WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?

When you arrive in the sanctuary, there will be people there to help you feel welcomed and comfortable, to find a bulletin and a comfortable seat. All of the page numbers, creeds, prayers and everything are there and easy to follow. If you have an infant, there is a nursery or you may choose to keep your baby with you. If you have young children, you may want them to stay during the first part of the service when there is a Children's Time, and then go to the nursery afterwards. Of course they may wish to stay with you throughout the service too. If you are alone, we have a single's ministry!

You will discover most people dress comfortably, some like to dress up and others like to be very casual. The important thing isn't how you dress, or if you can sing, or how old or young you are. The important thing is that you come! We want you to feel welcome, comfortable and part of the family of God. We want you to experience the uplifting power and grace of God, to consider the way you can serve God through helping others, and come to know God's Plan and Purpose for your life.

WHAT IF YOU STICK AROUND & MAKE CUMBERLAND UMC YOUR CHURCH HOME ?

We believe that God moves in the personal experiences of people and that each of us must accept Christ as Lord of our lives. We believe that God is powerfully at work among us, and that we can see and share his grace touching our lives and guiding us through our study of the Bible. We believe that God expects us to put that faith and understanding to work as a church family. Those who decide to make Cumberland their church home do so because they are convinced that God has called them to this place, to learn, to grow and to serve.

Life can be complicated and demanding . We can become spiritually dry and feel like we are running on empty. We need encouragement and a sense of purpose. We all need to be accepted for who we are, what our experiences have been and what we can be. The good news is that a relationship with Jesus Christ can give you that through your church family at Cumberland United Methodist Church. You can come to know a continued source of renewal and find new perspectives that make life a joy again.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL HEALTH ?

When we say that we need to be spiritually healthy, just what is it that we mean ? How can our pastor say that financial struggles in our church are just a symptom of ailing spiritual health ? How is it that the needs of the UMW and UMM, UMYF are linked with low worship attendance, lack of direction and families struggling to have enough money to buy Christmas presents, meet their bills, and still be faithful about tithing ? Have you backed up and looked from a God's eye view of our church ?

Our youth say they want MANY MORE youth taking part in our two UMYF groups. Our UM Women want more women to come and take part in their fellowship and activities together. Our United Methodist Men need to feel connected and supported as they try to be good fathers and husbands, strong leaders, successful in their careers, and in right relationship with God. How can we need these things and not see the connection with spirits that are sagging, feelings of being drained, stressed, isolated, running on empty and spiritually dry ?

The very thing we long for is what Christ stands ready to pour out in great abundance, but we have to really make a commitment to let Christ be Lord of our lives. We have to reorder our priorities. Spiritual health absolutely must come first and that begins with conscious decision to submit to the spiritual disciplines of faithful attendance, giving back to God 10 % of all we make plus then beginning to bring joyful offerings over and above what God already has claimed as his own. Our spiritual health depends on making time to pray and to study Scripture.

If your personal situation has you struggling financially, look at how much you have given to God. You can not expect God's rich blessings to pour forth upon you when you are blatantly stealing what is rightfully God's. If your personal situation has you struggling with a lack of time, look at how much time you have spent in prayer and Bible Study. You can not expect the rest of your week to go well, when you have not first made a place in your days to walk with your Creator. If your personal situation has you unhappy with your physical or emotional health - if you are depressed, unhappy about your physical appearance, feeling on edge and angry most of the time - take a look at what you are handing over to God. Is it God or your own self will that is in charge ?

Statistically, 80 % of the people in a church can be dramatically gifted by bring their lives to be "altered at the altar" and the other 20 % already know it and have done it. Can you say that you are truly blessed with great spiritual health ? If you need help in how to get your life turned around and on the right and healthy spiritual basis, come and talk with our pastor. If you just need a nudge to do what you know you should, take some time to re-plan you budget, your calendar and your recreation to allow for Christ to be Lord of your life

Prayers and blessings,

Hope A. Vickers, Pastor

WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS

What a joy it has been to welcome the Pagano family, and the Gray family as they worshiped with us recently. Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself to them.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND PRAISE

Please continue to keep Audrey Clifton in your prayers as she struggles with her chronic disease.

