FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ORANGE CITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Issue 12 December 2018

Transcription

1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ORANGE CITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Issue 12 December 2018 Worship Services December 2: 10:30am Worship Service (First Sunday of Advent, Communion) December 9: 10:30am Worship Service (Second Sunday of Advent,) December 16: 10:30am Worship Service (Third Sunday of Advent,) December 23: 10:30am Worship Service (Fourth Sunday of Advent,) December 24: 4:00pm Christmas Eve Service December 30: 10:30am Worship Service (Fourth Sunday of Advent,) No matter who you are or where you are on Life s Journey, you are welcome here.

2 David s Message In a recent sermon I mentioned an experience that theologian Paul Tillich had while serving as a chaplain in the trenches of WWI. Amid all the dirt, the horrors, and the suffering all around him he began studying art history as a means of temporary escape into another world. One day while on furlough he was touring a museum in Berlin when he came across a painting by Botticelli, which had a profound impact upon him. Writing about it many years later he said, Beauty itself shone through the colors of the paint as the light of day shines through the stained-glass windows of a medieval church I turned away shaken. He described the experience as a sort of ecstasy. Many years ago, I had a similar experience in front of a painting by Raphael. (I recently realized that in both Tillich s and my own experience the painting was on a round panel rather than the more typical rectangle hmmmm. Well, that s for another day.) Clearly, both experiences could have been purely aesthetic in nature, but I sensed something beyond the experience of beauty or, that beauty acted as a vehicle of something more profound. Tillich once stated that some works of art can function as a window unto the divine. In other words, they transport us to something beyond the visual experience perhaps, something in the realm of the holy. The Starry Night, by Vincent van Gogh hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. During my visits there I have always been frustrated by the fact that I cannot get very close to it due to the many people piled up in front of it - that I ve never been able to have some alone time with it. (I guess I can take some comfort in the fact that it does afford me the chance to have some alone time with the beautiful Rousseau that hangs nearby!) With all the other beautiful works of art surrounding it why are so many drawn to that one painting like so many moths to a flame? Is there something about it that delivers more than aesthetic experience? Could it be one of those windows that Tillich wrote about? Might we consider such experience in another direction? Is it really the case that certain works of art act as windows unto the divine, or could it be that they are in fact pathways for the divine into our souls? Peace, David Have a very nice Thanksgiving!

3 MEMO FROM THE MODERATOR. I have been asked what is happening with New Beginnings. The way time flies, it seems like we had the visit from the assessor weeks ago--and October 10 was a few weeks ago. He completed his preliminary report and asked David Westcott to review it to make sure there were no glaring mistakes. David says it is about 60 pages long and has a lot of information for us to consider. We will probably see the report in February at the end of the first House Meeting. I know I am really curious to see it and to look at the scenarios for our future that he spoke about. I am ready to get on with the process and I hope you are too. Because of the holidays, we felt it was best to schedule the leadership facilitator in early January. Jill White is coming from Indianapolis and will meet with all members and friends on Wednesday, January 16, at 2:30 p.m. She will give us more information about the House Meetings process and prepare us for the next part of the program. Please plan to attend this important meeting and learn more about how we will all be involved. This process is only as good as the work we put into it and I hope we will all begin 2019 ready to become involved in discerning what our church s future holds. Thursday, January 17, is an all-day training session for the House Meeting facilitators. There will be four House Meetings probably held at the church. The first meeting with be with everyone we will share a simple pot luck lunch and then our facilitators will lead the session. After that, we will have three groups that will meet on different days and times. You will have the opportunity to select the group that meets at the most convenient time for you. The meetings will be three to four weeks apart so you have time to digest what you have discussed. After the four meetings, the facilitators will pull together everyone s comments and present some ideas to the Church Council. These ideas will then be shared with the congregation and we will decide what are new beginnings will be. Hopefully, this answers some questions you may have. Don t hesitate to talk with me or David Westcott if you have additional questions. Please be part of this important work of the church. Many voices need to be heard as we move forward. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Invite a friend or family member to join you at worship or at one of the special Christmas activities. Give generously to the Red Bow Tree and the Christmas Fund. Celebrate this special time of year! Blessings and Peace, CHURCH NEWS Jo Pritchett

