october 2015 wellspring

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The Wellspring October 2015 Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church

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Page 1: October 2015 Wellspring

The Wellspring October 2015Fuquay-Varina

United Methodist Church

Page 2: October 2015 Wellspring

Biblical Generosity & Discipleship — Pastor Gene Tyson

Grace and Peace in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

As I look out of my office window, it is evident summer is becoming a memory. Fall is preparing to visit us with her shifting temperatures, cool breezes and the changing of the leaves. As you peruse this month’s newsletter, you can see FVUMC is in full swing in all areas of ministry as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We celebrate the many opportunities in which we can grow in our walk with Jesus Christ and in our relationship with our sisters and brothers. I hope you are getting connected to a small group somewhere in the life of your church family. There you will make lifelong friends for this wonderful journey we travel as followers of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Generosity is directly linked to discipleship and being generous with all of our resources is determined by the spiritual condition our hearts. “Will You Grow?” is the name of our stewardship campaign that kicks off on October 25 and concludes on November 15. Your Finance Team selected “Will You Grow?” for the following reasons:

• Will: This is a much different word than “can.” The word “can” implies ability, capacity or potential to grow. All of us can grow. The word “will” implies choice. That choice resides deep within us and is almost always directly linked with our walk with Christ. Ultimately, it is impossible to honestly profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and not be generous people.

• You: This word puts the focus squarely on each of us. This is not a “what about them” emphasis, it is a “what about me” emphasis. It is not about someone else’s decision to grow – it is about my decision to grow.

• Grow: This word addresses every person in our church, whether the most mature Christian, the largest giver, the smallest giver, the new Christian or anyone else in our church family. The growth itself stays between you and God. The main emphasis for our church family is that we do actively grow—making the decision to be open to God, thankful to be in God’s care, and willing to give out of God’s blessings.

Our prayer is that we all may “grow” in our generosity in all areas of our lives as we, as a family, grow our Christ-centered community that loves, learns, serves and shares God.

I pray God’s richest blessings to you and your family as we move into this new season of ministry, mission and opportunities to grow in our walk with Jesus Christ.

See you Sunday at the “growing” place, Pastor Gene Tyson [email protected]

Will You Grow?“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,

and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:112

Page 3: October 2015 Wellspring

Mission Quilt Sale on October 16-17Our church quilting group, the “Quilting with Faith” quilters, are having a sale to raise money for missions of the church on Friday, October 16, from 7:00-9:00 PM and Saturday, October 17 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM in room 117-119 in the adult wing of the church.

There will be over 75 hand-pieced quilts, table runners, and other quilted items for sale, and the total cost of each item will be donated to a mission of the church selected by the buyer.

Quilts of all sizes, colors and designs will be available. Items sell quickly, so do not procrastinate; come Friday evening for the best selection.

This is a perfect opportunity to do some Christmas shopping!

Fall Festival: Something for EveryoneMark your calendars for October 25—you won’t want to miss it! This year we are striving to make our Fall Festival a time for all ages!

Of course, we will still have our Trunk ‘n Treat and games, but this year we are adding music, food trucks, face painting, a pumpkin carving competition, a chili cook-off, and a missions fair. The Fair Trade store will be set up during this time to allow you another chance to shop.

Come, bring your lawn chairs, invite your friends, and plan on a wonderful evening of fellowship. Let’s celebrate the fall season and share our love for Christ and our church with one another!

If you are able to host a trunk or help with setup/ cleanup, parking, etc., please let us know using the link at fvumc.org/registrations.

Chili Cook-Off! Register by 10/20The deadline for entering the church chili cook-off is October 20. See fvumc.org/registrations for the link. The winner of the church chili cook-off will be entered into the Town of Fuquay-Varina Chili Cook-off on November 7.

Missions Fair at the Fall FestivalEver wonder what’s happening in our missional outreach? Be sure to check out the various missions displays at the Fall Festival. At each missions table you will find out more about the various areas FVUMC is actively involved in and find out where you can participate. This year, we are highlighting FACES (formerly SWFCA), Congregations for Children, Curamericas, Habitat for Humanity, and mission projects in Costa Rica.