We offer a prayer of thanks that David Dalton is improving in his health and hope to see him soon.

We ask your prayers for Jean and Tony Campbell's family as they help her sister's family through the grief of having lost a child in a car accident. The Campbell's are new to our church family and we hope to show them how much Cumberland cares in this difficult time.

Mildred Williams is recovering from a fall that left her with a broken ankle.

Nancy Williamson continues her recovery at the home of her daughter, Tammy, in South Carolina.

Charlotte and her sister "Pinky" are strengthened by your continuing prayers.

Our college age students will shortly be in final exam time and your prayers and encouragement will boost their spirits too. Your prayers make a big difference. Thank you and keep it up !

Our monthly newsletter continues to be an excellent source of information and news for the church. Our goal is to continue to improve it, increase its relevance and readability. Sunday School Class Leaders are being asked to share news about their class activities and studies, and news about members in their classes. (For example, The Seekers Class is about to share some great family time together at Ashboro Zoo. The stories to come from such a day make great news!)

In addition to Sunday School Class News, there will soon be a Focus Section added to our newsletter to highlight our "unsung heroes" in the church and their contributions to our life together. All members are invited to submit a brief writ-up to recognize the special gifts and work of fellow church members, as we all are in ministry together. We are also going to reformat the front page of the newsletter (note changes in this issue) to specifically reach out to visitors and nonmembers. One of our thoughts is to start "Neighborhood Sundays", which will target a neighborhood with newsletters and invitations to join us in worship and then recognize all persons from that neighborhood on their Sunday.

We are in the process of creating an illustrated church floor plan which will be mounted and hung at the church entrances and the Seekers Sunday School Class has undertaken the project of purchasing and installing rooms signs to help those unfamiliar with the church building find their way. Another way of helping those new to our church is through our Internet Web Site. Soon our bulletins will also list our web site address so members and visitors will remember how to log onto it.

Telling the world about our church and our collective faith story is a large part of our mission as a church and as a Witness Committee. The newspaper articles and announcements which appear from time to time are graciously done by Ray and Ilona Dawber. Also, we are in the process of developing a visitor video to give to church visitors and new residents, and we are in the process of developing a "Road Show" display booth which we can take to Hope Mills and Cumberland County events to tell others about Cumberland UMC. This display booth would be supplied with brochures, and other items to invite people to our church for worship and fellowship.

As the Advent Season approaches, Ray Dawber has volunteered to organize a Christmas Luminaries project to light the church driveway and walkways for our Christmas Eve Communion Service. You can buy a luminary in honor of family members, loved ones, and as memorials, and then burn the candles during the Christmas Eve Worship Service. This should be a beautiful display for the service. The cost will be very reasonable so as to have a great many lights and allow families to have many, many lights on Christmas Eve.

The end of 1998 is coming at a really quick rate; here it is November already! The Outreach Committee is making plans for 1999, and we don't want any one soul left out of opportunities to serve the Lord and our fellow man. The main focus of the Outreach Committee during the next two months will be to get EVERYONE at CUMC signed up for one outreach mission - St. Joseph's breakfast, visits to Forest Hill Rest Home, Operation Inasmuch, mailing Sunday sermon tapes to the homebound,,building wheelchair ramps through the Cumberland County Agency for Older Adults, helping out with the Foster Parent Support Group, or volunteering at the Alms House. If there is something that you'd like to be involved in, PLEASE let us know.

There's a 1999 St. Joseph's Breakfast sign-up sheet posted on the Outreach bulletin board. You are welcome to sign your group up - no experience necessary. Please consider being part of this, it's something everyone should do next year.

As you've heard by now, October's Operation Inasmuch was a huge success, and it felt great to be part of such Christian outreach work. Pastor Buzz Parks of Hope Mills Baptist Church has already made contact with Betsy and Audrey to talk about coordinating Operation Inasmuch in Hope Mills at the end of March 1999. It's remarkable to think that we at CUMC will help break ground for Operation Inasmuch in Hope Mills.

