UMYF Thanks YOU!

United Methodist Youth Fellowship would like to thank all those who purchased tickets and/or attended Sunday's taco feed at Las Margaritas. Over $600 was raised for UMYF! An extra special thanks also goes out to Jose at Las Margaritas for his generous donation of facility and food.


UMYF is fundraising for two big events this year. The first event is coming up in March. Youth will travel to San Francisco for a mission trip to Glide Memorial again. In late July they have plans to attend the National Methodist Youth Gathering in Sacramento. The National Youth Gathering is an extra exciting opportunity because it rarely takes place out west. Between these two events our youth will be working to raise nearly $7K. Your support is most appreciated.


Coming in February... second annual Stockholders Sale! Plan to purchase a "share" of UMYF stock (or perhaps 2 or 5 or 10 shares!) and invest in the spiritual growth of our youth. At $10 a share you won't find a better investment! As a stockholder you will receive correspondence from the youth while they are traveling on their mission and youth gathering trips. You will also be cordially invited to the Stockholders Banquet next fall to enjoy a lovely meal and a presentation on this year's youth events.

MAC Happenings!!

The Ministry of Arts and Crafts!

Scrapbooking 101

Look what a great morning of fun and fellowship produced!

Clipboards you could take anywhere!

Our next MAC workshop will take place on Saturday, Feb. 5th.

Valentines for your Valentine with Trudy Rollison.

Come check out this great new ministry!



Welcome 2011

Pastor Gayle and Pastoral Assistant Molly Bryant, discussing "what needs to be done" before Sunday.

(Psalms 119:105) 

 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

From "The History of our Church"

on the official United Methodist Church website

(click on this link to take you to the website)

United Methodists often joke about the many organizational layers of church life, but, as members of other denominations have been heard to say: “If you want something done, get the Methodists to do it.” Followers of the Wesleys are indeed “methodical” about the ways they approach mission and ministry.

One reason United Methodists are able to accomplish great things is the church’s emphasis on “connectionalism.” It is common to hear United Methodist leaders speak of the denomination as “the connection.” This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning.

The United Methodist Church, which began as a movement and a loose network of local societies with a mission, has grown into one of the most carefully organized and largest denominations in the world. The United Methodist structure and organization began as a means of accomplishing the mission of spreading Scriptural Holiness over the land. John Wesley recognized the need for an organized system of communication and accountability and developed what he called the “connexion,” which was an interlocking system of classes, societies, and annual conferences. (UM Member’s Handbook, p 24)

No local church is the total body of Christ. Therefore, local United Methodist churches are bound together by a common mission and common governance that accomplish reaching out into the world. United Methodist churches and organizations join in mission with each other and with other denominations.

Connectionalism shows through the clergy appointment system, through the developing of mission and ministry that United Methodists do together, and through giving.

An example of connectionalism: Mission work around the world, whether it be a new university in Africa or bicycles for Cuban pastors, is the work of “the connection,” as opposed to the work of a single congregation.

Happy New Year!

Youth Fellowship Saturday

The United Methodist Youth Group helps with a

Youth Fellowship Saturday

Where they hosted children 6th grade and under, for a craft project, lunch and fellowship, while the parents of the youth got a free Saturday morning out.

Rumor has it that this will become a monthly Saturday fellowship for the youth.

A Message from the Pastor

Greetings!


May we all experience the peace, joy, love and hope of this holiday season. It's a tall order to fill, given the many distractions during this time of year:  family visits, feasts, Xmas lists, Xmas parties, pageants, community events, baking, greeting cards and oh, yes...shopping.  Whew!  Finding time for the peace, love, joy and hope of Christmas is challenging.
We can find it though, even as we prepare daily for the celebration on the 25th. Yes we can   find the peace, love, joy and hope of the Christ Child. It requires our intentions be to put God first, at the top of our list in all that we do. 
God first before shopping, baking, Xmas lists, etc?  What might that look like as we prepare to hit Walmart or drive to Reno  for holiday shopping?  Maybe you take a deep breath, pray for patience or a prayer that this year, your joy is found in the abundance of blessings that permit you to "shop till you drop."
In baking?  Maybe you light a candle in the kitchen as you prepare meals, cookie dough or cakes.  We are reminded that the Light the Christ Child shines on us, can be shared with others.
Whether you're making a list and checking it twice, is the Christ Child at the top?  Put "Baby Jesus, come into my heart" at the very top.  Let this wish top your list this year. Do all you can to prepare your heart for the coming of the Baby Jesus.
Create a heart where the peace, love, joy and hope of the Christ Child is not only felt but lived.

Peace and Love,
Gayle
*********************
Looking Ahead
January 2011

Mission! Vision!  Mission! Vision!
Our cheer for 2011as I and our 2011 Vision Team gather to discern the vision of our church for the future and the mission that will get us there. 
There may be surveys to fill out, focus groups and any number of activities to get us there, into the future with confidence and a commitment to the church God is calling us to be.
More to be revealed in the coming months about this awesome process.

***********************************************

An open in invitation to the women of the church from the
United Methodist Women

We are all together,

The United Methodist Women.

Please join us as we celebrate the

Birth of Christ

With our annual

Women’s fellowship

Potluck brunch

At

The Parsonage

(the corner of Arnold and Melarkey)

On Saturday, December 11th at 10:00a.m.

 

Bring a dish to share and your Prayer Pal revealing gift.

(if you didn’t have a Prayer Pal this year, and wish to participate in the exchange, please bring a wrapped gift to the brunch, $10-$15 limit)

(and please come even if you just want the fellowship and chose not to participate in the gift exchange.)

UMW Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale

December 4th, 2010 found the United Methodist Women, busy as bees, holding their annual Bake Sale and Craft Fair.

As  usual, a good time was had by all.

For more Craft Fair photos check out our facebook page!