Fair Trade Store Open Friday-SundayWe will also be hosting our fall Fair Trade Store in room 117/119 on the adult wing that weekend. This annual event showcases gift items that have been certified “Fair Trade.” Intentional purchases of Fair Trade items show our love of God and neighbor.

Circle Hosts Methodist Home for Children Presentation on 10/6All women of the church are invited to come hear guest speaker Peter MacBeth, development officer for Methodist Home for Children. For over 11 years, he has worked with churches and individuals to help MHC and its ministry to young people and families. Peter is the agency’s planned giving officer, assisting donors prepare legacy gifts to support the future of MHC. The Circle meets on Tuesday, 10/6 at 10am.

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G.R.E.E.T. — Pastor Valerie Tyson

In the coming days, we are going to be asked the question, “Will you grow?”

Growing means that something is going to change! It’s not going to remain the same. Growth can be applied to many areas of our lives and ministries. One of the areas in which we have already grown at FVUMC is hospitality!

As Pastor of Welcoming Ministries, I would like to invite you to celebrate those in our congregation who serve every Sunday on the Greeting Team! You know who they are. They are the ones opening doors with a smile, shaking hands, assisting newcomers with directions, and handing out gift bags at the Welcome Desk!

What a great group of willing servants! Do you how many it takes to cover the Greeting Schedule on Sunday morning? It takes 13 people every Sunday to pull off the greeting ministry at FVUMC! The Greeters are a faithful bunch!

While the Greeters “work the front lines,” all of us are engaged in this important ministry.

At our training in August, the acronym GREET was shared with the Greeting Team as we took

some tips from Jesus and

His encounter with the Samaritan woman. (John 4:1-38)

As each one of us are being challenged to grow in our faith walk at FVUMC, maybe you will find this useful in growing YOUR practices of hospitality!

GO! Engage with people! That’s what Jesus did with the Samaritan woman!

RESIST doing nothing! Take charge and offer assistance! Jesus was tired at the well and could have done nothing, but He didn’t! He took charge although he was not in his home town. He greeted the woman and began a conversation with her.

ELEVATE (The 2 “e’s” go together!)EXPERIENCE Elevate the Experience of all who come to worship on Sunday, particularly those with unfamiliar faces! Jesus definitely elevated the experience of the Samaritan woman. Can you imagine? She was not expecting her trip to the well to be life-changing!

TO God be the glory! God can do amazing things through our work of hospitality! The Samaritan woman was changed and went and told her community! In doing so, she glorified God!

So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city,

and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me

everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:28-29

While we are being challenged to grow at FVUMC, we can apply growing to the beautiful deeds of gracious hospitality. (As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26) Let’s ensure that all who come through the doors have a meaningful experience, and, like the woman at the well, go into the

community with a life-changing message!

Blessings, Valerie Tyson, [email protected] of Welcoming & Congregational Care

GR

EE

T

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Page 5: October 2015 Wellspring

Main Street Kitchen Is Saturday, October 17One way we serve and share God is through the meal preparation and delivery of our Main Street Kitchen ministry. The third Saturday of the month, FVUMC folks come together to prepare meals for people in the community. Cooking skills NOT required! Preparations start at 10am and continue through the early afternoon. Volunteers are welcome to help with tasks including setup, delivery preparation, cooking & cleaning. Food donations are welcome. Help to replenish the MSK supplies by donating pasta, biscuit or cake mix, frosting, large cans of fruits or vegetables, and brown paper bags with handles. Contact Paula Cade at 919-753-8168 for more information.

Fuquay-Varina Food PantryRequests: Soups / chili, canned vegetables,

toilet paper - no glass jars, please

Staying in the MomentRecently I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and something caught my eye—pictures of Christmas merchandise on display at a store in September. There are some who find this to be exciting and believe that the countdown for the next Christmas begins the day after Christmas.

I, on the other hand, can patiently wait to celebrate Christmas until December 25. There is something to be said about looking to the future with hope and expectation, but what about the present moment?

