growing in 2019.pdfon ocracoke island by living four days in a tent at todd stadium! gumc preschool...

IN THIS ISSUE

November 2019 Preschool Halloween Pictures 2 Combined Worship Service 3 Sunday Service Information 4 Calendar 5 Tidbits 6-10 Grace Youth 11 Our Faith in Action 12-13 Outreach 14-15 Christian Ed/Veteran’s Rec. 16 Children 17 WEP Preschool 18-19 In Our Prayers 20 CLT Meeting Minutes 21-22 From the Pastor Back page

Celebrating God’s love, seeking God’s direction together

Growing In Grace A publication of Grace United

Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road

Newport News, VA 23606 (757)595-0017

www.graceumcnn.org [email protected]

Pastor:

Rev. Hank Teague [email protected]

SUNDAY SERVICES: Early Worship: 8:45 am Sunday School: 9:45 am

Traditional Worship: 11:00 a.m.

COMBINED SERVICE November 24, 2019

9:30 a.m.

Growing in

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Preschool Halloween Pictures

The WEP thanks everyone who made our 2nd annual Trunk or Treat a success! From the baked goods, volunteers,

decorated trunks, and hay ride everything was perfect!

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COMBINED WORSHIP/ADVENT ADVANCE

November 24th is a BIG Sunday

We Gather Together to Give Thanks

Worship on November 24th

will be extra special. Our

theme will be Giving Thanks Together. So the entire congre-

gation will gather in the Sanctuary for an exuberant yet rev-

erent blended worship service at 9:30 a.m.. Worship will art-

fully combine elements from our praise and traditional ser-

vices with expressions of thanksgiving.

The thankfulness continues after worship as we move to the

Large Fellowship Hall to get ready for the season of Advent

with an intergenerational celebration, the Advent Advance.

The Blended Service will combine both the early and late

worship services’ traditions, music, choirs and worship lead-

ers! Be a part of celebrating One Church, as we prepare for

coming of Thanksgiving and Advent!

Our Advent Advance Celebration will take place directly

after the service. Let’s gather together and enjoy fellowship

with all ages, create an Advent craft, sing carols, and play

games as we anticipate the Church’s Advent/Christmas

Season.

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Lay Worship Leaders/Scripture Readings:

November 3 — Stefan Mygas Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144 (UMH 840);

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10

November 10 — Karen Bell Haggai 1:15b-2:9; Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 (UMH 857);

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38

November 17— Teresa Robinson Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; Psalm 118 (UMH 839);

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

November 24 — Vincent Conway Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79 (UMH 208);

Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

(Readings listed are from the Lectionary and may vary for services.)

Helen Parker Joanna Simonsen

John Thompson

Sandy Fisher

November 3: Joanna Simonsen & Marian Huber November 10: Susan & Ben DeVane November 17: Jeri Davenport & Ginger Root November 24: Bob Fulcher & Pat Allen

Wes & Marie Boyd

Sunday Service Information

Altar Flower Schedule

November 10—Joan Heaton December 8—Available

November 17—Available December 15 & 22—Poinsettias

November 24—Lou Thomas December 29—Available

You may sign up by calling the church (757-595-0017) or by writing

your name on the flower calendar on the office door. Flowers may be

donated in memory/honor of a person or occasion or simply to the

glory of God.

Lauchnor Lamb

We need musicians

and singers for the

Advent/Christmas

season.

Contact Dan Jackson

(565-0542) for more

information

or to volunteer.

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7:30 Mocha Monday

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5

6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

November 2019

CALENDAR

7:30 Mocha Mon 10:30 Pts./Grace

4:00 Outreach Committee 4:30 Pastor Pop-In

4:30 Pastor Pop-in

4:30 Pastor Pop-In 5:00 Handbells 6:00 Praise Choir 6:15 Chancel Choir

4:30 Pastor Pop-In 7:00 Witness Committee

Veterans Recog-nition Sunday 1:30pm Charge Conference

Veterans Day 7:30 Mocha Mon 9:00 ABC B’fast 1:30 Mary/Martha

All Saint’s Sunday 5:30pm Youth

6:00 Youth/YA Bible Study

4:30 Pastor Pop-In 5:00 Handbells 6:00 Praise Choir 6:15 Chancel Choir

3:30 Worship Com. 4:30 Pastor Pop-In 5:00 Handbells 6:00 Praise Choir 6:15 Chancel Choir