The October 25^th meeting of the Nurture Committee began with a review of our Long Range Plans and those goals identified for 1999. There is great reason to celebrate the work we are doing together in the name of Christ.

BEAUTIFUL NURSERIES, HAPPY BABIES, AND SATISFIED MOMS AND DADS That is what we want ! Thanks to Bob Reed, we now have a changing table in both nurseries, plus another one in the ladies room at the bottom of the steps from the back of the sanctuary. (Sorry dads, please use the nursery tables when it is your turn to make "the change.") As your own children get older and outgrow their toys, consider the church nurseries as a good place to make a donation. We can even sign a list for you so you can make a tax deduction, if you like.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS

Our Children's Ministry includes a fantastic Sunday School program in which our teachers recently participated in a training workshop with the company representative from Logos Productions, Inc. and have many new ideas in how to make great Sunday School classes even better. Sunday School teachers may be calling on you to help out as occasional substitutes, or they may be calling on your Adult Class to allow the children to minister to you by hosting special Sunday session with you as their guests.

Our Children are also encouraged to participate in their very own Children's Choir which meets in the choir room each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The children sang the first Sunday of this month and ALL of us left singing, "God's still working on me.." Thank you boys and girls for a great song ! In December the Children's Choir will be singing on Sunday December 6^th and on Sunday, December 20^th.

Vacation Bible School has been set for 1999 ! June 20-24th 6:30 - 8:30 PM with a VBS Program on Friday night June 25^th followed by an Ice Cream Social. Ann Krieger is Chairperson of this project and we will all give her our support as she begin to make more plans and asks for our help - Won't we ?

JUNIOR AND SENIOR YOUTH

Our Junior and Senior Youth have been busily planning their 1998/99 UMYF calendars. We extend our thanks to their leaders, Mary Nunnery, Coke Braxton, and Carolyn Rea. We are looking for another couple to join in helping as youth counselors with the Junior UMYF group. If you are interested, please see our pastor.

SENIOR YOUTH NEWS

A month or so ago, we had a planning meeting in which we set dates to do certain activities. We have become quite active in District events, especially with our Andrew Bullard being the new president of the District Youth. District Youth plans include rallies, fund raisers, and creating District Youth shirts.

Cumberland Senior Youth had a "Night On The Town party on Friday, October 30^th. The party included bowling and a midnight breakfast at IHOP. After a strenuous night, most of us returned home at 2:30a.m.

We plan to attend Pilgrimage in Fayetteville on Nov. 6-8th and hope the Junior Youth of Cumberland will join us. There will be thousands of youth in attendance at the Coliseum and we will be able to see old friends from ACS and other local churches. The next week on Friday, Nov. 13^th we plan to have a dance.

The last dance we had was great. We grilled hot dogs, danced and had a cake fight ! On October 17^th our service project was helping with Operation InAsMuch and the TOPS Luncheon. On October 25^th, we had a picnic in the park. Actually, we played football, threw a Frisbee around, swung on the swings and then went indoors to eat and watch "Hope Floats" and celebrate Mrs. Braxton's birthday.

So, the past month has really been a lot of fun. We hope it will be just a small representation of the year to come and we invite other senior high youth to join us ! Interested youth can call our president, Melinda Rea, Vice President, Kim Rea, Ashley Vickers, secretary, or Jennifer Stevens, Treasurer.

SINGLE ADULTS' MINISTRY

A New Name - UMSF - (United Methodist Singles Fellowship)is being used collectively to describe the two singles groups: College Age Singles and "Singles United Now In Christ" of Cumberland UMC. The younger group of singles meets during the Sunday School hour for a gathering and sharing time, while the "Out of College Age" groups who call themselves SUNIC or Singles United Now In Christ meet both at the Sunday School hour and also at additional times to enjoy social and service oriented time together.