So often we get caught up with planning for what’s next and forget to enjoy the moments we have now. It’s in these moments that we can discover the grace of God working in our lives.

When we rush from one thing to the next, we may miss the gifts of what’s before us. The turning of the leaves, the enjoyment of candy from trunk or treat, the taste of our favorite pumpkin-flavored beverage: all of these and many more experiences are gifts of God given to us but may be missed in the need to plan for the future.

James 1:17 tells us that every good gift comes from God. So take time this month to enjoy the moment. Receive the good gifts of God, and give thanks who gave us the perfect gift, Jesus Christ.

Matt Seaton, [email protected] Pastor of Christian Formation & Missional Outreach

Help for the divorced and separated during the

holidays.

Surviving the Holidays

If you’re separated or divorced, the holidays can be a lonely, stressful, and depressing time. But there’s hope. Join us for an encouraging seminar to discover how to enjoy the holidays again.

This special event is on Monday, November 2 from 7-9 PM in room 127

Senior Celebration ThanksAbout 75 of our senior folks came together on Saturday, Sept. 12 to enjoy a “Southern Thang” dinner and entertainment. The ladies and gents brought change for our mason jar and raised approximately $100 for the F-V Food Pantry. A great time was had by all!

Thanks to the many hands that helped serve, host tables, cook dinner, clean up and set the centrum chairs in place for Sunday morning. This would never happen if ya’ll weren't here to help.

Thanks to all & let’s do it again next year!

Lynne Sorrels

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In Our Thoughts and Prayers

We offer our sympathy and prayers to:Bobby Thomas, on the death of his sister

In our prayers:Susan Buker & family, Bobby Thomas & family, Betty Palmer, David LaBianca, Julie Banner, Glenna Eargle, Bruce Wynne, Vikki Casanave, Margaret Kissel, Pam Mitchell & family, Susan Greer & family, Carole Drake & family, Larry Rose & family, Anderson Ward, Doug Bennett & family, Joy Sarles, Fran Sykes, Robert Parrott, Mike Tucker, Joan Lesher, Nancy Patrone, Jim Cleary, Bob Pavone, Ron Richardson, Bob Sheets, PJ Ramsey, Bernard McLeod, Dan Sass, Mary-Anne Hatch, Koyla Knox, Judy Dolan, Cornelia Coble, Vicky Croft, Tom Myatt, Carol Chambers, Lois & David Stuart, Jakob Kish, Mario Marchese, Rob Matney, Iris Brown, Logan Thomas, Dee Chisenhall, Jeff Fox, Emily Ashworth, Craig Judd, Clay King, Jill Zatyko, Sue Simkiss, Bill Young, Bob & Katharine Kinton, Howard Hanmann, Fran Applegarth

Starting Point:

Find Out About FVUMCOur Starting Point gatherings are an introduction to the church, pastors, staff and leaders of our ministries. We’d love to help you connect with the small groups, ministries, and activities that resonate with your life and interests. The Starting Point gatherings are open to anyone, whether you’re new to FVUMC or have been attending for a while. Come when it works for your schedule - no registration necessary! Children’s Sunday School and Nursery available for all sessions. For questions, please call the church office at 919-552-4331 or email [email protected].

• November 1 at 9:30am in room 125 or at 11:00am in room 117 on the Adult Wing.

Charge Conference November 3 - 7:00pmOur annual Charge Conference has been set for Tuesday, November 3 at 7pm. This is the required annual business meeting where clergy salaries and lay leadership nominations are approved. We

will meet in room 117/119.

Interested in Joining?FVUMC membership classes are being offered starting Sunday, November 8 at 9:30 or 11:00 on the adult wing. The 4-week class meets 11/8-15 and finishes on 12/6. For questions, contact Pastor Matt Seaton at [email protected] or 919-552-4331, ext. 103.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save: Columbarium & Prayer GardenThrough the grace of God and generous donations, we have funds in place now to move forward with Phase 1 construction plans for the columbarium. The contract has been signed, materials ordered, permits are being generated, and construction should start very soon.

