand and wrote the names of our own family members on stars (take a look at our wall!) to remind us of this promise. To help our children think about promises, we also invited Alice Palda, a member of our church family and a gifted storyteller, to visit with us. Alice told the story of Peach Blossom, a girl who makes a promise to her family and must figure out a way to keep that promise. In addition to being enthralled by Alices storytelling, the children loved making their very own origami designs that were an integral part of Peach Blossoms story. Now, as we prepare for Advent, we are hearing the story of Isaiah, the prophet who told of Gods promise to send a Savior. We are learning that God always keeps his promises! ~Amy Wheatley, Director of Education

Pizza with the Pastor has been a fun and meaningful opportunity for Dr. Chalker to connect with our youth. He met with the High Schoolers after worship on the last Sunday of October and with the Middle Schoolers on the last Sunday of November. This has been an informal, entertaining chance for the youth to get better acquainted with the pastorand visa versaand to enjoy some great pizza at the same time! The Youth will be singing in worship on Sunday, December 15. There will be rehearsals at noon on both December 1st and 8th for all who are interested in participating. This will be a cool way for our youth to take part in a service while introducing the congregation to new faith understandings. ~Rev. Sharon Seyfarth-Garner and Dawn and Fred McElrath

U th Fun!

As a University Circle UMC youth, FullCircle combo drummer Tim Seyfarth-Garner has stepped up to offer his talent, so that the special music we hear during many Sunday services can happen. Thanks, Tim!

University Circle United Methodist Church

December 2013

GRACENOTES
Its the most wonderful time of the year, and boy do we have a line-up of exciting things to bring to the UCUMC congregation this Advent Season. The theme for this Advent seasons is Love Came Down at Christmas, which youll hear played, sung and rung during the month of December! Take a look at whats coming up as we celebrate Christmas and prepare for a joyous 2014 to come! Sunday, December 1 at 7pm the Mount Union Concert Choir and Womens Choir will present a beautiful concert of Christmas music not to be missed, complete with a chamber orchestra and our very own organist, Joanna Li! (See separate description) Love Came Down at Christmas will be used throughout Advent, including as played by the Bell Choir, sung by the Chancel Choir, played by FullCircle and sung as a hymn. Chancel Choir offers the beautiful Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent on the first Sunday of Advent. The Bell Choir shares tunes such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, and Love Came Down at Christmas through the season. The Liturgical Dancers present a moving Advent interpretation on Sunday, December 8. The Youth offer a selection accompanied by FullCircle on Sunday, December 15. Dont miss it! Keep an eye out for Jeanie Vargo and our wonderful Gospel Choir as they bring musical offerings throughout Advent and Christmas Eve! Sunday, December 22, our Chancel Choir sings an Advent Cantataa compilation of exceptional anthems and carol arrangements accompanied on organ and piano by Joanna Li, with guest artist David Kasper on soprano saxophone. Be sure to attend this Sunday morning service.

Christmas Eve features an evening of three services:

4pmThis service includes the Bell Choir, Liturgical Dancers and fun carols

for the whole family to enjoy.

8pmA moving service featuring our Chancel Choir, string quartet and oboe in

a candlelight service to celebrate this special night

11pmThe FullCircle combo and various soloists lead this Midnight Mass,

sure to be a contemplative time of meaningful worship. Im exhausted just typing all of that! How wonderful it is to have so many talented and generous people offering music and arts as an expression of worship during this special time of year. This is a GREAT time to bring a friend to a worship service or perhaps even try out an ensemble yourself. Our churchs motto goes for Music and Arts ensembles as well: All are welcome, all the time! Peace. ~Nathan Motta, Director of Music and Arts

Mount Union Performs Christmas Festival

Entitled When the Stars Held Their Breath, this years Christmas Festival performed by the University of Mount Union Concert Choir and Cantus Femina, accompanied by strings, is the first performance of this Advent season musical celebration outside the Alliance, Ohio community. Established in 2011, this annual festival now features nearly 100 student musicians from the Universitys choral and string programs and will include selected readings as well as traditional carols. Admission is free, and all are invited to join Mount Union alumni and parents at 7pm, Sunday, December 1, in appreciation of this groups exceptionally talented tribute to the Christmas message.

