December, 2015 Christ United Methodist Church

One is from Rockford. One is from Wisconsin. One is from Georgia. All bring vastly different skills to the ta-ble. But the three newest members of the Christ United Methodist Church staff share many things in common, including a passion for what they do, a love for the church, a willingness to serve and the adoration of Pastor Jane Eesley. Emily Muserallo is the interim communications director, working to rebuild the church’s new, user-friendly web-site and to rebrand the logo. Greg Buchberger is director of the sanctuary, chancel and handbell choirs. Travis King is facilities manager. Muserallo’s hiring is a direct result of the 2014 Strategic Planning process led by Paul Carpenter and its recogni-tion of the importance of strengthening communications, Eesley said. “We are thrilled to have Emily on staff. She brings rich professional experience in public relations and fundrais-ing, high energy and deep commitment to the church and its ministries,” Eesley said. “Her position is funded indirectly by the capital cam-paign,” the pastor added, “and because our principal pay-ments are being made out of capital campaign funds, her wages come out of operating funds freed up for minis-try.” Muserallo and her family moved to Rockford in June of 2014 from South Carolina, where she worked for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas. “My professional background is development and mar-keting for non-profit organizations,” she said. “This par-ticular job opportunity allows me to continue working in

that environment as well as working for a greater pur-pose. The clergy and staff are incredible! I always feel so welcomed and appreciated.” Joining the staff is just frosting on the cake, however. “I grew up in a small United Methodist church in Georgia. Church has always been important to me. I want our daughter to have the same experience I had growing up,” she said. “Whenever you see my family around, please in-troduce yourself. We love getting to know all of the mem-bers here.” Buchberger first shared his musical gifts in church as a teen, strumming the guitar and singing. Later, he played piano and organ. Since earning a bachelor’s degree in music with a vocal emphasis and a minor in religious studies from the Uni-versity of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 2000, he has worked in church and music ministry – many of those years in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and most recently at the Cathe-dral of St. Peter in Rockford. He heard about the job opening from neighbors who are longtime members of the CUMC congregation and joined the staff in October. “I am really enjoying working in such a warm and wel-coming community. It has already been a great blessing to work with so many wonderful and talented members of Christ UMC,” Buchberger said. “Since most of my previous experience was within the Ro-man Catholic tradition, being at Christ UMC has helped me to stretch and grow in new ways. I have learned a lot. The series on ‘Revival’ was quite poignant for me,” he added. “More importantly, I have been witness to different

Welcome to the Family CUMC adds three new faces to staff by Mark McGowan

(

(New Staff continued on Page 5)

The Flame

Page 2

Knowing and Not Knowing in Advent It is Advent, and we find ourselves again in the season of expectation and hope. We know what is coming: many joy-filled activities, shopping, too much food, perhaps too much stress or loneliness. We also don’t know what is coming; we don’t know exactly how this year’s Advent will take shape. Around the church, I feel that same sense of knowing and not knowing. I know that the congregation responded generously to the spring capital cam-paign, and we are watching the fruits of that generosity every week. With Joy Hayag’s leadership, our Sunday School is growing. The weekly JAM (Jesus and Me) program is growing. The new pup-pet group (led by Sharon Mouri) led the Alpine Center 9:30 and 11:00 services in worship in November. Emily Muserallo, our interim director of communications, is loading the new website template; her wages are paid by freed-up funds designated by the campaign. Long-deferred capital projects are getting done, improving the attractiveness and safety of our facilities. Many small cosmetic improvements have also been done, spearheaded by our new Facilities Manager, Travis King. We know that we have terrific new members who joined in Novem-ber, bringing energy, dedication, and children to the congregation. There is also much that I do not know. I don’t know exactly how our children’s lives will develop or the minis-

A Word from the Senior Pastor

tries that will be most meaningful to them. I don’t know all the ways our church buildings will be used in 2016. I don’t know who will be attracted to Christ UMC (or brought by their friends and family) because of the in-creased communication ministry. I don’t know how cele-brating our 60th anniversary in 2016 will strengthen our awareness of the past and our trust in God’s guidance in the future. But with all the things I don’t know, I definitely know one thing: this congregation was created through the

Holy Spirit and continues to be guided by God’s grace. We have experienced salvation in Jesus, who feeds us, heals us, frees us, and sends us out in minis-try. I know that Jesus was born over 2,000 years ago, and I know that he will be born again in our hearts this Christ-mas. I pray that Christ will come again soon, because I yearn for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in

heaven. I come to this Advent trusting that God is doing a new thing among us. As Mark Lowry’s song indicates, Mary did not know all the gifts that would come because of the birth of her child. But she knew that she had said “Yes,” to God, and she stepped forward in faith. May we, like Mary, step forward in faith: loving what we know, and trusting God with all that we do not yet know. Expectantly,

Jane

Journey with Jane

“Mary, did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you”

Lyrics from “Mary, Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry

Alpine Center (MAILING ADDRESS FOR

BOTH CENTERS): 4509 Highcrest Road Rockford, Il 61107

Phone: 815-399-5910 Office Hours: Monday—Friday

8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Services Blended Worship Services:

8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Celebration Service:

11:00 a.m.

Our Master’s Center 5973 Darlene Drive Rockford, Il 61109

Phone: (815)399-5910

Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Child care is available

Rev. Jane Eesley, Sr. Pastor jeesley@christumc.cc

Rev. Deanna Mede, Assoc. Pastor dmede@christumc.cc

Rev. Scott Himel, Assoc. Pastor shimel@christumc.cc

Welcome to Christ United Methodist Church!