4 YEARLY EVALUATION OF THE PRIORITIES AND TOTAL MINISTRY OF OUR CHURCH January 1 will mark the first anniversary of Pastor David s ministry with our church. According to the Call Agreement, Our church accepts its responsibility to live faithfully in covenant with you, our pastor and teacher. The Call goes on to say that at the end of our first year together and every year thereafter, we will study, review and evaluate the priorities and total ministry (including staff) of our church. The Pastoral Relations Committee (Moderator and Chairpersons of the Diaconate and Board of Trustees) has taken responsibility for this and will report its findings to the Church Council. All members and friends of the church are invited to participate as we look at increasing the effectiveness of our pastor and our church s mission. On Sunday, December 2, there will be two pages for you to take home and prayerfully consider. Form A is a Pastoral Rating Guide, Form B is a Congregational Rating Guide and the last page has Reflective Questions for Members and Friends. Pastor David will also fill out Forms A and B and answer additional Reflective Questions for Clergy. If you are not in church on December 2, please call the church office and ask that the forms be mailed to you or stop by during office hours and pick them up. We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate. Forms are to be returned to the Moderator s box in Jane Murray Hall no later than following worship on December 9. During the week of December 9, the Pastoral Relations Committee will review the forms and determine how those participating felt about each question. After they have compiled the responses, they will meet with Pastor David to share them, to discuss his responses and set goals. After this meeting, a report will be given to the Church Council. Our hope is that this will help us as we move forward with the New Beginnings process and will help us all do a better job of ministry in our church. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with one of us. Faithfully, Jo Pritchett (Moderator), Barbara Peters (Diaconate Chair), Sam Bass (Board of Trustees Chair)

5 CHURCH NEWS REV. DAVID WESTCOTT will be in the office and available for calls/visits on Weds from 10am-2pm and Thurs from 1pm-3pm. If these days are not convenient other arrangements can be made TIME TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS January 14 is the deadline for submitting reports to be approved at our Annual Meeting which will be held in February. All board and committee chairs are requested to summarize their activities for 2018 and submit written reports to the church office. It is always interesting to review what has happened in the past year. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 18 Our December Council meeting will be a combined meeting of those leaving the Council and newly elected Council members. Prior to the meeting, each Board and Committee is asked to meet and determine who their Council representative or representatives will be. This meeting will be a time to thank those who are leaving the Council and welcome new members. It will also be a time to organize for 2019 and determine when and how often we will meet, so please bring your calendars. The Council will meet Tuesday, December 18, 4:00 p.m., in Jane Murray Hall. Leadership Meetings MISSION BOARD December 13, at 10:30 am (JMH) DIACONATE: December 13, at 10:30 am (JMH) TRUSTEES: December 5, at 11 am (JMH) COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday December 18, 4 pm (JMH) SAVE THE DATE Christmas Caroling Sunday December 9, 2pm We encourage everyone participate. What a wonderful way to spread the joy of the Birth of Christ. IMPORTANT NEW BEGINNINGS DATES!! Wednesday, January 16, 2:30 p.m. All members and friends of the church will meet with Jill White, New Beginnings Leadership Facilitator. At this meeting we will learn about the House Meetings and the next steps in the New Beginnings process. This meeting is for all who care about the future of our church. Meeting In Jane Murray Hall. Thursday, January 17, 8:30 a.m. 3 p.m. House Meeting facilitators and Pastor House Meeting Training. Meeting in Jane Murray Hall. CHECK YOUR FOR NEW *SPECIAL CHURCH NEWS/ UPDATES!!

6 Mission Board At the time of this writing, our Thrift Shop is almost completely dismantled. All remaining sale items and equipment will be donated, primarily to the DuVall Homes Thrift Shop. Many thanks to those who have helped with this task. CHRISTMAS IS COMING -and the Mission Board is offering several opportunities to celebrate the season appropriately by giving gifts with special meaning. Just as the Wise Men brought gifts to Baby Jesus, we can offer gifts of love and hope to the needy, both near and far. Our traditional RED BOW TREE is in the Sanctuary waiting for its trim. For all monetary donations placed in the special envelopes there, you may add bows to the tree. All donations made in this way will be used to buy fast food gift certificates to be distributed to homeless students in our local schools. This will give these special kids an opportunity to eat out during their holiday vacation. (Deadline for these donations is December 9.) This year CHURCH WORLD SERVICE has offered us the opportunity to participate in its BEST GIFT program. Check out the CWS catalog listing gifts at varying costs which can be given instead of store-bought items. Mission Board members will be available during December Fellowship Hours to assist in arranging these best gifts. Everyone who donated to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in November will be given an attractive card confirming that donation. These cards can be sent to family and/or friends to let them know that a donation has been made in their name to benefit farm workers. Mission Board members will provide cards during Fellowship Hours in December. Just ask. Each December the UCC sponsors the CHRISTMAS FUND for the benefit of retired UCC pastors and other church employees. Many of these have been retired for considerable periods and receive pensions that are not adequate. During the month special envelopes will be provided for those who wish to support this special effort. The annual offering will be received during Christmas week.

