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Below is the current edition of the Gathering & Scattering newsletter. If you have any questions about anything found in this newsletter,
please visit our website or contact the church office by calling (225) 344-0343. We hope to see you in worship this Sunday!
Not all events happening at the church are able to be highlighted in our newsletter.
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THE UPCOMING SUNDAY @ UUMC:
Please read the entire newsletter for more details on the items listed below, as well as for other details of events and news from the church. Not all events happening at the church are listed below.
SUNDAY, November 19
8:00 a.m. Blood Drive in Front Parking Lot
8:30 a.m. Worship
9:25 a.m. Children Leave worship for G.P.S. and go to Choir
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 a.m. Special Sunday School presentation of My Darling: A World War II Scrapbook
presented by Rev. Carole Cotton Winn in the Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for Youth & Adults
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
12:00 p.m. FREE College Lunch for students (Fellowship Hall)
4:30 p.m. Chapel Choir Rehearsal
5:30 p.m. Youth Dinner & Youth Fellowship
SERMON:
"The Table of Grace"
Rev. Colleen Bookter
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 20:1-16
MUSIC FOR SUNDAY:
8:30 AM: Michael Hull and Hollyn Slykhuis, trumpets; Chapel Choir; Agape Ringers
11:00 AM: Michael Hull and Hollyn Slykhuis, trumpets;
Chancel Choir; Agape Ringers
MY DARLING: A WORLD WAR II SCRAPBOOK: SPECIAL ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY - SUNDAY IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL FROM 9:45 - 10:45 AM. Everyone is invited to hear Rev. Carole Cotton Winn (a retired UMC minister) share about the book she wrote using her father's World War II letters. Her father was involved in the planning and implementation of D-Day, but was also a graduate of LSU and had a great connection to Baton Rouge.
THE PECANS ARE COMING! - For those who pre-ordered pecans, they will be in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 19 during Fellowship Time between 9:30 and 11 AM. Please drop by, pick up your pecans, and pay for your order. We will have a few extra 1 lb bags of halves and pieces that will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Thanks for supporting Chapel Choir!
"COME TO THE TABLE" WORSHIP SERIES - You are invited to attend worship this November as we celebrate the abundance of God's love and grace through weekly Holy Communion. "Come to the Table" to receive God's grace and love. "Come to the Table" to celebrate the joy of the Lord. "Come to the Table" to give thanks to God for all God has given. "Come to the Table" to share the love of God with your family, your neighbor and the stranger you have yet to meet. Join us any Sunday at 8:30 AM or 11 AM.
FREE COLLEGE LUNCH: Every week during the fall and spring semester, all college and grad students are invited to join together in the Fellowship Hall after our 11:00 AM worship for FREE lunch and fellowship!
FAITH FRIENDS - NOT MEETING THIS SUNDAY - BACK NEXT WEEK! All 3rd-6th graders are invited to join us NEXT Sunday (11/26) upstairs in the Children's Building for some Christmas Crafts! For more information, contact Vicki Frick at [email protected].
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Pastor's Pen
"Gratitude is at the heart of the Christian Faith," says The Rev. Ken Millard, President of United Theological Seminary. While every day should be a day of thanksgiving to God, the weeks of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas bring a special outpouring of thanksgiving. As we come to the table for Thanksgiving with family, friends, and neighbors, we are reminded of the goodness of life and living. We are reminded of the abundance of God's generosity toward us.
That same feeling of generosity was a central theme in ancient Jewish worship. When you read the Psalms you cannot help but notice how often the people express their thanks to God for the Lord's faithfulness to the people. When we take the time to see what God's provided to us, we cannot help but be thankful and sing God's praises as well.
A Psalm of Thanksgiving
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100 has been sung throughout the ages in acknowledgement of all God has done for us. Its words evoke great joy, thanksgiving and praise. When I consider all the wondrous things that God has generously provided for me and for my family, I am humbled by God's goodness and grace. This year's Thanksgiving will be a special reminder of all the goodness of life and the gift that life is, was and will be.