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Christ UMC Mission Statement We will live out God’s vision as we

Gather: introduce people to Jesus Christ, Grow: move from believer to follower, and Go: make a Gospel impact beyond the church

The Flame is a monthly publication of Christ United Methodist Church, available by mail or online at www.christumc.cc. Editor—Linda Kuntz Features Writers—Don Black, Mark McGowan, Beth A. Palm Contributing Photographer— Joe Whinnery Director of Worship Arts and Communications—Jody Warren

Cookie Walk: 11:00 am—1:00 pm, Saturday, December 12, Alpine Fellowship Hall Christmas Cantata: (Sanctuary Choir, Wesley Ringers, Joyful Noise Children and Youth Choir, Praise Team): 9:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday, December 14, Alpine Center (See page 7 for information) Christmas Angel Gift wrapping: (See page 7 for information) 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 14, Alpine Fellowship Hall Christmas Angel Gift wrapping: 9 a.m. Tuesday, December 15, Alpine Fellowship Hall Lessons and Carols Service: (presented by the Chancel Choir): 9:30 a.m. service Sunday, December 20, Our Master’s Sanctuary Blue Christmas Service: 6:30 p.m. Monday, December 21, Alpine Sanctuary (See page 7 for information) Christmas Eve services: Tuesday, December 24 (See page 15 for more information)

Family services: noon and 4 p.m. (both with communion and candle lighting) Regular services: 7 and 10:30 p.m. (both with communion and candle lighting)

Blessing of the Toys: Sunday, December 27, all services at both centers. Children may bring a toy to be blessed

and come in their PJs!

For more information on any and all of these events, call the church office (815) 399-5910.

Christmas Events at Christ UMC

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CUMC Senior Fellowship Group Friday, December 18, at Noon Dining Room, Alpine Center

Come and join this group for those who are age 65 or better for a wonderful homemade lunch and fellow-ship with your friends. This will be our annual Christmas party. We are scheduled to have Risë’ Barker play Christmas carols for us. Be ready to sing along! Call the church office at 815-399-5910 to make your reservation by Monday, December 14. Please join us!

Upcoming Programs: January 15, 2016

Jan Klimek will present a program on her interesting trip to Tanzania

February 19, 2016: Our annual white elephant gift exchange!

For more information call Linda Kuntz at 815-399-5910.

WOWS Widows Or Widowers and Singles

Open to all single women age 65 and over

In December: We will meet at the Hoffman House at noon on Tues-day, December 15. Please contact Nancy Vogel at 815-633-6894 to make a reservation by December 10. Suggested shelter donations include everyday men’s or women’s gloves, Chapstick, tissue pocket packs.

In January: We will have our sixth annual After Christmas Christ-mas Party on January 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm in the Alamo Room of the Lone Star Steakhouse. Bring a white elephant gift wrapped with love and join us. This is your chance to “re-gift” something that you don’t really want. For reservations, please contact Nancy Vogel at (815) 633-6894, by January 15.

In February: We will meet at Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que on Perryville Road on Wednesday, February 17 at 12;00. Please make reservations by February 15 by calling Karen Greenwood at 815-962-1235. Suggested shelter donations include any travel size items you wish to bring.

Fellowship News

We meet in the Alpine Coffee House at 9:30 am. Child care is available.

One meeting only in December December 11: Great Exchange-Christmas Fellowship

If you’re interested in attending, please email Emily

Muserallo at emuserallo@gmail.com.

Scrapbooking/Stamping Group Happy Holidays! The schedule for scrapbooking/stamping for the next four months is as follows:

December - no scrapbooking - enjoy the time with your family and capture the moments in pictures!

January 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Alpine Dining Room

February 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Alpine Din-ing Room

March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Alpine Dining Room Stay for all day or just a half day - whatever fits your schedule. Not everyone in our group scrapbooks. Some are stamping or working on other projects so join us for a fun day of crafting! If children will be joining us, it's re-quested they be at least middle school age. Please bring money for a sandwich and your own beverage, plus a snack to share. Mark your calendar and come join us! Questions? Call Mary Hicks at 815-742-1136.

Page 5 Church News

2015 Annual Church Conference Sunday, December 6, 6:30 p.m.

in the Dining Room, Alpine Center Please mark your calendar for this important an-nual meeting, presided over by our District Superinten-dent, Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford. The conference will provide an opportunity to continue reflecting on the Annual Conference question, “Who is my Neighbor... and how can we be neighbors to them?” All members are encouraged to attend.

New winter times for Tuesday Book Group

The Tuesday Book Group, which meets in the eve-nings, is going to get together from 3:30 to 5:00 on Tuesdays in January and February. We're still in the Trinity Building at Alpine Center. Join us on Jan. 5 and 12 for a discussion about good and evil in the hearts of men (and women) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. From Jan. 19 to Feb. 16, we'll read a very different book, Jul-ian of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich and Elizabeth Spearing. Julian of Norwich was a 14th century Christian mystic. Her book is the first known one to be written by a woman in English. If you want a copy of the book, you may buy your own (Dover paperback), or contact Mary English, who will order a used book at cost plus shipping (815 397-4883).

United Methodist Men Update The United Methodist Men had their fall communion breakfast on November 14 in Lena, IL. A check for $15,500 was presented to five food pantries. The United Methodist Men from Christ UMC gave enough money raised from our garden project to feed 15,000 meals for the “Meals for Millions” St. Andrews project. Our division in our Confer-ence ranks among the top ten Conferences in the country and #1 as a division nationally.

forms of ministry and a different approach to caring for members of the congregation and the community.” CUMC leaders were “ecstatic” when they saw Buchberger’s application, Eesley said. “Greg brings years of professional experience in directing choirs and is an accomplished accompanist on organ and piano,” she said. “Greg also has a keen sensitivity to the dynamics of worship. He dovetails beautifully with the gifts and emphases on this congregation.” For his part, Buchberger hopes to instill the same “profound joy” he feels from a singing congregation into the pews at Alpine and Our Master’s. “My desire is for all of us to enter more deeply into our worship together, to sing the hymns and songs of our faith with deep devotion and cognizance, and to live the words that we sing and profess as a Christian people,” he said. “Throughout my life, it has been through the faith of those around me that I have been formed and changed,” he add-ed, “knowing that God works through each of us if we al-low Him to use our abilities and talents for His purpose.” King, the hometown boy, first stepped in to replace former facilities manager Sam Parkinson on an interim basis. When he applied for the long-term position, Eesley said, “we were thrilled to hire him.”