November News-letter & CLT Reports Due

7:30 Mocha Mon 10:30 Pts./Grace 7:00 S. Wesley

7:30 Mocha Monday

Native American Sunday

6:00 Movie Night “Heaven Is for Real”

4:30 Pastor Pop-in 7:00 CLT Meeting

6:00 Youth Visits

PORT Overnight Shelter for the Homeless @ Penninsula Korea Baptist Church

Volunteer Opportunities Available See Page 15 for more information.

6:00 WNAG Thanksgiving Dinner & Bake Sale

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ONLINE/MOBILE GIVING PLATFORM:

Here are the instructions to access the Aware3

online & on the mobile giving platform:

1: Text GIVE to (757)778-8591. You'll

receive a text message with instructions.

2: Visit our church website: http:www/

graceumcnn.org and click on the "Online

Giving" page. Follow the giving instructions to

set up your online/mobile gift.

Giving options are the same as the previous plat-

form. Feel free to make financial gifts by

setting up a direct gift from your checking

account or pay by credit card.

Security There have been several instances lately of doors being left unlocked, or not fully

closed even though locked. Some of this has been helped by trimming door edges,

sanding frames, or adjusting locks, but mostly we need to pay a bit closer attention to

the exterior doors when we leave. They may still need a bit of a nudge to fully close as

temperatures fluctuate. Everyone's help will be greatly appreciated.

Thermostats Since we are transitioning from warm to cooler weather the

boiler has been turned back on and seems to be working

fine. During the next few weeks there are likely to still be days

warm enough to warrant some A/C time. IF YOU DO

SELECT a temperature/function other than the presets, please

insure you have returned the thermostat to the programmed set-

tings. This will not only help keep our utility bills down a bit, it

improves the odds that our well used systems last a bit longer.

Greeter Captains

January/July Billie Ballard February/August Gloria Champine

March/September Betty Sharpe April/October Bob Fulcher

May/November Marian Huber June/December Betty Jo Jackson

Please try to have the names of your greeters in to the church office by the 15th of the month.

Miss Sunday morning worship? You can listen to the sermon on the church website: www.graceumcnn.org.

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Remember to visit us on Facebook!

JOIN US! The Adult Breakfast Club (ABC)

will meet at the Warwick Restaurant, 12306 Warwick

Blvd., Newport News, Monday, November 11, at 9:00 am.

BUDGET UPDATE THROUGH OCTOBER 27, 2019

BUDGETED $229,448 RECEIVED $211,362

Our church has changed our email to

[email protected]. We can no longer receive email at

[email protected] com.

Please update your records.

Sunday, November 3rd

Rise Against Hunger Food Packaging Event

Hidenwood Presbyterian Church 414 Hidenwood Blvd, NN 23606 Saturday, November 9 @ 10am

Ages 5 to 105! 757-596-1151

4 Ford McFall 17 Wes Boyd, Jr.

7 David Thomas 18 Sandy Fisher

8 Jimmy Simonsen 21 Garrett Ouzts

12 Susie Wornom Tina Fields

Marie Boyd 22 Zo’e Headley

Wendy Knight 25 Ruth Huber

14 Nora Simonsen Christopher McDonald

15 Mickey Garrett 27 Louise Knemeyer

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DON’T FORGET OUR ON-GOING COLLECTIONS:

• Travel-size toiletries

• Coupons for the Good Samaritan Fund

• Shoes for THRIVE

• Magazines for the Berkeley Community

• Bingo prizes

Just drop off your donations in the Outreach bins by the

office and in the Narthex. THANK YOU!

FOOD DONATIONS:

The November food collection goes to THRIVE

This month we’re collecting boxed foods (cereal, mixes, rice stuffing) as well as other nutritious, non-perishable food. Please donate non-expired

food that would be useful in providing a nourishing meal to children and adults. Your donations (after the November 3 Communion collection) go in

the baskets in the Narthex and outside the church office.