Don’t forget, the price of each two-person niche remains at $3,000 until construction begins and then increases to $3,500. An installment payment plan is available. Now is the time to purchase a niche before prices increase. Visit fvumc.org/columbarium or contact Ken Tate ([email protected]) if you have questions. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, support and patience!

PrimeTimers (50+) Upcoming EventsAdults 50+ get together a couple of times each month to visit museums, go to concerts, hear speakers, and have fun. In October, PrimeTimers are gathering and getting to know Pastor Matt on Oct. 20 at 10am.

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Women’s Retreat: Unveiling the Royal

Family TreeJoin us as we dig into the genealogy of Christ and the stories of Tamar, Rahab and Ruth. We’ll explore the role each played in our royal heritage as daughters of the King and the lessons we can

learn from them.

Our Session Leaders for the Retreat are: Susan Smith, Pastor Valerie Tyson & Stephanie Weeks The retreat also includes your choice of activities

including Holy Yoga, a nature walk, arts and crafts, or enjoying some sister time in the rocking chairs.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! The retreat is Oct. 23-24 at Camp Rockfish. Register online at fvumc.org/womens-retreat-2015 or call the church at 919-552-4331. Cost ranges from $15 - $150 depending on lodging and schedule options.

Book Club Is Reading Pearl of China by Anchee MinIn a small town in China at the end of the 19th century, two young girls bump heads. Willow is the only child of a destitute family. Pearl the daughter of Christian missionaries will ultimately become the internationally renowned author Pearl S. Buck.

The two embark on a friendship that will sustain both of them through one of the most tumultuous periods of Chinese history when a civil war erupts between the Nationalists and Communists.  Pearl is forced to flee the country just ahead of the angry mobs. Willow, despite close ties to Mao's inner circle, is punished for loyalty to her 'cultural imperialist' friend.

And yet, through love and loss, heartbreak and joy, exile and imprisonment, the two women remain intimately entwined. Pearl of China tells the story of one of the 20th century's greatest writers, from the perspective of the people she loved and the land she called home.

To join the dinner and discussion on Friday, October 16 at 6:30pm, contact Suzanne Jones at [email protected] or Matilda Storm at [email protected].

2015 Budget SummaryDetailed monthly financial reports are always available

in the church office for your review.

Total Annual Budget $ 1,514,405.35Budget needed YTD - 9/30/15 $ 983,667.05Received YTD - 9/30/15 $ 990,136.11 Difference $ 6,469.06

Building Fund Restricted Account - 8/31/15 $ 68,818.56Building (Brick & Mortar Expenses Only) Restricted Account $ 20,000.00 Total - 8/31/15 $ 88,818.56

YTD Budget Expenditures as of 8/31/2015 $ 892,112.47

Sunday Worship AttendanceSept

6Sept 13

Sept 20

Sept 27

Monthly Average

2015 Average

8:00am 75 79 105 67 82 789:30am 314 458 372 416 390 38011:00am 216 265 283 259 256 279Total 605 802 760 742 727 737

Pumpkin Patch Supports Church Missions & MinistriesUnless it is raining, the pumpkin patch is open Monday-Friday from 10am to dark (approx. 7pm) and opens Saturdays at 9am. On Sundays, the patch is open in between services and beginning around 12 noon, but pumpkins are not sold during service times. You’re also invited to sign up to help at the pumpkin patch. Help out for 2 hours & raise funds for your designated church mission/ministry. Contact Lynne Sorrels, [email protected], 919-557-1568.

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Constant ConnectionsHow many hours are you connected to some kind of technology on a normal day? If you added up your hours online, your glances at text messages, your streaming music, your perusing social media, your Netflix addiction, how many hours could you count?

It’s probably a lot. Our culture is obsessed with technology—and with good reason. Technology keeps us connected to each other and to the world around us. Nearly every device we own transmits signals to something else, somewhere else.

Why? Because that’s how they’re wired to function. Our phones, tablets, smart watches, gaming systems—they all are wired to connect to something outside them.