(New Staff continued from Page 1)

“Travis has been a lovely surprise. He brings exper-tise, dedication and an amazing work ethic,” the pas-tor said. “Travis immediately dug in, carrying out the projects assigned to him but also bringing to our at-tention other items that needed repair or safety im-provements.” He provides journeyman skills in maintenance and repair – he’s able to fix some things himself, saving the church the expense of contracting outside labor – and is striving to improve the attractiveness and land-scaping of both campuses. Working alongside his wife, Natalie, the church’s longtime custodian, he aims to “get and keep all facili-ties in top-functioning condition.” “I wanted to join the staff because I feel that I have a lot to offer with my mechanical abilities. My passion comes from my love to fix things and to help others through my skill,” King said. “I have learned that there is a lot more that happens at church than just Sunday.” King is open to suggestions from congregation mem-bers – and he’s grateful for the opportunity to serve. “Church is important to me,” he said, “because it’s a good place to give thanks.”

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UMW Circle Schedule The United Methodist Women invite all women of the church to their circle meetings. Visitors are welcome and encouraged! To learn more about each circle, contact Carla White-Carpenter at 815-885-3425 Some circles do not meet in the summer.

Out to Lunch Bunch Vito’s Restaurant on Bell School Road

Thursday, December 3 at 12:30 pm For reservations, please call Diane Kirkland

at 815-621-3118 In January:

We’ll meet at Thunder Bay, on Thursday, January 28, at 12:30. For reservations and/or directions, please contact Nancy Vogel at 815-633-6894, by Monday, January 25. Care items for our ongoing shelter ministries would be appreciated.

Rebekah Circle If you enjoy Christmas decorating, please join us in the Alpine Dining Room on December 9 at 10:00 am. We will enjoy a potluck when we are finished and then put together boxes for the Cookie Walk.

Martha Circle Martha Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 9 at 12:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. After light refresh-ments, we will be assembling and decorating boxes for the annual Cookie Walk being held on Saturday, December 12. We also invite any friends of Martha Circle to join us! Please bring scissors and glue sticks and a holiday spirit for this important project. Please call Wilma at 815-877-3465 or Donna at 815-877-5381.

Priscilla Circle Priscilla Circle will meet December 14 at 6:00 (note time) at the home of Barb Hansen, 1134 Brook Hill Cl. for our annual Christmas dinner. We will be having our traditional lasagna and salad dinner. Call Barb, 815- 398-6418, if you will be joining us. Priscilla Circle met in November at Wesley Willows to celebrate No-vember birthdays. We served cookies and Wes Webb accompanied us on the keyboard to sing carols and oldies but goodies. Questions about Priscilla Circle call Deb Laskey 815-979-8555.

United Methodist Women News; Church News

Volunteers Needed! Would you like to help with funeral lunches? This is a very important ministry of our church in offering hos-pitality to families at a difficult time in their lives. All proceeds received from the lunches go to support UMW missions. We always need volunteers to either furnish food, or to help prepare and serve it. Please call Joyce Lantz at 815-282-5008, Marion Kern at 815-227-0711, or the church office at 815-399-5910.

U.MW Christmas Party at Our Master’s Center

Sunday, December 13th at 1:30 pm We will divide up our money for our missions.

Please bring a white elephant gift. Don't bring a treat as these will be furnished.

Alpine Center Card Creators Thanks to all who supported this project this year. May you have a joyous Christmas! We will resume our card creating on Tuesday, January 19. Willing hands are still needed to continue to raise money for missions. We all know there is a great need in our world.

Boost AmazonSmile donations to Christ UMC with your Holiday shopping!

If you like to shop at Amazon.com for the Holi-days, please note that you can help our church at the same time. Please go to AmazonSmile when you shop, and CUMC will receive a portion of your shopping dollars. Type http://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2406658 into your browser and you will go our link, then just shop as usual.

Page 7 It’s Christmastime!

Christmas Angel Project Our Christmas Angel Project is here!! We currently serve 6 community organizations, and we "gift" over 300 people. As you can imagine, this is quite an undertaking. We really need your help. What you can do:

Pick up an angel card at Sunday services starting on Nov. 22. We ask that all gifts are returned with the angel tag attached by Dec. 13.

Donate gift wrap, ribbon, tape, or REALLY BIG holiday bags for those awkward sized presents

Come and wrap with us! We can't have enough wrappers. Wrapping at CUMC at 4:30 on Monday, Dec. 14 and at 9 a.m. on Tues. Dec. 15. Bring your scissors!

Monetary donations are always appreciated, as we strive to fill the holiday wishes of so many kids, sen-iors, and others in our community. Send checks to CUMC with "Angel Project" in the memo

section. Shoppers! We are looking for volunteers who love to

shop. If you can shop or have a question, please email Kathy Wight at kathywight@christumc.cc or call the church office, Monday—Thursday from 8:30 am-1:00. pm.

An Important Note

The church buildings and offices will be closed the week of December 24—January 1. The office will reopen on

Monday, January 4, at 8:30 a.m. In an emergency, call the church number, 815-399-5910. You will be directed to an

emergency number. Some staff will be checking messages during the week.

A pastor will be available in an emergency.

Note: The office will be open on

Thursday morning, December 31, from 9:00 am—noon

to accept contributions to the church to be credited to 2015.

Blue Christmas

A Service of

Remembrance and Hope

Blue Christmas Service Monday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Alpine Center Sanctuary Please mark your calendar. This service will be for anyone grieving any kind of loss in life: divorce, loss of job, change in circumstances or any other type of loss, as well as the loss of a loved one. Rev. Norm Shirk will give the message. Plan to be here for this meaningful and com-forting service. Join us for a quiet service of carols and prayer.

