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Midweek Update
December 13, 2023
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Our Children's and Youth Ministry Director, Lara Upton, joins Pastor Alex to tell us about all of the exciting events coming up this Christmas season and in the New Year! Over the next three Sundays, we will have a potluck and round-the-table carol sing, a Christmas Eve complete with three worship services, and an ugly sweater casual worship on New Year's Eve. In the New Year, the CFUMC Hiking Group invites you to embark on "The Great Rivanna Trail Challenge" with them! See the announcements below for more information on getting involved. |
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Raise Some Dough for FUMP
Tonight, Wednesday, December 13th, 4:00-8:00 pm
Come out to help support the First United Methodist Preschool by enjoying a meal at the Panera Bread located at 405 Merchant Walk Square, Charlottesville!
20% of sales will be donated to FUMP if you use the code "FUND4U" when you check out online, in the Panera App, or at the kiosk in the restaurant. You'll get to enjoy a delicious meal while the preschool benefits from a portion of the proceeds! |
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Committal Service for Eileen Moyer
Thursday, December 14th, at 2:00 pm
A committal service for long-time member Eileen Moyer will be held Thursday, December 14th at Monticello Memory Gardens at 2:00 pm. Eileen was a dedicated choir member, office volunteer, and member of Circle #5. She celebrated her 96th birthday on November 27th.
Pastor Alex will be officiating at her celebration of life. |
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Potluck and Round-the-Table Carol Sing
Sunday, December 17th, following 10:00 am worship
Don't miss out on joyful carol singing and wonderful fried chicken! Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share at our meal! |
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Love INC Volunteers Needed
There is no argument that this is the busiest time of the year, since everyone is attempting to get as much as possible done in the little time that is left before Christmas. Yet, at the Love INC (Love in the Name of Christ) office, the need for volunteers is ongoing throughout the year.
We are currently in need of volunteers who are willing to come to the office and work in our storeroom by organizing and sorting the items. The goal is to free up space so that we can utilize the storeroom in a more efficient manner.
In addition, we could use a few people who could volunteer to help with answering phones on a regular basis. There would be a period of training involved.
Please call the office if you would like to volunteer at 434-977-7777. |
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Pick Up Your Advent Devotionals!
The 2023 Advent Devotionals are printed and ready to be taken home! Stop by the Welcome Center to pick up your copy of the devotional, which has short stories, scriptures, and prayers to help guide and inspire your reflections this Advent Season.
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December One Thing Ministry
Our December One Thing Ministry will benefit the UVA Stocking Project! Let's fill these stockings with the following items:
- Art supplies or kits
- Slippers or socks that are soft, cheerful, and festive
- Stocking hats or holiday hats
- Gloves that are warm and festive
- Holiday window decorations, like sun catchers and mini light strands
- Decks of cards or card games
- Mini candy canes
- Ornaments
- Small stuffed animals
- Coloring books and colored pencils
- Word searches, crossword puzzles, sudoku games
- Pencils with erasers
- Journals without wire
- Small games
- Flavored ChapStick or lip balm
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Advent Season Events Calendar
Sunday, December 17th:
- 10:00 am: Third Sunday of Advent Worship
- 11:30 am: Round-the-Table Carol Sing and Potluck Lunch
Sunday, December 24th:
- 10:00 am: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve Morning Worship
- 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service
- 11:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 31st:
- 10:00 am: Casual worship with caroling
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Church Council Meeting
Monday, December 18th, at 7:00 pm
The Church Council Meeting for December (our last meeting of 2023!) will be held on Monday, December 18th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will briefly go over some of the highlights from the year and look ahead to 2024 when we will celebrate 100 years of faithful ministry in the building in which we now worship. Council meetings are open to all members. Click the link here to join the Zoom.
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Young Adult Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 20th, at 6:30 pm
Calling all young adults who are 11th grade and older! Gather with us at Aldersgate UMC on Wednesday, December 20th for some festive, seasonal cheer!
They will be hosting a potluck dinner complete with a hot chocolate bar and Christmas games. Come as you are, and invite your friends!
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Help with GSAC PACEM Hosting
Saturday, December 23rd - Saturday, January 6th
In response to an upset to the PACEM hosting schedule, Good Shepherd Anglican Church (GSAC) has committed to hosting PACEM at Hinton Avenue starting on December 23rd. GSAC is the start-up congregation that is in the process of purchasing the Hinton Avenue facility.
Several GSAC Members volunteered during CFUMC's hosting of PACEM, and we would like to return the favor by volunteering to lend a hand and to spread the word of GSAC's act of mercy.
We are asking two things: first, follow the links below and sign up to volunteer. Second, forward this email to people and organizations you know encouraging them to volunteer.
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New Year's Eve Casual Worship
Sunday, December 31st, at 10:00 am
Let's gather for a casual worship - maybe even in our ugly Christmas sweaters - with caroling and the Word! |
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Advent Devotional Now Available
We're excited to share the Advent Devotional for the 2023 Advent Season with you! Members and friends of CFUMC have penned their reflections on this year's theme: Stranger at the Door. We invite you to use this devotional to guide your thoughts, prayers, and studies this Advent Season so that our hearts may be open to whatever the stranger at the door might bring.
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Cruise Study of Paul
Pastor Alex has updated information and a new video about the Mediterranean Journeys of Paul cruise scheduled for October 7th - 14th, 2024. Stops will include Rome, Naples, Palermo, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Athens, with plenty of time on board for optional classes on Paul and all the fun of the Voyagers of the Seas ship.
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Young Parents Small Group
Sunday, January 7th
The newly-formed Young Parents small group will begin a 6-week study of "Reckless Love" by Tom Berlin.