And the same is true for us. We are wired for connection. It’s in our design. As we take a closer look at what Jesus called “the greatest commandment,” we discover that we were wired to have three vital relationships: with God, with ourselves, and with others. And when those connections are made, everything else begins to function as it was designed.

Youth & Family Ministries

Register 6th-12th grade students for all FVUMC youth programming

using the link at fvumc.org/registrations

Parents,For our first few weeks in our Sunday night Lifeline, our theme is “Wired.” The articles on pages 8-9 are geared toward helping you think about our unit. I hope you will find them insightful as you consider your own student’s “wiring.”

The curriculum highlights three aspects of how God created us:

• We are wired like our Maker, made in the image of God, so that we might be able to know Him and love Him.

• We are uniquely wired, and that's a good thing! God made each of us special, with unique gifts and talents, so we should also love who we are. “Love your neighbor as yourself” only makes sense if you know your own God-given worth!

• We are wired to be together. God has made us to be in community, and to show God’s love to one another.

I believe this is the perfect unit to kick off our Lifeline studies this year! Encourage your student to invite a friend and join us on Sunday evenings.

Bobby Rackley Director of Youth & Family Ministries [email protected] 919-552-4331, ext. 1068

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Rewired: Your Student’s Brain Is Changing FastYour student is changing fast. Chances are this isn’t a surprise. Their classes are changing. Their friends are changing. Their bodies are definitely changing.

But one change you may not see as quickly are the changes that are happening in your student’s brain. As our students approach puberty, their brains are being physically rewired to function less like a child and more like an adult. New connections are forming. Old ones are collapsing. Parts of the brain are being reorganized.

And with all of that activity, it’s no surprise that they may experience occasional “outages” or glitches in their judgment, their memory, and their emotional control.

That means…… your straight-A scholar may suddenly forget their homework.… your sweet, quiet child may now have unexpected emotional outbursts.… your reasonable, responsible student may have a few mind-boggling lapses in judgment.

When that happens, our first reaction may be to panic and wonder, what went wrong here? But, most of the time, nothing is really wrong. Our students’ brains are simply under construction.

In their book, Teen Stages, authors Ken and

Elizabeth Mellor describe this as a “cognitive rebirth” beginning around age 13 and continues into young adulthood. That means during middle school and high school, your student may show some behaviors reminding you a lot of their toddler and early elementary years. And…it’s perfectly normal.

No two children are the same, and development is surely going to look different and take different amounts of time for each one. No matter what phase of rewiring your student is in, it’s important to remember that it’s only a phase. Enjoy them exactly as they are today and know that you play a key role, even during the later stages, in guiding them toward what’s next.

Life Group Collecting Dry Erase Markers for Mission ProjectOne of our Middle School Life Groups is collecting 1,000 dry erase markers to send to Costa Rica with the Page family, FVUMC members who are serving there as missionaries. The school in their community received a donation of 200 individual-sized dry erase boards. The Page’s are visiting FVUMC in mid-October, and we want to send them home with plenty of markers to get the kids through the school year. All donations need to be brought to the collection in the lobby (around the corner from the Welcome Center) by Oct. 7. For questions, contact Melanie Clatfelter by email at [email protected] or call her at (919) 235-2612.

Try This:This week, take notice of one positive trait in your student that they inherited from you. (This can be something you can do as a stepparent, adoptive parent or foster parent as well. Genetics may be responsible for some traits, but observation and learned behavior play an important role, too!)

Maybe you’re both good at math. Maybe your son is starting to show some of your great conversational skills. Or maybe your daughter is wired to be competitive, just like you. No matter what it is, pay attention to the positive traits passed on to your student. Then, write a note like the one below and leave it somewhere for your student this week.

Dear _______________________

One thing I’ve noticed about you lately is that you’re __________________________ __________________________.

That’s a great trait to have and it’s one that has helped me over and over. I’m proud of the person you’re becoming.

Love, __________________________

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Seeds of Faith PreschoolWe are off to a great start at preschool, with a full house of students and our super teachers.