Christmas Cantata “Good News of Great Joy”

Sunday, December 13, 2015 9:30 and 11:00 Worship Services,

Alpine Center Sanctuary Ignite your Christmas Spirit through a joyous cele-bration of music celebrating the birth of Christ. Mu-sic presented in a variety of musical styles by the Wesley Ringers Handbell choir, Sanctuary Choir, Joyful Noise Children and Youth Choir, Praise Team, and the Hands of Christ Puppet Ministry Team. Everyone is invited. Bring your family, friends and neighbors.

Lessons and Carols Service

Sunday, December 20 9:30 service

Presented by the Chancel Choir at Our Master’s Center Sanctuary

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And talk about knowing, Ted remembers names like crazy. “I took a Dale Carnegie course once,” he said, and that helped him. Travel was big in the Plum family, which is mostly Penn-sylvania Dutch, he said, when talking about his folks. His father, who worked for Standard Oil in the delivery busi-ness, had tuberculosis as a young man. His Dad vowed, “If I recover from TB, I’m going to travel the rest of my life.” He recovered and they traveled. “We saw every state in the country,” Ted said. He and Carol also have driven many miles together. They have been to 60 of the Statler Brothers concerts, to hear gospel music. Ted’s sister is 14 years older. She and her husband were military and spent nine years in Germany, so the family went to visit them for three months … a great education, he says. Ted was born in Dixon and raised in Ashton. His mother worked at a variety store and was a telephone operator. He graduated from Ashton High School in 1963. He played guard on the basketball team and ran cross country, becoming conference champion in 1963. He played baseball at WIU as a freshman. Ted worked as an office supply salesman for McFarland Office Equipment for 32 years. He was the top salesman many times. He had an offer to operate an employment agency. It was a two-year demanding job. Ted worked at Ameribank for a short time before taking a job at Area Rental and Sales. He

recently worked for Laser Care selling toner cartridg-es before retiring. Ted served in the National Guard for six years dur-ing the Vietnam War and drove a jeep. When Ted moved to Rockford in1970, they first at-tended Beth Eden and then Broadway United Meth-odist churches. Broadway had a small Sunday school so they decided to come to Christ UMC, so their daughters could have an active church life. Plums have always attended the 9:30 a.m. service. The couple has three daughters: Petrea is an ac-countant, Natalie is custodian at Christ Church and Vanessa is a fifth-grade teacher at Lander, Wyo. They have four grandchildren: Elijah, 12, Nikayla, 11, Lily Marie, 10, Lincoln, 7, and a grand-pup, Jager. Ted is an active Kiwanian. He joined Alpine Kiwanis in 1984. He was Kiwanian for the Year in the 1990s and Alpine president in 2001. He’s also a member of the Parks and the Golden K groups. And, Ted helps with Special Olympics, Project Elimi-nate, Spastic Paralysis, the pork chop dinner and many other Kiwanis activities. Alpine Kiwanis sponsors the annual Brat Day when more than 80,000 brats are sold. About $1.5 million from Brat Days has been given back over the years, to local organizations for the young, elderly and disad-vantaged, Ted said. Ted enjoys the White Sox, doing puzzles, collecting antiques and yard work. He is a man who doesn’t sit still!

( Ted Plum continued from back page)

Issue Deadline Date Stuffing/Mail Date

January/February January 14 January 20

March February 18 February 24

April March 24 March 30

May April 21 April 27

June May 19 May 25

July June 23 June 29

August July 21 July 27

September August 25 August 31

October September 22 September 28

November October 20 October 26

December Tuesday, November 22 Thursday, December 1

Publication Schedule of The Flame for 2016

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Kathy grew up going to Court Street United Methodist Church and moved away to Racine, Wiscon-sin for a time. She found herself back in Rockford when she was divorced. Kathy was looking for a preschool for her daughter, Jaci, and heard Christ UMC had one. Kathy and her two children, Jaci and Tim, lived close by so she decided to attend worship at Christ UMC in the spring of 1989. Mitch Olson was helping Norm Kearney make visits to new members. He visited Kathy and told her about choir. Kathy said she liked to sing but couldn’t participate in choir in Racine because they didn’t have childcare. That wasn’t a problem at Christ UMC so she began singing with the choir. Kathy married her Husband, Don, at Christ UMC in September of 1989. Singing is one of Kathy’s favorite ways to live out her faith; she sings both in the Sanctuary Choir and the Praise Team. She frequently solos and sings at special services as well. Kathy said that some of the songs you least expect sometimes touch people the most. She recalled that one of the songs from a Good Friday service, “Do you still feel the nails?” was especially mean-ingful. Moments like those are very special, when the spirit moves through the music to impact others’ faith. The music of Good Friday is a favorite for her because the music is particularly powerful. Kathy says when she sings solos she tries to think of the words and the message behind the song to calm her nerves. She thinks Jody Warren does a great job of choosing music that complements the themes of the messages. When Kathy isn’t singing, you may find her in the church office four mornings a week as a receptionist

Kathy Wight

or in the print room producing all of the church’s printed material. In 1999, Cindy Kentner, the Church Administrator, was in need of someone to print the various materials needed weekly. She asked Kathy if she wanted the part-time printing job and Kathy accepted. At first it was just printing. When the offices moved across the parking lot to the Grace Building, receptionist duties were added to her job, Monday through Thursday mornings. Kathy has also served in the Christmas Angel project for several years in various roles. She said it is spe-cial to see all the presents that come in from the congre-gation, to be a part of wrapping the presents, and imagine what the person who receives the gift will feel when he or she opens it. Every year when the agencies come to pick up the presents, they are so thankful. They tell us that we don’t know what it really means to the kids and seniors. The agencies in our community are overwhelmed that we do it every year and know who we are because of our long history with this ministry. Kathy’s faith has also been impacted by Disciple Bible classes, the Faith in Action events, and even the Blood Drive, where she signed up for the first time and then became a regular donor. Kathy lives out her faith in a variety of ways, through song, through service, through printing the words you are reading, and through warmly receiving those who come through our office doors and phone lines.