May we all pause to remember from whom our bounty comes and share in the joy that God's generosity brings to each one of us.
In Christ,
Dr. Jane
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A Letter from Rev. Carol...
Dear Members of UUMC,
I am in my sixth year serving as a Deacon in the Care Ministries of UUMC and I will be retiring from this position effective 1 January 2018. I am retiring because my family and my age (74 years) say, "It is time!" I want to thank you for the meaningful experience of serving Christ with you in this community.
Wow! It has been six years of spiritual growth for me as I sought the Lord for help in learning how to love and share with each person God put in my path. God is a gracious teacher and that grace never failed me. Because of help from God, help from UUMC's wonderful senior and associate pastors, and help from a church filled with kind, compassionate, and loving people, I rejoice over the six years that I have served at UUMC. My soul has been nourished here. Thank you for the many kindnesses you have extended to me and the joy I have felt in being among you all. You are forever written on my heart.
In Christ's love and service,
Carol
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A World War II Scrapbook
Special Adult Sunday School Opportunity
THIS SUNDAY!
Sunday, November 19th
Fellowship Hall
9:45-10:45AM
Everyone is invited to hear Rev. Carole Cotton Winn (a retired UMC minister) share about the book she wrote using her father's World War II letters. He was already a lawyer and state senator when he left for the war and Carole was a baby. Her father was involved in the planning and implementation of D-Day, but was also a graduate of LSU and had a great connection to Baton Rouge.
Carole recently presented this look at the WWII museum in New Orleans and will talk about the book which is written like a scrapbook. Many of her father's papers were donated to Hill Memorial Library.
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Thanksgiving Leftover Extravaganza!
After you have eaten your fill of stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, and varied casseroles, what do you do with the leftovers? Many of us give them to members of the family or we eat them and eat them and eat them until they are gone. How about joining your church family and using up those leftovers?
On Sunday, November 26th following the 11 am service we will have a Thanksgiving Leftover Extravaganza in fellowship hall. Dr. Jane and Brian will bring plenty of roasted turkey to share. Just bring your leftovers to the kitchen prior to the worship service and we'll have them ready and on the table after the service ends. Come join in the fellowship and gobble up all those good eats!
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 JOIN US FOR A SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS
FEATURING MUSICIANS FROM UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH INCLUDING THE CHANCEL CHOIR, EVELYN HOPES ON ORGAN, YOUTH SOLOISTS,
AS WELL AS GUEST INSTRUMENTALISTS ON
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AT 7:00PM.
Please make plans to attend, invite friends and family to this not-to-be missed event! Complimentary childcare will be provided. Free and open to the public.
About the evening: the Festival of Lessons and Carols is a format of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. Through readings of nine short Bible verses from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choral music, the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told.
The format was based on an Order drawn up by then Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, Edward White Benson (later Archbishop of Canterbury), for use on Christmas Eve 1880. Tradition says that he organized a 10 pm service on Christmas Eve in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral. The original liturgy has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world.
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Advent 2017 at University UMC
The Redemption of Scrooge
Sermon Series:
During the Season of Advent, each Sunday's sermon will be based around the book, The Redemption of Scrooge by Matt Rawle. This sermon series walks us through the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Together we will dive deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge, watch as he is given a much needed second chance, and discover how we too can be redeemed.
Advent Studies:
Want to dig deeper this Advent? We have two options for you:
- Eat. Breathe. Study.
Join us each Wednesday morning from 7-8AM in the chapel beginning November 29th through December 20th. Take a break from the hectic nature of the Christmas season. Come center yourself, take a breath, enjoy a light breakfast, and get reacquainted with the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come while we learn about living with and for others in world blessed by Jesus. Books can be purchased in the church office for $10.
Inter-Generational Sunday School Class (Library)
Foundations Class (Trice 215)
Carpenters Class (Trice 210)
Youth (Upstairs in Holmes)
We hope you will journey with us this Advent as we rediscover and reinvigorate our Christian faith this season while looking at this familiar classic through the lens of faith. Questions? Contact Rev. Colleen at [email protected].
