Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

JANUARY 2009

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

At Christmas you often hear people say things like, "It's a pity that in all the rush we don't have time to think about the meaning of Christmas: the incarnation God became human and lived among us.

What did it mean for God, and what does it mean for us? He became one of us. This is precisely what is described in the first verse we heard from Paul:

When the time was right, God sent a rescuer, God's own Son; born to a woman in the usual way, growing up under the thumb of the Roman invading armies' law, just like the rest of God's people.

Even before we begin to think about why God might have done this, or what impact it might have on us, this is an extraordinary claim. The biggest miracle of the Christmas stories is not that a virgin became pregnant, but that God became one of us - incarnate.

When God becomes a human being - becomes incarnate - God is voluntarily exposed to the same fears and risks and dangers that the rest of us face. Throughout a human life in relationship with other human beings, God is exposed to the risks of being rejected, of being betrayed, of being falsely accused and eliminated. When God becomes one of us, God chooses life in all its beauty and ugliness, just like we do.

Now that is utterly amazing in itself. But the next question is "why?" He says that God sent the Son into such circumstances so that he could get everyone else out of them. The Son did what he did in order that we might have the opportunity to be adopted into God's family.

What we have here is the first Christmas Gift exchange. We give Jesus our humanity, and he accepts it, and offers us his divinity in exchange. He becomes a child of human beings, in order that we might become children of God. Because you are now God's children, the Spirit of God's child - Jesus - has been sent into your hearts.

And, he says, this changes everything because as God's children, you are no longer at the beck and call of what the world tells you is important. We no longer have to destroy ourselves and our loved ones by trying to conform to the impossible images of youth, beauty and success that are constantly bombarding us. It is different now, because we have become children of God, and as God's children we will receive from God all that has been kept in trust for God's children.

Rev. Roberta L. Williams

Jesus was born under the thumb of those pressures and constraints, just the same as we are. But he came into such a life to enable us to find a way out. I pray that this Christmas season has been one of transformation for you.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Looking Ahead to 2009:

The Fall Stewardship campaign results have been finalized. We received 26 pledges totaling $59,576; divided as follows: $42,631 for Program & Ministry, $8.010 for Mission and Outreach, and $8,935 for the Roof Fund. As I have said before, these are remarkable results, given the fact that the number of pledges has fallen steadily over the past few years. However, as we do the budget-building activity for 2009, we see a 'good news', 'bad news' scenario. The good news is that Roof Fund pledges will more than cover the loan costs in 2009, and Mission & Outreach pledges exceed the 10% goal. The bad news is that we are facing a potential $7,000 shortfall in income to meet Program and Ministry expenses. Solving this problem will require some creative decision making on the part of all the church leaders, along with the prayers of our church family. I'm sure that we can rise to the challenge.

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

Dave Howe: Chair

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

As this season of Advent comes to a close, and the Year 2009 is upon us; let us take a moment to give thanks to the Lord for another wonderful year. The Worship Committee has tried to provide the congregation many different ways in which they may offer up to God their praise and worship. In cooperation with other committees, we have tried variety of music, changes in the order of service, and educational and nurturing opportunities in which we gather to share and celebrate our common desire to praise God. As a congregation, we shared in a challenging time by moving our worship service into the Fellowship Hall. It brought to our attentions some of the pros and cons of our small congregational size, but through it all, our worship and praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit was as strong and vibrant as ever.

One change that this New Year will bring is that I have stepped down as Chair of the Worship Committee.The Committee on Lay Leadership is in the process of seeking someone for the position. So prayerfully consider whether or not the Lord may have laid this upon your heart and speak to Pastor Roberta.

Let me close this with a heartfelt thanks to each of you who have worked so hard and diligently planning and preparing for each of our worship services. Your faithfulness is greatly appreciated. And to all my brothers and sisters in Christ: a thank you for your attendance and participation in each worship service. Your presence is a blessing!