Kara Key joined us this year as our music teacher and is doing a fabulous job. Tami Davis is back keeping our children fit with our Active Kids program.

Deputy Sheriff Sutton visited and explained how all law enforcement staff are their friends and will always help them.

We’ve adapted our Bible stories with more interactive, creative ideas to help our children understand and remember how Jesus and God are always with them.

May God bless you and let you see him through the eyes of a child.

Blessings, Ms. Lynne

C4C Thank You…and Get Involved!By now, I hope you have heard about the Congregations for Children (C4C) initiative in our conference.

If you haven’t, C4C is an initiative of the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church that encourages churches to partner with local schools in an effort to help improve K-3 literacy rates, meet basic needs, and encourage parental support.

Because of our location, our church is partnering with Fuquay-Varina Elementary School and Lincoln Heights Elementary School. We already have many volunteers who have supported some of the after school clubs by providing chess boards and other supplies.

Other volunteers have been volunteering their time reading to students and helping out in the classrooms.

Still others have come together and made teacher appreciation bags for the teachers letting them know they are appreciated and loved at both schools.

The possibilities are endless! Contact me or visit fvumc.org/registrations if you are interested in

volunteering. We have behind the scenes projects in addition to working directly with the children.

Here is what Annette Steele, Instructional Resource Teacher at Lincoln Heights Elementary wrote to me recently about the FVUMC volunteers:

“I just wanted to send a big thank you out to you and the members of the church. All the club supplies arrived, and we start tomorrow! There was much excitement over chess boards, art supplies etc. Right now 90 students are signed up for clubs, and without your support this would not have been possible.

Also, there are some very happy teachers who LOVE the volunteers. There are 4 gentlemen who we now call the ‘Lincoln Heights Angels.’ It such a joy to see them come into the school and work with the students. They are truly making a difference. Thank you for reaching out to help us. It is literally a breath of fresh air to have so much help.”

Amanda Rackley [email protected] of Children & Family Ministries919-552-4331, ext. 113

Sunday Evening Programs for ChildrenAre you looking for a place for your 2nd-5th grader to get plugged in? Join us on Sunday evenings from 4:30-6:00pm on the children’s wing for FaithWeaver Friends (FWF) and Kids for Christ (KFC).

FWF is for 2nd-3rd graders, and KFC is for 4th-5th graders. We do fun activities, take trips, and strive build better relationships with each other and with God throughout the year.

We hope to see you soon—join anytime!10

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Singing as a Way to ServeGod calls each of us to serve in unique ways, and for some that calling is to serve in the choir! Choir membership is not only a great way to offer back to God from the gifts He has blessed you with, but also proves to be a source of abundant blessing through fellowship with the body of Christ.

Praise Choir• Rehearses weekly on

Thursdays, 7:00–8:00pm in the Choir Room

• Sings weekly on Sundays during the 9:30am service

• No previous experience required

• Join anytime with no registration – just show up!

Worship Choir• Rehearses weekly on

Wednesdays, 7:15–8:45pm in the Choir Room

• Sings weekly on Sundays during 11:00am service

• No previous experience required

• Join anytime; no registration

For more information about any of our music ministries, contact Jennifer Harrenstein, Director of Music Ministries, at [email protected] or 919-552-4331 ext. 105 or Ashley Kotz, Director of Traditional Music, at [email protected] or 919-552-4331, ext. 115.

Youth Music OpportunitiesCheck out these opportunities for youth to participate in the music and worship of FVUMC, and register at fvumc.org/registrations. Questions: contact Jennifer Harrenstein, Director of Music Ministries, at [email protected] or 919-552-4331 ext. 105.

Youth Praise Choir• For 6th–12th grade youth• Meets 6:45–8:00pm

Thursdays• No experience required

Rebellations Bell Choir• For 6th–12th grade youth• Meets 7:00–7:30pm

on Sundays• No experience required

Join the Christmas

Cantata Choir The Christmas Cantata Choir is open to all (even if you don’t regularly sing with the choir!) and registration is now open!

