Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

DECEMBER 2008

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

It is hard for us to understand Jesus' delay in coming back. God's time clock is certainly out of sync with ours. So, here it is, Advent again!

Advent is about God identifying with the human situation. God came in the form of human flesh and lived among us. Paul worded it this way in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that through his poverty you might become rich."

Advent is about God identifying with the human situation. God came in the form of human flesh and lived among us. Paul worded it this way in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that through his poverty you might become rich,"

Friends, you cannot say these things about our Heavenly Royalty. God is not some detached Royal who does not know or care how we live. God came to earth in the form of a person, born into a poor family. The Almighty's Christmas wrapping was not one of tinsel and paper but of human flesh. Our Rock of Ages's very name, Emmanuel, means God With Us.Because God lived among us, there is no feeling, no experience that you can encounter that God does not understand. Orphans and widows know that God went through the loneliness of Gethsemane, the falsely accused know that He suffered betrayal at the Mount of Olives, those who mourn know he wept at the death of Lazarus, addicts know he too was tempted by his fleshly desires in the temptations of the wilderness. He also knows our joys as was evident at his joy of the wedding at Gethsemane. God does understand. No matter what you have encountered, God has been there first.

In the embrace of family and friends, God is there. In the suffering of children who are the victims of violence and orphaned by AIDS, God is there. No prison cell or nursing home is so depressing that God's light will not shine. No empty house is so barren, that new life cannot emerge. No person is so lost or weak that he or she cannot be salvaged.

We have faith that Christ will come again. We continue to pray for the salvation of the world especially at Christmas. May your life be lifted up by Jesus Christ.

Rev. Roberta L. Williams

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MAINE!
United Methodist Economic Ministry
Salem Township, Maine

As you may be aware, Maine is one of the poorest states in the country. The United Methodist Church is in mission in Salem , Maine , to bring employment and training to learn trades such as furniture restoration, sewing, business. They also collect and make direct donations of used furniture, and clothing.

Their largest source of employment of the poor comes at Christmas. Each November families all over the Western mountains of Maine gather Balsam fir tips to make Christmas wreaths. In this area of high unemployment and under-employment, this is a vital industry. The income makes it possible to bridge the gap between summer and winter employment.

The United Methodist Economic Ministry connects these wreaths makers with churches who are interested in purchasing Christmas wreaths. These lovely wreaths are made on a 12" ring and include a hanger.

The United Methodist Economic Ministry connects these wreaths makers with churches who are interested in purchasing Christmas wreaths. These lovely wreaths are made on a 12" ring and include a hanger.

The wreath cost is economical for all who purchase and enjoy them. Each wreath costs $10.00. The poorest of the poor in Maine are paid $7.50 for each wreath purchased. This is a true blessing on them and on you, the buyer!

May God Bless you and your loved ones for this Christian act of kindness. They are available upcoming Sundays. We thank you for your purchase!

Rev. Roberta L. Williams

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Is it November Already?:

October was a busy month, expense-wise, so we weren't able to erase the deficit in the Program and Ministry account, even though the Apple Festival brought in a little over $1800. Our November community supper raised nearly $1500, and that should help a lot. With the Christmas offering coming up in December, we hope to eliminate that deficit altogether. Let's all work together to make sure that happens!

The roof reconstruction project continues to move forward and we and the Trustees are tracking expenses closely. So far, costs are coming out about as expected and the job is nearing completion. We expect to have adequate funds for the remainder of the work.

The Fall Stewardship campaign is in its wrap-up phase and results continue to be encouraging. To date, we have 26 pledges totaling $56,904; divided as follows: $40,531 for Program & Ministry, $7,758 for Mission and Outreach, and $8,615 for the Roof Fund. As we do the budget-building activity for 2009, it appears that we could use a little more help in the Program and Ministry area, but are pleased that Roof Fund pledges will more than cover the loan costs in 2009, and Mission & Outreach pledges exceed the 10% goal. The real astounding numbers relate to the average annual pledges in these categories. Many of these come from our members who are on fixed incomes!

These numbers represent a tremendous trust by our pledgers in the blessings that God has in store for them. They also represent a remarkable commitment to the Ministry of this church. All who have not yet made a pledge are encouraged to open yourselves up to God's blessings by stepping up to this same level of trust and commitment. You will not be disappointed!

Fund balances at the end of October, 2008, are as follows:

Dave Howe, Chair

MISSIONS

HVCC/Tri-Town Pantry: 860)872-7890
VUMC filled six food baskets for Thanksgiving ---
Thank you to all who donated items!!!
Our super basket fillers-Kylie, Sierra, Shane and Nick- did their "round the table" to assemble the baskets on Sunday, November 23rd and the Morgans delivered the baskets to HVCC on Monday, November 24th.
We will also be filling six food baskets for Christmas. Pick some stars off the selection tree and help to fill these baskets.

Cornerstone Soup Kitchen: (860) 871-1823
There will be a Christmas Day celebration. Fresh vegetables are needed to help make this a real Christmas dinner. Ongoing items needed are: Eggs, cheese, butter, coffee and bread.
If you can provide any of these items, please deliver them directly to the soup kitchen.

Giving Tree:
We will again have our Christmas tree ready to be decorated with hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks. These items will then be taken to HVCC for distribution.

Heifer Project:
Don't forget to bring in your empty refundable bottles & cans.
If you are considering giving a Heifer International gift to someone this holiday season, you may see me about a form for selecting and ordering the animal and receiving a gift card.

Local Holiday Events:
National Amusements Inc. offers Holiday Classics, a program offering moviegoers free admission to a classic holiday film with a donation of a nonperishable food item to benefit local food banks. The film series runs every Saturday at 10a.m. at Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills in Manchester. The film schedule for December is:
Dec. 6th :"Home Alone"
Dec. 13th: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
Dec. 20th: "White Christmas"

Great JOY A Christmas Musical is being presented by Trinity Covenant Church at the Baily Auditorium of Manchester High School. This is the 24th year of this musical event which also features members of the Manchester Symphony Orchestra. FREE ADMISSION
Performances: Saturday, Dec. 6th at 2 pm & 7pm, Sunday, Dec. 7th at 2pm & 7pm.

Where your materials and dollars go:

Tri-Town Shelter:
The cost of a typical homeless person's only meal (McDonald's Double Cheese)…$1.06
The cost of sheltering a client for a day at the Tri-Town Shelter…$59.00
The cost of turning someone's life around…priceless.

The model of the shelter is Empathetic Care + Effective Case Management + Education + Equipping = Empowerment. In addition to hot meal, hot shower, and warm bed, each individual is worked with to find out what was the "last straw" as well as all the other straws before that one landed them on the street. Skills, or more aptly, lack of skills, are evaluated and a plan is developed for the individual to acquire skills that will enable them to find and hold down a job. Help is given to locate suitable, affordable housing. Most important, the individual is "sold" the concept that their luck has changed and so will their life. Their connection with the Tri-Town Shelter means they will have the opportunity to acquire skills to turn their life around. We believe in them and will put our resources (food, shelter, counseling, training, etc.) where out mouth is, provided they are willing to commit all of their energy and spirit to their own transformation.

Red Cross Blood Drives:
For an appointment to donate, call 1/800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543)
More than 600 blood donations are needed EVERY DAY in Connecticut!

Wednesday, December 10th, 1:30 to 6:30p.m.
Northeast School
69 East Street,Vernon