NEWS

Grace United Methodist Church
NEWS/EVENTS
December 2011 thru January, 2012

TOPICS
COVERED
HERE:

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Choir News

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

WOMEN IN GRACE SERVING (WINGS)

Membership Committee
Donna, Chairperson

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to 'make disciples for Jesus Christ for the formation of the world.' This is based on the 'Great Commission' of Jesus, found in Matthew 28:18-20. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church have sent forth a 'Call to Action' which calls all United Methodist churches to become world leaders in developing existing churches and starting new and vital congregations. For 40 years our denomination has been in numeric decline and it is time to turn things around. A recently study reviewed the statistical reports of 33,000 churches and found 5,000 churches that were growing over a 5-year period of time. These churches were engaging in vital worship, making new disciples, growing in faith, serving in mission and giving generously. This study showed that these characteristics of a vital congregation could be found in churches of all sizes, locations, and ethnicities."

The 'Call to Action' is calling us to set goals and measure our progess. We measure what we value in life and it focuses attention on what these goals represent in the life of the church. Here are the categories we are asking our churches and pastors to measure:

1. Disciples in worship - worship attendance.
2. Disciples making new disciples - numbers of professions of faith.
3. Disciples growing in their faith - number of small groups that nurture and encourage spiritual growth and hold people accountable in growth (these can be short term or long term groups such as Sunday Schools, bible studies, etc.)
4. Disciples engaging in mission - number of disciples doing outreach in the community and the world.
5. Disciples sharing their resources for mission - amount given to mission (this includes apportionments paid and support for all UM and non-UM organizations active in advocacy, education, health, justice, mercy, outreach and welfare anywhere in the world.)

Churches and pastors will be asked this fall to discuss among the leadership of the church these important categories and to project how many and how much they will produce in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015."

"Through the process of goal setting we are attempting to help each congregation be a strong and as vital as it can be. Each year churches should review their statistics and compare them with their projections.   They should discuss what they need to be doing differently and what is really working. May we work together in new ways to increase our ministry and outreach far into the future."

(A summary of the Message from Bishop Peggy A. Johnson presented in the September 23rd Edition of "Communicator an edition of the United Methodist Reporter.")

Grace United Methodist Church is poised for the "Call to Action." Our church leadership is having the necessary discussions. We need everyone to get involved. Start by coming to church services. Next, call the church when you have a question, a need, or information that will help us stay connected to our church family. Then volunteer to help with a church project or to go out into the community to serve. Finally, engage your friends and family to participate. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit..."Be one of the members of GUMC making a different in the "Call to Action."

CHOIR NEWS

JUNIOR:
I hope you have enjoyed the children's song elections so far this year. We are now practicing for the Christmas season. It is so great to have so many children in the choir. I am so proud and excited about their singing, and I think they are having a good time. They are doing a super job. Please come to church to support and hear their wonderful voices. You never know what surprises we might have in store for you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Junior Choir.

SENIOR:
The closing of this year brought with it the departure of four members from the Senior Choir. Martha Jo, Shelley, Bonnie, Jim have hung-up their robes and are taking a prolonged hiatus.
The choir's Christmas cantata, "All is Calm, All is bright," will be presented on Sunday morning, December 18th at the 11 A.M. service. We hope you will be there to be blessed by this beautiful Christmas presentation.

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Les, Chairperson

As we approach the holiday season, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. As we go about our daily lives full of excitement over Christmas, let us never forget the real meaning on the holiday. It is also a time of sharing and giving and we should open ourselves up to those in need and share our blessings with them. I always liked the old saying, "but by the grace of Gold go I." It is a good reminder to me how much I have been blessed and how in a moment everything can change. Never lose sight of the gifts God has given each and every one of us and as his disciples we need to heed his word, not just this time of year, but all through the year.

On another note, I want to share with everyone that we are trying to move forward in replacing our old heating system. As many of you know, this dilemma is something the board has addressed many times over the past years. We now have an opportunity to switch our system from oil to gas which should save us approximately 40% in fuel costs. This can be accomplished for approximately, $20,000.

As Administrative Board chairperson, I would propose we try to raise this money and not use church funds.   The funds that are available would be better left alone in case of a real emergency. As you know we have a very old church and we must have money readily available in case we incur any unforeseen problem.

I am asking each and every one of our members to look into your hearts and consider helping us update our heating system. With the church budget being tight, maintaining our church funds would relay help to maintain that budget.   If you chose to make a donation, please send a check to the church office marked "Furnace Fund."

Thank you and may God Bless you this Holiday Season.

WOMEN IN GRACE SERVING
(WINGS)
NAN

Text Box: Women of Grace are united in Christian fellowship and vow to love God and encourage one another to use our God given gifts and talents in service to Grace UMC and our community.

As we approach that special time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the WinGS ladies will be celebrating God's love by purchasing clothing and toys to help a needy family within our church.

At our next meeting, which has been scheduled for Thursday, December 15th at 5:30 p.m. due to the Christmas holiday, we will be enjoying a time of light refreshments and fellowship as we gather together to wrap the gifts for our family.

At the end of December, I will be leaving the office of President of Wings. I want to thank everyone for helping me have an inspiring year that I will remember forever. Diane has graciously agreed to serve as President with the help of JoAnn.