Cantata rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 8:15 – 8:45 pm and Thursdays from 7:00 – 7:20 pm (attend on Wednesday OR Thursday night according to what fits best with your schedule!)

In addition to weekly Wednesday or Thursday night rehearsals, there will be additional rehearsals (Saturday, October 17, 9:00 – 11:30 am, Saturday, November 21, 9:00 – 11:30 am, Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Thursday, December 10, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Saturday, December 12, 9:00 – 11:30 am) leading up to the cantata performance on Sunday, December 13 at 9:30 & 11:00 am.

All are welcome and previous experience is not required – this is a great short-term way to try singing with a FVUMC choir! Register to participate at fvumc.org/registrations.

Contact Jennifer Harrenstein ([email protected], 919-552-4331 ext. 105) for more information.

Capital Area Handbell FestivalFVUMC’s FANFARE Handbell Choir will participate in the Capital Area Handbell Festival on Saturday, November 7 in the Kerr Scott Building at the NC State Fairgrounds.

This event will feature 30 – 40 handbell choirs from around the area, coming together for a mass ringing extravaganza.

The event culminates with a concert that is open to the public at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 7. All are invited! (The concert is held at the Kerr Scott Building.)

Worship All WeekInterested in carrying your offering of praise beyond Sunday morning? Check out these great local radio stations playing contemporary Christian music:

• KLove on 94.3, 101.9 or 106.7 or www.klove.com

• Christian 107 on 107.3 or www.christian107.com

• His Radio on 90.1, 107.7 or 95.3 or www.hisradiowrtp.com 11

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Serving and Sharing: Clothing Closet Is 11/7

The Clothing Closet is a ministry offered quarterly to provide free clothes for those in need in the church and community. Our guests receive a Christian welcome, breakfast, printed devotion and help finding what they need.

To make this outreach possible, it takes many hours of setup and organizing donations. Ways you can share the gift of your time:

• Help bring the clothing from the sheds into the centrum. Trucks needed! Wednesday evening 11/4 at 7:30pm

• Organize and sort donations Thursday 11/5 from 9am-4pm & Friday 11/6 from 9am-2pm

• Offer a warm greeting to our guests (or help clean up) at the give-away on Saturday 11/7 from 8-10am — Cleanup immediately following

You can also get help by donating trash bags or baked goods/breakfast items.

Donation Tips• Separate items by type/size (ex: Ladies

Medium). This is a huge help for sorting!

• Use bags that can be tied at the top and tie them so items can’t fall out. Don’t overfill bags - it makes them difficult to manage.

• If donating anything with sharp edges, use a box instead of a bag.

• Eliminate a step by bringing donations directly to the Centrum the Thursday or Friday before a give-away instead of dropping things off in the sheds.

Contact Heather Williams for questions at 919-818-0453 or [email protected].

Offering Hospitality to Families Who Have

Hit a Hard Time Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network is coming to FVUMC the week of Thanksgiving. Help us welcome the WIHN families as they make our church their home.

Please consider whether you, your family, or your small group might help with evening hosting, meal slots, and overnight hosting and/or driving the van to the WIHN day center in Raleigh.

Personal Care Items NeededDid you know that we put together welcome bags for each WIHN family and bags for the kids? Another way you can support WIHN is to donate items on our wish list.

Keep all items small because the families are moving to a different church each week. There is a container in the lobby for donations. If you have questions contact Debbie Corr 919-557-7437 or [email protected].

Must-haves for welcome bags• Deodorant• Shampoo• Toothpaste & toothbrushes• Soap

Nice to have items for adults are: • Disposable razors• Combs• Toothbrush or

soap holders• Dental floss• Baby powder• Band-aids• Shower caps

• Travel baby wipes• Travel sewing kits• Pencils, pens, and

small notepads• Feminine products• (We have plenty of

hand lotion)

Kids package: • Coloring books & stickers• Crayons or colored pencils• Pencils, pens, rulers, erasers• Kids scissors & handheld pencil sharpeners• Composition notebooks & notebook paper• Small toys (paddle ball, jump rope, yo-yo,

matchbook cars, small stuffed animals)12