May the love of the Father, the strength of Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit guide and bless each of you throughout the New Year!

Jim Haag

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Roof project status report:

As you have heard - the major portion of the roof is completed. The main roof is rebuilt with eaves, gable ends, and gutters re-installed; bell tower slightly rebuilt, reinforced, re-sided, and new louvers installed; building addition has been re-roofed. Only the two lower roofs (over the kitchen and boiler room) remain to be completed. These will have to wait for better weather.

The final financial accounting will be done in January as the majority of the bills for December will be paid. There is still monies available in the roof fund, but I cannot give you the amount at this time. The trustees will work with the finance committee to determine that amount and then prioritize the remaining projects according to funds available. We will come back to the congregation to report our recommendations and decide which projects to proceed with.

There will be some additional yard work to be done as a result of the equipment being run over the yard, but that will be in the springtime.

I would like to offer a heartfelt word of thanks to all those who worked Saturdays, weekdays, and evenings to help put the sanctuary back together for Christmas eve service. It was tough to take the time during the hectic last few hectic days to help out. We greatly appreciate the efforts.

A reminder to everyone: that during this wintertime with the snow and cold temperatures that some additional precautions need to be maintained. We try to keep the walks, driveway and lot cleared, but that is not always possible, so walk carefully. Let us know of problems you encounter. Also, the very bitter cold sometimes affects the water lines in the basement, especially in the kitchen, so do not lower the thermostat below 60 degrees and if you find the kitchen cabinet doors open, leave them so for warm air to circulate.

Remember too that the worship committee will need your help to "un-hang the greens" and put the Christmas decorations away on Saturday January 10th.

MISSIONS COMMITTEE

HVCC/Tri-Town Pantry (860)872-7890
A huge "Thank You" to all who donated items for the six food baskets which VUMC put together for HVCC. We even had a few extra items (including a turkey) to send along with the baskets. Lots of mittens, scarves and hats also were received and taken to HVCC.
This year HVCC also gave us information on the family members for each basket. There were generous clothing donations for two of the families ---Thank You!!
Kevin and Colleen Morgan delivered the baskets and other items on Monday, December 22nd.

Cornerstone Soup Kitchen: (860) 871-1823

VUMC served at the soup kitchen on New Year's Eve. With the cold, windy, snowy weather, there were only a few folks there - so they were able to eat heartily. A noon meal was being served on New Years Day.
The soup kitchen is always in need of butter/margarine, eggs, cheese, bacon/sausage, and sandwich meats. Since these are perishable items, if you are able to provide them, please take them directly to the kitchen.

Heifer Project: Keep those refundable bottles and cans coming in! Remember, we are aiming for a complete heifer this time - not just a leg.

Ongoing collections:
Our collection bins are always available for items for: Haitian Health Foundation, Tri-Town Shelter, Tri-Town Pantry, and Cornerstone Soup Kitchen.
We also continue to collect box tops for education for the Red Bird Mission.
There are collection boxes in the Jerusalem Room for items for UMCOR's Health Kits.

Plan USA - Foster Child
VUMC has been sponsoring Elube James in Malawi, Africa, for the past ten years. She is about to graduate from the program. We have seen her grow (in pictures) from a little nine year old to a young lady nearly eighteen. Through the letters and reports received, we have been kept updated on the improvements in her village and schools that have been made to improve her life and that of her family. The Mission Committee will be working with Plan USA to select a new recipient after Elube's "graduation".

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!

The next meeting of the Mission & Outreach committee will be Thursday, January 15th, at 7:00PM at VUMC. These meetings are open to everyone.

Lydia Dingle

JANUARY SCRIPTURES

JANUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

A NEW YEAR'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, during this new year please give me:

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
FEBRUARY ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the February issue by Friday, January 30th. Anything not received by 6:00 p.m. on that date will not be included in the newsletter. Thank you for your cooperation.

Roger White - editor, pro tempore
E-mail vumcnews@sbcglobal.net

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