Gospel Choir Wants YOU!

If you can carry a tune, maybe have sung in a choir or just love to sing and are willing to share your talent in church, JOIN us Thursdays at 7pm for a fun time as the University Circle UMC Gospel Choir rehearses in the Chapel. Additional rehearsals are available Sundays at 9:30 in the Chapel. Contact Jeanie Vargo for more information; jeaniecameron@att.net.

THE U NIVERS ITY C I R C LE OU TL OOK

Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker, Senior Pastor 1919 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 www.churchinthecircle.com; 216.421.1200 Outlook Editor: Jim Hogghoggwriter@gmail.com Photographers: Jeff Day, David Hughes, Brian Misch Editorial Staff: K. Shamp, E. Prince, C. Day, M. Abele

December 2013

University Circle United Methodist Church

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE

We have many opportunities to be part of the prayer ministry of UCUMC: Sunday mornings following worship, in the No Limits Room; Tuesday mornings at Panera at Tiedeman and I-480 (8:30am); Wednesday mornings at Einsteins in Lakewood (6:45am); and our email chain. In the coming weeks, we will be adding a telephone prayer chain ministry to the mix. And if you would like to be part of this new venture, give me a call at 216-235-2562 ***** Are you beginning to make that shopping list for the holidays? Starting to feel the stress as the wish list exceeds the budget? Why not step back and re-focus your heart on the real meaning of Christmas? The Uppity Women Sunday school class, which meets at 9:00 Sunday mornings in the Parlor, will be taking part in The Advent Conspiracy, beginning December 1. Worship More. Spend Less. Change the World. ***** Its not even Thanksgiving yet, and the stores are filled to

overflowing with Christmas cheer. But for some of us, a loss perhaps of a loved one, a job, even a dreammay leave us feeling less than cheerful. The world invites us to Eat, drink and be merry, but maybe we just dont feel like celebrating. If this sounds familiar, why not give your tired soul a rest and join us Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00pm for a Service of Healing and Wholeness. 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. There will also be opportunity for extended prayer time and laying on of hands, as desired. This is just one of several opportunities that will be available over the weeks and months ahead to face and find ways to deal with grief, personal loss and recovery following a loss. If any of them touches your need for healing, youre encouraged to be a part of them as they are introduced. ~Heidi Denman, MDiv, Minister of Pastoral Care

What Should Church Be?

Maybe you know it already, but your church has a Marketing Committee. Most churches dont. We do. We do because, with our merger, we recognized the need to find ways to promote the unique nature, the inclusive culture of this congregation. And one of the committees goals has been the creation of a pamphlet that would summarize what were about, so we could share who we are with those around us. This September, after months of member brainstorming and refinement, the committee introduced a tool you can use to help tell others what your church is about. Created by Jim and Kay Hogg using the committees input, and designed by Outlook artist Dale Bryant, this SHOULDNT CHURCH brochure can prompt readers who agree with each question to make their way to our church, where your positive reaction to their visit verifies what this pamphlet says we are all about. Pick up a few copies next Sunday and hand or mail them to your friends. Invite them to take part in one or more of this holiday seasons many unique offerings at University Circle UMC. You can do this because, by now you know, theres nothing quite like your church. Theyll thank you for sharing this church, this spiritual jewel with them for years to come. And youll know that you helped build a legacy of inclusiveness this faith family so dearly wants to perpetuate, not only within this wonderful circle but throughout this great city and beyond.

Holiday Happiness
Continued from page 1 In the faithful pursuit of holiday happiness born of renewed meaning, we might find it helpful to carve out time in the weeks ahead to focus not on nostalgia, but on gratitude, joy and making resolution to take a new direction in dealing with old challenges. It can be pretty demanding work. But, the resulting spiritual experience and insight will create a seasonal energy far superior to anything nostalgican energy far superior to the frustration and exhaustion resulting from too many trips to stores promising to supply all your holiday needs. Contemplating gratitude and joy and making resolution to take a new direction in dealing with old challenges. Sounds to me like time well spent.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

SEE YOU IN CHURCH

9:00Uppity Women class, Parlor 9:30Bible 101 class, Yoder Room 11:00Children and Youth groups meet 11:00Worship in the Sanctuary Visit us at www.churchinthecircle.com.