Due to conflicts in schedules, the WinGS ladies will being meeting every second Thursday of the month at 5:45 p.m. We would love to have you share the time with us in worship, fellowship and planning projects to help our church and community.

		*Grace United Methodist Church* NEWS/EVENTS December 2011 thru January, 2012

TOPICS COVERED HERE: MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Choir News ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE WOMEN IN GRACE SERVING (WINGS)		Membership Committee Donna, Chairperson The mission of the United Methodist Church is to 'make disciples for Jesus Christ for the formation of the world.' This is based on the 'Great Commission' of Jesus, found in Matthew 28:18-20. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church have sent forth a 'Call to Action' which calls all United Methodist churches to become world leaders in developing existing churches and starting new and vital congregations. For 40 years our denomination has been in numeric decline and it is time to turn things around. A recently study reviewed the statistical reports of 33,000 churches and found 5,000 churches that were growing over a 5-year period of time. These churches were engaging in vital worship, making new disciples, growing in faith, serving in mission and giving generously. This study showed that these characteristics of a vital congregation could be found in churches of all sizes, locations, and ethnicities." The 'Call to Action' is calling us to set goals and measure our progess. We measure what we value in life and it focuses attention on what these goals represent in the life of the church. Here are the categories we are asking our churches and pastors to measure: 1. Disciples in worship - worship attendance. 2. Disciples making new disciples - numbers of professions of faith. 3. Disciples growing in their faith - number of small groups that nurture and encourage spiritual growth and hold people accountable in growth (these can be short term or long term groups such as Sunday Schools, bible studies, etc.) 4. Disciples engaging in mission - number of disciples doing outreach in the community and the world. 5. Disciples sharing their resources for mission - amount given to mission (this includes apportionments paid and support for all UM and non-UM organizations active in advocacy, education, health, justice, mercy, outreach and welfare anywhere in the world.) Churches and pastors will be asked this fall to discuss among the leadership of the church these important categories and to project how many and how much they will produce in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015." "Through the process of goal setting we are attempting to help each congregation be a strong and as vital as it can be. Each year churches should review their statistics and compare them with their projections. They should discuss what they need to be doing differently and what is really working. May we work together in new ways to increase our ministry and outreach far into the future." (A summary of the Message from Bishop Peggy A. Johnson presented in the September 23rd Edition of "Communicator an edition of the United Methodist Reporter.") Grace United Methodist Church is poised for the "Call to Action." Our church leadership is having the necessary discussions. We need everyone to get involved. Start by coming to church services. Next, call the church when you have a question, a need, or information that will help us stay connected to our church family. Then volunteer to help with a church project or to go out into the community to serve. Finally, engage your friends and family to participate. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit..."Be one of the members of GUMC making a different in the "Call to Action."	CHOIR NEWS JUNIOR: I hope you have enjoyed the children's song elections so far this year. We are now practicing for the Christmas season. It is so great to have so many children in the choir. I am so proud and excited about their singing, and I think they are having a good time. They are doing a super job. Please come to church to support and hear their wonderful voices. You never know what surprises we might have in store for you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Junior Choir. SENIOR: The closing of this year brought with it the departure of four members from the Senior Choir. Martha Jo, Shelley, Bonnie, Jim have hung-up their robes and are taking a prolonged hiatus. The choir's Christmas cantata, "All is Calm, All is bright," will be presented on Sunday morning, December 18th at the 11 A.M. service. We hope you will be there to be blessed by this beautiful Christmas presentation.

	ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD Les, Chairperson As we approach the holiday season, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. As we go about our daily lives full of excitement over Christmas, let us never forget the real meaning on the holiday. It is also a time of sharing and giving and we should open ourselves up to those in need and share our blessings with them. I always liked the old saying, "but by the grace of Gold go I." It is a good reminder to me how much I have been blessed and how in a moment everything can change. Never lose sight of the gifts God has given each and every one of us and as his disciples we need to heed his word, not just this time of year, but all through the year. On another note, I want to share with everyone that we are trying to move forward in replacing our old heating system. As many of you know, this dilemma is something the board has addressed many times over the past years. We now have an opportunity to switch our system from oil to gas which should save us approximately 40% in fuel costs. This can be accomplished for approximately, $20,000. As Administrative Board chairperson, I would propose we try to raise this money and not use church funds. The funds that are available would be better left alone in case of a real emergency. As you know we have a very old church and we must have money readily available in case we incur any unforeseen problem. I am asking each and every one of our members to look into your hearts and consider helping us update our heating system. With the church budget being tight, maintaining our church funds would relay help to maintain that budget. If you chose to make a donation, please send a check to the church office marked "Furnace Fund." Thank you and may God Bless you this Holiday Season. WOMEN IN GRACE SERVING (WINGS) NAN As we approach that special time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the WinGS ladies will be celebrating God's love by purchasing clothing and toys to help a needy family within our church. At our next meeting, which has been scheduled for Thursday, December 15th at 5:30 p.m. due to the Christmas holiday, we will be enjoying a time of light refreshments and fellowship as we gather together to wrap the gifts for our family. At the end of December, I will be leaving the office of President of Wings. I want to thank everyone for helping me have an inspiring year that I will remember forever. Diane has graciously agreed to serve as President with the help of JoAnn. Due to conflicts in schedules, the WinGS ladies will being meeting every second Thursday of the month at 5:45 p.m. We would love to have you share the time with us in worship, fellowship and planning projects to help our church and community.