See our pastor if you would like more information about either of these great new groups !

College Age Singles will be getting a little something in the mail soon - if all of our congregation donates to the Exam Survival Boxes intended to go out during exam weeks. Our thanks to Betty Sealey for keeping up with our College Age Students .

ADULT MINISTRIES

Adults at CUMC are enjoying many new and invigorated groups within the church this year. Our Fellowship Friends matches new members of our church with longer term members as a way fo helping them feel welcomed and making sure they get the opportunity to find their way around, get acquainted, and learn more about what membership in the church and discipleship means. Mary Reed is working closely with our pastor in this ministry and she would like to match more families. Let her know if your would like to help.

Adults are participating in Disciple I and Disciple II Bible Study. The way we understand our identity as the people of God and the way we are bound together makes for a powerful new understanding of why we follow the teachings of our faith, submit to the authority of Scripture, and need to be together as a great witness to the Holy Spirit active and present among us.

The "Partnership Bible Study" has begun meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10 AM under the leadership of Martin Rasmussen. They invite all who are interested in a morning Bible Study to join them as they learn more about the riches of God's Holy Word.

This years "Discipleship I" class began in September and has settled in to a group of nine who have joined together to study and understand the Bible. As we progress further into the Old Testament, it is interesting to experience the various different understandings we each interpret on our daily readings. In our journey, it is wonderful to hear each participant's experiences in their relationship with God and to understand what worship means to each of us. Our class members come from diversified religious backgrounds, which leads us into some interesting insights. As October comes to an end we have become more aware of the first books of the Bible, how and why they were written, the significance of the Hebrew rituals in worship with an insight into our worship today and also the connectivity we have with these ancient ways. We meet together in seriousness with a little added humor (when discussing every day events). When I think of why I decided to become a part of this class I return to the understanding that we are all called individually be part of God's plan, whether in teaching, learning or giving of ourselves and our abilities. Through this class our group will hopefully become closer and supportive to each other and be asset to our church and faith.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Our custom has been to join together with Cumberland Baptist Church for a Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday night before Thanksgiving Day. This year the service will be held at the Baptist Church and our pastor will be preaching. Our choir will provide the music and our Baptist brothers and sisters will host the reception afterwards in their new fellowship hall. The time will be 7 PM and we hope you will come !

HANGING OF THE GREENS SERVICE

Sunday, November 29^th marks the start of the Advent Season. On the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving we will be preparing the wreaths and greenery for that service, along with the purchase of poinsettias for the Poinsettia Tree. UMM will do the Friday cutting and gathering. All volunteers are asked to help assemble beginning at 9 AM on Saturday. Following the 11 AM Service on Sunday, we plan to have a Soup & Sandwich dinner and decorate our "Family Tree" in the Fellowship Hall with the help of our children. Other decorating can also be done after our meal together. Please mark your calendar NOW. - An Advent calendar will be printed in the bulletin for the Hanging Of The Greens Service listing all of the Sunday evening events this year. Teachers & Groups, we recommend December 6^th be set aside as a time for Sunday School Classes, Choir, or other small group Christmas parties.

VISIT OUR NEW PRAYER CHAPEL

The Bride's Room and Coat Rack are gone. We have turned that space into a much needed quiet space where you can come and pray away from the hustle and bustle of an active church community. The Prayer Chapel will soon have music and sound capability so that moms and dads can take a crying child there to be soothed in its holy space. Our Prayer Chapel grandly houses the old Communion Table many of you remember from the old church, and it has a beautiful stained glass window of Jesus praying at the Garden of Gethsemane. How appropriate it is for our new prayer space. If there is interest, we may do some sort of memorial in this space to lift up the names of church family members who have gone to be with their Lord. May you know God's tender grace as you spend time in our quiet Prayer Chapel.