Some Important Information About The Flame Please see Page 8 of this issue for the 2016 Flame Schedule. Due to the way the Christmas and New Year holidays fall in 2015, we will be sending a combined January/February, 2016 issue. The deadline for that issue is January 14, and the mailing date will be January 20. We will then go back to our usual schedule for the rest of the year. If you have events early in January that you want to publicize, please send your information to lindakuntz@christumc.cc and they will go in the bulletin and enews, as space allows. Just a reminder that each month you can see The Flame in full color online at www.christumc.cc/monthly newsletter. The e-Flame will also occasionally contain some pictures of events which will not appear in the print ver-sion of the Flame. Be sure to check each month to see all the pictures in full color.

The Flame Team would like to wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year! Jody Warren, Linda Kuntz, Don Black, Joe Whinnery, Beth Palm, Mark McGowan

The Flame

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Rainbow Covenant Giving in December Coins on Sundays in December will go to Rosecrance Kinley Patient Assistance Fund. As a partner in ministry our church can help Rosecrance fulfill its mission to serve young people, adults, and families who seek and need substance abuse treatment, regardless of the ability to pay.

The Youth Perspective

A Fresh Take… Something Bad, Something Good

The Youth Perspective By Cameron Geddes

When going out to a homecoming football game, there are a certain amount of unfortunate events that can stand in your way: bad timing, few friends attending, lack of con-viction to go, poor weather, and so on. Or, getting into a car crash. That last one befell me this autumn. I stand by my reasoning that I was, and still am, an excellent driver. I check over my car completely even before I start the car. I never text while driving. I signal when I turn, and if I don’t want to make a risky right turn on red, I’ll sit there until I feel comfortable. I’m just a 16 year old wanting to go places and get things done in a timely manner. I think my Achille’s heel was that I was a little foggy on the small details of driving in different conditions. Simple things that could have been explained and would naturally have fallen into place with more first-hand driving experi-ence. But I was and am a very responsible driver. I’d heard numerous good reports about my driving from friends, family members, and friends of the family. I entered my car about 7:00 pm and began to drive the same route to Rockford Christian School I had done for 3 weeks without fault. I distinctly remember feeling…proud, comfortable in my driving—lights were on, I was dressed for the cold night. I felt… like a teen should: Free, respectable, in con-trol of myself and my situation. The short version: Yes, I was at fault. I’ve seen people’s faces fall when I tell them that, as if I was a serial killer hidden just down the street. No, I am not proud of it. No, it wasn’t intentional. Yes the other guy is all right, and I am as well. I was simply turning left on green, knowing there was not a turn arrow but thinking that I had yielded quite enough. I had not. In my defense, the light on Guilford and Bell School is literally infamous for being switched back and forth, never to a satisfying resolution. If I was to be in an accident any-where on earth, I am not surprised it was there. I turned left, noticing that “Oh hey, the headlights I thought were 30 feet away are only 15. And now 10. And now 5. Some-

thing seems rather wrong with this picture.” And I kid you not, that was all it took. That’s the ballgame folks. Bash, Blackout, Airbag Exhaust, Inhale, Inhale, Exhale. I cannot explain the marvel of Christ or the majesty and suffering of our cosmic, omniscient God with this story. It’s not fitting or focused upon it. Instead, I would like to angle this upon the nature of things like accidents. As equally as they are based upon cir-cumstances of human error and natural causes, they are thread-lines in the story of life. Do I think “Jesus took the wheel” and then pulled sharply to the left? No, I don’t. Our God is not a trouble-making teen killer. He loves every one of his people and I think he mourns the death and injury of everyone, no matter what the circumstances. But God uses awful things to build conviction in every one of us. Because of my accident, I will wait longer at green lights to turn left. I will double, if not triple, the amount of care I put into what seems like minor de-tails of driving. I will continue to drive and ensure the safety of myself and others. God has used a pain-ful, surprising, day-to-day shattering experience to make me better myself and remind me that nobody is invincible. It won’t be fun, it will be expensive, and it will take a long time, but I can use this to become better. Christians are not given a Life Bubble upon converting: We are given a med-kit through scrip-ture to repair what life throws at us. I dare not com-pare my relatively normal collision to something like a death of a family member or genocide in other countries or suicide of young children: I am not God. God has the answers to why things happen the way they do. But my suggestion is that we learn, and con-tinually move forward in our walk with God and our journey on this planet. You can fix a car: You can’t fix a human: Only that human can make things right through God and through their own conviction.

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Announcements We would like to invite all the families and chil-dren to join us on Dec. 9 for our “Family Advent Craft Night.” Dinner will be served at 5:30 to 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall and the “Craft Night” will start at 6:00 pm, downstairs in the Great Hall. This will be the last meeting for our Wednesday JAM night and we will resume on January 6, 2016. We also need help in delivering some of the cookies we will make for the craft night, as soon as school is out, so we can do some carolling for some of our shut-in members, I will email all the parents and coordinate the carolling day. We hope that we can make this happen and put smiles on their faces for this Christmas season. If you have some ques-tions, you can email me at jhayag@christumc.cc or call 815-399-5910. Blessings to all,

Joy

Alpine Center Schedule 8:00 a.m. Nursery Child Care is available at the Nursery Room

No Sunday School at this worship hour 9:30 a.m. Worship Hour

Infants and Toddlers: Nursery Room

All children begin in the Sanctuary and are dismissed after Children's Message (except on the first Sunday of the month)

Pre-School(4)-5th Grade—Lower Level Sunday School Rooms.*

Every first Sunday of the month* Kindergarten-5th grade chil-dren at the 9:30 am Alpine worship center will begin downstairs. We will all come up together to take communion and the children will be going back to SS with their teachers.

