Christmas Eve Service, December 24 at 6:00pm. Invite your friends, family and co-workers to join you for this celebration of the birth of Jesus. This year’s service will include an interactive “Las Posadas” skit, gifts for children, Communion, beautiful music and lighting candles to accompany Silent Night (Stille Nacht), a beloved hymn..
DISCERNMENT SESSIONS have begun …
Members and friends of First United Church are invited into a time of communal discernment through prayer, conversation and intentional listening to gather information for creating a church profile which will be used in the search process for calling your next settled Senior Minister.
This is a hectic time of year, but we hope you’ll carve out a couple of hours to participate in
at least one gathering from each of the Discernment Sessions. The next session is this Sunday, December 15, 12:30 – 2:30pm in Roger Williams Hall. We’d like to see and hear from you!
Pulpit Committee and Search Update
Last Sunday, December 8th, the Congregation unanimously approved the Pulpit Committee slate of 9 members and 4 alternates (with 61 YES votes tallied). Church Council thanks the
many dedicated individuals who were willing to serve, those who are making time in their
lives to serve, and the congregation for their love, support and prayers as we begin this important process in seeking our next spiritual leader. We are currently scheduling a search overview session for the committee with our Conference Ministers. We ask for your prayers for God’s love, strength, and guidance as we proceed, and strongly encourage all in our community, members and attenders alike, to attend the upcoming Discernment Sessions and give input on our hopes for the future of First United Church.
Mitten Tree for Shalom’s Clients who are Homeless: Help cover the Christmas tree in the narthex with items to keep a person warm outdoors (either new or gently used): hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, coats, blankets, socks, boots or cold-weather shoes. We’ll be collecting these items throughout the month of December and donating them to our homeless friends/neighbors at Shalom Community Center. Feel free to take an ornament from the tree if it helps you remember. There is no need to wrap anything. All adult sizes, both for men and women, are needed, howevermen’s large and extra large sizes are especially needed. (from the Outreach Board – Kim Albright, Sandy Keller, Dave Meyer, Rebecca Nunley, Cindy Stone, and Cleve Wilhoit)
Tuesday Morning Discussion
The Tuesday Morning group will finish our current video series on Dec. 17th. Due to holidays
we will not be meeting on Dec. 24th or Dec. 31st. Our first meeting in the New Year will be
on Jan.7th, when we will decide on our next video series. If you are free from 10 to 11:30 am on Tuesdays, we hope you can join us! Please see Derek Roe with questions.
Reverse Advent!
This Advent First United invites you to support our neighbors in need by reversing the usual tradition and donating a cleaning or hygiene item for each day of Advent. All donated items will be given to the MCUM Self-Sufficiency Center, which serves at-risk families and individuals in Monroe County. Please see Derek Roe with questions. Thank you for your generosity! We intend to deliver the supplies after December 22nd. MCUM’s cleaning and hygiene needs at this time are:
Shampoo/ Deodorant Toothpaste
Household cleaning liquids Conditioner
Bar soap or bodywash Toothbrushes
Household cleaning supplies
Diapers (all sizes)
Soliciting church programs.
Traveling over the holidays and worshiping elsewhere? The Committee on Community Development would like to see church bulletins from other congregations as we consider the insert and announcement section of First United Church’s programs in the new year. Please pass on programs to Laura Kao, Florence Shelton, Hopi Stosberg, Susan Bassett, or Terrie Kercher or leave them at the church office.
Minister Of Care For The Week Of December 15, IsNora Sullivan. A minister of care is a church volunteer who visits members in their home.
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