TRUSTEES CARE FOR BUILDING & GROUNDS

Meeting in October, the Board of Trustees took care of church maintenance and repairs such as trash removal (now weekly for health standards) and plumbing needs for the parsonage washer, and the need for better lighting in the church parking lot. The bi-annual church clean up was discussed and the Trustees thank the many people who gave of their time, resources and talents to take care of this work. The Trustees thank the Cliftons for donating a new refrigerator, to the Kriegers for the parking lot light, to the Nunnery's for the hand held wireless microphone we used for the first time on Laity Sunday. (Great Testimonies !)

Additional "Thanks" go to those who helped with the Yard Sale/Health Fair and we recognized that we need to start asking helpers to arrive at 6 AM in future years to get set up for our 7 Am opening. The helpers for this year included those who generously donated items, those who gave their time pricing and sorting items, those who set up, helped our community booth representatives, served with the youth, did the bake sale, and those who cleaned up. We all were amused by those eager buyers who showed up with flashlights in their hands ready to plunder the merchandise while we were still carrying out the tables! (Keep your sense of Humor!)

A big task facing the Trustees was how to provide space for a United Methodist Singles Fellowship Ministry. The Single Adults in our community need a church home that is receptive to them and supportive of their need to grow in their faith, be accepted in their singleness, and encouraged to socialize, study and serve as God calls them to do. The age range of single adults can be anywhere from eighteen to 80 or 90 something. It was decided to provide space for college age singles (out of high school but flexible on the upward age limit ) in the Activity Room and then additional class space for more mature Single Adults in what used to be the Food Pantry room. Since we are members of the ALMS HOUSE now, we take our food donations to them and this room was only being used for storage.

The renovations are underway with the Single Adults doing most of the work under the Trustees' guidance. Anyone willing to make a donation to their project will be very appreciated. They especially need carpeting.

Under his excellent leadership, the Trustees have been able to accomplish a great deal this year and have persuaded Bob Reed to continue as president of the Board of Trustees for 1999. They recognize that the Long Range Plans of our church will require strong leadership and cooperation from all of our members. Bob extends his thanks for everyone's support this past year and is counting on your continued help to enable Cumberland to realize its goals for the coming years.

Cumberland United Methodist Church

Administrative Council Meeting

November 1, 1998

The meeting of the Administrative Council was called to order at 4:15pm by Bob Reed in the absence of Chairperson Edwin Deaver. There were 12 members present when Bob lead our opening prayer.

The minutes of our previous meeting were approved as read. It was noted that the DOT Meeting had been rescheduled to October 29^th and was attended by Edwin who will give us an updated report.

The treasurer's report was handed out as attached.

The committee reports were as follows:

Nurture Committee: Reported by Floyd Autry: The committee met on October 25th and reviewed 1, 5 and 10 year goals. It was noted that a couple is needed to help with the junior youth. A new Scouting liaison is also needed. A Sunday School training workshop was held on October 3 1st, led by a representative of the publishing company. Several teachers attended as well as some from other churches. Teachers are again asked to contact their own substitutes when they are going to be out so that all classes will be covered. Teachers are asked to submit items for the newsletter each month. Betty Sealey is getting exam survival kits ready for the college students. There will be a box in the kitchen to hold donated items. A singles class has been formed and is in progress of remodeling the former food pantry for their classroom. Dates to remember area:November 27th --Cutting of greens

November 28th--Making wreaths and window arrangements November 28th- YMYF decorate the Chrismon tree

November 29th--Hanging of the greens service to be followed by a soup and sandwich lunch after which families will be invited to decorate the fellowship hall

December 20^th , --Children's Sabbath.

December 20th--Church Christmas party

After a motion by Janet Murphy, seconded by Betsy Roose, the council approved the proposed date of Vacation Bible School as June 20th-24th with a program on June 25^th followed by an ice cream social.

Outreach Committee: Betsy Roose: Betsy was very pleased with the participation in Operation Inasmuch. The goal of her committee is to have every member sign up for one mission for the next year. She passed a list among those of us present for our commitment. She has been contacted by another church for her assistance in coordinating their participation in the program in March. The Seekers Class are planning a Christmas party at the Forest Hills Nursing Home and the choir will be invited to entertain the residents. Betsy asked for someone to help her with the shopping for the homeless breakfast program in the coming year as well as a volunteer to mail the Sunday worship service tapes to shut-ins each week.