11:00 a.m. Worship Hour

Infants and Toddlers: Nursery Room

All children begin in Sanctuary and are dismissed after the Children's Message for SS.

Pre-School(4)-5th Grade—Lower Level Sunday School Rooms.

Note: Communion is every Sunday and the children go back to their SS classes with their teachers.

Our Master’s Center Schedule 9:30 a.m. Worship Hour

Infants: Nursery Room

1st-6th Grade: Begin in Sanctuary, dismissed downstairs for Sunday School following the Children’s Message

Note: No Sunday School classes during holiday weekends. Children will come up to the altar if there is a baptism and there is no children’s message during this time. Special Sunday events are scheduled in place of the children’s time.

Advent/Christmas Events Dec. 9 Advent Craft Night Dec.13 Christmas Cantata/Joyful Noise Choir TBA Christmas Caroling Dec.24 Christmas Eve Family Service, 4:00pm Dec. 27 Blessing of the Toys service—Please bring your favorite toy and you can wear your favorite pajamas to church that day.

Children’s and Family Ministries News for November

Wednesday Night Ministries Nursery Childcare from 6:00-8:00pm

Joyful Noise Choir @ 5pm- 5:30pm

Puppet Ministry 5:00pm – 5:45pm

Family Ministry Meal @ 5:30pm

JAM (Jesus and Me) Night @ 6:00pm

Pondering Parenthood @ 6:00-7:30 pm

Come and join us in Sunday School! S_nday School is not complete without U!

December 1 Sofia Berg Tracey Hedberg Jennifer Melenas Linda Olson Petrea Plum Jamie Watts December 2 Steve Brandon David Dunlap Danita Heaney Savannah Lundberg December 3 Donna Anderson Jessica Pink Doug Shumaker December 4 Kathryn Clark Don Cruden Erik Fetter Betty Lerch December 5 Patti Dole Jane Mathews Darlene Ortberg December 6 Kristine Hayag December 7 Jason Auker Ben Eilers Tom Peterson Robin Roegner Craig Rogers December 8 Ryan Blackburn Jessica Cooper Deena Lantz Brian Klazura Abbey Wilson December 9 Cristina Aarvig Taylor Mattingly

December 10 Jim Beaumont Erin Rydberg Shelly Reid December 11 Patsy Fields Mike Moser Dylan Otwell December 12 Caleb Beard Addison Fuller Greg Klein Brad Morrison Margaret Powell Scot Price Jenny Ralston Doug Roegner Jim Seigfreid Kurt Stroup Darcy Wilson Joshua Hayag December 13 Beth Holmertz Dave Wilson December 14 Kaye Dinsmore Pam Shumaker Joyce Stewart Seth Clark December 15 Chris Crane December 16 Lindsey LaPour Adut Mathiang Chris Powell Christian Reisetter Bobby Volz Matt Young December 17 John Daniels Aubrie Fuller Brock Morlan Jan Nowicki

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December 18 Brent Blackburn Deanna Murray Paul Purkapile Jeff Wallin Nicholas Young December 19 Viveka Flora Meredith Nagles Steve Robinson Ray Wood Joy Hayag December 20 Ian Anderson Carol Frey Mildred Hayag Nancy Hedberg Audrey Johnson Karla Michalsen Stephanie Morrison December 21 Kelsey Cassaro Isa Johnson Mary McKay December 22 Shelley Gale Clarissa Heaney James Moore Holly Sweeney Elsa Williams December 23 Judi Flodin Ryan Frey Whitney Malone Thomas Olson Donna Riha Cora Whitney December 24 Kari Cullen Hillary Deppe Greg Finch Carol Fleming

December 25 Pete Earleywine Mike Wallin Michael Wilson December 26 Kelly Gale Mary Hicks Carolyn Knodle Taylor Steffen December 27 Sue Anderson Addyson Powell Marjorie Schultz Lee Sullivan December 28 Chelsea Collins Emily Muserallo Michael Groncki Mark Halverson Derek Hudgin Scott Johannes Sally Plath Art Webb December 29 Jill Alms Pat Flick December 30 Jeff Bockhop Pat Hagman Diane Wilson Nancy Winker December 31 Teri Beam Lisa Frey Nicholas Greenland Brenda Lurvey Al Mowbray

Birthdays

Page 13

December 2 Steve and Rebecca Brusewitz Tim and Abbi Edwards December 3 Lee and Mary Kay Johnson December 4 Alan and Gretchen Beaman Merv and Ruth Huckstep December 5 Scott and Jennifer Martin Ron and Darlene Ortberg December 6 Wade and Dagmar Potter December 10 Chad and Sunny Williams December 11 Chuck and Robin Mann December 16 John and Mary Ann Foster Gary Kaufman and Maryann Leonard December 18 Bienvenido and Mila Hayag

The Church is People

Sympathy to: Roger and Tricia Corrigan, Greg and Kelly Finch and families, on the death of Roger and Kelly’s mother, Marianne Corrigan Nancy Vogel on the death of her brother, Jerry Carol Fleming on the death of her brother, Gary Pastor Dee and Eric Mede on the death of Dee’s cousin, Susie Dvorak Ron Raiber and Marci and Manuel Molina and family on the death of wife and mother, Joyce Raiber Char Peters on the death of her sister, Trudy Grace Gebhardt and family on the death of her step-son, Doug Gebhardt

Wedding: Jacki Gommel and Will Rodgers on November 21

Birth: Birth of a daughter, Emelia Leone, to Jaci and Nathan Riggins, granddaughter of Don and Kathy Wight

New Members who joined our church on November 22: Rolland, Joy, Kristine, and Joshua Hayag, Martha Hooley, Eric Mede, Emily Muserallo, and Ged Trias

Congratulations: Kaye Dinsmore, who attends the 8:00 service, recent-ly received the “Medique Unique Nursing Award” for outstanding contributions to occupational health nursing. Each year the IACHN annual conference in Lisle, IL presents this award to a member of their organization who has excelled in leadership and mentoring. Congratulations, Kaye!

