December 15 th is the Third Sunday of Advent
Prayers for Condolences, Comfort, and Love
After a brief time in Hospice care Sam Preston entered Life Eternal on Friday, December 6, 2019. The following is from The Rev. Francie Preston: Sam died Friday peacefully and comfortably in hospice care, shortly after realizing there were no solutions to his gastric cancer. Our four sons were with him in the last week. He was grateful for the prayers, love and care of the congregation. Thank you.

The Memorial Service for Sam Preston will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 11:30am in the Chatham UMC Sanctuary. There will be a reception that follows in Rodda Hall. The Rev. Clarissa South Holland will be officiating at the Memorial Service. Clarissa was one of our Associate Pastors here at Chatham UMC, and has journeyed with the Preston Family since the late 1990s.

Cards of love and condolence can be sent to the Preston Family c/o:
The Rev. Francie Preston
 2401 Pennsylvania Ave, #4B33
Philadelphia PA 19130.
This Week at CUMC
A Message from The Stewardship Committee:
On behalf of the Stewardship Committee, Thank You to all who submitted their 2020 Pledge Card. If you did not receive the letter and pledge card, please go to the CUMC website, www.chathamumc.com and click on Ministries and then click Stewardship. Click Here Now for a direct link to the page. All information is available there for you to review and print. You may also pick up these items on the information ledge and return to the church office. 
 
An Update on 2019 Pledges and Giving:
As we close out 2019, our pledges and giving this year are significantly under budget by at least $50,000, and there is an urgent need for you to bring your gifts and offerings up to date so that we can cover current expenses. Thank you for being one in ministry of the faith-filled, generous people at CUMC. 
 
Faithfully, The Stewardship Committee- Doug Bryant, Ronald Yarger, Anne Fullarton, Katie Hill, and Edit Ostrom 
It's Our F amily Promise Host Week!
Now - December 14 th , 2019
  Holidays and winter weather are especially stressful for our families struggling with poverty, homelessness, estrangement, misfortune, and injustice. Our hospitality is their exaltation, dignifying and strengthening their lives.  Don’t hesitate to call Claudia for questions or to volunteer.  Claudia Shaw  chs1munk@gmail.com, (973) 454-2014  
Sunday, December 15 th Third Sunday of Advent Joy
Deadline is This Sunday, December 15 th
Christmas Poinsettia Deadline
The CUMC Missions Committee has selected the following organizations to receive this year’s contributions: Local: CUMAC, National: UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery, International: Feed My Starving Children. The poinsettia display at Christmas time has always been the hallmark of the Advent celebration. Would you like to participate but can't get to CUMC for a form? Simply Click Here to print out the form and mail it in.
  • Family Promise Week Departure Day Thank you to all who volunteered to warmly welcome and host our guests. We are so grateful.
  • Advent Small Group Discussion, 10:15 AM, Room 6: Weekly Small Group Discussion will resume after the New Year.
  • Annual Giving Tree Deadline! Please return all unwrapped gifts and gift cards by Sunday, December 15th!
  • Weekly Advent Gathering, 4:30-6PM (Details below in December Details)
Hosts: Cheryl, Jeff, & Cole Dennis: 81 Summit Ave., Chatham 
Monday, December 16 th
Make a Difference ... Change Lives ...
Pack Bags With Cookies!
On Monday, December 16 th at 9:15 AM at the Morristown UMC (on the green), all are invited to participate in assembling gift bags for inmates at the Morris County Correctional Facility as part of their Chaplaincy Christmas Gift Ministry. This will include the cookies we decorated at our Cookies4Life event! Many hands make light work, and the more the merrier! For more information or to carpool, contact Associate Pastor Sharon Yarger at the church office or at scyarger@optonline.net
Monday, December 16 th cont.
  • Advent Small Group, noon, Room 6
Monday, noontime Bible Study will not be held during Advent. Join us for our Advent Small Group! Bible Study will resume on January 13 th
  • Advent Small Group, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, Wesley Room
Tuesday, December 17 th Trustee Meeting , Room 7 at 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 18 th Abigail Circle , 6:30 PM at Amy R's
Thursday, December 19 th First Friends Care and Hospitality Training Opportunity 7:30-9:30pm at Christ Church, 561 Springfield Ave. Summit, NJ 07901
Please scroll down for more information.
The Ukulele Orchestra will next meet on Saturday, December 14 th at 10:30 a.m. in the Music Room. 

This Sunday, December 15 th , the Covenant Choir , Wesley Ringers , and Ukulele Orchestra will sing and play for both services: the Ukulele Orchestra will play the Coventry Carol and Once in Royals David’s City for the Prelude, the Choir will sing Hal Hopson’s Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes for the Message in Music, and the Ringers will perform the hymn tune, The Angel Gabriel for the Offertory music. 

On Christmas Eve , Tuesday, December 24 th , the Youth Musicians will lead music for the 5:00 p.m. interactive, child-friendly service. In the 8:00 p.m. service of lessons and carols, the Covenant Choir will sing and Dorothy McCorry and Ron Yarger will play flutes. For more information email Peter Hill at   petepiano@mac.com .
December Details
Blue Christmas Reflections

Please Click Here to read a lovely letter from Chris Fillimon and the Stephen Ministry
Help Up fill our Tree with Socks!
Sock Collection from Now - December 29 th
Please bring in new socks of all sizes and for all ages to hang on our Sock Tree. The gift of a new, warm pair of socks this cold winter season is so important for those in need. Please hang your gift on our Christmas Tree located near the upstairs elevator. Thank You!
2019 Weekly Advent Gatherings
Sundays in Advent 4:30 - 6PM
Our congregation and friends will be gathering together on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-6PM for hors d'oeuvre fellowship, and some brief devotionals, Advent candle lighting and singing. Our schedule is as follows:
December 15 th
Hosts: Cheryl, Jeff, & Cole Dennis
81 Summit Ave., Chatham