Church member and Founder/Executive Director of

the Good Samaritan Fund, Chaplain Marie T.

Boyd raised $10,000 for Dorian Hurricane Survivors

on Ocracoke Island by living four days in a tent at

Todd Stadium! GUMC Preschool raised more than

$100.00 toward the effort. Chaplain Marie will

travel soon to Ocracoke to present this money to the

Outer Banks Community Fund Foundation.

https://www.facebook.com/marie.t.boyd?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAX1TaNt147uLTnfou8my34WnMeIuDB1pLnet4U1_DDNSo2ARTBMZ3hDEaTsRIjO15uxVh6AZCOvd8k&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA_JK0PMVWseQwhN-4J81B6dPWx-oMWoJfZq7vbPqFdD9ixInvoe7JFeL-u7a4mJKex2vVPvJXFOidWaHVlR13ZAsgXd

https://www.facebook.com/marie.t.boyd?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAX1TaNt147uLTnfou8my34WnMeIuDB1pLnet4U1_DDNSo2ARTBMZ3hDEaTsRIjO15uxVh6AZCOvd8k&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA_JK0PMVWseQwhN-4J81B6dPWx-oMWoJfZq7vbPqFdD9ixInvoe7JFeL-u7a4mJKex2vVPvJXFOidWaHVlR13ZAsgXd

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Points of Grace will meet Monday, No-

vember 4th and 18th from 10:30 am until

3:30 pm in the small fellowship hall. A light

lunch will be provided or you may bring

your own. This is a great way to get to know

members of the congregation while working

to help those who are less fortunate!

United Methodist Women November Meetings November 11, 1:30pm—Mary Martha Circle

November 18, 7pm—Susanna Wesley Circle

Come one, come all!

Join us for the Wednesday Night at Grace Thanksgiving Dinner and

Bake Sale November 20th at 6:00 PM in the large fellowship hall.

Come a little early and help fill candy bags for our veterans at the VA

Hospital for Christmas, have fellowship with a tasty dinner, buy some

goodies to take home and prepare

your hearts singing a few traditional Thanksgiving

songs. We hope you can join us as we start the

holiday season by helping others and preparing our

hearts and minds.

Left Over Halloween Candy?

Please donate your leftover individually

wrapped Halloween candy to fill candy bags

for our veterans. You can bring your candy to

church or give it to Joan Heaton.

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November 1 2 Samuel 19-20; 2 John

November 2 2 Samuel 21-22; 3 John

November 3 2 Samuel 23-24; Colossians 1

November 4 Nahum 1-3; Colossians 2

November 5 Habakkuk 1-3; Colossians 3

November 6 Zephaniah 1-3; Colossians 4

November 7 Ezra 1-2; 2 Timothy 1




November 11 1 Chronicles 1-3; Jude

November 12 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 1:1-20






November 18 1 Chronicles 22-24; Luke 3













Bishop Lewis’s 2019 Bible

Challenge (November)

Items for the November Newsletter are

due to the church office no later than

Thursday, November 15. We are also

interested in candid photographs taken

at church events and community out-

reach efforts. Please send items to

[email protected]

Charge Conference

Sunday, November 10

at 1:30pm,

Benn’s United Methodist Church

Smithfield, Virginia

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Grace Youth & Family

Movie Night @ Grace

Adults, children, family and friends are welcome

on Saturday, November 16, at 6 p.m., in the Large

Fellowship Hall to see the inspirational movie,

Heaven is for Real. Refreshments and nursery ser-

vice will be provided. There is no cost. Please

RSVP by completing your November 3rd and 10th

Connect Card or by contacting Eileen Patterson at

930-2440.

Despite the rain, the October 20

Newport News CROP Hunger

Walk was a success! Thank you to

everyone who came out and donated

food, money, logistical support

and shoes!

LOOKING AHEAD TO DECEMBER

Mark your calendars!!