December 19 Brock and Brittany Morlan December 20 Laura and Steve Cooper December 21 Joe and Susan Busenbark Dan and Donna Copeland Jane and Gordon Wesner December 22 Scott and Wendy Esgar Richard and Mary Gassmann December 23 Rich and Joyce Gibbons December 26 Don and Lory Cruden December 28 Edmar and Mabel Paraggua Phil and Amanda Rezin December 30 Dayton and Susan Hunter December 31 Greg and Jennifer Meyer

Anniversaries; The Church is People

Christmas Cookie Walk

Saturday, December 12 10:00 am—1:00 pm

Numbers will be given out at 9:30 am

Cookies are $15 per box Proceeds benefit local missions

Page 14 Thank You Notes

From George English, Member Rockford District Lay Academy Committee

Thank you from the Rockford District Lay Academy for everyone who worked to make Christ UMC a successful host on October 24 and 25. Some contributed baked goods for snacks and for a continental breakfast. Some organized and provided child care. Some helped prepare and serve food. Some set up, took down, and cleaned up afterwards. Some gave advice which we would have been lost without. Someone opened the church at 6:30 A.M. on a Saturday morning so the food servers could set for breakfast.

The Lay Academy was successful . A training event like this has many moving parts. Our part of the job on this occasion was to provide space, food, and child care. Thanks again for your help.

From Ken Frey Many thanks again for your prayers and well wishes and cards during the past three weeks. Special thanks to Pastors Jane, Scott and Dee for their visits and prayers which are so comforting—always much appreciated.

Thank you for help with Funeral Luncheon It was our privilege to help the family of Joyce Raiber cele-brate her life on November 17. Thanks to all who prepared salads and bars and to all who helped in the kitchen. A spe-cial thanks to Donna Simmons who cheerfully makes phone calls for food and to Gary Kaufman who so often sets tables. We gratefully appreciate “cheerful givers.”

Men’s Clothing Collection Our congregation was over the top in giving to the clothing drive for homeless men! A great abundance of blue jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, flannel and knit shirts, shoes, socks, new underwear, jackets and coats was donated. We doubled what was collected last year. It is wonderful to know that many will be warm because of your generosity.

From Jack Schroder Our church would like to thank the volunteers who came to the fall clean up day on Saturday, November 14 at Alpine Center. It was a cool day but nice by noon. Several people brought equipment and we fig-ure we mulched 100—200 bags. The Boy Scouts and others filled 44 bags of leaves. Others trimmed all the flower beds. A great job was done by all! Funeral Luncheon Committee

A supper was served for family and friends on November 1 after the beautiful Celebration of Life Service for Jerilyn Halpin. One of the things that made this celebration special was the presence of the therapy dogs from OSF who greeted everyone entering the main entrance. UMW mem-bers helped prepare and serve the supper as well as contrib-uting delicious salads and bars. The remaining food was taken to the Rockford Rescue Mission at the request of the family and was greatly appreciated. Many thanks to all these volunteers who lovingly assisted with this special min-istry and for their kindness to Jerilyn’s family and friends.

Red Wagon Sunday Again a Success Thanks to all who support our efforts to help those having a food crisis. Through your generosity, Red Wagon Sunday was another success. A total of 630 pounds of food and $175.00 was raised for Christ the Carpenter and the Rock River Valley Pantry. Both pantries have expressed their gratitude for your caring.

From Nancy Vogel Thank you very much for all the expressions of sym-pathy following the loss of my brother. All of your thoughts and prayers, kind words, hugs, phone calls and cards were greatly appreciated. Having the sup-port of a caring church family always means so much, but is especially important during our times of struggle and grief.

Tender Loving Crafts Wrap-up This year the United Methodist Women made $6,961 from the Tender Loving Crafts Show. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make this a success!

More Than 40 Years of Successfully Serving the Community

The Good Neighbor Community Garden at Our Master's Center has provided garden plots to renters since 1974, more than 40 years. This year, thanks to Dennis Thorn who did the tilling, Morry Harms, Don Johnson and Fred Zurouski who laid out all of the plots and Earl Williams who loaned a water barrel and did the end of year clean-up, the garden was again a success. All 54 plots were rented. The Our Master's Men’s Group donated all profits to the Rockford Dis-trict United Methodist Men's Meals for Millions.

Page 15

Do you like to sing? There is possibly no other time during the year when the music of the season fills our hearts more deeply than that of Christmastide. Our churches are full of life and vibrant, as we gather together to pray and sing, and to celebrate the Lord’s birth. It is with this in mind, that I make this special invitation to anyone who may not sing regularly with the Sanctuary Choir or the Chancel Choir, to consider joining us for our upcoming celebra-tions. NOW is the time to join the choir if you would like to sing with us for Christmas. High school students and adults alike are welcome to join us! Please contact Greg at the church office at 815-399-5910 or at gbuchberger@christumc.cc for more infor-mation and so that we can plan to have enough music ready! Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals are: Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 24 – We sing for the 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service! Chancel Choir Rehearsals are: Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 20 – We Sing for the Lessons & Carols Service! Many blessings to all of you during this coming Season of Grace.

Christmas Eve Services

Christmas with Epiphany Christmas Concert

Special 20th Anniversary Concert Featuring Jim and Stephanie Waddell

Sunday, December 6 at 3:30 pm First Covenant Church of Rockford

316 Wood Road, Rockford Free will offering

100% of donations raised goes directly to Rock House Kids

Guest artists from Christ UMC:

Mark McGowan Jim Johnson

Diane Robinson Kathy Wight

Christmas Eve at

Christ United Methodist Church

Noon

Traditional Service-Alpine Center This will be an intimate, traditional service for those who

don’t like driving at night or who have travel plans for later in the day on Christmas Eve. This will be a candlelight

service and communion will be celebrated. Nursery for preschool age and under.