On Sunday, January 7th, anyone interested can meet at the Children and Youth First Sunday Lunch in the Fellowship Hall, and we will proceed from there! |
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Faith Seekers Class
Sundays at 8:45 am
Come join this adult class in room 208 at 8:45 on Sunday mornings. We will be discussing Pastor Alex Joyner's book, "A Space for Peace in the Holy Land: Listening to the Modern Israel and Palestine". It explores the background to the current conflict and profiles Israeli Jews and Palestinians who are working for peace.
The e-book is available on Amazon for $4.99, and it is available for free for Kindle Unlimited.
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Faith Explorers
Sundays at 11:15 am
The Faith Explorers class (Room 308 at 11:15) is reading Diana Butler Bass’s book, Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. The book is about introducing people to shifting religious demographics and to propose how communities of faith might rethink some basic issues about their identity, practices, and theology. The thesis is that certain forms of “religion” always end, often challenged by emerging cultural forms of spiritual experience and engagement, and that such endings are usually the beginning of some new and unexpected awakening. |
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The Adult Fellowship Group invites you to join us
Sundays at 11:15 am in Room 208
This class recently began a new study entitled: “Questions God Asks” from the Life Guide Series (Larsen and Larsen, authors).
The book is available through Amazon, or you can contact Carolyn McGee to obtain one.
So… grab your coffee and goodies from the Portico Café and come on in!
All are welcome! Questions? Contact Pat Graham.
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Men’s Bible Study!
Tuesdays at 8:00 am
Meeting at Wegmans at Fifth Street Station, we are continuing with fellowship and a concentrated study. All men of every age are invited.
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Interested in Reading?
Pastor Alex's book,
A Space for Peace in the Holy Land: Listening to Modern Israel and Palestine, can be purchased as an e-book on Amazon for $4.99.
If you are not a Kindle reader, simply purchase the book as if you were (so that the publisher will be paid) and we will print a physical copy for you here in the church office.
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CFUMC Hiking Group Meeting Recap
The CFUMC Hiking Group has decided upon a direction for their adventures in 2024! We are planning on challenging ourselves by hiking the entire Rivanna Trail by dividing it into sections. We will hike the first section, from Riverview to VFW and back (about 4 miles) on Saturday, January 13th, at 1:00 pm. More information about parking, difficulty, and future hikes will be added soon.
We are looking forward to hiking "The Great Rivanna Trail Challenge" together with you!
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Estimate of Giving Card
If you think you missed your chance to contribute to our missions and ministries after Consecration Sunday, it's not too late!
We hope you will continue giving through the church. Your pledges will help CFUMC in our mission to love the whole city, love the city whole, and start it right here! |
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The Handbell Ensemble
Monday evenings
Will resume rehearsals on Monday evenings beginning on November 13th, with rehearsals also on 11/27, 12/4, and 12/11 from 6:00-7:00 pm in the Handbell Room on the third floor.
The Advent musical offering date will be Sunday, December 17th. |
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Enjoying the food and fellowship at Portico Café after worship?
Thanks to those who recently gave monetary contributions for Portico Cafe - we have enough funds for coffee and creamer for the next couple of months, so you won't see the donation jar any time soon!
We will continue to host Portico Cafe outdoors as long as the temperature is above 50 degrees and not raining. Otherwise, it will be held in the Gathering Space. Look for hot chocolate and tea to be offered in December, along with coffee and all the goodies so many of you generously provide.
Email Lisa Hanrahan if you want to sign up to bring treats. A sign up sheet is also available by the coffee area. The success of Portico Café depends on the generosity of church members to help or contribute food! |
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Rainy Day Blues?
“Love the City” umbrellas will be left at the Front and Welcome Center entrances for all to borrow and then return on rainy days!
If you would like to purchase an umbrella to support our Nurture Ministries and our CFUMC Vision of
“Love the City," they are $20. Put “umbrella” in the memo line of your check. |
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The Quiet Center
Sundays at 11:15 in the Chapel
The Quiet Center is an after-church gathering of, and for, anyone who wants to know more about grief’s journey. The sessions are “stand alone,” to join anytime and as often as you wish, to explore the many faces of grief and to share with each other our time, our experiences, our presence and our prayers.
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Congregational Prayer Time
Now Tuesdays at 12:00 pm on Zoom
Meeting ID: 882 7977 8844
Passcode: 968327
If you are interested in praying for our church and community, be in touch with Carolyn McGee for the link. |
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Choir Rehearsal
Tuesdays from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm |
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Charlottesville was recently named one of "The 15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S." by Outside. Visit the article here and scroll down to the 5th photo to see a beautiful view of the downtown area, including the First UMC steeple, representing the whole city. |
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New Gallery Artist: Mae Stoll
There is new art being displayed in our upstairs gallery by local artist Mae Stoll! She is celebrating the end of her third year of painting and is excited to share this small sampling of her work with us.
She has had an exciting year of participating in multiple exhibitions and art shows, and of course, creating new work. After a late-in-life art “awakening”, she has embraced an “eclectic” style, and still mostly fascinated by landscapes.
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Clothes Closet
Donations to Hinton Ave UMC clothes closet:
Hours of operation: Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
We are looking for children to adult sizes, spring/summer clothing. Please make sure the clothing is gently used, clean, stain-free, and in good repair. Also accept some household items (e.g., sheets, towels, small appliances, dishes, pans).
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Assistance for Ukraine
UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #982450, is collecting funds for humanitarian assistance.
You can donate directly online or designate "Ukraine relief" on your checks made out to CFUMC. |
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Prayer Quilt Ministry
Contact Teri Guertler if you need a prayer quilt for someone going through a difficult time, or if you would like to help in the creation of the prayer quilts. No experience necessary.
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