University Circle United Methodist Church

December 2013

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING

Sunday, December 15
Gumdrops, peppermints, M&Ms and candy canes Its time for our annual Gingerbread House Decorating Event. Children, youth and the young at heart (ages 299!) are invited to join in the fun and decorate a gingerbread house for Christmas. Sunday, December 15 in the Great Hall following worship, our church family will gather for a Christmas potluck. And youre invited for lunch. The main dish and dessert will be provided, and youre asked to bring a side dish to share. During the potluck, well provide the houses and all of the candy needed to those who wish may decorate their very own holiday gingerbread masterpiece. A $5 donation is requested for each house and advance reservations are required by December 8th so that we will have enough supplies for everyone who wants to participate. Tickets will be sold outside the church office before and after worship. Bring your friends and a child you love to church on December 15 to experience food, fellowship and gingerbread fun!

Finance Update
During the month of October, nearly one hundred of our members participated in neighborhood meetings organized by the Finance Committee. We used these opportunities not only to share information about the churchs finances, but also to gather information from our participants about what they value about UCUMC and what their dreams are for its future. In every one of our 17 meetings, the two qualities valued most about our church were its diversity and inclusivity. We also learned about the most appreciated programs and most important concerns for the future of University Circle UMC. This information will help us define a specific growth plan for UCUMC. Here are a few more of the many things we learned: l What do we think God loves about UCUMC? Genuine friendliness Joyful worship l What are our most important programs? Neighborhood Basketball and Neighborhood Lunch Dr. Chalkers classes Music & Arts l What concerns do we have? Transition plan for Dr. Chalkers eventual retirement Maintaining an aging facility Making the chancel open, bright, welcoming, and visible In those meetings we discussed the challenges we face financially, particularly without the lease income from our E. 30th property that had helped sustain us to the tune of $200,000 per year since our two congregations merged. Because we believe in our programming, which cannot survive without personnel, we have not proposed drastic cuts for the 2014 Budget. However, our endowment simply cannot cover recurring shortfalls of $200,000 per year in addition to capital repairs. For these reasons, we are asking you to prayerfully consider how you might increase your giving in the remainder of 2013 and in 2014 so that our church, a truly remarkable blessing from God, can continue to provide services and benefits to us and to our community. Please know that we are not asking the congregation to shoulder the entire burden. Dr. Chalker is working daily and tirelessly on a solution for our East 30th property: a long-term tenant, a buyer, or most preferably both. In addition, in the first half of 2014, staff and lay leadership will develop a plan for growth that will be presented to our Finance Committee, Trustees and Administrative Council and then shared with everyone. On behalf of the Finance Committee and leadership of University Circle United Methodist Church, thank you for your prayerful consideration of these requests and for the efforts you make to help our church be the spirit-filled, life-giving, dynamic place it is. ~Nicole Lewis, Finance Committee Chair