Please mark your calendars for

a special Christmas Program

on Sunday, December 15 at

4:30 PM. Get in the spirit of

the season, by inviting your

friends and family for a joyful

Night at the Inn!

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Our Faith “In Action”

Your Witness Committee’s Series: Our Faith “In Action”

The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11.)

Sharing your personal testimony of God moving in our lives helps us grow in our faith. Please

consider sharing your faith journey or testimony with your brothers and sisters of Grace.

(1) How you discovered your faith, or (2) How your faith sustained you in the midst of crisis and your search for hope, or (3) How you experienced faith “IN ACTION.”

The Miracle of Prayer:

Your Witness Committee would like to share your personal story in the monthly newsletter with your name. Should you wish to remain anonymous, your wish will be honored.

Also, if you would like help in writing your story, please let your committee or Pastor know.

Eileen Patterson and Betty Sharpe Co-chairs, Witness Committee

YOUR FAITH

STORY HERE

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FAITH STORY

Choices By Gloria Champine

I was born into a military family and spent my childhood at Langley Field. We moved a few

times during World War II and I attended many schools. When I could, I returned home to

Virginia where I finished at Hampton High School. During this time there were many

“CHOICES” that were made and in looking back, I could see God’s Hand in directing me.

I was accepted at William and Mary College in their Art Program. LIFE HAPPENS. The family was now

scheduled to go to Japan and arrangements were made for me to stay with friends while not in school. LIFE

HAPPENS AGAIN. Now, I had to go to Japan with the family. I withdrew from William and Mary, got my

shots, my passport and then LIFE HAPPENS AGAIN. My Mother became ill and we missed the port call in

Seattle. Then what to do. ”CHOICES” I had withdrawn from William and Mary and I wanted to go back to

college. I was able to get into a 2-year business college that was established for the guys coming back from

World War II, and so I joined them. This was the major life change in my life. I DID NOT GO TO JAPAN

WITH THE FAMILY WHEN THEY DID. “BIG CHOICE.”

Life continued with a family and a job in the community. Along the way, I took the Civil Service Exam and

was pulled from the Federal register by NASA. These folks were the “NACA NUTS” I had heard about as a

child at Langley. My step father was the crew chief of the Boeing XB-15, the Granddaddy of the B-29, and a

one of a kind aircraft. Quite often NASA flew the plane doing some stall tests. I heard some bad stories of

what these “NACA NUTS” were doing to HIS airplane. I was scared, but I went because I needed a better job

and the Government offered security. “CHOICES AGAIN.” I made “CHOICES” early in my career on my

health insurance and on my pension plan. These “CHOICES” have paid off with the security of my life today.

NASA sent me back to school as I progressed in my career and I was with them for 30 years and 30 days.

Now, I have been retired for 30 more years.

As a senior member of Grace United Methodist Church, I am faced with a “CHOICE AGAIN” I thought I had

a slight increase in my income this year, but at tax time, I found I had lost it, plus a little more. Everything is

costing more and my budget gets strained a little. My home is paid for and my life is content, and now my

Church needs me to help out. It needs each and every one of us. “LIFE HAPPENS” to the Church also. The

heating or air conditioning system goes down, a pipe burst. As a trustee of many years, I know of the Church’s

needs that had to be placed aside to handle an emergency of some sort. We come to Church complacent, know-

ing it is there for us on Sunday. But most of the time we don’t think of the needs of the Church as long as we

are comfortable. We have a great Pastor, great services, and we can enjoy great hospitality and companionship

at our Wednesday Nights at Grace and at one of Joan and Betty’s great potato bars.

But the Church needs more income, and what can we do. Here we have “CHOICES” again. What have I done?

I am not a great cook and I like to take my son to lunch each week. Keep that. I waste a lot of food. Stop that.

I can make a circular trip to do all of my chores one day a week and save on gas. I can still go to the beauty

parlor, but how about not buying so much from Amazon. Okay. With small “CHOICES” like that, I have de-

termined that I can increase my monthly pledge by 10%, and give a little extra each week to the Church to in-

crease my pledge. It feels good. Let’s all make a “CHOICE” to see what we can do to increase our pledge this

year and help the Church keep the lights on at Grace and help to transform lives to serve Jesus.