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SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 at 5 PM 
Come make a joyful noise and spread the holiday cheer to our church members that need it the most.
Join members of our church as we go caroling at the homes of some of our homebound University UMC members. No singing skills necessary, just the desire to spread the message of hope and joy. We encourage you to dress in Santa hats, red and green, Christmas sweaters, and even Christmas jammies for the brave-at-heart. Carolers of all ages are needed!!
We will gather at UUMC at 5 PM on Sunday, December 17th for pizza and expect to return around 7:30-8 PM for hot chocolate. If you plan on attending or have questions, please contact Gary Merrifield at [email protected].
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December 2:
A Day Away Retreat: Advent Retreat
Wesley Foundation at LSU Chapel, 9am-3pm
You are invited to "A Day Away", Saturday, December 2nd, as we begin the Advent season with one another. This has become a lovely tradition for many- just a day away to rest, prepare, and watch for the birth of the Christ child.
We will gather at the Chapel of the LSU Wesley Foundation at 9AM. Wear your comfy clothes, bring your slippers if you like, and we will move through the day with worship, prayer (we will be making our own Advent Prayer Beads!), and time for your own writing or reading as we pause to reflect on the deeper meaning of Advent and Christmas in our lives.
We will conclude by 3PM. The time will be facilitated by Lisa Frost, Margaret Johnson and Lynn Mitchell. This will be our third annual Advent retreat and those who have attended before walked away with feelings of peace, hope, rest, and maybe a little Christmas sanity to last the season.
All ages, men, and women are invited to come. If you have any questions, please email Lisa Frost at [email protected].
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Kids Hope News & Updates
Building a strong foundation for a lasting friendship.
Kids Hope's Annual
School-wide Holiday Party
"Candy Cane Celebration 2017"
University Terrace Elementary
Friday, December 1st 1:30-3:00 PM
Mark your calendars for Friday, December 1st from 1:30-3:00 PM at University Terrace Elementary. We're hosting a "Candy Cane Celebration" for the entire school and we will need a minimum of 60 people there to pull it off! We'll be making candy cane sleigh treats, peppermint scented slime, and playing candy cane minute-to-win-it games. It'll be a lot of fun! Bring a friend...or two!
UPCOMING DATES:
November 13th - 17th - Last week of regular mentoring this semester.
November 20th - 24th - Thanksgiving Break at UT - NO VOLUNTEERING
November 30th - "Elves" needed to pack up party bags 12:00 noon Fellowship Hall
December 1st 1:30-3:00 PM - CANDY CANE CELEBRATION! Kids Hope Hosts 8th Annual School-wide Holiday Party at UT - ALL volunteers plus extras needed!
December 4th - January 15th - Kids Hope Winter Break. Rest up sweet volunteers...you deserve it!
December 8th - We host Annual Teachers' Christmas Luncheon at UT. Dessert, salads, and appetizers needed.
Friday, December 15th - Kids Hope and UUMC Preschool team up to host The 2017 Angel Tree for 11 deserving UT families. Monetary donations appreciated to help off-set the costs.
January 16th - ALL volunteering resumes for Spring Semester
Shirley Flake
Director, Kids Hope of UUMC
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UNIVERSITY UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
3350 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
PHONE: 225.344.0343
FAX: 225.344.0530
Senior Pastor:
Associate Minister:
Minister of Congregational Care:
If you received this email from a friend, please consider
signing up to receive it directly through constant contact:
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If you haven't already, it's time to turn in your pledge card!
The church Finance Committee depends on your pledges to put together our budget for the next year. Without your financial commitments known, it is very hard for them to realistically budget for all of the missions, projects, events, and other items that we would like to focus on in 2018. If you want to continue to see our church thrive, grow, and expand... your pledge is SO important!
If you have any questions about making a pledge, how to give online, recurring gifts, or catching up on your 2017 pledge, please contact our Financial Secretary, Ruthie Fahey, by calling the church office at 225-344-0343 or emailing her at [email protected]
Thank you for your prayerful discernment and generous giving, which helps keep our church running!