New Members Welcomed

Continued from page 1
daughter, RUBY GIBSON, transferred their membership. Julie is a stay-at-home mother to Ruby, Everett and Eva and is married to Michael Gibson. Ruby had been confirmed at her church in Pittsburgh, so she joined UCUMC along with her mother and has already become active with our Youth Group. KEITH HAMILTON was raised in Cleveland and has returned to Warrensville Heights to be closer to his parents after living in California and Nevada for twenty years working as a distributions manager. He is the father of three grown children and has reconnected with Lisa Taylor and her family since moving back to the area. SALLY HARPER began attending UCUMC this summer after finding our website and seeing the ad for our church at the Cedar Lee Theater. She had just moved to Berea from Rochester, NY, with her partner, Jim Vanar. During their first Sunday in worship, Jim recognized Jim Hogg as a childhood friend and Sally met some of our other Berea members and decided this is where she wanted to be! She is a retired librarian who also spends part of the year in Florida but now calls UCUMC her church home, transferring from Asbury First UMC in Rochester. VICTORIA JOHNSON was invited to UCUMC by her friends, Carrie and George Hicks, and, because of Dr. Chalkers sermons and the warmth with which she was greeted on her first visit, decided to join. She is a benefits analyst for Key Bank, lives in Cleveland Heights and is transferring her membership from Church of the Redeemer. CARRIE JONES arrived in Cleveland late this summer as a viola student at Cleveland Institute of Music. She had planned to check out churches in the area but came to UCUMC first and never left! She is from Winnetka, IL, and is transferring from Trinity UMC in Wilmette, IL. She is one of three sisters TRIPLETS!each attending colleges in various places. Carrie has already shared her beautiful musical talent with us, and we look forward to more opportunities to enjoy her contributions to our worship experience. THEA and LEE WILSON also visited UCUMC at the invitation of the Hicks, their friends of 25 years. Thea had a long career as an educator and administrator in the Cleveland Municipal School District and is currently the Education Administrator with The Music Settlement. Lee works in inventory control, and they live in South Euclid. The couple has three grown children, and they are transferring membership from Church of the Redeemer. JENEBA YASKEY, originally from Sierra Leone, is a graduate of the University of Mt. Union and lives in Shaker Heights with her husband, Arthur Yaskey. She is a benefits administrator for Key Bank and also began attending UCUMC at the invitation of her friends, the Hicks (Do we see a pattern here?). Jeneba is transferring her membership from Church of the Redeemer. She appreciates Dr. Chalkers preaching and the warm and friendly people of UCUMC. ~Judy Sockman, Coordinator of Membership and Volunteers

December 2013

ALL ARE WELCOME ALL THE TIME

Outreach Action
I N
This December, the Outreach Committee is organizing the collection of outerwear for the January 2014 Homeless Stand Down. Our biggest need is new or nearly new waterproof, insulated gloves and waterproof boots. During Advent, a tree will be decorated with these donated items as a show of our annual support for this important cause. Organized by HandsOn Northeast Ohio, the Homeless Stand Down provides homeless individuals, families and veterans a day of respite from the elements, renewal of the human spirit and reconnection to needed services that assist in the totality of human wellness and sustainability. This excerpt from a 2012 Cleveland.com article by Brian Albrecht describes a few of the many ways the Stand Down improves a day in the lives of Clevelands homeless and those who help them. Bob Crosen, a Marine veteran, clutching a bag of clothes during his seventh Stand Down visit, (states,) There are more kids here than last year, but theyve got to survive, too. Every year this crowd gets bigger and bigger, but every year the supplies go down. The soft hum of electric clippers drifted from one corner of the auditorium where the floor got furry as six hair stylists groomed a steady stream of clients. Maria McKee, 55, wearing a party hat and a red shirt matted with loose hair, said that ever since she started volunteering at Stand Downs eight years ago, she stopped accepting money for her work and only does haircuts for the homeless at various shelters. There is tipping, though, that she bestows on each client in the form of a hug and a kiss. My heart goes out to these people, she said, because any one of us could be there tomorrow. Thank you for supporting this important effort with your gifts of gloves and boots, as well as donations you may give to UCUMC and designate for the Homeless Stand Down. ~Doug Blank, Chair, Outreach Committee

United Methodist Women Holiday Fundraiser

The UMW is again selling the delicious Georgia Pecans for the holidays. Same price as last yearone pound package for only $11. Most Sunday mornings the UMW cart will be in the lobby area outside the Reception Room for your convenience. There also is a variety of Equal Exchange coffee, teas, and chocolates for your holiday shopping.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District CEO Eric Gordon addressed an invested audience at the MENS Groups October Speakers Forum. Pictured [l-r]: Ed Dickson, Dave Hundertmark, Eric Gordon and Dr. Chalker.