“CHOICES” THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES. LET’S DO IT.

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GUMC Outreach

Thanksgiving Special Food Collection 2 Corinthians 8: 13-15 “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gath-ered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”

It has become a tradition for us to take home an empty brown-paper grocery bag, fill

it with nonperishable food items, and return it to Grace on the Sunday before

Thanksgiving. (This year it will need to be returned by November 24th.) The food

items are then donated to a local agency that helps people in need.

This year the donated groceries will go to THRIVE Peninsula's food pantry. THRIVE

Peninsula helps to equip people with new perspectives and practical tools as they

transition through their crises toward financial peace and accountability.

The Thanksgiving Grocery Bags will be handed out on

Sunday, November 3rd, and should be returned to church

on Sunday, November 24th. Please take a grocery bag

(a list of suggested non-perishable items will be attached)

and fill it to help our neighbors in need. (You may also

use a grocery bag that you already have.)

Snacks Outreach for CNU Exams We have a small group of individuals at Grace who look forward to exam week at

CNU - not because they have to take exams, but because they will be serving snacks,

drinks, and encouraging the CNU students during this most stressful time. As the

students pass through the Student Hall on December 10th, we hope to have tons of

home-made and store-bought goodies like cookies, brownies, banana bread, candy

(save your leftover Halloween Candy), bottled water, juice, peanut butter and jelly

sandwiches, fruit and lots of words of encouragement to pass out.

But, this small group needs help from all of us to make this happen, so please mark

your calendars to support this outreach. Items must be dropped off no later than 9

a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10th. We will have boxes in the breezeway for you to place

donated items starting in early December. As always, we know we can count on your

support! Thank you!

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We Welcome Everyone—Without Exception Grace United Methodist Church celebrates that all people are made in the image of God, and we cherish the diver-

sity God has created. We intentionally welcome, affirm and encourage active participation by everyone regardless

of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, economic status, physical and mental ability, age, family

makeup and education. We are connected to one another by our faith in Jesus and his teachings to love and care

for each other, and this gives us the opportunity to worship, learn and fellowship together.

We are dedicated to advancing the inclusivity of United Methodist Churches.

GUMC Outreach

PORT Sign-up time is here! The Outreach Committee is looking for people who are

looking for opportunities to make a difference! Our first date

to help with the PORT overnight shelter for homeless people

in our community is fast approaching. We will be helping again at Peninsula Korean

Baptist Church and the date this year is Friday, Nov. 22nd (through Saturday morn-

ing, Nov. 23rd ). Sign-up forms can be found in the bulletins on Sunday mornings

through Nov. 10th. Please see the October newsletter for more information or call Susan

DeVane at 930-0233 or 880-7933. Volunteer forms should be turned in by Sunday,

Nov. 10th.

Collection Time for Operation Christmas Child Now that you have decided on the gender and age of the recipient of your Operation

Christmas Child shoebox(es), and decided how you want to donate the $9.00 requested

to help with shipping costs (cash, check, or online), the next phase of this wonderful

project will take place. Outreach is asking that all shoeboxes be returned to Grace

by Sunday, Nov. 3rd. The shoeboxes will be taken to a local collection center, and

from there they will be delivered to centers

where thousands of volunteers will prepare the

boxes for shipping to children around the

world, near and far. Imagine the joy of chil-

dren who have never played with toys or had

their own school supplies when they open box-

es filled with such delightful items! Then the

joy that is delivered with the boxes of gifts is

multiplied by the good news of God’s love for

them!

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Christian Education

Grace UMC offers a variety of

Sunday School classes for folks from 3 to 103!

The Children’s Sunday School Class (Preschool through Elementary) meets

upstairs in Room 18. The class uses the

DEEP BLUE “One Room Sunday School”

curriculum. The lessons in November deal

with Old Testament stories that shape our

faith community, including Adam and Eve,

Noah and the Flood, and Daniel and the Lions.