Witness Comniittee: Hope Vickers: All the Sunday school class leaders are requested to contribute to the newsletter each month. An "unsung heroes" column will be added. Several changes are in the works for the newsletter. The church home page address is to be added to the bulletin. The Seekers class has volunteered to have signs made for each classroom.

Worship committee: Jane Stevens; The committee will meet on Tuesday, November 4th. The Christmas Cantata has been scheduled for December 13 and a church wide Christmas party for December 20t".

UMYF: Ashley Vickers: The youth have had a meeting to make plans for the coming year. Officers elected were: President--Melinda Rea; Vice president--Kim Ray; Secretary- -Ashley Vickers; Treasurer--Jennifer Stevens

Andrew Bullard has been elected as president of the district youth fellowship.

Coke Braxton is assisting Mary Nunnery as the youth advisor.

The group has had a bowling night out and plan to attend Pilgrimage on November 6, 7, and 8. They have invited the junior youth to accompany them.

They plan a dance on November 13th. Several of the group assisted the UMW in serving the luncheon to the TOPS group in October. Sherry Lutz has been teaching their Sunday School class for this unit and they are enjoying their lessons.

Jr. UMYF: Olivia Dove reports that the group has started their new year and have planned several fun, and interesting programs and activities.

UMW: Helen Knox reports that the catering of the TOPS luncheon was accomplished as well as preparing lunches for the workers who participated in Operation Inasmuch. The ladies are working on crafts for the Children's shop which will be held on December 20 th . Helen is president of the District UMW as well as our own unit this year.

Senior Citizens: Helen Knox reports that there are now 26 members in that group. They are going on a dinner cruise in Wilmington on November 5"'.

UMM: Danny Soles: The men met with a breakfast meeting this morning with 13 members present. Officers elected were: President--Jace Stowe; Vice President--Mike Rister

Secretary/Treasurer--Danny Soles.

They are also making plans for the new year and have ideas on several projects involving the life of the church.

Nominations Committee: Hope Vickers made a motion to add two names to the nominations committee for 1999. Clark Murphy and Laura McIntosh were approved by all present.

Finance Committee: Jane Stevens: The committee met just prior to this meeting with some good news, our CP & L bill was only $216.00 for the month of October and the bad news that we have paid only about 1/3 of our apportionments for 1998. The committee resolved to lead a campaign to raise at least another third, approximately $5,000.00 before the end of the year. An article will be placed in the newsletter, a special report will be given on Sunday, a chart will be placed in the narthex to show our progress and a coin collection jar will be placed there as well.

Pastor/Parish Relations: Danny Soles announced that his committee had met on October 19^th at which time they complied a report for the district. Paul Wirt will be the chairperson of that committee for 1999.

Trustees: Bob Reed reported on a meeting held on October 1 He thanked everyone who helped with the clean up before Homecoming. He also extended thanks to the Cliftons for the new refrigerator, the Kriegers for a new outside light, the Nunnery's for the hand held portable microphone and all those who helped with the yard sale. The trustees approved the renovation of the former storage room for the new singles class. Bob Reed was again chosen as chairman of the trustees.

Parsonage Committee: Hope Vickers announced that the washer drain has been repaired.

Pastors Report: Hope Vickers reported that the Witness committee has asked her to edit the newsletter articles so that the newsletter will be more "readable". Books of Discipline have been ordered for the PPR committee and all committee chairpersons. She announced that she is concerned about attendance at committee meetings as well as the council meetings. It was suggested that meeting be held less often.

November 15, 3:00-6:00pm will be the date of Leadership training workshops at Haymount United Methodist Church. All new chairpersons and committee members are urged to attend.

Hope also introduced the idea of using the parsonage as a preschool. Appraisal should be higher if it is used as a part of the church ministry rather than a residence.

Hope closed our meeting with prayer at 5:30pm.