Neighborhood Basketball, Halloween and Awards

On Monday, October 28, our church hosted a special Trickor-Treat Night in the Great Hall for participants in the Neighborhood Basketball program and other children of our neighborhood. Church members in costume handed out candy and led kids in several fun games. Entertainment included young tumblers from a neighborhood tumbling group, and prizes were awarded to children with the most impressive costumes as determined by several basketball players who took a break to participate in the fun. Coordinator Hassan Lee expressed great appreciation to all who gave of their time to participate in this positive neighborhood event, which attracted over 60 children and adults. That appreciation was reciprocated, as Hassan was recognized for his hard work, organizing this successful and novel neighborhood event. ***** Most of the funding for this Neighborhood Basketball program comes through a grant from Neighborhood Connections, a Cleveland Foundation organization supporting grassroots community improvement programming. November 2, Hassan Lee was presented this organizations Exchange and Mutual Support Award at their annual awards ceremony and gala reception, professionally planned by our own Kitty McWilliams. This award goes to individuals who utilize their talents and those of others to improve the community with grant support from Neighborhood Connections. Congratulations to Hassan for creating programs and volunteer opportunities that make not only our neighborhood but our church a better place.

You Can Make Christmas Bigger and Better

UCUMC Outreach is excited to announce a new partnership with Flat Rock Homesa community near Tiffin in Seneca County that provides housing and care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. UCUMC member Amanda Nicol is Flat Rocks Director of Development. One of the most important annual events at Flat Rock is Christmas, and this year each of us can help make Christmas bigger and better at Flat Rock by participating in the Christmas gift donation drive. We have been asked to help by donating certain items and/or financial resources. (Checks payable to UCUMC and designated for Flat Rock Homes Christmas.) Duplicate items are ok, and everything we deliver must be on the list. Donations will be accepted through Sunday, Nov. 24, which may occur prior to this Outlooks delivery date. If not, consider donating NEWLY PURCHASED items in SPECIFIC categories: 1. DVD/VCR players 2. Life Jackets (M, L and XL) 3. Bedding/Sheets (see bulletin or call the church office for a specific list of bedding items) The Outreach Committee looks forward to making this years giving event a true success. Thank you.

University Circle United Methodist Church 1919 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106

University Circle United Methodist Church

December 2013

Whats Happening
Find additional information about these coming events and others at www.churchinthecircle.com
DECEMBER
1 Worship at 11am, Celebration of First Sunday of Advent Potluck postponed until Dec. 15 Mount Union Choir Concert, 7pm, Sanctuary 4 Service of Healing, 7pm, Chapel 6 Ruach, 12:15pm, Narthex 8 Circlefest: Cleveland Childrens Chorus Orchestra, 14pm, Sanctuary Second-Sunday Lunch 10 Ruach, 7pm, Narthex 15 All-Church potluck and Christmas celebration following worship, with Gingerbread Decorating, Great Hall 20 Ruach, 12:15pm, Narthex 22 Christmas Cantata, 11am 24 Christmas Eve services, 4, 8, 11pm 25 Christmas Day 29 Neighborhood Lunch, 1pm, Great Hall 31 Watch Night Service, 6pm First-Sunday Potluck, following worship, Great Hall 6 Ruach (NEW SCHEDULE) 12:15, 5:30, 7pm 12 Second-Sunday Lunch, following worship 13 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex 20 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex 21 Finance Committee, 6-7:30, Reception Room 26 Neighborhood Lunch, 1pm, Great Hall 27 Ruach, 12:15, 5:30, 7pm, Narthex 28 Lunch Bunch, noon, Wiggle Room

JAN UARY
5 Worship at 11am, Communion

Participate in and/or assist with these Events & Opportunities:

Neighborhood Basketball, Monday and Thursday evenings Neighborhood Volleyball, Wednesday evenings Neighborhood Lunch, last Sunday of month (assist) Second Sunday Lunches (SSL) after worship Lunch Bunch, noon, last Tuesday of month (except Nov.Dec.) MENS Speaker Forum, quarterly MENS Saturday Lunch, quarterly Chancel Ringers (hand bells), 6pm, Wednesday Chancel Choir, 7:15pm, Wednesday Gospel Choir, 7pm, Thursday Liturgical Dance, 9:30am, 12:30pm, Sunday FullCircle Combo, Sunday mornings Ruach: in 2014, Mondays (see article) Dr. Chalkers Bible 101 class, 9:30am, Sunday Uppity Women class, 9am, Sunday