The Youth Class (grades 6-12) meets in the Youth Room on the main hallway.

Adult Sunday School Classes:

The Fellowship Class meets in the Chapel and uses the ADULT BIBLE STUDY

curriculum.

The Friendship Class meets in the Bride’s Room behind the Sanctuary where they view

and discuss a video series.

The Current Events Class meets in the Library and uses WIRED WORD curriculum

which examines current events from a Christian perspective.

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, Grace UMC

will honor our veterans by listing their names

and military information in the November 10th

bulletin.

If you are a veteran, please write your name,

branch of service and rank in the November 3rd

Connect Card and place it in the offering plate or

turn it in to the office. If you know someone

associated with Grace who is a veteran, please

include their information.

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CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY PAGE

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GUMC PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISERS

Ways YOU can help Earn for our Preschool:

On your next trip to Harris Teeter, as you are checking out, just ask the cashier to link your VIC card to Grace Preschool by

using our code #4811. If you don’t

remember the code number, they can look it up for you! You can also visit

harristeeter.com or call 1-800-432-6111.

To those of you who participated last

year, it is necessary to RELINK on an

annual basis. Your card can be linked to other schools also, and the proceeds will

be divided between the schools.

Amazon has a program to benefit charitable organizations such as Grace UMC Preschool (Weekday Educational

Program)! As you plan to make a purchase through Amazon, go to

smile.amazon.com and under "pick your own charitable organization"

search for Weekday Educational Pro-gram. It's that easy!! You may want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com

to make it easier to return and start shopping at AmazonSmile.

Amazon.Smile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price from eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Using your

same Amazon account, you will find the same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as

Amazon.com - only you will be helping our school! Products that are eligible

are marked "eligible for AmazonSmile donation" on their product

detail pages. For more information, I encourage you to visit

smile.amazon.com and check it out!

Office Depot/Office Max now has a program “GIVE BACK TO SCHOOLS”

where they will give back 5% in credits to our school on qualifying purchases. The next time you shop please show the card

below as you checkout!

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GRACE UMC PRESCHOOL

Grace United Methodist Preschool is known for the value it places on each child’s development, founded on sound educational practices and Christian values.

November Dates to Remember

Parent-Teacher Conferences October 31 & November 1- 2 School closed Election Day November 5 School closed Thanksgiving Feast November 25 - 11:15 am Thanksgiving Holiday November 27-29 School closed

Preschool Substitute Teachers Needed We are looking for members of the congregation that are willing to be on our substitute call list. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with the preschool children and you will be compensated for your time. We have a variety of days and times to choose from.

Donations Needed for December Silent Auction The preschool is collecting donations for the Silent Auction to be held on Friday, December 13th following the Christmas program. The Christmas program starts at 6:00 pm in the sanc-tuary with a reception and silent auction to fol-low in the large fellowship hall. Donations of chil-dren’s toys, gift certificates, books, crafts and/or discounts on specialized services are welcome. If you own a business and are donating your own goods or services, you will be able to display your business card as an advertisement. If you have any questions, call Tiffany Ward at (757)595-0032. Donations must be received no later than December 11th.

For more information, about the preschool please contact Tiffany Ward ([email protected])

or visit their website (www.graceumcpreschool.com)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.graceumcpreschool.com

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Please keep the following in prayer:

Jim & Vicky Hodges (cousin of Tanis Mayo); Cindy Brakman, Phillip Burke, Corrine Venne (classmate

of Carrie Frost), those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and southeastern United States, Cin-

dy Spahr (daughter-in-law of Joan Nichols), the family of Sarah Elder, Greg Sharpe (Betty Sharpe’s son),

Raymond Hartjen (Gail Hartjen’s nephew), Mike Durben (husband of Bonny Durben), Linda Lowrey

(cousin of Maggie Keator), Lauren Roche (friend of Joanna Simonsen), Mother of Donna Blankenship,

Pat Wainwright, Mike Link (Robinson’s brother-in-law), Joyce Harrell (Betty Hill's cousin), Frank

Wiggs, Harold Hall (Maryjean Thomas’s family member), Patsy Maney (friend of Betty Sharpe), Leon

Fithian (Joan Heaton’s cousin), Mike Matney (Pat Wainwright’s son).