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FAITH FRIENDS
Holiday Schedule
Faith Friends is our Sunday afternoon program for 3rd-6th graders. We normally meet upstairs in the Children's Building from 4:30-6:00pm throughout the school year. As we approach the busy holiday season, our schedule gets a little crazy. Here's our plan through the end of the year:
- Nov. 19 - Not Meeting - Thanksgiving Break
- Nov. 26 - Regular Time, 4:30-6:00pm - Advent Study
- Dec. 3 - Time TBA - Meeting at Cinemark Perkins Rowe to see "The Star;" open to all who'd like to join us! The time will be announced as soon as that week's show times are available.
- Dec. 10 - Regular Time, 4:30-6:00pm - Advent Study
- Dec. 17 - 5:00-7:30pm - Church-wide Christmas Caroling to some of our members who are homebound.
- Dec. 24 & 31 - Not Meeting - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
- Jan. 7 - Regular Time, 4:30-6:00pm - New Year's Resolutions
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________________________________________
This SUNDAY in Youth:
We will be attending the presentation of My Darling: A World War II scrapebook in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Carole Cotton Winn ( a retired LA UMC minister) will be presenting.
We will be discussing some possible Christmas music and talking about some repertoire for the next year.
- 5:30pm - Youth Fellowship
Upcoming Events:
Dec. 3rd - Pajama shopping for Kids Hope
Dec. 10th - Pajama wrapping and Christmas Tree set-up
Dec. 17th - Church-wide caroling event
Dec. 22nd - Youth Christmas Party
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Looking forward to Confirmation
We are in the initial planning phase for Confirmation 2018, which would run through the spring. Typically, the class is open to 6th graders; however, we know that there might be some older students who have not gone through the Confirmation process before now or may want a "refresher" course. If you are interested in this journey for yourself or for your student, please let us know so that we know what to plan and who to plan for. For more information, contact Vicki at [email protected].
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Kids' Night Out
- Pajama Party -
Friday, December 15 6:00-10:00pm
Hey, Parents! Need a night out? Need to finish shopping? Like to have a date-night? Well, have we got a deal for you!! We're having a Kids' Pajama Party on Friday, December 15th from 6-10pm. We'll have Christmas crafts and games, Pizza for dinner, and a "settle down, it's time for bed" movie! Kids are invited to wear their PJs and bring a pillow and a blanket or sleeping bag to get comfy. The Cost for the evening is $5/child to help cover dinner and craft supplies. So that we'll be sure to have enough supervision, Parents, please email [email protected] to make your reservations now.
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Weekly Advent Offerings Announced
Beginning December 3 there will be a weekly offering for a variety of local needs in the Baton Rouge community. Each week we hope to collect something different. Just bring the items into worship and lay them at the foot of the Chrismon trees. Here are the needs we are concentrating on this year:
- December 3 : New Toys for the children served by Hope Ministries
- December 10 : Non-perishable food for the Hope Ministries Client Choice Food Bank
- December 17 : Stuffed Teddy Bears and Other Stuffed Animals for Children Served by the Special Victims Unit of the EBR Police Department
- December 24 : Diapers and Baby Wipes for Youth With a Mission Vision Shelter for Battered Women and Children
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The LSU Wesley Foundation is looking for YOUR help! We are trying to send some love throughout campus during finals week. One of the ways we are trying to do that is by "Operation: Final Cookie." This is where we pass out cookies (in bags of 3 or 4 with a Wesley sticker on them) and hand them out in Middleton Library in a blitz of sugary, buttered hospitality.
Last year, we brandished a couple thousand cookies all over Middleton, and had students lining up to get them! If we serve everyone in the library, then we'll spill out into campus to give students a meaningful interruption in their day, a reminder that God (and The UMC) loves them.