4:00 p.m. Family Service—Alpine Center

This child-friendly, family service will speak to all ages as we celebrate Jesus and give voice to the questions

that the Christmas Season brings. Special music will be presented by the Joyful Noise Choir.

This will be a candlelight service and communion will be celebrated.

Nursery for preschool age and under.

7:00 p.m.

Candlelight Service—Alpine Center All are welcome to join us in the traditional Christmas Eve

Candlelight and Communion Service. Traditional carols will be sung, as well as

special music by soloists. Nursery for preschool age and under.

10:30 p.m. Alpine Center

Special Music and Candlelight Communion Service

All are welcome to join us in the traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service.

Our Sanctuary Choir and others will share their musical gifts as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Adult Education Highlights for 2016

Watch for a brochure will full information about adult classes coming in late December

Short-Term Classes Title: Winter Book Study Book: Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures by Sarah Lanier Teacher: George and Mary English Location: Alpine Dining Room Start Date: Wednesday, January 13th Meeting Time: 3:00-4:30 PM Meeting Frequency: Weekly, for 4 weeks Cost of book: $8.00 Description: Sarah Lanier (author) seeks to aid the reader in cross-cultural communication and relationships by high-lighting the differences between hot- and cold-climate cultures. While these concepts are unfamiliar to most readers, Lanier quickly introduces and defines the categories before discussing them in detail. Lanier, an American citizen who has lived in the Middle East, South America, Africa, Europe, and New Zealand, is particularly qualified to address this topic. The reader gets the impression that this book is the fruit of her own experiences and frequent lectures on the subject in different settings. More about the author: Sarah Lanier was born in Georgia USA and moved with her fami-ly to the Middle East at the age of nine. Since 1980 she has worked with an international and interdenominational organization and its university system. Her expertise is in the field of leadership and personnel development. This book creates within us a greater appreciation for our extended families around the world and an increased desire to better understand them Title: Lenten Book Study Book: Mosaic: When God Uses All the Pieces by Shane Stanford Teacher: Clergy Location: Alpine Dining Room Start Date: Wednesday, February 17th Meeting Time: 6:00-7:30 PM Meeting Frequency: Weekly, for 5 weeks Cost of book: $7.00 Description: Examine how the God of the universe uses the broken pieces of our lives to reframe our purpose, turn-ing our discarded hopes and dreams into something beautiful and useful―a mosaic in which God uses all of the piec-es. The author says, "This journey will take us along the same path Jesus walked in the days surrounding his journey to Jerusalem. We will see the similarities to our own stories as well as the lessons we should pick, like pebbles along the path." This study provides one lesson for each week in Lent. Each lesson includes a key Scripture reference, a brief reading, questions for reflection or discussion, a brief prayer, and guided helps for daily Scripture reading and addi-tional reflection in the coming week. Title: Spring Study Coming soon after Easter: A sermon series and small group discussion on the various Christian creeds (i.e. Nicene Creed, Apostles' Creed, Our Social Creed, etc...). The small group discussions will be led by the clergy.

Thanksgiving Basket Assembly Day, November 23, 2015

Thank you to Al and LeeAnn Mowbray for heading up this ministry and to all those who donated time and money to make it possible to feed so many in our community.

Photos by Joe Whinnery

Unloading the truck on November 22 and setting up for basket assembly day Photos by Don Black and Joe Whinnery

October 30, 2015

We are happy to introduce our new members who joined our church family on November 22, 2015

Rolland, Joy, Joshua, Kristine and Samuel Hayag

Martha Hooley

Eric Mede Pictured with his wife, Pastor Dee Emily Muserallo

Pictured with her husband, Sean and daughter, Beatty

Ged Trias

Christ United Methodist Church 4509 Highcrest Road

Rockford, Il 61107

Address Service Requested

Next Flame Deadline: January 14, 2016

Non-Profit Org. U.S Postage

PAID Permit #3336

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

Articles may be e-mailed to lindakuntz@christumc.cc or mailed/brought to the church office by the deadline date.

Getting to Know You: Ted Plum by Don Black

Check out our website:

www.christumc.cc

Ted Plum worked for Stillman Valley Bank, in charge of tellers and purchasing, after graduating from Western Illinois University at Macomb, with a degree in business administration and a minor in math. But he never figured that a bet would determine his spouse for life. “We had a contest to see who could get the most dates in a week,” Ted explained in an inter-view. The wager was with a buddy who shared an apartment with him. He had known Carol when she attended high school. She was a phlebotomist and he needed a free blood test for his friend, who had mono. After seeing Carol again, Ted became more interested – enough to get his buddy to take a scheduled date, so he could put Carol on his list. Long story short, a few months later they were mar-ried, and have been for 45 years. And the guy with mono was best man and married the girl Ted fixed him up with. Ted never mentioned who won the bet. At Christ United Methodist Church, Ted has been a familiar face since 1982. The most recent duties are those for the memorial committee, the preschool board, and United Methodist Men. He serves as district liaison

(continued on page 8)

for UMM in the district. He enjoys being one of the special needs assistants, help-ing those who require assis-tance into the church. Ted served on the nomina-tions committee for three years. Behind the scenes, he is one of the team that disarms the security system on week-ends so others can enter the building without difficulty. Ted has served on the com-mittee for the Hunger Concert every spring for the last seven years. However, right now Ted’s kind of on leave as he concen-trates on getting healthy for a quintuple bypass surgery. He suffered a heart attack earlier this fall and had two stints put in that day with surgery planned in the future. “I almost never get sick,” he pointed out. And another never … “I’ve never had to set alarms,” Ted said. “I just know when to get up.”