December 22 nd
Hosts: Babbitt/Incardona Family
15 Pierson Lane
Florham Park, NJ 07932 
CUMC’s Jr. Youth Invite You to Help with
Annual Giving Tree
Please return all unwrapped gifts and gift cards by Sunday, December 15th!
  Here’s how you can still help:
1. For cards/tags with gifts, please sign your name by the corresponding item on the “Giving Tree” Donor Sign Out list on the door by the tree.
2.  Purchase the gift or gift certificate or make a cash/check donation (made out to Chatham United Methodist Church, note: Giving Tree)
3.  Attach the holiday gift card / tag to the purchase gift . Please do not wrap the gifts. Gift bags or unsealed decorative boxes are okay.
4.  Place gifts under the tree by Sunday, December 15 .  (Cash/gift cards can be placed in the decorated Gift box in the church office.   
Advent Small Groups Information
Groups meet :
Sundays at 10:15 AM, Mondays at noon, or Mondays 7:30 PM
During the holy season of Advent we’re delighted to offer an opportunity to grow in faith as we deepen our relationships with God and one another by being part of a small group. Advent 2019 features the DVD-based study Light of the World: A Beginners Guide to Advent . 
Signup sheets are located across from Pastor Jeff’s office, and books may be purchased for $15.00 each.  For further information contact Associate Pastor Sharon Yarger at the CUMC office or at scyarger@optonline.net .
An Opportunity for Care and Hospitality...
12/12/19

Dear Friends,

Our Chatham UMC has been supportive of First Friends, located in Kearny, NJ. Our church has been very generous in collecting stamps, paper, envelopes and phone cards for First Friends who then distributes these items to asylum seekers incarcerated in the correctional facilities in Bergen, Essex and Hudson Counties. 

I will be attending a training event for those interested in visiting incarcerated asylum seekers and immigrants, as well as training for those who would like to provide a few hours of care and hospitality to those who are being released. If you would like to join me, the training will be held, next Thursday, December 19 from 7:30-9:30pm at Christ Church, 561 Springfield Ave. Summit NJ 07901.

Peace,
Pastor Jeff

About First Friends:
First Friends of NJ and NY upholds the inherent dignity and humanity of detained immigrants and asylum seekers. We promote compassion and hope through volunteer visitation, resettlement assistance and advocacy. First Friends is a 501(c)(3) a charitable tax–exempt organization.
For more information: https://firstfriendsnjny.org 
Festive Moments!
Our Annual Cookies4Life Event last Friday was enjoyed by many CUMC members of all ages. We decorated 600 cookies for the inmates and staff at the Morris County Correctional Facility! Please join us on Monday in Morristown to create gift bags!
Details above under This Week at CUMC
It was a beautiful snowy Morning this past Tuesday for our Annual UMW Advent Luncheon ! Carols were sung...Christmas traditions were shared...a delicious meal was enjoyed and our hearts are full!
Notes of Gratitude
We received some lovely thank you letters in the mail this week expressing gratitude for the generous members of Chatham United Methodist Church. You may click on each below to read the corresponding letter. The originals may be found on our Member's Bulletin Board.
Looking to 2020
  • The 2020 Altar Flower Calendar is now up on the bulletin board across from Jeff's office. Please sign up for your weekend before it fills!

  • Epiphany White Gift Sunday is on January 5th. This year our gifts will once again benefit Our Promise. Our Promise is a day center for people living on the street in Morristown; it is under the umbrella of the Family Promise organization. A suggested list for White Gift donations will be provided soon.

  • Jazzed for RISE, January 11th, 7:00-9:00pm, Rodda Hall
A benefit concert featuring the Chatham Community Jazz Band

  • Rebecca Circle has scheduled their first 2020 meetings to be Tuesday, 1/7, 1-4 pm in the Asbury Room & Tuesday, 2/4, 1-4 pm in the Asbury Room.
News and Outreach
2019 Holiday Cards and Gifts Sale!
CMP is partnering with Minted to fund raise! From now until December 31 st go to www.minted.com/HOLIDAY and shop for your holiday cards and gifts. When you use the program code: FUNDRAISECMPRES you will save 20% on your order AND Minted will donate 15% to CMP!
Volunteers are always needed for Ministry Outreach.
Please click on the following to get involved:
  • Bread Ministry Click Here to Sign Up
  • Liturgy Ministry Liturgists Needed for Sundays through Epiphany Sunday 2020! Click Here to Sign Up If you have any questions about this ministry, please feel free to contact Barbara Babbitt at bbabbitt@optimum.net.
  • MedShare Collection Barrel To see a list of items for donations and guidelines please Click Here Fliers are also available on the barrel. For more information about MedShare please visit their website. MedShare.org
  • Care Corp: CUMC remains committed to our neighbors in need throughout the year with our Care Corps Ministry. If you or someone you know needs meals or transportation, please call the CUMC office at (973) 635-7740 or Marie Watt at (973) 635-7326.
If you cannot join us on Sunday or you would like to hear something again try our podcast. All  podcasts  are on iTunes and you may subscribe for free!  Try it by Clicking Here
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— Chatham United Methodist Church —
460 Main Street
Chatham, NJ-(973) 635-7740
All submissions for next week's CUMC Weekly E-news are due to Eileen Ruggiero by Tuesdays, 2:00 PM Submissions may be emailed to  chatumc@optonline.net .
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