Homebound and Nursing Home Residents to keep in prayer:

Hidenwood: Nancy Morrison, Audrey Wiggs; The Chamberlin: Iris

Layton & her daughter, Janice; The Huntington: Neva Parker; The

Chesapeake (Harpersville Road): Mary Ann Johnson; Spring Arbor:

Louise Knemeyer; Home: Glenn Banks; Gail Hartjen.

All people, conferences and churches of the UMC.

The family of Lester Knight would like to thank the GUMC family for their prayers, expressions of sym-

pathy, cards and heartfelt show of support during Les' illness, hospitalization and passing, as well as,

through our period of grief. Sincerely, Gilda Knight.

In Our Prayers

Lord in

your mercy, hear our prayer.

The Church Leadership Team (CLT), working with the Welcoming Task Group, has authorized a banner to express the inclusiveness of our church which reads “We Welcome Everyone, No Exception.” The colored flags were meant to draw attention to Grace’s commitment to welcoming all to worship and participate with us as we work to draw closer to God. The flags are not a permanent decoration at the church entrance. The United Methodist Church, over the years, has faced difficult and con-troversial issues; however, working together, we have never let those issues deter us from Christ’s challenge to spread his love and salvation to everyone.

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CLT Meeting Minutes

Church Leadership Team Meeting Minutes

October 22, 2019

Members present: Chair Bill McFall, Sandy Fisher, Stefan Mygas, John Anderson, Blackie Jackson,

Garrett Ouzts, Maggie Keator, Pastor Hank Teague, Jan Tyler

Absent: Monte Robinson, Brooke Kempa

Also present: Laurie Swain, Recording Secretary; Betty Hill, Treasurer; Ben DeVane, Property Com-

mittee

Chair Bill McFall called the meeting to order at 7:12 pm with an opening prayer. Pastor Hank Teague

shared a short devotional based on Habakkuk 2:20 and Ecclesiastes 3:7 “Turning Off the Noise…Silence

Please.” The devotional concluded with thirty seconds of silent prayer.

Pastor Hank lead a twenty-minute discussion conversation about Grace’s Mission Vision, Purpose and

Goals and formulating a plan to leverage congregational maturity in the “Life of Generosity” dimension

of discipleship. Based on the 38 congregational responses, the goal will be to move the congregation

from the “Beginning” stage (26%) to the “Growing” stage. Grace will offer Dave Ramsey’s financial

workshop could be offered during Sunday school or other times. We have already purchased the work-

shop. Bill McFall, Garrett Ouzts, Francis Porter and Hank Teague will work together to plan the class.

We will survey the congregation about their interest in the bulletin and connect cards. We will continue

to incorporate stewardship speakers into the worship services.

The September 24, 2019 minutes were approved as amended. The contract paragraph was amended to

say “Insurance contracts should be obtained by Al Abbitt. Financial secretary, Blackie Jackson…”

Betty Hill presented the latest financial reports for review. The church currently has a net income loss of

$4,610.34 through the end of September. On September 30 the General Fund balance was $18,713.10

and the Cash balance was $47,206.15. Also presented was a Preschool (WEP) Profit and Loss Statement

comparing the year-end profitability for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. Hank will ask Tiffany

Ward for anticipated income and expenses for September and October 2018 versus and 2019.

Nominations Committee Report. Hank presented a working copy of the Grace Church Leadership List.

The committee is working on filling all positions and will present a full slate at the Charge Conference.

Hank will email the CLT an updated llist when it is available. (A complete church leadership list will be

printed in the December 2019 Newsletter.)

2019 CLT Meeting Dates and Report Submission Deadlines Submission Date Meeting Date Routine Reports from 11/22/19 11/26/19 (may be rescheduled) Property 12/20/19 12/24/19 (rescheduled or cancel)

22

CLT Meeting Minutes

Welcoming Statement Task Force and Display of Flags. Hank reported congregants are sharing

strong feelings about flags. The intent of Hank’s original motion is to build up an “inventory” of flags

to be changed out based on liturgical seasons and secular “awareness months” (Cancer awareness

month, Gay Pride month.) The CLT decided the current flags will be removed before advent and will

replace them next June during gay pride month. No additional flags will be purchased at this time.