The blitz in Middleton Library is happening on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 4, so we ask all cookies be into the church office by Monday by noon at the latest. If you have an oven, some time, and a desire to positively impact a bunch of college students please write Adam at [email protected] or give the office a call at (225) 344-7012.
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This month the UUMC Book Club is reading
An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. We will meet to discuss the book on Monday, December 11th at 6pm at Martha Wright's house (please email Elizabeth if you need the address). All are welcome (even if you don't get a chance to finish the book)! Email Elizabeth ( [email protected]) if you would like to be added to the reminder list.
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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN OF HOPE MINISTRIES
During the month of November, the members of Susanna Wesley Circle are once again conducting their toy drive for the children served by Hope Ministries. This year we will be collecting NEW toys for over 320 children. We especially need infant and toddler items (100 of the kids are age 4 and under) and Walmart $15 gift cards for 81 teenagers (ages 13-17). We prefer simple toys....cars, balls, dolls, games, sporting goods, art supplies, etc. No toy guns of any kind and no electronics or toys that require batteries please! Items may be brought to Fellowship Hall at any time and placed in the collection box there. Final collection day for toys will be Sunday, December 3rd. Cash donations are greatly appreciated and can be left in the church office or given to Jane Blackledge. Pickup is also available. Thanks for your generous gifts each year!
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Birthday Party for Jesus
Sunday, December 24th @ 10:00am
On Christmas Eve morning, all children are invited to a Birthday Party to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We'll make an ornament or two and spend a little time remembering the Reason for the Season. (shhhh.....we'll even have birthday cupcakes!).
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ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION CLASSES FOR SUNDAY, November 19th:
[ If your Sunday School Class would like their weekly study listed below, please email Kelly Surace at
[email protected]
or call 344-0343 each Monday to be included in that weeks G&S listing ]
- Carpenter's Class - We will be studying the practices of our faith with the study Animate Practices. Join us in room 210 on the second floor of the Trice building for a great discussion.
- College Class - Please join us upstairs in the Trice Building in room 214 as we study Adam Hamilton's "Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say," read scripture, and join in discussion.
- Contemporary Christian Concerns (CCC) Class - The class will join others in Fellowship Hall.
- Foundations Class - This class focuses on short-cycle studies that range from topical subjects, to discussions of Scripture. To accommodate busy schedules, our studies are designed for "picking up" at any week of the study, and require no "homework." This class welcomes open conversation that uplifts our common journey in faith and meets upstairs in the Trice Building Room 215.
- Genesis Young Adult Class - We will be discussing Nooma videos from Rob Bell until Advent begins. Please join us on the second floor of the Trice Building in room 213.
- Inter-Generational Bible Study Class - We will be joining everyone in the Fellowship Hall to hear Carole Cotton Winn.
- Open Door Class - We will join church in Fellowship Hall to hear Carole Cotton Winn.
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WITHIN THE CHURCH FAMILY...
JOYS:
- Happy Birthday to Marilyn Braymer, Art Moles, Roy Parker, and Tot Swanson.
- Congratulations to Olivia Puccio on being named Student of the Year at Duplessis Primary.
CONCERNS:
- Condolences to Elizabeth Hilliard and family on the passing of her uncle, David Barlett.
- Condolences to Gladys Brown and family on the passing of her brother, Gerald Reynolds.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:
- The family of David Barlett, Mildred Caldwell, Sandra Roux Crosby, Cynthia Fisher, Norma Garner, Susan Jensen, Henrietta Jones, Maverick Lasserre, David Nason, Logan Macon, Sally Martin, Mary McGehee, Diane Moyer, the family of Gerald Reynolds, Rick Thomas, Paul Ungar, Tom Wilton, Diane Zufall.
*If you have a Joy, Concern, or a name for the prayer list that you would like mentioned here, please email [email protected] or call her in the church office at 225-344-0343. Deadline for submitting information to the newsletter is every Monday at noon for information to be included in that weeks newsletter. We also celebrate birthdays of our members who have reached the age of 80+, if you fit this category but we missed your birthday, please call us so we can add your birthday to our database.*
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