7 DECEMBER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 3 Grateful Group (FH) 7 PM 4 Sisters in Sobriety (FH) 6:30 PM 5 TRUSTEES 11 AM JMH AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 6 VIA 11am- 3pm JMH O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 7 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 1 Women s Weekend AA (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 8 Women s Weekend AA (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 9 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Christmas Caroling 2pm VMC 2:30pm (FH) Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 10 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM 11 Sisters in Sobriety (JMH)6:30pm 12 AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 13 MISSION BOARD 10:30am JMH DEACONS 10:30 am JMH O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 14 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 15 Women s Weekend AA Group (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 16 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 17 Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM 18 COUNCIL 4PM JMH Sisters in Sobriety (JMH) 6:30 PM 19 AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 20 O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 21 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 22 Women s Weekend AA Group (JMH) 10:30 AM VCS (FH) 9:00-Noon 23 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 24 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 4PM Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM District 19 (FH) 5:15-7:00 PM 25 OFFICE CLOSED Sisters in Sobriety (JMH) 6:30 PM 26 OFFICE CLOSED AA Alcoholics in God JMH 6:30-8:30pm 27 O/C Step Group (JMH) 7:30 PM 28 COA Respite Group 8:30-3PM (JMH) 29 Women s Weekend AA Group (JMH) 10:30 AM 30 Choir Practice 9:30am Worship 10:30AM Sobriety First (FH) 7PM 31 NEW YEARS EVE Grateful Group (JMH) 7 PM BIBLE STUDY Thursdays at NOON

8 COMMUNITY GROUPS MEETING AT OUR CHURCH Sunday: Sobriety First (AA) 7:00 8:00PM (FH) Monday: Grateful Group (AA) 7:30 PM (JMH) Tuesday: Sisters in Sobriety (AA) 6:30 PM (JMH) Wednesday: Alcoholics and God (AA) 6:30-8:30 PM JMH) Thursday: Orange City Step Group (JMH) 7:30 9:30 PM Friday: COA Respite Group (JMH) 8:30 AM 3:00 PM Saturday: Volusia Community Symphony 9:30 AM NOON (FH) Saturday: Woman s Weekend of AA 10:30 AM (JMH) Monday-Friday Meals on Wheels (Council on Aging) 9:00 AM -12:30 PM (FH) First Thursday of the Month VIA Orange City Women s Club (October-May) Second Sunday of the Month Volusia Music Club (FH) (Sept-May) Fourth Monday of the Month District 19, 5:15 PM (FH) Birthdays in December 9 Virginia Coles 12 Justin Bass 17 Kyle Bass 18 Jo Pritchett 20 Marion Shover 23 Alyssa Butcher 24 Karen Orcutt 26 David McCarthy

9 HAVE YOU VISITED OUR CHURCH S WEBSITE LATELY? It is full of interesting information about our local church and our denomination. David McCarthy, our webmaster, updates it frequently, so be sure to check it out on a regular basis. Please set aside some time to read about what has been taking place or will be happening among the brothers and sisters in our larger church family. We are in covenant with one another, and one way to demonstrate our caring is through this sharing. celebrateflorida@uccfla.org Information for the January Newsletter is due on Thursday December 20, you can put information in the secretary s box in Jane Murray Hall, or you can call Sharon at or you can it to firstucc_ocy@yahoo.com

10 FREE CONCERT. EVERY ONE IS INVITED DONATIONS GREATLY APRECIATED Saturday December 8th, at 2:00pm in Fellowship Hall

11 CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE WILL BE MONDAY DECEMBER 24, 4:00 PM We invite you all to come along to our church services during the season of Advent. We would like to take this opportunity to wish our Church family, Friends of the Church and all our extended family and friends a very Blessed Christmas and Peaceful New Year. No matter who you are or where you are on Life's Journey, you are welcome here