Stewardship Campaign Update – Blackie Jackston gave the following report:

2020 Income Projection, Budget & "Faith Gap"

2020 Faith Gap

$282,071.00 projected budget

$254,190.00 projected income

$27,881.00 "faith gap"- additional income needed to completely fund budget

$254,190.00 Total anticipated income

$251,190.00 Anticipated Income from contributions

$167,440.00 Total contributions from 2020 Estimates of Giving/Pledge *

$80,750.00 Total contributions from other regular givers **

$3,000.00 Contributions- from anticipated cash contributors

$3,000.00 Anticipated income from other sources (facilities use fees, etc.)

* total of 48 EoG's received through 10/22/19

** anticipated total contributions from 40 givers whose EoG's were not received by 10/22/19).

Betty Hill presented the proposed 2020 Budget based on requests made by church program leaders.

Total Pastor and Related $88,022

Total Staff Salaries and Benefits $79,327

Total Church Office Expense $11,500

Total District $5,052

Total Conference Salaries & Admin. $4,008

Total Trustees $68,690

Total Church Council Ministries $12,546

Total Conference Apportionments $12,648

Total Congregational Care $278

TOTAL 2020 PROPOSED BUDGET $282,071

The CLT carefully reviewed the budget and discussed ways to save money on expenses and make

adjustments related to the capital campaign.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Swain

Recording Secretary

23

From the Pastor (continued from the back page)

September blessed us with 2 births in 7 days- Henry Gordon Anderson was born to

John and Olivia on the 15th and John Marcus Edmonds was born to Bob and Megan

on the 22nd.

Give thanks in everything!

The day Henry Anderson was born we laid to rest Lester Knight- a man who helped

children feel safe, treasured and loved.


Recently we’ve learned that Lester Knight made plans to generously bless his congrega-

tion with a sizeable “legacy gift” from his estate.


To date more People of Grace have died in 2019 than the previous two years combined.


2019 has been a year of innovation: new leadership structure, growing focus on inten-

tional discipleship, and new ministries that reach new people (i.e. Summer Adven-

tures & Pet Blessing.)


Much time and energy has been (and will be) expended around the special 2019 Gen-

eral Conference. As we sail our way forward, some grow weary. The waves of dif-

fering theologies about sexuality and gender, ordination and marriage continue to

buffet. We need rest. We need Grace.


More of us better understand what (and why) we believe as we do about the issues ad-

dressed at GC2019.


In September our preschool began offering extended care to better fulfil its purpose of

meeting the (every changing) needs of families in our community.


Grace preschool enrollment has increased at least 50% this school year.


So thank God with me this November as I thank God for you! For our struggles; our

successes; our salvation and our Savior! AMEN

Pastor Hank

Grace United Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road Newport News, Virginia 23606

Return Service Requested

Continued on page 23

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thess.5:18

Thanksgiving Amidst Change This bible verse encourages us to be thankful in all

circumstances. All of them. Times of difficulties and of ease. When life is shaky, or sta-

ble; rapidly changing or boringly routine. When do you find it most difficult to be

thankful? For me it’s times of great and rapid change. And guess what? Lucky me! this

is a time of great and rapid change!

Thankfully I’ve got you and you’ve got me in the midst of these often chaotic times. O

wow, I just began the last sentence with the word thankful (and I didn’t even realize it.)

Yes, maybe I am more thankful than I realized. It’s true, I am thankful- for you! Every

man, woman, boy and girl who are the People of Grace. I am thankful we are in this to-

gether; that we’ve got each other and our great God. In last month’s article I shared a

couple of big changes we’ve been experiencing. Here are a few more- will you give

thanks with me for each one?

growing in 2019.pdfon ocracoke island by living four days in a tent at todd stadium! gumc preschool...

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